Disclaimer: This article will be updated frequently as the 2021 Royal Rumble adds new participants to the men’s Royal Rumble matches (for the women’s participants, see this article). Make sure to bookmark it and check back often for the most up-to-date list of participants!
It’s January, meaning it’s time to start the road to WrestleMania with one of everyone’s favorite events, the Royal Rumble. That’s right, 30 men will enter the ring and one will leave, a guaranteed world title match at the show of shows in their possession. WWE‘s first big four PPV of the calendar year, the Royal Rumble match is always full of intrigue, surprises and major moments. This year’s edition should be no different. As the field of participants for the 2021 Men’s Royal Rumble continues to come into focus, below you’ll find a tale of the tape on each of this year’s competitors with an in depth look at some of their past Royal Rumble highlights and overall track record in the match. So let’s get right to it!
Men’s 2021 Royal Rumble Participants (last updated 1/29/21)
Daniel Bryan – Daniel Bryan was the first man to enter the 2021 Royal Rumble and shortly after, he became Vegas’ odds-on favorite to win it. While these odds are likely to change (rumble odds tend to move a day or two prior to the event), it is a pretty good place for Bryan to be given he’s never won a rumble in his four tries. Bryan’s best finish came in 2018 at the Greatest Royal Rumble where he entered in the first position and was the 47th man eliminated after spending over an hour and 15 minutes in the ring. In doing so, Bryan broke the record once held by Rey Mysterio, for the longest time in a single rumble match. Longevity and being an iron man are great, but Bryan would like no more than to win the match to perhaps set him up for one last, great title run. Bryan hasn’t been known for top rumble finishes in the past save for GRR but you know what they say, there’s a first time for everything.
Announced his entry on December 25th, 2020
First Royal Rumble Appearance: 2011
Total appearances: 3 plus the Greatest Royal Rumble
Records: Longest time in the ring (set at GRR in 2018 with a time of 1:16:05)
Average Entry Position: 9 (Highest: 1st at the GRR; Lowest: 21st in 2013)
Average Finish Position: 17 (Best: 3rd at GRR; Worst: 32nd in 2011)
Total Eliminations: 8
Bobby Lashley – In 2006, an upstart Bobby Lashley made his Royal Rumble debut. He didn’t make much of a splash and wouldn’t have another chance to do so until 12 years later at the Greatest Royal Rumble. For a variety of reasons, Lashley has missed a significant number of rumbles over his career but that lack of experience won’t mean much. Lashley is in arguably the best run of his WWE career right now alongside the Hurt Business which means he will likely have some allies in the match. Add to the fact that he’s a top draw right now and it makes sense that WWE would give him a nice run in the rumble. Question is, can he or will he win it? A Lashley/Roman Reigns or Lashley/Drew McIntyre match does sound quite appealing.
Announced his entry on December 28th, 2020
First Royal Rumble Appearance: 2006
Total appearances: 2 plus Greatest Royal Rumble
Records: None
Average Entry Position: 19 (Highest: 8th in 2006; Lowest: 44th in GRR)
Average Finish Position: 14 (Best: 5th in GRR; Worst: 24th in 2006)
Total Eliminations: 3
AJ Styles – five years ago, AJ Styles shocked the world when he made his WWE debut in the Royal Rumble match. Styles entered third and while he was eliminated near the middle of the pack, the longtime wrestling veteran did manage to impress in his nearly half an hour of ring time. Styles missed the next three rumbles due to his time in the world title picture as he was either defending or contending for the belt at three straight Royal Rumble PPVs. Styles returned to the 30-man classic last year and recorded his best finish yet, coming in 13th place. AJ Styles’ Royal Rumble track record isn’t long but he stands a chance to have his best showing yet this year, especially if new bodyguard Omos enters the match with him. We saw what Omos can do to a guitar, so imagine what he might do to 28 other competitors that stand in Styles’ way of a WrestleMania main event…
Announced his entry on January 4th, 2021
First Royal Rumble Appearance: 2016
Total appearances: 2
Records: None
Average Entry Position: 11 (Highest: 3rd in 2016; Lowest: 18th in 2020)
Average Finish Position: 16 (Best: 13th in 2020; Worst: 19th in 2016)
Total Eliminations: 2
Randy Orton – few wrestlers have the kind of Royal Rumble track record of Randy Orton, who is preparing to enter his 13th such match this year. Among the active roster, only Kofi Kingston and Dolph Ziggler (tied at 13) have entered more rumble matches but neither has the distinction of winning, which is something Orton has done twice. In fact, of those who have entered at least 10 rumble matches, Orton and Shawn Michaels are the only ones with two wins. Orton, who has had the good fortune of late entry positions, won his first Royal Rumble in 2009 and used the opportunity to challenge Triple H for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 25. He was unsuccessful, but when he won the 2017 Royal Rumble, Orton defeated Bray Wyatt to win his 13th world title. Randy Orton’s career is highly decorated as he is one of the top WWE superstars of all time. With his return to the sadistic legend killer persona that brought him so much success, could Orton be poised to tie Stone Cold Steve Austin for the most rumble wins of all time with three?
Announced his entry on January 4th, 2021
First Royal Rumble Appearance: 2004
Total appearances: 11 plus Greatest Royal Rumble
Records: 3rd most amount of Royal Rumbles entered (12), second most amount of Royal Rumble wins (2), 5th most amount of time spent in a Royal Rumble match (3:33:19)
Average Entry Position: 22 (Highest: 2nd in 2004; Lowest: 39th out of 40th in 2011 and 29th out of 30th in 2019)
Average Finish Position: 4 (Best: Winner (2009, 2017); Worst: 12th at GRR)
Total Eliminations: 27
Otis – Everyone’s favorite steaks and weights man was announced on WWE.com as being an entrant in the 2021 Royal Rumble. For the former Mr. Money in the Bank, this will mark his first-ever appearance in the Royal Rumble match. As a big guy, Otis will no doubt be a target as his opponents look to find ways to throw him over the top rope. While unlikely to win, it will be fun to see how he performs in his match debut and how many wrestlers it takes to eliminate him.
Announced his entry on January 8th, 2021
First Royal Rumble Appearance: N/A
Total appearances: N/A
Average Entry Position: N/A
Average Finish Position: N/A
Total Eliminations: N/A
The Miz – Since 2007, the Miz has tried 12x to win the Royal Rumble, but each time has come up short. Miz made his debut in the match that year as the second the last entrant but finished in just 10th place. For his next three appearances, Miz failed to finish in the top-15 and was often eliminated from the match in just a few minutes. In 2012 however, the Miz broke through. In his first of two rumbles starting the match, Miz lasted until nearly the end, serving as the fifth man left in the ring. Miz was the iron man that year, lasting over 45 minutes and astonishingly, picking up his only two rumble eliminations. Since then, Miz’ rumble appearances have trended upward. He’s picked up six top-10 finishes in his career with another two coming in the top-15. Seven of these top finishes have come in Miz’ last eight appearances as only once since 2012, has Miz finished outside of top-15. That year was 2015 where Miz had the dubious distinction of being both the first man to enter the match and first one to be eliminated. For all of Miz’ WWE successes, winning the rumble has not been one of them. Perhaps that will all change in 2021. But even if it doesn’t, Miz may well use his briefcase to cash in on whoever the eventual winner is, to win yet another world title at WrestleMania.
Announced his entry on January 14th, 2021
First Royal Rumble Appearance: 2007
Total Appearances: 12
Average Entry Position: 17 (Highest: 1st (2012 and 2015); Lowest: 29th in 2007)
Average Finish Position: 14 (Best: 5th in 2012; Worst: Last/30th in 2015)
Total Eliminations: 2
Jey Uso – Before 2020, Jey Uso was one half of the Usos, one of the most successful WWE tag teams of all-time. But now, in addition to that moniker, Uso is Main Event Jey where he’s got a seat at the hottest table in all of wrestling. 2020 was a revelation for Jey, who got a chance to enjoy a singles run while his brother Jimmy recovers from injury. Jey was elevated to the main event scene opposite his cousin Roman Reigns, both of whom have done their best work together. Now a heel like his cousin, Uso has more than proven he’s not just a tag team act. Uso’s performances have been nothing short of exceptional and now, he’ll have a chance to bring that to the rumble for just the third time. Most of his career, Uso has spent defending tag titles at the Royal Rumble PPV, but this year, that changes. Expect this to be Uso’s most memorable rumble of his career. Maybe he’ll even score his first-ever elimination.
Announced his entry on January 15th, 2021
First Royal Rumble Appearance: 2012
Total Appearances: 2
Average Entry Position: 24 (Highest: 23rd in 2014; Lowest: 24th in 2012)
Average Finish Position: 12 (Best: 10th in 2012; Worst: 13th in 2014)
Total Eliminations: N/A
Cesaro
Announced his entry on January 15th, 2021
First Royal Rumble Appearance: 2013
Total Appearances: 6
Average Entry Position:
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Total Eliminations: 5
Jeff Hardy
Announced his entry on January 18th, 2021
First Royal Rumble Appearance: 2001
Total Appearances: 5
Average Entry Position:
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Total Eliminations:
Sami Zayn
Announced his entry on January 22nd, 2021
First Royal Rumble Appearance: 2016
Total Appearances: 3
Average Entry Position: 13 (Highest: 8th in 2017; Lowest: 20th in 2016)
Average Finish Position: 16 (Best: 6th in 2017; Worst: 26th in 2018)
Total Eliminations: 1
Dolph Ziggler
Announced his entry on January 22nd, 2021
First Royal Rumble Appearance: 2009
Total Appearances: 12 plus GRR
Average Entry Position:
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Total Eliminations:
Shinsuke Nakamura
Announced his entry on January 22nd, 2021
First Royal Rumble Appearance: 2018
Total Appearances: 3
Average Entry Position:
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Total Eliminations: 4
Big E
Announced his entry on January 22nd, 2021
First Royal Rumble Appearance: 2014
Total Appearances: 6 plus GRR
Average Entry Position:
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Total Eliminations: 1 (GRR)
John Morrison
Announced his entry on January 25th, 2021
First Royal Rumble Appearance: 2006
Total Appearances: 7
Average Entry Position:
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Total Eliminations:
Sheamus
Announced his entry on January 25th, 2021
First Royal Rumble Appearance: 2011
Total Appearances: 7
Average Entry Position:
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Total Eliminations:
Mustafa Ali
Announced his entry on January 25th, 2021
First Royal Rumble Appearance: 2019
Total Appearances: 1
Average Entry Position:
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Total Eliminations:
Edge
Announced his entry on January 25th, 2021
First Royal Rumble Appearance: 1999
Total Appearances: 7
Average Entry Position:
Average Finish Position:
Total Eliminations:
Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. WWE fan? You can check out an almost unlimited array of WWE content on the WWE Network. Make sure to watch the Royal Rumble on the WWE Network on January 31st, 2021.
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