One of the most interesting facets of the Royal Rumble is that the performance of each superstar in the match typically indicates where they stand within the brand. A solid performance at the Rumble often heralds the start of a broader push for a particular superstar, as they have found a way to assert themselves in a match that pits them against a literal whos-who of the WWE locker room. While many of the superstars who are thrown over the top rope fail to distinguish themselves in the match, there are occasions when men seem to dominate the Rumbles proceedings, making the match their own until a greater hero (or villain as the case may be) finds a way to bring their night to an end. In particular, these ten superstars reached above and beyond in the Rumble, making a name for themselves even though they ultimately failed to make the main even at WrestleMania.
10. The Rock - 1998
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z6_O9V2_J4 1998s Royal Rumble marks the earliest The Rock has ever had to enter the Rumble, having drawn as the fourth entrant. Having already made a name for himself that evening by retaining his Intercontinental Title against Ken Shamrock, The Rock proceeded to blend his skill with surprising endurance, picking his spots for fifty-one minutes and thirty-two seconds as he willed his way from the beginning of the match to being one of the final two entrants contending for the WrestleMania title shot. While The Rock did not dominate the match by physically overwhelming his opponents, he made a definite statement of his desire to be a main event caliber superstar in the WWE by eliminating those who were standing in the way of his ascendancy. After helping several competitors throw out the monstrous Kurrgan, he went right back to work on Ken Shamrock. The Most Dangerous Man in the World, came out with fire in his eyes, eager to avenge his earlier loss, and scored some solid offense on The Peoples Champ. Rocky would have the last laugh however, connecting with an excruciating low blow before tossing Shamrock unceremoniously over the ropes. The Rock would continue to bide his time, laying low until the match had whittled down to the last three competitors: himself, Stone Cold, and Nation of Domination leader Faarooq, whom The Rock was a direct subordinate to. The Rock would show how little he respected his superior, sneaking up on Faarooq as he attempted to eliminate Austin. The Rock crept up behind the leader of The Nation, using his weight against him to fling him the rest of the way over the ropes. With only Stone Cold and The Rock left, a portend of future wars between the superstars, the relatively unknown Rock would distinguish himself again by holding his own against the well-established Rattlesnake, going blow for blow in the middle of the ring. In the end, The Rocks luck finally ran out, as an ill-fated sneak attack turned into a Stone Cold Stunner and the final elimination of the evening. Even bearing the loss at the Rumble, The Rock had officially arrived as a main event caliber superstar.