It’s officially WWE Royal Rumble season once the clock turns to January 1st. All eyes in the wrestling world are fixated on the Royal Rumble. WWE’s Royal Rumble is one of the most intriguing PLEs that captivates the audience year in and year out.
The Royal Rumble match is so important as the winner punches their ticket to a world championship match at WrestleMania. Since 2018, fans have been treated to not one, but two Royal Rumble matches with the welcomed addition of the women’s Royal Rumble match.
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However, the women’s Royal Rumble match has not headlined the event since its inception in 2018, but some women’s Royal Rumble matches have outshone the men’s. Nevertheless, with every Royal Rumble match winner, someone has to be a runner-up.
There have been some stellar runner-up finishes in Royal Rumble matches over the years that were worthy of winning the Rumble. The best runner-ups of both the men’s and women’s Royal Rumble matches will be featured.
5. Rhea Ripley – 2021 Women’s
“The Nightmare” Rhea Ripley participated in the 2021 women’s Royal Rumble match as the 14th entrant, hellbent on competing in a championship match at WrestleMania 37. Ripley’s performance was nothing short of extraordinary. She eliminated seven wrestlers from the women’s Royal Rumble match. Toni Storm, Santana Garrett, Dana Brooke, Dakota Kai, Mandy Rose, Alexa Bliss, and two-time winner Charlotte Flair were her victims.
Ripley and Bianca Belair were the final two competitors. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, no fans were in attendance to witness their mini-match. The ThunderDome was set up, and fans in the audience watched from their home.
Ripley and Belair went back and forth, with both women desperate to compete in a women’s world championship match at WrestleMania. However, the EST of WWE eliminated Ripley to win the 2021 women’s Royal Rumble match. It was a valiant effort from Ripley, who endured 39 minutes.
