Brock Lesnar, who has been absent from WWE events since November 2025, confirmed on The Pat McAfee Show that he plans to compete in the 2026 Royal Rumble and aims to secure a victory. Lesnar, a two-time Royal Rumble winner, expressed confidence about winning the match for the third time.
Over a phone call during the show, Lesnar stated,
“I’m heading to the Royal Rumble and I’m gonna WIN it,”
underscoring his determination to compete at the highest level despite the long break.
Lesnar Prepares for Tough Competition From New and Established Wrestlers
Pat McAfee cautioned Lesnar about the eager pool of competitors, combining both veteran Superstars and emerging talents, ready to challenge him in the Royal Rumble. In response, Lesnar assured that he is in great physical condition and fully prepared to face the upcoming battle.
Historical Context of Lesnar’s Royal Rumble Performances
Lesnar’s last Royal Rumble victory was in 2022, which led to a high-profile “Winner Takes All” match against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 38 for the Universal and WWE Championships. His first Royal Rumble triumph was back in 2003, shortly after becoming a main roster Superstar.
Recently, Lesnar took part in his first WarGames match at Survivor Series, joining forces with Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Logan Paul, and Drew McIntyre. This marked only his second match since returning in August 2025 at SummerSlam, ending a two-year absence from WWE.
Break from WWE Linked to Legal Disputes and Previous Feuds
Lesnar’s hiatus followed reports connecting him to Janel Grant’s lawsuit against WWE Chairman Vince McMahon. Prior to stepping away, Lesnar was involved in a feud with Cody Rhodes, where Rhodes came out victorious.
Potential Historic Win and its Significance
If Lesnar manages to win the 2026 Royal Rumble, he would become just the second Superstar to claim three victories in the event’s history, joining Stone Cold Steve Austin in that exclusive category. Other legendary wrestlers like John Cena, Randy Orton, and Hulk Hogan have each won twice, placing Lesnar among elite company.
His pursuit of a third Royal Rumble victory adds a compelling storyline to the event and raises anticipation among fans eager to see if he can reclaim his spot atop WWE’s roster as one of the most dominant Superstars.
BROCK LESNAR IS ON THE PHONE
"I'm heading to the Royal Rumble and I'm gonna WIN it" ~ @BrockLesnar
THAT'S BIG NEWS #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/JOkGqlhB4J
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 28, 2026
