Royal Rumble Winners from Entry #1

One of the greatest iconic matches WWE has, this match is a classic Battle Royal, wherein wrestlers eliminate each other by throwing them over the rope. Traditionally with 30 competitors, the match starts with two wrestlers, and every 90 seconds, new entrants join in succession until all 30 are in. Although statistically, late entries have a better chance of survival, some WWE Superstars have defied the odds, emerging victorious from the very first spot. We take a closer look at these incredible feats of Royal Rumble.

What Makes Entry #1 Special in Royal Rumble?

Being the first one to enter into this Royal Rumble match means standing in that ring the longest time of all, so the winner is not just a champion but an iron survivor. Among these rare individuals, only a few have been able to claim victory. Let’s revisit the historic moments of WWE Superstars who won the royal rumble from entry number 1.

Shawn Michaels – 1995 (Entry #1)

Shawn Michaels is remembered as the very first man ever to win the Royal Rumble starting at the #1 spot in 1995. And the way Michaels and British Bulldog, entering from the #2 position, delivered the finishing shots to one another will not soon be forgotten. Michaels’s foot almost touched the ring floor but got back in.

He eliminated Bulldog. This moment culminated in the institution of the “one-foot rule,” now a fixture in Royal Rumble drama. Michaels’ victory remains celebrated to this day as the benchmark for endurance and skill in WWE history.

Mr. McMahon – 1999 (Entry #2)

One of the most dramatic moments in the history of Royal Rumble was when the WWE Chairman, Mr. McMahon, lasted through 29 other superstars in the 1999 edition to go home with the championship. He entered at #2 and faced his competitor, Stone Cold Steve Austin, who entered at #1.

He beat Austin, who sought a historic hat-trick, with help from The Rock. Interestingly, McMahon remains the only Rumble winner after 1993 who did not go on to claim a world title opportunity at WrestleMania.

Chris Benoit – 2004 (Entry #1)

Chris Benoit’s win in the 2004 Royal Rumble was a triumph of endurance and strategy. Entering at #1 position, the man lasted over an hour in the ring, setting a then-record for the longest time in a single Royal Rumble match.

Eliminating six competitors to reach WrestleMania from the long match, Chris Benoit’s performance stayed at the top of the most memorable performances in the history of Royal Rumble.

Rey Mysterio – 2006 (Entry #2)

The underdog, Rey Mysterio, had a just incredible win of the 2006 Royal Rumble. He entered at #2 and lasted a tremendous 62 minutes, beating those half again as large as himself in the process. His win was in honor of Eddie Guerrero, and he was able to end such others, including Triple H and Randy Orton, along the way to earn his moment on WrestleMania.

Edge – 2021 (Entry #1)

After returning to WWE in 2020, Edge shocked the world of wrestling when he emerged victorious for the 2021 Royal Rumble from entry #1. The Rated-R Superstar battled 29 other competitors, including his arch-nemesis Randy Orton, who came in at #2. His victory was history in the making, as he was the first Hall of Famer to ever win the Royal Rumble, but Edge did not take the world title at WrestleMania.

Rhea Ripley – 2023 (Entry #1)

In the year 2023, Rhea Ripley is the first-ever female winner to take the title at Royal Rumble entry #1. With rival Liv Morgan beside her, Rhea proved a clear-cut domination in outlasting the rest 28 other superstars. And at the final hour, they both stood for one another. The strength, however, from Ripley would surpass that of Morgan. Rhea Ripley solidified herself into the most excellent female of WWE.