With WWE Royal Rumble 2026 quickly approaching, anticipation is rising as the card for this major event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia takes shape. As the focus keyword, WWE Royal Rumble 2026 stands out for featuring championship ambitions and fierce rivalries, promising some of the most intriguing matches in recent memory.
Main Event Title Picture Shifts Dramatically
Drew McIntyre‘s recent victory over Cody Rhodes in a demanding Three Stages of Hell match on January 9 instantly shifted the landscape of Friday Night SmackDown. With this upset, McIntyre secured the Undisputed WWE Championship, adding a new layer of excitement ahead of the Riyadh event. SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis has orchestrated a new path to the title by announcing a series of four qualifying matches, the winners of which will compete in a four-way contest on January 24 at Saturday Night’s Main Event. The victor will earn a title shot at WWE Royal Rumble 2026.
The potential for Sami Zayn to win this opportunity looms large, especially since Zayn has never managed to defeat McIntyre in his WWE career. This possible showdown adds an element of unpredictability to the championship narrative, sparking speculation about how the main event could unfold if Zayn finally breaks his streak against McIntyre.
Anticipated Matches Add to the Event’s Prestige
Alongside the Undisputed WWE Championship bout, WWE Royal Rumble 2026 is expected to showcase a variety of high-stakes contests. Stars from across the roster are looking to cement their legacy, with some staking their claim for championship gold, while others aim to settle long-standing feuds. The event’s setting in Riyadh marks another significant chapter in WWE’s global presence, continuing a tradition of taking major pay-per-view events to international audiences.
Rivalries are expected to reach their peak, with key figures such as Cody Rhodes, who is coming off a recent championship loss, and Matt Cardona, sure to play supporting roles as storylines develop. The championship win for McIntyre and the qualifiers on SmackDown have focused attention on who might next rise to the title challenge, setting the stage for matches filled with personal and professional stakes.
Six Matches Poised to Define the Royal Rumble in 2026
According to the developing card, these six matches are generating the most buzz as potential highlights for WWE Royal Rumble 2026:
1. Undisputed WWE Championship: Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Sami Zayn – If Zayn emerges victorious in the qualifying bouts, he will face McIntyre for the title in a first-of-its-kind meeting.
2. Men’s Royal Rumble Match – The annual 30-man contest, a staple of WWE’s calendar, will decide who earns a main event opportunity at WrestleMania.
3. Women’s Royal Rumble Match – This similarly high-stakes battle will grant its winner a championship match at WrestleMania, with stars from Raw, SmackDown, and NXT expected to participate.
4. Tag Team Championship Bout – Ongoing rivalries in the tag division suggest a marquee clash may take place, possibly involving new contenders or established teams looking for redemption.
5. Grudge Match Between Top Rivals – Heated personal feuds like recent issues between top stars could lead to a blockbuster singles contest aimed at settling differences once and for all.
6. NXT Stars Stepping Up – With several NXT talents having recently joined the main roster, their integration into a featured match could offer new surprises and showcase emerging talent.
Looking Ahead to WWE Royal Rumble 2026
These matchups are expected to make WWE Royal Rumble 2026 one of the year’s most unpredictable and compelling wrestling events. With the evolving title scene, potential breakthroughs for stars like Sami Zayn, and ongoing stories involving Drew McIntyre and other key competitors, the outcomes in Riyadh will have lasting implications for WWE’s championship narratives and road to WrestleMania. Fans around the world now wait eagerly to see which battles make the official card and which superstars rise to the occasion.
