Ranking Every WWE Royal Rumble Since 2010
1. 2020
This year's Royal Rumble rightfully earns its place at the top of this list, with many shocks and surprises as well as huge crowd reactions and excellent booking.
The show's opening affair saw Roman Reigns take on King Corbin in a falls-count-anywhere match that was a testament to its stipulation. The two competitors used all of the ground given to them, by exiting the ring and exploring all areas of the Minute Maid Park - there was no location off-limits for these men. Even with the interference of Corbin's associates, Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode - as well as the arrival of The Usos - this match could not be slowed down. Eventually, both men ended up near the dugout of the baseball stadium, before 'The Big Dog' hit his trademark spear on Corbin to pick up the victory.
Next was the Women's Royal Rumble, which was kicked off by Alexa Bliss and Bianca Belair. This match featured a multitude of surprise appearances, from the amazing - Beth Phoenix and Shayna Baszler - to the underwhelming, such as Santina Marella. This Rumble match was more likely to feature surprise returns or debuts, due to the lack of confirmed superstars prior to the match. A fantastic match, which was well-balanced and efficiently booked, this bout saw the favourite to win, Shayna Baszler, thrown out last by Charlotte Flair.
The toughest spot of the night was always going to be in between the two Royal Rumble matches, and so it proved. Bayley vs. Lacey Evans was met with a worn-out crowd, regardless of the decent action in the ring from both women. Also, Daniel Bryan vs. The Fiend was filled with cringe-inducing spots, as both men used the strap as a weapon - with the welts on Bryan's back serving as a cruel reminder that wrestlers truly put their bodies on the line for the audiences every week. The penultimate match of the night saw Becky Lynch defend her RAW Women's Championship against Asuka, in an excellent spectacle of women's wrestling. However, the fantastic in-ring action was again, hampered by the exhausted crowd.
Finally came the Men's Royal Rumble match.
Brock Lesnar entered - as promised - at the number one position, and was shortly followed by 'The Drifter', Elias. This began Lesnar's reign of terror in the Rumble match, as he swiftly eliminated each entrant that followed, tallying up an extraordinary total of 13 eliminations. Removing names such as Kofi Kingston, Rey Mysterio and Keith Lee, Lesnar dominated the match until Drew McIntyre made himself known by hitting a Claymore Kick on 'The Beast Incarnate' and knocking him out.
The match also saw the return of MVP after ten years, although he was quickly fed to 'The Beast'. Also, this match brought 'The Rated-R Superstar' Edge back to our screens for the first time in nine years. His return brought the house down in Houston, with the emotion being evident on his face as he made his way to the ring. As his signature theme hit, the WWE Universe in attendance - and those watching around the world - rose to their feet to celebrate the return of one of the most beloved WWE superstars ever.
The match came down to its final four - Randy Orton, Roman Reigns, Edge and the eventual winner, Drew McIntyre. 'The Scottish Psychopath' waited until the perfect moment to strike, hitting Reigns with a Claymore and eliminating him to win the 2020 Men's Royal Rumble.
This pay-per-view deserves its place as the best Royal Rumble event of the last ten years, due to the shock factor in both Rumble matches, as well as the excellent story-telling and crowd-pleasing results. This Rumble event will go down in history as having one of the best Royal Rumble matches ever, as well as being a mostly outstanding show.