The 2026 Royal Rumble, WWE’s flagship event, took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, delivering a night filled with unexpected returns, standout performances, and divisive moments. Marking the company’s expanded presence in the region ahead of WrestleMania 2027, the event showcased rising talent, veteran clashes, and continued controversy surrounding WWE’s Saudi partnership.
Addressing the WWE-Saudi Arabia Partnership
WWE’s relationship with Saudi Arabia remains a contentious issue given the broader political and ethical implications. Critics continue to label this alliance as sportswashing, where entertainment is used to overshadow serious concerns regarding human rights violations, including troubling reports linked to infrastructure projects like the Riyadh stadium construction. WWE, often aligned with its parent company’s controversial affiliations, notably its connections to political figures in the U.S., chose to focus on the spectacle itself rather than the darker backdrop. This partnership underlines the ongoing debate about the responsibility of sports entertainment companies in choosing where and how they operate.
A Closer Look at the Women’s Royal Rumble
The event opened with the women’s Royal Rumble match for the third consecutive year, setting an energetic tone that emphasized the importance of the women’s tag team division. Starting with Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, the match predominantly featured tag teams, highlighted by multiple eliminations involving partners such as Flair, Kairi Sane, and Liv Morgan. WWE’s growing commitment to the division was evident.
Powerful performances came from Jordynne Grace and Lash Legend, with Legend delivering her strongest showing since her main roster debut. Chelsea Green’s brief but impactful appearance included a memorable near-elimination saved by Alba Fyre. The event also saw a notable surprise return with Brie Bella, whose presence remains cherished by Saudi fans alongside her sister Nikki.
One of the night’s most brutal moments was when Rhea Ripley suffered a heavy Tejana Bomb elimination by Raquel Rodriguez onto the apron. The standout performer, however, was Sol Ruca, whose signature “Sol Snatcher” maneuver electrified the crowd and hinted at her future as a main event contender. Ruca, Liv Morgan, and returning Tiffany Stratton comprised the final three, with Morgan ultimately securing a well-earned victory, advancing ongoing storylines involving The Judgement Day and Stephanie Vaquer.
Overall, the women’s Royal Rumble offered solid entertainment and successfully highlighted younger talent.
Gunther Battles AJ Styles in the Show’s Best Match
Gunther extended his streak of overpowering beloved wrestlers by challenging AJ Styles, with the latter’s career on the line. Their match stood out as the night’s finest, combining intense storytelling and high-caliber wrestling. Gunther dominated early with his trademark power and submission tactics, gradually wearing down Styles.
The match climax mirrored John Cena’s iconic retirement bout, with Styles resisting Gunther’s sleeper hold instead of submitting, eventually blacking out before regaining consciousness with confusion. This nuanced portrayal showcased Styles’ resilience and the referee Rudy Charles’s role elevated the drama. Post-match speculation swirled around Styles briefly donning his gloves again, sparking hopes of his continued in-ring future despite the high stakes.
Drew McIntyre’s Dominant Win Over Sami Zayn for the WWE Undisputed Championship
Drew McIntyre delivered an emphatic and dominant performance against Sami Zayn, who commanded immense fan support both in Saudi Arabia and back home in Montreal. The match was less of a back-and-forth contest and more a decisive display of McIntyre’s power. Targeting Zayn’s lower back, McIntyre unleashed a series of punishing moves, including back breakers and White Noise from the top rope, finishing with multiple Future Shock DDTs, a powerbomb through an announce table, and three Claymore kicks.
Zayn’s first defeat in Saudi Arabia is widely seen as a narrative setup for him to claim a major world title at the upcoming Saudi Mania event next year. McIntyre’s retention of the championship keeps his reign strong, while the crowd’s visible heartbreak may help intensify future storylines.
Breakdown of the Men’s Royal Rumble Match
The Exciting Moments
The men’s Royal Rumble began with a dramatic twist when a masked assailant attacked Bron Breakker immediately after his entry, allowing Oba Femi to eliminate him swiftly. The masked figure, adopting Seth Rollins’s wrestling style, sparked speculation that Logan Paul might be behind the disruption.
Oba Femi capitalized on this opening to dominate the early part of the match, displaying star potential following his elevation from NXT to the main roster. In contrast, 2026 call-ups Trick Williams and Je’Von Evans had mixed experiences; Williams received a warm audience reaction but little ring time, while Evans impressed with over 40 minutes in the ring despite selling injuries.
Additional contributors included AAA representatives Mr. Iguana and La Parka, who leveraged their time well. The comedic duo “Dos El Grande Americanos” provided lighthearted moments, fueling hopes for a future WrestleMania match featuring Chad Gable and Ludwig Kaiser. Royce Keys, previously known in AEW as Powerhouse Hobbs, made his WWE debut at #14, signaling a promising future pending careful company management.
Problems Within the Match
Several performers, particularly Rusev and Rey Fenix, received disappointingly poor treatment during their segments. Brock Lesnar’s appearance drew unease, with many finding his ongoing return as off-putting as when he reemerged at SummerSlam 2025. His elimination of Oba Femi before the final ten felt like a misstep, only partially redeemed by narrative possibilities involving a future WrestleMania win for Femi and a SummerSlam retirement bout against Gunther.
The booking suffered from cautiousness, creating a dull late-game atmosphere. While underdog entrants like Je’Von Evans, Penta, and Jacob Fatu would have offered fresh dynamics, they were sidelined in favor of established names such as Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, Gunther, and Roman Reigns, who lacked intrigue as contenders.
Logan Paul’s repeated inclusion in the final four, despite minimal in-match impact, has grown tiresome. The closing trio—Roman Reigns, Randy Orton, and Gunther—elicited enthusiasm mostly due to Reigns’s enduring popularity, especially in Saudi Arabia. Reigns’s final elimination of Gunther secured his victory and widespread crowd approval, particularly given Gunther’s reputation for retiring prominent wrestlers.
Despite the fanfare, another WrestleMania main event featuring Roman Reigns feels predictable and uninspired.
Reflection on the Event’s Overall Impact
The 2026 Royal Rumble delivered a generally strong show marked by high-quality matches, especially the Gunther vs. AJ Styles encounter. Drew McIntyre’s decisive triumph furthered a longer-term storyline, while WWE successfully spotlighted emerging talents like Sol Ruca, Oba Femi, and Je’Von Evans. Liv Morgan’s victory in the women’s Rumble was compelling and earned. By contrast, the men’s Rumble winner, Roman Reigns, represented a safe but uninspiring choice.
This event also raised difficult questions regarding WWE’s ethical considerations, with its continued partnership with Saudi Arabia casting a complicated shadow over the entertainment. Nevertheless, the event stands as a major production in WWE’s “Big Five” pay-per-view lineup, setting a foundation for upcoming storylines and bigger events in the region.
