Every January, WWE hosts the Royal Rumble event, one of what is considered The Big Four (WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Survivor Series and The Royal Rumble) and it features a marquee match of the same name. This is a pivotal point on the 'Road to WrestleMania', with people beginning to look forward to The Show of Shows as we approach the Rumble.
So what exactly is the Royal Rumble?
Well, dear reader, let me tell you.
The Royal Rumble is an elimination match that consists of 30 wrestlers, but once it was 40 in 2011. The match begins with 2 wrestlers in the ring and at regular intervals (supposedly) another one enters the match. Eliminations can only occur by throwing an opponent over the top rope and both their feet touching the floor. This process continues until just one man is left in the ring and is declared the winner. As a prize, the winner receives a world championship match at WrestleMania, more often that not, in the main event.
It does sound kinda convoluted, but it is really fun once things get going. One element that I love about the Royal Rumble is the unknowing and surprise it can bring. Sometimes they'll reveal ahead of time who might be entrant #1, #2 or #30, but other than that, you never know who is coming out when.
This leads to a lot more excitement, and when that countdown for the next entry pops up, and the whole crowd are counting down with it, its a very special moment. It could be a first appearance, it could be a return, it could be a fan favourite, it could be legend, all of them make the crowd electric.
I vividly remember being sat watching that live and me and my brother flipping shit at AJ Styles's debut. Magic is real, and wrestling can create it.
With the high stakes of a world title match at WrestleMania, this match gives you the chance to cheer on your favourites as they look to achieve something they have yet had chance to. I always root hard for my guys who haven't been given much opportunity at world championship gold. Then as the numbers grow and grow, and they're still in the ring, fucking hell its a rush. There's no better relief than when a guy you're cheering to win just escapes elimination, and no greater drain than when they don't.
It is possibly the most emotionally charged match in wrestling, taking you through a series of highs and lows in great succession. For example, here's an exert of my experience last year;
Kevin Owens enters [Excited]
Kevin Owens faces off with AJ Styles [Super Excited]
Kevin Owens eliminated AJ Styles [WHAT THE FUCK]
Countdown pops up [Still a bit pissed, getting more excited again]
Sami Zayn enters [FUCKIN' YES]
Zayn and Owens brawl [Awesome!]
Zayn eliminates Owens [FUCKIN' A, MATE]
Zayn is later eliminated [PISSING JESUS NO!]
Y'see? Lots of shit can go down in the matter of just a handful of minutes.
The Royal Rumble is also interesting in how it can make set up some awesome situations. Like I said above, you can get dream pairings pop up, like Owens/Styles and last year there was also a great Triple H/Wyatt face-off which got some big cheers. There can be nostalgic moments, with either old rivals or old teams interacting one more time.
Another note on the significance of this event, in WWE when someone has their accomplishments listed, the list is comprised of 4 main things; championships, Money in the Bank wins (I'll get to them at another time), Hall of Fame entry and Royal Rumble wins. The Rumble is held in such high regard that it can define a career, making superstars. When you look at the illustrious list of winners, that fact becomes apparent; Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, The Undertaker, Hulk Hogan, Triple H, John Cena, Edge, Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart and it goes on and on and on, creating history.
My one last point I wanna make about why I love the Royal Rumble is less about what it physically is or its significance, but the effect it has. My friends and family are well aware of my love for pro wrestling, and its always nice when they embrace this. The Royal Rumble has such a magnitude that it sticks with people, even former or non-fans. Around Rumble season or when it gets mentioned, I'm always met with 'Is that the one with everyone in the ring?' or similar questions. Whenever I say there's a big show coming up, my Dad will forever ask if its the Royal Rumble, and then ask if The Big Show still wrestles. This makes the whole event feel even more important to watch, an importance second only to WrestleMania.
So, in summary, The Royal Rumble; 30 men, 1 winner, world championship match at WrestleMania, emotions run high, shit ton of tension, surprises, cool shit, face-offs, importance, one awesome night which I may or may not skip school on the Monday after for depending on my level of persuasion.
That's about it for this edition of 'Wrestlintroduction', hope you enjoyed, hope you learnt something and I hope this makes my love for this wacky world of wrestling seem less fucking weird. Seeya next time (if I haven't pushed you away so far please love me its very lonely over here)
I vividly remember being sat watching that live and me and my brother flipping shit at AJ Styles's debut. Magic is real, and wrestling can create it.
With the high stakes of a world title match at WrestleMania, this match gives you the chance to cheer on your favourites as they look to achieve something they have yet had chance to. I always root hard for my guys who haven't been given much opportunity at world championship gold. Then as the numbers grow and grow, and they're still in the ring, fucking hell its a rush. There's no better relief than when a guy you're cheering to win just escapes elimination, and no greater drain than when they don't.
It is possibly the most emotionally charged match in wrestling, taking you through a series of highs and lows in great succession. For example, here's an exert of my experience last year;
Kevin Owens enters [Excited]
Kevin Owens faces off with AJ Styles [Super Excited]
Kevin Owens eliminated AJ Styles [WHAT THE FUCK]
Countdown pops up [Still a bit pissed, getting more excited again]
Sami Zayn enters [FUCKIN' YES]
Zayn and Owens brawl [Awesome!]
Zayn eliminates Owens [FUCKIN' A, MATE]
Zayn is later eliminated [PISSING JESUS NO!]
Y'see? Lots of shit can go down in the matter of just a handful of minutes.
The Royal Rumble is also interesting in how it can make set up some awesome situations. Like I said above, you can get dream pairings pop up, like Owens/Styles and last year there was also a great Triple H/Wyatt face-off which got some big cheers. There can be nostalgic moments, with either old rivals or old teams interacting one more time.
Another note on the significance of this event, in WWE when someone has their accomplishments listed, the list is comprised of 4 main things; championships, Money in the Bank wins (I'll get to them at another time), Hall of Fame entry and Royal Rumble wins. The Rumble is held in such high regard that it can define a career, making superstars. When you look at the illustrious list of winners, that fact becomes apparent; Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, The Undertaker, Hulk Hogan, Triple H, John Cena, Edge, Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart and it goes on and on and on, creating history.
My one last point I wanna make about why I love the Royal Rumble is less about what it physically is or its significance, but the effect it has. My friends and family are well aware of my love for pro wrestling, and its always nice when they embrace this. The Royal Rumble has such a magnitude that it sticks with people, even former or non-fans. Around Rumble season or when it gets mentioned, I'm always met with 'Is that the one with everyone in the ring?' or similar questions. Whenever I say there's a big show coming up, my Dad will forever ask if its the Royal Rumble, and then ask if The Big Show still wrestles. This makes the whole event feel even more important to watch, an importance second only to WrestleMania.
So, in summary, The Royal Rumble; 30 men, 1 winner, world championship match at WrestleMania, emotions run high, shit ton of tension, surprises, cool shit, face-offs, importance, one awesome night which I may or may not skip school on the Monday after for depending on my level of persuasion.
That's about it for this edition of 'Wrestlintroduction', hope you enjoyed, hope you learnt something and I hope this makes my love for this wacky world of wrestling seem less fucking weird. Seeya next time (if I haven't pushed you away so far please love me its very lonely over here)
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