How a single wrestling match set a record that lasted two years

Cultures · Published 11 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: On January 25, 2004, the wrestling world watched as Chris Benoit entered the ring at number one. What followed was an endurance feat that redefined the limits of the Royal Rumble, as he battled through 29 other competitors to secure a historic victory.

The 2004 Royal Rumble, held at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, was a pivotal moment in WWE history. As the 17th annual event, it featured a unique stakes structure due to the brand extension. Unlike previous years where the winner was tied to a specific brand's title, the 2004 victor could choose to challenge either the Raw brand's World Heavyweight Championship or the SmackDown! brand's WWE Championship at WrestleMania XX.

The night's centerpiece was the 30-man Royal Rumble match, a modified battle royal where participants enter at timed intervals. Chris Benoit, representing SmackDown!, entered as the first participant. In a display of incredible stamina, Benoit lasted over one hour, setting a new longevity record at the time previously held by Bob Backlund. This feat was not surpassed until Rey Mysterio achieved it in 2006. By outlasting the field and last eliminating Big Show, Benoit became only the second wrestler to win the match after entering at the number one spot, following the precedent set by Shawn Michaels.

The supercard featured several high-stakes, scripted confrontations driven by long-running storylines. In the Raw brand's primary match, a Last Man Standing bout between Triple H and Shawn Michaels ended in a draw, allowing Triple H to retain the World Heavyweight Championship. Meanwhile, on the SmackDown! side, Brock Lesnar successfully defended the WWE Championship against Hardcore Holly. The event also showcased intense faction warfare, such as the tables match where Evolution (Ric Flair and Batista) defeated the Dudley Boyz to retain the World Tag Team Championship.

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