SRS #RumbleRetro: Royal Rumble 1998 Through 2007: Attitude Era To PG Era

Sean Ross Sapp Jan 19, 2020 4:00PM

2017 marked the first Royal Rumble I attended. I'm not much of a traveler -- a lot of my work I can do remotely. It's always been a bucket list item, however, so I jumped at the opportunity to go. To prepare, I re-watched every Royal Rumble event, and used the #RetroRumble hashtag (originally #RumbleRetro). I'll be bringing you these in installments of every ten years, with links to additional series. Enjoy!

Our next installment takes you through the WWE's Attitude Era...all the way into the new PG era.

Check out part one at this link, part three at this link, and part four at this link!

1998: Stone Cold! Stone Cold!

Royal Rumble 98 Goldust was trash #RetroRumble 98
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 6, 2017

Talk about setting a tone for a Royal Rumble. Cactus Jack and Chainsaw Charlie #RetroRumble 98
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 6, 2017

What did you all think of the Three Faces of Foley in the Rumble? As a child, I was upset. A cheat! #RetroRumble 98
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 6, 2017

300's Kurrgan!! #RetroRumble 98
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 6, 2017

For a boxing gimmick, Mero threw some pretty slow punches #RetroRumble 98
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 6, 2017

Looked like Bradshaw was stiffing Kurrgan #RetroRumble 98
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 6, 2017

Crazy to see the descent of Ahmed Johnson from 96 to 98. He should have beaten Jarrett in 96, too #RumbleRetro 98
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 6, 2017

TRASH gear for Goldust #RetroRumble 98
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 6, 2017

"wutdafuuuuck. wudafuuuuck. mutherfuuucker. when midnight won the tag titles they WON EM"- Cornette probably #RetroRumble 98
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 6, 2017

Ahmed Johnson went full, early Rumble shitbag babyface by throwing a tantrum after being eliminated #RetroRumble 98
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 6, 2017

OH JESUS, PHINEAS LANDED ON THE REF AND THE REF SHOULD BE DEAD #RetroRumble 98
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 6, 2017

Was nearing the all-time high of 12 wrestlers in the ring.....then Stone Cold showed up #RetroRumble 98
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 6, 2017

I think JR just said Kama and The Rock were wailing on each others' knob #RetroRumble 98
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 6, 2017

Hahaha, Steve Austin just jobbed out the whole Boriquas #RetroRumble 98
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 6, 2017

Luna's sell of anguish as Austin stomped Goldust's ball sack was high level #RetroRumble 98
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 6, 2017

12 entrants active, but The Rock and Austin battle outside. #RetroRumble 98
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 6, 2017

Vader enters and the field is briefly at a record of 13, before an elimination #RetroRumble 98
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 6, 2017

That Stone Cold elimination of Chainz is SICK. #RetroRumble 98
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 6, 2017

Except maybe 92, the 98 final four was the most legit up to that point #RetroRumble 98
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 6, 2017

ICONIC finish #RetroRumble 98
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 6, 2017

1999: No Chance In Hell!

The 1999 Rumble. I think I've only seen this once...so...yeah #RetroRumble 99
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 6, 2017

I HATE that people can leave the ring for a half hour and still be in the match #RetroRumble 99
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 6, 2017

Golga. I've had Vince explain this to me and I wasn't satisfied #RetroRumble 99
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 6, 2017

Droz looked bad ass as a member of LOD. I was a fan. Had a fantastic sitdown powerbomb #RetroRumble 99
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 6, 2017

Edge and Droz going at it. A few months later, they'd be my two favorites #RetroRumble 99
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 6, 2017

Cole calling this Rumble is a change of pace #RetroRumble 99
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 6, 2017

GILLBERG! #RetroRumble 99
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 6, 2017

Severn hit a SICK spear #RetroRumble 99
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 6, 2017

Tiger Ali Singh. Man, he sucked. And @BlueMeanieBWO just dropped him with a clothesline and styled on him #RetroRumble 99
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 6, 2017

Ah hell, Mabel. Last saw him two Rumbles before. Had some terrible strikes #RetroRumble 99
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 6, 2017

Undertaker is like "You gon' break my face? I'll wait 30 months and steal your soul, Mabel" #RetroRumble 99
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 6, 2017

Road Dogg is alone #RetroRumble 99
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 6, 2017

Godfather and Al Snow got giant pops #RetroRumble 99
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

This match sucks ass #RetroRumble 99
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

So weird to see Triple H in those old tights he wore during the DX run #RetroRumble 99
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Whatever happened to good, strong stables? The Nation, DX, Corporation, even Ministry in this match. #RetroRumble 99
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Stone Cold tossing Chyna gets a big pop and Triple H kicks his ass #RetroRumble 99
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Man, the Stunner was the perfect move to set up an elimination #RetroRumble 99
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

These chair shots to the head are terrifying #RetroRumble 99
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

And Vince wins. Makes it two out of three years the winner wouldn't wrestle for the title at Mania #RetroRumble 99
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Also, four out of six (would end up being 5/7) Rumbles that end in controversy or in a cheap manner #RetroRumble 99
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

2000-2001: The End Of The Monday Night Wars

Damn, the crowd went BANANA for Rikishi #RetroRumble 00
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

The early part of this Rumble has been wack #RetroRumble 00
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

There's Bulldog in his high-water jeans. #RetroRumble 00
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Test had an all-time great Big Boot #RetroRumble 00
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Did you all like the MSG Royal Rumble layout? #RetroRumble 00
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Holy hit, Taka FLEW #RetroRumble 00
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Lawler laughed and called Taka Michinoku Chinese #RetroRumble 00
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Bob Backlund. Woah. What a damn pop. He looked shocked by it #RetroRumble 00
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Ah, I miss Crash Holly #RetroRumble 00
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Gosh, like 6 of the last nine entrants have since passed. RIP. #RetroRumble 00
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Gear was a lot more colorful, even in 2000. #RetroRumble 00
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Man, this Rumble was wack #RetroRumble 00
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Yeah The Rock lost that Rumble. His feet hit first #RetroRumble 00
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

2001

The Hardy Boyz are alone early #RetroRumble 01
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Bull Buchanan, ehhh #RetroRumble 01
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Ron Simmons shutting down the Hardy shit fast #RetroRumble 01
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

okay maybe not #retrorumble 01
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

The hardcore spots were kind of cool for the time #RetroRumble 01
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Honky Tonk Man. 2-Time Worst Surprise Entrant #RetroRumble 01
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

The Rock and Kane! #RetroRumble 01
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Tazz went from an all-time great pop and beating Angle to crickets and getting thrown out in ten seconds #RetroRumble 01
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

We're starting to see some more clearly roided wrestlers here. #RetroRumble 01
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

K Kwik!! I was a fan #RetroRumble 01
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Test's theme ruled #RetroRumble 01
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

The crowd came unglued for The Rock and Big Show going at it #RetroRumble 01
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

How does WWE still have the rights to Limp Bizkit Rollin'? #RetroRumble 01
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Brothers of Destruction clear the ring. At this point, Kane and Taker were on the same level to me. #RetroRumble 01
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Scotty Too Hotty's reaction to seeing Kane and Taker was outstanding #RetroRumble 01
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Haku showed up, WCW Hardcore Champion, having wrestled the week before in WCW #RetroRumble 01
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Stone Cold's boots came untied #RetroRumble 01
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

AN XFL LIKE PUNT, JR SAID! #RetroRumble 01
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

2002: WWE and WCW Talents Clash

Early Goldust -- or even this version -- could still work today #RetroRumble 02
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

I'm glad entrance confetti in wrestling isn't a thing anymore #RetroRumble 02
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Geez, I didn't realize Bossman was still in WWE in 2002 #RetroRumble 02
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Goldust missed the ropes with Lance Storm by a MILE #RetroRumble 02
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Undertaker clears the ring! #RetroRumble 02
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Why is Jeff Hardy wrestling in a visor? #RetroRumble 02
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Jeff Hardy's elimination save of Matt was really cool #RetroRumble 02
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

And WWE DOESN'T have the rights to Maven's old theme. It was pretty good #RetroRumble 02
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

I love the Team Xtreme gang mentality, lol #RetroRumble 02
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Everything about Maven's elimination of Taker was great. The dropkick, Taker's reaction, the crowd, JR's cal #RetroRumble 02
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Scotty Too Hotty's Rumble luck is the absolute WORST #RetroRumble 02
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Uh oh, the dude @RealDDP is out, and goes after Christian #RetroRumble 02
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Holy cow. Giant pop for The Godfather #RetroRumble 02
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Austin clears the ring #RetroRumble 02
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

I think Godfather got a bigger pop than Triple H #RetroRumble 02
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Lol. The Hurricane spot was classic. #RetroRumble 02
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

It was so cool to see Mr. Perfect back here, and for him to make the final four #RetroRumble 02
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

Jeez. I'd forgotten about Kane's bodyslam of Big Show. #RetroRumble 02
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

RVD was super over and the crowd hated him getting eliminated #RetroRumble 02
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2017

2003: RUTHLESS.....AGGRESSION!

Michaels and HBK start off #RetroRumble 03
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

This was a cool era. WWE from January 1 to December 31 2003 had one of the most loaded rosters of all time #RetroRumble 03
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

This had a lot of new interesting, promising names emerging. I thought Nowinski was going to be great #RetroRumble 03
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

Man, @EdgeRatedR was so fantastic to watch. We were spoiled. #RetroRumble 03
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

Hahaha. Classic @Christian4Peeps and his singlet trying to buddy up with Edge #RetroRumble 03
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

I would love to know how @ChrisNowinski1 felt after that double "dropkick" from Rey and Edge. Looked brutal #RetroRumble 03
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

It all happened so fast. Thought I was ok, weeks later found out the trauma ripped my nasal septum off my skull. It's now made of my ear https://t.co/BKF9rV0PHj
— Chris Nowinski (@ChrisNowinski1) January 9, 2017

I've always loved the belly-to-back suplexes that @mexwarrior does #RetroRumble 03
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

Eddie. #RetroRumble 03
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

RVD's bad Rumble psychology with that monkey flip #RetroRumble 03
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

It seemed like Jeff Hardy always had a lot of weird quirks. But I guess it worked for him #RetroRumble 03
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

The Master Of Thuganomics #RetroRumble 03
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

This rap was horrible #RetroRumble 03
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

Jamal and Rikishi going at it. Rosey joins the beatdown #RetroRumble 03
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

Test tosses Jericho. You don't see a lot of that anymore #RetroRumble 03
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

Nice pop for Goldust #RetroRumble 03
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

Benjamin, Cena, Haas, Mysterio, Rosey, Jamal, Batista, Nowinski. A lot of new WWE blood. A fun time #RetroRumble 03
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

WOW! I'd forgotten about Lesnar F5ing @MATTHARDYBRAND over the top! Incredible #RetroRumble 03
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

Maven tries to dropkick Undertaker out again, and thinks he's done it. Garnered an obnoxious cackle from me #RetroRumble 03
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

Ew, Albert drooling #RetroRumble 03
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

Lesnar, Batista, Kane, Taker. Lotsa SIRLOIN BEEF HOSSCATS IN THERE #RetroRumble 03
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

A Rumble Tombstone from Taker! #RetroRumble 03
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

Lesnar eliminated Taker, who still hadn't won a Rumble to that point. #RetroRumble 03
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

2004: Erased From History

This will be the first Chris Benoit match I've watched since the tragedies in 2007. #RetroRumble 04
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

This was the period where a whole lot of guys were slotted as mid-carders #RetroRumble 04
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

Matt Morgan stepped in and dominated. Hit a big sit down powerbomb out of the gate #RetroRumble 04
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

Morgan had highlights in his hair for some reason #RetroRumble 04
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

Here's that Helms dork #RetroRumble 04
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

Kane's chokeslam on Morgan was awesome #RetroRumble 04
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

Interesting way for Kane to get eliminated. Also, Spike Dudley got his ass kicked #RetroRumble 04
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

Crazy to see the decline in talent quality between 2003 and 2004 #RetroRumble 04
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

Randy Orton gets tired of everyone's shit and eliminates them. #RetroRumble 04
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

Orton and Benoit are left in the ring, conk heads, allowing the LEGEND Ernest Miller and Lamont to dance #RetroRumble 04
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

This theme was used for Ernest Miller, Lamont, Brodus Clay, Tensai, Naomi, Cameron....and I kid you not... God #RetroRumble 04
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

I wonder if Lamont losing his wig was supposed to happen #RetroRumble 04
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

My favorite "bit" ever in the RR https://t.co/Sq4ySjh3L0
— Jeff Hawkins (@Crapgame13) January 9, 2017

Test is knocked out backstage. Austin makes FOLEY replace him! #RetroRumble 04
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

Man. Seeing Mick Foley run. Reminds me of how fragile the poor dude is now. He gave everything #RetroRumble 04
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

I'd say the Foley/Orton deal is one of the best double eliminations ever #RetroRumble 04
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

Billy Gunn hits like two cold FameAssers and it was awesome #RetroRumble 04
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

Goldberg out there just hitting people. Then Nunzio DIES! #RetroRumble 04
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

Goldberg gets attacked by Lesnar, Angle eliminates him. THAT'S the way to do a Rumble run-in #RetroRumble 04
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

Cena, Show, RVD, Edge, Angle, Benoit remain. Wow #RetroRumble 04
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

That Cena elimination was gross #RetroRumble 04
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

Yeah, we all know how #RetroRumble 04 ended. I'm moving on. I feel gross watching it.
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 9, 2017

2005: Damn-iel Puder

It's #RETRORUMBLE 05 time!!!
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 10, 2017

The way a few of the wrestlers were treated in this RR isn't too unlike the locker room at the time, from what I was told #RetroRumble 04
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 10, 2017

Edge, Mysterio, Booker T. Solid. I'm glad they started letting wrestlers pull double duty #RetroRumble 05
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 11, 2017

Luther Reigns, long lost cousin of Roman, clearly #RetroRumble 05
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 11, 2017

Oh snap. It's the dude, Muhammad Hassan #RetroRumble 05. I wrote about him a couple of times. https://t.co/HpN1YmAUMn
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 11, 2017

Scotty 2 Hotty has the all-time worst Rumble luck. Attacked by Muhammad Hassan #RetroRumble 05
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 11, 2017

Renee Dupree, Kenzo Suzuki, Orlando Jordan, Luther Reigns. We are spoiled today #RetroRumble 05
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 11, 2017

Pre-baggy pants Shawn Michaels #RetroRumble 05
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 11, 2017

Lol, @TheCoachESPN was in this Rumble!!! #RetroRumble 05
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 11, 2017

And there's Angle eliminating someone after he's out. I hate that rule #RetroRumble 05
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 11, 2017

Paul London's theme sounded like a generic Warrior theme #RetroRumble 05
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 11, 2017

Snitsky with one of the great all-time eliminations #RetroRumble 05 pic.twitter.com/60wVfx0Cnk
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 11, 2017

And there's Angle eliminating someone after he's out. I hate that rule #RetroRumble 05
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 11, 2017

Crazy pop for 2005 Cena #RetroRumble 05
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 11, 2017

Good lord! Batista Bomb on Kane! #RetroRumble 05
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 11, 2017

Ric Flair at almost 56 was still outstanding #RetroRumble 05
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 11, 2017

Cena's barber missed a bunch of stray hairs #RetroRumble 05
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 11, 2017

The eliminations hit rapid fire, now just Cena and Batista #RetroRumble 05
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 11, 2017

Cena/Batista double elimination. Wasn't supposed to happen, but couldn't have ever had them time better #RetroRumble 05
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 11, 2017

Match restarted, spinebuster, Cena chucked over. Batista wins. This was a pretty good Rumble #RetroRumble 05
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 11, 2017

2006: Rey Mysterio goes coast to coast

Time for #RetroRumble 06!! This match was third from the top. Weird
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 12, 2017

Rey and Triple H start off. One of the all-time great #1 and #2 entrants #RetroRumble 06
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 12, 2017

That bad Rumble psychology again, Rey stands on the second rope #RetroRumble 06
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 12, 2017

The crucifix powerbomb into huracanrana elimination of Psychosis was sweet! #RetroRumble 06
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 12, 2017

Crowd was maaaaad about Flair getting eliminated. But then Big Show got a big pop. Well. #RetroRumble 06
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 12, 2017

You can see people handing off water to Mysterio in this match. #RetroRumble 06
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 12, 2017

Lashley looked....unnatural #RetroRumble 06
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 12, 2017

Lashley hit a Dominator on Kane! Holy shit. #RetroRumble 06
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 12, 2017

Benoit.....still feels gross watching this. #RetroRumble 06
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 12, 2017

. @BookerT5x had some awesome tights for this #RetroRumble 06
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 12, 2017

Tatanka as an entrant, and this helped set the trend of surprises. #RetroRumble 06
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 12, 2017

God, I can't believe Eugene happened. #RetroRumble 06
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 12, 2017

This Rumble started off strong -- really strong -- but got weak in the middle #RetroRumble 06
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 12, 2017

RVD returned to a great reaction #RetroRumble 06
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 12, 2017

Triple H's elimination of Chavo -- should it have counted? Chavo went through the ropes before going to the top rope #RetroRumble 06
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 12, 2017

14 entrants in the ring. That's a Royal Rumble PPV record #RetroRumble 06
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 12, 2017

Goldust is like a 74-time Royal Rumble surprise #RetroRumble 06
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 15, 2017

Shelton Benjamin just head kicked the shit out of HBK #RetroRumble 06
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 15, 2017

Nobody was better at making the Rumble match feel important than @ShawnMichaels. He cared because he knew the gravity of it #RetroRumble 06
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 15, 2017

RVD, Orton, Mysterio, HHH. Hell of a Final Four #RetroRumble 06
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 15, 2017

I remember being shocked that HHH was eliminated there. Thought it'd be him and Rey at the end #RetroRumble 06
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 15, 2017

Mysterio wins in probably the second greatest Rumble performance of all-time #RetroRumble 06
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 15, 2017

2007: A Classic Finish

Aw yes. It's #RetroRumble 07 time. I'll never forget watching it with @CoryJCropper693
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 15, 2017

"I said it facetiously, jackass"- @JCLayfield. One of the greatest lines in #RetroRumble history. 07
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 15, 2017

This was the first Rumble with ECW as a third brand. It started a lot slower than I cared to recall #RetroRumble 07
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 15, 2017

Kane's chokeslam through a table of Sabu is an underrated elimination #RetroRumble 07
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 15, 2017

Last Rumble with Benoit. I probably won't ever watch one of his matches again. #RetroRumble 07
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 15, 2017

This Rumble is a lot less cool ten years later #RetroRumble 07
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 15, 2017

This Thorn gimmick was straight doody #RetroRumble 07
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 15, 2017

Shawn Michaels is in, so it's picking up #RetroRumble 07
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 15, 2017

Lol, they edited out HBK telling Khali to look at the camera #RetroRumble 07
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 15, 2017

The Khali project was a terrible one #RetroRumble 07
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 15, 2017

The Undertaker at #30! #RetroRumble 07
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 15, 2017

HBK, Taker, Orton, Edge. Another great final four #RetroRumble 07
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 15, 2017

HBK gets rid of Edge and Orton. It's him and Taker! #RetroRumble 07
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 15, 2017

Michaels and Taker went at it 7.5 minutes, longest to end a Rumble in PPV history to that point #RetroRumble 07.
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 15, 2017

Again, not as good as I recalled, but the end was unbelievable #RetroRumble 07
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) January 15, 2017

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CONTINUE

SRS #RumbleRetro: 1998 Through 2007: Attitude Era To PG Era