10 Worst Performances in Royal Rumble History

With Christmas fast approaching, it means that the 27th annual Royal Rumble pay-per-view is just around the corner.

The previous 26 editions have produced some stunning performances from some of the finest Superstars of all time. There have been some stunning spots throughout the matches that have left viewers breathless, and high-flying antics coupled with shock winners always make for a classic Rumble.

However, for all the good of a Royal Rumble match, there has also been plenty of bad. Plenty of very bad, in fact.

As we gear up for the event, let's take a look at the 10 worst performances in the previous 26 Royal Rumble matches.

10. Shelton Benjamin (2008)

We start with a fairly recent Royal Rumble—the 2008 edition. It was won by John Cena, who entered the match last at No. 30 to eliminate Triple H and win the match.

For this slide, though, it is the man who entered at No. 17 we take focus on—Shelton Benjamin. After mixing it with a couple of Superstars in his opening few seconds, including the likes of CM Punk, he turned his attentions to Shawn Michaels.

After attempting to throw Michaels over the ropes, it was Benjamin who found himself dangling on the edge of the ring before tasting a Sweet Chin Music and flying spectacularly off the apron.

His 18-second appearance is one of the shortest in history and arguably one of the more forgettable.

9. Jonathan Coachman (2005)

Remember The Coach? He gained his place in the 2006 Royal Rumble match by winning a qualifying match the previous week on Raw, where he eliminated broadcast partner Jerry Lawler during the match.

Anyhow, Coachman entered at No. 7 at this particular Rumble and immediately turned his attentions on Big Show.

Wrong move, Coachman.

After Show grabbed him by the throat and pushed him over the top rope, Coachman's laughable attempts to cling onto the ropes drew him a few more laughs from the crowd as he quickly headed back where he came from.

8. The Great Khali (2010)

Back in 2010, Beth Phoenix made a tiny bit of WWE history when she became just the second Diva to enter the Royal Rumble match.

At the time, CM Punk was laid out in the ring, and The Great Khali was effectively the only man standing. Cue Phoenix entering the match and Khali trying his best to eliminate Phoenix as timidly as possible.

Phoenix, however, had other ideas. She kissed Khali on the apron and literally dragged him over the top rope—it took a few cringe-worthy seconds for it to happen, mind you.

It was a pretty embarrassing moment for Khali—hence why he makes it onto this list.

7. Gillberg (1999)

The award for most pathetic Royal Rumble exit ever has to go to Gillberg. Yes, the gimmick that either made you laugh or cry features on this list, and it is the Rumble of 1999 that we head to.

The entrance took about 30 seconds before Gillberg did his traditional pose on the ring ropes, much to the amusement—or frustration—of the crowd in attendance.

Edge was working over Darren Drozdov in the corner of the ring before he finally had the time to simply push Gillberg over the top rope.

Thankfully, it was over almost as quickly as it had begun—seven seconds, to be precise.

6. The Godfather (2013)

One thing you're often guaranteed with the Royal Rumble is a blast from the past. We've had a few over recent years; people like Diesel immediately spring to mind.

This year, however, one of our treats was the return of The Godfather! His entrance brought rapturous cheers from the crowd in attendance, and he took his time getting to the ring, that is for certain.

He didn't take his time in making his exit from the match, though. He slid under the ropes, turned around and was met by a drop-kick from Dolph Ziggler.

Unfortunately for the fans who were cheering for him seconds earlier, they were now laughing at his laughable Royal Rumble apperance.

5. Drew Carey (2001)

Drew Carey made history in 2001 when he became the first celebrity entrant of the Royal Rumble, coming in at No. 5.

He watched on as the Hardy Boyz simultaneously eliminated each other, leaving Carey standing alone in the ring at one of the most prestigious pay-per-view shows of the year. It was a tad embarrassing, in all fairness.

Then, out came Kane. Carey tried to make peace with Kane by shaking his hand and then trying to bribe him with cash. None of this did him any good, though, and Kane was ready to deliver a Chokeslam when Raven came out to the aid of Carey at No. 7.

As Raven and Kane went at it, it gave Carey the opportunity to safely climb over the top rope and eliminate himself. Pretty appalling, really.

4. The Warlord (1989)

For 20 years, the Warlord had a record that he is hardly proud of.

That record came at the 1989 Royal Rumble, only the second edition of the historic event. He entered the match at No. 21 and lasted a measly two seconds before being eliminated by Hulk Hogan.

It is a feat that will leave him forever remembered in the hearts of WWE fans. Only just for the wrong reasons.

3. Mo (1995)

The rapidly quick eliminations keep on coming, and now we go back to 1995 to revisit the Royal Rumble career of Mo.

He was once one-half of "Men on a Mission" with Mabel, where they actually picked up the Tag Team titles on one occasion. However, the Rumble of 1995 is perhaps one of the more memorable moments of Mo.

It was a historic Rumble, where the first two men to enter the match—Shawn Michaels and the British Bulldog—were the last two to leave in an epic contest.

However, it is also remembered for Mo's three-second stay in the Rumble, as he was quickly dispatched by King Kong Bundy.

2. Bushwacker Luke (1991)

The Bushwhackers were a crazy pair. Both Luke and Butch had their bizarre, ridiculous moments, but Luke's most memorable comes at the Rumble of 1991.

In typical Bushwhacker fashion, he charged and stampeded his way down to the ring. There were already 10 men in the ring at the time, meaning the chances of Luke getting in and staying in were slightly increased.

However, Earthquake had other ideas. As Luke entered the ring and marched across it, Earthquake grabbed Luke and slung him over the top rope.

At just four seconds, it wasn't quite a record-breaker, but his exit back out of the arena makes him high up on this list.

1. Santino Marella (2009)

It had to be Santino at the top of the list. It just had to be. Not only is he one of the most ridiculous Superstars of the modern era, but he holds the record for shortest entrance ever. Some people are claiming the Warlord's stay in the 1989 Rumble was shorter, but it really doesn't matter.

At the 2009 edition of the Rumble, Marella charged his way down the ring, only to be met by Kane. Clearly in no mood to mess about, Kane charged Marella immediately back where he came from—via the top rope, of course.

Marella will always be mentioned in the buildup to every single Royal Rumble for this ridiculous moment. That is why he tops this list.