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Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Two prominent WWE Superstars are poised to dramatically alter their career trajectories this Saturday at the highly anticipated WWE Royal Rumble 2026. The annual event, a cornerstone of the professional wrestling calendar, will see one man and one woman emerge victorious from their respective 30-person Royal Rumble matches, thereby securing coveted world championship opportunities at WrestleMania 42. This pivotal event invariably marks the official commencement of the "Road to WrestleMania," setting the stage for the biggest show in sports entertainment.
The Royal Rumble match itself is a spectacle of endurance, strategy, and sheer will, where competitors aim to eliminate their opponents by tossing them over the top rope, with both feet touching the floor. This year, all eyes will be on Cody Rhodes, who seeks to achieve a monumental feat by becoming only the second superstar in history to win three Royal Rumble matches. The only other individual to accomplish this rare milestone is the legendary "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, a testament to the magnitude of Rhodes’ potential achievement. Rhodes’ journey has been defined by his quest to "finish the story" and capture a world championship, and a third Rumble victory would undoubtedly cement his legacy further.
The previous year’s Royal Rumble, held in 2025, delivered its own share of unforgettable moments and dramatic narratives. The men’s match culminated in a highly emotional and theatrical showdown between Jey Uso and the iconic John Cena, who was participating in his final Royal Rumble match as part of his storied retirement tour. Uso ultimately triumphed, tossing Cena over the top rope to secure his victory. This win propelled Uso into the world title picture, and he subsequently bested Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 41, marking a significant milestone in his career and validating the faith placed in him by the WWE Universe. Uso’s journey from faction loyalist to singles champion resonated deeply with fans, making his Rumble win one of the most celebrated in recent memory.
On the women’s side, the 2025 Royal Rumble saw the triumphant return of Charlotte Flair. After an absence of over a year, stemming from a devastating knee injury that had sidelined her, Flair made a surprise entry and emerged as the last woman standing. Her victory not only marked a remarkable comeback but also secured her a direct path to WrestleMania 41, where she aimed to reclaim her status at the pinnacle of the women’s division. Her resilience and dedication to recovery underscored the emotional weight of her win.
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With a confluence of returning heroes, rising stars, and established champions, the 2026 Royal Rumble promises to be an unpredictable affair. Both the men’s and women’s fields are anticipated to be star-studded, making the outcome a genuine matter of widespread speculation among fans and experts alike.
Beyond the two Royal Rumble matches, the event card in Riyadh features several other high-stakes encounters. One of the most anticipated is the Undisputed WWE Championship match, where reigning champion Drew McIntyre will defend his title for the first time against Sami Zayn. Zayn, a perennial fan favorite and an underdog in many respects, earned this title opportunity by winning a grueling fatal four-way match. Despite his immense popularity and numerous accolades in tag team and mid-card divisions, Zayn has never held a singles world championship in WWE, adding significant emotional weight to this bout. However, his path to glory is complicated by a historical disadvantage: Zayn holds an all-time singles record of 0-12 against McIntyre, a statistic that highlights the formidable challenge he faces. If Zayn is to capture his inaugural world title, he will have to defy considerable odds and make history against a dominant opponent.
Another compelling match on the card is a retirement stipulation bout between Gunther and AJ Styles. Gunther, widely regarded as the "Ring General" and an almost unstoppable force, has earned a reputation as the "boogeyman" of WWE, particularly after successfully retiring both Goldberg and John Cena in the previous year. His methodical and brutal in-ring style has made him a daunting opponent for any competitor. Across the ring stands AJ Styles, "The Phenomenal One," who has already publicly announced that 2026 will be his final year of in-ring competition. This match carries immense personal and professional stakes for Styles, as a loss would prematurely end his illustrious career. The encounter pits Gunther’s relentless dominance against Styles’ legendary resilience and desire to extend his "phenomenal" legacy for as long as possible.
As the WWE Universe converges on Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the CBS Sports pro wrestling experts have offered their insights and predictions for what promises to be a memorable night of action.
2026 WWE Royal Rumble Predictions
Men’s Royal Rumble Match:
While the 2025 Royal Rumble delivered a genuine surprise with Jey Uso’s victory, experts suggest that this year’s men’s match might lean towards a more predictable, yet equally impactful, outcome. Brent Brookhouse and Shakiel Mahjouri both concur that Breakker is poised to win. Breakker, a formidable athlete with a strong lineage and a powerful presence, is reportedly being strategically positioned for a major challenge against CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 42. While NXT standout Oba Femi is expected to deliver a standout performance, potentially leading in eliminations or demonstrating remarkable endurance, Breakker’s path to victory appears to be clearer. His ascent is bolstered by the backing of "The Vision," an influential entity within WWE, which has reportedly agreed to aid Breakker in securing the win. This outcome, though not a shocking upset, lays a logical foundation for a significant championship encounter at WrestleMania.
- Pick: Breakker wins — Brent Brookhouse (also Shakiel Mahjouri)
Women’s Royal Rumble Match:
The women’s Royal Rumble match is also anticipated to feature a high-profile return. Shakiel Mahjouri, with agreement from Brent Brookhouse, predicts a victory for Bianca Belair. Belair, known for her "EST" persona and unparalleled athletic prowess, has been absent from competition for over eight months, recovering from a finger injury sustained during a critically acclaimed women’s world title match against Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky at WrestleMania 41. In July, Belair offered an optimistic update to CBS Sports, stating she was "at the tail end of this healing process." Her anticipated return as a surprise entrant in the Royal Rumble is expected to ignite the arena, reminiscent of her previous entries that have consistently led her back into the women’s world title scene. A victory here would provide a direct route back to the top of the division she once dominated.
- Pick: Belair wins — Mahjouri (also Brookhouse)
Undisputed WWE Championship — Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Sami Zayn:
The Undisputed WWE Championship match presents a fascinating clash of styles and narratives, leading to a rare split in expert predictions.
Brent Brookhouse leans towards a surprising title change, picking Sami Zayn to win. Brookhouse posits that Zayn is due for a world title reign, and this event offers a opportune moment to crown him, potentially for a short-term run leading up to WrestleMania. This scenario, while unexpected given McIntyre’s recent championship acquisition, could inject fresh momentum into the title picture if the Rumble winners are more predictable.
- Pick: Zayn wins — Brookhouse
Conversely, Shakiel Mahjouri predicts Drew McIntyre will retain his title. Mahjouri argues that McIntyre, the "Scottish Warrior," deserves a more substantial championship reign, especially after previous reigns were often cut short or began and ended on the same night. Given his ongoing feuds with top contenders like Cody Rhodes and Solo Sikoa (implied through Fatu, who is part of The Bloodline), McIntyre’s credibility as champion hinges on a successful first defense. While Mahjouri expresses uncertainty about McIntyre’s chances of holding the title beyond WrestleMania, he firmly believes the champion must overcome Zayn at the Royal Rumble.
- Pick: McIntyre wins — Mahjouri
AJ Styles vs. Gunther:
The high-stakes retirement match between AJ Styles and Gunther also yields a divergence in expert opinion, highlighting the compelling narrative at play.
Shakiel Mahjouri predicts a victory for Gunther. Despite Mahjouri’s personal desire to see Styles triumph and potentially headline WrestleMania in his final year, the "modern-day legend killer" narrative surrounding Gunther is too powerful to ignore. Gunther’s recent track record of retiring wrestling icons like Goldberg and John Cena establishes him as an unstoppable force, and while creative shake-ups might offer a glimmer of hope for Styles, it is not enough to confidently pick against the dominant Ring General.
- Pick: Gunther wins — Mahjouri
Brent Brookhouse, however, picks AJ Styles to win. Brookhouse believes that Styles, a future Hall of Famer, will not lose a retirement match, especially one that could prematurely end his announced final year of competition. He dismisses the idea of overly complicated finishes, such as a referee missing a tap-out, suggesting that a straightforward victory for Styles would be a more fitting and less convoluted conclusion. This would allow "The Phenomenal One" to continue his farewell year on his own terms, setting up potential dream matches before his eventual retirement.
- Pick: Styles wins — Brookhouse
As the WWE Royal Rumble 2026 approaches, the stakes could not be higher. From the coveted Royal Rumble victories that guarantee a path to WrestleMania 42, to the intense championship defense and the emotional retirement match, the event in Riyadh is set to deliver a night of unpredictable action and pivotal moments that will shape the landscape of WWE for the year to come.
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