The Royal Rumble remains a huge part of WWE’s history as arguably the second most important show of the year. WWE used to market SummerSlam as the biggest show behind WrestleMania, but most fans would agree that spot belongs to the Rumble now. Everyone gets excited to see the battle royal of memorable spots, shocking returns and the important victory that can define one’s career.
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WWE is known for having chaos unfolding as part of the selling point for a wrestling show. However, there are some things that crossed the line towards being a little disturbing. Some moments worked to add to the show, but others were negatives. Each of the following memories show how disturbing wrestling can get at the Royal Rumble event.
10 Randy Savage Getting Eliminated For Trying To Pin Yokozuna
Randy Savage was considered a brilliant all-time wrestling mind to make magic in the squared circle. WWE made Savage look like a fool at the end of the 1993 Royal Rumble match in the final two with the massive heel Yokozuna.
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Savage hitting his elbow drop finisher led to him trying to pin Yokozuna in a ridiculous decision since pins meant nothing. Yokozuna kicking out at full strength comically forced Savage over the top rope. It was truly disturbing for WWE to make Savage look that dumb after years of greatness.
9 The Miz & Shane McMahon Beating The Bar
WWE was trying to come up with a way to set up a singles match between The Miz and Shane McMahon. This storyline started with Miz trying to buddy up with Shane and forming a tag team a few months before their WrestleMania 35 showdown.
An odd booking decision would see Cesaro and Sheamus sacrificed in favor of Miz and Shane defeating them at the Royal Rumble 2019 event for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship. WWE made two of their hardest workers look like goofs for a short-term makeshift team with no chemistry.
8 John Cena Choking Umaga With Ring Ropes
The Royal Rumble 2007 classic between John Cena and Umaga is arguably the greatest Last Man Standing match in WWE history. Cena had one of his best matches as the WWE Champion defeating Umaga to retain the title.
Disturbing things can be compelling for wrestling if done in the right context. Cena ripped apart the ring ropes and used it to choke Umaga during his STFU finisher. The shocking imagery wouldn’t happen today, but it worked to make that outstanding match work perfectly back then.
7 Mae Young Flashing During A Swimsuit Contest
WWE brought Mae Young in quite often during the Attitude Era for shocking and/or comedic moments. The Royal Rumble 2000 match is an all-time great show that fans still love today, but there was one moment that most viewers skip today.
There was a bikini contest segment that wasn’t too out of the ordinary for WWE at the time. However, Mae made a surprise appearance at the end and flashed the crowd by taking off her bra. WWE censored it on PPV, but the live audience had a wild memory to take away from the event.
6 Big Show & Kane Taking Over The Roman Rumble
WWE received a lot of negative attention for the Royal Rumble 2015 event when Roman Reigns was booed out of the building for winning. However, there were other things in that match to add to the crowd frustration escalating.
Daniel Bryan getting eliminated early was a bad move, but Big Show and Kane taking over infuriated the audience. WWE had fan favorites like Dean Ambrose and Bray Wyatt eliminated by the veterans that everyone knew had no chance to win. Roman eliminating them at the end didn’t pay off the way WWE expected due to them disgusting the crowd.
5 WWE Cameras Cutting Away From Edge's First Spear
One of the greatest moments in Royal Rumble history will always be Edge returning in 2020. There were rumors of Edge planning a comeback, but no one expected it until it finally happened. Fans reacted with an all-time loud pop that made Edge emotional.
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Kevin Dunn’s camera cuts are always disturbing with the fast switches zooming in on fans faces. However, it led to a huge mistake as the cameras were showing the crowd when Edge hit his first Spear in many years.
4 Maven Getting Throw Into A Popcorn Machine
Maven eliminating The Undertaker from the 2002 Royal Rumble match is remembered fondly, but the aftermath rarely gets discussed. WWE wanted to set up a great moment for Maven when he joined the main roster after winning the first season of Tough Enough.
Undertaker getting eliminated by a rookie was huge for Maven, but it also ended the youngster’s night.
A brawl after the elimination saw Undertaker brutally beating Maven all over the venue and throwing him into a popcorn machine. Not only did that lessen the impact of the elimination, the spot itself was really dangerous with shards of glass all over.
3 The Heel Roster Helping Yokozuna Beat Undertaker
WWE delivered one of their strangest finishes during a Casket match between The Undertaker and Yokozuna at Royal Rumble 1994. Undertaker was planning to take time off after this match due to an injury, so a loss was needed.
Yokozuna had most of the heel roster coming out and delivering a wild attack on Undertaker. Everyone trapped Undertaker in the casket to help Yokozuna retain the WWE Championship. The visual of so many people attacking one wrestler was unheard of at the time.
2 Alex Riley Accidentally Eliminating Himself
Alex Riley had one of the most embarrassing moments in Royal Rumble history back in 2011. WWE wanted a spot of Riley getting eliminated by Cena and distracting him for his mentor The Miz to eliminate Cena.
This was during Miz’s WWE Championship reign and was meant to set up his WrestleMania 27 match vs Cena without having Cena win the Rumble. Riley would botch the spot horrendously. Many people believe this moment led to Cena burying Riley backstage in a story that lingers today.
1 Ric Flair Kissing Becky Lynch Against Her Will
The rivalry between Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch have featured many classic matches. However, there was one that both ladies would like to forget due to a regretful spot at Royal Rumble 2016. Ric Flair was still around managing Charlotte during her heel run at this time.
The controversial moment featured Ric grabbing Becky outside the ring and planting a kiss on her against her will. Charlotte took advantage of the distracted Lynch to control the match, but fans were more taken back at WWE having such a foolish moment.
