3. 2008
Any match that opens up with Undertaker and Shawn Michaels was starting on the right foot. The two had put on a classic to end the previous Rumble and because symmetry was so encapsulating to professional wrestling writers they started it off in 2008. The ring built up with bodies pretty soon after, leading to a moment of true nostalgia in the heart of the match. Jimmy Snuka and Roddy Piper were involved in one of the most legendary moments in professional wrestling, so as the 2008 Rumble was taking place in the most legendary arena (Madison Square Garden) it was fitting that they would come out and recreate some of their magic from two decades prior at half the speed. Both were quickly tossed, but the image lives on. Triple H was pretty much a nailed on winner for the match, so the crowd went suitably ape when number 30 happened to be a returning John Cena. The final four were Cena, Triple H, Batista and Kane, with Cena eventually tossing The Game to the floor for the win. A blockbuster ending to a hell of a Rumble match.
John Bills
Contributor
Born in the middle of Wales in the middle of the 1980's, John can't quite remember when he started watching wrestling but he has a terrible feeling that Dino Bravo was involved. Now living in Prague, John spends most of his time trying to work out how Tomohiro Ishii still stands upright. His favourite wrestler of all time is Dean Malenko, but really it is Repo Man. He is the author of 'An Illustrated History of Slavic Misery', the best book about the Slavic people that you haven't yet read. You can get that and others from www.poshlostbooks.com.
See more from
John