by Greg Parks, Torch Columnist

As I mentioned on the PWTorch Livecast on Monday, my roommates and I have been watching each Rumble match leading up to tonight's (at least through 2002, as I don't have the final Anthology block of PPVs). In watching all the past matches, some things begin to stand out. Here are some random thoughts I gathered while watching them the past few weeks, in no particular order:

- I think Vader sold about two moves in the 1996 Rumble match. I'm not sure if WWE wanted to put him over as a monster and told him to no-sell everything or what, but holy cow, he didn't give anyone anything. In fact, I think he almost killed Savio Vega in 1996, he and Yokozuna teaming up to give Vega the worst beating I saw in a Rumble. Oh, and for his big debut in '96, I think Vader had his outfit on backward.

- There are lots of noticeable rule differences from year-to-year, everything from managers being allowed at ringside, a ten-count on the outside if you leave the Rumble match through the ropes (which I think should be re-instituted), eliminations from those not in the match counting, and disqualifications (which I don't think there were any until Finlay last year).

- I think Fatu/Rikishi worked a 360 degree clothesline sell into every Rumble he was in.

- We've seen at least two Rumbles where fans in the crowd have had signs that simply read "Royal Rumble." How is that possible? I'd have to assume they were planted, as who brings an uncreative sign like that to a PPV event?

- Jake Roberts, in all his Rumble matches, never successfully hit a DDT.

- What was with British Bulldog saying he'd win the Rumble in 1997 because he was "bizarre"?

- I developed "The Mo (from Men on a Mission) Award" to be given out when necessary. This award is given to the person who lasts way longer than their position on the card suggests they should last. I came up with it when I noticed that in the 1994 Rumble, Mo lasted almost 23 minutes for some reason. Other winners include Sam Houston in 1988 (almost 15 minutes), Bob "Spark Plug" Holly in 1996 (lasting nearly 40 minutes), in '97 it was Fake Diesel with almost 18 minutes and Headbanger Thrasher in 1998 (at 28 minutes).

- I'll be back later tonight with the Royal Rumble Hangout Report and the winner of our Rumble Jackpot!

PWTorch VIP members have first-look access to all of Torch Smackdown specialist Greg Parks's latest blogs in the newly upgraded VIP Forum. His blogs are published first in the PWTorch VIP Forum, and Parks interacts with other VIP members and Torch staff and contributors in the blog comments area afterward. Some of Parks's blog entries will be exclusive to the VIP Forum.

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