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Daily Star Sport imagines what a darts Royal Rumble would look like and who would win

Daily Star Sport, with the help of a supercomputer, has imagined what a darts Royal Rumble could look like on the eve of WWE's showpiece

[De Decker, Van Gerwen, Littler, Humphries, Taylor]

The Darts Royal Rumble is here

Since the emergence of Luke Littler at the Paddy Power PDC World Darts Championship in 2024 - the sport has exploded.

Darts is the talk of the town, and Littler its resident prince - with the sudden wave of new fans has come talk of an innovative competition, a darts Royal Rumble. It's a simple format: 30 men, one trophy, one set of 501, winner stays on.

Darts expert Chris Hammer outlined it best: "Imagine Phil Taylors music hits with three people left to come out. Youve got Rob Cross up there and then bang, Phil Taylor comes out, and he can get revenge for that World Championship final."

Well, Chris, you no longer have to imagine. Daily Star Sport has taken it upon ourselves, with the help of AI, to run the inaugural darts Royal Rumble with WWE's showpiece running during the early hours of Sunday morning.

So without any further ado...

1 - Gabriel Clemens

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The crowd has packed into Ally Pally, the booze is following and all eyes are on the tunnel - which has been assembled to hide the next entrance - before Oasis' Wonderwall hits.

Gabriel Clemens is here and the German Giant has pulled the unlucky No.1. He's going to have to go full-Rey Mysterio to take this one; Clemens has never won a television or non-televised title.

Ally Pally is in full voice, then again who isn't when Wonderwall is played out loud?

2 - Jonny Clayton

Clemens' work has got just that much harder as Johnny Clayton is announced as No.2, the Ferret is a fan favourite and Ally Pally's reaction tells you just that.

However, there's no time for his iconic finger point as Clemens unloads on the Welshman with a number of high-scoring visits.

Clayton hits back and takes out tops to advance.

Clayton wins.

3 - Phil Taylor

"I CAN'T SPEAK," yells Wayne Mardle as the Ally Pally comes unglued.

He's back, he's here! Phil Taylor wants to prove he still has the magic of old in what has to be the ultimate Ironman performance from the 16-time champion of the world. On the stage, Clayton is stunned - he knows what's coming.

The Power is back to winning ways; he unleashes a storm on Clayton and makes light work of the Welshman.

Taylor wins.

[Phil Taylor]

The 16-time world champ enters the fold(Image: PA)

4 - Damon Heta

There's some Dragon Ball Z hair poking from the tunnel, and fans already know who is on his way.

Damon Heta is here.

Australia's No.1 has the Ally Pally bouncing, but he's walking into the jaws of death with Taylor waiting for him at the oche. And as soon as Heta has unpacked his darts, they're going straight back into the case again.

Taylor wins.

5 - AngryGinge

WOW, Luke Littler's close pal, YouTuber and Twitch streamer AngryGinge is in Rumble - who saw this coming?

Ginge has strutted his stuff on the MODUS Super Series, but only in celebrity events. He's never faced anything, or anyone, like this before - Taylor is almost smirking on the stage while Ginge takes in the atmosphere.

It's light work for the Power and Ginge is soon sent straight back to the dressing room.

Taylor wins.

6 - Michael Van Gerwen

Here we go again. Rock vs Cena. Hogan vs Savage. Triple H vs Orton.

The Ally Pally can hardly believe their eyes, it's time for one of darts' all-time rivalries to write its latest chapter. The two greatest of all time are set for a one-leg showdown this early in the Rumble - you'd think the winner has to be the favourite to go on and take it all.

It's a ding-dong battle that goes down to the wire, but a double 16 from Mighty Mike is enough to fend off his old foe.

Van Gerwen wins.

7 - Ritchie Edhouse

Madness is on the speakers, and that can only mean one thing: It's the turn of the European Champion.

Ritchie Edhouse had the season of dreams in 2024, taking his first major, and he's looking for more success in the Rumble. The only problem is, he's coming up against Van Gerwen on a mission.

Madhouse puts up a good challenge, stealing the darts from Van Gerwen. However, he struggles on his doubles, allowing Van Gerwen back into the leg with an arrow at tops - and he makes no mistake to leave Edhouse by the wayside.

Van Gerwen wins.

8 - Joe Cullen

Van Gerwen is starting to put together a string of wins as he finds his range from the oche - he barely even acknowledges Cullen's entrance; he's laser-focused.

And it's straight to business for Mighty Mike, who unloads on the treble 20, while Cullen struggles to find his trebles.

It's another routine win for the Dutchman - who can challenge him?

Van Gerwen wins.

9 - Nathan Aspinall

The crowd is bouncing again, and no sooner has Van Gerwen checked out against Cullen, than The Killers' smash hit Mr Brightside starts to play. And here comes Nathan Aspinall, arms outstretched he high-fives the crowd.

The Asp hasn't taken his eyes off Van Gerwen throughout his entrance - this is proper WWE stuff.

And yet, despite all the mind games, the Asp doesn't have an answer for Mighty Mike's scoring power. It's another easy checkout for the Dutchman as we reach a third of the way through.

Van Gerwen wins.

[Michael van Gerwen]

The Green Machine powers his way through(Image: Getty Images)

10 - Stephen Bunting

From one iconic walk-on to another, Bulletproof hits and the Ally Pally roars. Bunting is in the form of his life, taking his first TV title in 2024, he's gone on to claim the Bahrain Darts Masters.

He's back in the Premier League, into the upper echelons of the world rankings - and now he's eyeing Rumble glory. The Bullet is out the blocks quickly and Van Gerwen is scrambling to compete.

The Dutchman is stunned and the Ally Pally is bouncing, one of the favourites has been dumped out.

Bunting wins.

11 - Dennis Priestley

The Ally Pally can't believe it, a second legend of the night is making his return - this time it's Dennis Priestley.

The Menace, now aged 74, is having a field day with the crowd - who are loving every moment of this. He's happy to be here and warmly embraces Bunting on the stage, who raises his hand to the delight of the crowd.

Enough of the pleasantries we've got some darts to play, and the Bullet makes light work of Priestley.

Bunting wins.

12 - Dimitri Van den Bergh

Dimitri Van den Bergh, fresh off his Premier League snub, has a bone to pick with Bunting - who made the cut.

It's a change of character for Van den Bergh, WWE style, and he's ditched his iconic walk-on song and ditched the dancing nickname. The former UK Open winner is here to win.

The Belgian is quick out of the blocks and Bunting can't keep up.

Van den Bergh wins.

13 - Josh Rock

Josh Rock recently told Daily Star Sport he can compete with Luke Littler right now. And it's the perfect chance for Rocky to prove that as he marches out to the oche.

With new darts and a new shirt, Rocky wants to win a major this season - and, in our imaginary world, let's count the Rumble.

However, it's an uphill battle for Rocky, with zero trebleless visits from the Dreammaker.

Van den Bergh wins.

14 - Chris Dobey

This is quickly turning into the Van den Bergh revenge tour as another Premier League prospect's music hits. This time it's Chris Dobey.

Fresh off the back of his Paddy Power PDC World Darts Championship semi-final appearance, Hollywood is looking to strike gold in the Rumble.

However, again, he's on the end of a clinic from Van den Bergh, who can't seem to miss the treble bed in his current form.

Van den Bergh wins.

15 - Peter Wright

Here we go, it's party time at the palace as running, yes, running to the oche comes Peter Wright.

The two-time world champion is keen to put on a show as he plays up the crowd - but he'll need a performance akin to the one he put on against Luke Humphries at the worlds. And that's exactly what he's doing from the first arrow.

Van den Bergh was stunned as the Wright of old turned back time and produced a 13-dart leg.

Wright wins.

[Peter Wright]

Peter Wright enters the party

16 - Gary Anderson

It's civil war time, Wright swings around shocked - his Scotland World Cup team-mate has drawn No.16.

There's a big fight feel as Gary Anderson makes his way down the walkway, on his day he's one of the best tungsten throwers on the planet. And nobody knows that more than Wright.

The Flying Scotsman was able to ground Wright, who is still playing to the crowd following his win over Van den Bergh, and produced a stunning champagne finish on 132.

Anderson wins.

17 - Rob Cross

Here comes former world champion Rob Cross; he's also got a score to settle after a tough start to the season. Voltage comes out of the gates swinging.

He knows he's got 13/14 darts to make a mark on the Rumble - and with a potentially season-changing win.

Cross is down to a finish before Anderson, but it's the biggest of them all: 170. However, with a cheeky smile and two darts in the treble 20 bed and one in the bullseye he lives to fight another day.

Cross wins.

18 - Rashard Sweeting

There's some initial confusion when Rashard Sweeting's music hits, heads are turning from side to side, scrambling to see who will emerge. However, when it becomes clear it's the Ally Pally's darling, there's an eruption of noise.

Sweeting won the hearts of fans during the World Championship when he put on quite the display against Jeffrey de Graaf. On that occasion, the Candyman had turned down the chance for a conventional finish to nail a 180.

However, he would only treat fans to one leg as Cross makes light work of the Candyman.

Cross wins.

[Mike De Decker]

Mike De Decker enters with his built-up anger from his Premier League snub still boiling(Image: Getty Images)

19 - Mike De Decker

Mike De Decker has done a lot of talking in recent weeks after he was snubbed from the Premier League. The Belgian became the first Sky Sports major winner to not be selected for the Premier League when the lineup was announced.

De Decker won the Grand Prix of Darts last autumn - and he's eyeing another major here. Embracing the sports entertainment side of it all, there are a few boos from the crowd.

However, The Real Deal shrugs it off and dismantles Cross. Message sent.

De Decker wins.

20 - Gerwyn Price

There's no rest for the wicked, and De Decker's next opponent is soon making his way to the oche.

Gerwyn Price has looked back to his best in recent weeks, but he's against a De Decker embracing his full heel-persona. We have it all in this one as the pair get into each other's faces, this is Gezzy at his most Gezzy.

De Decker comes out on top in the slugfest, as there are words exchanged after the Belgian took out double four for the win.

De Decker wins.

21 - Ricardo Pietreczko

"Pokemon. Gotta catch 'em all," yells the crowd as Ricardo Pietreczko makes his way to the stage - it was a good 2024 for the German, if you forget the miscount at the Grand Prix.

And it's a ghost from Grand Prix's past that awaits him in the form of Mr Double De Decker himself.

It's an easy win for the Belgian, with Pietreczko putting up little resistance.

De Decker wins.

22 - Ricky Evans

Ricky Evans, fresh off the back of his world's performance, is here - and he's back with Madonna. He's having fun with the crowd, but as soon as he reaches the oche it's all business.

Rapid is throwing at the speed of light and the crowd is right behind him, it's like the world's all over again.

It's the quickest game of the night so far (in throwing speed and duration) as Rapid stuns the world to end the De Decker revenge tour.

Evans wins.

23 - Luke Littler

He's here. And it's bad news for Rapid.

The Prince of the Palace is back to rule over his kingdom; the Ally Pally last saw Littler when the sport's prodigal talent got his hands on the World Championship.

This is Littler on a mission, a childhood WWE fan who picked his walk-on music based on the promotion, would love to win the inaugural Rumble. And it's a quick goodbye to Rapid.

Littler wins.

24 - Gian van Veen

WE HAVE A NINE.

Littler has raised the roof again, he's not messing about here.

Gian van Veen is stunned, Wayne Mardle is almost losing his voice on comms, and it's all in a day's work for darts' resident superstar.

Littler wins.

[Luke Littler]

Luke Littler arrives to steal the show(Image: Getty Images)

25 - Dave Chisnall

Fans are still celebrating with their booze after Littler's heroics to even notice his next challenger, Dave Chisnall, is at the oche ready to throw.

It's been so close yet so for Chizzy his entire career - tonight he has the chance to right that wrong. However, this sports generational talent stands in his way.

And from the first throw Littler sets out picking Chizzy apart on the treble 19s and takes out a massive 120 outshot to send his opponent right back to the waiting room.

Littler wins.

26 - Adrian Lewis

Littler has his work cut out now, and for the first time during his stint on the oche the crowd isn't behind him.

That's because Jackpot Adrian Lewis is making his long-awaited return to the very top of the sport - the two time world champion is here to send him a message. Lewis recently announced he's extending his hiatus for the year - but it appears he's made an exception for one night.

However, Jackpot can't strike gold as Littler emerges on top.

Littler wins.

27 - Danny Noppert

Danny Noppert has drawn lucky No.27; for a long time in WWE's event this was THE number to pull - at least until Cody Rhodes won from 30 in 2023.

Littler is also now looking to become the ironman of the event, becoming the first player to register five - with Michael van Gerwen, all that time ago, managing four before he was dumped out by Stephen Bunting.

You know how this goes by now...

Littler wins.

28 - Michael Smith

The heavy hitters don't stop for Littler and Michael Smith is next to take the oche.

Bully Boy hasn't been the best version of himself since he lifted the world championship, but that doesn't mean he can't cause a problem in a single 501 shootout. Littler needs to be at his very best, and he is, starting with a 180.

And it's a pace that Smith can't keep up with as Littler moves to five not out.

Littler wins.

[Luke Humphries]

Luke Humhpries cooly waits in the wings(Image: Getty Images)

29 - James Wade

It's the turn of Daily Star Sport's own columnist James Wade.

Wade is two legs of 501 from glory - but so is Littler, and the Nuke is on one of those scary stretches of form where every arrow turns to gold. Wade is treated to a 180 before he's got to the oche, Littler wants to wrap this up as quickly as he can.

See you later Wade; we're down to the final two.

Littler wins.

30 - Luke Humphries

It had to be these two, didn't it.

Thirty players and we're left with the two biggest darting forces on the planet - the modern day Taylor and Barney. Littler looks invincible, but Humphries is a man on a mission after he had his world title ripped from his hands by Peter Wright.

The nerves are visible, this is a straight shoot-out for the title. And as both stars register big scores there can only be winner...

Humphries wins.

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