Royal Rumble 2016 Royal Rumble match

The ante has just been raised.

For the first time in WWE history, the reigning WWE World Heavyweight Champion must defend his title in the 30-Superstar Royal Rumble Match when champion Roman Reigns enters the annual melee on Jan. 24.

The unprecedented development was announced by WWE Chairman and CEO Mr. McMahon on the Jan. 4 edition of Raw after Reigns defeated Sheamus in a title match officiated by Mr. McMahon. Heading into that evening, the WWE Chairman had promised Reigns would not leave Raw as champion. Though Reigns proved Mr. McMahon wrong that night, will The Big Dog defy the odds and outlast 29 other Superstars in the ever-unpredictable Royal Rumble Match?

Perhaps the single most anticipated bout of the year, the Royal Rumble Match is utterly unique for its scale and rules. Prior to the match, all 30 competitors draw their entry number randomly. The Superstars who draw Nos. 1 and 2 begin the bout, and a new Superstar joins the fray every 90 seconds until all 30 Superstars have entered the ring. The only way to be eliminated is to be thrown over the top rope and to the outside, with both feet touching the floor. On the Jan. 18 edition of Raw, the McMahon Family revealed Roman Reigns would enter the match at the unenviable No. 1 spot after pulling his name three times from the Royal Rumble tumbler.