The WWE Universe had their eyes on the first pay-per-view of the year, Royal Rumble, and it was expected to start on a positive note after a tumultuous 2020. With six matches on the card, including four title matches, WWE certainly delivered an amazing show.
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One title changed hands, while the other three champions defended their respective titles successfully. Entering at number one, Edge stole the show by winning his second Royal Rumble match. On the other hand, Bianca Belair put on a great show to win the women's Royal Rumble match for the first time in her career. The 2021 Royal Rumble was a memorable event for some Superstars, while it was a forgettable one for a couple of them.
10 Stole The Show: Damian Priest
Damian Priest was the only NXT Superstar to enter the men's Royal Rumble this year, and he certainly made a mark. Entering the match at number 14, Priest lasted more than 15 minutes in the match before getting eliminated by Bobby Lashley.
While his time in the match might not sound very long, he looked strong throughout the match. Priest eliminated four men this year, becoming the Superstar to eliminate the most number of men this year along with Braun Strowman and Big E, who also threw four men each over the top.
9 Flopped: Nia Jax
Nia Jax had an impressive start of the night, as she won the Women's Tag Team Championship dethroning Asuka and Charlotte Flair. The match, however, was ordinary.
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Jax got the opportunity to enter the women's Royal Rumble match. Since a big competitor like Nia Jax entered at the number 29 spot, she was anticipated to last long, but she didn't even make it to the last five. Moreover, Lana eliminated her from the Rumble this year.
8 Stole The Show: Kevin Owens
Kevin Owens challenged Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship once again at Royal Rumble, where they crossed paths in a Last Man Standing match. Even though the Prize Fighter lost the match, he stole the show with his incredible performance.
It was arguably the best bout of their rivalry. While Owens got hit by a golf cart, he also executed an astounding Swanton Bomb off the forklift. In the end, KO almost snatched the victory when he put The Tribal Chief in handcuffs, but Reigns managed to escape with the help of Paul Heyman.
7 Flopped: Dominik Mysterio
Dominik Mysterio entered his maiden Royal Rumble match this year. Given Dominik's momentum from the past year and his high-flying ability, the fans were expecting him to make an impact in the match. He went right after Baron Corbin, with whom he was having a feud on SmackDown.
The junior Mysterio eliminated his target King Corbin, but he didn't last beyond two minutes in that match, nor did he get the chance to be in the Royal Rumble match with Rey Mysterio, who entered a few minutes later.
6 Stole The Show: Drew McIntyre
A majority of fans were certainly dubious whether Drew McIntyre would be able to conquer a brutal force like Goldberg at the 2021 Royal Rumble, considering the WCW legend's track record of burying new talents in recent years. Nonetheless, The Scottish Warrior gave a stellar performance to slay the two-time Universal Champion.
Not many wrestlers managed to kick out of the Jackhammer, but McIntyre did it. Similarly, Goldberg also kicked out of the first Claymore, but the second Claymore was enough to pin him.
5 Flopped: Alexa Bliss
Alexa Bliss had a huge momentum before heading to the 2021 Royal Rumble because she pinned the RAW Women's Champion, Asuka, two weeks before the pay-per-view. Consequently, she was one of the favorites to win the battle royal match this year.
Bliss entered at number 27, which even raised her chance to win it. Surprisingly, Bliss only remained in the match for a couple of minutes. Before she could bring out her alter ego in the middle of the match, Rhea Ripley threw her out of the squared circle.
4 Stole The Show: Bianca Belair
Bianca Belair was the third participant to enter the women's Royal Rumble match. Given her strength and stature, the Royal Rumble match was a perfect place to showcase her talent, and she did it in style.
Belair won the match by last eliminating Rhea Ripley and lasting over 56 minutes. She also eliminated four women in the match. WWE certainly made a new star at the women's Royal Rumble this year.
3 Flopped: Randy Orton
While Randy Orton might be a two-time Royal Rumble winner and was close to tying Stone Cold Steve Austin's record of three Royal Rumble victories this year, his performance was dismal. More than Orton's performance, it was certainly a booking error of WWE.
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Orton entered the match at the number 2 position, but he was ambushed by Edge. As the former was taken to the medical facility, he didn't compete in the whole match until returning at the last moment to end up as a runner-up this year.
2 Stole The Show: Edge
Edge had an insurmountable task in his hands since he entered the Royal Rumble match from the first position. The Rated R Superstar made history by becoming one of the eight Superstar to win a Royal Rumble for the second time in his career, as his first one was a decade ago in 2010.
Edge not only won the Rumble but also lasted over 58 minutes in the match from the start to end, eliminating three other Superstars. With the victory, the WWE Hall of Famer will get an opportunity to win his twelfth World Title on The Grandest Stage of Them All.
1 Flopped: Carmella
Carmella had a double duty at the 2021 Royal Rumble, but she had failed to deliver in both matches. First, she challenged the SmackDown Women's Champion, Sasha Banks. Despite showing valor against The Boss, she lost the bout.
Carmella then entered the women's Royal Rumble match at number 24, but she failed to capitalize there as well. The Untouchable One touched the floor within a couple of minutes after entering the match.
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