WWE Royal Rumble 2011: Top 5 Moments from Last Year's Event

The WWE presents the Royal Rumble event in just over 24 hours. Not only will I be watching the huge show, I will be paying for it. Just as I did last year!

What was the big deal about last year's Rumble? Well, it was a break in the mold for WWE. Normally, an established main event player wins the Rumble. In 2011, it was just a little bit different.

5. Eve Torres Wins

Natalya was the current champion. Layla and Michelle McCool were her opponents on this night. I think most predicted Laycool to pick up the title here.

Well, the Raw General Manager had other plans. Not only was Eve Torres inserted into this match, she ended up winning the gold! It was an unexpected move, but it was a great moment.

Congrats to Eve on the big win!

4. Miz Beats Orton

The Miz had a great run as WWE Champion last year. This was just another chapter in that story.

His challenger on this night was Randy Orton. He was the WWE Championship opponent in 2010 as well. In both cases, he never had a real shot at winning the gold. His purpose was simple.

Make the new champion look good. He did so once again. The New Nexus and CM Punk caused Randy Orton to lose, while Miz picked up a huge victory.

3. Edge vs. Dolph Ziggler

Edge was the reigning World Champion. Dolph Ziggler was the challenger at Royal Rumble 2011. Of course, Vickie was with the "Showoff."

It is certainly a near comparison to the 2012 situation as well. A year ago, Mr. Ziggler lost to Edge in a great opening match. Seriously, a great match! My hat goes off to both off men.

Will Ziggler fall short at the Rumble once again? We shall find out tomorrow night...

2. The Layout of the Show

The first match of the evening was a World Title match.

The second match of the evening was a WWE Title match.

The third match of the evening was a Diva's Title match.

The fourth match of the evening was the Royal Rumble match.

That's it, folks!

WWE filled up a PPV show with just four matches, and it was a wonderful event. The extended Rumble match only added a few minutes to the time, so that was not the reason.

It was just that each match got time and told a story. Events on PPV do not need 10 matches. There doesn't have to be six or seven matches. It doesn't matter.

As long as the show is structured well, it is quality over quantity!

1. 40-Man Rumble

This was the first ever 40-man Royal Rumble match in WWE.

I liked the concept of adding more wrestlers. It was clearly done because of the "Corre" and the New  Nexus, but it did not matter much. The main event was something new, and I enjoyed it.

Going into the event, John Cena had to be the favorite. The event was in Boston, and the story wrote itself. Sound familiar? Randy Orton in the Rumble this year, which is taking place in St. Louis?

As usual, it meant nothing. Just folks trying to connect dots that aren't really there...

We saw Diesel return. We saw Booker T return. We saw CM Punk have a great showing. We even had the title match challengers wrestle again trying to win the Rumble. Again, sound familiar?

In the end, this night belonged to Alberto Del Rio!

He picked up the victory by eliminating Santino Marella last, and it was a huge accomplishment!

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