Battle Royal (Over The Top Rope)

A Battle Royal is a match where a large number of wrestlers (usually 20 or more participants) compete against each other in an elimination format. The match begins with all participants in the ring and ends when only one competitor remains, who is declared the winner.

In most Battle Royals, eliminations occur according to the Over the Top Rope rule. This involves throwing an opponent out of the ring over the top rope. An elimination is confirmed when the wrestler touches the floor outside the ring with both feet.

For Women Battle Royals, eliminations happen by throwing opponents out of the ring, but this does not necessarily have to be over-the-top rope.

Battle Royal Variations

André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal: Since 2014, WWE has held this match as part of WrestleMania weekend, with the winner receiving a Trophy.
Reverse Battle Royale: Popular in TNA/Impact Wrestling, wrestlers start outside the ring, battling to enter it. When half of the participants are in the ring, they compete under standard Battle Royal rules, until the last two competitors face off in a final Singles match.
1 vs 1 Over the Top Rope Challenge: This match follows elimination rules similar to a traditional Battle Royal but with only two participants.
Tag Team Battle Royals: Teams compete rather than individual wrestlers. A team is eliminated either when one member is eliminated or when all members are eliminated, depending on the specific rules chosen for the match.
Battlebowl: A two-ring Battle Royal where wrestlers are thrown into a second ring first, then eliminated by being thrown out of that second ring. After one wrestler is left in each ring, they fight in both rings until a winner is declared. First held at WCW’s Starrcade 1991.
Bunkhouse Stampede: An NWA event where wrestlers wore "bunkhouse gear" like cowboy boots and jeans, and weapons were allowed. A notable match occurred in 1988 in a cage. Recently revived by Ricky Morton at his academy.
Semi-final Battle Royale: Once a specific number of wrestlers remain, the match ends, and the finalists compete in a standard match. In AEW, this is the Dynamite Dozen Battle Royale, where 12 compete until two are left to fight for the Dynamite Diamond Ring.
World War 3: A WCW match from 1995 with a three-ring setup and 60 competitors. Wrestlers battle in separate rings until 30 remain, after which they all converge into a single ring to finish the match under standard rules.

Royal Rumble Variations

In this format, unlike standard battle royales where all participants start in the ring, the match begins with competitors numbered 1 and 2. Subsequent wrestlers enter at timed intervals based on the numbers they have drawn, continuing until all participants have entered the ring.

Royal Rumble Match: The most famous variant of the Battle Royal, where 30 competitors (or sometimes more) enter at regular intervals instead of starting all at once. WWE now holds separate men's and women's editions, both offering a championship match at WrestleMania.
Casino Battle Royale: An AEW match with 21 entrants. It starts with five wrestlers, and every three minutes, another group of five enters, based on the suit drawn from a deck of cards (spades, diamonds, clubs, hearts). The final entrant, who enters alone, is the wrestler who drew the joker. The winner receives a world championship match in their respective division.
Aztec Warfare: A Lucha Underground variant of the battle royale, featuring up to 20 participants who enter every 90 seconds. Eliminations occur by pinfall or submission within the ring, with no count-outs or disqualifications.
Battle Riot Match: A multi-competitor match held in MLW, where wrestlers are eliminated until one remains. The match starts with two wrestlers, with another entering every minute until 40 participants are in the ring. Eliminations can occur via pin, submission, or being thrown over the top rope.
Gauntlet Battle Royal (also known as Gauntlet for the Gold): A TNA variation of the Royal Rumble, this match features 10 to 25 participants. Eliminations occur over the top rope until the last two competitors face off in a final Singles match.
Honor Rumble: ROH's take on the battle royale, where participants enter at timed intervals based on assigned numbers. The entry numbers are typically drawn just before the event, with additional spots won through matches.
New Japan Rumble: An annual battle royale held on the NJPW Wrestle Kingdom pre-show, featuring one-minute intervals for participant entries. Eliminations happen via pinfall, submission, or over-the-top rope. The match often includes comedic elements and surprise entrants.
Royal Rampage: An AEW match featuring 20 wrestlers split between two rings (10 each). It starts with two in each ring, with new wrestlers entering at timed intervals. Once the field narrows to four, the action consolidates into one ring until a winner is determined, earning a future championship match.
Royal Sambo: Dragon Gate's version, held at the Kobe Sambo Hall. Matches typically involve 10-16 participants entering in pairs every 60 seconds. Eliminations occur via over-the-top rope, pinfall, or submission, often booked as comedy matches with a high-profile wrestler favored to win.
Square Go!: Insane Championship Wrestling's hybrid of the Royal Rumble and Money in the Bank. This 30-man over-the-top-rope battle royale allows the winner to earn a briefcase for an ICW World Championship match. Participants enter at two-minute intervals, and some draw numbers allowing them to bring weapons into the match.