WWE Royal Rumble: 5 Ways to Waste a Rumble Entry

When you think about it, participating in the Royal Rumble is pretty special. To be honest, you don't really have to think about it that much—it's one of the biggest events on the WWE calendar.

Even if you're not going to win the whole thing, it's still an opportunity to showcase your skills and make an impression on the WWE Universe.

With around 50 male Superstars on the main roster, and of course the usual two or three returning Superstars, there is real competition for spots in this year's Rumble. It's important that the WWE picks their 30 entrants wisely.

Here are five sure-fire ways to waste a spot in one of the biggest matches of the year.

Give It to Hornswoggle

Hornswoggle has somehow managed to accumulate two Royal Rumble appearances—one in 2008 and the other in last year's Rumble match.

I have two questions—How?

And why?

There should be no minute possibility that Hornswoggle is better than anyone on the roster, and there is no way in hell that he would or should appear at WrestleMania, let alone headline one.

So why waste a spot?

Give It to a Diva

There has only ever been two Divas that have entered the Royal Rumble—Chyna in 1999 and Beth Phoenix in 2010.

Seriously, what is the point?

There's no way the WWE would ever let the main event of WrestleMania be a Divas match, and even if they did, I could imagine that it would be nothing short of a disappointment.

On top of this, would the WWE really show its top stars like Randy Orton and Sheamus getting beaten by the likes of Beth Phoenix and Natalya?

I don't think so.

Give It to an Announcer

In the 2006 Rumble, Jonathan Coachman came in at No. 7, only to be eliminated by Big Show after a mere 30 seconds. Admittedly he lasted longer than Sylvain Grenier and Booker T, but that is beside the point.

If I see an orange singlet with "Cole" written on the front or a No. 7 Oklahoma Sooners jersey trotting down the ramp, then I may lose any hope I have left in the WWE.

Give It to a Celebrity

In the 2001 Royal Rumble, entertainer Drew Carey entered at No. 5. Following a cringe-worthy confrontation with Kane which involved him offering the Big Red Monster a monetary bribe, he eliminated himself by climbing over the top rope.

Admittedly, Carey's nearly three-minute occupation of the ring was longer than 13 of the other Superstars in that particular match, including Tazz, The Godfather, Scotty 2 Hotty, Farooq, Grand Master Sexay, The Honky Tonk Man, Big Show, William Regal, Bull Buchanan, Test, Crash, Rikishi and Haku.

And this was apparently enough to earn him a place in the WWE Hall of Fame.

While—ahem—"entertaining," celebrity participants don't really do a lot for storylines and there's no way that celebrities should be competing for any of the titles in WWE at WrestleMania.

As much as Vinny-Mac loves having celebrities at 'Mania, they should not look better than his top talent.

Give It to the Undertaker

This one's a bit more specific to this year's event, and possibly will be for the next few years depending on the length of 'Taker's career.

The Dead Man is pretty much guaranteed a main event match at every WrestleMania until he decides to retire, so there's no real reason for him to be in the Rumble match.

He could pretty much turn up on Raw next Monday and just tell everyone he was the No. 1 contender for the WWE title and we'd accept it.