What If: Andre the Giant Won the 1991 Royal Rumble

Revisiting the original plan for the 1991 WWE Royal Rumble match

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In 1991, WWE had planned for Andre the Giant to win the Royal Rumble match as a tribute to the legendary wrestler, but he had to withdraw due to injury. This article explores what might have happened if Andre had been able to compete and win the Rumble as originally intended.

Why it matters

The 1991 Royal Rumble lacked the excitement and star power that fans had come to expect from the annual event. Andre the Giant's planned victory could have provided a much-needed boost and memorable 'Rumble moment' for the show.

The details

According to WWE Executive Director Bruce Pritchard, the plan was for Andre to enter the 1991 Royal Rumble as the 30th and final participant, allowing him to have a significant presence and go head-to-head with top stars like Hulk Hogan and Earthquake before ultimately winning the match. When Andre had to withdraw due to a leg injury, the Rumble ended up being a relatively uneventful affair, with Hogan eliminating Earthquake to win.

  • On November 30, 1990, WWE announced at a house show in Miami that Andre the Giant would be a participant in the 1991 Royal Rumble.
  • The 1991 Royal Rumble was scheduled to take place in Miami two months later, in January 1991.

The players

Andre the Giant

A legendary professional wrestler known as the 'Eighth Wonder of the World', who was originally planned to win the 1991 Royal Rumble before having to withdraw due to injury.

Hulk Hogan

One of the biggest stars in WWE at the time, who ended up being the last two participants in the 1991 Royal Rumble match alongside Earthquake.

Earthquake

A wrestler who was involved in a long-running feud with Hulk Hogan, and was originally intended to be the final two participants in the 1991 Royal Rumble before Andre the Giant's planned appearance.

Bruce Pritchard

The WWE Executive Director who revealed the original plan for Andre the Giant to win the 1991 Royal Rumble.

Tugboat

The wrestler who was originally announced as the 30th and final participant in the 1991 Royal Rumble, before the plan changed to have Andre the Giant in that spot.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The plan, according to WWE Executive Director Bruce Pritchard, was for Andre to come in at No. 30 in order to limit his in-ring involvement but also see him go head-to-head with several of the top stars at the time before winning the Rumble.”

— Bruce Pritchard, WWE Executive Director (Yahoo Sports)

What’s next

While Andre the Giant's planned victory at the 1991 Royal Rumble never came to fruition, the event's lack of excitement and memorable moments could have been significantly improved had the original plan been carried out. This 'what if' scenario highlights the impact a wrestling legend like Andre could have had on the show, and serves as an intriguing piece of revisionist history for WWE fans.

The takeaway

The 1991 Royal Rumble lacked the star power and excitement that fans had come to expect from the annual event, but Andre the Giant's planned victory could have provided a much-needed boost and created a truly memorable 'Rumble moment' for the ages.