WWE Royal Rumble 2004: Top 5 Moments from a Fun Event

We are now less than three weeks away from the Royal Rumble. It is my second favorite event of the year. Nothing beats WrestleMania. Ever. However, the Rumble is right near the top of the list for best night of the year for wrestling fans.

Today, I am going back to the 2004 show. It featured many moments that will be talked about forever. Some were excellent. Others were not. Here are the top five!

Remember, it is just MY opinion.

5. Hardcore Holly?

Brock Lesnar defended his WWE Title against Hardcore Holly. Yes, I am telling the truth.

I liked Holly in WWE. He was a nice tag team worker, and his single's run was fine. Getting a major story at the top of SmackDown in the title picture? No thanks.

You will notice that this match was just over five minutes. The championship match at the Royal Rumble getting this type of treatment was terrible.

I assume this was a "thank you" to Holly for his service in the company, but this was too much. A big match on SmackDown? Fine. A "feel good" United States title win? Okay.

Main events with Lesnar? No.

4. Eddie vs. Chavo

I loved this feud.

My thoughts on Eddie Guerrero from 2003 are simple. He was "ready" for the next step in his career. The fact he spent much of the year in a tag team with Chavo Guerrero was disappointing.

However, WWE came through for him in early 2004. Eddie was a top talent that needed to move up the card. First, he needed to feud with Chavo...

..and he did!

Both men played their parts perfectly, and I enjoyed their matches. Of course, Eddie was going to go over more often than not, but the "ride" was still fun.

Their biggest match was at the Royal Rumble in 2004. Once again, both brought their best. My hat goes off to them!

3. Batista and Flair Win

The Dudleyz in another tag team title match at the Rumble? Wow.

Anyways, this was a Tables match against Batista and Ric Flair. They were still with Evolution, so the Dudleyz played faces on this night in Philadelphia.

The match opened up the PPV, and it was the right choice. I do not know why, but years later, I still love this battle! it was a very basic tag team match, but all four men worked hard.

Memorable win for Batista and Flair!

2. The Little Things

I can't comment on the actual Royal Rumble match, BUT everything surrounding it was epic!

Undertaker and Kane feud teaser? Awesome.

Mick Foley and Randy Orton brawl? Great.

Brock Lesnar and Bill Goldberg confrontation? Amazing.

WWE knows their biggest event of the year is WrestleMania. It always has been, and it always will be. All roads lead to Mania. That is why I love build culminating in the "big dance."

Lucky for us, WWE gave us a few "appetizers" in 2004. They gave us just a little taste of what was to come at Madison Square Garden two months later. Excellent job!

1. Last Man Standing

Triple H. Shawn Michaels. World Heavyweight Championship. Royal Rumble.

Last Man Standing.

That video promo says it better than I ever could. This was about two men (friends or foes) willing to do anything to prove who is better.

On this night, it was for the World title, and it was about who would be able to walk out of the arena. The stakes could not be any higher, and both delivered came through big time!

There is reason why both men are considered to be all-time great. Their match at the Royal Rumble in 2004 was just another reminder. Thank you guys!

REMINDER: I am now on Twitter @JustinWatry! Feel free to follow me...thanks.