The 2026 Royal Rumble took place at Riyadh Season Stadium in the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The pro wrestling couldn’t wait to see who won to get a guaranteed title match at WrestleMania 42. This wasn’t an easy victory by a long shot, which is why it was so important.
The men’s Royal Rumble match capped off the entire Royal Rumble premium live event. Fans were ready to see who would punch their ticket to WrestleMania 42 and etch their name into the history books.
Oba Femi and Bron Breakker kicked things off in the first and second spots. Then a masked man showed up out of nowhere and attacked Bron Breakker during his entrance. The masked man threw Breakker into the ring steps and then he nailed a Curb Stomp. After that, the masked man rolled Breakker in the ring and Oba Femi took a second before eliminating Bron Breakker. This was a shocking moment, for sure, and it points to the fact that there are other plans for Breakker at WrestleMania.
Solo Sikoa came in next to really start things off with Oba Femi. Then Rey Mysterio made his way into the match. Matt Cardona came out next, and Oba Femi was on a tear with eliminations as he threw everyone out of the match at that point. Then Damian Priest came out to face The Ruler.
Je-Von Evans made his way out next for his first Royal Rumble match. Then Mr. Iguana came out to a decent pop in Saudi Arabia. Trick Williams was the next to have his music played, and he received a huge pop. Cody Rhodes made his way out in the eleventh spot.
El Grande Americano had his entrance next. Then The Original El Grande Americano came out, which was Chad Gable making his return to WWE. Then Royce Keys made his way out to make his WWE debut. After that, Austin Theory came out into the match. Bronson Reed came out next, and then Ilja Dragonov joined the contest.
La Parka made his way out next, all the way from AAA. Then Dragon Lee came out in the 19th spot. Logan Paul came out next, and he helped the Vision eliminate Royce Keys from the match.
LA Knight made his way out in the 21st spot, and he received an amazing reaction from fans. He’s been out of action since December, so that was an exciting moment. Brock Lesnar came out next, followed by The Miz.
Then Rey Fenix came in just as Brock Lesnar and Oba Femi were having a stare-down in the middle of the ring. Eventually, Lesnar eliminated Oba Femi just before Jey Uso came out through the crowd in the 25th entry spot. Then Lesnar was taken out by Cody Rhodes and LA Knight.
Roman Reigns came out next, just in time for Jey Uso’s entrance music to stop. Roman started cleaning house after that, and he eventually stood face-to-face with Cody Rhodes as Jacob Fatu’s entrance started for the 27th spot.
After that, Penta made his way to the ring. The 29th spot went to Randy Orton, and then Gunther made his way out in the final spot. Je’Von Evans was eliminated after Orton nailed an RKO as Evans went for a springboard dive, which was redemption from the spot they messed up in October 2024 on NXT.
Drew McIntyre showed up and he eliminated Cody Rhodes from the match. Then Jacob Fatu was taken out by Jacob Fatu. Jey Uso tried to eliminate Roman Reigns, but it didn’t work, but then Jey hit a spear on Roman before Reigns threw him out instead.
The final four were Roman Reigns, Logan Paul, Randy Orton, and Gunther. Roman eliminated Logan Paul, and then Orton hit Reigns with an RKO. Gunther threw out Orton and then it was down to Roman Reigns and Gunther.
In the end, after Roman Reigns and Gunther wrestled for a bit and teased eliminations for them both, the Ring General latched on a sleeper hold. Then Reigns nailed a spear and threw Roman Reigns out to win the 2026 men’s Royal Rumble match.
What’s your take on how WWE booked the 2026 Men’s Royal Rumble match? Do you think they should have gone in a different direction? Let us know what you think in the comments section!