WWE Royal Rumble 2026: Championship Clashes and Royal Rumble Favorites Emerge Ahead of Riyadh Spectacle

Two pivotal shifts in fortune are anticipated this Saturday as the WWE Royal Rumble 2026 descends upon Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking the traditional commencement of the "Road to WrestleMania 42." The event is poised to determine two contenders who will challenge for world championships at professional wrestling’s grandest stage. A male and a female superstar will each earn a coveted world title opportunity by outlasting 29 other competitors in their respective 30-person Royal Rumble matches.

The Royal Rumble concept, a cornerstone of WWE programming, annually ignites the journey toward WrestleMania, where careers are often defined. Competitors aim to eliminate opponents by throwing them over the top rope, with the last individual standing securing a direct path to a championship bout. This year, particular attention is fixed on Cody Rhodes, who seeks to etch his name further into history by attempting to become only the second superstar to win three Royal Rumbles, a feat exclusively achieved by WWE Hall of Famer "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.

The previous year’s Royal Rumble delivered significant drama and unexpected outcomes. The Men’s Royal Rumble match culminated in a compelling standoff between Jey Uso and John Cena, the latter participating in what was widely reported as his final Royal Rumble during a career retirement tour. Uso ultimately prevailed, eliminating Cena and subsequently capitalizing on his WrestleMania 41 opportunity by defeating Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship in April. On the women’s side, Charlotte Flair made a triumphant return after more than a year sidelined by a knee injury, emerging as the last woman standing to punch her ticket to WrestleMania, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the event.

With a field of renowned athletes expected to participate in both Royal Rumble matches this year, forecasting the victors remains a challenge for analysts and fans alike. The event’s capacity for surprise and career-defining moments ensures high anticipation for Saturday’s contests.

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Beyond the signature Royal Rumble matches, the card features two additional high-stakes encounters. Drew McIntyre, the reigning Undisputed WWE Champion, will make his inaugural title defense against Sami Zayn. Zayn, who has yet to secure a singles world championship in his career, earned this opportunity by winning a fatal four-way elimination match. However, history weighs heavily against Zayn in this contest; his professional record against the Scottish champion stands at 0-12 in singles competition. Should Zayn emerge victorious, it would not only mark his first world title but also represent a significant reversal of his historical performance against McIntyre.

Another highly anticipated bout features Gunther, who has cultivated a reputation as a "legend killer" within WWE, having retired both Goldberg and John Cena last year. He now faces AJ Styles in what is billed as a retirement match. Styles has publicly stated that 2026 will be his final year of active in-ring competition, adding a profound layer of consequence to this encounter. The outcome of this match could significantly impact the remainder of Styles’ farewell year or further solidify Gunther’s formidable legacy.

As the event draws near, professional wrestling experts from CBS Sports have offered their predictions for the outcomes of these pivotal matches. Viewing information for Saturday’s event is also available for those looking to tune into the action live from Riyadh.

2026 WWE Royal Rumble Predictions

Men’s Royal Rumble Match:
The consensus among experts for the Men’s Royal Rumble match leans towards a more predictable outcome compared to the surprises of previous years. Brent Brookhouse and Shakiel Mahjouri both project Breakker as the victor. Brookhouse commented on the strategic positioning of Breakker, noting, "Breakker is very clearly positioned to challenge CM Punk for the world heavyweight championship at WrestleMania." He further elaborated that Breakker’s alignment with "The Vision," who has reportedly agreed to assist him in securing the win, reinforces this expectation. While acknowledging that Oba Femi might deliver a standout performance within the match, the expert analysis suggests Breakker’s win is a logical step to set up a significant championship encounter at WrestleMania 42, despite not being the most shocking result.

Women’s Royal Rumble Match:
For the Women’s Royal Rumble, both Mahjouri and Brookhouse have identified Bianca Belair as their pick. Belair’s potential return as a surprise entrant is a significant factor in these predictions. Mahjouri highlighted Belair’s absence due to a finger injury sustained at WrestleMania 41, which sidelined her for over eight months after contributing to a critically acclaimed women’s world title match against Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky. Belair had previously indicated in July that she was at "the tail end of this healing process." Her history of re-entering the women’s world title scene on the "Road to WrestleMania" in previous years strengthens the belief that she could make a impactful return and secure a championship opportunity.

Undisputed WWE Championship Match: Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Sami Zayn:
The Undisputed WWE Championship bout presents a split in expert opinion. Brent Brookhouse projects a surprising outcome, predicting a win for Sami Zayn. Brookhouse rationalized his pick by stating, "Sometimes, you have to just look at a match and think, ‘Hey, why not?’" He suggested that while keeping the title on McIntyre might seem logical, a title change to Zayn could offer an unexpected narrative twist if the Royal Rumble matches themselves follow more predictable lines. Brookhouse envisions Zayn potentially holding the title for a month or two before it transitions again prior to WrestleMania.

Conversely, Shakiel Mahjouri forecasts Drew McIntyre to retain his championship. Mahjouri emphasized the importance of McIntyre’s first title defense, particularly given his history of championship reigns that have been either prematurely cut short or ended on the same night they began. He argued that "This version of McIntyre has repeatedly fallen short, or had his reign ended the same night it started. McIntyre must win his first title defense, especially amid his feuds with Rhodes and Fatu." While acknowledging the possibility of McIntyre losing the title before or at WrestleMania, Mahjouri asserts that the champion should hold it past the Royal Rumble event.

AJ Styles vs. Gunther (Retirement Match):
The retirement match between AJ Styles and Gunther also yields divergent expert predictions. Shakiel Mahjouri anticipates Gunther will emerge victorious. Despite expressing a personal desire for Styles, his "all-time favorite professional wrestler," to win and potentially headline WrestleMania in his final year, Mahjouri’s journalistic assessment weighs heavily on Gunther’s established persona as the "modern-day legend killer." He noted Gunther’s previous victories in retirement matches against Goldberg and John Cena, indicating a pattern that WWE creative is unlikely to deviate from, despite recent reports of creative shake-ups. Mahjouri’s analysis suggests that while a compelling narrative exists for Styles to win and continue his legacy, the practical reality of Gunther’s character likely dictates the outcome.

In contrast, Brent Brookhouse predicts a win for AJ Styles. Brookhouse argued against a scenario where Styles would lose his retirement match, particularly one that might involve "unnecessarily complicated" plot devices such as a missed tap-out or a reversed decision. He stated, "Rather than jumping through unnecessary hoops, Styles should just get the win and continue along his final year as an active wrestler." Brookhouse’s perspective leans towards a more straightforward narrative progression, allowing Styles to conclude his final year of competition without a definitive retirement loss at this specific event.

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