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 Gree. Alba Fyre came out with Green and stood at ringside. Green offered a handshake to Bliss, 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. Asuka grabbed
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 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.
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.
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
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.
Brother, I thought the exact same thing.
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?
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
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.
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
‘AJ Styles is All Elite’ graphic coming any day now.
That might turn AEW around,but AJ’s career is over now right?
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