Standing tall in the ThunderDome, fireworks exploding around him, Edge pointed at the WrestleMania sign. It was the culmination of a miracle comeback story. Nine years prior, he was forced to retire due to neck injuries. Now, he was going to the main event of WrestleMania.
As the numbers climbed into the double digits, the storytelling ramped up.
was taken to the back early in the match with an "injury" but never officially eliminated, returning at the very end to attempt an RKO before threw him out. royal rumble 2021 men's full match
You can view a breakdown of every superstar's performance in reports provided by sites like Cageside Seats and Forbes . Eliminated By Key Performance Stat Total Time: 58:28 Randy Orton Lasted until the final two Duration: 13:04 Surprise return after 11 years Omos (not in match) 4 eliminations Damian Priest Bobby Lashley Eliminated 4 superstars (most for a rookie) Daniel Bryan Seth Rollins Favorite to win; lasted 28:51 Damian Priest Surprise return; eliminated 2 people Seth Rollins First match since 2014 Seth Rollins Surprise return; made final four Braun Strowman Eliminated 3 people in 7:24 Highlight Moments Fans on Reddit highlighted the emotional return of , who reunited with in the ring, as well as appearances by Hurricane Helms The Bad Bunny Factor: Musical guest participated in a spot where he dove off the top rope onto John Morrison after they were eliminated. 's "Ghost" Run: Randy Orton
The early going was a methodical pace, allowing Edge to show he hadn't lost a step. As the entrants trickled in—ranging from "The Miz" to Elias and eventual Intercontinental Champion Big E—the ring began to fill with mid-card contenders looking for their breakout moment. Standing tall in the ThunderDome, fireworks exploding around
As the field thinned, the final four appeared to be (#30). Rollins convinced Strowman to team up against the veteran duo of Edge and Christian, but the alliance quickly dissolved.
Made his first WWE appearance in over a decade, looking in remarkable physical condition. Now, he was going to the main event of WrestleMania
The match began with a bitter rivalry as (#1) and Randy Orton (#2) started the contest. The two immediately took their fight outside the ring, where Edge attacked Orton with a steel chair, leaving "The Viper" with a scripted leg injury that forced him to be taken to the back. While Orton was gone for most of the match, he was never officially eliminated, a detail that became critical in the closing moments. Surprise Entrants and Legend Returns
The final stretch saw the arrival of the main event players. Braun Strowman entered at #26, causing immediate destruction. He was followed by the volatile Shane McMahon at #27, bringing his signature high-flying risk-taking style. Shane-O-Mac actually scored a massive elimination by tossing Strowman out, proving his knack for the Rumble format.
Just as Edge appeared to have won, a "recovered" slid back into the ring to deliver an RKO. However, Edge anticipated the follow-up, countered Orton ’s attempt to throw him out, and dumped Orton over the top rope to secure his second Royal Rumble victory. Full Entrance and Elimination Highlights Eliminated By Edge WINNER Randy Orton Carlito Damian Priest Bobby Lashley Kane Damian Priest Christian Seth Rollins Seth Rollins Braun Strowman Edge & Christian