With the help of AI, we simulated a Royal Rumble-style Darts tournament, featuring a mix of past and present darting greats.
The world of professional darts is no stranger to drama, excitement, and electrifying moments that leave fans on the edge of their seats.
But what if we could bring together the greatest players of all time, past and present, into a single event?
What if these legends clashed not in a conventional tournament format but in a WWE Royal Rumble-inspired gauntlet, where players entered the stage one by one, battling for supremacy in an epic, winner-stays-on spectacle?
Thanks to the power of AI, we’ve imagined just that: a Darts Royal Rumble, bringing the unpredictability of wrestling’s iconic format to the world of darts.
In this event, 30 of the sport’s biggest names—a mix of legends, current champions, rising stars, and iconic figures from darts history—compete in a single-elimination gauntlet.
Two players begin on stage, competing in a classic 501, best-of-three match. The winner stays on to face the next entrant, with the cycle continuing until all 30 have stepped up to the oche.
Who will emerge victorious? Which legends will rise to the occasion, and who will falter under the pressure?
Without further ado, here’s how the Darts Royal Rumble unfolded.
Darts Royal Rumble Simulation
Player #1: Raymond van Barneveld
The Dutch legend kicks things off, met with chants of “Barney Army!”
Player #2: James Wade
The Machine strides in with his usual focus.
Match 1:
Barney and Wade trade blows, but Barney edges it with a double 16 finish in the decider.
Winner: Raymond van Barneveld (2-1)
Eliminated: James Wade
Player #3: Gerwyn Price
The Iceman enters to loud boos but is unfazed.
Match 2:
Price overpowers Barney with his scoring power and finishes clinically to win.
Winner: Gerwyn Price (2-0)
Eliminated: Raymond van Barneveld
Player #4: Gary Anderson
The Flying Scotsman gets a rousing welcome.
Match 3:
Anderson defeats Price in a tense decider, hitting a 170 checkout to advance.
Winner: Gary Anderson (2-1)
Eliminated: Gerwyn Price
Player #5: Fallon Sherrock
The Queen of the Palace electrifies the crowd.
Match 4:
Sherrock stuns Anderson, taking the decider with a 12-darter and hitting double 8 to win.
Winner: Fallon Sherrock (2-1)
Eliminated: Gary Anderson
Player #6: Michael van Gerwen
MVG enters with supreme confidence.
Match 5:
Sherrock fights hard, but MVG’s firepower is too much. He wins both legs with ease.
Winner: Michael van Gerwen (2-0)
Eliminated: Fallon Sherrock
Player #7: Luke Littler
The 17-year-old world champion enters to loud cheers.
Match 6:
Littler gives MVG a scare, taking the first leg, but Van Gerwen rallies to win the next two, knocking out the world champion.
Winner: Michael van Gerwen (2-1)
Eliminated: Luke Littler
Player #8: Adrian Lewis
Jackpot is ready to light up the stage on his return to the oche.
Match 7:
Lewis overpowers MVG in a high-scoring affair, winning with a bullseye finish.
Winner: Adrian Lewis (2-1)
Eliminated: Michael van Gerwen
Player #9: Phil Taylor
The Power receives a deafening ovation as he enters.
Match 8:
Taylor puts on a vintage display, winning both legs with clinical precision.
Winner: Phil Taylor (2-0)
Eliminated: Adrian Lewis
Player #10: Peter Wright
Snakebite dances his way to the oche.
Match 9:
Taylor and Wright engage in a classic. Wright edges it in the decider with a 140 checkout.
Winner: Peter Wright (2-1)
Eliminated: Phil Taylor
Player #11: Luke Humphries
World number one Cool Hand Luke joins the action.
Match 10:
Humphries takes the first leg but falters as Wright rallies to take the match.
Winner: Peter Wright (2-1)
Eliminated: Luke Humphries
Player #12: Jonny Clayton
The Ferret looks sharp as he takes the stage.
Match 11:
Clayton’s consistency sees him past Wright in straight legs.
Winner: Jonny Clayton (2-0)
Eliminated: Peter Wright
Player #13: Lisa Ashton
The Lancashire Rose is met with warm cheers.
Match 12:
Clayton dispatches Ashton with ease, winning both legs with a 100+ average.
Winner: Jonny Clayton (2-0)
Eliminated: Lisa Ashton
Player #14: Dennis Priestley
The Menace takes to the stage with his trademark calm demeanour.
Match 13:
Priestley frustrates Clayton with his deliberate pace and wins in the decider.
Winner: Dennis Priestley (2-1)
Eliminated: Jonny Clayton
Player #15: Damon Heta
The Heat brings his Aussie flair to the gauntlet.
Match 14:
Heta’s heavy scoring overwhelms Priestley as he wins in straight legs.
Winner: Damon Heta (2-0)
Eliminated: Dennis Priestley
Player #16: Nathan Aspinall
The Asp is full of energy as he storms in.
Match 15:
Aspinall edges a thrilling decider with a 121 checkout to defeat Heta.
Winner: Nathan Aspinall (2-1)
Eliminated: Damon Heta
Player #17: Rob Cross
Voltage is ready to light up the competition.
Match 16:
Cross takes the first leg, but Aspinall roars back with a 140 finish to win.
Winner: Nathan Aspinall (2-1)
Eliminated: Rob Cross
Player #18: Chris Dobey
Hollywood arrives to a big ovation.
Match 17:
Dobey dismantles Aspinall in straight legs, sealing it with a 110 checkout.
Winner: Chris Dobey (2-0)
Eliminated: Nathan Aspinall
Player #19: Dirk van Duijvenbode
The Aubergenius brings his high-energy walk-on.
Match 18:
Dirk edges Dobey in a tense battle, taking the decider with a 13-darter.
Winner: Dirk van Duijvenbode (2-1)
Eliminated: Chris Dobey
Player #20: Wayne Mardle
Hawaii 501 returns for one last dance to a heroic crowd reaction.
Match 19:
Mardle surprises Dirk with a masterclass in finishing, winning both legs.
Winner: Wayne Mardle (2-0)
Eliminated: Dirk van Duijvenbode
Player #21 Enters: Simon Whitlock
The Wizard makes his entrance, determined to make an impact.
Match 20:
Whitlock’s scoring proves too much for Mardle, taking the match in straight legs with a 140 finish to seal it.
Winner: Simon Whitlock (2-0)
Eliminated: Wayne Mardle
Player #22 Enters: Mervyn King
The King enters with a focused look, ready for action.
Match 21:
King and Whitlock trade blows, but Whitlock edges the decider with a 120 checkout.
Winner: Simon Whitlock (2-1)
Eliminated: Mervyn King
Player #23 Enters: Bob Anderson
The Limestone Cowboy gets a warm reception.
Match 22:
Anderson’s old-school class shines as he edges Whitlock in a thrilling decider. A bullseye checkout seals it.
Winner: Bob Anderson (2-1)
Eliminated: Simon Whitlock
Player #24 Enters: Mensur Suljovic
The Gentle receives a roar of approval from the crowd.
Match 23:
Suljovic’s unique style frustrates Anderson, and he wins convincingly with double 14 in both legs.
Winner: Mensur Suljovic (2-0)
Eliminated: Bob Anderson
Player #25 Enters: Michael Smith
Bully Boy charges in, determined to dominate.
Match 24:
Smith’s heavy scoring proves too much for Suljovic. Smith wins both legs with 15-dart finishes.
Winner: Michael Smith (2-0)
Eliminated: Mensur Suljovic
Player #26 Enters: Stephen Bunting
Titanium hits, evoking a raucous reaction, and the Bullet enters with confidence.
Match 25:
Bunting wins the first leg with a 121 checkout, but Smith rallies to take the next two legs with double tops.
Winner: Michael Smith (2-1)
Eliminated: Stephen Bunting
Player #27 Enters: John Part
Darth Maple gets a nostalgic pop from the crowd.
Match 26:
Smith continues his form, winning in straight legs with another bullseye finish to cap the match.
Winner: Michael Smith (2-0)
Eliminated: John Part
Player #28 Enters: Dimitri Van den Bergh
The Dreammaker dances his way to the stage, eager to make an impact.
Match 27:
Van den Bergh takes the first leg, but Smith dominates the next two, sealing the win with a 130 checkout.
Winner: Michael Smith (2-1)
Eliminated: Dimitri Van den Bergh
Player #29 Enters: Daryl Gurney
Superchin looks ready to spoil Smith’s run as a late entrant.
Match 28:
Gurney pushes Smith hard, but Bully Boy takes the decider with a 12-darter, finishing on double 10.
Winner: Michael Smith (2-1)
Eliminated: Daryl Gurney
Player #30 Enters: Glen Durrant
Duzza gets a hero’s welcome as the final competitor. Can he pull off an upset?
Match 29 (Final Match):
Smith storms ahead, taking the first leg with a 170 finish. Durrant fights back to level the match, but Smith’s scoring power and a decisive 11-dart leg secure victory.
Winner: Michael Smith (2-1)
Eliminated: Glen Durrant
FINAL WINNER: Michael Smith
Entering at #25, Bully Boy withstands a gauntlet of tough competition to emerge as the Darts Royal Rumble Champion, showing why, on his day, he is one of the best players in the world! 🎯🏆