Battle royal (professional wrestling)

Professional wrestling

Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...

, a battle royal (sometimes battle royale; plural battles royal or battle royals) is a multi-competitor match type

Professional wrestling match types

Many types of matches, sometimes called "concept" or "gimmick matches" in the jargon of the business, can be found in the form of performing art that is professional wrestling....

in which wrestlers are eliminated until one is left and declared winner. Typical battle royals begin with 40 participants in the ring

Wrestling ring

A wrestling ring is the ring stage on which professional wrestlers wrestle.-Configuration and construction:The configuration and construction of the "traditional" ring is very similar to that of a boxing ring, though the wrestling version has three ring ropes...

, who are then eliminated by being thrown over the top rope and having both feet touch the venue floor.

Battlebowl

Created by World Championship Wrestling

World Championship Wrestling

World Championship Wrestling, Inc. was an American professional wrestling promotion which existed from 1988 to 2001. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it began as a regional promotion affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance , named Jim Crockett Promotions until November 1988, when Ted Turner and...

in 1991, the Battlebowl battle royal involved a multiple ring setup. Wrestlers were first thrown—over the top rope—from the first ring to the second, not actually being eliminated until going over the top rope of the second ring. "Survivors" of the first ring were allowed a rest period until the other ring was cleared.

Bunkhouse Stampede

The National Wrestling Alliance

National Wrestling Alliance

The National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...

's (NWA) Bunkhouse Stampede involved wrestlers wearing what was described as "bunkhouse gear"—cowboy boots, jeans

Jeans

Jeans are trousers made from denim. Some of the earliest American blue jeans were made by Jacob Davis, Calvin Rogers, and Levi Strauss in 1873. Starting in the 1950s, jeans, originally designed for cowboys, became popular among teenagers. Historic brands include Levi's, Lee, and Wrangler...

, t-shirts—instead of their normal wrestling tights and not only allowed but encouraged the bringing of weapons. In 1988 the NWA named a pay-per-view after the Bunkhouse Stampede

Bunkhouse Stampede

The Bunkhouse Stampede was a professional wrestling show held annually by Jim Crockett Promotions from 1985 through 1988.-Concept:In 1985, the NWA's Jim Crockett Promotions came up with a new match to increase the fans' interest in their product...

, headlined by a Bunkhouse Stampede match held inside a cage.

Gauntlet for the Gold

Gauntlet for the Gold is a variation on the battle royal used by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...

. In this version two wrestlers begin in the ring, with additional wrestlers entering on a set time period. Wrestlers are eliminated by being thrown over the top rope and to the floor until two wrestlers are left, at which point a standard singles match begins.

Last Blood battle royal

A Last Blood battle royal is essentially a multi-competitor First Blood match. The winner is the last wrestler in the match not bleeding,whereas the wrestler who got busted open will be eliminated from the competition.

Reverse battle royal

A reverse battle royal begins with wrestlers surrounding the ring instead of inside it. At the start of the match they battle for half of them to get in to the ring, at which point a standard last person standing wins the battle royal.

Diva battle royal

A diva

WWE Diva

Diva is a term used by World Wrestling Entertainment , an American professional wrestling promotion, to refer to its female talent. The term is applied to women who appear as wrestlers, managers or valets, backstage interviewers, or ring announcers....

battle royal is one which features female competitors. However, in this variant divas can be thrown through or under the ropes as well as over the top rope.

Royal Rumble

WWE's Royal Rumble is a 40-person battle royal with two wrestlers in the ring initially, and the remaining participants are introduced in order in 90 second intervals, rather than all beginning at the same time. In addition, to be eliminated, a wrestler must be thrown over the top rope, with both feet touching the floor. In most years prior to January 30, 2011, it was a 30-person battle royal. The first royal rumble ever held in January 24, 1988 was a 20-man Royal Rumble.

Battle Royal match for the Championship and #No.1 Contender

#	Event	Date	Winner	Stipulations
/	/	/	Booker T	Battle Royal for the #1 contender spot to the WCW World Heavyweight Championship WCW World Heavyweight Championship The World Championship Wrestling World Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation . It existed within WCW between 1991 and 2001. Following the acquisition of WCW by World Wrestling...
/	/	/	Kane Kane (wrestler) Glenn Thomas Jacobs is a Spanish-born American professional wrestler and actor better known by his ring name, Kane. He is signed to WWE, appearing on its SmackDown brand, but is currently inactive due to injury....	Battle Royal for the #1 contender spot to the WWE Championship WWE Championship The WWE Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in WWE. It is the world title of the Raw brand and one of two in WWE, complementing the World Heavyweight Championship of the SmackDown brand. It was established under the then WWWF in 1963...
/	SmackDown!	January 10, 2006	Kurt Angle Kurt Angle Kurt Steven Angle is an American professional wrestler, amateur wrestler, and 1996 Olympic gold medalist. He is currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is recognized as a 15-time World Heavyweight Champion...	20 Man Battle Royal for the World Heavyweight Championship World Heavyweight Championship (WWE) The World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in WWE. It is the world title of the SmackDown brand and one of two in WWE, complementing the WWE Championship of the Raw brand...
/	/	/	Sabu Sabu (wrestler) Terry Michael Brunk , better known by his ring name Sabu, is an American professional wrestler best known for his extreme wrestling style...	Battle Royal
/	SmackDown!	July 17, 2007	The Great Khali	20 Man Battle Royal for the World Heavyweight Championship World Heavyweight Championship (WWE) The World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in WWE. It is the world title of the SmackDown brand and one of two in WWE, complementing the WWE Championship of the Raw brand...
	ECW	Match 9, 2009	Christian	Battle Royal for the Money in the Bank ladder match Money in the Bank ladder match The Money in the Bank ladder match is a professional wrestling ladder match held by WWE. The match can feature anywhere from six to ten participants from any WWE brand, with the objective being to retrieve a briefcase that is suspended 20 feet above the ring... at WrestleMania XXV WrestleMania XXV WrestleMania XXV was the twenty-fifth annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment , which took place on April 5, 2009 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas...
/	WrestleMania XXV WrestleMania XXV WrestleMania XXV was the twenty-fifth annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment , which took place on April 5, 2009 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas...	/	Santino Marella	25-Diva battle royal to crown Miss WrestleMania
/	Raw	/	Sheamus	7 Man Battle Royal for the #1 contender spot to the WWE Championship WWE Championship The WWE Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in WWE. It is the world title of the Raw brand and one of two in WWE, complementing the World Heavyweight Championship of the SmackDown brand. It was established under the then WWWF in 1963... at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs (2009)
/	WrestleMania XXVI WrestleMania XXVI WrestleMania XXVI was the twenty-sixth annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment , which took place on March 28, 2010 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale, Arizona. This was the fourth WrestleMania to...	/	Yoshi Tatsu	26-Man Battle Royal
/	NXT	/	David Otunga David Otunga David Daniel Otunga is a professional wrestler and former reality television actor. He is signed to WWE, appearing on the Raw brand under his real name. He's a two-time WWE Tag Team Champion, having one reign each with Michael McGillicutty and John Cena. He was the runner-up on the first season...	8 Rookie Battle Royal for the guest host Raw
/	SmackDown	/	Rey Mysterio	Battle Royal to qualify for the World Heavyweight Championship Match at WWE Fatal 4-Way WWE Fatal 4-Way Fatal 4-Way was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment , which took place on June 20, 2010 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York...
/	Raw	October 4, 2010	Wade Barrett Wade Barrett Wade Barrett is a retired American soccer player. He is currently an assistant coach at Major League Soccer club Houston Dynamo-College:...	20 Man Battle Royal for the #1 contender spot to the WWE Championship WWE Championship The WWE Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in WWE. It is the world title of the Raw brand and one of two in WWE, complementing the World Heavyweight Championship of the SmackDown brand. It was established under the then WWWF in 1963... at Bragging Rights (2010) Bragging Rights (2010) Bragging Rights was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment , that took place on October 24, 2010 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was the second and final Bragging Rights event. Seven matches took place at the event...
/	/	October 29, 2010	Big Show	24 Man Battle Royal
/	WWE Tribute to the Troops WWE Tribute to the Troops WWE Tribute to the Troops is an annual event held by WWE together with Armed Forces Entertainment in December around Christmas since 2003 as a way of honoring the men and women of the United States armed forces serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Selected WWE wrestlers and employees travel to the said...	December 22, 2010	Mark Henry Mark Henry Mark Jerrold Henry is an American professional wrestler signed with WWE, where he performs on its SmackDown brand as the reigning World Heavyweight Champion. He is a 1992 Olympian, and winner of the 2002 Arnold Strongman Classic...	15 Man Battle Royal
/	WrestleMania XXVII WrestleMania XXVII WrestleMania XXVII was the twenty-seventh annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment , held on April 3, 2011 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia...	April 3, 2011	The Great Khali	23-Man Battle Royal
/ SmackDown	April 15, 2011	Christian	Battle Royal for the #1 contender's spot to the World Heavyweight Championship World Heavyweight Championship (WWE) The World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in WWE. It is the world title of the SmackDown brand and one of two in WWE, complementing the WWE Championship of the Raw brand... at Extreme Rules (2011) Extreme Rules (2011) Extreme Rules was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by WWE, which took place on May 1, 2011 at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida...
/	SmackDown	September /, 2011	Mark Henry	20 Man Battle Royal for the #1 contender spot to the World Heavyweight Championship World Heavyweight Championship (WWE) The World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in WWE. It is the world title of the SmackDown brand and one of two in WWE, complementing the WWE Championship of the Raw brand... at Night of Champions (2011) Night of Champions (2011) Night of Champions was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by WWE that took place on September 18, 2011 at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York. It was the 4th annual WWE Night of Champions event and the 11th in the WWE Vengeance overall timeline. Seven matches took...
/	Raw	September /, 2011	Cody Rhodes	10 Man Battle Royal for the Intercontinental Championship WWE Intercontinental Championship The WWE Intercontinental Championship is a professional wrestling championship in WWE. It is the original secondary title of the promotion. Currently, it is the secondary championship exclusive to the SmackDown brand...
/	SmackDown	October 14, 2011	Randy Orton Randy Orton Randal Keith "Randy" Orton is an American professional wrestler and actor. He is signed to WWE wrestling on its SmackDown brand...	41 Man Battle Royal for any World Title of his choosing, either it be the WWE WWE Championship The WWE Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in WWE. It is the world title of the Raw brand and one of two in WWE, complementing the World Heavyweight Championship of the SmackDown brand. It was established under the then WWWF in 1963... or the World Heavyweight World Heavyweight Championship (WWE) The World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in WWE. It is the world title of the SmackDown brand and one of two in WWE, complementing the WWE Championship of the Raw brand... Title.

WWE Draft

#	Event	Date	Winner	Stipulations
1	Raw	April 25, 2011	Team SmackDown	Inter-brand 20-man Tag Team Battle Royal worth 1 draft pick.

Divas
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!style="background: #e3e3e3;"|#
!style="background: #e3e3e3;"|Event
!style="background: #e3e3e3;"|Date
!style="background: #e3e3e3;"|Winner
!style="background: #e3e3e3;"|Stipulations
|-
|/
|Raw
|May 19, 2009
|Kelly Kelly
|Battle Royal #1 contender spot to the WWE Divas Championship

WWE Divas Championship

The WWE Diva's Championship is a unified professional wrestling championship in WWE. It is competed for by WWE Divas. The championship was created by WWE in 2008, and was introduced in storyline by then-SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero as an alternative to Raw's Women's Championship...

|-
|/
|Raw
|September 27, 2010
|Natalya
|Battle Royal #1 contender spot to the WWE Divas Championship

WWE Divas Championship

at Hell in a Cell (2010)

Hell in a Cell (2010)

Hell in a Cell was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment that took place on October 3, 2010 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. It was the second annual Hell in a Cell event. Like the 2009 event, the event featured the Hell in a Cell...

|-
|/
|Raw
|Deceber 14, 2010
|Michelle McCool

Michelle McCool

Michelle Leigh McCool , is a retired American professional wrestler who is best known for her time in WWE.McCool originally worked as a middle school teacher in Palatka, Florida. She joined WWE in 2004 after participating in the 2004 WWE Diva Search. In her initial on-screen role, she acted...

|2010 Diva of the Year Battle Royal
|-
|/
|Raw
|February 28, 2011
|Brie Bella

The Bella Twins

Brianna Monique Garcia and Stephanie Nicole Garcia are American twin professional wrestlers. The twins are a professional wrestling tag team under the ring names Brie Bella and Nikki Bella, collectively referred to as The Bella Twins, and work for WWE on the Raw brand.Before being promoted to the...

|Battle Royal #1 contender spot to the WWE Divas Championship

WWE Divas Championship

|-
|/
|Raw
|August 1, 2011
|Beth Phoenix

Beth Phoenix

Elizabeth Kocianski is an American professional wrestler, currently signed to WWE where she wrestles on the Raw brand under the ring name Beth Phoenix, where she is the reigning WWE Divas Champion....

|Battle Royal #1 contender spot to the WWE Divas Championship

WWE Divas Championship

at SummerSlam (2011)

SummerSlam (2011)

SummerSlam was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by WWE that took place on August 14, 2011. For the third consecutive year, SummerSlam was held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, and it was the 24th annual SummerSlam event...

|-
|/
|Raw
|October 31, 2011
|Eve Torres

Eve Torres

Eve Marie Torres is an American dancer, model, and professional wrestler. She is working for WWE on Raw brand. She is a two time WWE Divas Champion.Torres began her career as a model and dancer...

|Battle Royal #1 contender spot to the WWE Divas Championship

WWE Divas Championship

WCW World War 3

World Championship Wrestling

's World War 3 (also III) was an annual three ring, 60-man battle royal. The match begins with the wrestlers spread evenly among the three rings, and when 30 remain they are consolidated into the center ring. For the final year the rules were modified to allow pinfall and submission eliminations and change the consolidation point to 20.

Team variations

Team variations of battle royals consist of two or more teams of wrestlers, with the number of wrestlers on each team usually being equal. There are different types of such matches:

A team is eliminated when only one wrestler for that team is eliminated.
Matches end when there are wrestlers for only one team (the winners), who have not been eliminated.
A team is eliminated when all wrestlers for that team is eliminated, as mentioned above.

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