How AEW Broke The WWE Royal Rumble Curse
Doink The Clown (Ray Apollo, '94) was cursed to fail to repeat the success Matt Borne found in the role, though that is likely attributable to the shift from "genuinely sinister and unusual presence" to "It's such good sh*t when the clown does pranks, pal". Jacob Blu ('95) didn't last long in the gimmick, but survived the curse through nepotism. Doug Gilbert ('96) didn't land a permanent gig, and cursed his mainstream prospects forever by lashing out at Jerry Lawler in infamous fashion a few years later. Goldust ('97) subsequently lived through a decade of personal turmoil. Ken Shamrock ('98) peaked as performer that year. Kurrgan ('99) left wrestling outright almost immediately. Bob Backlund (2000) can only sell books via intimidation (ask Adam Wilbourn) nowadays. The Goodfather ('01) couldn't get over again. Diamond Dallas Page (2002) was also finished in the mainstream until his improbable in-ring return this very week.
Eddie Guerrero ('03) was taken from us two years later, as a second wave of drug-related deaths swept through a still-rotting industry. Rikishi ('04) was released that same year. Orlando Jordan ('05) was released the following year, purportedly as a result of grim backstage behaviour. Joey Mercury ('06) suffered one of pro wrestling's grisliest ever in-ring injuries later that very year, and, sadly, appears now to suffer from significant mental health issues. Jeff Hardy ('07) has fought himself with as much drama and injury as any of his violent in-ring car crashes. Umaga ('08) died a year later through acute toxicity. Finlay ('09) was released two years later after pulling a tasteless stunt at a house show, but later returned as the secret weapon and vocal supporter of the company's Women's division. MVP (2010) was released later that year. Ditto Chris Masters ('11). Jinder Mahal ('12) broke the curse, the internet, any the patience of many fans by capturing the WWE Heavyweight Title after an enforced stint in the wilderness. Rey Mysterio ('14) was in decline as a performer, and left WWE a year later. Kevin Nash ('14) endured a public and physical falling out with his son, for which he was arrested.
DDP again entered at #14 in 2015, and was hospitalised with subglottic stenosis the very next month. Was the Undertaker controlling the tumbler?
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