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