Every WWE Royal Rumble 'Final Four' - From Worst To Best

11. 2002 - Steve Austin, Mr. Perfect, Kurt Angle & Triple H

It's tough to bet against this field: perennial Rumble MVP Steve Austin, fresh-from-injury mega face HHH, G.O.A.T. contender Kurt Angle and somehow-as-good-as-ever nostalgia entrant Mr. Perfect. Of the three, Perfect was the least-likely candidate, but the fact that he had reappeared in peak form and made it to his first final four since 1990 made it seem that anything was possible. Ultimately, Triple H was the right choice: he was white hot as a face at this point, while Austin would be better positioned against the incoming nWo invaders. Unfortunately, the follow-up to this Rumble deflates it quite a bit. Triple H's title feud with Jericho was disappointing, and closed out X8 to the sound of crickets because the fans were positively drained after Rock/Hogan. Also, Austin wrestled Scott Hall in a throwaway midcard bout, Angle wrestled Kane in the same, and Mr. Perfect was dumped on Heat. "Deflated" might not be a strong enough word.