WWE Royal Rumble: Best Performances From Every Entry Slot
1. Shawn Michaels - 1995
Despite the difference between entering at No. 30 and at No. 1, the former has only produced one more winner in thirty years. The two men who have gone coast to coast to win the Rumble are Shawn Michaels in 1995, and Chris Benoit in 2004. While Benoit lasted a lot longer than Michaels (remaining in the ring for over an hour compared to Michaels' 38 minutes), HBK eliminated eight men on his way to victory, two more than The Rabid Wolverine.
Druke Droese, Tom Prichard, Bushwacker Luke, Jacob Blu, Bushwacker Butch, Aldo Montoya, Lex Luger, and The British Bulldog were all eliminated by Michaels on his way to victory. Not only did this crown HBK the winner, it also gave him the most eliminations out of any superstar in the 1995 Rumble.
This is the match where Michaels' shaped the fake out elimination. While we may see it dozens of times each Rumble now, HBK surviving being thrown over the top rope, just managing to keep one foot off the floor, was incredible at the time. The subsequent elimination of The Bulldog was more than deserved for Michaels, after possibly the greatest ever Royal Rumble performance.