The WWE Royal Rumble 2021 was a great show full of surprises, with Drew McIntyre retaining his WWE title over Goldberg, who Mick Foley called ‘insecure’, Sasha Banks retaining her Smackdown women’s title against Carmella, Bianca Belair winning the women’s Royal Rumble match, Roman Reigns retaining the Universal Title against Kevin Owens with a ripped off AEW spot, and Edge winning the Men’s Royal Rumble match. The Rumble matches featured some big name surprises, and below in no particular order are the top 10.
Edge and Christian are back in the ring together ❤️
So wholesome.#RoyalRumble
(via @WWE)pic.twitter.com/K9tCNy2jtU
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 1, 2021
1. Christian
Christian’s return to the ring after 7 years was certainly the most welcome surprise, as he lasted until the final four and looked in the best shape of his career. Christian’s ‘match’ last year with Randy Orton first fueled speculation that he would comeback, as the Orton angle was done before Christian was cleared to take bumps, as Orton beat him after a low blow from Ric Flair. Christian looks to be back full time, and he is a welcome addition to the WWE roster. His reunion with Edge was an emotional moment.
CARLITO IS BACK IN WWE 🤯#RoyalRumble pic.twitter.com/6dnDdmHi0r
— B/R Wrestling (@BRWrestling) February 1, 2021
2. Carlito
Carlito looked to be in the best shape he’s been in since his mid-2000’s debut, and he looks destined to repeat MVP’s Royal Rumble to full time comeback from last year’s Rumble.
https://twitter.com/Gifs4Wrestling/status/1356047644032983043
3. Victoria
Victoria’s Titantron was played at the Rumble last year, and she was speculated to be in 2018 Women’s Rumble, but she finally returned this year!
Damian Priest is in the #RoyalRumble match! I'm getting some early 90s HBK vibes from this gear pic.twitter.com/1wYFMUObWY
— WrestleZone (@WRESTLEZONEcom) February 1, 2021
4. Damian Priest
Damian Priest finally made his main roster debut, after rumors that he is set to challenge a WWE main eventer.
Why can't Ric Flair enter the women's Rumble?
— Bryan Alvarez (@bryanalvarez) February 1, 2021
5. Ric Flair
Ric Flair has been a regular fixture on WWE TV recently, but at first it appeared like he was attempting to enter the women’s Royal Rumble match before introducing his onscreen girlfriend Lacey Evans.
Torrie Wilson enters the #RoyalRumble at 17. pic.twitter.com/wWj2GUTSuC
— WrestlingINC.com (@WrestlingInc) February 1, 2021
6. Torrie Wilson
Torrie just ages like fine wine, and it’s always nice to see her pop up on reunions and at women’s Royal Rumble matches.
#JillianHall returns for the #WWE #RoyalRumble pic.twitter.com/IJ5FsoarAX
— Ringside News (@ringsidenews_) February 1, 2021
7. Jillian Hall
Jillian Hall returned, bringing back memories of 2000’s Smackdown, but sadly she did not bring her mole to the ring with her.
STAND BACK! There's a Hurricane coming through!!!!
…the curtain, because he just got eliminated. It was good while it lasted, @ShaneHelmsCom! 💚 #RoyalRumble @WWEBigE @fightbobby pic.twitter.com/SlSuWFJuge
— WWE (@WWE) February 1, 2021
8. The Hurricane
The Hurricane has made the Royal Rumble his comeback event in recent years, and it highlights what an underrated character he was during his memorable angles with stars like The Rock and Molly Holly in the early to mid 2000’s.
https://twitter.com/patcheschance/status/1356054580224782336
9. Naomi
Naomi has one of the most visually electrifying entrances in WWE, and she made her presence known in the Women’s Royal Rumble.
Team Hell No reunion at the #WWE #RoyalRumble pic.twitter.com/nQHpCbJazO
— NoDQ.com: WWE and AEW news (@nodqdotcom) February 1, 2021
10. Kane
It’s always good to see the Big Red Machine take a break from his Mayoral duties in Knox County, and as short as it was, it was a mark out moment to see Team Hell No back!
Honorable mentions are Santana Garrett, Seth Rollins, Rhea Ripley, and Ember Moon, since they are regular fixtures in WWE and NXT. Damian Priest’s entrance was different, as his marks his first ever interaction with the main roster and he is expected to get a big push. Rollins has only been off TV for a little over a month, though it was nice to see him back. That jabroni panelist won the 24/7 title, but that isn’t worth writing about!
