The Royal Rumble is a key event in WWE with its 30-man elimination match determining the WWE Championship contender. Iconic final four showdowns have

Roman Reigns winning the most bleak match in WWE history was a major factor, as tracked by the excellent Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics. The backlash to that dismal match informed the worst ratings pattern on the road to WrestleMania since 1996.

Following the blockbuster declarations from Roman Reigns, John Cena and CM Punk, two more former WWE Champions are entering the Royal Rumble match.