WWE Royal Rumble 2026: A Desert Showdown Sets the Stage for Vegas
Let’s be honest: wrestling fans are a tough crowd. We’re nostalgic, we’re critical, and we’re always waiting for the other shoe to drop. But every once in a while, WWE pulls off a night that reminds us exactly why we glue ourselves to the screen (or in this case, wake up at odd hours to catch a show from Riyadh).
The 2026 Royal Rumble is officially in the books, and if this is what the road to WrestleMania 42 looks like, buckle up. We’re heading to Las Vegas with a full tank of gas.
Saturday night in Saudi Arabia delivered a mix of predictability and pure spectacle. We saw legends bid farewell, titans clash, and two superstars finally punch their tickets to the main event. Let’s break down the chaos, the emotion, and the moments that actually made us jump off the couch during the Royal Rumble.
The Tribal Chief Reclaims His Throne At The Royal Rumble
It feels like we’ve been waiting an eternity for the “Old Tribal Chief” to remind everyone who runs this yard. Roman Reigns entering the Rumble isn’t just a participation trophy; it’s a statement.
The men’s match was a slow burn that exploded in the final act. We had the family drama—because it wouldn’t be a Bloodline story without a little fratricide—with Roman tossing out Jey Uso and Jacob Fatu. It was strictly business, and business is booming.
But the real story was the final two. Roman Reigns vs. Gunther. The immovable object vs. the unstoppable force. When Gunther locked in that sleeper hold—the same move that has choked out half the roster—there was a genuine moment where I thought, “He’s going to do it.” But Reigns isn’t just any superstar. He powered out, hit the spear that shook the desert sands, and tossed the Ring General.
Reigns is now a two-time Rumble winner, joining an elite club of legends. He’s going to WrestleMania, and frankly, I pity whoever ends up in his crosshairs.
Liv Morgan Finally Gets Her Moment
If Roman’s win was about dominance, Liv Morgan’s was about resilience. The women’s Royal Rumble was, without hyperbole, a banger. It ran over an hour, but the pacing was so crisp you barely noticed the time.
We saw it all: the return of Brie Bella (which got a massive pop), the absolute athletic freakishness of Sol Ruca, and Tiffany Stratton proving she’s a future main eventer. But the night belonged to Liv.
Entering at number 14 for the Royal Rumble, Morgan played the long game. The emotion on her face when she eliminated Tiffany Stratton to seal the deal was real. This wasn’t just a character winning a match; it felt like a performer who has scratched and clawed for every inch of spotlight finally reaching the summit. She’s punched her ticket to Vegas, and the Women’s World Championship picture just got a whole lot more interesting.
The End of an Era: AJ Styles Says Goodbye
I’m not crying, you’re crying.
We knew the stakes going in: AJ Styles vs. Gunther. If AJ Styles loses, he retires. It’s a classic wrestling trope, but man, did it hit hard. These two put on a clinic during the Royal Rumble. Styles, fighting for his professional life, threw everything but the kitchen sink at Gunther. He was bleeding, battered, but refusing to stay down.
But Gunther is the grim reaper of careers right now. After retiring Cena and Goldberg last year, he added the Phenomenal One to his list. The visual of Styles fading in that sleeper hold was haunting. It was a warrior going out on his shield.
When Styles stood in the ring afterward, soaking in the applause, refusing to leave his gear behind? That was class. If this truly is the end, AJ Styles leaves as one of the greatest to ever lace up a pair of boots. Thank you, AJ.
McIntyre Survives, But for How Long?
Drew McIntyre defending the Undisputed Championship against Sami Zayn at the Royal Rumble was always going to be an emotional rollercoaster, especially given how beloved Zayn is in Saudi Arabia. The crowd was ready to explode for a title change.
Sami fought with that underdog heart we love, but McIntyre is operating on a different level of viciousness right now. The powerbomb through the table? Nasty. The three Future Shock DDTs? Overkill.
McIntyre retained, but he didn’t just beat Sami; he bullied him. It solidifies Drew as the monster at the top of the mountain, but with Cody Rhodes and Jacob Fatu lurking in his peripheral vision, you have to wonder how long he can keep the wolves at bay.
The Road to Vegas is Paved
So, here we are. The dust has settled in Riyadh, and the marquee for WrestleMania 42 is taking shape. Roman Reigns and Liv Morgan are your headliners. Gunther is the ultimate villain. AJ Styles rides off into the sunset.
It wasn’t a perfect show—the masked man attack on Bron Breakker felt a bit recycled—but the highs were stratospheric. WWE has managed to make us care about the stories as much as the moves, and that’s the secret sauce.
Next stop: Las Vegas. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to see if what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, or if history gets rewritten once again.
