WWE Royal Rumble 2026 Highlights: Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns Shine in Saudi Arabia

The first-ever Royal Rumble held outside North America features big wins and surprise returns.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 11:47am

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The 2026 WWE Royal Rumble took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking the first time the event has been held outside of North America. Despite the early start time for U.S. viewers, the show delivered plenty of excitement, including victories for Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns, as well as a surprise return from CM Punk.

Why it matters

The Royal Rumble traditionally kicks off the annual 'Road to WrestleMania', setting the stage for the biggest storylines and matches of the year. This year's event, held in Saudi Arabia, presented some unique challenges but still managed to captivate audiences and lay the groundwork for an exciting WrestleMania season.

The details

In the Men's Royal Rumble match, Bron Breakker entered at #2 but was later moved back a few spots after a production error on SmackDown. Despite the change, Breakker emerged victorious, last eliminating Cody Rhodes to earn a championship match at WrestleMania. The other big match saw Gunther defeat AJ Styles, forcing the veteran to retire. In the night's main event, Sami Zayn dethroned Drew McIntyre to become the new Undisputed WWE Champion in front of the Saudi crowd.

  • The 2026 Royal Rumble took place on Saturday, January 31st.
  • The event started at 2 p.m. ET, an earlier than usual start time due to the show originating from Saudi Arabia.

The players

Bron Breakker

The rising star won the Men's Royal Rumble match, earning a championship opportunity at WrestleMania.

Gunther

The dominant Intercontinental Champion defeated AJ Styles, forcing the veteran to retire from in-ring competition.

Sami Zayn

The Canadian-Syrian superstar captured the Undisputed WWE Championship from Drew McIntyre in the main event.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, Grocery employee

What’s next

Bron Breakker will challenge the Undisputed WWE Champion, either Sami Zayn or a new titleholder, at WrestleMania.

The takeaway

The 2026 Royal Rumble proved that WWE can successfully take its marquee event outside of North America, delivering an exciting show that set the stage for an intriguing WrestleMania season. The victories of rising stars like Breakker, along with the retirement of a legend in Styles, have fans eagerly anticipating what's to come.