The 2026 Royal Rumble delivered mixed reactions among WWE fans. Highlights included AJ Styles and Gunther winning what seemed to be the final match of Styles’ career and an engaging WWE Championship bout between Drew McIntyre and Sami Zayn. However, the Royal Rumble match itself took place in a nearly empty, quiet arena hastily assembled for the event. On the women’s side, Liv Morgan emerged victorious, securing her spot in the main event at WrestleMania 42. On the men’s side, Roman Reigns claimed his second Royal Rumble win, setting up his first main event at WrestleMania.
The closing moments of both matches were telling: the women’s final three featured up-and-coming young talent, while the men’s final three were older veterans nearing the end of their careers, raising concerns about WWE’s future.
Liv Morgan, Sol Luca, and Tiffany Stratton were the Women’s Final Three
- Liv Morgan, the favorite, took home the win.
- Morgan is 31, while Stratton and Luca are still in their 20s.
- The women’s division appears ready to pass the torch to a younger generation.
Liv Morgan entered the women’s Royal Rumble as the frontrunner and delivered a triumphant moment. Despite prior championship reigns and several near misses at winning the Rumble, this victory stands as her defining achievement. The final three women—Morgan, Tiffany Stratton (returning), and Sol Luca (a recent main roster addition from NXT)—highlight WWE’s shift toward younger women talent. Morgan, born in 1994, is 31, whereas Stratton and Luca, both born in 1999, are just approaching 25. This signals a promising future for the women’s division as stars like Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair, who once dominated main events, gradually make way for the new talent.
Roman Reigns, Randy Orton, and Gunther made up the Men’s Final Three
- Roman Reigns’ presence in the WrestleMania main event was a given.
- All three finalists are in their 40s or close to it.
- Stratton and Luca are about 20 years younger than Randy Orton.
Roman Reigns was also the favorite on the men’s side and didn’t disappoint, winning for the first time since the contentious event in Philadelphia. Unfortunately, many fans found the outcome predictable and underwhelming, as it means another WrestleMania main event featuring Reigns, potentially against CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship. The other finalists—Randy Orton and Gunther—are veterans with multiple world titles but are well into their late 30s to mid-40s. Reigns is 40, Gunther 38, and Orton 45, a stark contrast to the women’s division’s younger finalists.
WWE Must Focus on Building the Future of the Men’s Division
- The women’s division is poised to surpass longtime stars like Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair.
- The men’s division leans heavily on veterans like Cody Rhodes and CM Punk.
- Talents like Oba Femi and Bron Breaker deserved longer exposure during the Royal Rumble.
The path for the women’s division is clearer than ever—future stars such as Morgan, Stratton, Luca, Iyo Skye, and Rhea Ripley are ready to carry the torch even as legends like Lynch and Flair eventually retire. For the men, the landscape looks more uncertain. With iconic stars like John Cena and AJ Styles retired and top figures like Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre, Seth Rollins, and CM Punk approaching or exceeding 40—some even drawing boos due to poor booking—WWE needs fresh talent. The Royal Rumble showcased promising rising stars like Oba Femi, who impressed fans and could become a major star if the company cultivates him properly. Despite facing Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania, Femi is ready for big challenges without relying on Lesnar’s legacy. Similarly, Bron Breaker seemed ready for more prominence instead of a quick elimination.
While Roman Reigns winning the Royal Rumble makes sense from a marketing standpoint, it was disappointing to see the final three filled with older guys like Orton and Gunther. Orton’s prime may be behind him, and Gunther has already proved himself by defeating AJ Styles. It’s time for WWE to transition towards new faces in the men’s division, but the Royal Rumble indicated the company may not be fully prepared to embrace this change.
Fan Take: This year’s Royal Rumble highlights a crucial crossroads for WWE, especially concerning the men’s division, which risks stagnation without fresh talent stepping up. For fans, the emergence of younger female stars is a beacon of hope, signaling an exciting new era for WWE’s future storytelling and competition.
