The Royal Rumble is a spectacle of chaos and excitement, celebrated for its surprise entrants, dramatic eliminations, and high-stakes action. However, behind the scenes, not everything always goes as planned. From botched eliminations to production errors, the Royal Rumble has seen its fair share of mishaps that have left fans and wrestlers alike in disbelief. Join us as we delve into 10 of the most insane Royal Rumble botches that caused pandemonium both in the ring and backstage.
1. Randy Orton's Pyro Malfunction (2009)
Randy Orton's victory at the 2009 Royal Rumble was meant to propel his storyline with the McMahon family and culminate in a dramatic celebration. Traditionally, the winner of the Rumble points to the WrestleMania sign as pyro explodes to mark their triumph. However, in Orton's case, the pyro failed to fire, leaving a glaring technical blunder in its wake. This malfunction was a nightmare for the production team, who scrambled to rectify the situation while Orton's moment of glory was marred by an unceremonious end.
2. John Cena's Terrible Landing (2004)
The 2004 Royal Rumble was marred by a significant botch involving John Cena. Cena, one of the most popular wrestlers of the time, was eliminated by The Big Show in a spot that went terribly wrong. Cena's leg landed awkwardly, causing immediate concern that he might have sustained a serious injury. He had torn his MCL but impressively continued to compete shortly thereafter. Despite the serious nature of the botch, WWE managed to keep the show going with minimal disruption.
3. Titus O'Neal’s Failed Elimination (2015)
Titus O'Neal's elimination during the 2015 Royal Rumble was an unintentional comedy of errors. Scheduled to be immediately thrown out by Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins, O'Neal struggled to clear the ropes, leading to a botched elimination spot that was awkwardly redone. The mishap highlighted the chaos of the 2015 Rumble, a match widely criticized for its poor execution. This wasn't O'Neal's only slip-up, as he would later become infamous for his slide under the ring in the Greatest Royal Rumble.
4. Kofi Kingston's Luck Runs Out (2022)
Kofi Kingston is renowned for his innovative ways to avoid elimination, creating memorable moments in each Royal Rumble appearance. However, in 2022, his streak of miraculous saves came to an end. When pushed off the top rope by Kevin Owens, Kingston attempted to land on the barricade but his feet touched the ground. Despite the botch, WWE chose to handle the situation with honesty, acknowledging Kingston's elimination rather than trying to cover it up.
5. Stone Cold Steve Austin's Accidental Elimination (1996)
Stone Cold Steve Austin’s early elimination from the 1996 Royal Rumble was a significant mishap. Austin was set to be a major player in the match but was eliminated prematurely due to a miscalculation during a clothesline spot. Vince McMahon, on commentary, initially ignored the blunder, but Mr. Perfect's mention forced McMahon to acknowledge the error. Austin later discussed this botch, humorously attributing it to the slippery ropes and an unforeseen stumble.
6. The Great Khali Forgets the Hard Camera (2007)
The Great Khali's entrance during the 2007 Royal Rumble was marred by a notable botch. After clearing house, Khali missed his cue to pose in front of the hard camera, leading to a visibly awkward moment. Shawn Michaels had to step in to guide Khali to the correct position, a situation that, while humorous, demonstrated the challenges of coordinating such a large-scale event.
7. Alex Riley Almost Ruins the 2011 Royal Rumble (2011)
Alex Riley's early elimination from the 2011 Royal Rumble was a significant issue for WWE’s planned storyline. Scheduled to eliminate John Cena, Riley accidentally slipped over the top rope shortly after entering. WWE had to quickly adjust their plans, leading to an improvised spot where Cena was eliminated in a different manner. The quick thinking and adaptability of the production team were crucial in salvaging the storyline.
8. The Rock’s Botched Finish Turns Into a Storyline (2000)
The Rock's planned victory at the 2000 Royal Rumble was marred by a major botch. The finish, which was supposed to see The Rock eliminate Big Show to win, was compromised when The Rock’s feet touched the floor before Big Show’s. WWE turned this blunder into a storyline, with Big Show claiming he was the rightful winner. This creative adjustment allowed WWE to address the mistake without undermining the legitimacy of the Rumble.
9. Backstage Chaos Involving Shane McMahon (2022)
Shane McMahon's 2022 Royal Rumble performance led to significant backstage drama. McMahon’s insistence on a major role and his underwhelming performance resulted in his firing by Vince McMahon. A major botch occurred when Shane’s entrance music played accidentally instead of Randy Orton's, forcing Shane to enter early. The situation, while embarrassing, was reportedly met with amusement by Orton, who found the blunder humorous.
10. WWE Production Misses an Iconic Spear (2020)
The 2020 Royal Rumble marked Edge’s return from a nine-year hiatus, and his first spear was a highly anticipated moment. However, WWE’s production team inexplicably cut away from this iconic spot, missing the significant moment entirely. Dolph Ziggler, who took the spear, expressed his frustration on social media, leading WWE to edit the footage to include the missed shot. This production error was a major talking point among fans and critics alike.
Conclusion
The Royal Rumble, with its high-energy action and surprise moments, is always a rollercoaster of excitement and unpredictability. However, these 10 botches remind us that even the most carefully planned events can go awry. From technical failures to accidental mishaps, these blunders have added a layer of unpredictability to the Royal Rumble’s storied history. What are your thoughts on these chaotic moments? Share your comments below, and stay tuned for more wrestling content!
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