Comprehensive Rankings and In-Depth Reviews of Every Match Analyzed

The Royal Rumble 2026 premium live event has now become part of WWE history. On January 31st, WWE took over a brand-new stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Financial District. The event featured just four matches: the men’s and women’s Royal Rumble matches, Drew McIntyre defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against Sami Zayn, and AJ Styles risking his career in a match against Gunther.

TheSportster evaluates the entire Royal Rumble 2026 to identify the best and worst matches of the night, as well as how the rest compared.

Women’s Royal Rumble Match
Overall rating: 6/10

Women’s Royal Rumble matches often struggle with overcrowding, causing awkward pacing and clumsy spots. Though there were some bright moments, the match lacked a consistent storyline. New talents like Rush legends, Jordynne Grace, and Sol Luca — who made it to the final three — were spotlighted heavily. The women’s tag team division got attention, especially with Liv Morgan overcoming her partner Raquel Rodriguez, along with Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair standing out early. The match’s last five minutes were exciting, marked by Rhea Ripley eliminating a legend, Rodriguez ejecting Ripley, and fierce battles among the last three. Unfortunately, slow pacing and many forgettable eliminations earlier on prevented the match from reaching its full potential. Liv Morgan sealed the victory impressively by hitting Tiffany Stratton with Oblivion, delivering a commanding finish.

Men’s Royal Rumble Match
Overall rating: 6.25/10

The match started strongly, driven by Oba Femi’s standout performance, who took down several tough opponents, including Bronn Breaker, who was mysteriously attacked by a masked figure. However, momentum waned mid-way as the match lost focus, pace, and structure, causing crowd disinterest. While the in-ring action remained solid, the overall impact was flat. Brock Lesnar’s entrance shook things up but didn’t fully ignite the crowd until LA Knight’s much-anticipated return brought renewed energy. Oddly, Lesnar and Femi were quickly eliminated with little fanfare. The closing moments revived excitement, featuring dramatic eliminations and a tense showdown between Roman Reigns and Gunther, ending with Reigns winning his second Royal Rumble. A major flaw was weak storytelling and inadequate buildup to WrestleMania, leaving many storylines feeling unresolved.

Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn (WWE Championship)
Overall rating: 7/10

Drew McIntyre defended his title against Sami Zayn in a match that quickly turned into a test of endurance after Zayn suffered a back injury from a high-risk maneuver. McIntyre relentlessly targeted Zayn’s back, while Zayn showed impressive resilience by fighting through the pain, often facing the crowd away to shield his discomfort. Despite some close calls, it was clear McIntyre was in control throughout. The match’s pace was occasionally slow, and the audience reaction did not meet expectations, but it still delivered a respectable contest given the high caliber of both wrestlers. In the climax, McIntyre decisively finished Zayn with two claymore kicks and retained his championship.

Gunther vs. AJ Styles (Career-Threatening Match)
Overall rating: 8.75/10

Gunther and AJ Styles put on a high-stakes, emotionally charged match, as Styles’ WWE career hung in the balance. The bout began with a strong emotional undertone that quickly escalated into intense, hard-hitting action. Both competitors showcased their skills, with Styles executing his signature moves in a fiercely competitive environment. Despite Styles’ best efforts, Gunther’s overpowering strength and relentlessness proved too much. The story of a seasoned veteran giving everything, yet ultimately running out of fight, was told masterfully. After several desperate attempts by Styles to escape, he was ultimately subdued by Gunther’s crushing sleeper hold, passing out to a stunned, silent audience. This match built wonderfully on their previous RAW encounter, delivering impressive storytelling, emotion, and tension.

Fan Take:
This Royal Rumble highlights WWE’s ongoing effort to blend fresh talent with established stars, though some missed opportunities in storytelling left fans wanting more. However, the memorable match between Gunther and AJ Styles, combined with the thrilling returns and surprises, suggests WWE is poised to deliver some exciting moments heading into WrestleMania, keeping the sport compelling for years to come.