Top 5 Royal Rumble surprise entrants of all time

The Royal Rumble is a great event to bring the entire WWE Universe together. In addition to this, the surprise entrances get the audience hyped like nothing else.


Top 5 Royal Rumble surprise entrants of all time

John Cena and AJ Styles (via WWE)

The Royal Rumble provides a great platform for the entire WWE Universe to join hands for an enthralling event. With so many surprise names in the Royal Rumble match, the audience is waiting for the clock to strike 0:00. What could be more exciting than a big name returning or a surprise debut to kick off the Road to WrestleMania? 

ADVERTISEMENT

It’s very normal for the crowd to reach an extreme level of chanting after their favorite star enters the ring. However, the best part of surprises is their unexpected nature, and that is what makes the Royal Rumble even more memorable. Carrying this spirit in our hearts, here are the top 5 Royal Rumble surprise entrants of all time.

Discover More: Top 5 Superstars With The Most Royal Rumble Appearances

#5 Trish Stratus (2018 Royal Rumble) 

Trish Stratus
Trish Stratus

2018 marked the first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble match. As 30 women competed against each other from all three brands of WWE – NXT, RAW, and SmackDown, the final entrant left the audience screaming at the top of their lungs. As Trish Stratus walked down to the ring in her jaw-dropping black attire, the audience could do nothing but adore her.

ADVERTISEMENT

Trish has been one of the great performers of all time, which was clearly visible in her performance. Officially retiring in 2006, one could never believe that she could be the number 30 entrant for the match. During her almost fifteen-minute stay in the ring, she reignited her rivalry with Mickie James as she eliminated her.

#4 Rey Mysterio (2018 Royal Rumble)

Rey Mysterio
Rey Mysterio

An agile and athletic star, Rey Mysterio’s long contract expired with the WWE back in 2015. This pushed him into various other companies that promote wrestling such as AAA and NJPW. While he was continuing to showcase his skills in these companies, no one seemed to have an idea about the sight everyone was about to witness at Royal Rumble 2018.

As the countdown reached its minimum, out came Rey Mysterio at number 23 of the iconic Royal Rumble match. Rey was as chiseled as he was when he was signed with WWE. The reaction he got at his appearance was very contradictory to the one he used to have in the last years of his run with the WWE. Rey Mysterio’s surprise entrance ranks fourth on our list of the Top 5 surprise returns.

#3 AJ Styles (2016 Royal Rumble)

AJ Styles
AJ Styles

The 2016 Royal Rumble proved to be the turning point of AJ Styles’ run with WWE. While there had been great speculation, Styles’ return was confirmed after he made his way to the ring. Despite the fact that the audience was hoping for his return because of the rumors going around, the level of excitement in the audience could not be reduced. 

ADVERTISEMENT

As AJ’s theme dropped on the speakers, the audience seemed pretty confused about who would be appearing next in the ring. However, as Styles’ tagline, “I am Phenomenal,” took over the screen, the audience roared with excitement. The in-ring stars, including Roman Reigns, seemed jaw-dropped at AJ’s entrance.

#2 John Cena (2008 Royal Rumble)

John Cena
John Cena

The WWE creative has been extremely successful in keeping the hearts of the WWE Universe delighted with its amazing storylines. 2007 was a perfectly blended year for John Cena, where he got to witness some of the biggest highs and lows of his career. The pectoral muscle tear that he had was sure to keep him away from the ring for six long months, which broke numerous hearts. 

Many reports and rumors claimed that Cena couldn’t make it to the ring before WrestleMania. Some also questioned his appearance at the ‘Grandest Stage of Them All’. However, Cena is not a guy to disappoint his fans. He did everything in his reach to be the 30th entrant for the 2008 Royal Rumble. The appearance left the Madison Square Garden crowd supporting their star at the top of their voices.

#1 Edge (2020 Royal Rumble)

Edge
Edge

After his retirement, the Rated R Superstar had left everyone’s eyes wet. Despite a career that ended because of injuries, even Edge wasn’t ready to quit the WWE ring. With a life-threatening injury, Edge had openly claimed that he would never get back in the ring. However, it wasn’t his heart that said the same.

ADVERTISEMENT

With a highly decorated WWE career, Edge wanted to add another accolade to his name. He returned to the 2020 Royal Rumble, which left all eyes in extreme shock. As the Rated R superstar walked down the ramp up to the ring, the audience couldn’t get enough of the physique that he had maintained even after staying away from the ring for about 11 years.

In case you missed it!

Top 5 Royal Rumble saves

Top 5 Royal Rumble Matches Of All Time

ADVERTISEMENT