The director for the upcoming WWE Royal Rumble 2026 event, set for January 31st in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has been confirmed following some backstage changes. Mike Johnson of PWInsider reported that Lee Lipschultz, usually the broadcast director for WWE Countdown pre-shows and PLE post-shows, directed the Royal Rumble this year. Typically, major WWE events and RAW broadcasts are overseen by Marty Miller, who was absent from Riyadh as he was in the U.S. managing TKO’s Zuffa Boxing 02 event slated for February 1st.
During the Royal Rumble broadcast, two winners were crowned: Liv Morgan for the women’s match and Roman Reigns for the men’s main event. Between the two Royal Rumble matches, there were two significant singles contests—Gunther defeated AJ Styles, resulting in Styles’ retirement, while Drew McIntyre successfully defended his WWE Title against Sami Zayn. Following the event, Triple H praised several WWE superstars for their performances.
Fan Take:
This update is significant for WWE fans as it highlights a shift in production leadership during one of the year’s biggest events, which could influence how future broadcasts are managed. Additionally, the dramatic outcomes and crowning of new champions signal exciting storylines and shifts that will shape WWE’s direction in 2026.
