Headed to the WWE Network on Sunday, January 26 is the Royal Rumble, the annual way the wrestling promotion kicks off its new year. This show has been running every January for over 30 years, which is quite a feat in the world of modern wrestling. This year's show is coming to Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas.
The main attraction is the titular match, where 30 superstars eliminate each other in an over-the-top battle royale. However, these entrants come to the ring, one by one, which allows the audience to gain monumental amounts of hope, only to have it dashed when their favorite wrestler doesn't come to the ring to enter the Rumble contest.
However, the Rumble can also reintroduce some fan favorite wrestlers and have celebrities take part in the event. At times, there are even some head-scratching folks that enter the ring. It's all part of the fun. We're taking a look at the entire history of WWE's premiere event to figure out who the weirdest entrants, which includes game show hosts, parody characters, and way too much Coach. And here they are in chronological order.
If videos are more your thing, check out the video version here.
Vince McMahon (1999)
Let's start out by saying that in-context, Vince McMahon being a part of and winning the 1999 Royal Rumble--as far as progressing storyline goes--was brilliant. Now, jumping ahead two decades and forgetting everything we know about the McMahon/Steve Austin feud, seeing the owner of a wrestling promotion in one of the year's biggest matches is insane. There is no way that an older man would stand a chance against a bunch of athletes in their prime.
Gillberg (1999)
During the '90s, WWE's main competitor, WCW, had an unstoppable beast known as Goldberg. WWE had a parody version of that wrestler named Gillberg, who was small, clumsy, and silly. During 1999’s Royal Rumble, Gillberg entered the battle royal as entrant #9. However, he only lasted seven seconds in the match before being tossed out. Interestingly enough, his entrance was longer than his time spent in the ring.
Chyna (1999)
Here is the only entrant on the list that's not crazy because it was "mind-boggling." In 1999, Chyna won a Corporation vs. Degeneration X rumble, and her prize was the coveted #30 spot at that year's Royal Rumble. Chyna was the first woman to ever appear in a Rumble. She lasted 35 seconds but also eliminated the "World's Strongest Man" Mark Henry. Chyna returned to the Rumble in 2000 at the #17 spot and lasted 37 seconds. She led the way for other future female Rumble contestants like Beth Phoenix and Kharma.
Drew Carey (2001)
Easily, the most bizarre and worst entrant into the Royal Rumble happened back in 2001. The fifth entrant in that year's match was none other than the star of The Drew Carey Show, Drew Carey. He was at the PPV to promote an improv comedy show, and somehow, he got to be a part of the Rumble. Carey stood in the ring for roughly three minutes, watching everyone else fight. Then, Kane came to the ring, and Carey offered him a bribe. Kane didn't take it, so Carey eliminated himself. Confusingly, in 2011, WWE inducted Carey into the Hall of Fame.
Jonathan Coachman (2005, 2006)
While he may work now at ESPN, at one time, Jonathan Coachman was a part of WWE. He served as a backstage interviewer, worked on the commentary team, and was even the Raw interim general manager. During his commentary years, Coachman got two chances to win the Royal Rumble. Both times, he wore shirts reminding the crowd who he was. And both times, he did not do well.
Hornswoggle (2008)
Back in 2008, Hornswoggle entered the Royal Rumble at #9. This character tended to be the answer to questions like "who is Vince McMahon's illegitimate child?" and "who is the Raw anonymous general manager?" Instead of getting right into the ring, Hornswoggle hid under it. Later on, he actually entered the ring, only to be double-teamed quickly. His partner in crime, Fit Finley, was watching backstage, rushed to the ring to help Hornswoggle out, and got both of them disqualified in a convoluted mess of storytelling.
Ricardo Rodriguez (2012)
2012 was a really weird year for the Royal Rumble, with quite a few puzzling entrants. The sixth person to enter that year's Rumble was none other than Ricardo Rodriguez, Alberto Del Rio's ring announcer. Rodriguez drove towards the entrance ramp, much like Del Rio did; however, Rodriguez wasn't driving a high-class automobile. He was driving a beat-up car that was barely running. Rodriguez ended up eliminating Justin Gabriel with the help of Mick Foley, but he was eliminated by Santino Marella after two minutes.
The Entire Announcing Team (2012)
Moving forward with the 2012 Royal Rumble, we had not one, not two, but all three members of the announcing team get spots in that year's main event. Jerry Lawler got his named called first at #12. He lasted 43 seconds before being eliminated by Cody Rhodes. At #17, Booker T left the announcer table to enter the ring, and the five-time champ lasted almost five minutes. Sadly, the Hall of Famer was eliminated by Dolph Ziggler. For both of these men, their involvement in the Rumble wasn't too far out of left field since they were both former wrestlers.
Then... Michael Cole's name was pulled.
Michael Cole (2012)
While he was part of the announcing team, Michael Cole deserves his own special spot on this list. Cole has been a part off WWE for years as a backstage interviewer, announcer, and the spokesperson for the anonymous Raw general manager. During the 2012 Rumble, he entered the ring at #20. Cole was a heel during this time, so the boos coming from the crowd were all part of the plan. Cole wore full collegiate wrestling attire and danced around the ring for a minute, until Kharma came to the ring. Cole, who was frightened, began to eliminate himself, but he was quickly pulled to the floor by Booker T and Jerry Lawler from the outside. The 2012 Royal Rumble wasted four spots of contestants that never had a chance of winning.
El Torito (2014)
Finally, in 2014, El Torito, the third member of Los Matadores, rushed to the ring as entrant #20. Unlike Hornswoggle back in '08, El Torito had no fear, as he ran full speed to the ring. He ended up eliminating dancing sensation Fandango during his almost two minutes in the ring. He became one of the 12 eliminations at the hands of Roman Reigns.
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