10 WWE Royal Rumble Title Matches You Have To Watch

7. AJ Styles vs. John Cena – 2017

At SummerSlam 2016, John Cena left his armband in the ring after losing to AJ Styles. With the momentum from pinning one of WWE’s biggest stars behind him, the ‘Phenomenal One’ captured the WWE Championship at the next pay-per-view.

While he defended WWE’s top prize through to 2017, fans were unsure whether Cena would ever return to the main event picture again. This was until the WWE veteran challenged Styles to a rematch at Royal Rumble 2017, for the title he’d held 15 times prior.

Determined to equal Ric Flair’s recognised record 16 World Championship reigns, Cena was more focused than ever to walk out with the gold. Performing moves that he hadn’t attempted in years, ‘Big Match John’ was prepared to do whatever it took to keep Styles down.

Styles wasn’t just fighting to retain his title though. After being referred to as the ‘guy from Atlanta’ during media interviews, Styles was willing to fight until the world knew his name.

It is very rare that a dream match actually comes to fruition. The culmination to one of the greatest rivalries of the Smackdown Live era, this match certainly didn’t disappoint.

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6. Finn Bálor vs. Brock Lesnar – 2019

When it was announced that Bálor would challenge Lesnar for the Universal Championship at Royal Rumble 2019, fans didn’t know what to think. Nobody knew how Bálor would fare against one of the most dominant champions in WWE history. 

After the first bell, it was clear that the inaugural Universal Champion planned to reclaim the title he was forced to vacate by landing quick blows. While Bálor tried to make the battle a war of attrition, Lesnar had other plans. Slower but stronger than the challenger, a strike from the champion would stop Finn in his tracks.

The changes in pace made this bout unpredictable. In one moment, Lesnar would be gloating, the next, Bálor had him floored outside the ring. 

Before this bout started, many thought this would be a foreseeable retention for Lesnar. Bálor nailing the Universal Champion with the Coup De Grâce reminded fans that anything can happen in a pro-wrestling ring. 

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5. The Quebecers vs. Bret & Owen Hart – 1994

Royal Rumble marks the beginning of the “Road to WrestleMania”. The annual January pay-per-view is usually host to a shock or two in the lead-up to the biggest show of the year.

In 1994, the trigger was finally pulled, with Owen Hart turning on Bret after this competitive contest.

After tensions rose between the brothers towards the end of 1993, the duo decided to turn over a new leaf. Setting their sights on the WWF Tag Team Championship, the Hart brothers battled the Quebecers at Royal Rumble 1994.

Finding the ‘Hitman’s weakness quickly, Pierre and Jacques targeted Bret’s leg, as this bout quickly became a cerebral battle. Frustrations built, before Owen Hart finally revealed that he was no longer a team player.

It’s fun to revisit Bret and Owen’s WrestleMania X match, but this catalyst to the brothers’ face off is just as entertaining.

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