By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Royal Rumble
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, at King Abdullah Financial District
Streamed live January 31, 2026, on ESPN Unlimited (and Netflix internationally)
Michael Cole checked in on commentary and narrated backstage and arrival shots… Paul Levesque narrated a Royal Rumble video package… Cole and Wade Barrett checked in from their ringside broadcast table. They introduced the Arabic broadcast team… Ring announcer Mark Nash ran through the rules of the Royal Rumble match and then introduced the first two entrants…
1. Women’s Royal Rumble match for a world championship match at WrestleMania 42. The advertised entrants were Iyo Sky, Rhea Ripley, Roxanne Perez, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Bayley, Lyra Valkyria, Asuka, Chelsea Green, Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Lash Legend, Nia Jax, Jordynne Grace, Giulia, Maxxine Dupri, and Becky Lynch, leaving 13 open spots.
The No. 1 entrant was Charlotte Flair. The No. 2 entrant was Alexa Bliss. The graphic at the bottom of the screen listed the number of active wrestlers, the number of eliminated entrants, and the number of the next entrant. The female wrestlers wore gear that covered their arms and legs. Bliss teased Sister Abigail. Flair returned the favor by taking her down and teasing a Figure Eight. They stood up and hugged. Bliss hopped on Flair’s back, and then they looked at the stage. “Come on,” Flair yelled.
The No. 3 entrant was Kiana James. Flair and Bliss roughed up James.
The No. 4 entrant was Nia Jax. The broadcast team noted that she had issues with the other three entrants.
Powell’s POV: The seats off the main floor have lights. There’s one section that has the WWE logo. I know they’re the new thing in arenas and stadiums, but these suck because the hard camera shot makes it look like the seats off the main floor are empty.
The No. 5 entrant was Ivy Nile. She performed German suplexes and put James down with a DDT.
The No. 6 entrant was Lola Vice. She entered the ring and threw kicks at all of her opponents. “She can shake it like a Polaroid picture,” Cole said. The wrestlers all ganged up on Jax.
The No. 7 entrant was Candice LeRae. She smiled when she came face-to-face with Jax. They both took shots at Nile and then hugged.
The No. 8 entrant was Jordynne Grace. “It’s not over until you win,” a male voice said before her entrance music played. Grace ran to the ring and worked over a few wrestlers. Grace shoved Vice and LeRae over the top rope to eliminate both wrestlers. Grace followed up by eliminating Nile. Jax and Bliss ended up on the apron. Flair threw a running big boot to eliminate Jax. Flair tried to save Bliss, but she also fell to the floor.
The No. 9 entrant was Becky Lynch. She fought with Flair and nearly eliminated her. They went to ringside under the bottom rope.
The No. 10 entrant was Sol Ruca. Zaria will not be happy. Ruca hit a springboard 360 clothesline on two opponents to enter the ring. She followed up by putting Lynch down with a facebuster and then superkicked her.
The No. 11 entrant was Roxanne Perez. She performed double knees on the back of Ruca. Perez slapped Lynch, who returned the favor. They had a slap fest before Lynch put her down with an exploder suplex.
The No. 12 entrant was Maxxine Dupri. She went right after Lynch.
The No. 13 entrant was Nattie. Cole said it’s not Natalya, it’s Nattie. Dupri was waiting for her. Dupri caught Nattie in an ankle lock, but she escaped. Lynch put Dupri down with a Manhandle Slam. She picked up Dupri and eliminated her. Lynch put her arm around Nattie, but then tried and failed to eliminate her. Nattie smiled and then tossed Lynch over the ropes to eliminate her.
The No. 14 entrant was Liv Morgan. Cole said she finished second twice and third last year. Perez and Bliss high-fived and then hugged.
The No. 15 entrant was Lash Legend. She performed a double chokeslam on Bliss and Perez. Ruca went for a springboard move, but Legend put her down with a big boot. Legend pointed at the WrestleMania 42 sign that was in the usual WrestleMania sign location. Legend ended up on the apron and had Grace on her shoulders. Legend tossed Grace to the floor to eliminate her.
The No. 16 entrant was Zelina. Legend got the better of her, but she was unable eliminate her.
The No. 17 entrant was Raquel Rodriguez. Bliss and Perez teamed up on Legend and then James. All three wrestlers ended up on the apron. Rodriguez hit James with a big boot to knock her off the apron for the elimination. Bliss and Perez returned to the ring and hugged Rodriguez.
The No. 18 entrant was Chelsea Green. Alba Fyre came out with Green and stood at ringside. Green offered a handshake to Morgan, who huddled with Perez and Rodriguez before slapping Green’s hand away. Green fired back with a big slap to Morgan’s face. Fyre entered the ring to help Green, but Rodriguez tossed her over the top rope.
The No. 19 entrant was Giulia. She tossed Green over the top rope, but Fyre got down on all fours and had Green stand on her back to avoid elimination.
The No. 20 entrant was Iyo Sky. Cole called her the best wrestler on the planet today. Sky went on the offensive and then did the bit where she points at herself, which got a pop from the crowd.
The No. 21 entrant was Asuka. She entered the ring and pointed at Sky and Giulia. Asuka offered Giulia a handshake, but she kicked her hand away. Asuka put Sky down, and then she and Giulia roughed her up. Giulia had Sky in Camel Clutch position. Asuka threw a kick that went over Sky and struck Giulia.
The No. 22 entrant was Rhea Ripley. Giulia and Zelina ended up on the apron together. Giulia ran Zelina into the post and then hit her with a knee strike that sent her to the floor. Ripley eliminated Green (why have a babyface eliminate the popular heel?). Ripley performed a Razor’s Edge that sent Perez over the top rope and Green and Fyre on the floor to eliminate her.
The No. 23 entrant was Bayley. She nearly eliminated Ruca, who put her hands on the mat and then hooked the bottom rope with her feet before pulling herself up and returning to the ring.
The No. 24 entrant was NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne. Nice. Jayne got the better of Rodriguez and Morgan and then hit cannonball dives on Bayley in one corner and Rodriguez in another. Jayne put Bliss down with a knee strike. Morgan hit Nattie with Oblivion from the top rope to eliminate her.
The No. 25 entrant was Nikki Bella. She squared off with Morgan.
The No. 26 entrant was Lyra Valkyria. The graphic listed that there were 13 active and 13 eliminated wrestlers. Valkyria knocked Giulia off the apron to eliminate her. Valkyria and Bayley celebrated together.
The No. 27 entrant was Kelani Jordan. Cole noted that it was Jordan’s first Rumble match. She went right to the top rope and executed a corkscrew moonsault on Jayne.
The No. 28 entrant was Kairi Sane. Cole said Flair was over the 50-minute mark as the official match time was shown. Sky shoved Sane into Asuka, who was on the apron. Sane helped Asuka stay in the match. Sane went for a move on Sky, who ducked, and Sane accidentally struck Asuka to eliminate her from the match. Sane looked horrified. Sky eliminated Sane.
The No. 29 entrant was Brie Bella. A lot of fans responded with “Yes” chants. She hit a missile dropkick on Rodriguez and then threw Bryan Danielson-style kicks.
The No. 30 entrant was Tiffany Stratton. She went up top and performed a Swanton onto a group of wrestlers who were standing in the ring. The graphic noted that there were still 14 active wrestlers. Stratton and Flair squared off. Flair worked her over with chops.
The Bellas, Bayley, and Valkyria surrounded Morgan and Perez and then teamed up on them. Once that was done, the Bellas fought with Bayley and Valkyria. The Bellas held the top rope while holding Bayley and Valkyria with their legs, and then pulled them over the top rope for simultaneous eliminations. A “this is awesome” chant broke out.
Ruca hit Jayne with the Sol Snatcher, which Barrett called the coolest move in wrestling. Ruca dumped Jayne over the top rope to eliminate her. The Bellas teamed up on Legend, but she ended up dumping them over the top rope for simultaneous eliminations, which drew a mix of cheers and boos.
Legend caught Flair with a big boot on the apron. Legend used her foot to clear Flair from the apron. The graphic listed that Flair lasted 59:49. Legend caught Sky going for a springboard move. Legend held up Sky and carried her to the other side of the ring and tried to eliminate her, but Sky pulled her onto the apron. Sky hooked her legs around Legend’s left leg. Legend used her right leg to kick Sky to the floor.
Ripley showed anger over Legend eliminating Sky. They fought, but Legend put Ripley down with a pump kick. Legend and Rodriguez fought. Legend executed a fallaway slam and then kipped up. She went for another, but Rodriguez stuffed it. Legend avoided a Tejana Bomb, and then Ripley clotheslined her over the top rope to eliminate her.
The final four were Rodriguez, Morgan, Ruca, and Stratton. Morgan shoved Rodriguez over the top rope to eliminate her. Morgan smiled while looking down at an angry Rodriguez. Stratton hit a handspring elbow on Ruca, and then Morgan followed that with a knee strike on Ruca. Stratton performed the Prettiest Moonsault Ever on Morgan.
Ruca hit a double Sol Snatcher on Morgan and Stratton. She tried to dump them both over the top rope, which led to all three women skinning the cat. They all survived and fought on the apron. Ruca went for a Sol Snatcher, but Stratton saw it coming and shoved her legs, causing Ruca to fall to the floor. Morgan hit Oblivion on Stratton to eliminate her.
Liv Morgan won the women’s Royal Rumble in roughly 67:00 to earn a world championship match at WrestleMania 42.
Cole said Morgan was a bridesmaid no more. Morgan celebrated her win and was mostly cheered. She played to the crowd and then sat down and looked at the WrestleMania sign. Morgan exited the ring and then yelled into the camera about how it’s her match, and she’s going to WrestleMania as she backed her way toward the entrance ramp…
Powell’s POV: The first half of the match dragged. The second half of the match was better, and the finish was fairly suspenseful, though Morgan did seem like the heavy favorite once it came down to her, Ruca, and Stratton. It will be interesting to see where things go with Morgan and Rodriguez after Morgan eliminated her fellow Judgment Day stablemate. Ruca had a good outing, and Barrett is right about her finisher. I mentioned in our Pro Wrestling Boom and Dot Net Weekly combo show that I hoped Jayne would get a spot in the match because she’s earned it by really rising to the occasion as the NXT Women’s Champion. Brie Bella’s return was fun, and the live crowd popped big for it. Legend was booked as the monster of the match. It was fine, but I wish they had done more on television to set her up. Of course, the bigger issue is how she is booked coming out of the Rumble.
Oba Femi was shown warming up… Cole hyped the AJ Styles vs. Gunther match for after a break… [C] Cole thanked Linkin Park for the official Rumble theme song… Je’Von Evans was shown warming up backstage… Cole hyped that Liv Morgan and Paul Levesque will be among the guests on the post-show…
Powell’s POV: I forgot to mention that they turned off most of the annoying lights on the seats at some point during the women’s Rumble match. They left the lights that spell out the WWE logo in the section behind the broadcast teams.
Gunther made his entrance with a slow walk to the ring. AJ Styles received the pyro treatment during his entrance. Styles stood on the stage and pointed at Gunther before heading to the ring…
2. Gunther vs. AJ Styles – Styles must retire if he loses. The referee was Dan Engler. Cole noted that he refereed many Styles matches in TNA (Engler went by the name Rudy Charles back in those days). The fans chanted Styles’ name less than two minutes into the match. Gunther was dominant early. Styles eventually came back with a Pele Kick. Styles performed a ushigoroshi and covered Gunther for a near fall.
Gunther regained offensive control and blasted Styles with a clothesline. Gunther powerbombed Styles and got a near fall. Styles kicked Gunther’s leg with a sliding kick and then rolled him into the Calf Crusher, which Gunther eventually escaped. Styles sent Gunther to the floor and then jumped over the top rope and hit him with a Phenomenal Forearm.
Styles rolled Gunther back inside the ring. Styles went up top, but Gunther stood up and chopped him. Gunther went for a superplex, but Styles slipped under him. Styles went for a powerbomb that Gunther avoided. Styles stuffed a Gunther move attempt and then powerbombed him for a solid near fall. Styles performed a springboard 450. He followed up with a Styles Clash and then rolled Gunther into a pin for a strong near fall.
Styles went for a Phenomenal Forearm, but Gunther was waiting and tried to hook him into a sleeper, but Styles reversed it. Gunther grabbed the referee in the corner and then mule kicked Styles. Gunther powerbombed Styles for another strong near fall. Gunther barked at the referee over not getting the three count.
Styles used the ropes to pull himself to his feet. Gunther threw chops at Styles while jawing at him. Gunther put the boots to Styles, and the referee stepped in because they were in the corner, and then checked on Styles. Once Styles was on his feet, Gunther fired away with more chops in the corner until the referee stepped in and scolded him. A “Let’s go, AJ” chant broke out. Gunther drilled Styles with a clothesline. Styles remained on his feet until Gunther drilled him with another clothesline that put him on his back.
Gunther threw more chops once Styles was on his feet, but Styles fired back. Styles went for a Phenomenal Forearm, but Gunther caught him and then dropped him on his feet and applied a sleeper hold. It looked like Styles was fading, but he threw elbows to Gunther’s ribs. Gunther reapplied the hold. Styles once again fired away with elbows. Styles rolled onto his stomach while Gunther maintained the sleeper hold. Styles nearly reached the ropes, but Gunther swatted his hand away. Gunther gave up the hold to club Styles’ head a few times and then reapplied the hold. The referee checked Styles’ arm and then called for the bell.
Gunther defeated AJ Styles in 24:15 to end the career of Styles.
There were some boos, and then they cut to shots of stunned fans. Gunther laughed and celebrated his win. Styles looked bewildered as Gunther exited the ring. Once Gunther’s music stopped playing, the fans gave Styles a standing ovation. He pulled himself to his feet and looked around at the fans. Styles removed his gloves. He was about to put them on the mat, but he stopped and put them back on while the fans cheered.
Styles made his hand symbol while playing to all four sides of the venue, while the fans chanted his name. Styles dropped to his knees and rolled out of the ring. Styles looked down at the ground and then returned to the ring. Styles climbed onto the middle rope and played to the crowd while his entrance theme played. Styles exited the ring and headed toward the stage… [C]
Powell’s POV: A good match with plenty of suspense given the high stakes. What a career for Styles. From NWA Wildside to ROH to TNA to NJPW to WWE and all stops in between. It’s been a pleasure to follow his career. Meanwhile, the win added to Gunther’s Career Killer gimmick. It’s going to be a huge deal when someone finally beats him to save their career.
An extended WWE video game spot aired… Rey Mysterio, Penta, and Dragon Lee were shown backstage…
Sami Zayn made his entrance. There was a truck on the stage while Drew McIntyre made his entrance. It was part of a sponsorship deal, as the decibel meter graphic and some of the turnbuckle pads bore the truck company’s logo…
3. Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn for the WWE Championship. Mark Nash delivered in-ring introductions for the title match. Zayn performed an early flip dive onto McIntyre on the floor and came up selling back pain, which McIntyre exploited. A short time later, Zayn executed a sunset bomb for a near fall. McIntyre came right back with a neckbreaker, but Zayn put him down with a Blue Thunder Bomb for another near fall. McIntyre went for a Claymore Kick that Zayn rolled under. Zayn hooked McIntyre into a pin for another near fall.
McIntyre took offensive control and performed three Future Shock DDTs. McIntyre covered Zayn, who rolled his right shoulder up at the last moment. Barrett said it was the weakest kickout he’s seen in a long time, adding that Barrett had nothing left. McIntyre shot a nasty look at referee Charles Robinson after he failed to get the three count.
McIntyre hit Zayn with two running clotheslines in the corner. He went for a third, and Zayn followed, but McIntyre ducked his Helluva Kick attempt. McIntyre blasted Zayn with a Claymore Kick and had him pinned, but Zayn put his foot over the bottom rope. McIntyre backed the referee into the corner and complained about his count. The referee slipped under McIntyre’s arm to leave the corner, and then Zayn drilled McIntyre with a Helluva Kick and covered him for a near fall.
McIntyre rolled to the floor. Zayn followed and tried to pick him up for a move, but his back gave out. McIntyre powerbombed Zayn on top of one of the broadcast tables. An oddly timed “this is awesome” chant broke out while three referees checked on Zayn. McIntyre blew them off and brought Zayn back to the ring. McIntyre jawed at Zayn while slapping him across the face multiple times. Zayn hit an exploder suplex. Zayn went for a Helluva Kick, but McIntyre beat him to the punch with a Claymore Kick. Zayn got to his knees. McIntyre told him to look him in the eye and then blasted him with another Claymore Kick. McIntyre covered Zayn for the win.
Drew McIntyre defeated Sami Zayn in 16:15 to retain the WWE Championship.
After the match, Zayn sold his lower back while McIntyre looked down at him. McIntyre exited the ring while the broadcast team ran through match highlights. Zayn sat in the ring and looked heartbroken…
Powell’s POV: A good match with the right outcome. I really enjoy Zayn’s work, but he just didn’t have the time of momentum and fan support going into this match to justify the title change. The fans have popped huge for Zayn on past shows. Their reaction to him this time around was still loud, yet other babyfaces on the show have been cheered just as loudly. It also would have put McIntyre in a bad place after his previous world title reign lasted a matter of minutes. All of that said, it was good to see Zayn protected with the back injury.
Footage aired from the pre-show of the verbal exchange between Adam Pearce and Paul Heyman over Bron Breakker drawing the No. 2 spot in the Rumble match… Cole hyped the men’s Rumble match as coming up after a break… [C]
Powell’s POV: The format of the Rumble matches has made the ad breaks less frequent and much more tolerable than usual. By the way, they have included a lot of still shots of past Royal Rumble winners throughout the show, which is a nice touch. Finally, we’ve had three heels win today. Either a babyface wins the men’s Rumble, or this will be the most Empire Strikes Back Rumble show ever.
Cole hyped the Elimination Chamber event as taking place four weeks from tonight… Gunther and Drew McIntyre were added to the post-show lineup…
Mark Nash read through the rules of the men’s Rumble match…
4. Men’s Royal Rumble match for a world championship match at WrestleMania 42. The advertised entrants were Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, Gunther, Jey Uso, Rey Mysterio, Dragon Lee, Penta, Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Je’Von Evans, Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Logan Paul, Austin Theory, Oba Femi, Brock Lesnar, Randy Orton, Damian Priest, Trick Williams, The Miz, and Ilja Dragunov, with nine spots left open.
The No. 1 entrant was Oba Femi. The crowd chanted “Oba” as he headed to the ring and once he was inside it. Cole mentioned that Oba forfeited the NXT Championship and added that the new champion will be crowned in a seven-man ladder match on Tuesday’s show. Cole said he still wants to know whether Oba is headed to Raw or Smackdown.
The No. 2 entrant was Bron Breakker, who was accompanied by Paul Heyman. As he was walking to the ring, a man dressed in black with a hoodie on attacked Breakker at ringside. The masked man ran Breakker into the ring steps and hit him with a Stomp. The bell rang, and then Oba clotheslined Breakker over the top rope to eliminate him. The masked man hopped over the barricade and ran into the crowd roughly ten seconds into the match.
The No. 3 entrant was Solo Sikoa. Oba ran through Solo’s clotheslines and then put him down with a shoulder tackle.
The No. 4 entrant was Rey Mysterio. It’s good to see him back after he was hurt during his Raw match with Austin Theory. Rey got Solo in position for a 619. Rey ran the ropes, but Solo stood up and hoisted him up. Oba booted Solo in the face to knock down both opponents.
The No. 5 entrant was Rusev. Cole recalled Rusev debuting in the 2014 Royal Rumble. Rey hit Rusev with a 619. Oba eliminated Rusev. Solo went for the Samoan Spike, but Oba ducked it and performed a backbreaker. Oba eliminated Solo. Rey hit Oba with a 619, but Rey showed concern when an angry Oba stood up. Oba eliminated Rey moments later.
The No. 6 entrant was Matt Cardona. Cole said it was Cardona’s fifth Rumble match. Oba blasted Cardona with a clothesline, but then he ran into double knees in a corner of the ring. Cardona followed up with a missile dropkick and a boot to the face. Cardona went for the Rough Ryder, but Oba caught him and put him down with the Fall From Grace. Oba clapped and then tossed Cardona over the top rope to eliminate him.
The No 7 entrant was Damian Priest. He ran to the ring and hit Oba with a forearm and some other strikes. Priest failed to take Oba off his feet with a shoulder block. Oba put Priest down with a big clothesline. Priest came back with a series of kicks and then put Oba down with a clothesline. Oba blocked a Priest clothesline.
The No. 8 entrant was Je’Von Evans. He grabbed the camera and looked into it while shaking his head on the stage before heading to the ring. Evans went for a springboard cutter, but Oba stuffed it. Priest grabbed Evans by the throat, but he slipped away and put both opponents down.
The No. 9 entrant was Mr. Iguana. He came out with La Yesca. Barrett heeled on Iguana and said La Yesca is a puppet. Cole said Iguana told him that La Yesca is real. Priest removed La Yesca from Iguana’s hand, which drew some boos, and then he chokeslammed him. Iguana remained on his back with his arms and legs up, which drew some laughs.
The No. 10 entrant was Trick Williams. He clotheslined Priest and then eliminated Iguana. Trick threw La Yesca at Iguana.
The No. 11 entrant was Cody Rhodes. Cole said Cody was looking to join Steve Austin as a three-time Rumble winner. A graphic noted that Cody has 22 career eliminations. Cole said Cody doesn’t have an automatic rematch and has to win the Rumble (he left out the Elimination Chamber). Cody tossed his weight belt into the crowd and squared off with Oba.
The No. 12 entrant was El Grande Americano. Rayo and Bravo walked onto the stage with Americano, but they did not go to the ring with him. He put the metal plate in his mask and then headbutted Evans and Trick with it.
The No. 13 entrant was El Grande Americano. Yes, it was the Chad Gable version. Americano Gable fought with Americano Ludwig Kaiser. Americano Gable performed a German suplex. Americano Kaiser backdropped Americano Gable over the ropes, but Americano Gable skinned the cat. Americano Gable hooked his legs around Americano Kaiser and pulled him over the ropes and to the floor to eliminate him. Trick eliminated Americano Gable. Cody eliminated Trick.
The No. 14 entrant was Royce Keys. The stage had Powerhouse Hobbs on the screens. They changed to the new Keys name. Cole said Keys was previously known as Powerhouse Hobbs. Cole also said he’s followed the career of Keys and put him over. Keys clotheslined Priest over the top rope to eliminate him. Keys performed a spinebuster on Evans. Cody went for his flat back uppercut, but Keys stuffed it.
The No. 15 entrant was Austin Theory. Cole thanked two men for helping him with all of the stats that he uses.
The No. 16 entrant was Bronson Reed. The broadcast team played up The Vision having two members in the match. Reed immediately performed a Tsunami on Evans. Reed and Theory hit a high/low on Oba. A graphic noted that Oba had eliminated five wrestlers thus far.
The No. 17 entrant was Ilja Dragunov. Barrett wondered which member of the Vision was the new person that Heyman had the others working to help win the match now that Breakker was out.
The No. 18 entrant was La Parka. It was the new La Parka, not LA Park. The fans were quiet during his entrance, but some had fun once he danced inside the ring.
The No. 19 entrant was Dragon Lee. He hit a double stomp on Evans while entering the ring. Lee knocked Cody down with a leaping knee strike. Lee performed a DDT on Reed.
The No. 20 entrant was Logan Paul. The broadcast team noted that Paul was the final Vision entrant. Logan and Keys squared off. “Who the hell are you?” Logan asked. Keys put Paul down with a powerslam. Reed went face-to-face with Keys, who pulled the straps on his gear down. Theory hit Keys from behind, and then the Vision members eliminated Keys. Theory dropkicked La Parka off the apron to eliminate him. Reed pressed Lee over his head and threw him onto La Parka on the floor to eliminate him. The Vision trio attacked Cody.
The No. 21 entrant was LA Knight. The fans popped. Cole noted it was the first Knight appearance since Reed attacked him. Knight eliminated Theory. He hit a BFT on Reed and then clotheslined him over the top rope. Knight roughed up Logan.
The No. 22 entrant was Brock Lesnar. The fans popped huge. Paul Heyman walked to the ring with Lesnar. “I’ve got some bad news,” Barrett said. “We’re about to see a mass extinction event.” Lesnar entered the ring and immediately executed a German suplex on Cody. He followed up with German suplexes on Knight and Evans. Lesnar clotheslined Dragunov. Lesnar hoisted up Evans and dropped him on Dragunov with an F5. Oba approached Lesnar in the middle of the ring.
The No. 23 entrant was The Miz. Cole noted that this was Miz’s 17th Rumble match, leaving him one shy of Kane’s record. Lesnar eliminated Dragunov. He followed up with more German suplexes and then squared off with Oba. Cole noted that Lesnar asked Oba if he wanted to try him.
The No. 24 entrant was Rey Fenix. The crowd was flat. Lesnar put Fenix down and then executed a German suplex on Oba. Cole asked how Lesnar looks bigger every time they see him. Um, I don’t think he wants the answer to that question. Lesnar eliminated Oba when Oba was focused on Logan, who had skinned the cat. Lesnar performed a German suplex on Logan.
The No. 25 entrant was Jey Uso. Jey entered through the crowd. Meanwhile, Cody and Knight threw punches at Lesnar and then hit him with a double clothesline that sent him over the top rope for a weak elimination. Cody set Evans on the apron and punched him. Evans held the bottom rope. Jey ran it back.
The No. 26 entrant was Roman Reigns. Once in the ring, Reigns motioned for Jey to run it back again. Jey was all smiles until Reigns dropped him with an uppercut. Reigns put Evans down with a uranage slam and then hit Miz with a Superman Punch. Reigns ducked a shot from Logan and hit him with a running Superman Punch. Reigns speared and then eliminated Miz. Reigns and Cody squared off.
The No. 27 entrant was Jacob Fatu. Cody teased a suicide dive, but Fatu punched him from the floor and then ran him into the ring post. Once in the ring, Fatu hit a pop-up Samoan Drop on Evans. Reigns and Fatu looked at one another. Cody hit Fatu from behind. Jey hit Cody. Reigns and Jey teamed up for 1D on Cody.
The No. 28 entrant was Penta. Cole said Penta lasted 42 minutes in last year’s Rumble. A graphic listed that eight wrestlers were active and 20 were eliminated. Cody eliminated Knight with a Disaster Kick, which drew some boos.
The No. 29 entrant was Randy Orton. A graphic listed this as Orton’s 15th Rumble match. Orton entered the ring and put Jey and Penta down with powerslams. Orton performed a Double Draping DDT on Jey and Penta. Orton struck the Viper’s Pose. Logan spun Orton around and was dropped with an RKO. Penta took advantage of the distraction and threw punches at Orton. Penta went for a springboard move and was hit with an RKO.
The No. 30 entrant was Gunther. A graphic noted that Gunther had the longest time ever in a Rumble match at 61:40 in 2023. Gunther limped while walking to the ring to sell the effects of the Calf Crusher. A graphic listed that Evans had been in the match for over 40 minutes. There were nine active and 21 eliminated.
Evans went for the OG Cutter, but Orton hit him with an RKO on the way down and then eliminated him. Penta decided to do a handstand on the top turnbuckle like an idiot when he was pushed to the floor by Gunther. Cody and Gunther opted to work together on Gunther. Orton held Gunther while Cody went for a Cody Cutter, but Gunther slipped away, and Cody hit the move on Orton. Cody was tossed over the top rope, and he skinned the cat, but Drew McIntyre hit him with a Claymore Kick, and Cody fell to the floor for his elimination.
Fatu stared at McIntyre. Reigns tossed a distracted Fatu over the top rope to eliminate him. Jey tried to eliminate Reigns, who avoided it. Jey ducked a clothesline and then speared Reigns. Jey tried to toss Reigns over the top rope, but Reigns reversed it and eliminated Jey.
The final four were Reigns, Orton, Gunther, and Paul. Reigns eliminated Logan. Orton hit Reigns with an RKO, but then Gunther eliminated Orton. The match came down to Reigns and Gunther. Reigns escaped Gunther’s sleeper hold and speared him before tossing him over the top rope to eliminate him.
Roman Reigns won the men’s Royal Rumble in 56:10 to earn a world championship match at WrestleMania 42.
Cole said Gunther finished second again. Cole and Barrett recapped highlights of the final four. Cole said not a single person had left the stadium. Pyro shot off above the WrestleMania sign. Reigns stood on the middle rope and pointed at the sign. Cole asked which champion Reigns would choose. He said Reigns was back where he belongs, on the top of the WWE mountain.
Pyro shot off on the stage and around the stadium. Drones made the WrestleMania logo and later a WWE championship belt logo in the sky while pyro shot off around the host city. The drones made the “then, now, together, forever” slogan while an insane amount of pyro shot off. The Riyadh Season logo was also displayed in the sky. The pyro continued while Aerosmith’s “Back in the Saddle” theme song for WrestleMania 42 played. The pyro display finally concluded, and then they went into the post-show…
Powell’s POV: The pyro had to be a Saudi thing, right? There’s no way the money-crazed TKO executives signed off on that pyro budget. Anyway, Reigns isn’t the most exciting winner, and I’m not crazy about him showing up after a long absence and winning the match, but the live crowd ate it up. Is it as simple as Reigns winning the Rumble, followed by Cody winning the Elimination Chamber match? The men’s Rumble was entertaining, but some of the eliminations should have meant more.
Overall, it was a good show. I always hope for greatness from the Rumble, and we didn’t get that, but the show had some fun moments. Jake Barnett and I will be back with our same-day audio review of the Royal Rumble for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). See our the sale ad on the main page to find out how you can join us for less than half the price of our three-month membership plan. Let me know what you thought of the show by grading it below.
(Jason Powell, founder and editor of ProWrestling.net, has covered pro wrestling full-time dating back to 1997. He hosts a weekly podcast, Pro Wrestling Boom, and also appears regularly on the Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Podcast. Reach him via email at dotnetjason@gmail.com and on social media via @prowrestlingnet.bsky.social or x.com/prowrestlingnet. For his full bio and information on this website, click here.)
Oh come on Flair 1 and Bliss 2?!
Yeah it is “turn your brain off” logic. If a tag team is 1 and 2, then it is effectively 2 on 1 versus every other wrestler that comes out. And the 2 on 1 would logically eliminate everyone as they come out. Wouldn’t make for a good Rumble to watch, but would make for a realistic one
So far this venue looks like it’s from the pandemic era or AEW attempting to run an arena!
If this was an AEW show all the haters would be shitting all over them because of all the empty seats.
The seats aren’t empty. It’s the lights on the seats. When they pan the crowd you can see they’re full. There’s no comparison to the small crowds AEW draws.
It just looks esthetically bad for a show like this.
This is brutal so far. 15 entrants in and everything just looks clunky and slow.
Kiana James has stood out as one of the better parts of things while Maxine Dupri looked like skinny Nia Jax
Everything has looked clunky and slow on all the PLE of WWE lately. WTF? Has Tripe H gotten to old to make good shows anymore or what?
The Bellas of Hazzard was an interesting look.
Down to 7 left and the only boring choices would be Rhea or Iyo.
No AJ Lee or Bianca Belair.Instead they had the likes of Candice LaRae and Ivy Nile.
Yeah, and they really need to give up on the Lyra push. She’s got absolutely nothing that’s getting over.
Totally agree.
Brother, I thought the exact same thing.
Truly could have picked any other women wrestlers then them two. This show is starting to go to the crapper.
Can’t believe there’s this many empty seats. You telling me the crown prince isn’t forcing people into the stadium to fill the place out?
Trump paid them more to go see Melania.
Empty seats? They were probably murdered or tortured day or so ago before the show.
Guys. The seats aren’t empty. Jason already explained it. Some NBA games look this way too. It’s ugly
And let’s be honest. Zero chance they would let the seats be empty for one of the major events of the year. It’s an optical illusion
There’s NBA and there’s WWE.This is just an awful looking venue for a show like the Rumble.
NO, there are a ton of empty seats. Even with the lighting and logos, it’s sparse in several areas.
Is this what we are doing now, retiring and fake retiring people in Saudi for kicks?
Woman’s match was enjoyable. No one tried to do too much, which can sometimes ruin women’s matches
26/30 wrestlers looked like they “belonged” which shows how amazingly deep the WWE woman’s division is
Damn so Styles is really done?!
This just seems wrong for some reason.
Guess they had to cut him short since they gave Cena the whole year.
Going in I had almost zero interest in the AJ/Gunther match. They sucked me in, and had me on the edge of my seat. That’s was an outstanding match
Until the end when it sucked for AJ Styles. What are they gonna do have Gunther get rid of all the old guys? Who’s next Randy Orton, CM Punk or Roman Reigns?
Did I miss something? Ever since I started watching wrestling in the 80s, you checked the arm 3 times before ringing the bell.
Also, it’s kind of a boring way to end someone’s career.
Styles was already in dreamland so one was enough apparently.
‘AJ Styles is All Elite’ graphic coming any day now.
That might turn AEW around,but AJ’s career is over now right?
Nah, feels like he might want to make one final run in TNA before truly hanging them up.
That was it for Lesnar?
This Mark Nash guy sucks!
I hope they book the men’s Rumble decently, instead of person comes out, does their spots, gets knocked out, new entrant, rinse and repeat. That booking seems to be par for the course for Rumbles, War Games, etc.
I hope to god Wrestlemania’s not being held in this dump next year!
I guess the green shirt guy couldn’t make it to the show.
Lol
He’s there. He actually sitting on the opposite side from where he usually is.
Really?
Damn that guy!
I guess he couldn’t get his usual seat!
Lol
Thank God. It was actually nice being able to watch the PLE without his dyed beard and Tshirt all over my screen lol
Future shocks look absolutely horrible
My ten year old son and 15 year old son both thought it was done TO Drew, since Dad Bod’s head misses the mat by so much.
Did I miss something? Ever since I started watching wrestling in the 80s, you checked the arm 3 times before ringing the bell.
Also, it’s kind of a boring way to end someone’s career.
So Oba Femi actually picked number 1???!!!
Gimme a Break!!
Random draw my ASS!!lol
SO MUCH FOR BREAKKER WINNING!!!
THAT WAS MY PICK!
Tell the people with the blankets on their heads to sit down!!
Lol
Poor Rusev!
He should’ve stayed in AEW!!
LOL
I thought this was the Royal Rumble not a gauntlet match!
Jericho might wanna stay in the back!
GOOD LORD!
the Americanos come out back to back!
Random draws right!
So they actually could’ve kept the Powerhouse Hobbs name???!!!
That was all about making you forget his name. Crazy to even mention it, then show us Royce Keys name.
They did the same thing with Prince Devitt when he became Finn Balor. They are at least acknowledging that the crowd may know this person, but now he is known by the WWE name. Plus, it also factors in the people don’t know him. If they just brought in “Royce Keys” with no explanation, some people might not have a clue who he was and why he was in the Rumble.
They did it to Kana/Asuka too.
Never such good waste of spots, Americano shit is one thing. La Parka?
LA PARKA’S GOING TO WRESTLEMANIA!!!!
lol
So Fenix no.24 and let me guess no.25 Penta!!
Nevermind they swerved us!
Lol
Lesnar eliminated during Uso’s entrance???!!
Who’s booking this shit??!!
Most likely AI
That was it for Lesnar?
He didn’t wanna get struck in traffic.
“Flair and Bliss roughed up James” were we watching the same match? She came in and threw a bunch of offense. She was really impressive.
Nikki Bella leeching off the Yes chants was cringe as f.
So Gunther has 30 because he already wrestled?
Random draws?
Are you people ever going to get it? Everything is predetermined, including the draws.
Yeah,but Adam Pearce saying they’re “random” draws more than once make it worse and the way they constructed the entrants was lazy as hell especially the men’s rumble with most of the top guys coming in the 20s.
Are people like you ever going to get it? We know it’s scripted, we just hate dumb, illogical stories.
Be pretty weak for Roman to lose to a guy who already wrestled.
Reigns? Okay, I guess.
The second half of the women’s rumble was the best part of the card.
Reigns can go on another two month vacation before half assing the mania build. What’s not to like.
WORST RUMBLE EVER!
Honestly. Ok rumble massively let down by a bad final four and tired winner. At least punk Roman main event at mania is set but everything else was meh
I give the show a *Yawn* out of 10
Finally the Royal FUMBLE is over!
Show was a D and the only good match was the second half of the women’s rumble, especially the last 7-8 in the ring.
So no Jericho, no Rollins return, no big surprises. LA Knights comeback lasts 10mins and Lesnar is eliminated easily. Roman winning does nothing for me personally but I am relieved Cody didn’t win again. Hopefully now his heel turn will begin. As to Breaker being “stomped” on, surely Rollins would be too easy a guess so could there be a swerve and it turns out to be Theory again?
You’re clearly forgetting the massive La Parka surprise. Who saw that massive moment coming?!?
It was massive. The English language is inadequate to describe the bigness, the girth, the enormity of .. erm.. Powerhouse Hobbs?
I would’ve preferred El Dandy honestly!
Heyman’s ‘faafo’ threat HAS to be more than Lesnar entering the Rumble (and getting dumped in a lackluster fashion). My guess is he’s gonna get Bron in the Wrestlemania Main event somehow.
That’s as close as I ever need to see Zayn to a major championship moving forward. Soooo cheesy. That, and he cones across on TV as a guy sitting on a bucket and holding a cardboard sign outside a gas station.
I think the guy in black was Finn Balor.
That would make some logical sense. So there is no way it is actually going to happen.
Seriously, it’s probably going to end up being Seth to set up a WM match between he and Bron and they used the mask so someone else could do the spot because the surprise would have been ruined had Seth Rollins actually flown to Saudi.
My guess would be Punk.
The only reason I don’t think it’s Seth is because Heyman was yelling that it was.
Some reports say it could be Logan Paul for some reason.
Roman 10 year title run incoming. Product been going downhill since he lost the belt
Well, that Rumble certainly was… booked.
Why do they hate LA Knight? Because he’s over?
Why debut a wrestler then have him lose?
They’re pushing Oba, but I’m not buying it.
More boring Brock and Roman. Business as usual.
Good show.
Terrible PLE.
Best Saudi show yet.
Normally I like the women’s Rumble the most, but I thought this one was terrible. Too much obvious, and poorly chosen, scripting, and no good stories told within.