Royal Rumble 2026: Riyadh is the first time the traditional Royal Rumble will be held outside of North America. Back in 2018, the Greatest Royal Rumble was held in Saudi Arabia, and that was a 50-man match. What surprise entrants will we see come back this year?
Career-Threatening Match
AJ Styles vs Gunther
Allen: I didn’t know this was happening. I would like to think they would keep AJ at least until Wrestlemania, at least keep the story going for a few more months. It just all seems too soon.
Greg: Rumour is Uncle Allen’s contract is up shortly, and with Shinsuke Nakamura possibly spoiling on social media, I’m going to ignore my feels and go with what makes sense. Gunther adds another name to the list of people he has retired. Maybe Uncle Allen can go out with a goofy ass smile on his face too.
BigFreaky: How can Uncle Allen lose so flat?? Gunther with a DQ win, that doesn’t really count?
Justin: Every time I think WWE will swerve us, they don’t. Even though AJ has been talking about his impending retirement, it still doesn’t feel like it’s about to happen. But as much as I want this match to end in a surprise AJ win, I think logistically, everything points to Gunther.
That great final match with Shinsuke, Shinsuke’s deleted diary post that said AJ told him a while ago that he was going to retire at the Royal Rumble, and the CM Punk match cemented my prediction. Gunther wins and retires another legend. It’s 10 years after his Royal Rumble debut in 2016. It makes too much sense, and it’s too poetic for them not to play up.
Singles Match for the Undisputed WWE Championship
Drew McIntyre (c) vs Sami Zayn
Allen: If this were the time to put the title on Sami Zayn, this would be it. Super crowd favorite, would go over really big in Saudi. Have him defend it in Mania and drop it back to Drew or Cody.
Greg: I don’t think Drew McIntyre is dropping the belt this soon into his title run. Back when he was the champ during the COVID era, he didn’t have a real chance to run with the ball properly. Now that he has a well-rounded heel character and has the belt again, we’ll get to see him really show what it’s like to see him as champ with people around him to feed off of.
The match itself should be pretty good, but the outcome is a bit predictable. The fed should have pulled the trigger on Sami during the first Bloodline saga when he was at his hottest.
BigFreaky: I couldn’t imagine a Sami win. Unless Drew can win the Rumble. Seems a bit far-fetched.
Justin: With all the rumours that it’s going to be Cody vs Roman for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania, I’m so glad they put the belt on Drew this close to Mania (whether it was planned or not). I’ve been waiting for Drew to be on top of the mountain, and I think he deserves to be there. At the same time, I don’t understand the Sami hate online. When he turned on the bloodline and caught fire on the road to WrestleMania 40, I actually wouldn’t have minded them calling an audible and putting the belt on Sami.
However, I think logistically, everything points to Drew McIntyre winning. I don’t think they’ll take the belt off Drew this soon, especially after the way he lost the World Heavyweight Championship. Making him lose this belt this early again will strip him of any credibility going forward. Also, I do think the reason they chose Sami is that Saudi Arabia will love him and give him a big pop while booing Drew the way WWE wants.
30 Women Royal Rumble Match
Winner Gets a World Championship Match at Wrestlemania 42
Allen: Come on Liv Morgan. She’s been in all the rumbles, she’s worked back from her latest injury, and she’s a fan favourite face or heel. That, or maybe a surprise return from Bianca Belair to throw her back into the main event mix.
Greg: Chelsea Green! C’mon y’all. She’s due.
Ok, now that I got that out of my system. Yes, Liv makes the most sense. At least on the red brand. For the blue brand? Is Jade still the champ? If so, I don’t know if Jade vs. Liv would be a good pairing. I think Jordynne Grace is being primed to take the belt off her. Although I would prefer Giulia personally.
I’m actually not looking forward to who wins, but what ridiculous Power Ranger full-body suits the ladies come out in that don’t violate Saudi traditions but still keep them looking cool.
BigFreaky: I think Liv Morgan is a good call.
Justin: First of all, never count out Charlotte Flair when it comes to WWE. Charlotte vs Jade is a match I’m sure they’re salivating to do. With Jade as champion, a Bianca Belair return and win to set up a Mania clash between the two is also highly possible. Currently, Liv Morgan seems to be the favourite to win. She was in the final two of the 2023 and 2024 Royal Rumbles. I think Liv Morgan finally conquers the Rumble.
30 Man Royal Rumble Match
Winner Gets a World Championship Match at Wrestlemania 42
Allen: KIT WILSON! But in all honesty, I’m for anyone but Cody Rhodes. Cody should win the Elimination Chamber for his Mania match. Have Bron Breakker win the Rumble or a surprise Oba Femi, strap the rocket on either of them.
Greg: YES! KIT WILSON! Toxic masculinity has no place in the main event of Wrestlemania. I have some shit numbers in this year’s Royal Rumble pool, so I think I’m not winning this year, but go KIT WILSON!
Seriously, Kit Wilson ain’t winning. He might stay longer than people expect. But not winning. I’m pretty sure this will be the launching point for Bron Breakker to get his ‘Mania moment by dethroning Punk.
What will be more interesting is who will return (Hi Chris Jericho!). Being that this is a Saudi show, I want to know what deceased wrestlers they demand be dug up from their graves to appear. Or what Temu versions the Fed will use as replacements to placate the Saudis.
BigFreaky: Is the freakin’ one (Seth Rollins) healed yet? Probably not. But I’m rooting for whoever pulls 1, 23, or 24.
Justin: Roman Reigns seemed to be the favourite for a while when it was rumoured that it was going to be him vs Cody at Mania for the championship. I’m hoping that’s not still the case. I like Roman, but I’d like to see a fresh name win. To me, the possible ones would be Bron Breakker or Oba Femi.
If it were me? Man, have Oba win the Rumble, and then beat Drew to establish him as a monster champion. That way, you can also do Bron vs Punk for his belt. I know Bron is suspended, but I’m sure they could think of a way to get him in.
And the logical part of my brain says they’ve been building him up for a match with Punk at Mania. That being said, I think I’ve talked myself into my own fantasy booking, so I’m going to say Oba Femi winning the 2026 Royal Rumble.
This Year’s Royal Rumble Pool Numbers
This will be our ninth year of doing our site’s Royal Rumble Pool. For context, we have been doing our pool since 2018. Allen has won five years in a row, only to have his streak ended last year by first-time participant Justin.
Greg is on a two-year rumble streak with wins in the last two years. BigFreaky and Ping are still looking for their first win. However, the big story is the return of five-time champion Hollywood JYP, looking to soulfully dance his way back to a win.
With the luck of the draw, the Royal Rumble always has been one of the most entertaining PLE’s in WWE’s history
Here is how our random numbers played out for this year.
Justin: 18, 25, 9, 15, 29
Greg: 17, 3, 20, 11, 13
Ping: 14, 26, 2, 5, 8
BigFreaky: 24, 23, 16, 1, 10
Allen: 4, 6, 21, 30, 12
Hollywood JYP: 22, 27, 7, 28, 19
This is our past list of winners and the wrestlers who won the Royal Rumble.
2018
Toz (Asuka #25)
Hollywood JYP (Nakamura #14)
2019
Toz (Becky Lynch #28)
Hollywood JYP (Seth Rollins #10)
2020
Allen (Charlotte Flair #17)
Hollywood JYP (Drew McIntyre #16)
2021
Hollywood JYP (Bianca Belair #3)
Allen (Edge #1)
2022
Allen (Ronda Rousey #28)
Greg (Brock Lesnar #30)
2023
Allen (Rhea Ripley #1)
Hollywood JYP (Cody Rhodes #30)
2024
Allen (Bayley #3)
Greg (Cody Rhodes #30)
2025
Greg (Charlotte #27)
Justin (Jey Uso #20)
Do you participate in Royal Rumble pools? Do you have any favourite Royal Rumble memories?
To celebrate the return of Hollywood JYP to our Royal Rumble Pool. Here are some prime beastly pictures of the legend.
