The Royal Rumble gives WWE fans some of the most anticipated surprises of the year. Who will come back or who will be called up and enter that year’s Royal Rumble? It makes the event a must-watch every January. So, which surprise entrants in previous Rumbles were the most memorable? We look to answer that question with our rundown of the top 10 in Royal Rumble history.
10. Kharma Returns at 2012 Royal Rumble
Kharma became the third woman to enter the women’s Royal Rumble match, and she did so in a dominating, terrifying, and surprising way. After entering at 21, she leveled Hunico and was soon eliminated. Now, her career in the company did not last very long after that impressive moment, but at least she got to say she competed in a Royal Rumble.
9. Mr. Perfect Returns At 2002 Royal Rumble
Mr. Perfect returned to the company at the Royal Rumble in 2002 and proved that perfection is timeless. He was gone from the company for a long time and then almost outlasted everyone, making it to the final three. He was eliminated by Kurt Angle, and then Triple H eliminated Kurt Angle to win the match. For those who lived in the early 90s and saw his WWE career, it was a trip of nostalgia.
8. Rob Van Dam Returns at 2009 Royal Rumble
The former WWE star had departed around 2007, then made a one-night return in 2009, stunning the fans in Detroit that night. He was there for 14 minutes before being eliminated. This was a moment where everyone thought RVD was back for good.
In the end, it was just a moment that lasted for a few minutes, but one to keep everyone remembering how over RVD was with the fans, which ultimately led to his WWE return in 2013.
7. Cody Rhodes Returns at 2023 Royal Rumble
This was Cody Rhodes’ first Royal Rumble back in WWE since his return the year prior, and it was his first match back since tearing his pectoral muscle before Hell in a Cell that put him on the shelf for seven months. He returned to number 30 and ultimately won the match that led him to challenge, yet failed, to beat Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania that year. This Rumble win set him on the course to become one of WWE’s biggest stars.
6. Bubba Ray Dudley Returned At The 2015 Royal Rumble
This was perfect because Bubba Ray Dudley had been gone from the company for a few years. Being in Philadelphia and entering at number three, bringing back all the nostalgia that you needed was perfect. It was a moment that is underrated, but it also ultimately led to a full-time return for The Dudley Boyz in the WWE.
5. Chris Jericho Returns at 2013 Royal Rumble
Chris Jericho had gone to social media before the event, stating that he was busy with his band Fozzy and he wouldn’t be at the Royal Rumble. Instead, he entered at number two to a massive ovation. He went 48 minutes and ultimately proved that this dude did not miss a beat.
4. Booker T Returns at 2011 Royal Rumble
Booker T returned to WWE at the 2011 Royal Rumble. This was an interesting match because it was the first ever 40-man field. And one of the highlights was the return of Booker T, who had been away from WWE and competing in TNA, which led to him being booked as a commentator and on-air talent for years to come.
3. Edge Returns at 2020 Royal Rumble
Edge had been gone for nine long years, forced into retirement by a neck injury, only to return and redefine the odds that year. And it led to his epic comeback and a second career stint, if you will. It was one of the best crowd reactions ever that put the WWE Hall of Famer in motion for a second stint.
2. AJ Styles Debus at 2016 Royal Rumble
Fans had wondered what AJ Styles would look like in WWE. Well, that moment came in the 2016 edition of the legendary match. He came across just in the right way as a big star at No. 3, facing off against Roman Reigns, and just having an outstanding performance. It would set the stage for an all-time career.
1. John Cena Returns at 2008 Royal Rumble
It was such a shocking moment that nearly no one saw coming, given the timeline. John Cena was expected to return in the summer. After being out with a torn pectoral muscle, he returned on the quickest timetable I think I’ve ever seen. When his music hit, the place erupted, and he ultimately eliminated Triple H to punch his ticket to Mania.
