The 2026 Royal Rumble is fast approaching and will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The lineup includes the traditional Royal Rumble matches for men and women, with AJ Styles putting his career on the line against Gunther, and Drew McIntyre defending the WWE Championship against Sami Zayn.
For WWE to make the 2026 Royal Rumble a hit, certain key booking decisions must be handled thoughtfully. Here are some expected outcomes and recommendations:
- Sami Zayn’s Chase for the WWE Championship
- Drew McIntyre’s reign should continue for now.
- If Sami Zayn loses, there should be a storyline discussion to justify the loss.
- Zayn will need to pursue the WWE Championship as an underdog throughout 2026 before ultimately winning it.
Though fans would love to see Sami Zayn crowned champion, it’s premature considering the ongoing developments in WWE’s main event scene. Since McIntyre recently won the title from Cody Rhodes, it makes sense for him to retain it at the Royal Rumble, allowing Zayn to remain a credible challenger through future feuds. Interference, possibly from Trick Williams, could help McIntyre retain while setting up a marquee WrestleMania clash with Zayn.
- Roman Reigns Should Not Win the Men’s Royal Rumble
- Roman Reigns is currently a part-time performer.
- WWE should prioritize a full-time wrestler as the Royal Rumble winner.
- Reigns has already won the Rumble back in 2015.
Given Reigns’ limited schedule and a less compelling character in recent years, WWE would be better served having him lose the men’s Rumble. This would provide an opportunity to build up another competitor for a world title showdown or a high-profile non-title match. Having someone else eliminate Reigns would make a bigger impact than another victory for him.
- Liv Morgan to Win the Women’s Royal Rumble Match
- Morgan has been a runner-up multiple times in previous Royal Rumbles.
- The Judgment Day faction members have lost momentum since returning from injury.
- A match between Stefani Vaquel and Liv Morgan at WrestleMania would be compelling.
Liv Morgan is one of the top candidates to win the 2026 Women’s Royal Rumble. With her popularity on the rise and her history of near misses, it’s time for WWE to push her to the top. She is poised for a major singles match against Stefani Vaquel for the Women’s World Championship at WrestleMania.
- AJ Styles’ Retirement Should Be Honored
- AJ Styles is expected to retire following the Royal Rumble.
- His match against Gunther requires a significant time allocation.
- WWE should honor Styles with a respectful and memorable farewell.
Following recent confrontations on WWE programming, it appears AJ Styles will close his WWE career at this event. WWE should allocate ample time—at least 30 minutes—for his match with Gunther, offering him a dignified send-off that acknowledges his impact before he moves on from the company.
- Powerhouse Hobbs Debuts on WWE Main Roster
- Hobbs is rumored to have signed with WWE under the name Royce Keyes.
- He should skip the developmental NXT brand and debut on the main roster.
- Making his debut at the Royal Rumble would be an ideal career launch.
Powerhouse Hobbs, known for his appearances in AEW, is expected to join WWE and immediately enter the spotlight. His debut in the Royal Rumble match would be an excellent platform to showcase his power and skill against top-tier talent, setting the tone for a promising future in WWE.
- Bron Breakker Should Win the 2026 Royal Rumble
- WWE needs to build fresh stars through the Royal Rumble.
- Breakker is gaining momentum as a main eventer on Monday Night RAW.
- Winning the Rumble would pit him against CM Punk at WrestleMania.
The 2026 Royal Rumble should mark Bron Breakker’s rise to the main event scene. Joining the ranks of past breakout Rumble winners like Brock Lesnar and Drew McIntyre, Breakker’s victory would solidify his status and empower him to headline WrestleMania against CM Punk, with whom he is currently feuding.
Fan Take:
This 2026 Royal Rumble card offers exciting potential to refresh WWE’s main event landscape while honoring its legends. By spotlighting emerging talents like Bron Breakker and Liv Morgan, alongside a respectful farewell for AJ Styles, WWE can energize its storytelling and create memorable moments that fans will cherish for years.
