Brock Lesnar, who had been absent from WWE television since Survivor Series: WarGames 2025, confirmed his return for the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble event during a recent episode of The Pat McAfee Show. The announcement came unexpectedly via a video call, sparking speculation and excitement about his involvement in the upcoming pay-per-view. Reports from Pwinsider also confirmed his expected appearance at the Royal Rumble this weekend.
Seth Rollins Reacts to Lesnar’s Remote Royal Rumble Entry Announcement
Seth Rollins addressed Brock Lesnar’s unconventional announcement during an episode of ESPN’s Get Up podcast, expressing a mixture of respect and disbelief. Rollins commented on Lesnar’s reputation, stating,
“I mean, look, anytime Lesnar’s in the Royal Rumble, you know, he’s a force to be reckoned with. He is the beast. His resume speaks for itself. Whether it’s a regular match or a Royal Rumble, I’ve been in the ring with him. It’s no fun.”
He further mocked Lesnar’s casual approach to the announcement, saying,
“That is the most Brock Lesnar way I’ve ever seen to announce your entry into the Royal Rumble. Didn’t want to show up for work. Don’t want to leave the farm in Saskatchewan—Saskatoon, I think it is. Just calls in to McAfee and says, ‘I’m in.’ And that’s it. Now he’s going to get a jet, go to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and have a good shot at winning the Rumble.”
Seth Rollins Shares His Status Ahead of the 2026 Royal Rumble
When asked about his own prospects for the 2026 Royal Rumble during an appearance on ESPN’s First Take, Seth Rollins revealed that he would not be competing this year due to recovery from surgery. He explained,
“Well, well, pump the brakes on me participating in the Royal Rumble. I’m not ready there yet. I just had my rotator cuff done in October. I’ve got a couple months left to go. I wish I could get myself in there, but that’s not going to be the case. Oh, man. No, you know what? I’ll give it away. I’m not going to be at the Rumble. I cannot, I can’t, I just can’t. Would love to be in there and dump all those dudes over the top rope and punch my card to WrestleMania, but the doctors are just not going to let it happen this time around, unfortunately.”
Rollins’ injury and surgery recovery timeline make his absence certain for this year’s event.
Implications for WWE’s Upcoming Events and WrestleMania
Brock Lesnar’s return to the Royal Rumble carries significant weight as he remains a dominant figure in WWE, known for his mixed martial arts background and wrestling accomplishments. His return after months away from WWE TV is likely to influence the storyline going into WrestleMania, especially with Seth Rollins sidelined and unable to participate. Lesnar’s involvement in the Royal Rumble, combined with Rollins’ ongoing recovery, sets the stage for a highly anticipated and intense buildup as WWE move toward their next major events.
