Royal Rumble, A Look Back Part II-The Rumble Awards!!

Last week, I wrote the first part of a series of articles looking back at the Royal Rumble and it's great history.  The first article consisted of a list of the greatest Royal Rumbles of all-time (If you haven't read check it out). 

In part II of the article, I will take a look at some of the best (and worst) performers in Rumble history via the "Rumble Awards".

Best Performance by a Big Man

Kane

Kane is arguably the most accomplished superstar never to win the Royal Rumble.  He has participated in a dozen Royal Rumbles (ten as Kane). In 2001, Kane entered the Rumble sixth, and eliminated ten superstars before being eliminated by Steve Austin, the eventual winner. 

Honorable Mention: Yokozuna, The Undertaker, Rikishi

Best Performance by a Superstar Under Six Feet

Chris Benoit

Benoit won the Rumble in 2004 on his way to defeating Triple H and Shawn Michaels for the World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestlemania XX.  Benoit became the second man in history to win the Royal Rumble after entering first. His time of 1:01:30 was the longest time a participant had ever stayed in the Rumble until...

Rey Mysterio

Rey Mysterio broke Chris Benoit's "ironman" record with a time of 1:02:12 on his way to his improbable Rumble win in 2006.  Mysterio eliminated Randy Orton to win and went on to become World Heavyweight Champion at Wrestlemania XXII.

Best Performance by a Multi-Time Royal Rumble Winner

Stone Cold Steve Austin

Austin is the only man to ever win three Royal Rumbles.  Austin won in 1997, 1998, and 2001 with 97' being his most impressive outing.  He entered at fifth and lasted over 45 minutes on his way to victory.

Shawn Michaels

HBK won back to back Rumbles in 1995 and 1996. He became the first man ever to win the Royal Rumble entering at first in 1995. 

Honorable Mention: Hulk Hogan

The Royal "Fumbler" Worst Rumble Performance

The Warlord

The Warlord had a God-awful performance in 1989. He was eliminated by Hulk Hogan in two seconds, the quickest elimination ever.

Bushwacker Luke

Though The Warlord's performance was the worst ever, Luke had to put together the worst cumulative effort in history. He was eliminated in four seconds in 1991, and in 1995, he was eliminated in 12 seconds.  Pretty bad!

Honorable Mention: Gillberg (1999), The Miz (2007), Jerry "The King" Lawler (1997)

Best "Hall of Fame" Performance

Ric Flair

The "Nature Boy" participated in what is widely regarded as the best Royal Rumble ever in 1992.  He entered third, lasted nearly an hour, and not only won the Rumble, but became WWE Champion.

The "I Really Shouldn't Be Here" Award

Drew Carey

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