Top 5 Longest Time Spent In A WWE Royal Rumble Match, Ranked

The Royal Rumble is a big deal for wrestling fans, and it's exciting to see who will come out on top. Winning the men's or women's Royal Rumble means getting a shot at the World Championship at WrestleMania.

But the real challenge is endurance – the longer you stay in the Royal Rumble match, the better. The person who lasts the longest is called the "Iron Man" or "Iron Woman." There's no special prize for it, but it's still a cool accomplishment to stick it out in the Royal Rumble for a long time. As the 2024 Royal Rumble approaches, let's look back at some records set by wrestlers over the years.

#1. Daniel Bryan - 76:05 (2018 Greatest Royal Rumble)

WWE acknowledges Daniel Bryan as the person who spent the most time in a single Royal Rumble. The 2018 Greatest Royal Rumble had a record 50 participants, which is more than the usual 30 in a regular Royal Rumble. Despite this, Bryan worked hard all night to reach the final three. Although he fell short in the end, it seemed like nobody could stop Braun Strowman that night. He managed to eliminate an impressive thirteen opponents on his way to victory. Interestingly, Daniel Bryan was not one of those thirteen.

#2. Gunther - 71:40 (2023)

Gunther holds the second spot with a total time of 71:40. However, it's important to mention that Gunther is recognized as the record holder in traditional 30-man Rumble matches with a time of 1:11:40. Daniel Bryan's time of 1:16:05 was achieved in a 50-man Rumble.

Gunther entered first and got eliminated by Cody Rhodes, the winner of the 2023 Royal Rumble.

#3. Rey Mysterio - 62:12 (2006)

In the 2006 Royal Rumble, Rey Mysterio stood tall against the WWE giants. He endured physical attacks for over an hour, making it to the final three against former Evolution members Triple H and Randy Orton.

By eliminating both, Rey Mysterio secured a significant victory, elevating himself in the WWE. This triumph paved the way for him to solidify his position by winning the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 22, defeating Randy Orton and Kurt Angle. Rey Mysterio, known for his thrilling style, never had to go back to being a mid-carder after that.

#4. Chris Benoit - 61:31 (2004)

Although WWE may want to overlook its history with Chris Benoit, there's no denying the impact the "Canadian Crippler" had at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia in 2004. In that year's Royal Rumble, Benoit entered as the first participant, breaking a decade-old record for the longest time in a single rumble. He was also only the second winner up to that point to enter at #1.

Benoit's significant victory paved the way for him to compete for and win his only World Heavyweight Championship later that year at WrestleMania 20. In a triple threat match, he defeated Triple H and Shawn Michaels.

#5. Rhea Ripley - 61:08 (2023)

Rhea Ripley's move from NXT to the main roster has been impressive in WWE. In the 2023 Women's Royal Rumble, Ripley came in first and stayed in the match until the end, ultimately winning it. This adds up to a total time of 61 minutes and 8 seconds, making her the first woman in WWE to achieve such a feat.

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