Royal Rumble 2024: Rhodes Makes History, Bayley Breaks Record on Road to WrestleMania
LONDON, 17 January 2026 – As the wrestling world prepares for the 2026 Royal Rumble in Riyadh, we revisit one of the most memorable editions of the classic event. The 2024 Royal Rumble, held on 27 January at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, saw Cody Rhodes achieve a rare feat and Bayley set a new standard of endurance, with both earning championship opportunities at WrestleMania XL.
Historic Night for The American Nightmare
Cody Rhodes entered the Men’s Royal Rumble match at number 15 and survived a field of 29 other competitors to secure his victory. In doing so, he became only the fourth superstar in history to win back-to-back Royal Rumbles, joining an elite group that includes “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels, and Hulk Hogan. The final four came down to Rhodes, CM Punk (who made a highly-anticipated return at number 27), Gunther, and Drew McIntyre. After a tense final showdown, Rhodes eliminated Punk to punch his ticket to WrestleMania, where he would later challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
Bayley’s Record-Setting Triumph
In the Women’s Royal Rumble, Bayley faced a daunting challenge, entering the match at number three. She defied the odds by outlasting every other competitor, setting a new Women’s Royal Rumble record by surviving for one hour, three minutes, and three seconds (1:03:03). Her path to victory included eliminating final opponents Tiffany Stratton and Bianca Belair in one swift move, before finally dispatching the returning Liv Morgan to earn her championship match at The Show of Shows.
Key Facts & Figures: Royal Rumble 2024
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Date & Location | 27 January 2024 | Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida |
| Men’s Rumble Winner | Cody Rhodes (Entrant #15) |
| Women’s Rumble Winner | Bayley (Entrant #3) |
| New Record Set | Bayley: Longest time in a Women’s Rumble (1:03:03) |
| Other Championship Results | Roman Reigns retained the Undisputed WWE Universal Title in a Fatal 4-Way; Logan Paul retained the U.S. Title vs. Kevin Owens via DQ. |
| Notable Surprise Entrants | Andrade, TNA’s Jordynne Grace, Jade Cargill (WWE debut), CM Punk, Liv Morgan. |
| Reported Attendance | 48,044 (sell-out) |
The Royal Rumble: A Primer
The Royal Rumble match is a 30-person over-the-top-rope battle royal with a unique structure. It begins with two randomly drawn entrants, with a new competitor joining at timed intervals (typically every 90 seconds). Elimination occurs only when a wrestler is thrown over the top rope and both feet touch the floor. The last person standing wins a world championship match at that year’s WrestleMania. The women’s match was introduced in 2018, making the 2024 event the seventh to feature both a men’s and women’s Rumble.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the only wrestlers to win back-to-back Royal Rumbles?
Only four superstars have achieved this: Hulk Hogan (1990, 1991), Shawn Michaels (1995, 1996), “Stone Cold” Steve Austin (1997, 1998), and Cody Rhodes (2023, 2024).
What was significant about the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble?
Beyond Bayley’s record-setting win, the match featured a landmark appearance from TNA Knockouts World Champion Jordynne Grace, signalling a cooperative spirit between promotions. It also marked the highly-publicised WWE in-ring debut of Jade Cargill.
Where is the next Royal Rumble?
The 2026 Royal Rumble is scheduled for 31 January 2026 at the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This will mark the first time the event is held outside North America.