WWE Royal Rumble: 10 Best Performances By Losing Superstars
6. Triple H - 2006
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxCiET6XWE0 Since debuting in the WWE as Hunter Hearst Helmsley, Triple H has always possessed and air of being unstoppable, as though his persona supersedes that of just an ordinary wrestler. He is the embodiment of The Game because time and time again, Triple H has found ways to overcome his opposition by using his mental acuity and awareness of his surroundings to his advantage, often pulling victory from out of nowhere. It is The Cerebral Assassins strength of mind that proved his greatest asset in 2006, when he was forced to enter the Royal Rumble match at number one, facing off against the undersized yet ferocious Rey Mysterio, a clear challenge for Triple H, as he had not often battled combatants who capitalized off of an unorthodox style. The Game proved to be a perfect match for Mysterio, as the two would continue to trade blows early on. The evening would prove to become increasingly difficult for The Game, as his rivals began to make their way to the ring quickly following the opening bell. First, Ric Flair made his way to the ring at number five, eager to dish out some painful chops to his former protégé. After establishing a modicum of control, the Nature Boy let his guard down at just the wrong time, allowing Triple H to score some critically needed offense before tossing out his mentor. It would not get any easier for The Game, as The Big Show would make his way to the ring at number six, at the time one of Triple Hs biggest adversaries. Show, later joined by his co-tag team champion Kane, would attempt to take over the match, tossing out the hapless Coach and the physical specimen Bobby Lashley. Upon seeing the two giants turn on each other however, Triple H would seize his opening and toss out both Show and the Big Red Machine as they each tried to chokeslam each other over the top rope, living up to his Cerebral Assassin moniker. Triple H would then settle in for the long haul, avoiding the more destructive opponents until they had been subdued by other superstars first, all the while still keeping his eyes open for an easy elimination, catching Chavo Guerrero in a moment of tribute to his fallen uncle and depositing him on the outside. His real challenge came when Randy Orton took to the ring at number thirty, Triple Hs former brother in Evolution. The two had been at each others throats backstage, but smartly sized up other competitors, saving their mutual hatred for each other until the in-ring numbers began to dwindle. The match would come down to Triple H, Orton, Rob Van Dam, and Mysterio, turning into an impromptu tag team affair. Triple H used a Mysterio miscue to his advantage, launching him into Rob Van Dam, sending the Whole Damn Show flying to the outside. With only the smallest man left in their way, Orton and Triple H decided to get rid of Mysterio before settling their score. Mysterio fought valiantly, but following a Pedigree, The Game seemed poised to eliminate the Ultimate Underdog. Ironically, the one time when The Cerebral Assassin let his guard down proved to be his downfall, as Mysterio repositioned himself on Triple Hs shoulders, using the ropes to send him flying out of the match with a hurricanrana after one hour and nine seconds. Only Bob Backlund lasted longer in a Rumble match without coming away as the victor. Nevertheless, Triple H proved, as he always has, that he belongs in the main event.