The WWE Universe is witnessing history today as Royal Rumble 2026 kicks off from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking the first time in the event's 39-year history that it's being held outside North America. With AJ Styles' career on the line against Gunther, predictions of Chris Jericho's surprise return, and Bianca Belair's anticipated comeback from injury, the road to WrestleMania 42 begins with unprecedented stakes and international flair.
How Royal Rumble 2026 Unfolded: Inside WWE's Historic Saudi Move
The 2026 Royal Rumble represents a seismic shift for WWE, with the company staging its annual January spectacle at the newly constructed Riyadh Season Stadium in King Abdullah Financial District. According to Forbes, the temporary outdoor venue was built in just 35 days specifically for this event, showcasing Saudi Arabia's commitment to hosting major international sports entertainment. The move continues WWE's partnership with the Kingdom that began in 2018, but marks the first time one of WWE's "Big Four" premium live events has been held outside North America.
As reported by CBS Sports and USA Today, the event begins at 2 p.m. ET (8 p.m. local time) with a match card that features both Men's and Women's Royal Rumble matches alongside several championship bouts. The location change has created logistical challenges but also unprecedented opportunities, with WWE expecting record viewership from Middle Eastern audiences and heightened global interest in what many are calling the most internationally significant Royal Rumble ever.
Timeline: How WWE's Saudi Expansion Led to Historic 2026 Royal Rumble
The road to Riyadh began nearly a decade ago when WWE first started exploring international markets for major events. According to multiple sources including Bleacher Report and The Times of India, the timeline leading to today's historic event includes several key milestones: WWE's initial 10-year partnership with Saudi Arabia announced in 2018, the success of previous Crown Jewel events in the Kingdom, the gradual integration of Saudi shows into WWE's regular premium live event schedule, and finally the January 2025 announcement that Royal Rumble 2026 would break geographic tradition.
Industry analysts note that the move represents WWE's continued globalization strategy under TKO Group Holdings, with Saudi Arabia's substantial investment in sports entertainment creating opportunities for events that were previously unimaginable outside North America. The New York Post reports that ticket sales for the 50,000-seat temporary stadium sold out within hours, demonstrating the massive appetite for WWE programming in the region.
Why AJ Styles vs. Gunther Matters: Understanding the Career-Ending Stakes
At the heart of Royal Rumble 2026 lies what could be the end of an era: AJ Styles putting his legendary career on the line against "The Ring General" Gunther. According to CageSideSeats, Styles initially announced his intention to retire in 2026 but most expected a farewell tour rather than a single-match retirement stipulation. The dramatic twist came when Gunther—who has built a reputation as a "career killer" after retiring John Cena and others—challenged Styles with his career at stake.
Bleacher Report sources indicate there's genuine uncertainty within WWE about whether Styles will actually retire, with some backstage rumors suggesting he might lose the match but return later in the year for a proper farewell tour. What's not in dispute is the match's significance: if Styles loses, one of the most influential wrestlers of his generation—a former WWE Champion, multi-time world champion across multiple promotions, and future Hall of Famer—will compete for the last time.
The Bigger Picture: What Royal Rumble 2026 Means for WWE's Future
Expert analysis from Forbes and other outlets suggests Royal Rumble 2026 represents more than just another annual event—it's a potential turning point for WWE's global strategy. With the company's Netflix deal beginning in 2025 and increased international focus, holding major events outside traditional markets could become more common. Industry observers point to several key implications: expanded revenue streams from international hosting fees, increased global brand recognition, and potential scheduling changes that could see other major events like SummerSlam or Money in the Bank follow similar paths.
Furthermore, the event tests WWE's ability to maintain its traditional audience while appealing to new international fans. The 2 p.m. ET start time—unusually early for a North American audience—represents a compromise to accommodate prime time viewing in Saudi Arabia while still being accessible to U.S. fans. Early indicators suggest the strategy is working, with WWE reporting record pre-event merchandise sales in the Middle East and unprecedented social media engagement from the region.
Where Things Stand Now: Latest on Royal Rumble 2026 Surprises and Predictions
As the event hours away, several last-minute developments are shaping expectations. The New York Post reports that Roman Reigns—who has been critical of WWE creative direction according to Bleacher Report—is expected to return to the WrestleMania title picture via the Royal Rumble match. Meanwhile, Forbes identifies Chris Jericho as the heavy favorite to be the last entrant in the Men's Royal Rumble, with his AEW contract reportedly expired and WWE sources hinting at a major surprise return.
On the women's side, multiple outlets including USA Today and CBS Sports predict Bianca Belair will return from a year-long injury absence to win the Women's Royal Rumble, setting up a WrestleMania 42 showdown with WWE Women's Champion Jade Cargill. Other potential surprise entrants circulating in rumor mills include former UFC champion Ronda Rousey, recently released AEW star Thunder Rosa, and NXT standout Roxanne Perez.
What Happens Next: The Road Ahead After Historic Saudi Event
Regardless of tonight's outcomes, Royal Rumble 2026 will immediately shift focus to WrestleMania 42 in Los Angeles. The winners of the Royal Rumble matches earn championship opportunities at WWE's biggest event of the year, creating storylines that will dominate programming for the next two months. Industry analysts suggest several potential scenarios: if Jericho wins, it could set up a dream match against a current WWE champion; if Belair returns victorious, her showdown with Cargill would represent a marquee WrestleMania matchup.
Longer term, the success of Royal Rumble 2026 in Saudi Arabia could pave the way for more major events outside North America. WWE executives have hinted that if tonight's event meets expectations, similar moves for other premium live events could follow. The company's expanding international footprint—coupled with changing media consumption patterns and global fan demand—suggests that the 2026 Royal Rumble might be remembered not just for its in-ring action, but as the beginning of a new era in sports entertainment globalization.
Key Takeaways from WWE's Historic Royal Rumble 2026
• First Royal Rumble held outside North America in event's 39-year history
• AJ Styles risks his career against Gunther in retirement-stipulation match
• Chris Jericho heavily favored as surprise last entrant in Men's Royal Rumble
• Bianca Belair predicted to return from injury and win Women's Royal Rumble
• Event starts at 2 p.m. ET from Riyadh Season Stadium in Saudi Arabia
• Represents major step in WWE's globalization and international expansion strategy
