1992 Royal Rumble without Flair

[Dante, The Voc]

Okay, today (1/19) is the 23rd anniversary of what many dub the greatest Royal Rumble match in history. It was a star-studded Rumble with the winner able to clutch the World Wrestling Federation Title in his arms, the ultimate prize for the sacrifice involved in the match. In real life, Ric Flair lasted from the #3 position to claim the gold, winning after a half-year in the WWF.

My question to you guys is: had Flair never jumped to WWF in 1991, who wins the 1992 Royal Rumble?

I know it's far-fetched too considering Undertaker's win and the title's subsequent vacancy was due in part to the looming Hogan/Flair confrontation that never materialized. Let's just say for argument's sake that 'Taker's still built as the unbeaten monster and dethrones Hogan, and Hogan still wins controversially at Tuesday in Texas. The title's vacant and the decision to crown a new champion in the Royal Rumble match is still made (we could say this angle was taken as a way to drum up excitement for the RR, because up to that time the Rumble match was essentially a special attraction and had no long-lasting meaning yet).

The match, as previously stated, was riddled with future Hall of Fame talent. Bulldog, DiBiase, Michaels, Piper, Roberts, Undertaker, Savage, Hogan, Slaughter, Sid, hell even Virgil graced the ring for this match. Would any of them win? Could Vince make amends with Warrior quicker (knowing he didn't have Flair at his disposal and needing another main event talent) and have him return sooner? Or would the trigger be pulled on Bret or some other up-and-coming talent right there and then (like Virgil?)? I'm curious to hear, as well, how you think Wrestlemania would have been shaped to compensate for no Flair.

[Deleted]

Probably Sid would win, he was the runner up and over HUGE.

[bigraj]

Jake Roberts (if healthy) takes Flair's spot in the final four and walks out champion. His hot feud with Savage continues at WrestleMania, with Savage winning the title at the big show. Sid-Hogan happens with the same outcome. Anyone else can be fed to 'Taker without impacting the rest of the card as it originally happened.

[Deleted]

Virgil wins, it's best for business.

[Halloween King]

Im sure Sid would have won had Flair not been in the Rumble. From what I've heard the plan was for Hogan and Flair to feud, but due to poor house show reactions they paired Hogan with Sid and Flair with Macho. So Im sure Sid would have won just so Hogan could have someone to beat for the title.

[dixol]

Hogan was leaving after WM 8 to film Mr Nanny, so Sid would have won and stayed babyface.

[Deleted]

Without Flair, the winner is Sid.

[PenguinDeluxe]

Wasn't there something about Piper supposed to have a top spot but Flair coming in changed things? I vaguely recall reading that or something similar involving the vacancy after Taker/Hogan, but I may have my years completely off. I wasn't born until June 1992, so I don't have first hand knowledge lol

[hbkbigdaddycool]

Sid Justice would have taken the WWE Title.

Looking back at it though, it was probably best he didn't, with the whole steroid thing coming up in the next year for the WWE.

[Deleted]

I can totally see Sid or Jake Roberts taking it.

Sid was mega over as a face......I mean huge. He could have been Vince's guy here no problem. An opponent @ WM may have been an issue though.

Jake was over incredibly as a heel.....and the set up was perfect for Macho to take the belt from him in a loser leaves town title match. The drama would have been great.....

[Deleted]

Jan 20, 2015 10:19:31 GMT -5 JokerFC said:

I can totally see Sid or Jake Roberts taking it.

Sid was mega over as a face......I mean huge. He could have been Vince's guy here no problem. An opponent @ WM may have been an issue though.

Jake was over incredibly as a heel.....and the set up was perfect for Macho to take the belt from him in a loser leaves town title match. The drama would have been great.....

Could have easily seen Sid/Hogan for the belt with Sid losing by DQ, then commence Warrior return.

[mikey1974]

Jan 20, 2015 2:11:40 GMT -5 PenguinDeluxe said:

Wasn't there something about Piper supposed to have a top spot but Flair coming in changed things? I vaguely recall reading that or something similar involving the vacancy after Taker/Hogan, but I may have my years completely off. I wasn't born until June 1992, so I don't have first hand knowledge lol

when Taker beat Hogan at Survivor series 91, Hulk was legit injured. the tombstone piledriver stretched Hogan's neck, and gave him a stinger. he was temporarily paralyzed for a few seconds/minutes. leaving that match,there was a very real possibility hogan would have to go out for awhile,and his rematch scheduled with Taker at This Tuesday in Texas would not happen.

enter Hot Rod.

they came up with a backup plan if hogan wasn't able to go, then Piper would get the shot at Taker at This Tuesday in Texas, and win the World Title. then Piper would defend it against Ric Flair at the Royal Rumble 92, and drop it to Naitch. however,this plan never happened as Hogan recovered quickly and the match between him and Taker went as planned.it's been said that Vince came up with the Mountie winning the IC title only to drop it right after to Piper story as a way to make it up to Piper for not getting the World Belt.

they even planted the seeds of the Piper-Taker match at Survivor Series, as the first person Mean Gene talked to after the intermission ( remember when PPV's had those?) was Roddy, who went on a rant about how terrible it was that Taker was Champion, and that he heard the bells chiming,the funeral bells of the Undertaker.

[mikey1974]

Jan 22, 2015 17:13:04 GMT -5 mikey1974 said:

Jan 20, 2015 2:11:40 GMT -5 PenguinDeluxe said:

Wasn't there something about Piper supposed to have a top spot but Flair coming in changed things? I vaguely recall reading that or something similar involving the vacancy after Taker/Hogan, but I may have my years completely off. I wasn't born until June 1992, so I don't have first hand knowledge lol

when Taker beat Hogan at Survivor series 91, Hulk was legit injured. the tombstone piledriver stretched Hogan's neck, and gave him a stinger. he was temporarily paralyzed for a few seconds/minutes. leaving that match,there was a very real possibility hogan would have to go out for awhile,and his rematch scheduled with Taker at This Tuesday in Texas would not happen.

enter Hot Rod.

they came up with a backup plan if hogan wasn't able to go, then Piper would get the shot at Taker at This Tuesday in Texas, and win the World Title. then Piper would defend it against Ric Flair at the Royal Rumble 92, and drop it to Naitch. however,this plan never happened as Hogan recovered quickly and the match between him and Taker went as planned.it's been said that Vince came up with the Mountie winning the IC title only to drop it right after to Piper story as a way to make it up to Piper for not getting the World Belt.

they even planted the seeds of the Piper-Taker match at Survivor Series, as the first person Mean Gene talked to after the intermission ( remember when PPV's had those?) was Roddy, who went on a rant about how terrible it was that Taker was Champion, and that he heard the bells chiming,the funeral bells of the Undertaker.

to quote myself....

frankly,I wish Piper would have won the title at Tuesday in /Texas. would've given Roddy his only World title,something he really deserved to have in the history books - a reign as World Champion. and they could've had Hogan win the rumble,and set up the match with Flair at Mania VIII ( which didn't happen anyway,but,you know...).

[Deleted]

Jan 20, 2015 10:49:42 GMT -5 @cabbageconkers said:

Jan 20, 2015 10:19:31 GMT -5 JokerFC said:

I can totally see Sid or Jake Roberts taking it.

Sid was mega over as a face......I mean huge. He could have been Vince's guy here no problem. An opponent @ WM may have been an issue though.

Jake was over incredibly as a heel.....and the set up was perfect for Macho to take the belt from him in a loser leaves town title match. The drama would have been great.....

Could have easily seen Sid/Hogan for the belt with Sid losing by DQ, then commence Warrior return.

I was thinking more about Sid as a face......but yeah that would have been the way.

[hbkbigdaddycool]

Jan 22, 2015 19:04:47 GMT -5 mikey1974 said:

Jan 22, 2015 17:13:04 GMT -5 mikey1974 said:

when Taker beat Hogan at Survivor series 91, Hulk was legit injured. the tombstone piledriver stretched Hogan's neck, and gave him a stinger. he was temporarily paralyzed for a few seconds/minutes. leaving that match,there was a very real possibility hogan would have to go out for awhile,and his rematch scheduled with Taker at This Tuesday in Texas would not happen.

enter Hot Rod.

they came up with a backup plan if hogan wasn't able to go, then Piper would get the shot at Taker at This Tuesday in Texas, and win the World Title. then Piper would defend it against Ric Flair at the Royal Rumble 92, and drop it to Naitch. however,this plan never happened as Hogan recovered quickly and the match between him and Taker went as planned.it's been said that Vince came up with the Mountie winning the IC title only to drop it right after to Piper story as a way to make it up to Piper for not getting the World Belt.

they even planted the seeds of the Piper-Taker match at Survivor Series, as the first person Mean Gene talked to after the intermission ( remember when PPV's had those?) was Roddy, who went on a rant about how terrible it was that Taker was Champion, and that he heard the bells chiming,the funeral bells of the Undertaker.

to quote myself....

frankly,I wish Piper would have won the title at Tuesday in /Texas. would've given Roddy his only World title,something he really deserved to have in the history books - a reign as World Champion. and they could've had Hogan win the rumble,and set up the match with Flair at Mania VIII ( which didn't happen anyway,but,you know...).

Ohhh man!!!!  How cool would that have been?!?!  Roddy Piper winning the WWE Title that night at Tuesday In Texas would have been so awesome.  I always felt Piper was above the IC Strap too.  Like it was cool he won it at the Rumble, but to me he was already beyond that.

I think Tuesday In Texas would have done better if it wasn't a PPV event too.  Like if it was a special on prime time TV instead, I am sure the ratings would have been much better.

Or if they stayed with the PPV format, at least make it 2 hours or so.  I saw the entire card that night, and some of the dark matches would have been great for the PPV.

[mikey1974]

Jan 23, 2015 17:58:06 GMT -5 hbkbigdaddycool said:

Jan 22, 2015 19:04:47 GMT -5 mikey1974 said:

to quote myself....

frankly,I wish Piper would have won the title at Tuesday in /Texas. would've given Roddy his only World title,something he really deserved to have in the history books - a reign as World Champion. and they could've had Hogan win the rumble,and set up the match with Flair at Mania VIII ( which didn't happen anyway,but,you know...).

Ohhh man!!!!  How cool would that have been?!?!  Roddy Piper winning the WWE Title that night at Tuesday In Texas would have been so awesome.  I always felt Piper was above the IC Strap too.  Like it was cool he won it at the Rumble, but to me he was already beyond that.

I think Tuesday In Texas would have done better if it wasn't a PPV event too.  Like if it was a special on prime time TV instead, I am sure the ratings would have been much better.

Or if they stayed with the PPV format, at least make it 2 hours or so.  I saw the entire card that night, and some of the dark matches would have been great for the PPV.

if Piper dropped the Belt to Flair, and Hogan was still injured...hmmmm. perhaps a Sid Justice win at the Rumble, to take on Flair for the Title at Mania VIII?

[hbkbigdaddycool]

Jan 23, 2015 18:04:38 GMT -5 mikey1974 said:

Jan 23, 2015 17:58:06 GMT -5 hbkbigdaddycool said:

Ohhh man!!!!  How cool would that have been?!?!  Roddy Piper winning the WWE Title that night at Tuesday In Texas would have been so awesome.  I always felt Piper was above the IC Strap too.  Like it was cool he won it at the Rumble, but to me he was already beyond that.

I think Tuesday In Texas would have done better if it wasn't a PPV event too.  Like if it was a special on prime time TV instead, I am sure the ratings would have been much better.

Or if they stayed with the PPV format, at least make it 2 hours or so.  I saw the entire card that night, and some of the dark matches would have been great for the PPV.

if Piper dropped the Belt to Flair, and Hogan was still injured...hmmmm. perhaps a Sid Justice win at the Rumble, to take on Flair for the Title at Mania VIII?

Sid Justice vs. Ric Flair would seem like the logical way to go for Wrestlemania VIII.

Though the Hogan/Sid confrontation at the end of the Royal Rumble may still have happened, and if so, a Hogan vs. Sid match may have been happening no matter what.

Another interesting thing is, what if Lex Luger was allowed to wrestle for the WWE after he left WCW at Superbrawl 2??  Would Luger vs. Hogan have happened at Wrestlemania VIII if Sid vs. Flair was gonna happen??

[Jonathan Karate]

Jan 23, 2015 18:41:41 GMT -5 hbkbigdaddycool said:

Jan 23, 2015 18:04:38 GMT -5 mikey1974 said:

if Piper dropped the Belt to Flair, and Hogan was still injured...hmmmm. perhaps a Sid Justice win at the Rumble, to take on Flair for the Title at Mania VIII?

Sid Justice vs. Ric Flair would seem like the logical way to go for Wrestlemania VIII.

Though the Hogan/Sid confrontation at the end of the Royal Rumble may still have happened, and if so, a Hogan vs. Sid match may have been happening no matter what.

Another interesting thing is, what if Lex Luger was allowed to wrestle for the WWE after he left WCW at Superbrawl 2??  Would Luger vs. Hogan have happened at Wrestlemania VIII if Sid vs. Flair was gonna happen??

Those are two great Main Events.

[Nivro™]

Sid was brought in to be a replacement for Hogan. While Im not sure if Flair never arrives and Hogan leaves after WM8 that the world title is on the line in the Rumble, I certainly still think Sid wins the Rumble. My most logical guess is that Hogan still drops the title to Taker at Survivor Series and then just leaves from there. As Mania builds up, Taker aligns himself with Shango and that will bring in a returning Hogan (either in the Warrior role or in a role like Hogan played where ringside like at WM4). Once Sid wins the title and Hogan is teaming with him giving him the rub, it would lead to jealousy from Sid which will turn him heel and lead to a Sid-Hogan match at SummerSlam....assuming the steroid deal doesnt happen of course.

[Jonathan Karate]

Feb 12, 2015 23:44:54 GMT -5 Nivro™ said:

Sid was brought in to be a replacement for Hogan. While Im not sure if Flair never arrives and Hogan leaves after WM8 that the world title is on the line in the Rumble, I certainly still think Sid wins the Rumble. My most logical guess is that Hogan still drops the title to Taker at Survivor Series and then just leaves from there. As Mania builds up, Taker aligns himself with Shango and that will bring in a returning Hogan (either in the Warrior role or in a role like Hogan played where ringside like at WM4). Once Sid wins the title and Hogan is teaming with him giving him the rub, it would lead to jealousy from Sid which will turn him heel and lead to a Sid-Hogan match at SummerSlam....assuming the steroid deal doesnt happen of course.

I often wonder if Sid would have been a victim of the steroid trials.