The All-Time Top 30 Royal Rumble Participants

It's time for the ROYAL RUMBLE!

The Royal Rumble match is my favorite match of the year for several reasons.

1. It is the most action-packed hour of pro wrestling all year.

2. It always features many of the WWE's top superstars.

3. It is the match that earns it winner a world title shot at Wrestlemania, which often ends up the defining match of a wrestling career.

And... with the many statistics it provides, it gives me the opportunity to give Bleacher Report another list!

Presenting... the All-Time Top 30 Royal Rumble Participants!

Here is my points system:

• 1 point for every minute spent in the ring
• 10 points for every elimination
• minus 15 points for every time eliminated

(Just do me a favor: look at the list first before you try to find a flaw in my system. You'll find that the top 30 are pretty solid picks.)

Note: I did not include the 1988 Royal Rumble match in my statistics, since it only featured 20 men.

No. 30: Sid

Rumbles competed in: 1 (1992)

Rumbles won: 0

Minutes spent in the ring: 6

Eliminations: 6

Total points: 51

OK, Sid only competed in one Royal Rumble match, but he eliminated 6 men in 6 minutes and probably would've won if it weren't for Hulk Hogan being a sore loser after Sid tossed him.

No. 29: Rikishi

Rumbles competed in: 10 (1993-97, 2000-04)

Rumbles won: 0

Minutes spent in the ring: 87

Eliminations: 12

Total points: 57

Rikishi never won a Royal Rumble, but he competed in a lot of them, and was particularly impressive in 2000 when he eliminated 7 men, and it took 6 men to eliminate him.

Fun fact: Rikishi is the only competitor in Royal Rumble history to draw No. 28, 29, and 30.

No. 28: Mr. Perfect

Rumbles competed in: 5 (1989-91, 1993, 2002)

Rumbles won: 0

Minutes spent in the ring: 72

Eliminations: 6

Total points: 57

Mr. Perfect was the runner-up in 1990, and made the final three in his first WWE match in 8 years at the 2002 Royal Rumble, arguably one of the most competitive Royal Rumble matches ever. He is my favorite wrestler of all-time, so it was nice for me to see him make the list.

No. 27: Earthquake

Rumbles competed in: 5 (1990-91, 1993, 1999 as Golga)

Rumbles won: 0

Minutes spent in the ring: 38

Eliminations: 8

Total points: 58

Earthquake was the runner-up in 1991, where he spent 25 minutes in the ring, no small feat for such a large man! His other performances were far from stellar, which hurt his overall ranking.

No. 26: The Ultimate Warrior

Rumbles competed in: 1 (1990)

Rumbles won: 0

Minutes spent in the ring: 15

Eliminations: 6

Total points: 60

The Ultimate Warrior and Hulk Hogan eliminated 6 men in a two minute span in the 1990 Royal Rumble, setting up one of the most exciting one-on-one faceoffs in rumble match history. It also was a preview of their epic WrestleMania VI match, which was the highlight of Warrior's career.

No. 25: Rob Van Dam

Rumbles competed in: 6 (2002-04, 2006-07, 2009)

Rumbles won: 0

Minutes spent in the ring: 96

Eliminations: 6

Total points: 66

Van Dam has never made the final 3, but he made the final 6 in 4 Royal Rumbles and final 10 in his other two. His last WWE match was a one-off appearance in the 2009 Royal Rumble match.

No. 24: Rick Martel

Rumbles competed in: 7 (1989-95)

Rumbles won: 0

Minutes spent in the ring: 104

Eliminations: 9

Total points: 89

Martel's appearance in 1991 was certainly his most impressive, lasting 52 minutes and making the final five before foolishly climbing to the top rope, where he was quickly eliminated by Davey Boy Smith. This performance made him the endurance record-holder in the Royal Rumble, before it was broken by Ric Flair the following year.

No. 23: Bret Hart

Rumbles competed in: 4 (1990-91, 1994, 1997)

Rumbles won: 1 (1994, co-won with Lex Luger)

Minutes spent in the ring: 73

Eliminations: 8

Total points: 93

Bret Hart co-won in 1994, going on to WrestleMania X to win his second WWF Championship. He also may have won the 1997 Royal Rumble had officials seen him throw Steve Austin out earlier, and was the last man eliminated in a controversial finish.

Note: Although he won in 1994, he still loses 15 points for his appearance since he and Lex Luger eliminated each other.

No. 22: CM Punk

Rumbles competed in: 4 (2007-2010)

Rumbles won: 0

Minutes spent in the ring: 84

Eliminations: 7

Total points: 94

I found this a bit of a surprise, but looking at the stats, Punk lasted over 20 minutes in his first three Royal Rumbles, and eliminated 5 men last year. Expect big things from him if he competes in this year's match.

No. 21: Ric Flair

Rumbles competed in: 5 (1992-93, 2005-07)

Rumbles won: 1 (1992)

Minutes spent in the ring: 87

Eliminations: 8

Total points: 107

Flair had one of the greatest Royal Rumble performances of all time in 1992, winning the WWF Championship in the process. You would think that his terrible performances in later rumbles hurt his ranking, but without them he only would've gained two points.

No. 20: Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase

Rumbles competed in: 4 (1989-90, 1992-93)

Rumbles won: 0

Minutes spent in the ring: 77

Eliminations: 10

Total points: 117

DiBiase was the runner-up in 1989, and had the best endurance in 1990 at 44 minutes.

No. 19: Yokozuna

Rumbles competed in: 2 (1993, 1996)

Rumbles won: 1 (1993)

Minutes spent in the ring: 34

Eliminations: 10

Total points: 119

The heaviest man in Royal Rumble history, Yokozuna used his size to his advantage, eliminating 7 men in the 1993 Royal Rumble on his way to victory. This was the first Royal Rumble match where the winner earned a world title match, a tradition that has continued ever since.

No. 18: John Cena

Rumbles competed in: 5 (2003-2005, 2008, 2010)

Rumbles won: 1 (2008)

Minutes spent in the ring: 70

Eliminations: 11

Total points: 120

A one-time winner (2008) and two-time runner up (2005 and 2010), Cena has to be considered a favorite to win if he competes this year.

No. 17: Lex Luger

Rumbles competed in: 2 (1994-95)

Rumbles won: 1 (1994, co-won with Bret Hart)

Minutes spent in the ring: 41

Eliminations: 11

Total points: 121

Luger co-won with Bret Hart in 1994, and made the final four in 1995.

Note: Although he won in 1994, he still loses 15 points for his appearance since he and Bret Hart eliminated each other.

No. 16: Diesel

Rumbles competed in: 2 (1994, 1996)

Rumbles won: 0

Minutes spent in the ring: 36

Eliminations: 12

Total points: 126

Diesel made his first big impact in the WWF at the 1994 Royal Rumble by eliminating 7 men, and won the Intercontinental, Tag Team, and WWF Championship later that year. He was also runner-up in 1996.

No. 15: Chris Jericho

Rumbles competed in: 6 (2000, 2003-05, 2009-10)

Rumbles won: 0

Minutes spent in the ring: 126

Eliminations: 10

Total points: 136

Chris Jericho is probably the biggest WWE star of the last 20 years to not win a Royal Rumble match. 2003 was his most impressive performance, where he lasted 39 minutes and eliminated 6 men. Is there a chance he could make a surprise return this year and win?

No. 14: The Big Show

Rumbles competed in: 7 (2000-02, 2004, 2006, 2009-10)

Rumbles won: 0

Minutes spent in the ring: 60

Eliminations: 19

Total points: 145

The only man to eliminate more men per minute than Big Show that has competed in more than 2 Royal Rumbles is Hulk Hogan. Show has been runner-up twice, in 2000 and 2004. It is safe to say the Big Show is one of the most dangerous competitors in Royal Rumble history. Could this be his year?

No. 13: Batista

Rumbles competed in: 4 (2003, 2005, 2008, 2010)

Rumbles won: 1

Minutes spent in the ring: 61

Eliminations: 13

Total points: 146

Batista won in 2005, and made the final four in his other 3 appearances. A return by Batista this year would be shocking!

No. 12: British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith

Rumbles competed in: 6 (1991-92, 1995-97, 2000)

Rumbles won: 0

Minutes spent in the ring: 126

Eliminations: 12

Total points: 156

Davey Boy was the runner-up in 1995, and perhaps the most worthy runner-up in history, considering he and Shawn Michaels drew numbers 1 and 2 and lasted to the end, where the "both feet" rule was the only thing to keep Smith from winning. He also made the final four in 1991 and 1996.

No. 11: The Rock

Rumbles competed in: 4 (1997-98, 2000-01)

Rumbles won: 1 (2000)

Minutes spent in the ring: 118

Eliminations: 10

Total points: 173

The Rock won in 2000, was runner up in 1998, and 3rd place in 2001.

No. 10: Randy Orton

Rumbles competed in: 4 (2004, 2006-07, 2009)

Rumbles won: 1 (2009)

Minutes spent in the ring: 122

Eliminations: 12

Total points: 197

The other participants should be glad Orton won't be competing this year. In addition to winning in 2009, he was the runner up in 2006.

No. 9: Rey Mysterio

Rumbles competed in: 4 (2003, 2005-06, 2009)

Rumbles won: 1 (2006)

Minutes spent in the ring: 156

Eliminations: 9

Total points: 201

Although he is one of the smallest men in Royal Rumble history, he also has the best endurance, averaging 50 minutes in the ring in his last 3 appearances, and holds the record at 62:12 in his 2006 victory. Unfortunately, he also has the worst luck, having only drawn numbers 1, 2, 4, and 8.

No. 8: Edge

Rumbles competed in: 6 (1999-2000, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2010)

Rumbles won: 1 (2010)

Minutes spent in the ring: 129

Eliminations: 15

Total points: 204

Edge finally won a Royal Rumble in 2010, but he also made the final three in his previous two appearances in 2005 and 2007. Like Orton, it appears he will be in a world title match instead of the Royal Rumble match, so he won't be winning back-to-back rumbles.

No. 7: Chris Benoit

Rumbles competed in: 4 (2004-07)

Rumbles won: 1 (2004)

Minutes spent in the ring: 157

Eliminations: 11

Total points: 222

No matter how WWE tries to erase him from history, his Royal Rumble victory in 2004 was amazing, and was the start of the greatest year in Benoit's career. Benoit also has the best average time in Royal Rumble matches (39:20), edging out Rey Mysterio by a few seconds.

No. 6: Hulk Hogan

Rumbles competed in: 4 (1989-1992)

Rumbles won: 2 (1990 and 1991)

Minutes spent in the ring: 57

Eliminations: 25

Total points: 277

Hogan won the Royal Rumble in 1990 and 1991, and has more eliminations per minute than anyone. He was also the first two-time Royal Rumble winner. If the Royal Rumble had started a few years earlier, no doubt Hogan would have ranked even higher.

No. 5: Kane

Rumbles competed in: 14 (1996-97, 1999-2010)

Rumbles won: 0

Minutes spent in the ring: 173

Eliminations: 35

Total points: 313

Yes, I'm including his appearances as the new Diesel and Isaac Yankem. Either way, no one has competed in more Royal Rumbles than Kane, yet he's never won! He is coming off one of the best years of his career and a nice world title reign, can he finally win this year?

No. 4: The Undertaker

Rumbles competed in: 10 (1991-93, 1997, 2001-2003, 2007-09)

Rumbles won: 1 (2007)

Minutes spent in the ring: 143

Eliminations: 35

Total points: 358

Although he won't be in it this year, I wouldn't be surprised if we heard a gong and the lights go out at some point, just to freak Kane out. Interesting to note his first 8 rumble appearances lasted no more than 15 minutes, while his last 2 both lasted over 30.

No. 3: Triple H

Rumbles competed in: 8 (1996-97, 1999, 2002, 2006, 2008-2010)

Rumbles won: 1 (2002)

Minutes spent in the ring: 229

Eliminations: 27

Total points: 394

A return by Triple H in this year's Royal Rumble would be amazing! He won in 2002, and was the runner-up in 2008 and 2009. At 229 minutes, no one has spent more time in Royal Rumble matches than Triple H.

No. 2: Shawn Michaels

Rumbles competed in: 12 (1989-90, 1992, 1994-96, 2003, 2005-08, 2010)

Rumbles won: 2 (1995 and 1996)

Minutes spent in the ring: 220

Eliminations: 37

Total points: 440

Although he is much more well-known for his WrestleMania matches, Shawn Michaels has spent more time in Royal Rumble matches than anyone except Triple H. He is also the only man to win more than one Royal Rumble except Hulk Hogan and...

No. 1: Stone Cold Steve Austin

Rumbles competed in: 6 (1996-1999, 2001-2002)

Rumbles won: 3 (1997, 1998 and 2001)

Minutes spent in the ring: 134

Eliminations: 36

Total points: 449

One more elimination and Shawn would've edged out Stone Cold! But in my opinion, there is no doubt Austin deserves this number one spot. 3 rumble victories and 1 runner-up spot in 6 appearances is impossible to match. He is the most dominant man in Royal Rumble match history.

Thanks For Reading!

Hope you enjoyed the article, and the trip down memory lane. I also hope you're all looking forward to this year's Royal Rumble.

Let's hear your comments on who you think does and doesn't belong, or how you would rank them differently!