Over-the-Top Royal Rumble photo history
As the 25th Anniversary of Royal Rumble nears, WWE.com takes you back to revisit the past 24 Royal Rumble events with this exclusive photo gallery. Check out some of the biggest Superstars and biggest matches in WWE history.
History is made on Jan. 24, 1988 as WWE's first-ever Royal Rumble emanates from Hamilton, Ontario's Copps Coliseum.
The inaugural Royal Rumble aired not as a pay-per-view, but as a special on USA Network.
Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant sign a contract for their WWE Championship Match, a return bout from WrestleMania III.
Royal Rumble 1989: King Haku vs. Harley Race
Rick Rude vs. Ultimate Warrior in a Posedown
The Mega Powers - WWE Champion Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan - begin to explode during the 1989 Royal Rumble Match.
Big John Studd tosses out the "Million Dollar Man" to win the 1989 Royal Rumble Match.
Royal Rumble 1990: Ravishing Rick Rude and Ultimate Warrior continue their longstanding rivalry in the 30-Superstar over-the-top rope spectacular.
It's down to the final entrants in the 1990 Rumble contest, which ultimately went to Hulk Hogan - his first of two consecutive wins.
Royal Rumble 1991: The Barbarian vs. Big Boss Man
Sgt. Slaughter puts WWE Champion Ultimate Warrior in the Camel Clutch.
After "Macho King's" interference cost him the WWE Title, the Warrior took his frustrations out on Queen Sherri.
The Undertaker was an almost-unstoppable force in his first-ever Royal Rumble Match in 1991.
1991 Royal Rumble Match winner Hulk Hogan proudly waves the red, white and blue!
Royal Rumble 1992: The New Foundation vs. The Orient Express
"Rowdy" Roddy Piper defeats The Mountie to win the Intercontinental Title.
WWE Tag Team Champions The Natural Disasters vs. The Legion of Doom
Many consider the 1992 Royal Rumble Match as the greatest in WWE history, thanks to a tremendous WWE Superstar lineup and the fact that the vacated WWE Championship was at stake.
Despite the British Bulldog's elimination attempt, Ric Flair wins the 1992 Rumble match and the WWE Championship.
Royal Rumble 1993: Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels confronts Sensational Sherri before taking on Marty Jannetty.
WWE Champion Bret Hart vs. Razor Ramon
The humongous Giant Gonzalez made his WWE debut at the 1993 Royal Rumble Match, eliminating The Undertaker.
Yokozuna outlasts 29 other WWE Superstars - and an Earthquake splash - to win the 1993 Royal Rumble Match.
Royal Rumble 1994: WWE Tag Team Champions The Quebecers vs. Bret & Owen Hart
Intercontinental Champion Razor Ramon vs. Irwin R. Schyster
WWE Champion Yokozuna vs. The Undertaker (Casket Match)
Several of WWE's most villainous Superstars ganged up on The Deadman.
The attack helped Yokozuna retain the WWE Championship.
Though physically and emotionally hurt from his World Tag Team Title Match, The Hit Man competed in the 1994 Royal Rumble contest.
In a WWE first, Hart and Lex Luger are declared co-winners of the controversial 1994 Royal Rumble Match.
Royal Rumble 1995: Undertaker vs. Irwin R. Schyster
Jeff Jarrett defeats Razor Ramon to win the Intercontinental Championship.
WWE Champion Bret Hart vs. Diesel
Bam Bam Bigelow & Tatanka vs. 1-2-3 Kid & Bob Holly for the World Tag Team Titles.
Pamela Anderson is in attendance for the historic 1995 Royal Rumbale Match.
No. 1 entrant Shawn Michaels is nearly eliminated, but only one foot touches the outside floor, meaning he can still compete in the contest.
HBK gets back in the ring and catches an unsuspecting British Bulldog off-guard. Bulldog had entered the match at No. 2.
The Heartbreak Kid celebrates his 1995 Royal Rumble Match victory with Pamela Anderson.
Royal Rumble 1996: Jeff Jarrett vs. Ahmed Johnson
Jarrett tunes up his guitar over the head of Johnson.
The Bodydonnas vs. WWE Tag Team Champions The Smoking Gunns
Intercontinental Champion Razor Ramon vs. Goldust
Jake "The Snake" Roberts gains the advantage during the 1996 Royal Rumble Match.
The Heartbreak Kid perseveres in his second consecutive Royal Rumble Match.
WWE Champion Bret Hart vs. The Undertaker
Intercontinental Champion Triple H vs. Goldust
Vader vs. The Undertaker
Perro Aguayo, El Canek and Hector Garza vs. Jerry Estrada, Heavy Metal and Fuerza Guerrera
WWE Hall of Famer Mil Mascaras makes himself known in 1997's 30-Superstar competition.
Rookie sensation Rocky Maivia makes a strong showing in his first-ever Royal Rumble Match...
...But it's "Stone Cold" Steve Austin who wins the contest - his first of three Royal Rumble Match victories.
Shawn Michaels vs. WWE Champion Sycho Sid
HBK recaptures the WWE Championship in his hometown of San Antonio.
Royal Rumble 1998: The Legion of Doom vs. World Tag Team Champions The New Age Outlaws
Superstars eagerly await the next entrant to come down to the ring in the 1998 Royal Rumble Match.
The three faces of Mick Foley - including the maniacal Mankind - compete in 1998's over-the-top-rope contest.
Cactus Jack (Foley) and Chainsaw Charlie (Terry Funk) get a piece of The Rock.
Have mercy! Foley face Dude Love puts the mandible claw on "Stone Cold"...
...Though no one can stop The Texas Rattlesnake from winning his second consecutive Rumble contest.
The Undertaker vs. WWE Champion Shawn Michaels (Casket Match)
Royal Rumble 1999: Intercontinental Champion Ken Shamrock vs. Billy Gunn
WWE Champion Mankind vs. The Rock ("I Quit" Match)
Edge makes a lasting impression in his first-ever Royal Rumble Match.
The masked monster Kane dominates in the 1999 Rumble contest.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin looks to make it three Royal Rumble Match wins in a row.
"Stone Cold" stares down new WWE Champion The Rock ...
... Only to get himself catapulted over the top rope.
Mr. McMahon eliminates Austin to win the 1999 Royal Rumble Match!
Royal Rumble 2000: The Hardy Boyz vs. The Dudley Boyz - Tables Match
WWE Champion Triple H vs. Cactus Jack (Street Fight)
The Rock momentarily halts The Game's vicious assault on WWE's Hardcore Legend.
The People's Champion, the People's Elbow on Big Show, and the People's Winner of the 2000 Royal Rumble Match.
Royal Rumble 2001: WWE Champion Kurt Angle vs. Triple H
Triple H might have regained the WWE Title, but his ongoing rivalry with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin resurfaced during a critical juncture in the championship contest.
Drew Carey was a surprise entrant in the Royal Rumble Match.
Unfortunately for Carey, the price was not right to buy off Kane.
The masked monster set a Royal Rumble Match record with 11 eliminations - more than on-third of the match participants.
"Stone Cold" eliminated Kane to pick up his third and final Royal Rumble Match victory in 2001.
Royal Rumble 2002: Mr. McMahon vs. Ric Flair (Street Fight)
Undisputed WWE Champion Chris Jericho vs. The Rock
Superhero Epic Fail: The Hurricane tries eliminating both "Stone Cold" and Triple H in the 2002 Royal Rumble Match.
Weeks after returning from a career-ending quadriceps injury, Triple H stood tall and survived the 30-man struggle in 2002.
Royal Rumble 2003: Brock Lesnar vs. The Big Show - Lesnar prevailed to earn a spot in the Royal Rumble Match, which he'd go on to win.
World Heavyweight Champion Triple H vs. Scott Steiner
Royal Rumble 2004: Eddie Guerrero vs. Chavo Guerrero
World Heavyweight Champion Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels (Last Man Standing Match)
Royal Rumble 2005: Edge vs. Shawn Michaels
The Undertaker vs. Heidenreich (Casket Match)
Randy Orton vs. World Heavyweight Champion Triple H
John Cena underwent a personal Attitude Adjustment, establishing himself as one of WWE's elite Superstars heading into the 2005 Royal Rumble Match.
The Rumble match outcome nearly mirrored 1994, as final combatants Cena and Batista simultaneously landed outside the ring .
With Mr. McMahon ordering the contest to continue, Batista eliminates John Cena to win the 2005 Royal Rumble Match.
Big Show sees only victory in the 2006 Royal Rumble Match.
No. 2 entrant Rey Mysterio sets a Royal Rumble Match record, lasting more than an hour and two minutes.
Mysterio wins the 2006 Royal Rumble Match, which he dedicates to his dear friend, the late WWE Hall of Famer Eddie Guerrero.
WWE Champion Edge vs. John Cena
World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle vs. Mark Henry
Royal Rumble 2007: World Heavyweight Champion Batista vs. Mr. Kennedy
WWE Champion John Cena vs. Umaga (Last Man Standing Match)
A preview of WrestleManias to come? :Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker are the final two Rumblers in 2007's epic contest.
Heartbroke Kid: Michaels falls just short of winning his third Royal Rumble Match...
...While The Phenom wins his first - and at the seemingly cursed entry No. 30.
Royal Rumble 2008: WWE Champion Randy Orton vs. Jeff Hardy
World Heavyweight Champion Edge vs. Rey Mysterio
John Cena makes a surprise return from injury as the 30th entrant in the 2008 Royal Rumble Match.
Cena tosses The Game to seal his victory - the second consecutive No. 30 entrant to win the Royal Rumble Match.
Royal Rumble 2009: ECW Champion Jack Swagger vs. Matt Hardy
WWE Champion Jeff Hardy vs. Edge
Matt Hardy rushes in to the aid of his brother - or so the WWE Universe thinks.
With Matt Hardy's surprise betrayal, Edge wins the WWE Title.
World Heavyweight Champion John Cena vs. JBL
Kane "helps" Santino Marella set the record for shortest Royal Rumble Match appearance at one second.
The 2009 Royal Rumble Match goes to The Viper, Randy Orton.
ECW Champion Christian vs. Ezekiel Jackson
United States Champion The Miz vs. MVP
WWE Champion Sheamus vs. Randy Orton
World Heavyweight Champion The Undertaker vs. Rey Mysterio
Beth Phoenix makes history as only the second Diva to enter a Royal Rumble Match. After eliminating The Great Khali, The Glamazon falls just short of sending CM Punk over the top rope.
Edge shocks the WWE Universe - and Shawn Michaels here - with a dramatic return from injury.
Evidently, Michaels isn't pleased that Batista was eliminated in the 2010 Royal Rumble Match.
Down to only John Cena and Edge, The Ultimate Opportunist reverses certain defeat.
Next stop for The Rated-R Superstar: a World Championship Match at The Show of Shows.
Royal Rumble 2011: World Heavyweight Champion Edge vs. Dolph Ziggler
WWE Champion The Miz vs. Randy Orton
Divas Champion Natalya vs. Eve, Layla and Michelle McCool (Fatal 4-Way Match)
The 2011 Royal Rumble was the biggest ever, featuring 40 WWE Superstars.
Several figures make an emphatic return to WWE during 2011's Royal Rumble Match, including Kevin Nash, a.k.a. Diesel ...
... And Booker T. Can you dig it ... SUCKAAAAA?!
Boasting 40 Superstars, 2011's Royal Rumble Match was anyone's to win - even Hornswoggle.
In the end, though, Alberto Del Rio stands last in the ring, and points to the sign that embodies a Showcase of the Immortals.
