Top Five: WWE Royal Rumble Final Two

The Royal Rumble is what most of us look forward to every year. Some fans come back for one night to watch their favorite match every year, while others countdown the days until we reach the biggest thing outside of WrestleMania. But what gets often overlooked in the Rumble match is the final two participants. This can add to the drama and entertainment of the match, especially with hindsight.

Honorable Mention – Steve Austin and The Rock – 1998

With Mike Tyson looking on, the two biggest stars of the Attitude Era fought for the right to go on to WrestleMania. It started when the Rock eliminated his Nation of Domination brother, leaving him and the Rattlesnake. The two threw some punches before Austin toss the Rock to the apron, thinking he won. Normally, this would result in the other man winning, but Austin was able to catch the retaliation with a Stunner, and sent his rival to the floor to pick up his second Rumble win in a row. For some reason, this isn’t as iconic as it sounds, but it’s fun to watch, even more so now.

Honorable Mention – Steve Austin and Kane – 2001

Often considered as one of the top two Royal Rumbles next to 1992, the 2001 Rumble match saw the final two men of the Rattlesnake and the Big Red Machine. Of course, this was the year Kane set the record for most eliminations in a Rumble match, and Stone Cold would win his record breaking third Royal Rumble. While the winner wasn’t exactly in doubt, it was nice seeing Kane dominate. And of course the blood dripping down Austin’s face added to the story.

5. Triple H and Kurt Angle – 2002

After the elimination of Mr. Perfect, the 2002 Royal Rumble match ended up being somewhat of a rematch between Triple H and Kurt Angle from their WWF Championship match from Rumble event a year previous. Despite being in the company for years at this point, this was Angle’s first Royal Rumble match. Triple H, on the other hand, was just coming off of his infamous quadriceps tear. Angle is a name that could have fit right in to a list of Royal Rumble winners, but that would go to the Game after a few minutes of intense brawling.

4. Shinsuke Nakamura and Roman Reigns – 2018

This year’s Royal Rumble provided us with the ultimate seesaw of crippling fear and pure elation when the final two went to battle. Last year’s Roman swerve was not so well received, but it appears they did it right this year. Going into the rumble, there only seemed to be two clear choices for who would win, and they ended up as the final two, which doesn’t happen much. We all sat at the edges of our seats with baited breath, awaiting the final elimination. In the end, Nakamura came out on top. Although, maybe we should stop worrying about Roman winning the Rumble since he’s been runner-up three times in his career.

3. Batista and John Cena – 2005

As two of the four biggest stars of the Ruthless Aggression Era either man could have realistically won. Especially in hindsight, seeing as how both men have won two Rumbles each. Famous, or infamous rather, for the accidental double elimination of the two and Vince storming down and tearing both his quads upon entering the ring. Luckily, Cena and Batista hit the floor at the same time… somehow… and they were prompted to go at it again. A lucky break for the Animal, but at the time, it looked like the whole thing was part of the action.

2. John Cena and Triple H – 2008

Possibly the greatest surprise entrant of all time, Cena came back from injury to the ten second delight of everyone. Then the fans were split as they always are. After some multi-man action, the final two were set as Triple H and John Cena looked across the ring. What fallowed was a bombardment of finisher reversals before Cena was able to Attitude Adjust the Game over the top rope. However, it couldn’t compare to the final two of the previous Rumble.

1. The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels – 2007

And of course, the two men that top every list in wrestling history. There was certainly doubt for who was going to walk away with this one, as every time the two had squared off, Michaels had been able to elude the reaper. But not this time. This is known as the match within a match for a reason. There might have been a time where you forgot someone had to go over the top rope until one of them was hanging on the apron. There is a reason these two are considered the best, and this was a prime example.