Royal Rumble match
The Royal Rumble match is a professional wrestling match based on the classic Battle Royal match in which a number of wrestlers (traditionally 30) aim at eliminating their competitors by tossing them over the top rope, with both feet touching the floor. The match is typically the main event of WWE's January pay-per-view and livestreaming event known as the Royal Rumble. The winner of the event is the last wrestler remaining after all others have been eliminated. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin holds the record for most victories at three, achieved in 1997, 1998, and 2001, while Hulk Hogan, Shawn Michaels, John Cena, Batista, Triple H, Randy Orton, Edge, Brock Lesnar, and Cody Rhodes have all won the match twice, with Hogan, Michaels, Austin, and Rhodes the only four to win back-to-back matches.
WWE Royal Rumble match in 2009 | |
| Founded | 1988 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Pat Patterson Vince McMahon |
| Organising body | WWE |
| Competitors | 30[A] 20 (1988) 40 (2011) 50 (GRR) |
| Most recent champion(s) | Cody Rhodes (men's) Bayley (women's) (2024) |
| Most titles | Stone Cold Steve Austin (three) |
| Tournament format | Staggered entry battle royal |
| Notes | |
| ^ A: The Royal Rumble match traditionally features 30 competitors, though some exceptions have been made in select matches. | |