WWE: Duggan reveals how to win the Royal Rumble

WWE legend ‘Hacksaw’ Jim Duggan knows what it takes to win the Royal Rumble.

Duggan emerged victorious in the first ever Rumble in 1988, outlasting 19 other wrestlers at the Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario.

Ahead of the 35th edition of the WWE’s battle royal, the 68-year-old told Betway Casino the best way to survive in the event is staying away from everyone else in the squared circle.

“The less time you’re in contact with people, the longer you’re in the ring,” he said. “The whole thing is about longevity.

“That’s why when you watch the Royal Rumble, everyone goes straight to the corners. That’s a safe place.”

Duggan’s success in the inaugural Rumble laid the foundations for the event to become one of the biggest in the WWE calendar.

Its ability to create drama and unpredictable storylines sets it apart from other WWE pay-per-views, making it a must-watch event for wrestling fans.

The event was created by former wrestler, producer and consultant Pat Patterson, who expertly leveraged the talent on the roster at that time.

“You had a unique group of guys back then,” Duggan added. “I think overall the talent nowadays is much better in terms of athletic ability, but my generation of guys were much more creative.

“We didn’t have a board of guys coming up with our character – I own Hacksaw Jim Duggan and trademarked it long before I went to WWE – so we were much more willing to try something new.”

Victory in the 1988 Rumble cemented Duggan’s status as a wrestling hero, with his working-class patriotic character loved by fans across the world.

He found it difficult to resist the lure of the WWE towards the end of his wrestling career, returning in 2009 and 2012 to participate in the Rumble.

His elimination in the second of those events came at the hands of Cody Rhodes – the son of former wrestler and Duggan’s old adversary Dusty.

Duggan admits he was concerned about keeping pace with the new generation of stars and worried about damaging the legacy he had built.

However, his worries proved to be unfounded as wrestling fans gave him a rapturous welcome back to the WWE universe.

After hanging up his wrestling trunks for the final time, Duggan has unfortunately had several health scares in recent years.

He is currently recovering from cancer for the second time, having had surgery in October, and says that a return to the ring is not on the cards.

Despite this, he will be watching the 2022 Rumble with interest and has urged this year’s competitors to embrace the opportunity to make a name for themselves.

“In a Royal Rumble, anything goes,” Duggan told Betway.

“Everybody joked about my eyesight, but you don’t have to pick and choose your targets in a Rumble. If it moves, I hit it.

“If people were betting on that first Rumble, the odds would have been pretty high that Hacksaw Jim would pull it out.

“Anybody has a chance at the Royal Rumble, anybody can win it and it can change people’s career like it changed mine.

“Go in there, stand up and be counted. Go for it, never give up, never surrender.”