The Rock will go down in history as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. The 10-time WWE World Champion had a fantastic wrestling career, and during his time, Rock feuded with the likes of Steve Austin and Triple H over the WWE Championship during the heights of his WWE career. The Royal Rumble is one of the most hotly anticipated events of the year and Rock had some memorable moments at the Royal Rumble.
The Rock didn't just feature in Royal Rumble matches at the showpiece event, he was involved in championship matches at the Royal Rumble. Not all of Rock's matches at the Royal Rumble were five-star epics, but the majority of his matches at the Royal Rumble were superb contests with Rock producing his very best inside the squared circle.
8 Royal Rumble Match - 1997
The Rock was just two months into his WWE career as Rocky Maivia when he competed in his first Royal Rumble match in 1997. Maivia was the 25th entrant in the Royal Rumble match, and he mixed it up with the likes of Terry Funk and his future rival Mankind.
He lasted 13 minutes which isn't bad for a Rumble debutant, and for someone who wasn't a contender to win the Rumble at this stage in his career. He failed to eliminate anyone, but his quest of winning the Rumble was curtailed by Mankind.
7 The Rock Vs. Ken Shamrock - 1998
The Rock competed in his first singles match at the Royal Rumble in 1998, and he defended the Intercontinental Championship against Ken Shamrock. They had a back-and-forth match, and Rock had some assistance from his Nation stablemates throughout the bout.
Rock attempted to retain the Intercontinental Championship by hitting the World's Most Dangerous Man with brass knuckles, but Shamrock kicked out. Rock put the brass knuckles in Shamrock's tights and Shamrock executed the belly-to-belly suplex thinking he'd won the Intercontinental Championship. Rock lied to the referee explaining that he was hit with the brass knuckles, and the result was reversed with Rock retaining by DQ.
6 Royal Rumble Match - 2001
The Rock was looking to join Hulk Hogan, Shawn Michaels, and Steve Austin as back-to-back Royal Rumble match winners in 2001. The Great One joined the 2001 Royal Rumble match as the 13th entrant, and he spent 38 minutes and 42 seconds in the Rumble.
Rock eliminated The Goodfather, Big Show, and Rikishi from the Rumble. However, Rock's quest at winning the 2001 Royal Rumble match was put in serious jeopardy by Big Show, who Chokeslammed him through the broadcast table. Rock was tantalizingly close to winning another Rumble, but he was eliminated in the final three by eventual runner-up Kane, who scored his then-record 11th elimination in the match.
5 Royal Rumble Match - 1998
The Rock pulled double duty at the 1998 Royal Rumble, as he competed in the 1998 Royal Rumble match. The reigning Intercontinental Champion was the fourth entrant, and he showcased his endurance by lasting 51 minutes and 32 seconds.
Rock was a contender to win the Rumble, and he registered three eliminations. He aided four other competitors in eliminating Kurrgan from the Rumble. Rock eliminated Shamrock, who he retained the Intercontinental Championship against earlier in the night, and the Nation leader Faarooq was eliminated by Rock. Nevertheless, a precursor of things to come, Rock and Austin were the final two competitors and Austin dumped Rock over the top rope to win his second Rumble in succession.
4 Royal Rumble Match - 2000
The Rock was the odds-on favorite to win the 2000 Royal Rumble match with the lack of star power that was involved in the first Royal Rumble match of the new millennium. Nevertheless, Rock could beat who was in front of him, and Rock was the 24th participant in the Royal Rumble match.
Rock eliminated Big Boss Man, Crash Holly, and Al Snow from the Royal Rumble match. Big Show would have felt aggrieved for not winning the Rumble as both of Rock's feet touched the floor, which the referee failed to spot but Rock overcame Show to become one of the youngest Royal Rumble match winners in WWE history.
3 The Rock Vs. CM Punk - 2013
For the first time in 11 years, The Rock competed in a WWE Championship match at the Royal Rumble in 2013. The People's Champion challenged CM Punk for the gold, who was 434 days strong into his WWE Championship reign.
Rock and Punk's WWE Championship match was decent, and both men enjoyed spells of dominance. Rock attempted the Rock Bottom through the Spanish broadcast table, but the table gave way. Mr. McMahon restarted the match with Punk thinking he was going to retain the WWE Championship, and Rock connected with the People's Elbow to become WWE Champion for the 10th time.
2 The Rock Vs. Mankind - 1999
The Rock and Mankind clashed in an "I Quit" match for the WWE Championship at the 1999 Royal Rumble. It was a brutal WWE Championship match which is best remembered for Rock hitting Mankind with 11 unprotected chair shots to the head.
Mankind's family was at ringside, and they had to watch the drama unfold. Nevertheless, it was a superb WWE Championship match between the two rivals. Ultimately, Rock regained the WWE Championship with a pre-recording of Mankind uttering the words "I Quit" which was enough for Rock to bring the championship back to the Corporation.
1 The Rock Vs. Chris Jericho - 2002
The Rock and his rival Chris Jericho clashed over the Undisputed WWE Championship at the 2002 Royal Rumble. This was one of the best matches on the card, and they did not fail to disappoint. Rock and Jericho have excellent chemistry together, and this was another example of the pair having a barnburner of a wrestling match.
Lance Storm and Christian interfered to give their compatriot a helping hand. Rock put Jericho through the broadcast table with his patented Rock Bottom. Rock was close to winning the championship, but Jericho sent Rock into the exposed turnbuckle, and he executed a roll-up and put his feet on the ropes for leverage to successfully defend the Undisputed WWE Championship.