The 2026 WWE Royal Rumble showcased some of the best elements of Triple H’s era as WWE’s chief content officer, yet it was not without notable shortcomings. Roman Reigns and Liv Morgan emerged as winners of the Men’s and Women’s Royal Rumbles, fitting choices given their status, but both matches lacked a certain spark that left fans wanting more. Despite strong pacing and well-timed entrances, baffling creative decisions detracted from the overall impact of the event.
Unrealized Potential in the Brock Lesnar and Oba Femi Encounter
Oba Femi’s early entry into the Royal Rumble at number one signaled WWE’s intention to portray him similarly to Brock Lesnar’s dominant 2020 performance. Femi quickly cleared several competitors, including Bron Breakker and Matt Cardona, demonstrating his capability. However, his elimination at the hands of Lesnar nearly 40 minutes later felt underwhelming.
Brock Lesnar’s entry at number 22 immediately led to a highly anticipated standoff with Femi, evoking memories of the Lesnar-Gunther rivalry teased in the 2023 Royal Rumble. While Lesnar’s eventual elimination of Femi is understandable, especially if WWE plans a future payoff where Femi regains momentum, the manner in which it occurred left much to be desired.
Why the Lesnar-Femi Sequence Fell Short
Rather than overpowering Femi with brute strength as fans had expected from the “Beast Incarnate,” Lesnar capitalized on a moment of inattention when Femi turned his back. This allowed Lesnar to remove him with little resistance, a finish inconsistent with the power-based styles both men are known for. The announcers offered minimal recognition for Femi’s incredible early performance, failing to give him a memorable farewell.
The dynamic between Lesnar and Femi, pitting the savvy veteran against the ambitious rookie, had potential, but WWE mishandled the culmination. The interactions lacked the intensity expected of two powerful wrestlers, resembling more a cautious dance than a decisive confrontation, which felt out of character for Lesnar.
The Greater Issue of Brock Lesnar’s Own Elimination
The problems extended beyond Femi’s exit to include Lesnar’s own elimination shortly afterward. During fan favorite Jey Uso’s prolonged entrance, Lesnar was unexpectedly tossed out by Cody Rhodes and LA Knight. Although who eliminated Lesnar was less important, the context and execution lacked impact.
Rhodes’ elimination of Lesnar came without a storyline justification, especially since Rhodes had already secured several wins over Lesnar in 2023. LA Knight’s involvement in the elimination seemed even less meaningful. The moment missed the opportunity to boost one of these wrestlers’ stature, which similar eliminations have done in the past — such as Drew McIntyre’s career-defining moment after eliminating Lesnar in 2020.
Lesnar’s participation overall felt perfunctory, underscored by a lackluster intro alongside Paul Heyman after Bron Breakker’s quick exit, which failed to capitalize on his presence in any significant way.
Limitations in Superstar Interactions and Storytelling
The 2026 Royal Rumble appeared constrained by WWE’s narrow focus on certain talent, especially with part-time stars like Lesnar and Reigns. The event missed the opportunity to build fresh interactions between its Superstars. Matches that explore new rivalries or unexpected pairings generate excitement, but the event mostly featured well-worn encounters. For example, Reigns’ notable in-ring moments were confined to those against his cousins Jey Uso and Jacob Fatu, and established opponents like Cody Rhodes.
Notably absent was a renewed Lesnar-Reigns confrontation, a rivalry that has captivated fans in previous years. This lack of novelty limited the dynamic energy traditionally associated with Royal Rumble matches. Reigns’ final moments with Gunther, which could hint at a future rivalry, also fell flat compared to the compelling finales in the women’s match.
LA Knight’s Continued Search for a Breakthrough Moment
LA Knight has been one of WWE’s most consistent performers since 2023, yet his prominence in this Royal Rumble was underwhelming despite receiving a sizable reaction from the Riyadh crowd. His eliminations of two members of The Vision faction were eclipsed by the fact that they were the faction’s two lowest-ranked competitors, Austin Theory and Bronson Reed.
Logan Paul, the faction’s fourth member, outlasted Knight and made it to the final four, leaving fans to wonder whether his contract restricts him from an earlier exit. Paul’s repeated deep runs—finishing third twice previously and fourth in 2026—have drawn mixed reactions, especially as he lacked any standout moments aside from his longevity.
Knight’s elimination came abruptly when Cody Rhodes landed a disaster kick, ending his participation in a deflating fashion after a respectable showing that included eliminating three contenders. While Knight could still find future success through other avenues like Money in the Bank or King of the Ring tournaments, this Royal Rumble felt like a missed opportunity for a defining breakthrough.
Strengths and Weaknesses in the Women’s Royal Rumble
The Women’s Royal Rumble delivered a notably stronger overall product compared to its male counterpart, especially due to its well-developed mini-storylines involving tag teams and individual rivalries. The decision to spotlight splits within teams such as Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, the Kabuki Warriors of Asuka and Kairi Sane, and Bayley and Lyra Valkyria added layers of meaningful tension.
Brie Bella’s return generated speculation of new developments in the women’s tag team division. However, the match still featured questionable eliminations, similar to the men’s side. Flair’s elimination after nearly an hour in the match was understated by commentary, and Rhea Ripley, a clear fan and executive favorite, was removed without significant storytelling impact, despite receiving a brutal Tejana Bomb on the ring apron from Raquel Rodriguez.
Lash Legend stood out with a dominant performance, removing five opponents including Flair, though the narrative focus didn’t do justice to the dramatic dynamics between Flair and Tiffany Stratton, despite their rivalry heading into WrestleMania 41.
Highlighting Young Stars and Deserved Victories
Triple H’s focus on elevating younger talent was one of the event’s strongest elements. NXT newcomers like Lola Vice, Sol Ruca, and Oba Femi maximized their time in the spotlight, alongside recent roster additions like Je’Von Evans and debutants such as Royce Keys, formerly known as Powerhouse Hobbs in AEW.
Liv Morgan’s win in the Women’s Royal Rumble was both expected and well-earned, marking a culmination after multiple close calls in past events. The closing sequence was especially compelling, with Tiffany Stratton making a credible run toward victory, and Ruca briefly threatening to win before a Sol Snatcher attempt on the ring apron ended her chances.
For the men, WWE aimed to rectify the controversy surrounding Roman Reigns’ 2015 Royal Rumble win, where he was widely booed. Eleven years later, Reigns has evolved into the Tribal Chief, one of the company’s most popular and dominant characters. His favored status going into the 2026 Rumble, especially after Gunther’s exhausting entrance following a match that ended AJ Styles’ career, made his win the logical outcome.
Although the men’s final moments lacked the excitement seen in the women’s match conclusion, having Reigns emerge victorious was the sensible choice given his current status and the absence of a fitting alternative like LA Knight.
