WWE Royal Rumble 2026 takes place this afternoon from Riyadh, Saudia Arabia. As per usual, the stakes are high as the winners of the respective Rumble matches will go on to challenge for the title of their choosing at Wrestlemania later this year. However, even more is on the line as “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles battles “The Ring General” Gunther with his career on the line.
Predicting the matches this year will be Amanda Rivas (co-host of Socially Distanced and Anime x Pop) and Brandon Hoffman from our Rutgers Spring Writing Program.
“The Phenomenal” AJ Styles (Career on the Line) v. “The Ring General” Gunther
Amanda Rivas
Prediction: Gunther
AJ Styles is truly one of the best wrestlers of all time and this match will be a show stopper. But Gunther is on a rampage right now retiring legends left and right and needs this win to move into world title contention and grow into a legend in his own right. There will be a couple of legends in the Men’s Royal Rumble match that Gunther will have his eye on, so AJ will be the next legend to tap out cleanly, despite a little mischief that could potentially occur. AJ will hobble out later to cost Gunther his chance at winning the Rumble, maybe in conjunction with Gunther’s next opponent, to keep Gunther focused on collecting legends like infinity stones.
The rushed feeling of WWE’s retirement tour for AJ Styles makes it seem like he surely can’t retire now. However, if that certain Phenomenal One does head to promotions elsewhere once his WWE contract expires, then Gunther is a perfectly acceptable opponent to give AJ his WWE swan song. It’s a crying shame that AJ Styles has to retire in Saudi Arabia instead of his hometown or something similar. I do enjoy Styles getting the visual win over Gunther on that one episode of Raw before this, but that seems to be all AJ can brag about to the Ring General. Therefore, Gunther will defeat AJ Styles in what will be another notch on the badge for the “career killer” as he is now known.
Undisputed WWE Championship Match: Drew McIntyre ( c ) v. Sami Zayn
Amanda Rivas
Winner: Drew McIntyre
This match will be brutal, physical, and intense. Drew is on a monster heel run and beating down Sami mercilessly will do wonders for his aura as champion. Sami will pull from everything in his arsenal and take a beatdown that will garner him much sympathy, but it will not be enough to win this match as Drew also just won this title. Sami will be the next victim of the foreseeable long reign of Drew McIntyre.
Brandon Hoffman
Prediction: Drew McIntyre
Men’s Royal Rumble Match
Declared: Cody, Gunther, Jey Uso, Rey Mysterio, Dragon Lee, Penta, Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Bron Breaker, Logan Paul, Bronson Reed, Austin Theory, Je’Von Evans, Oba Femi, Randy Orton, Brock Lesnar.
Amanda Rivas:
NXT Surprise Entrants: Joe Hendry, Ethan Paige, Ricky Saints
AAA Surprise Entrants: Mr. Iguana
TNA Surprise Entrants: Leon Slater, Dolph Zigler, Jeff Hardy
Legend/Hall of Fame Entrants: Chris Jericho
Additional Roster Entrants: Seth Rollins, LA Knight, Finn Balor, Rusev, Chad Gable, El Grande Americano, Carmelo Hayes, Trick Williams
Winner: Seth Rollins
This is a crazy thought I know. Bron Breakker was my initial pick and has all the tools to make a great world champion, but whoever wins this year will relieve CM Punk of the World Heavyweight Championship. WWE will want a big name that is tried and true to carry the RAW brand in lieu of CM Punk. While Roman Reigns clearly has the draw and experience needed, he is also part-time and the champion should be present each week as we build to Wrestlemania. Enter Seth who also has the desired experience, is full-time, has strategically appeared all over various media recently, and has a built in story waiting with The Vision and CM Punk. Seth will cost Bron and Roman the win and stand triumphant on top.
Brandon Hoffman
NXT Surprise Entrants: Ricky Saints, Ethan Page
AAA Surprise Entrants: Mr. Iguana, El Hijo De Vikingo
TNA Surprise Entrants: Nic Nemeth
Legend/Hall of Fame Entrants: Chris Jericho, The Rock, Repo Man (i’m manifesting)
Additional Roster Entrants: Otis, Akira Tozawa, Omos, El Grande Americano, a returning Chad Gable
Thoughts: A Saudi Rumble not with 50 people in it? It can no longer be the Greatest! There are so many opportunities for WWE to surprise the masses with their “anyone can enter” mentality they usually have for the match. Some names like Jericho and Mr. Iguana seem like safe bets, but long shots like The Rock or Repo Man (can you imagine though) can shock the system a whole lot more.
If last year’s Men’s Rumble has taught us anything, it is that too much hype can guarantee an underwhelming match. I’m 99% certain Jey Uso will not win this year, but that last one percent scares me. This year’s Rumble is going to be filled with the now-standard hype moments and aura that WWE love to promote, and the chaos will surely blossom from individual showdowns. Brock Lesnar and Jacob Fatu? Yes please. Oba Femi and Gunther? Absolutely yes please. Austin Theory and Mr. Iguana? It’s the irresistible force meeting the immovable object (not really).
Winner: Roman Reigns.
I would really like for it not to be because he does not need another Rumble win. However, it seems like WWE could run Roman v. Punk in the future so they have to set that up somehow. It’s a better option than Cody winning for the third time in four years, if nothing else.
Women’s Royal Rumble Match:
Declared: Iyo Sky, Rhea Ripley, Roxanne Perez, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Bayley, Lyra Valkyria, Asuka, Chelsea Green, Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Nia Jax, Lash Legend, Giulia, Maxxine Dupri, Becky Lynch
NXT Surprise Entrants: Sol Ruca, Blake Monroe, Lola Vice, Kelani Jordan
AAA Surprise Entrants: None
TNA Surprise Entrants: The IInspiration, Lei Ying Lee
Legend/Hall of Fame Entrants: Trish Stratus
Additional Roster Entrants: AJ Lee, Nattie Neidhart, Bianca Belair, Zelina Vega, Nikki Bella, Tiffany Stratton
Winner: Liv Morgan
Her time is now. She has charisma/star power, a well-honed skill set in the ring, and a story with Stephanie Vaquer that will continue to develop with her win while elevating the prestige of the Women’s World Championship. Liv would also be Stephanie’s most challenging title defender to-date and we are not worthy of the magic both will be able to create in this match. Bianca and Jade will have their moment as they have the advantage of having a built-in long-term storyline to jump back into for their long-awaited encounter at Wrestlemania.
NXT Surprise Entrants: Sol Ruca, Zaria, Blake Monroe
AAA Surprise Entrants: N/A
TNA Surprise Entrants: Elayna Black, Léi Ying Lee
Legend/Hall of Fame Entrants: Lita, Trish Stratus, Mickie James
Additional Roster Entrants: Jordynne Grace, Natalya, Candice LeRae, Kairi Sane, both returns: Zoey Stark, Bianca Belair
Thoughts: The women remain such a great part of WWE, it is truly understated how much of the product they carry on a weekly basis. The unpredictability in my thinking for this Rumble has created some intriguing matchups in my head for either World Champions, Stephanie Vaquer and Jade Cargill. Along with this of course, the in-ring wrestling is going to be aces. The one glaring flaw is where this match is being held, though. Saudi Arabia’s indifference towards women’s wrestling might heavily hinder the enthusiasm of this whole shebang, which I am afraid of. The women deserve more than being inevitably ignored and wrestling in the full-body coverings. From what is understood, it is quite a challenge to wrestle in those outfits, let alone outperform the men. But by god, all thirty of these ladies can do it. I have faith.
Winner: Bianca Belair
There’s no guarantee that she will even show up. If she does, she is absolutely challenging Jade Cargill for WrestleMania. My second option is Liv Morgan, due to her v. Stephanie Vaquer being a match WWE is saving in their back pocket, for some reason. Vaquer wrestles Raquel Rodriguez every other week on Raw now, so that can be the lead into the feud going into WrestleMania. Hopefully Bianca’s finger is completely healed by this point. Don’t want any Sin Cara finger-related situations happening here.
