WWE Royal Rumble Winners: Top 10 From The Last Decade, Ranked

WWE Royal Rumble Winners: Top 10 From The Last Decade, Ranked

February 6, 2026 discoverhiddenusacom Health

The past decade of WWE Royal Rumble events has produced a handful of winners whose triumphs resonated with fans and set the stage for compelling WrestleMania main events. This ranking highlights those ten wrestlers whose victories were both well‑received and strategically sound, earning them title opportunities on “The Grandest Stage of Them All.”

Did You Know? The inaugural Women’s Royal Rumble took place in 2018, and Bayley’s 2024 win is widely regarded as one of the best women’s Rumble performances since that debut.

#10: Bayley (2024)

Bayley became the first WWE Women’s Grand Slam Champion by winning the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble. Her victory propelled a storyline that culminated in a title match against IYO SKY at WrestleMania 40 and triggered the breakup of Damage CTRL.

#9: Seth Rollins (2019)

Seth Rollins entered the 2019 Men’s Royal Rumble as a respected workhorse, earning a return to the world title picture after his last WWE Championship reign in 2016. His win set up a clash with part‑timer Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 35.

#8: Liv Morgan (2026)

Liv Morgan’s 2026 Women’s Royal Rumble win came after a strong two‑year run that saw her capture the Women’s World Championship. The victory positions her for a potential title match against Stephanie Vaquer at WrestleMania.

#7: Rhea Ripley (2023)

Rhea Ripley made history by winning the 2023 Women’s Royal Rumble from the #1 spot, recording the most eliminations (seven) of any competitor that year. She later faced Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 39 in a match widely praised as one of the best women’s WrestleMania bouts.

#6: Shinsuke Nakamura (2018)

Shinsuke Nakamura emerged victorious in the 2018 Men’s Royal Rumble, a competition praised for its deep talent pool and memorable final six. His win earned a WrestleMania 34 title challenge against AJ Styles, though the match fell short of expectations.

#5: Cody Rhodes (2024)

Cody Rhodes secured back‑to‑back Royal Rumble victories, leading to a WrestleMania 40 showdown with Undisputed WWE Champion Roman Reigns. The storyline, intensified by a press conference incident involving The Rock, is regarded as a high‑point in recent main‑event storytelling.

#4: Asuka (2018)

Asuka captured the inaugural Women’s Royal Rumble in 2018 after a groundbreaking 510‑day NXT Women’s Title reign. She challenged Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 34, delivering a 13‑minute contest hailed as the card’s best match.

#3: Edge (2021)

After a nine‑year hiatus due to a career‑ending neck injury, Edge returned to win the 2021 Men’s Royal Rumble from the #1 position. The victory set up a WrestleMania title opportunity against Roman Reigns, fulfilling his redemption goal.

#2: Becky Lynch (2019)

Becky Lynch entered the 2019 Women’s Royal Rumble as the fan‑favorite “The Man,” replacing an injured Lana at #28. Her win sparked a massive crowd reaction and led to a historic WrestleMania main event where she became a double champion.

#1: Drew McIntyre (2020)

Drew McIntyre’s 2020 Men’s Royal Rumble win featured the dramatic elimination of champion Brock Lesnar, a moment that energized the live audience. The victory paved the way for a WWE Championship match at WrestleMania, solidifying his status as a main‑event talent.

Expert Insight: The selections underscore WWE’s strategic use of the Royal Rumble to elevate wrestlers who can deliver both compelling in‑ring performances and engaging narratives at WrestleMania. By aligning winner choices with fan expectations and storyline continuity, WWE maximizes the event’s impact on its flagship pay‑per‑view.

Frequently Asked Questions

What criteria were used to rank the Royal Rumble winners?

The list focuses on winners whose victories were well received and deemed the right choice to challenge for a world title at WrestleMania, emphasizing both fan reaction and storyline relevance.

Why is the Women’s Royal Rumble considered significant?

Since its introduction in 2018, the Women’s Royal Rumble has provided a platform for female talent to earn headline opportunities, with several winners—such as Bayley and Asuka—delivering standout WrestleMania matches.

How did Drew McIntyre’s 2020 win differ from other years?

McIntyre’s win featured the high‑impact elimination of champion Brock Lesnar, a moment that resonated strongly with the live audience and helped define the 2020 Rumble as one of the best in recent memory.

Which of these Royal Rumble victories do you think will have the biggest influence on future WWE storytelling?