Search - WWE Royal Rumble - The Complete Anthology, Vol. 1 on DVD

The Beginning Of A Dynasty

D.P. | California | 08/25/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"1988 - The beginning of a traditon here as this was the first Rumble in WWF history as a special on USA network. This Rumble only featured 20 men which Hacksaw Jim Duggan became the first winner of the event. Ricky Steamboat fought Rick Rude, two sets of 2 out of 3 falls matches featuring a rare title defence of the Womens Tag Team Championship between the Jumping Bomb Angles & Glamour Girls along with Young Stallions vs. Islanders. Other highlights included the Hogan/Andre II contract signing & Dino Bravo setting a new bench press record.

1989 - This first Rumble on PPV which had the match go to it's normal format of 30 men instead of the previous 20. Big John Studd returned to the WWF in a big way by winning the Rumble which featured such highlights as Demolition members Ax & Smash drawing the first two numbers and confrontation between Hogan & Savage after Savage was eliminated by Hogan. There was also a 2 out of 3 falls match between Hart Foundation/Jim Duggan vs. Dino Bravo/Rougeau Brothers, a match for the title of "King Of Wrestling" between King Haku & Harley Race, a bodybuilding contest between Rick Rude & Ultimate Warrior, and the Womens Champion Rockin' Robin vs. Judy Martin. One funny thing to look out for was the story behind Ted Dibiase buying the #30 spot in the Rumble.

1990 - The first Rumble of the new decade started the tease of the dream match in WWF at that time between
Hulk Hogan & Ultimate Warrior before Hogan would go on to win one of the best Rumbles in history. Undercard matches to look out for were Bushwackers vs. Rougeau Brothers, Brutus Beefcake vs. The Genius, a submission match between Ronnie Garvin & Greg Valentine, and Big Boss Man vs. Jim Duggan.

1991 - This was the beginning of using the Royal Rumble to kick off the "Road To WrestleMania" by starting to buildup not only their main event matches but their undercard matches as well for the biggest event of the year. Hulk Hogan won the Rumble this year while Sgt. Slaughter defeated Ultimate Warrior for the WWF Title with help from Randy Savage setting up the two WM main events. The Dusty & Dustin Rhodes vs. Ted Dibiase & Virgil match was just background to the long awaited Virgil turn against Dibiase setting up their match. Big Boss Man continued to battle the Heenan family members one by one as he took on Barbarian, Other matches include Rockers vs. Orient Express & Mountie vs. Koko B. Ware. One of the best overall Rumble cards in history.

1992 - For the first (and so far last) time in history, the winner of the Rumble became the World Champion. Ric Flair won this one & the WWF Title as this was one of the most entertaining Rumbles down to Bobby Heenan reacting to Flair's every move on commentary. Other highlights of this Rumble was Randy Savage getting his hands on Jake Roberts and the Hogan/Sid confrontation at the end,. The undercard featured Roddy Piper winning his first championship in WWF as he won the Intercontinental Title from The Mountie, New Foundation vs. Orient Express, Legion Of Doom vs. Natural Disasters, and Beverly Brothers vs. Bushwackers."