Women’s Royal Rumble
The night kicked off with a star studded Women’s Royal Rumble, and setting the tone at entries #1 and #2 were tag partners Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss. Right from the jump, the match did an excellent job of showcasing just how deep the current women’s roster is, though it was a bit of a shock to see heavy hitters like Becky Lynch, Jordynne Grace, and Nia Jax all sent over the top rope so early in the contest.
While the “surprise” factor fell a little flat this year, the returns we did get were meaningful. It was a great to see Brie Bella back in action, and Tiffany Stratton’s return brought some needed star power back to Smackdown.
The standout performance, however, belonged to Lash Legend. She looked like a star, racking up an impressive streak by eliminating Grace, Iyo Sky, and both Bella Twins. It took Rhea Ripley to finally put a stop to her momentum.
The match was well-paced throughout, though I’ll admit I was holding out for a few more returns to really take this match over the top. That said, the finish was pure cinema. Liv Morgan pulled off a stunning victory, shockingly eliminating her own Judgment Day stablemate, Raquel Rodriguez, and Tiffany Stratton to punch her ticket to Mania.
Liv winning felt like the right call. It’s a fresh direction, and I’m genuinely excited to see how this friction within Judgment Day plays out on the road to WrestleMania.
AJ Styles Versus Gunther (Retirement Match)
The stakes couldn’t have been higher for the second bout of the night: a high-octane clash between AJ Styles and Gunther, with the “Phenomenal One’s” legendary career hanging in the balance. As expected, this was a technical masterclass.
The chemistry between these two was undeniable. Their vastly different styles in the ring meshed perfectly, keeping the pace brisk and the tension high. Early on, Styles suffered a cut on his arm, and while unintentional, the sight of the bleeding for his career provided some incredible, gritty imagery that heightened the drama of the “win or retire” match.
Despite a valiant effort, the Ring General’s power proved too much. The match reached its somber end when Styles passed out in a brutal sleeper hold applied by Gunther. Just like that, one of the greatest careers in professional wrestling history came to an end.
While it’s hard to see a legend go out this way, the Riyadh crowd handled it perfectly, sending AJ out with a thunderous and heartfelt standing ovation. He deserved nothing less. As for Gunther, this is a massive feather in his cap—he enters the WrestleMania build with more momentum than ever.
Drew McIntyre (C) versus Sami Zayn (WWE Undisputed Championship)
The energy in the arena reached a fever pitch for the WWE Undisputed Championship match. With the Riyadh crowd firmly in his corner, Sami Zayn entered the ring to a hero’s welcome, and he fed off that electricity, coming out swinging from the opening bell against the champion, Drew McIntyre.
This was a classic underdog story told to perfection. The match was packed with agonizing near-falls and false finishes that had the entire audience convinced a title change was imminent. Sami’s signature “never-say-die” attitude was on full display here; his resilience in the face of McIntyre’s brutality kept the excitement at a constant peak and made every comeback attempt feel like it could be “the one.”
Ultimately, heart wasn’t enough to overcome the raw power of the “Scottish Warrior.” Sami’s valiant effort came to a crashing halt after he fell to a devastating sequence of two Claymore Kicks. While Zayn failed to capture the gold, he certainly didn’t lose any respect in the process.
McIntyre stands tall, but his path to WrestleMania looks increasingly crowded. Based on the current tension over on SmackDown, it seems we are heading toward a massive Triple Threat match involving Drew, Cody Rhodes, and the dangerous Jacob Fatu. All eyes are now on the Men’s Royal Rumble to see if that chaotic vision for the main event comes to past.
Men’s Royal Rumble
Review: A Cinematic Night for the Men’s Royal Rumble
The main event of the evening—the Men’s Royal Rumble—lived up to its reputation for chaos, storytelling, and high-stakes drama. From the opening bell to the final elimination, the match was a rollercoaster that effectively set the stage for WrestleMania.
The match kicked off between Oba Femi (#1) and Bron Breakker (#2). However, the real story was the shocking interference of a masked, hooded figure who ambushed Breakker with a Curb Stomp, leaving him vulnerable for an easy elimination by Femi. It was a bold, unexpected way to start the match and immediately threw the predicted favorites for a loop.
As the ring filled with stars, we saw several massive moments. In one of the most entertaining segments of the night, the “Real” El Grande Americano (Chad Gable) returned to confront and eliminate the imposter version of himself (Ludwig Kaiser), much to the delight of the crowd. We also witnessed the much-hyped debut of Royce Keys (fka Powerhouse Hobbs). Keys looked every bit the monster WWE promised, making an immediate impact eliminating Damian Priest and proving he belongs in the main event picture.
Storylines collided head-on as the match progressed. Drew McIntyre continued his reign of chaos, playing spoiler by costing both Cody Rhodes and Jacob Fatu their spots in the match. This interference only adds more fuel to the fire regarding the rumored Triple Threat match for the Undisputed Title.
It all came down to a tense, hard-hitting face-off between Gunther and Roman Reigns. After a brutal exchange, The “Original Tribal Chief” Roman Reigns stood tall as the 2026 Royal Rumble winner.
Having Reigns win adds a fascinating layer to the WrestleMania build. With his deep history involving both CM Punk and Drew McIntyre, the “Head of the Table” has multiple paths to greatness—and plenty of old scores to settle.
Summary
The 2026 Royal Rumble made history as the first traditional Rumble held outside North America, and it delivered a night defined by emotional farewells, dominant new forces, and the resurgence of the “Original Tribal Chief.” This was a professional, tightly-paced show that focused on long-term storytelling over cheap pops. The retirement of AJ Styles gave the night a sense of gravity that most Rumbles lack, and the winners provide a clear, exciting direction for WrestleMania 42.
Final Grade: B+ — A phenomenal farewell and a tribal homecoming made this a Rumble to remember.
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