• On This Day In Pro Wrestling History (January 24, 1988) – WWF Royal Rumble 1988
On this day in Pro Wrestling history on January 24, 1988, the World Wrestling Federation aired the first ever ‘Royal Rumble’ LIVE on the USA Network from the Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
The very first (televised) Royal Rumble event was also the only Rumble that wasn’t a PPV, but aired on free television instead.
The Royal Rumble match itself had only 20 Wrestlers in it, as opposed to 30 Wrestlers like it had from the next year onwards (except in 2011 when it was 40 men).
The event also included Dino Bravo breaking a World Bench Press record (kayfabe wise, as Jesse Venture did help him a bit at the end) and the Hogan/André II contract signing.
This event was held on the same night as NWA Bunkhouse Stampede 1988, which was on PPV though.
Results:
– Ricky Steamboat defeated Rick Rude via DQ
– Two-out-of-three falls – WWF Women’s Tag Team Championship: The Jumping Bomb Angels defeated The Glamour Girls (c)
– Jim Duggan won the 20-man Royal Rumble match
– Two-out-of-three falls: The Islanders defeated The Young Stallions
• WWE Signs 2 TNA Veterans Ahead Of Royal Rumble 2019
According to PWInsider, TNA Impact Wrestling Hall Of Famer Abyss and TNA Veteran Sonjay Dutt are done with Impact Wrestling and have signed with WWE. Al Snow’s “Collar & Elbow” clothing Facebook page has confirmed this news as well.
Impact Wrestling President Ed Nordholm issued the following statement to Wrestlinginc regarding this:
“We reached an amicable agreement with Sonjay and Abyss to allow them to pursue this opportunity. They have been tremendous contributors to IMPACT Wrestling and we wish them every success. We are thrilled that Konnan and Tommy Dreamer have agreed to bring their 50+ years of experience to our core creative team.”
While the belief is that Abyss & Dutt are going to be used in backstage roles in WWE, this situation has begun speculation that WWE might use at least one of them (most likely Abyss) as a surprise entrant during this Sunday’s Men’s Royal Rumble 2019 match.
We’ll keep you updated regarding their status.
WATCH: Hot Footage Of WWE Commentator Renee Young In Bikini:
