The WWE Royal Rumble 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about editions in years. Set for January 31, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this year marks the first traditional Royal Rumble held outside North America, giving the historic event an international flair and unprecedented global attention.
Royal Rumble has always been synonymous with excitement long before the bell rings: it’s the thrill of surprise returns, unexpected debuts, and the chance that someone no one saw coming could walk out of the stadium with a title shot at WrestleMania 42.
Men’s Royal Rumble: An Unclear Path to WrestleMania
A number of stars have already declared for the men’s Royal Rumble, including Penta, Rey Mysterio, Dragon Lee, Solo Sikoa, and Jey Uso. While each brings credibility and crowd appeal, none appear positioned as legitimate threats to actually win the match. Their value instead lies in providing memorable moments and influencing the direction of the final stretch.
However, a much more interesting dynamic to consider is that of the feud between Cody Rhodes and Jacob Fatu. The idea that Fatu will be the last person standing after eliminating Rhodes would be a very big statement, and it could be a way to establish Fatu as a true main event player, perhaps even setting up a feud with Drew McIntyre over the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania.
Gunther, AJ Styles, and the Uncertainty Factor
Gunther would normally sit near the top of any Rumble prediction list, but his situation this year is complicated. With a scheduled match against AJ Styles earlier in the night, his participation in the Rumble itself is far from guaranteed. Even if he does enter, there is no obvious world-title matchup waiting for him at WrestleMania, which makes a Rumble victory feel unlikely based on current creative direction.
Roman Reigns, Bron Breakker… and a Possible Jericho Shock
This brings the list of realistic contenders down to Roman Reigns and Bron Breakker.
The Roman Reigns vs. Rhodes III match was teased after Survivor Series and would be a huge draw for WrestleMania, but going back to this rivalry so quickly might be premature.
The path to the championship for Bron Breakker is much clearer, as he would immediately get out of his narrative suspension and win the Royal Rumble, giving him a shot at CM Punk and the World Heavyweight Championship in a rematch, this time on the biggest stage in WWE.
Another layer of interest in this year’s Royal Rumble comes in the form of a potential return for Chris Jericho. With his AEW run seemingly behind him, a shocking Rumble appearance would be huge, especially in terms of the reaction he would get. While he would not win the match, the impact that Jericho could have on the final stretch of the Rumble and the potential for a moment that would define the entire evening would be immense.
While a new face in Oba Femi would be exciting in the future, the more realistic choice is Bron Breakker.
Prediction: Bron Breakker wins the Men’s Royal Rumble.
Women’s Royal Rumble: Wide Open and Loaded With Possibilities
The women’s Royal Rumble is just as unpredictable, with several major names already confirmed and more expected to enter. Unlike previous years, there is no obvious favorite heading into the match.
At Saturday Night’s Main Event, Liv Morgan failed to regain the Women’s Tag Team Championships alongside Roxanne Perez against Rhea Ripley. That loss may be the turning point that refocuses Morgan on singles competition.
Liv Morgan’s Momentum and the Return Wild Cards
Morgan’s recent interactions with Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer appear to be setting her up for something big. After coming close in several Royal Rumbles over the past few years, it seems it’s long overdue for Morgan to win one. Not to mention, a win could potentially lead to a long-discussed character change, possibly even with Dominik Mysterio, heading into WrestleMania.
Of course, the women’s match may ultimately come down to surprise returns.
Paige has been rumored to potentially return at the Rumble, and a return alone would get the crowd on their feet. Another name fans speculate about in relation to surprise returns is AJ Lee.
Of course, Bianca Belair has been out of action since WrestleMania 41 and a surprise return would make her an immediate favorite to win and potentially kick off a huge WrestleMania feud with Jade Cargill.
Until then, however, Morgan appears to be the safe bet.
Prediction: Liv Morgan wins the Women’s Royal Rumble.
