The 2026 WWE Royal Rumble featured thrilling moments, surprising eliminations, and career milestones, including the retirement of AJ Styles. However, Brock Lesnar‘s unexpected early elimination stunned fans, raising questions about an apparent mistake during the event. This incident, alongside several other unusual occurrences, disrupted the flow of a night filled with title opportunities and big returns.
Confusion Surrounds Lesnar’s Premature Departure
Brock Lesnar, widely anticipated to make it deep into the Royal Rumble, was eliminated much earlier than expected. His exit coincided with Jey Uso entering the ring. Lesnar appeared to be holding onto the ropes but then fell outside the ring, visibly frustrated and shaking his head. The outside referee seemed unsure of what was happening, and another official quickly informed Jey Uso of a decision, hinting that Lesnar’s elimination might have been accidental. Many fans believed Lesnar was intended to be among the final competitors but was mistakenly removed.
Timing and Entry Intervals Under Scrutiny
The event also featured irregular timing between entrant appearances, deviating from the traditional 90-second interval that has been a staple for decades. Some wrestlers entered after gaps of one to two minutes, seemingly based on in-ring action rather than set timing rules. This inconsistency added to the night’s chaotic feel. Furthermore, confusion reigned over the prize for winning, as graphics indicated the winner would receive a WrestleMania title match, while the announcer described it simply as a WrestleMania main event opportunity.
Controversy Around AJ Styles’ Career Finale
AJ Styles’ final match ended with Gunther applying a sleeper hold, rendering Styles unconscious. However, fans criticized the handling of the finish, as the referee only checked Styles’ arm once before declaring the match over, without the usual three count. This technical ending left many feeling that the conclusion to Styles’ distinguished career lacked the proper ceremony it deserved and was rushed by officials.
Alexa Bliss’ Unclear Elimination Raises Questions
Alexa Bliss was eliminated off-screen while outside the ring alongside Nia Jax. Attempts by Charlotte Flair to pull Bliss back were unsuccessful, and Bliss fell onto the floor without any graphic or replay acknowledging her elimination. She was also not included in the total number of eliminations during the broadcast, suggesting her exit happened too early to be properly documented. Bliss herself seemed surprised by the outcome, unable to hold onto Charlotte for support.
Other Key Moments from the Night’s Battles
Aside from the key controversies, the Royal Rumble also saw notable performances. AJ Styles bid farewell after his defeat to Gunther, while Sami Zayn failed to capture the World Championship. Two superstars secured spots for WrestleMania, continuing the tradition of using the Royal Rumble as a launchpad for future title pursuits and storylines.
Several botches witnessed during the event, especially the confusion surrounding Brock Lesnar’s elimination and inconsistent match pacing, underscored the challenges in managing such a complex show. These incidents have sparked significant discussion among fans about the execution and official decisions during WWE’s flagship event.
Luckily for AJ Styles & his fans the ref did not do a proper check for the knock out. He’s supposed to give AJ Styles three tries to raise his hand before calling the technical submission stoppage. The Referee can’t just swipe at his arm one time and call it because he’s a puss.
— McFly (@Mcfly1855) February 1, 2026
