On January 31st, WWE held the 2026 Royal Rumble at the brand-new stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of the 2026 Games. This premium live event featured several notable matches and unforgettable moments. The night saw two fresh Royal Rumble champions securing their places in WrestleMania’s world title main event, with surprising twists and standout performances. Meanwhile, a career-risking match unfolded with AJ Styles, Gunther, and Drew McIntyre defending the WWE Title against Sami Zayn.
The 2026 Royal Rumble delivered fan-favorite highlights, from thrilling matches and memorable winners to smart booking choices worthy of recognition.
Liv Morgan Finally Captures the Royal Rumble Victory
- Morgan had been runner-up several times before.
- Her consistent success made her an obvious choice for a main event push in 2026.
- She clinched the win by eliminating Tiffany Stratton last.
After many attempts, Liv Morgan finally stepped out of the shadows to claim victory in the Royal Rumble, entering at No. 14 and eliminating three opponents—including a shocking removal of her Judgment Day tag partner, Raquel Rodriguez. Although the women’s Royal Rumble wasn’t universally praised as the best match, Morgan’s win felt well-deserved. Despite playing a heel, Morgan has been an incredibly popular figure since her Survivor Series 2025 return, thanks to her impressive momentum. Fans anticipate that she will challenge Stefanie Vaquel for the Women’s World Championship at WrestleMania 42.
WWE Highlights Rising Talent in the Women’s Royal Rumble
- Sol Luka finished 3rd in the Rumble.
- Rush Legend had the most eliminations of the night.
- Several NXT stars made a strong impact.
While the women’s Royal Rumble included many well-known names, much of the focus was on new stars breaking through. Big names like Becky Lynch exited early, and others such as Rhea Ripley, Iyo Skye, The Bella Twins, and Charlotte Flair were outmaneuvered by lower-ranked competitors. Rush Legend, in particular, stood out by dominating the match and gaining instant recognition. Additionally, NXT standout Sol Luka made an impressive run to the final three, signaling WWE’s commitment to elevating fresh talent.
AJ Styles Wins His Final WWE Match
- Styles’ WWE career was hanging by a thread.
- Gunther defeated Styles in their Royal Rumble clash.
- The match served as an emotional farewell for Styles.
AJ Styles, facing the end of his WWE career, delivered an intense and emotional showdown with Gunther. The climactic finish saw Gunther choke out Styles, symbolically ending his storied WWE run, with the audience visibly shocked and saddened. WWE gave Styles ample time to soak in the crowd’s praise, teasing a possible continuation of his career outside WWE by jokingly retrieving and then putting back on his gloves. His farewell was one of the emotional highlights of the night.
Oba Femi Emerges as a Royal Rumble Standout
- Oba Femi entered as the first participant.
- He eliminated five competitors during the match.
- Brock Lesnar was the only one able to eliminate him.
A key highlight of the men’s Royal Rumble was Oba Femi, who impressed from the start as the opening entrant. Demonstrating main event-caliber ability, he took out well-known wrestlers like Bron Breaker, Solo Xicore, Rey Mysterio, Rusev, and Matt Cardona. Although Brock Lesnar ultimately eliminated him, Femi’s dominant display solidified his position on the WWE main roster. This sets up intriguing potential storylines, possibly culminating in a major Lesnar vs. Femi bout at WrestleMania 42.
Roman Reigns Celebrated for His Second Royal Rumble Win
- Reigns’ 2015 Royal Rumble win was widely criticized.
- He is now a prominent, well-loved WWE babyface.
- His second Royal Rumble win in 2026 was met with great fanfare.
Roman Reigns’ first Royal Rumble victory in 2015 remains infamous due to the overwhelmingly negative crowd reaction. Fast forward eleven years, and Reigns is now cherished as a top babyface in WWE. The 2026 Royal Rumble saw him earn his second victory, this time accompanied by enthusiastic cheers. While some fans may be wary of his repeated wins, this moment was a satisfying redemption for Reigns. His elimination of Gunther likely sets the stage for a WrestleMania 42 main event showdown with World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk in Las Vegas, promising yet another marquee WWE headline match.
Fan Take:
This year’s Royal Rumble marks a pivotal moment for WWE, balancing the rise of fresh talent like Liv Morgan and Oba Femi with the emotional farewells and triumphant comebacks of established stars like AJ Styles and Roman Reigns. With WrestleMania 42 shaping up to showcase these compelling storylines, WWE fans can expect a thrilling blend of legacy and innovation that keeps the sport exciting and unpredictable.
