{"id":149776,"date":"2026-01-02T08:00:45","date_gmt":"2026-01-02T13:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=149776"},"modified":"2026-01-02T04:26:59","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T09:26:59","slug":"wwe-attitude-era-every-wwe-championship-match-at-the-royal-rumble-ranked","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2026\/01\/02\/wwe-attitude-era-every-wwe-championship-match-at-the-royal-rumble-ranked\/","title":{"rendered":"WWE Attitude Era: Every WWE Championship Match At The Royal Rumble, Ranked"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Royal Rumble is traditionally viewed as the official starting point on the road to WrestleMania. The January PPV is one of the most prestigious events on WWE&#8217;s calendar. However, the Royal Rumble match is the main selling point of the event, but high-stakes WWE Championship matches on the card are just as important.<\/p>\n<p>In 1992 and 2016, the WWE Championship was on the line in Royal Rumble matches. Nevertheless, the Attitude Era was star-studded, and several blockbuster WrestleMania-quality WWE Championship matches occurred at the Royal Rumble.<\/p>\n<p><strong>RELATED:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"79osKKKrt2\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2025\/12\/31\/singles-matches-that-closed-out-the-wwe-royal-rumble-ple-ranked\/\" target=\"_self\">Singles Matches that Closed Out the WWE Royal Rumble PLE, Ranked<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Singles Matches that Closed Out the WWE Royal Rumble PLE, Ranked&#8221; &#8212; Last Word on Pro Wrestling\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2025\/12\/31\/singles-matches-that-closed-out-the-wwe-royal-rumble-ple-ranked\/embed\/#?secret=GQv06bKxqQ#?secret=79osKKKrt2\" data-secret=\"79osKKKrt2\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Some of the WWE Championship matches in the Attitude Era were so good that they could have closed out the Royal Rumble. All five of the WWE Championship matches that happened in the Attitude Era did not fail to disappoint. The storytelling was excellent in these title bouts, and four of the five victors walked into WrestleMania as the defending WWE Champion, showcasing the significance of a successful title defense at the Rumble.<\/p>\n<h2>5. Kurt Angle Vs. Triple H &#8211; Royal Rumble 2001<\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Story of Kurt Angle vs. Triple H at Royal Rumble 2001\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/NI9oyU2S_oo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The WWE Championship match between Kurt Angle and Triple H at the 2001 Royal Rumble is often forgotten about. Their title bout was an underrated gem, but the<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2025\/12\/31\/the-5-greatest-wwe-royal-rumble-matches-in-history\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> 2001 Royal Rumble match is widely-regarded as one of the best<\/span><\/a>, which is why this WWE Championship match gets lost in the shuffle. However, both men were heels with both desperate to walk into WrestleMania X-Seven as the reigning WWE Champion.<\/p>\n<p>Angle and the Game had good chemistry, and their match clicked. Triple H was close to regaining the WWE Championship after he executed the Pedigree, but the referee was knocked down. However, Triple H&#8217;s rival, Steve Austin, interfered, and he attacked Triple H.<\/p>\n<p>The Texas Rattlesnake clocked the Game with the WWE Championship, with the challenger busted wide open. Austin added insult to injury by executing the Stunner on Triple H, and Angle took advantage to retain the WWE Championship.<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<h2>4. Shawn Michaels Vs. The Undertaker &#8211; Royal Rumble 1998<\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"FULL MATCH: Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker \u2013 WWE Title Casket Match: Royal Rumble 1998\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/6RKlUZc0I7Q?start=1400&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>For the third time in five years, The Undertaker featured in a WWE Championship match at the Royal Rumble. The Deadman challenged Shawn Michaels for the WWE Championship in a casket match in the main event of the 1998 Royal Rumble. Michaels and Undertaker&#8217;s title match was solid, but this casket match is infamous for Michaels sustaining a career-threatening back injury.<\/p>\n<p>In the early knockings of the bout, Michaels&#8217; back hit the back edge of the casket. He herniated a disc in his back, which stole four years of his wrestling career. HBK grimaced his way through and still put on a good performance. Undertaker executed one of the best Tombstones in his career when he Tombstoned Michaels into the casket.<\/p>\n<p>However, there was outside interference, and Kane came to his brother&#8217;s aid. It was a ruse as Kane turned on Undertaker and chokeslammed his brother into the casket. Michaels and Triple H closed the casket lid shut with the Heartbreak Kid retaining the WWE Championship in the best casket match in WWE history.<\/p>\n<h2>3. Mankind Vs. The Rock &#8211; Royal Rumble 1999<\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Mankind vs. The Rock - WWE Championship &quot;I-Quit&quot; Match: Royal Rumble 1999\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jBFQ81l7iK0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Mankind and The Rock&#8217;s feud over the WWE Championship in the Attitude Era was one of the most fascinating feuds in WWE history. <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2025\/11\/13\/every-wwe-championship-match-at-survivor-series-in-the-1990s-ranked\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Both men defeated each other to kickstart their maiden WWE Championship reigns<\/span><\/a>. However, their encounter at the 1999 Royal Rumble was one of their most controversial. They clashed in a violent &#8220;I Quit&#8221; match with Mrs. Foley&#8217;s Baby Boy defending his title.<\/p>\n<p>Mankind&#8217;s family was in attendance, and he was on the receiving end of several unprotected chair shots to the head. Mankind was defenseless as he was handcuffed. A ladder was featured in the bout, and Rock attempted the Rock Bottom on the broadcast table, but with both men weighing close to 300 pounds, the table gave way.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, the Corporate Champion became a two-time WWE Champion after Mankind uttered the words &#8220;I Quit,&#8221; later revealing that it was via a pre-recorded audio tape, not Mankind speaking the words into the microphone live.<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<h2>2. Chris Jericho Vs. The Rock &#8211; Royal Rumble 2002<\/h2>\n<p>While The Rock was one of the biggest stars in the Attitude Era, there was someone other than Steve Austin who had The Rock&#8217;s number, and that was Chris Jericho. <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2025\/12\/11\/5-best-wwe-matches-of-chris-jericho-ranked\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Jericho defeated Rock for his first world championship at No Mercy 2001<\/span><\/a>, and Jericho repeated the feat when he defeated Rock at Vengeance 2001 en route to becoming the first-ever Undisputed WWE Champion. Their final one-on-one meeting on a WWE PPV was at the 2002 Royal Rumble.<\/p>\n<p>Jericho and Rock&#8217;s contests were enjoyable, and they were evenly matched. Their Rumble meeting was another high-level match despite outside interference from Christian and Lance Storm. The People&#8217;s Champion put Jericho through the announce table with his patented Rock Bottom. Nevertheless, Jericho regrouped, and he cheated to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship by putting his feet on the ropes for leverage.<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<h2>1. Triple H Vs. Cactus Jack &#8211; Royal Rumble 2000<\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"FULL MATCH: Triple H vs. Cactus Jack \u2013 WWE Title Street Fight: Royal Rumble 2000\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2uUGE_VGUAA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>2000 started perfectly for Triple H as he defeated Big Show for his third WWE Championship on the first episode of Raw in the new millennium. The Game&#8217;s feud with his old foe Mick Foley was reignited once again.<\/p>\n<p>The McMahon-Helmsley faction ran roughshod in the first half of 2000, and Triple H&#8217;s WWE Championship was on the line in a Street Fight at the Royal Rumble. Foley, in his Cactus Jack gimmick, had the hometown support with the Rumble emanating in the hallowed halls of Madison Square Garden.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_149798\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-149798\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-149798 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2026\/01\/22-1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"A WWE Royal Rumble graphic.\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2026\/01\/22-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2026\/01\/22-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2026\/01\/22-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2026\/01\/22-1.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-149798\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley accompanied her husband to the ring, but wisely returned to the locker room. Triple H and Foley stole the show in a perfectly constructed Street Fight. As customary in high-profile Triple H matches, he wore the proverbial crimson mask. Jack attempted to put Triple H through the broadcast table with a piledriver, but Triple H reversed it.<\/p>\n<p>The reigning champion was battered and bloodied, and a chunk of wood was etched into his leg. Nevertheless, the Game showcased his toughness and the importance of the WWE Championship to him. <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2025\/12\/23\/5-best-matches-of-mick-foleys-wwe-career\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">He executed the Pedigree on the Hardcore Legend<\/span> <\/a>face-first into thumbtacks, retaining the WWE Title in an instant classic.<\/p>\n<p><strong>More From LWOS Pro Wrestling<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em><i>Header photo \u2013 WWE \u2013 Stay tuned to the\u00a0<\/i><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/\" target=\"_self\"><em><u><i>Last Word on Pro Wrestling<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a><em><i> for more on WWE Royal Rumble and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the significant news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world.<\/i><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><i>You can check out WWE programming on\u00a0<\/i><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.netflix.com\/title\/81788927\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><u><i>Netflix<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a><em><i>\u00a0(Raw),\u00a0<\/i><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usanetwork.com\/wwe-friday-night-smackdown\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><u><i>USA Network<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a><em><i>\u00a0(SmackDown),\u00a0<\/i><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cwtv.com\/shows\/wwe-nxt\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><u><i>The CW<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a><em><i>\u00a0(NXT),\u00a0<\/i><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/tubitv.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><u><i>Tubi<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a><em><i>\u00a0(WWE Evolve),\u00a0<\/i><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aetv.com\/wwe\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><u><i>A&amp;E<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a><em><i>\u00a0(WWE Superstar Sunday \u2013 Rivals, WWE LFG, and Greatest Moments), and\u00a0<\/i><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peacocktv.com\/watch\/home\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><u><i>Peacock<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a><em><i>\u00a0(WWE Main Event, as well as archives and premium live event streaming). Follow WWE on social media to relive top moments and matches on\u00a0<\/i><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/wwe\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><u><i>YouTube<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a><em><i>, and catch fast-paced action on X (<\/i><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/i\/events\/1773457579022155776?lang=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><u><i>WWE Speed<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a><em><i>).<\/i><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Royal Rumble is traditionally viewed as the official starting point on the road to WrestleMania. The January PPV is one of the most prestigious events on WWE&#8217;s calendar. However, the Royal Rumble match is the main selling point of the event, but high-stakes WWE Championship matches on the card are just as important. In [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5695,"featured_media":149797,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7205,2192,4,3],"tags":[397],"class_list":["post-149776","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-history","category-wrestling","category-wwe","category-wwe-universe","tag-royal-rumble"],"modified_by":"Michael Joseph Sugue, Manager","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/149776","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5695"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=149776"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/149776\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":149799,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/149776\/revisions\/149799"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/149797"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=149776"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=149776"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=149776"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}