Each year, the WWE Royal Rumble stands out as a premium live event renowned for its unexpected entrants and surprising moments. However, the surprise element in 2026 fell short of expectations, particularly when compared to previous years. Though there were some notable surprises in both the Men’s and Women’s Royal Rumble matches, the impact varied greatly among them.
When assessing the overall effectiveness of WWE’s surprise entrants in 2026, several criteria come into play: audience reaction (“pop”), the quality of storyline integration (“booking”), and how actively involved the surprises were during the match.
8. La Parka
AAA’s La Parka made a brief surprise appearance, contributing some fun moments but ultimately failing to shine. His presence was subtle, and he received little spotlight or crowd reaction during his participation in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His quick elimination by Austin Theory marked him as one of the less memorable surprises of the night. While nothing about his role was particularly negative, it also lacked any standout positives.
7. Great American (Chad Gable)
Returning after a lengthy injury hiatus, Chad Gable came back as “The Original” El Grande Americano. Though he showed skill during his short time in the Royal Rumble, fans were largely indifferent to his return. This lukewarm reception was partly due to the fact that the storyline behind his masked character was either forgotten or underdeveloped. In hindsight, appearing unmasked might have created a stronger impression.
6. Mr. Iguana
Since WWE’s partnership with AAA, Mr. Iguana has gained considerable popularity among fans, which led to his 2026 Royal Rumble spot. Bringing along his iguana puppet, La Yesca, he provided entertaining and lighthearted moments, particularly interacting with Damian Priest. Despite a warm audience response, Mr. Iguana was quickly eliminated by Trick Williams, and his full potential remained unexplored.
5. NXT Women’s Roster
As is often the case, the Women’s Royal Rumble incorporated several members from WWE’s NXT women’s division. This year featured Sol Luka, Kehlani Jordan, Laura Bice, and Jaycee Jayne. Individually, these participants weren’t major surprises since they’re already recognized within WWE’s developmental ranks. Among them, Sol Luka stood out by lasting over 50 minutes and finishing third before being eliminated by Tiffany Stratton.
4. LA Knight
After a one-month absence from WWE television due to an attack by The Vision, LA Knight returned to the Royal Rumble with strong momentum. While not unexpected, his appearance injected much-needed energy into the men’s match. Knight impressively took down opponents like Austin Theory, Bronson Reed, and Brock Lesnar, turning in a standout performance that reignited fan enthusiasm.
3. Tiffany Stratton
Tiffany Stratton’s surprise return at entry number 30 was significant as she had been off WWE programming for months. Her comeback was highly praised as she nearly won the Women’s Royal Rumble, finishing as the runner-up to Liv Morgan. Stratton’s late entry and strong showing made her one of the top surprises of the evening.
2. Royce Keyes (Powerhouse Hobbs)
Newly rebranded from AEW’s Powerhouse Hobbs to Royce Keyes in WWE, he made an impressive Royal Rumble debut despite a modest crowd reaction. Keyes showcased his talent and strength by competing aggressively against stars like Damian Priest and Cody Rhodes, leaving a strong impression and signaling his future potential within WWE.
1. Brie Bella
Topping the list for the best surprise was Brie Bella, who earned one of the loudest crowd reactions of the night. Competing in professional wrestling for the first time since 2022, she joined forces with her twin sister Nikki Bella. Together, they displayed strong chemistry and eagerness, teasing a possible return to the tag team scene before being eliminated simultaneously. Their appearance helped boost the overall excitement and brought a nostalgic thrill to the event.
Fan Take: The 2026 Royal Rumble’s lineup of surprise entrants offers a mixed bag for WWE fans, revealing both missed opportunities and electrifying moments. Notably, returning legends like Brie Bella and energetic performers like LA Knight remind us that blending nostalgic faces with rising stars is crucial for maintaining excitement and evolving WWE’s legacy.
