A Battle Royal Of Opinions: The 10 Greatest Matches In Royal Rumble History

Traditionally, the Royal Rumble is held each January and is headlined (for the most part) by the 30 man over the top battle royal match, with the winner receiving a title shot at Wrestlemania. I think we can almost all agree that other than Wrestlemania, the Royal Rumble is probably the second biggest pay per view of the year.

Each year, countless great matches take place on this card, and after doing some reviewing of my Royal Rumble box set, I believe that I have come up with the ten greatest matches in Royal Rumble History.

The criteria is as follows:

- The match cannot be the actual 30 man Royal Rumble matchup.

- There had to be some sort of buildup and emotion surrounding the match.

- The actual in ring presentation and work of the wrestlers.

- The memorable factor-does the match resonate in your memory as being great.

Without further ado...

Match No. 10: Sgt. Slaughter defeats the Ultimate Warrior (WWE Championship)-1991

This match was nowhere near the prettiest of matches. In fact, it was pretty bad. But the buildup and the emotional appeal of this match is hard to beat. The Ultimate Warrior had a cult following at the time and Slaughter was hated by everyone in America for his traitorous ways.

Warrior lost the match because of interference by "Macho King" Randy Savage, which set up one of the best wrestling feuds of the early '90s.

Nobody, and I mean nobody, wanted Slaughter to win this match, and since WWF was still smart enough to put the title on heels to create mega stars at that time, it made perfect sense. I can still remember being a salty six year old watching as Warrior laid on the mat and Slaughter stole the title.

Match No. 9: Diesel and Bret Hart wrestle to a no contest (WWE Championship)-1995

This was truly one of the great buildups to a match between to faces. Bret was granted a shot by Diesel because he was essentially robbed of the title at Survivor Series a few months before. Diesel and Bret displayed mutual respect throughout, but also stated on numerous occasions that they would tear each other apart to win the title.

During the match, which was physical and grueling enough, the match was ordered to continue twice after interference by Michaels, Owen Hart, and eventual Backlund, Jeff Jarrett and The Rhoadie. The match had to be called because control of the match was lost after the referee was knocked out.

Match No. 8: Yokozuna defeats The Undertaker in a Casket Match (WWE Championship)-1994

Yokozuna was the undefeatable champion with one fear: death. The Undertaker was featured in countless classic vignettes leading up to this match preparing the double wide casket for the champion.

Meanwhile, Yokozuna was clearly shaken by the thought of being in the casket, as made evident by the mind games Taker played with him leading up to the match. All the signs pointed to his demise and The Deadman wearing the Gold. Which is the beauty of this match.

WWF wanted to "reinvent" The Undertaker while not losing any of his credibility. Yokozuna defeated him in the match after seemingly every heel in the locker room (Crush, Jarrett, Kabuki, Tenryu, Bam Bam Bigelow, etc.) interfered and helped to end the Deadman. Or so we thought.

The casket stopped on the way to the exit and we saw one of the most chilling displays in wrestling history as The Undertaker ascended above the arena and out of sight after appearing on the screen and telling us he would return even greater than before.

Match No. 7: The Rock defeats Mankind in an "I Quit" Match (WWE Championship)-1999

This was easily the most personal and heated feud of late 1998 and early 1999. Mankind was berated and by Vince McMahon for not being a corporate enough champion. The Rock, who was his ideal champion, continually beat on Mankind but it was never enough. This match was the climax of their feud.

Mankind had never quit anything in his life, but after what can be considered one of the most physical and pounding matches of all time, he quit. The Rock unloaded chair shot after chair shot to the unprotected head of Mankind while handcuffed.

The shots echoed through the arena as fans cringed and gasped, seemingly hoping it would all end. We would later come to find that The Rock had knocked him out cold and unable to speak and played a recording of him saying the words "I Quit."

Mankind's credibility and The Rock's heel prowess really showed with this match. Absolute car wreck are the only words to properly describe it.

Match No. 6: Triple H and Shawn Michaels wrestle to no contest (WWE Championship)-2004

The Triple H and Michaels feud was legendary in itself, as it became so bitter and feuled by hatred that Michaels almost lost his career after being attacked by Helmsley. Michaels and HHH would fight it out for the title to culminate their one on one feud in one of the most grueling and bloody matches of all time.

The match went to no contest in order to leave the door open for a Wrestlemania match. Michaels nearly got up before the count of ten after knocking HHH out with sweet chin music. The suspense was great as the crowd believed we would have a new champion.

Match No. 5: The Rockers defeat The Orient Express-1991

This match was an absolute clinic in tag team wrestling as young and exciting teams battled it out for twenty minutes. Words on screen simply cannot convey how great this match was. Smooth tags and double team moves as well as the classic "hot tag" scenario came into play numerous times during the match.

All I can suggest is that you see this match. It was great tag team wrestling when tag teams still mattered in the wrestling world.

Match No. 4: Chris Jericho defeats Chris Benoit in a Ladder Match (WWE IC Title)-2001

Benoit and Jericho had one of the greatest in ring feuds in wrestling history. That culminated in a lot of ways in this ladder match. The buildup itself was not epic by any means, but the in ring performance was classic.

I dont think anyone would deny that this was a superbly displayed, physical match that kept fans on the edge of their seats for close to twenty minutes. Who can forget the image of Jericho putting the Walls Of Jericho on Benoit on top of the ladder?

These two men did new and ground breaking things in the world of ladder matches and truly "reinvented the wheel" as far as ladder matches go.

Match No. 3: John Cena defeats Umaga in a Street Fight (WWE Championship)-2007

John Cena is not known for his in ring work above and beyond all other things. But this match should change you opinions on that. By no means was this an catch as catch can match, but Cena carried Umaga (who isn't a terrible performer in his own right) through a grueling and pounding matchup for the title.

Cena was running rampant over the WWE and Umaga was the mega heel at the time. Umaga looked down right untouchable to be honest. Cena improved his stock during this match without killing Umaga and burying him.

Cena got absolutely handled throughout this match and near the very end literally dodged a bullet as Umaga got knocked out by running into a monitor. The physical abuse that Cena took and the desperation that Cena used to win the match (choking out Umaga with the ring rope) showed that Cena was human and brought him back down to the people's level.

Match No. 2: Triple H defeated Cactus Jack in a Street Fight (WWE Championship)-2000

This feud was hands down the best of Triple H's career. We all know that spans many feuds. Foley really brought out the best in HHH and helped to show that "The Game" was indeed the greatest heel in wrestling.

Cactus was so beloved by the fans that people practically were keeping him from retiring just because they showed such interest in him. Meanwhile, the evil Triple H wanted to end Foley forever and rid WWE of the Hardcore Icon.

The match was physically demanding as both men experienced numerous legitimate injuries. Nobody will ever forget the emotional roller coaster that was this match. From The Rock helping Cactus get out of handcuffs to Helmsley and Jack being pierced all over by thumbtacks and barbed wire.

This match left images of blood stained canvas and faces in your head as the night unfolded. I can remember the start of the rumble match and saying to myself that nothing could beat that street fight. Helmsley stole the victory and sent Cactus into retirement from full time wrestling.

Match No. 1: Shawn Michaels defeats Marty Jannety (IC Title)-1993

No feud in wrestling history has EVER been as heated as this one. From the infamous breakup which saw Michaels throw Marty through the window of "The Barber Shop" to the inclusion of Sherri Martel into the feud, this one was ugly.

I can remember how much I absolutely hated Michaels and wanted to see Jannetty pummel his brains in. Michaels made you hate him for real. The two men were like brothers until Shawn turned his back on Marty and you could actually feel that hatred. Anyone who watched this play out felt like they were personally involved in this thing.

The match itself was classic. An absolute catch as catch can with great storylines and buildup. Sensational Sherri stood at ringside as Shawn Michaels defended his Intercontinental Championship against Marty Jannetty. She did not commit her service to either wrestler.

Jannetty gained the early advantage, knocking Michaels out of the ring and diving onto him. He attacked Michaels by jumping off the top rope, but Michaels countering this move by hitting him on the way down. Michaels hit Jannetty's shoulder against the ring post and focused on wearing down the shoulder once both men had re-entered the ring. Michaels missed an attack from the top rope, which allowed Jannetty to punch him repeatedly.

Michaels recovered and threw Jannetty out of the ring, but Jannetty then suplexed Michaels over the rope and onto the arena floor. Sherri turned on Michaels by slapping him in the face, and Jannetty threw Michaels back into the ring with a belly-to-back suplex. Jannetty performed a powerslam and a DDT on Michaels.

Michaels attempted to punch Jannetty but knocked the referee unconscious instead. Sherri came into the ring and tried to hit Michaels with her shoe. Michaels moved out of the way, and Sherri hit Jannetty instead. When the referee recovered, Michaels performed a superkick on Jannetty and pinned him to retain the championship. (Recap from Wikipedia)

There you have it folks, the ten best singles matches in Royal Rumble history. This is clearly my OPINION and I am always open to comments and debating. Hope you enjoy.

Coming next week: The Greatest Single Man Performances in the Royal Rumble Match.