The road to WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, Nevada, starts at the 2026 Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, January 31. After years of doing special shows in Saudi Arabia, WWE is set to host arguably their 2nd most looked-after show in the Middle East, before they bring the single greatest PLE, WrestleMania, outside of the United States in 2027. 

As has been the case for the past few years in the modern Triple-H era, this Royal Rumble show will have just 4 matches on the card. This event features: a men’s and a women’s royal rumble match, AJ Styles putting his WWE career on the line against the Ring General Gunther, and of course, the adopted hometown hero Sami Zayn challenging the WWE Undisputed Champion Drew McIntyre. 

Our staff is mostly on the same page for picking their winners, which is a testament to the sheer capabilities of any of us to make it to the WWE writers’ room, hopefully. 

(Cody Rhodes, Jacob Fatu, Gunther, Jey Uso, Rey Mysterio, Dragon Lee, Penta, Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa, Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Logan Paul, Austin Theory, and Oba Femi)

Manorath Thacker: Men’s Royal Rumble has seemingly become a match that is borderline impossible to predict, especially after WWE’s rather disputable decision to give the win to Jey Uso last year, over the retiring John Cena, who was just starting off his final and greatest year in professional wrestling. With names like Bron Breaker being added to the list, I thought will be kept out of the card in order to protect them. Or WWE building up Obe Femi like this unstoppable force who will definitely need a payoff just as big as his build-up.

WWE Royal Rumble: Date, Time, Where to Watch, and Everything to Know About The Special Saudi Arabia Show

However, when it is Saudi Arabia, and it is the start of a WrestleMania season, you just cannot look past the Tribal Chief Roman Reigns. With him saying goodbye (for now) to his Hollywood days, the fabled Big Dog will likely wish to headline the year’s biggest show. And this also overwrites his single Royal Rumble win so far, which, let us be honest, was so bad that he was booed out of the arena even after The Rock trying to save face. Winner: Roman Reigns. 

Reubyn Coutinho: It’d be cool to see Jacob Fatu win. But just because it is happening in Saudi Arabia, I see Roman Reigns winning it to allow for that star power to take center stage. Winner: Roman Reigns. 

Aayush Sharma: With how they are promoting him, I believe Brown Breaker might just edge past Roman Reigns to win this one. Even though Reigns might be a more favorable winner at this time, I am putting my bet on Bron Breakker. 

(Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky, Bayley, Lyra Valkyria, Liv Morgan, Roxanne Perez, Raquel Rodriguez, Asuka, Jordynne Grace, Becky Lynch, Chelsea Green, Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Nia Jax, Lash Legend, Giulia, and Maxxine Dupri)

Manorath Thacker: WWE has two big names, Tiffany Straton and Bianca Belair, who are 99% making a return this Saturday. And both these women are equally likely to become a Rumble winner at this stage of their career. Both have storylines that they can continue with the current champion. 

However, my pick for Women’s Royal Rumble 2026 winner has to be the one and only, Liv Morgan. I can go on about how she deserves it, but at this point, she has earned it. This will further aid the story they are telling with the Judgement Day, and with Raquel Rodriguez having a championship match right after the Rumble, this will bring the implosion of the Judgement Day even closer. Winner: Liv Morgan. 

Will WWE Royal Rumble 2026 Stream on Netflix? Where and How to Watch the Saudi Arabia Show Online?

Reubyn Coutinho: Liv Morgan feels like the uncrowned winner. It looks rather obvious, and she does not need that win. The Judgment Day dynamic itself is quite compelling for a Mania build. 

That is why I feel there will be a return winner in the women's rumble, which will keep things interESTing in Riyadh. Winner: Bianca Belair

Aayush Sharma: I am putting my bet on Liv Morgan. I know, I know, there are stronger names, but I think she deserves this one. She has been one of the consistent performers and always puts up a good fight in the Rumble matches. I think she is going to win this one. My pick is Liv Morgan. 

Manorath Thacker: Gunther has been built as a villain too powerful to succumb to an AJ Styles who is closer to retirement. Not to mention all the things happening off-screen. AJ is filing for copyright of his logo, and reports indicate that his WWE contract will end in February 2026. It all hints at a loss for AJ and also the end of his WWE career. I think this will still not be the last we see of AJ Styles, as he will probably return for a last run in TNA. And who knows, he might as well follow Edge and end up in AEW for a ride into the sunset. Winner: Gunther.

Reubyn Coutinho: Gunther losing breaks his ‘legend retiring’ character, but what if it is not a clean finish? I see this feud continuing with something along the lines of a missed pin or a missed tap-out. What I would really want to see is if AJ Styles pulls off an Eddie Guerrero and gets a DQ win. Lie. Cheat. Steal. Get a pop and continue. Winner: AJ Styles by DQ.

Aayush Sharma: Gunther wins. With everything I have seen in the recent past, it looks like AJ Styles is happy with lacing up his boots for good. So, this Royal Rumble, we might be seeing him for the last time in WWE. 

Manorath Thacker: WWE is going to pull off a double whammy with the Saudi Arabia crowd by giving them all the hope in the world of seeing their homeboy Sami Zayn just inches away from winning the title, but he will not win it. The Scottish Psychopath, Drew McIntyre, is my pick for this match. WWE has already hinted at a Triple Threat storyline with him, Cody Rhodes, and Jacob Fatu. Hopefully, this loss will give us the Sami Zayn heel turn that we have been waiting for, since what seems like an eternity. Winner: Drew McIntyre.

Reubyn Coutinho: Drew will not lose the belt so soon. Triple H is not going to be handing Reigns as he received them in the 2002-2004 period. Zayn will fight hard and lose here. Then he will lose the chamber and lose more. And then we will get a heel turn from him to finally triumph. Winner: Drew McIntyre. 

Aayush Sharma: Drew McIntyre. Even though Sami Zayn’s victory will be impressive in front of his home crowd, I believe he will lose the match and maybe enter the Royal Rumble to make his “babyface” image more convincing. So, my predicted winner is Drew McIntyre. 

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Where will the 2026 Royal Rumble take place?

The Royal Rumble is taking place at the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

What time does the 2026 Royal Rumble start?

The main card for the Royal Rumble begins at 2:00 p.m. ET.

How can I watch the 2026 Royal Rumble?

Fans in the U.S. can view this event live on ESPN Unlimited. Rest of the world can stream the event live on Netflix.