Number 7: Coast to Coast
Who doesn’t love an underdog story? Chris Benoit was an underdog in 2004 to walk out of Philadelphia as the Royal Rumble winner. From Stampede Wrestling to Japan, with stops in WCW and ECW, Chris Benoit would come to the WWE as a great in ring performer. Solid and skilled, he lacked microphone skills to really get to the next level. He would enter at the Number 1 position, last over an hour, and eliminate The Big Show to earn his shot at the top. Benoit would do something that has started suspicion each year since. Benoit found a loophole, where he would challenge either the World Heavyweight Champion or the WWE Champion. He would then challenge Triple H and move to the Raw brand for this feud. With a draw between HBK and Triple H, it would be a Triple Threat match at WrestleMania XX , where Benoit would walk out. Royal Rumble 2004 proved to be the first step for Benoit’s career to take the next step, become the top guy in the top company. It really is a great story to see a guy who was not like every other champion make it to the top. Chris Benoit earned it through years of blood, sweat, and tears. His desire was untouched, and the fact he entered number one was the perfect spot for a guy to overcome 29 other men. Great match, and a great Rumble match because of Benoit.
