[Column] The Royal Rumble and a different look behind the numbers.

Every year in the weeks leading up to the Royal Rumble we get a view behind the numbers. We have all seen the video that talks about how many men have been in the Royal Ruble, what number entry has the most wins, even how much total weight has been in the Royal Rumble. As I was thinking about that video and the Royal Rumble match itself I couldn’t help but let my mind drift, and started to look at a different set of numbers.

A big deal is made out of what number you enter at, it seems 25-30 are very coveted spots. We all know there have been four winners from entry #27. But did you know entry #24 has three winners? There have been 18 winners from 20-30 which would be expected. But did you know 11-19 has only produced 3 winners while 1-10 has more than double that with 7?

Now let’s talk about size and if it really matters. Every year when Andre the Giant, Big Show, Mark Henry or any other big man walks out the announcer always asks “who is going to be able to get him over the top rope. “ The average weight and height of all the winners of the Royal Rumble is only 6’3” and 261 lbs. To put that in perspective Steve Austin is 6’2” and 252 lbs. Only 3 winners have been over 300 lbs, and only one over 400 lbs which was Yokozuna in 1993 weighing in at 589 lbs. And only 5 of the 22 different winners have been over 6’5”. And of the 5 men that have spent the most accumulated time in Royal Rumble matches only one is over 6’5” and 300 lbs.

This leads me to time. They keep record of time how long you last in the Royal Ruble like it is a badge of honor. But of the five men who have lasted over three total hours in the Royal Rumble match only 3 have won the Royal Rumble for a total of 4 times. Of the top twenty times lasted in one Rumble match only four have actually won the Royal Rumble itself.

Now let’s talk about Royal Rumble match experience. Another common statement each year is the announcer telling us how many times a wrestler has been in the Royal Ruble and how that experience will help. Excluding the first five Royal Rumbles, 5 wrestlers have won in their first five tries. Three have won in their first 3 tries. Age is also not much of a factor with the average age of the winners being 34, with three wrestlers winning in their twenties.

Now what do these numbers prove? Absolutely nothing, or does it? Could tomorrow night’s winner be 34 years of age or under? Could they be 6’3” and 260 lbs? Roman Reigns is 6’4” 280 and 29 years old. Dean Ambrose is 6’4” and 230 lbs. I will leave you with this final thought although he is way over 34 Sting is 6’2” and 250 lbs. Thanks for following along as I took a fun look at the Royal Rumble numbers