5 Superstars who shocked the WWE Universe by entering the Royal Rumble match at Number 1

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Jan 31, 2025, 19:06 IST

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The Royal Rumble is known for its unpredictability, especially for those entering at No. 1. Highlighted are top WWE superstars who defied the odds, such as Triple H, Sasha Banks, Rhea Ripley, Edge, and Gunther, showcasing remarkable performances and enduring under challenging circumstances to make their mark in WWE history.

5 Superstars who shocked the WWE Universe by entering the Royal Rumble match at Number 1

Image via WWE

The Royal Rumble is one of the toughest and most unpredictable bouts in WWE history. However, it becomes even tougher for a superstar who enters at No.1, but they have also gone on to perform spectacular performances even with a big disadvantage.
WWE Royal Rumble 2025 is the upcoming PLE for the company, presenting the 38th edition of the historic show. Over the years, fans have seen some shocking moments in regard to the Rumble matches, especially witnessing certain superstars enter at the No.1 spot.
This is considered as the most disadvantageous position in the Rumble match. Yet, it has produced moments that have been remembered for the ages. Here are the top five WWE stars who shocked the fans by entering No.1 in the Royal Rumble match:

5) Triple H

Triple H has had a rich history regarding the Royal Rumble match. The Game is a two-time winner of the match, with his second win making him the WWE Champion in 2016. However, ten years before, Triple H entered the match at #1 and put up an impressive performance. He lasted for 60:16 and scored five eliminations in the process.

4) Sasha Banks

Sasha Banks entered the first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble match in 2018 at the No.1 spot. The former Boss of WWE was the true Ironwoman of the match, lasting an impressive 54:46 and eliminating three superstars. She made it to the final four women before being eliminated by The Bella Twins.

3) Rhea Ripley

Rhea Ripley created history at the 2023 Royal Rumble event by becoming the first woman to win the Rumble match from the #1 spot, which came as a huge shocker for the event. Mami displayed an excellent and dominant showing in the match that saw her score seven eliminations and lasting for 61:08.

2) Edge

Despite his status as a WWE veteran, Edge shocked the audience with his performance at the 2021 Royal Rumble event. The Rated R superstar entered at No.1 and lasted 58:30 with three eliminations under his belt and was going to last eliminate Randy Orton to win his second Royal Rumble match.

1) Gunther

Gunther put up a performance for the ages in the 2023 Royal Rumble match. The Ring General started the match from the #1 spot and made it to the final two, eliminating five superstars and spending 71:40, which became the new record for the longest time spent in a Rumble match. Despite not winning the match, Gunther’s performance became memorable.
Also read: Biggest Royal Rumble Controversies and What Really Happened

About the Author

TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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