Royal Rumble 2026, set for Saturday, January 31, will be held at Kingdom Arena inside the KAFD district in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking a major first for WWE as the event leaves North America after nearly four decades. Anticipation remains high for the annual spectacle, but this year’s Royal Rumble stands out for not featuring the usual surprise returns or unexpected appearances, a decision directly tied to the overseas location.
The First Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia
This year’s edition makes history, breaking the long-standing tradition of hosting the Royal Rumble in North America—primarily the United States, with the single exception of the 1988 show in Canada. WWE’s choice of Riyadh signals continuing expansion into international markets, with the Kingdom Arena set to host both the men’s and women’s Royal Rumble matches, which are typically the most anticipated bouts for fans around the world.
Traditionally, the Royal Rumble has distinguished itself with high-profile surprise moments, including unexpected returns from legendary wrestlers and shocking debuts. These elements have played a big part in fan excitement and social buzz for the event each year.
Why There Won’t Be Any Surprise Returns This Year
Former WWE personality Jonathan Coachman has publicly shared that fans should temper expectations for surprise appearances at this year’s Royal Rumble. According to Coachman, the event’s setting in Saudi Arabia presents significant logistical hurdles that make orchestrating unannounced returns almost impossible. His statement on social media was clear:
“This one is interesting. Because of the Rumble being in Saudi it’s going to be very difficult for them to pull out any surprises like the reported return of Y2J.”—Jonathan Coachman, Former WWE Personality
Historically, WWE has gone to great lengths to keep returns and debuts secret, but organizing such moments far from its American base, and within Saudi Arabia’s strict regulations, appears too complex for 2026. Coachman’s comments have been echoed both by fan discussion online and within wrestling news outlets, reinforcing that WWE is not planning to repeat the surprise element this year.
Favorites and Predictions for the Men’s Royal Rumble
While the lack of surprise entrants is generating disappointment among portions of the WWE fanbase, the focus has shifted toward the likely competitors expected to headline the men’s Royal Rumble match. Recent reports from WrestleVotes highlight Bron Breakker as the leading contender to win the high-stakes battle. According to a creative insider:
“Bron Breakker is your current… whiteboard favorite, as so bluntly described to us to win the Royal Rumble.An idea has been strongly considered within creative circles that would see Breakker win the Royal Rumble on January 31 from Saudi Arabia.”—Unnamed WrestleVotes Source
However, as with all things WWE, plans remain fluid. Other major names rumored as possible winners include Roman Reigns and Gunther, each of whom brings significant fan followings and storyline implications to the match. Fans remain eager to see how the final lineup of entrants will impact the event’s outcome and overall narrative.
What This Means for WWE and Global Wrestling Fans
The absence of unannounced returns or debuts at Royal Rumble 2026 may disappoint those hoping for nostalgia or shocks, but it reflects the realities and challenges of hosting a major sports entertainment event in a new overseas market. This year’s approach suggests WWE is prioritizing stable event planning and high-profile stars already on the roster over orchestrating last-minute surprises. As such, the focus for fans and analysts has shifted to in-ring action and the championship opportunities that follow Royal Rumble victories, especially with rising talents like Bron Breakker making headlines.
Ultimately, the Royal Rumble 2026 stands as a milestone for WWE’s global ambitions, bringing one of its flagship events to Riyadh and broadening its international appeal, even if it means some traditions are left behind this year.
This one is interesting. Because of the Rumble being in Saudi it’s going to be very difficult for them to pull out any surprises like the reported return of Y2J. https://t.co/beMyqFgTIQ
— The Coach (@Thecoachrules) January 3, 2026
