The Royal Rumble is one of WWE's most prestigious matches, often serving as a launching pad for superstars to main-event WrestleMania. However, not every WrestleMania main-eventer has had the honor of winning a Royal Rumble match. Some legendary names have headlined the grandest stage of them all but never had their hands raised in victory after a Rumble match. Let’s take a deep dive into some of these superstars and their WrestleMania journeys.
1. King Kong Bundy
King Kong Bundy was a monstrous force in WWE during the 1980s, known for his sheer size and dominance in the ring. His most significant WrestleMania moment came at WrestleMania 2 (1986) when he faced Hulk Hogan in a steel cage match for the WWF Championship. Bundy’s intimidating presence made him a credible threat, but ultimately, Hogan overcame him to retain the title.
Despite his main-event status, Bundy never won a Royal Rumble match. He competed in the 1995 Royal Rumble, where he had a decent showing but was eliminated before reaching the final moments. His immense size and power should have made him a favorite, but he never had a deep run in a Rumble match. Bundy left a lasting impact on WWE history, yet a Royal Rumble win remained an unachieved feat in his career.
2. Daniel Bryan
Daniel Bryan’s WWE career has been a rollercoaster ride, filled with ups and downs, but his connection with fans has always been undeniable. His crowning moment came at WrestleMania 30 (2014) when he overcame all odds by defeating Triple H in the opening match before winning a triple threat against Batista & Randy Orton in the main event to capture the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. His journey to the top was fueled by the "Yes! Movement," a grassroots fan-driven phenomenon that forced WWE to change its original plans.
However, Bryan’s Royal Rumble history is filled with disappointment. Fans heavily backed him in both the 2014 and 2015 Royal Rumbles, but he was either not included or eliminated early, leading to massive backlash. His best performance came in the 2018 Greatest Royal Rumble, where he lasted an astonishing 76 minutes, setting a record. Despite his incredible in-ring ability and overwhelming fan support, a Royal Rumble victory never came his way.
3. Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho is often considered one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, yet a Royal Rumble win has always slipped through his fingers. He main-evented WrestleMania X8 (2002) against Triple H for the Undisputed WWF Championship, though many argue The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan was the real main event of the night. Regardless, Jericho had solidified his place in history as the first-ever Undisputed Champion.
Jericho has had several near-wins in Royal Rumble matches. Most notably, in 2012, he was the heavy favorite to win but was the last man eliminated by Sheamus. Throughout his career, he participated in numerous Rumbles, often making it to the final four. With his incredible longevity and ability to reinvent himself, Jericho seemed destined to win a Royal Rumble at some point, yet it never materialized. Despite this, he remains one of WWE’s most decorated and accomplished superstars.
4. Andre the Giant
One of WWE’s most legendary figures, Andre the Giant, was almost impossible to eliminate due to his sheer size and strength. He main-evented WrestleMania III (1987) in one of the most iconic matches ever, facing off against Hulk Hogan for the WWF Championship. That match remains one of the most defining moments in wrestling history, thanks to Hogan’s famous body slam that sent the Pontiac Silverdome into a frenzy.
Despite his dominance, Andre never won a Royal Rumble match. This is largely because the match wasn’t introduced until 1988, when Andre was already past his prime. He did compete in the 1989 Royal Rumble, but the match format didn’t favor him, as multiple wrestlers teamed up to eliminate him. To compensate, WWE later introduced the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 30 in his honor. Even though he never won a Rumble, his legacy as one of WWE’s most dominant figures remains untouched.
5. Ted DiBiase
"The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase was one of WWE’s most brilliant heels, using his wealth and cunning to get ahead. He main-evented WrestleMania IV (1988) against Macho Man Randy Savage in the finals of the WWF Championship tournament. While he lost, his character work and in-ring ability made him one of the top stars of the era.
DiBiase has had a unique Royal Rumble history. In 1989, he attempted to buy the #30 entry spot, but it backfired, and he was eliminated. In the 1990 Royal Rumble, he had an incredible performance, entering at #1 and lasting for an impressive 45 minutes, showcasing his endurance. Despite often playing a key role in Rumble matches, he never won one. His legacy remains intact as one of WWE’s greatest villains, but a Royal Rumble victory was never in the cards for him.
6. Ultimate Warrior
The Ultimate Warrior was one of WWE’s most electrifying superstars, known for his high-energy entrances, face paint, and incredible intensity inside the ring. His most iconic WrestleMania moment came at WrestleMania VI (1990), where he faced Hulk Hogan in a historic Champion vs. Champion match. Warrior won that bout, claiming both the WWF Championship and Intercontinental Championship in one of the most memorable moments in WWE history.
Despite his larger-than-life persona and dominance in WWE, Ultimate Warrior never won a Royal Rumble match. He participated in 1990 and 1991, but he was eliminated before reaching the final stages. Given his popularity and larger-than-life presence, a Rumble victory would have seemed fitting. However, his legacy remains intact as one of WWE’s greatest superstars, with or without a Royal Rumble win.
7. Sid Justice (Twice, Once as Psycho Sid)
Sid Justice, later known as Psycho Sid, was a towering powerhouse who main-evented two WrestleManias. His first headline match came at WrestleMania VIII (1992), where he faced Hulk Hogan in what was billed as Hogan’s potential farewell match at the time. His second main-event appearance happened at WrestleMania 13 (1997) when he defended the WWF Championship against The Undertaker.
Despite his main-event presence and immense physical dominance, Sid never won a Royal Rumble. In 1992, he came agonizingly close, making it to the final two before being eliminated by Ric Flair, who went on to win the WWF Championship. Sid remained a top star throughout his WWE career, but a Royal Rumble victory was one accolade that eluded him.
8. Randy Savage
Few superstars have had the level of charisma, in-ring ability, and storytelling prowess as "Macho Man" Randy Savage. He was a two-time WWF Champion and headlined WrestleMania V (1989) in an unforgettable match against Hulk Hogan. His second WrestleMania main event came at WrestleMania VIII (1992) when he won the WWF Championship against Ric Flair.
Despite being one of WWE’s biggest stars of the late '80s and early '90s, Savage never won a Royal Rumble. His best shot came in 1993, where he was the last man eliminated by Yokozuna. Savage’s unpredictable, high-flying style made him a fan favorite, but WWE’s booking at the time never gave him the Rumble victory that his career arguably deserved.
9. Lawrence Taylor
Lawrence Taylor’s case is unique because he wasn’t a full-time wrestler but still headlined WrestleMania XI (1995) against Bam Bam Bigelow. The NFL legend was brought into WWE for a high-profile showdown, and despite his lack of in-ring experience, he impressed fans with his athleticism and ability to adapt to the squared circle.
Since Taylor was never an active WWE competitor, he never had a chance to win a Royal Rumble match. His WrestleMania main event was a one-time spectacle, but it remains one of the most talked-about celebrity appearances in wrestling history. While he never even entered a Royal Rumble match, his presence in a WrestleMania main event earns him a spot on this list.
10. Bam Bam Bigelow
Bam Bam Bigelow was one of the most agile big men in wrestling history, known for his unique blend of power and high-flying abilities. He headlined WrestleMania XI (1995) against Lawrence Taylor, a match that gained mainstream attention due to Taylor’s involvement. Although Bigelow carried the match and played the perfect villain, he ultimately took the loss.
Throughout his WWE career, Bam Bam competed in multiple Royal Rumble matches but never secured a victory. His best showing came in 1993, where he had a strong performance before being eliminated by Yokozuna. Despite never winning a Rumble, Bigelow’s legacy as one of the best big men in wrestling history remains undisputed.
11. The Big Show & Mick Foley
Both The Big Show and Mick Foley have main-evented WrestleMania, but neither has ever won a Royal Rumble. Big Show’s big WrestleMania moment came at WrestleMania 2000, where he competed in a Fatal 4-Way match against The Rock, Triple H, and Mick Foley for the WWF Championship. Foley, wrestling as Cactus Jack, was also part of that match in what was meant to be his retirement bout.
Big Show has had multiple close calls in Royal Rumbles. Most famously, in 2000, he was the last man eliminated by The Rock in a controversial finish. He also made it to the final two in 2004, losing to Chris Benoit. Despite his size and dominance, a Rumble victory was never in the cards for him.
As for Foley, he had multiple personas (Mankind, Cactus Jack, and Dude Love) and even competed as all three in the 1998 Royal Rumble, but he never won. His hardcore style and underdog persona made him a beloved figure, but WWE never positioned him to win a Rumble match.
12. The Miz
The Miz is one of the most decorated WWE superstars of the modern era, known for his mic skills, longevity, and ability to reinvent himself. He cemented his name in history by headlining WrestleMania 27 (2011) against John Cena for the WWE Championship. Despite being overshadowed by the involvement of The Rock, The Miz shockingly retained the title in the main event.
While The Miz has won multiple championships, held Money in the Bank, and even main-evented WrestleMania, he has never won a Royal Rumble match. He has competed in several Rumble matches, but he has never been a serious contender for victory. Given his ability to remain relevant in WWE for over a decade, many fans wonder if a Royal Rumble win is still in his future.
13. Mr. T, Paul Orndorff & Roddy Piper
WrestleMania I (1985) was historic for many reasons, one of which was its main event— a high-profile tag team match featuring celebrities and wrestling icons. Mr. T & Hulk Hogan took on Roddy Piper & Paul Orndorff in a match that had mainstream appeal and helped put WrestleMania on the map.
Since Mr. T was a Hollywood star rather than a full-time wrestler, he never competed in a Royal Rumble match. Roddy Piper, despite being one of the biggest heels of his era, never won a Rumble either. His best showing was in 1992, when he had an incredible night, winning the Intercontinental Championship and competing in the Rumble match, but he ultimately fell short. Paul Orndorff, a tremendous talent in his own right, was another superstar who never won the Rumble, further proving that even legends can miss out on this accolade.
14. Kurt Angle
Kurt Angle, a wrestling machine and Olympic gold medalist, is regarded as one of the best technical wrestlers in history. His WrestleMania main event moments came in WrestleMania XIX (2003), where he defended the WWE Championship against Brock Lesnar, and WrestleMania 22 (2006), where he participated in a Triple Threat match with Randy Orton and Rey Mysterio.
Despite his many accomplishments—including multiple world championships, a King of the Ring win, and Hall of Fame induction—Kurt Angle never won a Royal Rumble. His closest attempt came in 2002, where he was the final participant eliminated by Triple H. Given his dominance in WWE and ability to deliver classics, it’s surprising that a Rumble win was never part of his legendary career.
15. Sasha Banks
In 2021, Sasha Banks became the first Black woman to main-event WrestleMania alongside Bianca Belair at WrestleMania 37 (Night 1) in a match that was widely praised as one of the best of the modern era. Banks has been a trailblazer for women's wrestling, capturing multiple championships and redefining the industry.
Despite her impressive career, Sasha Banks has never won a Royal Rumble. She entered the match multiple times, coming close in 2020, where she was eliminated by Charlotte Flair in the final moments. With her departure from WWE in 2022, it seems unlikely that she will ever claim a Rumble victory, but her impact on wrestling remains undeniable.
16. Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
The main event of WrestleMania 39 (Night 1) was historic for many reasons—it was the first time the Undisputed Tag Team Championships headlined WrestleMania. The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso) defended their titles against Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn, in an emotional, high-stakes battle that showcased the strength of WWE’s modern storytelling.
While all four competitors have had incredible careers, none of them have ever won a Royal Rumble. Jey & Jimmy had a standout performance in Royal Rumble 2024, lasting a long time but failing to claim victory. Kevin Owens (Universal Champions ) and Sami Zayn (multi-time tag team champion), have had numerous memorable moments, but neither has ever won a Rumble match. Their WrestleMania main event cemented their legacies, even without a Rumble win.
Conclusion
Winning the Royal Rumble is often seen as the ultimate path to WrestleMania’s main event, but history has proven otherwise. Legends like Andre the Giant, Randy Savage, and Sasha Banks reached the pinnacle of WWE without ever winning the prestigious match. Instead, their charisma, skill, and unforgettable rivalries earned them a place on the grandest stage.
As WWE continues to evolve, new superstars will rise, some taking the traditional route through a Rumble win, while others carve their own path to WrestleMania glory. Regardless of how they got there, these icons have cemented their legacies in the history of sports entertainment.
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