Top 5 Superstars who have sustained longest time in WWE Royal Rumble matches

Staying in the ring during the Royal Rumble matches is an art. Anyone who possesses the same can hang in for long and eventually fancy his/her chances of actually win that match.


Top 5 Superstars who have sustained longest time in WWE Royal Rumble matches

Gunther and Rey Mysterio (via WWE)

Eliminating your opponents and standing till the very last are two of the most important factors of a Royal Rumble match. While the former can be neglected at times, the latter becomes of utmost importance in that scenario. Not getting yourself thrown over that top rope is something which not many WWE Superstars have been able to do. However, there are a few who’ve displayed actual grit and the passion to main-event WrestleMania.

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And to accomplish that dream, the WWE Universe has witnessed many lionhearted performances in the traditional Royal Rumble matches. Even though it had led to red-blooded chest, soaring lungs, toiled muscles or maybe separations, these superstars gave their all to remain in the ring until things ran out of their control. Take a look at 5 of those valorous performers who spent the maximum time in a Royal Rumble match.

Also Read : Top 5 Royal Rumble surprise entrants of all time

#5 Bob Backlund :- 61:10 (1993)

The man who gave this industry it’s second-ever longest WWE (WWF) Championship reign in history falls in the middle of this Royal Rumble list. Back in 1993, he entered second in the Rumble match going up against Ric Flair to begin with.

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Bob Backlund
Bob Backlund (Image Credits: WWE)

In a performance that won hearts and created a belief to sustain for longer durations in these highly vulnerable matches, Backlund lasted for over a hour. At the 61:10 minute mark per the official clock, Bob Backlund was thrown over the top rope by Yokozuna, who eventually won that match.

#4 Chris Benoit :- 61:35 (2004)

The 2004 Men’s Royal Rumble match edition elevated Chris Benoit to a whole new level. He entered at 1st position alongside Randy Orton as the follow-up and became only the second WWE Superstar after Shawn Michaels to have won the Royal Rumble match from that spot.

Chris Benoit
Chris Benoit (Image Credits : Stillrealtous)

Benoit did 6 eliminations in the process and eventually went on to main-event WrestleMania XX. At the marquee event, he faced Triple H (c) and Shawn Michaels in a triple-threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship. In a highly draining classic, Benoit applied the Crippler Crossface to The Game, who tapped out.

#3 Rey Mysterio :- 62:15 (2006)

The legendary luchadore Rey Mysterio won the 2006 Men’s Royal Rumble match by lasting for 1:02:15 hours. While starting the match with the number 1 entrant Triple H, the Master of 619 outclassed 29 other competitors to create history. Mysterio eliminated 6 superstars with Randy Orton being the last one of them.

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Rey Mysterio
Rey Mysterio (Image Credits: USA Network)

Then, going on to headline WrestleMania 22, he defeated Kurt Angle and Randy Orton in a triple-threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship to become the new champion and he ultimately paid tribute to his real-life best friend Eddie Guerrero in the process, who passed away few time ago from that juncture.

#2 Gunther :- 71:40 (2023)

The Ring General, Gunther, made his mark in the WWE at Royal Rumble 2023. Entering at #1, he broke the record for the most time spent in the titular match. In an impressive Iron Man performance, the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion eliminated 5 superstars, including Drew McIntyre and Sheamus, whom he would go on to face at WrestleMania 39.

Gunther
Gunther (Image Credits: WWE)

The most notable part of his performance was the final mini-match with the eventual winner, Cody Rhodes. While the latter entered from injury at #30, Gunther ensured to give him a tough path to win the Royal Rumble. In addition to that, he cemented his place as a main event star in the WWE.

#1 Daniel Bryan :- 76:05 (2018)

Daniel Bryan
Daniel Bryan (Image Credits: WWE)

WWE held the first-ever 50-Man Royal Rumble match back in 2018 at the Greatest Royal Rumble event in Saudi Arabia. The Master of the Yes Movement entered at 1st spot and lasted for a flabbergasting amount of 76:05 minutes in the match before getting eliminated by Big Cass.

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With this, Bryan thrashed all previous records set by various WWE legends. By the time he was eliminated, Daniel Bryan’s chest developed some serious scars, which he received upon going through some insufferable beating during that match.

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