This installment of our ranking of every WWE Royal Rumble entrant covers the middle of the pack, from #120 to #274. With 446 participants in Royal Rumble history, this section marks the true halfway point. We still aren't broaching performers who actually won the match, but we do start to see names who had a significant impact, in addition to a higher volume of both major names from yesteryear and stars on the rise from the modern era.
#254: Bronson Reed, Carlos Colon, El Torito, Genichiro Tenryu, Giulia, Hillbilly Jim, Jim Brunzell, Kevin Thorn, LA Knight, Luther Reigns, Matt Morgan, Mr. Kennedy, Pierroth, Shane McMahon, Steve Blackman, The Hurricane, The Texas Tornado, Tiffany Stratton, Toni Storm, Tully Blanchard, and Xavier Woods (Tie)
This is an interesting spot on the list. LA Knight and Tiffany Stratton seem all but certain to climb to higher spots as they work future Rumbles, with neither out of the question as wrestlers who might one day win the whole match. While Bronson Reed and Giulia don't necessarily look as likely to emerge as Rumble winners, they had respectable runs and racked up an elimination each in their Rumble debuts, showing plenty of potential to be players in this bout for years to come.
The 254 spot also includes an eclectic mix of major stars who peaked outside WWE: Puerto Rican wrestling legend and one-off visitor Carlos Colon, World Class franchise player Kerry Von Erich (as The Texas Tornado), NWA upper mid-card tag team mainstay Tully Blanchard, and Toni Storm before she found her footing as a defining star for AEW.
Shane McMahon is also an interesting name to appear here, as fans may be surprised to realize he only ever worked one Royal Rumble (not counting the Greatest Royal Rumble), in what turned out to be his penultimate WWE match to date in 2022. This one is marred by extensive rumors of backstage drama around his appearance, but was nonetheless a better outing than he'd put on a year later at WrestleMania 39, only getting about a minute into his impromptu match with The Miz before needing Snoop Dogg to sub in for him due to injury.
#239: Aldo Montoya, Aleister Black, Animal, Chavo Guerrero, Diamond Dallas Page, Ezekiel Jackson, Karrion Kross, Ken Shamrock, Maxxine Dupri, Mickie James, Nikolai Volkoff, Rene Dupree, Sarah Logan, The Berzerker, and Torrie Wilson (Tie)
With nine points apiece, the wrestlers tied for 239th are as eclectic as their means of earning this placement. All were multi-time Rumble entrants. Chavo Guerrero and Sarah Logan stood out for their prolific five Rumble berths apiece, though in each case that came with the asterisk that neither has a single elimination on record.
Mickie James probably stands out as the star of 239th place. Despite not scoring any eliminations, she led the pack with about a half hour of ring time across her three appearances, including the memorable moment of entering the Rumble as reigning TNA Knockouts Champion, complete with her TNA music years before WWE formalized its working agreement with the company. The Berzerker also feels worthy of some recognition here, given so much of his gimmick revolved around throwing people out of the ring. He underwhelmed in his two Rumble appearances but did at least score one elimination.
#234: Bo Dallas, Jamie Noble, Koko B. Ware, Ridge Holland, and Tegan Nox (Tie)
Bo Dallas, Jamie Noble, and Koko B. Ware represent a certain "type" as recognizable names for both their talent and their longevity with WWE, despite not breaking through to the main event level (though perhaps Uncle Howdy still has time). Ware entered three Rumbles to Dallas and Noble's one, respectively, but Dallas and Noble actually had more minutes in that single appearance than Ware did in his three. Each of these three performers had one elimination to their names.
Ridge Holland and Tegan Nox may be surprising names to see at this high a ranking. Holland had a fairly impressive run in his one Rumble to date, though, lasting nineteen minutes and serving as part of a brigade of men to team up and eliminate Omos from the proceedings. For her part, Tegan Nox quietly worked three Rumble matches with one elimination to her name as well.
#223: Ahmed Johnson, Carmelo Hayes, Chris Masters, Dino Bravo, Gangrel, Gene Snitsky, Mason Ryan, Maven, MVP, Rhyno, and Scott Steiner (Tie)
A number of powerhouses filled up this spot on the list, from perpetual mid-carders of different generations like Dino Bravo, Rhyno, Chris Masters, and Gene Snitsky, to talents WWE clearly had bigger plans for that never quite materialized like Ahmed Johnson, Mason Ryan, and Scott Steiner. A combination of factors like an elimination or two or multiple Rumble appearances contributed to this placement.
Carmelo Hayes certainly has the potential to ascend the list if he can truly find his footing on the main roster. Meanwhile, Maven probably gets the nod for top guy at 223rd for his legendary upset elimination of The Undertaker.
#217: Alicia Fox, Joey Mercury, Katana Chance, Lana, Molly Holly, and Xia Li (Tie)
Eclecticism is the name of the game at this stage of the list. Joey Mercury stands out for having worked only one Rumble match but lasting just shy of a half hour in it. Despite a brief and under-featured run on the WWE main roster, Xia Li racked up a deceptively high four Rumbles. Molly Holly and Alicia Fox are arguably the stars at 217th for having departed from WWE long before women got their own Rumble match, but going on to make three appearances each in the bout, including one elimination to each of their names.
#207: Arn Anderson, Ax, Bubba Ray Dudley, Dick Murdoch, Hawk, Kayden Carter, Lita, Mil Mascaras, Otis, and Rick Rude (Tie)
This is a pretty interesting spot on the list. It features guys who, at least as far as WWE was concerned, were primarily known as tag team wrestlers like Arn Anderson, Ax, Bubba Ray Dudley, Hawk, and Kayden Carter. From there, the spot also includes oddball one-off legend appearances from Dick Murdoch, Lita, and Mil Mascaras, each of whom scored two eliminations.
It's an interesting bit of trivia that Dudley actually only ever appeared in the Rumble match itself in 2015. In his WWE heyday during the Attitude and Ruthless Aggression Eras, he was focused on tag team action, working five tag bouts alongside his kayfabe brother D-Von, with four of those instances having tag titles on the line. It's unfortunate to see Rick Rude this low on the list, but he only ever worked one Royal Rumble match (in addition to one singles match on a Rumble show).
#199: Bushwhacker Butch, Jack Swagger, Kurrgan, Penta, The Godfather, Titus O'Neil, Virgil, and X-Pac (Tie)
Recognizable names populate this portion of the list. The Godfather earns a mark of distinction for entering the Rumble under multiple personas including Papa Shango, Kama, and The Goodfather besides his most famous gimmick, for a cumulative seven Rumble appearances. Despite very different legacies, Virgil and X-Pac had strikingly similar records on paper to arrive at this spot, while Kurrgan's two appearances with two eliminations to his name feels more or less fitting for his legacy as a giant for whom the pieces never quite came together in WWE. Of everyone in this tie, Penta looks like a surefire name to enjoy some advancement up the list as he's still only in his first year with WWE and has enjoyed a solid upper-mid-card push; a 42-minute showing in his Rumble debut bespeaks a bright future.
#189: Dusty Rhodes, Ember Moon, Finlay, Hornswoggle, Ivy Nile, Jimmy Uso, Johnny Gargano, Jordynne Grace, Marty Jannetty, and Umaga (Tie)
189th place marks the first appearance for a Rhodes on this list; Dusty only worked one Rumble but did have two eliminations in it. He's joined by tag team guys Marty Jannetty and Jimmy Uso, not to mention Jimmy's uncle Umaga. Another oddity sees kayfabe father and son Hornswoggle and Finlay tie. Finlay worked one more Rumble and lasted longer than Hornswoggle in this match environment (especially if one were to deduct the leprechaun's time spent hiding under the ring), but Hornswoggle made an elimination, which is something Finlay never did.
#178: A-Train, Bad News Brown, Billie Kay, Chad Gable, Chyna, Erick Rowan, Jinder Mahal, Kharma, Peyton Royce, Ricochet, and Ron Bass (Tie)
This is an interesting point on the list for featuring the only two women who entered a men's Royal Rumble match but never entered a women's Rumble. Chyna was the truest trailblazer as the first woman to ever enter a Royal Rumble, let alone score an elimination. She had sadly passed before women got their own Royal Rumble. Kharma was the third woman in a Rumble, making a totally surprise one-off appearance in the 2012 edition—an unannounced return after she'd stepped away due to pregnancy, and she'd never appear on WWE television again.
178th place also includes former WWE Champion Jinder Mahal, both IIconics, and some brawlers who felt like natural fits for the Rumble environment in Ron Bass, Bad News Brown, and Erick Rowan, each of whom had two eliminations on their resumes.
#169: Candice LeRae, Dana Brooke, David Otunga, Heath Slater, Maria Kanellis, Val Venis, and Vladimir Kozlov (Tie)
It's interesting to note that Nexus alumni David Otunga and Heath Slater wound up tying at this spot, with strikingly similar records of three Rumble appearances apiece, each with two eliminations to his name. As a fun bit of trivia, Candice LeRae accomplished the unlikely in beating out her husband, Johnny Gargano, who was stuck back at 189th. Credit that in no small part to workhorse LeRae's five Rumble berths and counting, dating back to her days as an NXT roster member.
#164: D'Lo Brown, Don Muraco, Jade Cargill, Phineas Godwinn, and Shotzi (Tie)
Though it seems likely Jade Cargill will climb higher on this list over the years to come, it's interesting to note her big push in the 2024 Royal Rumble with three eliminations only tied with Shotzi, who never found as much momentum on the main roster but did rack up five Rumble appearances before her release from WWE. Don Muraco was a bit past his prime by the time the Royal Rumble got rolling or probably would've wound up higher; for his part, D'Lo Brown's placement at 164th is largely a testament to his extended, highly respectable mid-card run, while Phineas Godwinn/Mideon's placement speaks to his own longevity in supporting roles.
#161: Brian Knobbs, Charlie Haas, and Chuck Palumbo (Tie)
It's tag team wrestler central at this point on the list with three decorated tag team champions who never enjoyed much singles success in WWE. Knobbs and Palumbo each registered a noteworthy three eliminations to get them to this spot.
#155: 8 Ball, Carmella, Jimmy Snuka, Kairi Sane, Mustafa Ali, and Savio Vega (Tie)
Everyone at this spot in the list had at least two Royal Rumble appearances, with Carmella, Jimmy Snuka, Kairi Sane, and Savio Vega each boasting four outings. Out of this group, Carmella staged a memorable dance break, while Jimmy Snuka deserves some flowers for appearances ranging from his first in 1990 to his last in 2008—that last appearance spotlighting him squaring off one last time with Roddy Piper in front of a Madison Square Garden crowd.
#150: Austin Theory, Bad Bunny, Jim Neidhart, Logan Paul, and Tamina (Tie)
The 150th spot on the list—with the exception of Jim Neidhart—has a very modern feel to it. Austin Theory, Logan Paul, and Tamina remain signed to WWE at press time, and Paul in particular stands to rise up the ranks, likely to remain a featured player in WWE for years to come. Meanwhile, Bad Bunny impressed in his multiple WWE outings, and when the time is right, there's every reason to suspect he'll enter a WWE ring—and perhaps a Royal Rumble—again. In an interesting development, Tamina nudged out her father by a point for this higher placement on the countdown.
#149: Bam Bam Bigelow
In the first instance of a wrestler not tying with anyone at all, Bam Bam Bigelow racked up 22 points via his single Royal Rumble appearance in 1994 that saw him last a half hour and score five eliminations. His most memorable appearance on a Royal Rumble PPV would occur a year later, in tag team action away from the eponymous battle royal. He'd go down in defeat, but the real story was a shoving match with Lawrence Taylor at ringside that set the wheels in motion for their WrestleMania 11 main event.
#145: JBL, Roddy Piper, Samoa Joe, and Zoey Stark (Tie)
Despite a main roster run undermined by injuries, Zoey Stark has a respectable Royal Rumble resume with three appearances and two eliminations to date. That's good enough to place her in the company of respected legends whom she'll likely climb past in the rankings in years to come, as none of the others are likely to participate again.
For his part, Roddy Piper probably had the most memorable outing of the bunch with his 1992 appearance that saw him fend off Ric Flair across a half hour period during The Nature Boy's historically great run in the match. JBL made an impressive six Rumble entries, while Samoa Joe only had two but racked up three eliminations in the process.
#141: Haku, Mia Yim, Raquel Rodriguez, and Roxanne Perez (Tie)
In hindsight, it seems borderline criminal that one of wrestling's defining real-life badasses, Haku, would only have two eliminations and about twenty minutes in the ring at Royal Rumbles across four appearances. There's not much cohesion, either, to read into him tying with Mia Yim and tag team partners Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez.
For her part, Perez had an hour-long run in the 2025 Rumble that brought her all the way to the final two in the ring. The odds are she'll climb quite a few spots in the years ahead, and fans shouldn't count her out as a prospective Rumble winner one day.
#133: Al Snow, Eddie Guerrero, Elias, Jacob Fatu, Nikki Cross, Omos, Santino Marella, and Terry Funk (Tie)
133rd seems like the spot for respected veterans who didn't get to make as much of a dent in the Royal Rumble as their talents or legacies would suggest, highlighted by Eddie Guerrero, Terry Funk, and Al Snow. Santino Marella deserves a shoutout here for an iconic runner-up performance in 2011. Though he never graduated from the mid-card in WWE, fans were nonetheless genuinely excited when it looked like he had a chance at eliminating eventual winner Alberto Del Rio. Moreover, given how Del Rio's career and life played out from there, many suggest WWE history would've been better off had Marella picked up the win.
Nikki Cross is still on the roster and stands to advance at least a bit on the list. The real movers and shakers looking ahead for this slot, though, are Jacob Fatu and Omos. Fatu has only worked one Rumble to date but had four eliminations in it and has a style well-suited to big runs in this match. Meanwhile, Omos is a legit, true giant of this era. After an absence from television, WWE reintroduced him where he promptly won a battle royal. He's an unlikely Rumble winner, but the kind of attraction well suited to appear in the match again and who will probably pick up at least one more elimination each time he does.
#131: Curtis Axel and Trish Stratus (Tie)
This is an interesting spot on the list for featuring two well-respected in-ring performers. After a brief over-push at the launch of the Curtis Axel persona, he was widely under-utilized relative to his talent. In the end, the most famous part of his Rumble legacy probably comes back to an extended comedic angle: because he was attacked before he could get into the 2015 Royal Rumble, he was never eliminated and thus had a claim to have been the match's true winner, or at least still in contention.
Had women had a Royal Rumble a decade or two sooner, Trish Stratus would surely land much higher on this list. As it stands, she was a fun returning legend to see in this environment, with four cumulative eliminations over two appearances.
#126: Jeff Hardy, Mandy Rose, Ron Simmons, R-Truth, and Ted DiBiase Jr. (Tie)
On paper, the Royal Rumble looks all but tailor-made for Ron Simmons to thrive in, but like a number of world champion legends, his heyday didn't coincide with his Rumble appearances. To his credit, he did work five Rumble matches and tally four eliminations, with a particularly noteworthy outing in 1998 when he made it to the final four.
Jeff Hardy is another noteworthy name whom some may have expected to land higher, but he spent the years when he might have most legitimately been a contender to win the match—2008 and 2009—in world title matches on the PPV, besides otherwise spending two Rumble PPVs working tag matches.
R-Truth's longevity—working no fewer than nine Rumble matches—helped him scale the list, not least of all including some comedic gold like a dance break and joining the match with a ladder in tow. Ted DiBiase Jr. and Mandy Rose each likely land higher than folks would expect. It's easy to forget that in the heat of DiBiase looking like a future main eventer, he got a 45-minute run in the match in 2009, alongside two other respectable outings, while Mandy Rose worked four Rumbles with three eliminations to her name.
#124: Hercules and Matt Riddle (Tie)
Powerhouse Hercules worked three early Rumbles with nearly a cumulative hour to his credit and three eliminations. Matt Riddle wound up boasting strikingly similar stats decades later, in a time when he looked like a prospective main event guy. There remains an outside chance WWE fans may see him in the Rumble again at some point in the future.
#120: Beth Phoenix, Chelsea Green, Jerry Lawler, and Tatanka (Tie)
Beth Phoenix stands out here as only the second woman to participate in a men's Royal Rumble. She'd go on to make her presence felt in two women's Rumbles post-retirement. That included a memorable moment of squaring off with Nia Jax, then falling victim to betrayal by her friend Natalya in the inaugural women's match in 2018. She worked the Rumble again in 2020 with a 23-minute showing that memorably saw her keep going while visibly bleeding from the back of her head.
Out of this cluster, Chelsea Green and Jerry Lawler make a fair amount of sense coexisting. For all the differences and working in totally different eras, both are underappreciated talents who, particularly in WWE, engaged fans largely with comedic heel personas. To wit, one of Lawler's most famous Rumble moments saw him enter the 1997 edition only for long-time rival Bret Hart to dispatch of him in all of four seconds, so he could go straight back to brawling with Steve Austin. For her part, Chelsea Green made a dramatic surprise return to WWE to enter the Royal Rumble, only for Rhea Ripley to send her packing after five seconds. Their resumes shape up similarly otherwise too, each with four Rumbles apiece and three eliminations credited to them.
Tatanka may have had the least iconic Rumble work to his name, but showing up at this point on the list bespeaks the rock-solid place in the mid-card he held in the early-to-mid-1990s, including at one point looking like a prospective main event threat.
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