The road to WrestleMania 42 officially kicked off with an emotional and historic night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The WWE Royal Rumble 2026 provided fans with a rollercoaster of emotions, ranging from the triumphant return of "The Tribal Chief" to the heartbreaking end of a legendary career.
With two high-stakes Rumble matches and an intense battle for the Undisputed WWE Championship, the landscape of the company has been permanently altered heading into the spring.
The End of an Era: AJ Styles Retires
In what was undoubtedly the most emotional moment of the night, "The Phenomenal One" AJ Styles was forced into retirement after a grueling 24-minute "Career vs. Career" match against Gunther. Known as the "Career Killer," Gunther added Styles to his list of legendary conquests, which already includes names like John Cena and Goldberg.
The match was a technical masterclass, featuring:
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Intense Physicality: Both men were bloodied, with Styles suffering a laceration on his forearm early on.
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The Final Move: After Styles failed to put the Ring General away with a Phenomenal Forearm, Gunther locked in a devastating sleeper hold.
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The Verdict: Styles passed out in the hold, leading the referee to call for the bell.
While Styles notably did not leave his gloves in the ring—a traditional sign of retirement—WWE officials have confirmed that the "Career" stipulation is being upheld. After ten years in the company, the man who debuted at the 2016 Royal Rumble has seen his journey come full circle.
Roman Reigns Dominates the Men’s Royal Rumble
In the main event, Roman Reigns outlasted 29 other superstars to win his second career Royal Rumble match. Entering at number 26, Reigns displayed the poise of a seasoned champion, eventually eliminating Gunther to secure his spot in the main event of WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas.
The match featured several breakout moments:
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Oba Femi’s Dominance: The NXT standout entered at number one and racked up five eliminations.
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Shocking Returns: Brock Lesnar made a surprise appearance, sending the Riyadh crowd into a frenzy before being eliminated.
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The Outcome: Reigns is now expected to challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship, likely setting up a collision course with current champion CM Punk.
Liv Morgan’s "Miracle" Win
The Women’s Royal Rumble match was a showcase of endurance and storytelling, lasting over an hour. Liv Morgan emerged victorious after entering at number 14, proving she is no longer "the bridesmaid" of the division.
In a chaotic final sequence, Morgan eliminated Tiffany Stratton and the high-flying Sol Ruca to punch her ticket to WrestleMania. With this victory, Morgan has the choice to challenge either Rhea Ripley or Charlotte Flair, sparking intense speculation among fans about which path she will take to achieve "immortality" in Las Vegas.
McIntyre Retains Amidst Controversy
Earlier in the night, Drew McIntyre successfully defended his Undisputed WWE Championship against Sami Zayn. Despite Zayn being the overwhelming crowd favorite in Riyadh, McIntyre utilized his brutal power game, including a powerbomb through a table and back-to-back Claymores, to retain his title.
The win cements McIntyre’s status as the "King of the Heels," though the "Underdog" Sami Zayn left the ring to a standing ovation, with many wondering if his journey to the top is truly over.
What’s Next for the WWE Universe?
The WWE Royal Rumble 2026 has set the stage for a massive WrestleMania season. With AJ Styles moving into a likely coaching or producer role and new challengers rising, the momentum is higher than ever.
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