TheAndré the Giant Memorial Battle Royalis a namesakebattle royalheld as part ofWrestleManiaWeekend by theAmericanprofessional wrestling promotionWWE.The winner of the match receives the André the Giant Memorial Trophy. The inaugural battle royal was held atWrestleMania XXXin 2014 and was won byCesaro.The most recent winner of the 2024 match wasBronson Reedahead ofWrestleMania XL.
 The André the Giant Memorial Trophy, awarded to the winner of the Battle Royal. | |
| Founded | 2014 |
|---|---|
| Style | Battle royal |
The match is named in honor ofAndré the Giant,the firstWWE Hall of Fameinductee who at over seven feet tall and weighing over 500 pounds was known as "The King of the Battle Royal" due to winning a large majority of such matches he participated in. A short-lived female counterpart called theWrestleMania Women's Battle Royalwas held in 2018 and 2019.
Originally established as an annual battle royal held at either WrestleMania itself or its Kickoff pre-show, the match did not occur atWrestleMania 36in 2020 due to concerns over theCOVID-19 pandemic.It returned in 2021, airing on a special "WrestleMania Edition" ofSmackDownthe night beforeWrestleMania 37.TheSmackDownprior to WrestleMania has since been established as the start of WrestleMania Weekend with the battle royal becoming a fixture of thespecial episode.
History
editAndré the Giant
editAndré the Giantwas a Frenchprofessional wrestler.He was best known for his time in the Americanprofessional wrestling promotionWWE.He signed with the company in 1973 when it was still known by its original name of World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), which was renamed to World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1979, and he continued performing for the promotion until 1991 (the WWF was renamed to WWE in 2002). Following his death in 1993, André was the inaugural inductee into the promotion'sHall of Fameas the sole inductee for theClass of 1993.At over seven feet tall and weighing 500 pounds, André was known as "The King of the Battle Royal" due to winning a large majority of such matches he participated in.[1][2][3]
Memorial Battle Royal
editOn the March 10, 2014, episode ofRaw,WrestleMania XXXhostHulk Hoganannounced the establishment of the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. The match was established in honor ofAndré's legacy.It took place at WrestleMania XXX on April 6, with the winner receiving the André the Giant Memorial Trophy, made in the likeness of André.[4]Cesarowon the inaugural match after eliminatingBig Showusing abody slam,mimicking the famous moment of when Hogan performed a body slam on André atWrestleMania III.[5][6]
AtWrestleMania 31on March 29, 2015, the second annual André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal took place as part of the event's Kickoff pre-show, thus establishing the match as a yearly tradition. Big Show—a wrestler who had been often compared to André due to his similar size and stature and who was originally billed as André's (storyline) son when he debuted inWorld Championship Wrestlingin 1995—won the match by last eliminatingDamien Mizdow.[7]
While primarily contested by professional wrestlers, celebrities from other fields began to make appearances in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal beginning with the third annual match atWrestleMania 32in 2016. This match, which occurred on the main card, featured formerNational Basketball AssociationplayerShaquille O'Nealentering as a surprise participant, confronting Big Show. The match itself was won byBaron Corbin,who last eliminatedKaneto win.[8]
The following year's match occurred on April 2, 2017, on theWrestleMania 33Kickoff pre-show. Although not a participant in the match itself, the match did feature a surprise appearance byNational Football LeagueplayerRob Gronkowski,who assisted his real life friendMojo Rawley,enabling Rawley to last eliminateJinder Mahalto win the match.[9]
The fifth annual André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal took place as part ofWrestleMania 34's Kickoff pre-show on April 8, 2018. Unlike the past couple of years, this match did not feature any celebrity appearances, but the match was won byMatt Hardy,who last eliminated Baron Corbin to win.[10]Also at WrestleMania 34, a women's version of the match was established, called theWrestleMania Women's Battle Royal.[11]
The sixth annual André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal was held as part ofWrestleMania 35's Kickoff pre-show on April 7, 2019. This year's battle royal was unique in that there was a storyline going into the match with the two celebrity guest participants. Prior to the event, comediansColin JostandMichael CheofSaturday Night Livebegan appearing onRawas part of a storyline withBraun Strowman,which ultimately led to them being scheduled as participants in the match. Strowman ultimately won the match by last eliminating Jost.[12][13]
The match did not occur atWrestleMania 36in 2020 due to concerns stemming from theCOVID-19 pandemic.The pandemic brought many changes to WWE's programming during that time, and the battle royal was not scheduled so as to limit the number of wrestlers in the ring at the same time. WrestleMania 36 itself, which was WWE's firstpay-per-viewandlivestreamingevent affected by the pandemic, was relocated and heldbehind closed doorsat theWWE Performance CenterinOrlando, Florida.[14]
On April 1, 2021, WWE announced the return of the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. Unlike previous editions of the match, the seventh battle royal was not held at WrestleMania itself. Instead, it aired as part of the April 9 episode ofSmackDown,the night beforeWrestleMania 37,with the episode promoted asWrestleMania SmackDown.[15][16]The show waspre-tapedon April 2,[17][18]andJey Usowon the match by last eliminatingShinsuke Nakamura.[19]
The eighth André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal took place on April 1, 2022, during the specialWrestleMania SmackDown,which airedlivethe night beforeWrestleMania 38.[20]Madcap Mosswon the match by last eliminatingFinn Bálor.[21]
The ninth André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal took place on March 31, 2023, during the specialWrestleMania SmackDown,which aired live the night beforeWrestleMania 39.[22]Bobby Lashleywon the match by last eliminatingBronson Reed.[23]
The 10th edition of the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal took place duringWrestleMania SmackDownon April 5, 2024, at theWells Fargo CenterinPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania,the night prior toWrestleMania XL.[24]The prior year's runner up, Bronson Reed, won the 2024 match by last eliminatingIvar.[25]
Reception
editWriting forPWInsiderin 2017,Dave Scherersaw no reason for viewers to care about the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, given how winners have been booked and further said: "It's great that talent will get on the show for WrestleMania, but that match hasn't meant anything thus far."[26]
Winners
editThe battle royal has been held every year since 2014, except in 2020 forWrestleMania 36due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.
| No. | Winner | Runner Up | WrestleMania Weekend | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cesaro | Big Show | XXX | New Orleans,Louisiana | April 6, 2014 |
| 2 | Big Show | Damien Mizdow | 31[note 1] | Santa Clara, California | March 29, 2015 |
| 3 | Baron Corbin | Kane | 32 | Arlington, Texas | April 3, 2016 |
| 4 | Mojo Rawley | Jinder Mahal | 33[note 1] | Orlando, Florida | April 2, 2017 |
| 5 | Matt Hardy | Baron Corbin | 34[note 1] | New Orleans, Louisiana | April 8, 2018 |
| 6 | Braun Strowman | Colin Jost | 35[note 1] | East Rutherford, New Jersey | April 7, 2019 |
| 7 | Jey Uso | Shinsuke Nakamura | 37[note 2] | St. Petersburg, Florida | April 2, 2021 |
| 8 | Madcap Moss | Finn Bálor | 38[note 2] | Dallas,Texas | April 1, 2022 |
| 9 | Bobby Lashley | Bronson Reed | 39[note 2] | Los Angeles,California | March 31, 2023 |
| 10 | Bronson Reed | Ivar | XL[note 2] | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | April 5, 2024 |
Participants
edit
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^"Andre the Giant: Bio".WWE.Retrieved2 April2011.
- ^"The Official Site of André the Giant: Biography".Archived fromthe originalon 15 May 2010.Retrieved18 May2009.
- ^"André the Giant Profile".Online World of Wrestling.Archivedfrom the original on 21 September 2008.Retrieved22 September2008.
- ^"Raw results: Bryan occupies Raw and Triple H says 'YES!'... with a twist".WWE.Stamford, Connecticut:WWE.March 10, 2014.RetrievedMarch 10,2014.
- ^Paglino, Nick (April 6, 2014)."And the Winner of the Andre the Giant Battle Royal Is..."Wrestlezone.
- ^Caldwell, James."WrestleMania 30 PPV results: (Hour 2): Complete" virtual-time "coverage of Cena vs. Bray, big moment for Cesaro in the Andre Battle Royal, Shield vs. Outlaws".Pro Wrestling Torch.RetrievedApril 8,2014.
- ^McCauley, Kevin (March 29, 2015)."WrestleMania 31 results: Big Show wins Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal".SBNation.Vox Media.
- ^Passero, Mitch."Baron Corbin won the 3rd annual Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal".WWE.RetrievedApril 3,2016.
- ^Powell, Jason (2 April 2017)."Powell's WrestleMania 33 Kickoff Show live review: Neville vs. Austin Aries for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship, Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.RetrievedApril 2,2017.
- ^Powell, Jason (8 April 2018)."Powell's WrestleMania 34 Kickoff Show live review: WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal, Cedric Alexander vs. Mustafa Ali for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship, Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.Archivedfrom the original on April 9, 2018.RetrievedApril 8,2018.
- ^Currier, Joseph (March 15, 2018)."WWE changes name of Fabulous Moolah battle royal".Wrestling Observer Newsletter.United States: Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Inc.RetrievedMarch 15,2018.
- ^Killam, Mike."'Saturday Night Live' Hosts Colin Jost & Michael Che Will Compete At WrestleMania ".ProWrestling.RetrievedMarch 26,2019.
- ^Powell, Jason (7 April 2019)."WrestleMania 35 Kickoff Show results: Powell's live review of the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, WWE Women's Battle Royal, Buddy Murphy vs. Tony Nese for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.RetrievedApril 7,2019.
- ^Satin, Ryan(March 26, 2020)."WWE Confirms WrestleMania 36 Will Not Feature Battle Royal Matches".Pro Wrestling Sheet.RetrievedMarch 28,2020.
- ^"Wrestlemania Edition of SmackDown To Feature 'Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal'".Heel By Nature.1 April 2021.Retrieved1 April2021.
- ^"WWE on FOX on Twitter".Twitter.1 April 2021.Archivedfrom the original on 2021-04-01.Retrieved1 April2021.
- ^Currier, Joseph (April 1, 2021)."'SPECIAL WRESTLEMANIA EDITION' OF WWE SMACKDOWN SET FOR APRIL 9 ".Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online.RetrievedApril 2,2021.
- ^Lee, Joseph (April 1, 2021)."WWE Taping Tomorrow Night's Smackdown Later Today".411mania.RetrievedApril 3,2021.
- ^Powell, Jason (April 9, 2021)."4/9 WWE Friday Night Smackdown results: Powell's review of the WrestleMania 37 go-home show, final comments from Roman Reigns, Edge, and Daniel Bryan, Andre the Giant Battle Royal, Robert Roode and Dolph Ziggler vs. Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio vs. The Street Profits vs. Alpha Academy in a four-way for the Smackdown Tag Titles".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.RetrievedApril 9,2021.
- ^Guzzo, Gisberto (March 25, 2022)."Andre The Giant Battle Royal, Intercontinental Championship Match Announced For 4/1 WWE SmackDown".Fightful.RetrievedMarch 26,2022.
- ^Mahjouri, Shakiel (April 1, 2022)."WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: Drew McIntyre destroys the ring, Madcap Moss wins Battle Royal".CBSSports.Archivedfrom the original on April 2, 2022.RetrievedApril 1,2022.
- ^Lambert, Jeremy (March 24, 2023)."Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal And More Added To 3/31 WWE SmackDown".Fightful.RetrievedMarch 25,2023.
- ^Currier, Joseph (March 31, 2023)."Bobby Lashley wins WWE Andre the Giant Battle Royal".Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online.RetrievedApril 1,2023.
- ^Thomas, Jeremy (March 29, 2024)."Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal & More Set For Next Week's WWE Smackdown".411Mania.RetrievedMarch 29,2024.
- ^Currier, Joseph (April 5, 2024)."Bronson Reed wins 2024 WWE Andre the Giant Battle Royal".Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online.RetrievedApril 5,2024.
- ^Scherer, Dave (March 14, 2017)."Can anything still happen in WWE, Why should we care about the Andre Battle Royal, Is Anthem the new Turner where management is concerned and more".PWInsider.RetrievedMarch 14,2017.