Roman Reigns, although only appearing sporadically during the year, remains one of the leading contenders to win the 2026 Men’s Royal Rumble. As one of WWE‘s top stars and notable part-timers—second only to Brock Lesnar—Reigns continues to attract attention despite limited in-ring time. The Tribal Chief previously won the Royal Rumble in 2015, and given the way WWE books him, he could become a multiple-time winner this year. However, several factors suggest that Reigns should not claim the 2026 Royal Rumble victory.
Reason Four: The Part-Time Schedule Undermines Championship Credibility
Roman Reigns’ part-time status over the last six years is the clearest reason he should not win the 2026 Royal Rumble. His pattern of returning shortly before major pay-per-view events, participating, and then disappearing for months has become predictable. Whether due to his personal choice following high-profile matches such as WarGames or sustained attacks like those at Clash in Paris and after WrestleMania 41, Reigns spends significant time absent. This kind of schedule, often driven by movie filming or negotiated breaks, raises questions about his ability to remain a consistent champion. WWE’s roster has ample full-time stars capable of holding and defending titles, making part-time champions less justifiable in 2026.
Reason Three: Other Competitors Deserve the Spotlight
The Royal Rumble traditionally features several strong contenders, and WWE currently has multiple deserving candidates who could capitalize on a big moment. While Roman Reigns remains a heavy favorite in any match he enters, other wrestlers, such as LA Knight, are in need of marquee opportunities and title runs, instead of continuing in secondary roles. Sami Zayn’s ongoing storyline as the “Underdog of the Underground” taps into his strong popularity, especially in Saudi Arabia, and has been building anticipation for a major title breakthrough. Emerging names like Bron Breakker would also benefit WWE’s long-term health by becoming part of the Royal Rumble winners’ circle. Established stars such as AJ Styles, who may retire after 2026, and top heels like Gunther are more fitting alternative choices. Reigns’ win would overshadow these promising narratives.
Reason Two: Four Years as Champion Was Sufficient
Royal Rumble victories do not guarantee championship titles at WrestleMania, as demonstrated by past winners like Charlotte Flair, who lost her major title soon after winning the Women’s Rumble. Roman Reigns’ extended dominance—including multiple reigns and an especially notable four-year run from 2020 to 2024—has already played a significant role in WWE’s recent history. His lengthy tenure led to the revival of the World Heavyweight Championship, emphasizing the need to share main event opportunities with others. Even in 2025, Reigns’ off-and-on appearances while holding the title highlighted the drawbacks of relying on part-time champions. Moving forward, WWE should focus on full-time titleholders who can maintain momentum consistently.
Reason One: The Need to Elevate New Main Event Stars Before WrestleMania
WWE must prioritize building fresh main event talent rather than continuing to have Roman Reigns headline WrestleMania repeatedly. CM Punk’s history illustrates how even a five-time major titleholder had to wait years before main-eventing WrestleMania, playing a supporting role to legends like John Cena, Randy Orton, Brock Lesnar, The Rock, and Triple H. Fans’ emotional investment in Punk’s first WrestleMania main event demonstrated the value of elevating new faces. In contrast, Reigns has closed WrestleMania ten times, a frequency that may dilute the significance of the moment. By allowing other wrestlers to claim the WrestleMania main event spot, WWE can foster new megastars and create a sustainable future, especially as Reigns’ eventual exit approaches. Awarding someone else the 2026 Royal Rumble victory would be a strong step toward this goal.
