The 2024 Royal Rumble is just a few days away and soon we will have another woman added to the list of past winners. That is of course unless we get our first two time winner!
It is hard to believe we have had six prior women rumble matches already in history. Now that we have enough under our belt, below is Diva Dirt’s rankings of the Final Four. We’ll start from the worst to the best.
2022 – Ronda Rousey, Shayna Baszler, Charlotte Flair, Bianca Belair
The final four of the 2022 Rumble match just took the wind out of many fans sails when Ronda Rousey returned and won it all. After being gone from the company for well over two years, Rousey came back at number 28 and cleaned house. A lot of the lack of care for Rousey’s return was how she left with a negative cloud as she stepped away from the ring.
The final four wasn’t fresh either. Bianca had just won the prior year, and Charlotte won in 2020 and has been in the final four multiple times before. Charlotte was also the SmackDown Women’s Champion at this time, so her even being in the match made zero sense.
This is by fat the worst final four.
2020 – Charlotte Flair, Shayna Baszler, Natalya, Beth Phoenix
It is important to note that the rest on this list weren’t “bad” by any means. However, with the following being better this one lands here on the list.
The positives of this final four was the storytelling. Between Charlotte and Shayna on one end and Natalya and Beth on the other. Beth lasting to the final four despite having her head busted open was admirable. Beth also obtained revenge on Natalya from their prior Rumble match together as she tossed Natalya over the top rope to eliminate her.
Beth making it to the final four was great for a legend. Only thing that I feel is a downside is that Charlotte did not need to win this. Shayna should have. I feel Charlotte could have won it later in her career.
2021 – Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair, Natalya, Rhea Ripley
The main reason this is above 2020 is because of who the final two were plus the winner. Bianca winning was a pretty big deal here for many reasons and there were a lot of doubters that it was going to happen.
The final two being Bianca and Rhea also seemed very fresh. They had great chemistry throughout the match and eliminating Charlotte together was a fun spot. For this Rumble being without live fans it was pretty memorable.
2023 – Rhea Ripley, Liv Morgan, Asuka, Nikki Cross
If it wasn’t for Nikki Cross being in this final four it would have been higher. And no disrespect for Nikki, but it just didn’t make sense. The other three really cooked for this final four though.
The final sequence was so good and probably the best on this list. Liv being misted, Rhea eliminating Asuka, and then taking advantage of a blinded Liv.
Plus, having Rhea and Liv start as the final two and lasting tot he final two was fun.
2019 – Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, Nia Jax, Bayley
This final four was so good and despite how most felt of this Rumble as a whole saved it. Becky not originally being in the Rumble and taking Lana’s spot certainly gave away who the winner would be. However, the history between the fibal four was great here and also the closest we got to a final four horsewoman moment.
Nia certainly had purpose in this final four, but just think if it was Sasha instead.
2018 – Asuka, Nikki Bella, Brie Bella, Sasha Banks
Nostalgia wins in the end. Although this result was rathe expected due to Asuka’s undefeated streak, it was still so memorable. The Bella Twins being in the final four seemed correct and the turn from Nikki on Brie was a great pop from the crowd.
Sasha lasting from the number one position to the final four and nearly for an hour seemed very correct. If it wasn’t for Asuka’s undefeated streak this one should have gone to Sasha in retrospect.
A final four that will be hard to beat.
Who do we all think will be the final four this year? And do you think it could top this list? Discuss below.
