Top 5 Underrated Royal Rumble Performances of All Time

The Royal Rumble event is only three days away. I must applaud WWE on setting up a very, very interesting show. I know I will be watching (and paying for) the event Sunday night.

Today, I am going to focus on Rumble performances from the past that I feel have not received their respect. We all know about Ric Flair in 1992. We know about all of Stone Cold's wins.

What about those performances that have gone unnoticed? Here are my top five underrated Royal Rumble performances.

5. Undertaker in 2008

Undertaker won the Royal Rumble in 2007 at No. 30.

In 2008, he was the No. 1 entrant. Right when that happened, you knew this match was going to be a memorable match. Not only did he last a long time, he put on a great performance throughout.

It is very rare to see Undertaker make a lengthy Rumble appearance. He did so in 2008.

4. Shawn Michaels in 2008

Shawn Michaels was the No. 2 entrant in 2008.

Knowing that we were about to see Undertaker and HBK battle it out in the Rumble for the second straight year was excellent. The two closed the Rumble in 2007. Here, both men began the match.

Yes, men interrupted them throughout. Yes, it was not officially a match. Yes, neither man won. It didn't matter to me. These two put on a wonderful performance at back-to-back Rumbles, and they deserve all the credit in the world.

Their great showcase was almost immediately forgotten, as John Cena returned to shock the world and win the Rumble. However, I remember the beginning, and it's still my favorite Rumble match.

3. Randy Orton in 2009

Everybody knows that Randy Orton won the Rumble in 2009. However, how many people realize just how great he looked in doing so?

He entered the Rumble at No. 8. That is an early entrant for this "generation."

Undertaker won in 2007 as the final entrant.

John Cena did the same in 2008.

Edge entered late in his 2010 victory.

The same can be said about Alberto Del Rio in 2011.

Randy Orton was a rare "early entrant" to go on and win the Rumble. He did so in dominating fashion. I take my hat off to him on a fantastic showing.

2. Stone Cold in 1999

Vince McMahon won the 1999 Royal Rumble.

However, Stone Cold was the star. I don't think he gets credit for making this such a classic event. Rock and Mankind get the recognition for their "I Quit" match. All anybody else wants to discuss is Vince winning the main event.

This was all about Steve Austin, yet he is credited for all of his Rumble wins. Nothing about this night. From being the No 1 entrant to being the final man eliminated, it was a very underrated performance in my mind.

1. Chris Jericho in 2003

I enjoyed this match. Brock Lesnar was the eventual winner. Shawn Michaels was the No. 1 entrant. Even Tommy Dreamer brought some weapons out during the match. To top it all off, Undertaker returned to WWE here (as the final entrant, of course).

However, the star of this main event was Chris Jericho. He was the second entrant and made the most of his time in the event. It really was one of the best Rumble showings. Period.

Feuding with Shawn Michaels. Facing off with Test and Rob Van Dam. Taking on Rey Mysterio. Having some great interactions with Christian. He did it all. Lasting nearly 40 minutes, he put on the single most underrated performance in Royal Rumble history!

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