Since 1988, the Royal Rumble match has become a tradition in WWE. One of the most legendary matches in company history, it has helped transform wrestlers into worldwide sensations.
The event has ran from New York to California. This year, the 2022 Royal Rumble will be inside San Antonio’s Alamodome on January 28.
Like the last few years, there will be a men's and women’s match. The last person remaining in both Rumble matches earns an opportunity at a world title at WrestleMania 39 in April.
What exactly are the rules for the match? Here is all you need to know about the Royal Rumble match, including a full list of past winners.
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Royal Rumble order, format and rules
Thirty wrestlers are assigned, at random, a spot in the Royal Rumble match. The first two participants kick things off. After one-minute or 90-second intervals (it can vary by year), another wrestler enters the ring. That continues until all competitors have entered the match.
There are no pinfalls, DQs, or submissions. To be eliminated, a wrestler must be tossed over the top rope, and both feet must touch the floor. The only way to win is by being the last person in the ring.
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Men's WWE Royal Rumble list of winners
| Year | Winner |
| 1988 | Jim Duggan |
| 1989 | Big John Studd |
| 1990 | Hulk Hogan |
| 1991 | Hulk Hogan |
| 1992 | Ric Flair |
| 1993 | Yokozuna |
| 1994 | Lex Luger and Bret Hart |
| 1995 | Shawn Michaels |
| 1996 | Shawn Michaels |
| 1997 | "Stone Cold" Steve Austin |
| 1998 | "Stone Cold" Steve Austin |
| 1999 | Mr. McMahon |
| 2000 | The Rock |
| 2001 | "Stone Cold" Steve Austin |
| 2002 | Triple H |
| 2003 | Brock Lesnar |
| 2004 | Chris Benoit |
| 2005 | Batista |
| 2006 | Rey Mysterio |
| 2007 | The Undertaker |
| 2008 | John Cena |
| 2009 | Randy Orton |
| 2010 | Edge |
| 2011 | Alberto Del Rio |
| 2012 | Sheamus |
| 2013 | John Cena |
| 2014 | Batista |
| 2015 | Roman Reigns |
| 2016 | Triple H |
| 2017 | Randy Orton |
| 2018 | Shinsuke Nakamura |
| 2019 | Seth Rollins |
| 2020 | Drew McIntyre |
| 2021 | Edge |
| 2022 | Brock Lesnar |
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Women's WWE Royal Rumble list of winners
| Date | Winner |
| 2018 | Asuka |
| 2019 | Becky Lynch |
| 2020 | Charlotte Flair |
| 2021 | Bianca Belair |
| 2022 | Ronda Rousey |
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Royal Rumble order: Does it matter?
Order number could influence who one could bet to win the Royal Rumble match.
The top four numbers that have the best chance of winning the Royal Rumble match are the following (for the men's match):
- 30: Four times an entrant has won the Royal Rumble by entering at this number (2007, 2008, 2016, 2022).
- 27: Four times an entrant has won the Royal Rumble by entering at this number (2007, 2008, 2016, 2022).
- 1: Three times an entrant has won the Royal Rumble by entering at this number (1995, 2004, 2021).
- 24: Three times an entrant has won the Royal Rumble by entering at this number (1991, 1998, 2000).
For the women's Royal Rumble, twice has an entrant won the match via number 28.