Royal Rumble 2012: Ricardo Del Rio Better Than the Original

During last night's Royal Rumble match, we heard the music of Alberto Del Rio blaring through the speakers. Immediately, per the norm, we expected to see a fancy car driven out to the arena—a classy yet arrogant driver and a pompous entrance.

Two out of three isn't bad, I guess. 

While we all expected to see Alberto Del Rio make his return from a groin injury, we got to see Ricardo Rodriguez—his personal ring announcer and whipping boy—sporting a less-than-stylish car. He portrayed his boss better than Alberto ever could.

This entrance, to me—stole the show. It came at the most beautiful time and couldn't have been performed more perfectly by Ricardo. He has come a long way from having been dropped from a ladder at last month's TLC.

Now, Ricardo made his employer look like a chump. 

Honestly, who didn't love Ricardo acting exactly like how his boss Alberto does—completely outshining him in the process.

In this one spot alone Ricardo got a better reaction out of the crowd as a crony face, than Alberto has in his two years as a supposedly monster heel. 

Alberto can brag about his previous Royal Rumble victory, Money in the Bank win and two WWE Championship reigns all he wants. Ricardo will be just fine with his awesome Royal Rumble match performance. 

Ricardo Del Rio stole the hearts of the fans last night. Hopefully they allow him to continue running with his mockery of his boss while he is away. 

Maybe he and Brodus Clay could team up and make the Anti-Del Rio team, giving Ricardo a chance to show off his actual wrestling ability and teaming him with one of the hottest players in the WWE—while also giving the tag-team division some life.

Hats off to you, Ricardo Del Rio. You may not have lasted long in the match, but you're lasting image will be in our hearts for eternity.