WWE Names Top 25 Greatest Royal Rumble Returns

WWE has ranked the top 25 Royal Rumble returns in the history of the signature match.

As the annual battle royal has taken place 38 times previously, the company is not short on choice when it comes to iconic moments from the men’s matches that started back in 1988, and the women’s matches that began in 2018.

Topping the list is John Cena’s shock return in 2008, which saw the 17-time World Champion enter the match at number 30 at the event inside Madison Square Garden in New York. The Cena return was especially shocking as Cena was due to be out with a torn pec for close to a year, but managed to recover just a few months later and win the match.

Taking the number 2 spot is Cody Rhodes’ return from injury at the 2023 Rumble. Much like Cena, Rhodes had been sidelined with a torn pec, but made his return to action at the event and went on to win the match.

In 3rd place is Edge’s return at the 2020 Royal Rumble, which received a thunderous ovation from the fans in attendance. After being forced into an early retirement back in 2020, The Rated R Superstar kicked off his second run in the match, allowing him to retire on his own terms, whenever that may be.

The top women’s return took the 4th spot as Alexa Bliss made her return at the 2025 Rumble after 3 years away. Bliss received one of the biggest reactions of the night and has remained a regular performer on SmackDown since.