At the recent Royal Rumble event in Saudi Arabia, Brock Lesnar competed in the Men’s Royal Rumble match but ultimately fell short of victory. The event featured several memorable moments, including confrontations involving top WWE stars, with Lesnar’s performance becoming a key talking point among fans and analysts.
Paul Heyman Praises Ilja Dragunov’s Clash with Lesnar
Paul Heyman took to social media to share that his favorite moment from this year’s Royal Rumble was Ilja Dragunov facing off against Brock Lesnar, also known as The Beast Incarnate. Heyman’s enthusiasm was echoed by Dragunov himself, who reposted the message on his Instagram story, highlighting the significance of their encounter during the event.
Gunther Ends AJ Styles’ Career and Nearly Wins Rumble
Gunther claimed a major victory over AJ Styles at the Royal Rumble 2026, marking the end of Styles’ in-ring career. Gunther, nicknamed The Ring General, also had a strong showing in the Rumble match, advancing to the final two competitors. However, Roman Reigns executed a decisive Spear and eliminated Gunther over the top rope to win the match. Following this win, Reigns is set to challenge for a high-profile title at WrestleMania 42, solidifying his position as the top contender.
Cody Rhodes Signals Renewed Rivalry with Brock Lesnar
Cody Rhodes recently indicated that his rivalry with Brock Lesnar is far from over. Their intense competition peaked in 2023 when Rhodes triumphed over Lesnar at WWE SummerSlam. Speaking on ESPN’s Get Up, Rhodes expressed eagerness to face Lesnar again in the Men’s Royal Rumble match, suggesting that unfinished business remains between them.
“I think I’d like to get Brock Lesnar if I could get anyone. I had his last match before he came back and wrestled John Cena. I thought we ended this thing. Apparently, we did not. But I’d like to be the one to throw that guy out,” he said.
Rhodes’ comments continue to fuel anticipation among fans for a potential rematch between the two rivals in an upcoming WWE event.
Brock Lesnar’s Recent WWE Comeback and Achievements
Brock Lesnar returned to WWE last year, making a significant impact by defeating John Cena at Wrestlepalooza 2025, an event that was part of Cena’s retirement tour. Lesnar also teamed with The Vision and Drew McIntyre to secure victory in the Men’s WarGames match at WWE Survivor Series last year, maintaining his status as a dominant force in WWE competition.
Implications for Future WWE Storylines
The events at the Royal Rumble and recent comments by Cody Rhodes suggest that the rivalry between Rhodes and Lesnar will likely continue, stirring interest ahead of major upcoming WWE shows. Roman Reigns’ victory positions him for a significant championship match at WrestleMania 42, while Gunther’s win over AJ Styles signals the end of a notable wrestling era. These developments set the stage for compelling narratives and high-stakes matches in the months to come.
Cody Rhodes and LA Knight worked together to eliminate Brock Lesnar#RoyalRumble
— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) January 31, 2026
