The Royal Rumble is one of the most important match-ups in WWE history. The over-the-top-rope extravaganza comes with the opportunity to headline WrestleMania. That being said, some superstars have managed to steal the show even without winning this epic match-up in the past.

Each WWE Royal Rumble match starts with two participants. But what were the best opening pairs from the 1980s to the present day?

The record for most wins is "Stone Cold" Steve Austin with three (1997, 1998, 2001). Seven other wrestlers have won the event twice: Hulk Hogan (1990, 1991), Shawn Michaels (1995, 1996), Triple H (2002, 2016), Batista (2005, 2014), John Cena (2008, 2013), Randy Orton (2009, 2017) and Cody Rhodes (2023, 2024).