The number one and thirty positions are the two most talked-about numbers in Royal Rumble matches, and some wrestlers have experienced entering Royal Rumble matches from both of those numbers.
The Royal Rumble is all about the numbers, and generally, the later you enter a Royal Rumble match, the better your chances of winning. However, numbers one and thirty are opposite ends of the spectrum, but they have produced the same number of winners. Three winners have come from those positions, which just goes to show that taking the scenic route in a Royal Rumble match isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Nevertheless, some wrestlers who have entered from one and thirty have produced memorable moments, and others were underwhelming. Another reason why those numbers stick out as it is the first and final entrant of a Rumble, and fans tend to remember how each wrestler faired from those spots.
8 Ted DiBiase
Ted DiBiase made history as the first man to enter Royal Rumble matches from the unenviable number one position and as the 30th entrant. The Million Dollar Man purchased the luxurious number 30 in the 1989 Royal Rumble match, and eliminated three competitors.
DiBiase failed to get the better of Big John Studd who tossed him over the top rope for the win. A year later, DiBiase opened up proceedings in the 1990 Royal Rumble match, entering first. The Million Dollar Man produced a remarkable performance as he endured 44 minutes and 47 seconds, but it was The Ultimate Warrior who stopped him in his tracks.
7 Rikishi
Rikishi's heel turn was underwhelming in the Attitude Era. He was a popular figure, but wasn't on Steve Austin or The Rock's level. Nevertheless, Rikishi was the final entrant in the 2001 Royal Rumble match. He failed to take advantage as he only lasted two and a half minutes, and surprisingly he managed to eliminate The Undertaker from proceedings.
Twelve months later, Rikishi was back being a babyface, and he had to go all the way if he was going to win the 2002 Royal Rumble match. It was a better performance than his outing in 2001 as he lasted longer, but an imperious Undertaker removed him from the equation, gaining revenge from his elimination the year prior.
6 Ric Flair
One year after winning the WWE Championship in the 1992 Royal Rumble match, Ric Flair carried on where he left off by entering the 1993 Royal Rumble match first. Naitch failed to replicate his 1992 heroics as Mr. Perfect stopped him in his tracks.
But that wasn't the last time that Flair entered a Rumble first as he did it 14 years later in the 2007 Royal Rumble match. Flair's outing was abysmal as he failed to register a single elimination. Moreover, Flair was the 30th entrant for the only time in his career in the 2005 Royal Rumble match. Flair's cameo was short-lived as he barely lasted two minutes with Edge eliminating him.
5 Dolph Ziggler
Only Kane boasts more Royal Rumble appearances than Dolph Ziggler. The Show Off competed in an outstanding 14 Royal Rumble matches and counting in his WWE career. Ziggler is the only man to enter the Royal Rumble match as the number one entrant and 30th participant twice, which is no mean feat.
Ziggler entered the 2010 Royal Rumble match first, but CM Punk eliminated him emphatically. Three years later, Ziggler reached the final four in the 2013 Royal Rumble match from the number one spot. He was Mr. Money in the Bank and Sheamus eliminated him. However, Ziggler's performances in 2015 and 2018 from the 30th position were underwhelming as he didn't even last three minutes.
4 Triple H
Triple H is one of the most prolific performers in the history of the Royal Rumble. The Cerebral Assassin did an exceptional job as both the number one and 30th participant. In his debut Rumble, Triple H entered the 1996 Royal Rumble match first. He didn't do anything noteworthy, but he endured 48 minutes.
A decade later, Triple H was the number one entrant once again in the 2006 Royal Rumble match. This performance of Triple H often goes under the radar. He survived an hour until eventual winner Rey Mysterio eliminated him. Nonetheless, a decade after that, Triple H drew number 30 in the 2016 Royal Rumble match. Triple H took advantage in his return to action, and he captured his 14th WWE World Championship.
3 Rey Mysterio
Three-time WWE World Champion Rey Mysterio is one of the best performers in the history of the Royal Rumble. The Ultimate Underdog defied the odds to win the 2006 match. Nevertheless, in his first Rumble match since then, Mysterio competed in the 2009 Royal Rumble match but as the number one entrant.
Mysterio had another long outing as he lasted 49 minutes. Five years later, Mysterio was subjected to unjust boos as the 30th entrant in the 2014 Royal Rumble match. Fans desperately wanted to see Daniel Bryan, but it was to no avail. The master of the 619 lasted a couple of minutes, and fans salivated at his removal from the Rumble.
2 Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns was dealt a tough hand in his quest to retain the WWE Championship in the 2016 Royal Rumble match. The Big Dog entered as the reigning WWE Champion, and Rumble winner from 2015. Reigns reached the final four for the third consecutive year, but eventual winner Triple H eliminated him.
A year later, Roman Reigns failed to unseat Kevin Owens for the Universal Championship at the 2017 Royal Rumble. Reigns entered the 2017 Royal Rumble match as the final entrant, and he was subjected to boos. Fans were displeased when he eliminated The Undertaker from the match. However, Randy Orton got the better of him to secure his second Rumble win with fans salivating at Reigns' shortcomings.
1 The Undertaker
No competitor boasted a Royal Rumble victory from the 30th position since the Rumble's inception in 1988. That changed in 2007 when The Undertaker marched down to ringside, hellbent on securing his first Rumble win. The Demon of Death Valley eliminated The Great Khali and MVP en route to his showdown with Shawn Michaels.
The Undertaker outlasted HBK in an epic ending to the 2007 Royal Rumble match for his lone Rumble win. A year later, The Phenom opened up the 2008 Royal Rumble match as the number one entrant with Shawn Michaels entering second. The Undertaker failed to become a back-to-back Rumble winner, but he still had a respectable performance.