The 2000s boasted some amazing Royal Rumble winners, who were hoping to convert their Royal Rumble victory into a World Championship triumph.
Since 1993, with the Royal Rumble winner earning a World Title opportunity at WrestleMania, there has been a huge emphasis on big names wanting to win the Royal Rumble match. Moreover, in the 2000s, Royal Rumble winners had considerable success in their World Championship matches at WrestleMania.
70% of the Royal Rumble winners prevailed in their World Title match at WrestleMania which is an astonishing turnover. However, not all Royal Rumble winners from this decade had strong matches at Mania. Some failed to deliver drastically, whereas some ended up being iconic WrestleMania World Title matches, which are still relevant.
10 Triple H Vs. Chris Jericho - WrestleMania X8 (2002)
Triple H's 2002 Royal Rumble match win was one of the most predictable Rumble outcomes ever. The Game returned from an eight-month injury lay-off after tearing his quadriceps. Nevertheless, Triple H had his eyes set on the Undisputed WWE Championship by challenging reigning champion Chris Jericho at WrestleMania X8.
Jericho and Triple H closed out WrestleMania X8 but their match was completely overshadowed by Hulk Hogan and The Rock who put on an instant clinic. Stephanie McMahon was now in the corner of Jericho, which added a little bit of drama to the match. It wasn't a bad match but failed to live up to the expectations with Triple H reclaiming his throne, and fans not interested in the slightest.
9 Randy Orton Vs. Triple H - WrestleMania XXV (2009)
2009 was arguably the strongest year of Randy Orton's WWE career, as he was motivated and began the year with a bang by winning the Royal Rumble match for the first time. The Viper was embroiled in a personal feud with Triple H, so it was no surprise that he opted to face The Cerebral Assassin for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania XXV.
Triple H and Orton have magnificent in-ring chemistry together, as they are both great workers. Unfortunately, parts of the match were quite dull, and Triple H has a history of overly long matches at Mania. The Game retained the WWE Championship which was a huge mistake as Orton was in the form of his life, should have walked out of Mania as the new WWE Champion.
8 The Rock Vs. Triple H Vs. Mick Foley Vs. Big Show - WrestleMania 16 (2000)
The first WrestleMania main event of the new millennium saw Triple H defend the WWE Title against The Rock, Big Show, and Mick Foley at WrestleMania 2000. Rock won his lone Royal Rumble match by eliminating Big Show, who was aggrieved as footage showed that Rock's feet had touched the ground first.
Furthermore, Foley was added to the mix after his stellar Hell in a Cell performance with The Game at No Way Out 2000. Unfortunately, this match fell way below the expectations as the focus was on The McMahons, who were in the corner of each participant. Triple H retained his title in his maiden WrestleMania main event after Mr. McMahon turned his back on Rock to help The Game win the match.
7 Rey Mysterio Vs. Kurt Angle Vs. Randy Orton - WrestleMania 22 (2006)
Rey Mysterio tossed over Triple H and Randy Orton to win the 2006 Royal Rumble match, which was a perfect tribute to his friend, the late great Eddie Guerrero. The Master of the 619 had a bumpy road to get to his World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania 22 but he got there in the end.
Kurt Angle put his World Heavyweight Title at stake in an underrated triple threat match with Mysterio, and Orton the third party involved. It was an incredible sprint to the finish with the three only getting just under 10 minutes. Orton almost clinched the title from Angle, but the reigning champion kicked out of the RKO. Some fans in Chicago, booed Mysterio, which was a shock to the system but Mysterio captured his first World Heavyweight Championship by pinning Orton.
6 Batista Vs. Triple H - WrestleMania 21 (2005)
The ending of the 2005 Royal Rumble match was controversial with both Batista and John Cena going over the top rope which was unplanned. Mr. McMahon infamously blew both of his quadriceps and forced the match to restart. Nevertheless, The Animal threw Cena over the top rope for his first Rumble victory.
Triple H did everything in his power to persuade Batista to challenge JBL for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 21. Batista rebuffed those advances and squared off with The Cerebral Assassin for the World Heavyweight Title. It was an average encounter that was designed to get Batista over strongly here. He delivered and ended The Game's 10th World Title reign to kickstart his first run with the gold.
5 John Cena Vs. Randy Orton Vs. Triple H - WrestleMania XXIV (2008)
There is a reason why John Cena is sometimes called "Super Cena." Big Match John had the longest WWE Championship reign in the 2000s at 380 days, but it was ended as he sustained a pectoral injury. Expected to be out of action for months, Cena returned ahead of schedule to a huge pop in the 2008 Royal Rumble match and triumphed by eliminating Triple H.
However, WWE Champion Randy Orton defended the title in a triple threat match against both Cena and Triple H at WrestleMania XXIV. Triple H won a number one contender's Elimination Chamber match at No Way Out 2008 to book his spot in the WWE Title match. Three of the very best that Raw had to offer put on an exciting triple threat match, which ebbed and flowed. Orton prevailed as he punted Triple H and pinned Cena to retain the WWE Title.
4 Brock Lesnar Vs. Kurt Angle - WrestleMania XIX (2003)
Brock Lesnar joined an exclusive club by winning the Royal Rumble match in his first appearance. Lesnar challenged Kurt Angle for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania XIX with The Olympic Gold Medal Winner turning heel in the process.
Angle revealed on his podcast that he was due to retain the WWE Title and have a lengthy run with the gold had he not required neck surgery. Nevertheless, Lesnar and Angle closed out WrestleMania XIX, which boasted a strong card, but they justified their spot in main eventing the show. The Next Big Thing dropped a few devastating jaw-dropping F5's to keep Angle down and began his second run with the WWE Championship.
3 The Undertaker Vs. Batista - WrestleMania 23 (2007)
The Undertaker made history in the 2007 Royal Rumble match by becoming the first man to win the Rumble after entering 30th. It also marked the first time that Undertaker won the Royal Rumble match, which is a remarkable achievement.
Naturally, Undertaker opted to challenge his SmackDown counterpart Batista for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 23. Surprisingly, their placement on the card was quite early with their match fourth out of eight matches on the main card. They stole the show with Undertaker prevailing with a Tombstone Piledriver, winning his first World Heavyweight Championship, and going 15-0 at WrestleMania.
2 Chris Benoit Vs. Triple H Vs. Shawn Michaels - WrestleMania XX (2004)
At the 2004 iteration of the Royal Rumble, Chris Benoit became the second man to win the Royal Rumble match from the number one position. Benoit defected from SmackDown to Raw, after he decided to cash in his World Championship opportunity on Triple H's World Heavyweight Championship.
The Game had his hands full as he defended his title against both Benoit and Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XX in arguably the greatest triple threat match in WWE history. This was a breathtaking match, full of action and drama but fans were pleased to see Benoit force Triple H submit to the Crippler Crossface.
1 Stone Cold Steve Austin Vs. The Rock - WrestleMania X-Seven (2001)
No man has emulated Stone Cold Steve Austin's feat of winning three Royal Rumble matches. Austin ended Kane's hopes of main eventing WrestleMania X-Seven for this third Rumble victory in 2001.
The Rock recaptured the WWE Championship from Kurt Angle at No Way Out 2001 to become a record-setting six-time champion. Nevertheless, Rock and Austin had the dream blockbuster showdown for the second time in three years at WrestleMania X-Seven. Both men wore the proverbial crimson mask with Austin turning heel as Mr. McMahon assisted him in brutalizing Rock in one of the most shocking endings in WrestleMania history.