The Royal Rumble is one of the biggest events on the WWE calendar, and there have been plenty of instant classics on the card. These are the best non-Royal Rumble matches at the event, according to Dave Meltzer.In January 1988, the Royal Rumble was born, and it has gone on to become one of the most legendary pay-per-views that WWE has ever created. The suspense of the Royal Rumble match has captivated audiences for many years. And while the Royal Rumble match may be the most important match on the card, there have been several high-profile matches at the Royal Rumble that have been instant classics as well.RELATED: 10 Random Matches You Forgot Happened At The Royal RumbleWrestling journalist Dave Meltzer has covered professional wrestling for decades, and he has built a good relationship with some wrestlers, and a sour one with others. Nevertheless, he knows a good match when he sees one, and he gives credits where it's due by rating matches highly.

9 Dean Ambrose Vs. Kevin Owens - 2016 (4.25 Stars)

Kevin Owens v Dean Ambrose Royal Rumble 2016 Cropped

The opening match of the 2016 Royal Rumble featured a grueling Last Man Standing Match for the Intercontinental Championship between Dean Ambrose and Kevin Owens. They brought the intensity here in this competitive championship bout.

Both men pulled out all the stops, considering they would be gunning for the WWE Championship in the Royal Rumble later on. Weapons were used, and KO attempted to put Ambrose through some chairs in the ring. The Lunatic Fringe had other ideas as he pushed Owens off the top rope, who took a brutal bump through the table, and he retained the Intercontinental Championship in the process.

8 Chris Jericho Vs. The Rock - 2002 (4.25 Stars)

Jericho v The Rock Royal Rumble 2002 Cropped

At the 2002 Royal Rumble, Chris Jericho defended the WWE Championship against The Rock. Jericho and The Rock feuded for the better part of three months with the pair trading World Championship gold a few times.

They demonstrated their superb chemistry together by producing an outstanding WWE Championship match. Y2J's WWE Championship reign could have been miles better, but he always worked well with The Rock. Interference from Lance Storm and Christian on Jericho's behalf was thwarted by The Great One. Ultimately, Jericho rolled The Rock up, and he used the ropes for leverage to retain his WWE Championship.

7 Diesel Vs. Bret Hart - 1995 (4.25 Stars)

Diesel v Bret Hart Royal Rumble 1995 Cropped

Diesel's WWE Championship title defense against Bret Hart at the 1995 Royal Rumble was his first significant title defense during his year-long reign. Their WWE Championship match was brilliant, and the rivalry between Diesel and Bret doesn't get the credit it should.

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The Excellence of Execution expertly worked on Diesel's legs throughout the match. Diesel looked strong here with his offense. However, both men were protected with the finish as outside interference from Shawn Michaels, and a few other heels led to the match ending in a draw.

6 Kevin Owens Vs. Roman Reigns - 2017 (4.5 Stars)

Roman Reigns v Kevin Owens Royal Rumble 2017 Cropped

At the 2017 Royal Rumble, Roman Reigns was looking to win the Universal Championship for the first time in his career. He challenged Kevin Owens for the title. KO's ally. Chris Jericho, who beat Reigns for the United States Championship, was in a shark cage that was erected above the ring.

Reigns and KO's No Disqualification match was exceptional. The crowd was heavily invested in this hard-hitting match throughout. Nevertheless, Reigns was poised to win the Universal Championship but Braun Strowman interfered as he planted Reigns through the table with his patented running powerslam. Owens took advantage, and he clung to his championship by a thread.

5 Triple H Vs. Cactus Jack - 2000 (4.5 Stars)

Triple-H-v-Cactus-Royal-Rumble-2000-Cropped-1

Triple H was the top heel in 2000, and he walked into Madison Square Garden as the reigning WWE Champion at the Royal Rumble. The Cerebral Assassin's reign was under siege as Cactus Jack was his challenger in Cactus' environment, a Street Fight.

This was a violent WWE Championship match and fans were mesmerized at what they were witnessing. Cactus had a refusal to stay down, and Triple H showed his toughness as a chunk of wood was etched in his lower leg. Ultimately, a Pedigree sealed the deal for Triple H to remain as WWE Champion in an instant classic.

4 Brock Lesnar Vs. John Cena Vs. Seth Rollins - 2015 (4.75 Stars)

Lesnar v Cena v Rollins Royal Rumble 2015 Cropped

The triple threat match for Brock Lesnar's WWE Championship at Royal Rumble 2015 was better than expected. Lesnar had two determined challengers in John Cena and Seth Rollins, who was Mr. Money in the Bank. They hit a home run in a remarkable match with The Architect proving that he was more than ready to be in the WWE Championship picture.

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This was the only good match on an underwhelming Royal Rumble pay-per-view. Rollins put Lesnar through the announce table which left Rollins and Cena on their own to do battle. The match was electric, and Lesnar emerged victorious once more after he planted Rollins with a devastating F-5 to remain WWE Champion.

3 Chris Benoit Vs. Chris Jericho - 2001 (4.75 Stars)

Chris Benoit v Chris Jericho Royal Rumble 2001 Cropped

The rivalry between Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho over the Intercontinental Championship culminated at the 2001 Royal Rumble in a Ladder match. Benoit and Jericho produced memorable matches, BUT this was their best match together.

This match isn't mentioned much these days because of Benoit's involvement. Jericho executed the Walls on Jericho on Benoit at the top of the ladder which was a great visual. Y2J then pushed Benoit off to the ladder to capture the Intercontinental Championship for the fourth time in his career.

2 AJ Styles Vs. John Cena - 2017 (4.75 Stars)

Styles v Cena Royal Rumble 2017 Cropped

At Royal Rumble 2017, John Cena was chasing a record-equaling 16th World Championship, but standing in his way of making history was AJ Styles. The Phenomenal One was into his first year in WWE, and he was hoping to make a major mark on Cena.

This was the third match of their breathtaking feud, and they produced magic once again. Big Match John nailed Styles with an Avalanche AA, but Styles found a way to kick out. This had a mega-match feel, and they should have closed out the pay-per-view. Ultimately, the leader of the Cenation found a way through, and he finished off Styles with AA to create history as a 16-time World Champion.

1 Kurt Angle Vs. Chris Benoit - 2003 (4.75 Stars)

Kurt Angle v Chris Benoit Royal Rumble 2003 Cropped

Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit were no strangers to each other after they had a series of matches in 2001. However, they were fighting for the biggest prize in the industry, the WWE Championship, at the 2003 Royal Rumble.

This was technical wrestling at the highest order with both men specialists in using submission holds. The reversals were brilliant, and both were unable to restrain the other with their respective finishers. Benoit came extremely close and he was applauded for his efforts afterward. Angle retained the WWE Championship with his patented Angle Lock.