Shelton Benjamin reflects on his unique history in Royal Rumbles with HBK.
The Royal Rumble Match always comes with certain expectations. For example, every year, Kofi Kingston is expected to save himself from elimination in a miraculous fashion. Every year, surprise returns and cameos are expected as part of the annual tradition as well.
For Shelton Benjamin, there were three years in a row where he had a trope of his own: being eliminated by Shawn Michaels. Between the years 2006 and 2008, Shawn Michaels eliminated Shelton Benjamin three times in a row. The last time, the 2008 Royal Rumble, Shelton Benjamin lasted less than 20 seconds.
Speaking to Sean Ross Sapp before this year's Royal Rumble event, Shelton explained that he wasn't even aware of the running tradition until the final year and, as is the case sometimes in wrestling, there is no unique backstory, it just sort of worked out that way every year.
"I really didn’t notice it until the last year, the third year. The first time I was like, ‘Big deal.’ The second time I was like, ‘Oh, Shawn’s throwing me out again.’ But the third time is like, ‘Wait, again?’ Like, ‘Is someone playing a joke on me? What?’ It’s Shawn Michaels, but at the same time, ‘Again.’ So I don’t know what that’s about. There’s no history behind it. There’s no story behind it." Shelton revealed.
Elsewhere in the interview, Shelton spoke about his legendary match against Shawn Michaels in May 2005 on Monday Night Raw as part of a Gold Rush Tournament. Learn more here.
