If you’re thinking to yourself, “wow … the Royal Rumble is tomorrow,” feel safe in knowing you aren’t the only having that exact realization. As it turns out, running one of the biggest shows of the year, halfway across the world, in a country most people only like to whisper about, isn’t exactly top tier strategy in terms of building buzz.
Go figure.
Alas, don’t worry too much. By the time you spend 45 minutes trying to work the ESPN app or 30 minutes grabbing a free trial with a VPN, excitement will be high. That’s the beauty of the Royal Rumble. Say anything you want about it, but the match and event matters. That’s a fact.
A home run Royal Rumble
In 2026, it needs to REALLY matter. Technically, we’re not on the Road to WrestleMania yet, but in approaching that road, it feels a little cold right now. The rumored WrestleMania matches that have dropped are “good,” but don’t necessarily cross the threshold to “great.” Nothing rumored has “main event” written on it either.
That’s why this year’s Royal Rumble needs to feel huge and the best way to do that is to have the biggest stars win the marquee match, so they can go on and headline the show of all shows in Vegas. WWE needs it’s heaviest hitters right now.
Last year, between John Cena’s retirement tour, his main event match with Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania, The Rock initially being involved, and CM Punk headlining his first WrestleMania, you could get away with an underdog like Jey Uso sneaking in a Rumble victory. Nobody saw that one coming and the booking worked well for that reason.
That’s the exception to the rule, though. This year, things need to pivot back to normalcy. That means two huge stars are going to win both matches.
Roman Returns To Reign
On the men’s side, it’ll be Roman Reigns. Reigns wasn’t in a championship program at last year’s WrestleMania and surely WWE won’t make that mistake again. Plus, assuming that Drew McIntyre is staying the Undisputed WWE Champion until WrestleMania, the biggest match for Reigns is against CM Punk for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. That match has name value, rivalry, and history all on it’s side. It feels like a night two WrestleMania main event. It’s also a match that WWE can’t do forever. Punk is getting older and Reigns is fading away from the center of WWE each year. Timing is everything and the timing for that match is now.
On the women’s side, welcome back Bianca Belair. While Belair was in the WrestleMania match of the year last year, the build to that triple threat match against Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley left a lot to be desired. It felt forced.
Main event Belair
A Rumble win this year perfectly sets up a one on one showdown with Jade Cargill at WrestleMania. WWE has spent two years planting the seeds for that match. Like Reigns and Punk, timing is everything. Can you really spend another year building up that storyline? Belair is rumored to be returning and Cargill certainly needs a top tier opponent at WrestleMania. Boom.
Reigns and Belair winning their respective Royal Rumble matches gives those matches a high level sizzle again. It gives WrestleMania added heat too because it guarantees top stars are going to be in the top matches.
From The Takedown on SI
As for the rest of the card, it’s stacked. Gunther vs. AJ Styles will be a masterpiece due to the investment fans have in Styles. That said, I wouldn’t count on Styles winning. As for Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn? Sorry Sami. Once again, it just isn’t his time.
WWE Royal Rumble 2026 airs live on ESPN and Netflix, internationally, on Saturday afternoon. The full card and full prediction show from The Takedown on SI is below.
WWE Royal Rumble 2026 Full Match Card
Men’s Royal Rumble Match
Women’s Royal Rumble Match
Gunther vs. AJ Styles — If Styles loses, he must retire from WWE
Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn — Undisputed WWE Championship
WWE Royal Rumble Preview
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