The Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal is one of the most anticipated matches during WWEâs annual _WrestleMania_ event. Created in honor of the legendary Andre the Giant, this Battle Royal has become a tradition that highlights the biggest and most exciting stars in professional wrestling. Over the years, this match has given fans incredible moments, stunning eliminations, and, of course, new stars rising to prominence. But with all these iconic matches and memorable winners, which one stands out as the greatest? Which of the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal winners is the most beloved by the WWE Universe?
In this article, weâll take an in-depth look at all the winners of the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal throughout history. Weâll examine each of their victories, their careers, and how their win in this prestigious match has influenced their legacy in WWE. So, letâs dive into the history of the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal and figure out who your favorite winner might beâand why.
### **The Birth of the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal**
Before we discuss the winners, letâs first take a look at how the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal came to be. The match was introduced by WWE in 2014, during _WrestleMania 30_, as a way to honor the legacy of one of the most iconic figures in professional wrestling historyâAndre the Giant. Known for his massive size and incredible talent, Andre was a true pioneer in the sport. From his legendary matches with Hulk Hogan to his reign as a WWE Champion, Andre the Giant is often regarded as one of the most influential figures in wrestling.
The idea of the Memorial Battle Royal was to have a match that would celebrate his memory while allowing mid-card talent to have a significant spotlight at _WrestleMania_. With 30 competitors vying for the win, the Battle Royal has become an exciting spectacle that often leads to unexpected surprises, providing the WWE Universe with a glimpse of future stars or memorable underdog victories. While the match is typically a stepping stone for the winner, it has nonetheless helped elevate the careers of several Superstars.
### **The Winners of the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal: A Breakdown**
Now that weâve established the significance of the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, letâs go through all the winners of the match, starting from the first one in 2014. Weâll discuss each Superstarâs journey, their victory, and how their careers were impacted after winning this prestigious match.
#### **1. Cesaro â WrestleMania 30 (2014)**
The inaugural Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal took place at _WrestleMania 30_, and it was Cesaro who came out victorious. Known for his incredible strength, athleticism, and technical ability, Cesaroâs win in the Battle Royal was a huge moment in his career. Despite being a favorite in the match, the win itself wasnât the biggest highlightâit was his stunning moment of eliminating the Big Show, a feat that showcased Cesaroâs raw power.
After the win, Cesaroâs career skyrocketed, though it took time for him to truly find his place in WWEâs main event scene. His victory in the Battle Royal was seen as a sign of WWEâs faith in him, but it wasnât until he joined forces with Paul Heyman and eventually became part of the “Cesaro Section” fan movement that his true potential started to shine. Even though Cesaro didnât win the WWE Championship immediately after his Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal victory, it marked the beginning of his ascent toward WWE greatness.
#### **2. Big Show â WrestleMania 31 (2015)**
After Cesaroâs historic win in 2014, the following year saw the giant of all giants, Big Show, claim victory in the 2015 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at _WrestleMania 31_. The match itself was a physical spectacle, with several WWE Superstars showcasing their skills and strength. However, it was Big Show who emerged as the dominant force, eliminating Roman Reigns and others to stand tall as the victor.
Big Showâs win solidified his legacy as one of the most dominant figures in WWE history, especially considering his careerâs association with larger-than-life superstars like Andre the Giant himself. Though Big Showâs victory didnât necessarily elevate him to new heights in terms of championship contention, it did add another milestone to his already impressive career. It also added more fuel to the ongoing conversation about WWEâs push for the bigger, more physically dominant athletes.
#### **3. Baron Corbin â WrestleMania 32 (2016)**
In 2016, Baron Corbin shocked the WWE Universe by winning the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at _WrestleMania 32_. Corbin, who had recently made his main roster debut, used his aggressive style and unmatched determination to eliminate the likes of Kane and others to claim the victory. This win was significant because it marked the emergence of Corbin as a top heel in WWE.
His victory in the Battle Royal was seen as a breakout moment, and it immediately set the stage for Corbinâs rise as a hated villain in the company. Corbin went on to have a successful career, including stints as United States Champion and even WWE Universal Championship contender. His win in the Battle Royal showed that WWE was committed to pushing the newer talent, giving him a solid platform from which to build his future in the company.
#### **4. Mojo Rawley â WrestleMania 33 (2017)**
2017 saw Mojo Rawley take home the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal trophy. Rawley, a fan favorite due to his high-energy persona and loyal partnership with Rob Gronkowski, brought an element of fun and excitement to the match. His victory came after a strong showing in the Battle Royal, as he eliminated his fellow competitors and stood victorious.
Although Mojo Rawleyâs victory was seen as a great moment, it didnât elevate his career as dramatically as it did for other winners. Despite the win, Rawleyâs push in WWE remained relatively low-key, and he was often featured in mid-card feuds. Nonetheless, his win at _WrestleMania 33_ remains a memorable moment in the history of the Battle Royal.
#### **5. Matt Hardy â WrestleMania 34 (2018)**
In 2018, the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal saw one of WWEâs most legendary tag team wrestlers, Matt Hardy, emerge victorious. Hardy, who had recently embraced the “Woken” character alongside his brother Jeff, used his unique and unorthodox style to eliminate the competition. The win also helped solidify Hardyâs place in the upper-mid-card of WWE at the time, even though he was well past his peak in terms of championship contention.
The victory in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal helped Hardy continue his momentum within WWE, where he would go on to have notable feuds and performances as part of the “Woken” persona, adding more depth to his long career. His win wasnât about creating a new WWE Superstarâit was more about reinforcing Matt Hardyâs enduring legacy.
#### **6. Braun Strowman â WrestleMania 34 (2018)**
In a particularly memorable moment, Braun Strowman won the 2019 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at _WrestleMania 34_. Strowmanâs victory was unique, as he didnât face the traditional 30-man field. Instead, he entered the match as a “one-man team,” defeating competitors while essentially being the matchâs dominant force. His size, strength, and ruthless style left fans in awe.
This victory cemented Strowman as one of the biggest forces in WWE, and he was eventually rewarded with major title opportunities, including the WWE Universal Championship. His win in the Battle Royal served as the launching pad for his rise as a main-event-level talent in WWE.
#### **7. Jey Uso â WrestleMania 37 (2021)**
Jey Usoâs victory at _WrestleMania 37_ in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal was significant in its own way. As part of the famed Uso family, Jey Usoâs win solidified his role as a key player in the ongoing Roman Reigns storyline and the future of the SmackDown roster. This victory positioned Jey as a more prominent solo competitor, giving him more opportunities to showcase his talents and set the stage for future opportunities in WWE.
### **Whoâs Your Favorite Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal Winner and Why?**
Each winner of the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal brought something unique to the table, but who stands out as your favorite? Do you appreciate the powerhouse victories of Braun Strowman, or are you drawn to the underdog stories like that of Baron Corbin? Perhaps you love the historic moment Cesaroâs win created, or youâre a fan of Matt Hardyâs legacy that continues to inspire.
What sets each of these winners apart is how their victory in the Battle Royal helped define their careers in unique ways. It is a testament to the matchâs ability to elevate talent, whether it’s providing a stepping stone or adding another layer to an already legendary career. As WWE continues to evolve, we can only wonder which future winners will carry the torch for the next generation of Superstars and what kind of legacy they will create in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.