2019 to 2021 – Era of the Underdog, Non-Favorites go 4-for-6
While Seth Rollins added to a run of the Royal Rumble betting odds being six-in-a-row for the men in 2019, he would be the only man to win as a favorite for the next three years. Meanwhile, on the women’s side, Bianca Belair in 2021 was the only woman to win as a favorite following a two-year-run for the underdogs.
2019: Saying “I Do” to Winning the Rumble
Seth Rollins was a -175 favorite on the day of the Rumble; Braun Strowman was 2nd at +300
Becky Lynch was a +150 underdog on the day of the Rumble; Charlotte Flair was the favorite at -200
When it came to betting the 2019 Men’s Royal Rumble, it was Seth Rollins vs the field. Rollins opened as the favorite and closed as a huge favorite (he was at -175 to Braun Strowman’s +300 as the match closed in). Rollins entered 10th, lasted 43 minutes, and secured three eliminations including the most important one, the last one.
In the women’s rumble, much like Rollins, Charlotte Flair held the odds from start to finish. She had a nice gap over Becky Lynch in second (-200 to +150). However, when Flair entered at 13th, there was question on if she could still accomplish the feat. Flair battled til the end, lasting over 50 minutes and recording five eliminations. She couldn’t get the final one however as that belonged to her former friend-turned-rival, Lynch, who entered at 28 and won the whole thing. The two might not have been dating at the time but it’s a great story they’ll tell their daughter one day, of the year both mom and dad won the Royal Rumble.
2020: Year of the Underdog
Drew McIntyre was a +450 underdog on the day of the Rumble; Roman Reigns was the favorite at -350
Charlotte Flair was a +200 underdog on the day of the Rumble; Shayna Baszler was the favorite at -500
2020 turned into the year of Drew McIntyre as he largely held the company down during the Covid/Thunderdome era. The Royal Rumble was WWE’s third to last PPV before they began shows without live crowds and in more ways than one, it was memorable. 2020 marks the only time in the last decade that neither odds-on favorite won the rumble match. On the day of the rumble, McIntyre had the third best odds behind Brock Lesnar and the overwhelming favorite, Roman Reigns. Lesnar entered at one, McIntyre at 16, and Reigns at 26. McIntyre recorded six eliminations including both Reigns and Lesnar.
On the women’s side, Shayna Baszler closed at -500 to Charlotte Flair’s +200 but Flair wasn’t to be denied a year after losing the match to Lynch as a favorite. Flair won from No. 17, taking out Baszler, the match’s final entrant.
2021: Edging Out the Competition by Being the bEST
Edge was a +200 underdog on the day of the Rumble; Daniel Bryan was the favorite at +100
Bianca Belair was a +150 underdog on the day of the Rumble; Alexa Bliss was 2nd at +300
The 2020 Royal Rumble was an emotional one for the returning Edge, who had been out of action since 2011 after a neck injury led to an early forced retirement. Nine years later, Edge was back as a surprise entrant in the battle royal. He didn’t win but his showing was strong. The following year, Edge announced he’d be back in the Rumble with eyes on the prize. Though when the match began, Edge’s number was drawn first, seemingly pointing to the odds being correct, that with the 2nd best on the day of (and as low as fourth just a few days prior), he wouldn’t win. Much like in his career return however, Edge defied the odds. He last nearly an hour and eliminated three wrestlers, including his former tag team partner turned rival, Randy Orton.
Meanwhile on the women’s side, Bianca Belair was a bookend favorite, opening in early January with top odds and closing on the day of the Rumble with the same. And her odds didn’t really change in terms of the gap from first to second, only shortening a tad. 2021 was Belair’s year in more ways than one and her ascendance to becoming a top name in the women’s division began when she was victorious in this match.
