As is the case every year since the event's beginning, the event's main event was the 30-man over-the-top-rope battle royal, also known as the Royal Rumble match. The match started with two wrestlers and a new one was added every 90 seconds. To eliminate an opposing wrestler he must be thrown over the top rope and have both his two feet hit the floor, this continued until there was only one man left, who was named the winner.
The Royal Rumble match was originally announced with the usual stipulation, which would have seen the winner receive WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania 32.[1] However, as a reaction to champion Roman Reigns attacking Triple H at the end of TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs and disrespecting WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon and his family over the following weeks, McMahon decided on the January 5 episode of Raw that Reigns had to defend his title in the Royal Rumble match.[2] Two weeks later, Reigns was forced to enter the match as the number one entrant.[3]