Following Roman Reigns’ recent Royal Rumble victory, in which he triumphed in this event for a second time, we look at other wrestlers who have managed the same feat. This year’s Rumble featured 30 contestants and took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Some of the biggest stars in wrestling history have managed to win two Royal Rumble titles, and with the help of research from Bet442 casino, we recall these historic achievements.
The Royal Rumble remains one of the most physically demanding and career-defining matches in WWE. With 30 competitors entering at timed intervals and elimination only occurring when a wrestler is thrown over the top rope and both feet hit the floor, endurance, timing, and resilience are crucial. Winning it more than once is a rare milestone reserved for the very best.
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin (1997, 1998, 2001)
Stone Cold Steve Austin is the most successful Royal Rumble competitor in history, winning the match three times. Austin’s 1997 victory was controversial, as he was briefly eliminated before referees noticed, allowing him to return and ultimately win. In 1998, he eliminated The Rock to win back-to-back Rumbles at the height of WWE’s Attitude Era popularity.
His 2001 triumph came during one of the company’s hottest storylines, once again last eliminating Kane. These wins were pivotal in launching and reinforcing Austin’s WrestleMania main-event legacy.
Hulk Hogan (1990, 1991)
Hulk Hogan became the first superstar to win consecutive Royal Rumble matches. At the peak of Hulkamania, Hogan’s back-to-back wins cemented him as the face of WWE in the early 1990s. His 1990 win came after eliminating Mr Perfect, while in 1991, he last eliminated Earthquake. These victories strengthened his dominance heading into WrestleMania and helped establish the Royal Rumble as a legitimate pathway to championship glory.
Shawn Michaels (1995, 1996)
Shawn Michaels delivered historic back-to-back performances with wins in 1995 and 1996. In 1995, Michaels entered at number one and lasted over an hour, famously winning after narrowly keeping one foot from touching the floor, a moment replayed for decades.
In 1996, he repeated the feat, this time eliminating Diesel. These victories propelled Michaels into main-event status and are widely regarded as two of the greatest Rumble performances ever.
John Cena (2008, 2013)
John Cena shocked the world with his Royal Rumble victories in 2008 and 2013. Cena’s 2008 return from a torn pectoral muscle came months earlier than expected, and he entered at number 30 to a thunderous ovation at Madison Square Garden before winning the match.
His 2013 win saw him eliminate Ryback to secure another WrestleMania title opportunity, further proving his big-match pedigree.
Batista (2005, 2014)
Batista claimed Royal Rumble glory on two occasions, in both 2005 and 2014. The 2005 Rumble is remembered for its dramatic ending, where Batista and John Cena were accidentally eliminated simultaneously, forcing WWE Chairman Vince McMahon to restart the final moments; Batista eventually prevailed. In 2014, Batista returned to WWE and won again, though the crowd reaction was mixed, reflecting shifting fan sentiment during that era.
Triple H (2002, 2016)
Triple H demonstrated both longevity and dominance with wins on two occasions. His 2002 victory marked a triumphant return from a serious quadriceps injury, symbolising resilience and redemption.
Fourteen years later, in 2016, Triple H entered at number 30 and won the Rumble, which was contested for the WWE Championship itself, capturing the title in the process.
Randy Orton (2009, 2017)
Randy Orton secured victories in 2009 and 2017. In 2009, Orton eliminated Triple H to win amid a heated rivalry, setting the stage for a personal WrestleMania clash. His 2017 win came after outlasting Roman Reigns in the final moments, adding another accolade to a career already filled with championship success.
Edge (2010, 2021)
Edge captured Royal Rumble victories in 2010 and 2021. Edge’s 2010 win saw him return from an Achilles injury and outlast John Cena for the victory. His 2021 triumph was even more emotional. He entered at number one, he lasted over an hour and eliminated Randy Orton to win, completing one of the most remarkable comeback stories in wrestling history after a nine-year retirement.
Brock Lesnar (2003, 2022)
Brock Lesnar won the Royal Rumble in 2003 and 2022. Lesnar’s 2003 win came during his rapid rise to superstardom, when he eliminated The Undertaker to punch his ticket to WrestleMania. Nearly two decades later, in 2022, he re-entered the match late and dominated the field, eliminating Drew McIntyre to claim his second Rumble victory.
Cody Rhodes (2023, 2024)
Cody Rhodes achieved back-to-back Royal Rumble victories in 2023 and 2024. Rhodes’ 2023 win came after returning from a torn pectoral injury, eliminating Gunther in a dramatic final two showdown. In 2024, he repeated the accomplishment, becoming one of the few men in history to win consecutive Rumbles and solidifying his place at the forefront of WWE’s modern era.
Roman Reigns (2015, 2026)
Roman Reigns has won the Royal Rumble twice in 2015 and 2026. Reigns first won in 2015 by last eliminating Rusev, though the crowd reaction was divided. Over the following decade, he evolved into one of WWE’s most dominant champions. His 2026 victory in Riyadh marked his second Rumble triumph, reinforcing his status as one of the defining superstars of his generation.
A Rare and Historic Achievement
Winning the Royal Rumble more than once is an extraordinary feat that speaks to a superstar’s consistency, durability, and ability to perform under immense pressure. From the rebellious dominance of Steve Austin to the modern-day supremacy of Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns, these multiple-time winners have carved out a permanent place in WWE history.
