The focus of the Royal Rumble PPVs might be on the classic over-the-top-rope matches and securing a WrestleMania main event, but that doesn't mean there aren't other great matches.
Throughout history, WWE has loaded up some incredible title matches for this PPV, which is part of WWE's traditional 'big four' events. Even though the World Champions have to worry about who is winning the Rumble, they normally have to survive a title match of their own first.
Within this list, we will take a deep dive into the Rumble's history of World Title matches, ranking the 10 greatest to have taken place.
10 Daniel Bryan vs Big Show vs Mark Henry (2012)
On paper, this might seem like a very odd match. Taking place inside of a steel cage, the three men managed to put on a fantastic bout. With Daniel Bryan as the heel champion, it certainly seemed like it would be impossible for him to walk away with the title.
Trapped inside the steel structure with two of WWE's most dominant big men, Bryan had to get creative in order to retain. While it was obviously Big Show and Mark Henry would dominate the match with their strength advantage, it would be Bryan who got the victory.
Escaping over the cage to his freedom, Bryan's cocky and arrogant gimmick was only heightened by the victory, which did a lot for his character.
9 Jeff Hardy vs Randy Orton (2008)
Randy Orton and Jeff Hardy always had fantastic chemistry together, and this match from the 2008 Royal Rumble event just highlights that. You don't always need to have a gimmick match to be a strong title match during a Rumble event.
Orton was at his very best as a heel at this time and Hardy was incredibly over with the WWE Universe which created a brilliant atmosphere to go alongside it.
The two men went back and forth in what was a really great match that worked at a high pace to keep the fans engaged. It isn't always easy to get the fans' attention outside of the Rumble match, but this is an example of exactly how to do it.
8 Kevin Owens vs Roman Reigns (2017)
The only thing stopping this match from being rated higher is the fact it had a screwy finish, with Braun Strowman costing Roman Reigns. However, that didn't stop this NoDQ bout from being one of the best title matches in Royal Rumble history.
With Chris Jericho dangling from a shark cage above the ring, there were so many layers to this story which made it great. With Kevin Owens and Reigns actually using a variety of weapons to make the stipulation work, they really got the fans on board.
From big bumps through a table to falling through a stack of chairs, this match really did have it all. With Roman proving just how talented he is as a wrestler, and Owens being his usual fantastic self, they created an incredible match.
7 The Rock vs CM Punk
People may not have been overwhelmed with the result, as this ended CM Punk's incredible WWE Championship reign, but he and The Rock put on a great match at the Royal Rumble.
It was a match that nobody ever expected to see, and the promo build-up beforehand had really been superb. The atmosphere for the match was electric (pardon the pun), and the two men proved why they're two of the all-time greats.
Is it a technical masterpiece? No. But it is two huge stars colliding in a fantastic match, both desperate to be WWE Champion and both desperate to entertain, which led to a great quality bout.
6 Ronda Rousey vs Sasha Banks (2019)
Ronda Rousey's run with the Raw Women's Championship was one of the greatest in the history of the title. WWE wasted no time in making sure fans got to see all the dream matches people wanted from the UFC star, including one with Sasha Banks.
Everyone knows how great the Legit Boss is, and being matched with Ronda just brought out the best in her. Banks sells better than anyone in the women's division and she just helped to make Rousey look even more fierce.
They had a fantastic back and forth match where it really seemed like Rousey could have dropped the title. However, in the end, she managed to defend the title in what is a fantastic match.
5 Brock Lesnar vs Finn Balor (2019)
2019 was clearly an incredible year for World Title matches at the Royal Rumble. Brock Lesnar always works brilliantly with smaller talents and that's why it wasn't a surprise to see his match with Finn Balor work so well.
Of course, the Beast spent a large majority of the match dominating, showing his strength and size advantage. However, Balor got in far more offense than most were expecting, with this ending up being a very competitive match.
Brock did an amazing job at putting over his opponent, as he always does, and it genuinely felt like Balor could have won. It provided a real teaser and left fans wanting to see more down the line.
4 The Rock vs Mankind (1999)
This is one of the most brutal matches in WWE history. Anyone who has seen it, or the documentary, Beyond The Mat, is well aware of the match's insanity. Some would argue that things went way too far in this one, but it certainly got the fans' attention.
The two Attitude Era stars locked up in an epic I Quit match that was as physical and violent as anything you will ever see in WWE. With Mankind refusing to quit no matter what happened, which led The Rock to cheat.
Seeing Mankind handcuffed, unable to protect himself to the countless chair shots to the skull is a brutal watch, but if you enjoy violent matches then this one is for you.
3 Cactus Jack vs Triple H (2000)
Another incredible match from Royal Rumble history once again saw Mick Foley put his body on the line in a very physical match. This time the stipulation was a street fight and the opponent was Triple H, and they created an amazing match.
It wasn't as dangerous as the previous example, but that was for the best. The two men told an incredible story throughout, using plenty of weapons in what is a typical Foley match, but it is perfect in every way.
2 Brock Lesnar vs John Cena vs Seth Rollins (2015)
This match was pure chaos in the best way possible and is yet more proof of just how good Brock Lesnar can be when he's in the mood for a match. All three men didn't waste time here in what is an absolute sprint of a match.
The pace on this match is set right from the start and it doesn't let up at any point, which is why it's so great. With amazing reversals, huge spots including the Beast being put through the announce table, this really has it all.
With three of the biggest stars competing, the match was instantly unpredictable. In the end, Brock Lesnar was the man who left as champion after a superb triple threat.
1 AJ Styles vs John Cena (2017)
When it comes to World Title matches at the Royal Rumble PPV, this dream match between John Cena and AJ Styles is the absolute best. It isn't just one of the best World Title matches in the PPV's history, it is just one of the best, period.
The atmosphere for this match was incredible, and the two men brought their A games. They had amazing chemistry in the ring and that allowed them to put on something truly special.
They went back and forth, trading huge moves in a match packed with insane reversals that had fans gripped from start to finish. Eventually, it was Cena who came out on top, matching Ric Flair's legendary World Title record in the process.