[SOUND] The Royal Rumble, a stage where singular
moments in time become immortalized.
>> It's blowing from behind, Flair wins it!
>> Rey Mysterio did it!
>> Oscar history maker.
>> Drew McIntyre is going to WrestleMania!
>> The road to WrestleMania begins with 30 men and 30 women vying for the chance
of a lifetime, a world championship match in the main event of WrestleMania.
The brainchild of WWE hall of Famer Pat Patterson's,
the Royal Rumble made its debut in 1988.
We've witnessed 1310 superstars compete in this legendary event, but
only 34, a staggering 2.6% of participants, have won it all.
20 have gone on to win a world championship at WrestleMania,
including Ria Ripley.
In 2023, Ria Ripley made history becoming the first woman to enter at number one and
outlast the entire field.
The Eradicator broke the women's Rumble record for most career eliminations with
20, as Mami's marathon performance set the new women's endurance record at
an unprecedented 1 hour, 1 minute and 8 seconds.
>> Ria Ripley sets the record.
>> Last year, The Ring General marched into the record books as well.
Gunther earned the distinction of the longest time spent in a traditional
Rumble match at an unbelievable 1 hour, 11 minutes and 40 seconds.
Later entry into the match significantly increases your odds of
being the last one standing.
A winner has emerged from the final ten entry positions in 60% of Rumble matches,
but no entry number has produced more winners than the coveted number 30,
where five superstars have claimed victory, including Cody Rhodes.
Cody made his triumphant return from injury last year and
blazed his trail to the main event of WrestleMania.
>> The American Nightmare, one step closer.
>> While The American Nightmare has vowed to finish his story,
winning back-to-back Rumble matches is exceedingly rare.
No superstar has won consecutive Rumble matches in 26 years,
a feat last achieved by Stone Cold Steve Austin.
The Texas Rattlesnake is the most accomplished Royal Rumble competitor of
all time with three victories.
>> Hell yeah!
>> This year marks the third time Tampa Bay has been host to the Rumble.
The first was in 1995, when The Heartbreak Kid Sean Michaels skillfully
avoided elimination proving both feet.
>> One foot.
>> Must hit the floor.
In 2021, the Royal Rumble came to Tropicana Field,
where Bianca Belair bested 29 other superstars.
This year, Belair looks to become the first two-time women's Rumble winner.
EST is tied with The Queen of Spades, Shayna Baszler, for
most eliminations in a women's Rumble match with eight,
nine superstars have made it to the mountain top twice including Brock Lesnar.
In 2020, The Beast Incarnate conquered the record for the most superstars sent
packing in a traditional Rumble match with an astounding 13 eliminations.
In women's Rumble history,
Natalya is one of only four superstars who's competed in all six Rumble matches.
And no one brings the heat like The Big Red Machine, Cain's wake of destruction
includes a record 45 eliminations in 18 Royal Rumble matches, the most in history.
Hot on his tail is the dynamic Kofi Kingston who will move into second place
with his 16th appearance, Kofi makes the impossible look effortless.
>> That's the craziest thing I've ever seen.
>> But not everyone shines under the spotlight.
>> Chelsea Green eliminated faster than anyone in history.
>> Some superstars are ready to get in the action at a moment's notice.
>> That's a unique way to end the Royal Rumble match.
>> And you never know who will show up when their numbers fall.
>> The Phenomenal One is here!
>> We've seen countless mind-blowing returns.
>> What!
>> It's John Cena!
>> Yeah!
>> This year will be no different when CM Punk competes 3653 days removed
from his last Rumble match, will this finally be the year the best in the world
accomplishes his goal of, >> Main event in WrestleMania!
>> 34 million, the number of social engagements for
the viral collision between Logan Paul and
Ricochet last year holding the record for the most social moment in Rumble history.
Making it across the finish line can serve as a career launching pad,
nine competitors have won their first world title as a direct result of winning
the Royal Rumble.
In the last five years,
60% of winners parlayed their victory into championship goals at WrestleMania.
This year, the showcase of the Immortals takes over the city of brotherly love but
there will be no love lost on the road to WrestleMania.
60 superstars will compete in two Royal Rumble matches for
a once in a lifetime opportunity to headline WrestleMania 40.
[MUSIC]