The history of the Royal Rumble Match is filled with statistics. With enough free time on your hands, you can determine everything from the Superstars who spent the most time in the ring during the annual brawl to the guy who won the bout with the least amount of effort. But there was a certain number that interested us the most.
WWE.com looked back through every Royal Rumble Match and kept a close eye on the Superstars who were regularly chucking dudes out of the ring. After crunching some numbers, we came up with the 10 competitors who eliminated more challengers during their careers than anyone else. Hold on tight.
10.) Edge with 17 Eliminations
In many ways, The Rated-R Superstar’s Royal Rumble Match history mirrored his own WWE career. He didn’t earn his way into the history books with brawn or power, but with cunning and tenacity. Edge never eliminated an opponent in the Rumble with an overhead military press. Instead, it was a sly yank on the top rope or a boost when they least expected it. The Ultimate Opportunist was able to do that 17 times total in six appearances — the most important one coming in 2010 when he dumped John Cena to win the whole damn thing.
9.) Randy Orton with 19 Eliminations
When Randy Orton won the Royal Rumble Match in 2009, he did it with more than just a little help from Legacy cohorts Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase. Still, The Viper has proven himself to be a dangerous Rumble competitor in his own right with 19 individuals purged in his seven appearances. Orton never had the most eliminations in a single Rumble, but his personal best was in 2004 when he booted five.
8.) John Cena with 22 Eliminations
You don’t win two Royal Rumble Matches without sending a few dudes overboard. So it should come as no surprise that John Cena — the 2008 and 2013 winner — has launched 22 opponents across his seven attempts to survive the 30-man melee. Cena actually has the least total eliminations for a Superstar with multiple Rumble wins, but his impact — particularly in 2011 where he eliminated seven opponents — is impossible to deny.
7.) Big Show with 25 Eliminations
The World’s Largest Athlete has never won a Royal Rumble Match (although he came damn close in 2000), but he’s made his mark in each of his nine appearances in the over-the-top-rope free-for-all. Since his 2000 Rumble debut, Big Show has eliminated 25 Superstars total — usually by flinging them into the mezzanine. The giant’s most impactful year was 2009 where he dumped six opponents, including Rey Mysterio, CM Punk and The Undertaker.
6.) Hulk Hogan with 27 Eliminations
Although he only appeared in four Royal Rumble Matches, “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan was the first Superstar to win back-to-back in 1990 and 1991. With a winning ratio of 50 percent – a record matched only by “Stone Cold” Steve Austin – The Hulkster eliminated a total of 27 Superstars in his four appearances. The WWE Hall of Famer is also tied with “Stone Cold” for the second-most eliminations in a single Royal Rumble with 10. In terms of dominant Royal Rumble performances, Hulk Hogan no doubt set the bar high for only a handful of Superstars to surpass.
5.) Triple H with 28 Eliminations
When it comes to the Royal Rumble Match, Triple H is all about longevity. The Game has appeared in eight Royal Rumble Matches —claiming victory in 2002 — and eliminated a total of 28 Superstars. However, the most impressive Rumble feat for The Game is the total amount of time he stayed in the ring. Proving his resilience – possibly more than any statistic in his career – Triple H has spent 231 minutes and 32 seconds in the contest. With more than three hours in the fray, The Game guaranteed that every other Superstar was in for the fight of their life.
4.) The Undertaker with 35 Eliminations
The Undertaker has only claimed victory once in his 10 Royal Rumble Match appearances. Nevertheless, The Phenom is always a target of allies and enemies alike any time he enters the bout given his reputation. In 2002 alone, The Deadman eliminated seven Superstars. Over the course of his 10 entries into the Royal Rumble Match, The Undertaker has amassed 35 eliminations total, making him one of the bouts most feared entrants.
3.) "Stone Cold" Steve Austin with 36 Eliminations
WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s reputation as the toughest S.O.B. in WWE history is no doubt supported by the Royal Rumble Match. The Texas Rattlesnake competed in six Rumbles, claiming victory in three – back-to-back in 1997 and 1998, then again in 2001. “Stone Cold” is also responsible for 36 total eliminations in his six appearances. As a result of his victories in 1999 and 2001, Austin would go on to WrestleMania and win the WWE Championship.
2.) Kane with 38 Eliminations
Although The Big Red Monster has appeared in 14 Royal Rumble Matches – more than any other Superstar in WWE history – he has never been able to claim victory. Nevertheless, Kane has 38 total eliminations and could potentially claim the record if he competes in the Rumble again. Additionally, The Big Red Monster holds the record for the most eliminations in a single Royal Rumble Match, eliminating 11 Superstars in 2001 – surpassing Hulk Hogan’s 1989 record of 10 and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s 1997 record of 10. It’s no wonder Superstars hold on to the ropes for dear life whenever they are in the Rumble with Kane.
1.) Shawn Michaels with 39 Eliminations
Shawn Michaels has competed in 12 Royal Rumble Matches, second only to Kane’s 14 appearances. However, HBK’s total time inside the annual battle clocks in at 222 minutes and 30 seconds – a half hour longer than The Big Red Monster’s total. Michaels’ agility and in-ring capabilities also contributed to him racking up the most total eliminations in the Royal Rumble Match – 39 – and two back-to-back victories in 1995 and 1996. The victory in ’95 was the most impressive, considering that HBK was the first entrant and narrowly escaped defeat – holding onto the ropes with only one foot touching the mat, allowing him to reenter the match and eliminate an unsuspecting British Bulldog.
WWE.com looked back through every Royal Rumble Match and kept a close eye on the Superstars who were regularly chucking dudes out of the ring. After crunching some numbers, we came up with the 10 competitors who eliminated more challengers during their careers than anyone else. Hold on tight.
10.) Edge with 17 Eliminations
In many ways, The Rated-R Superstar’s Royal Rumble Match history mirrored his own WWE career. He didn’t earn his way into the history books with brawn or power, but with cunning and tenacity. Edge never eliminated an opponent in the Rumble with an overhead military press. Instead, it was a sly yank on the top rope or a boost when they least expected it. The Ultimate Opportunist was able to do that 17 times total in six appearances — the most important one coming in 2010 when he dumped John Cena to win the whole damn thing.
9.) Randy Orton with 19 Eliminations
When Randy Orton won the Royal Rumble Match in 2009, he did it with more than just a little help from Legacy cohorts Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase. Still, The Viper has proven himself to be a dangerous Rumble competitor in his own right with 19 individuals purged in his seven appearances. Orton never had the most eliminations in a single Rumble, but his personal best was in 2004 when he booted five.
8.) John Cena with 22 Eliminations
You don’t win two Royal Rumble Matches without sending a few dudes overboard. So it should come as no surprise that John Cena — the 2008 and 2013 winner — has launched 22 opponents across his seven attempts to survive the 30-man melee. Cena actually has the least total eliminations for a Superstar with multiple Rumble wins, but his impact — particularly in 2011 where he eliminated seven opponents — is impossible to deny.
7.) Big Show with 25 Eliminations
The World’s Largest Athlete has never won a Royal Rumble Match (although he came damn close in 2000), but he’s made his mark in each of his nine appearances in the over-the-top-rope free-for-all. Since his 2000 Rumble debut, Big Show has eliminated 25 Superstars total — usually by flinging them into the mezzanine. The giant’s most impactful year was 2009 where he dumped six opponents, including Rey Mysterio, CM Punk and The Undertaker.
6.) Hulk Hogan with 27 Eliminations
Although he only appeared in four Royal Rumble Matches, “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan was the first Superstar to win back-to-back in 1990 and 1991. With a winning ratio of 50 percent – a record matched only by “Stone Cold” Steve Austin – The Hulkster eliminated a total of 27 Superstars in his four appearances. The WWE Hall of Famer is also tied with “Stone Cold” for the second-most eliminations in a single Royal Rumble with 10. In terms of dominant Royal Rumble performances, Hulk Hogan no doubt set the bar high for only a handful of Superstars to surpass.
5.) Triple H with 28 Eliminations
When it comes to the Royal Rumble Match, Triple H is all about longevity. The Game has appeared in eight Royal Rumble Matches —claiming victory in 2002 — and eliminated a total of 28 Superstars. However, the most impressive Rumble feat for The Game is the total amount of time he stayed in the ring. Proving his resilience – possibly more than any statistic in his career – Triple H has spent 231 minutes and 32 seconds in the contest. With more than three hours in the fray, The Game guaranteed that every other Superstar was in for the fight of their life.
4.) The Undertaker with 35 Eliminations
The Undertaker has only claimed victory once in his 10 Royal Rumble Match appearances. Nevertheless, The Phenom is always a target of allies and enemies alike any time he enters the bout given his reputation. In 2002 alone, The Deadman eliminated seven Superstars. Over the course of his 10 entries into the Royal Rumble Match, The Undertaker has amassed 35 eliminations total, making him one of the bouts most feared entrants.
3.) "Stone Cold" Steve Austin with 36 Eliminations
WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s reputation as the toughest S.O.B. in WWE history is no doubt supported by the Royal Rumble Match. The Texas Rattlesnake competed in six Rumbles, claiming victory in three – back-to-back in 1997 and 1998, then again in 2001. “Stone Cold” is also responsible for 36 total eliminations in his six appearances. As a result of his victories in 1999 and 2001, Austin would go on to WrestleMania and win the WWE Championship.
2.) Kane with 38 Eliminations
Although The Big Red Monster has appeared in 14 Royal Rumble Matches – more than any other Superstar in WWE history – he has never been able to claim victory. Nevertheless, Kane has 38 total eliminations and could potentially claim the record if he competes in the Rumble again. Additionally, The Big Red Monster holds the record for the most eliminations in a single Royal Rumble Match, eliminating 11 Superstars in 2001 – surpassing Hulk Hogan’s 1989 record of 10 and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s 1997 record of 10. It’s no wonder Superstars hold on to the ropes for dear life whenever they are in the Rumble with Kane.
1.) Shawn Michaels with 39 Eliminations
Shawn Michaels has competed in 12 Royal Rumble Matches, second only to Kane’s 14 appearances. However, HBK’s total time inside the annual battle clocks in at 222 minutes and 30 seconds – a half hour longer than The Big Red Monster’s total. Michaels’ agility and in-ring capabilities also contributed to him racking up the most total eliminations in the Royal Rumble Match – 39 – and two back-to-back victories in 1995 and 1996. The victory in ’95 was the most impressive, considering that HBK was the first entrant and narrowly escaped defeat – holding onto the ropes with only one foot touching the mat, allowing him to reenter the match and eliminate an unsuspecting British Bulldog.