Tag: Royal Rumble

Brock Lesnar Confirms Entry In 2026 WWE Royal Rumble Match

Speculation surrounding Brock Lesnar’s WWE future can officially be put to rest — at least for now. The former WWE Champion has confirmed that he will be competing in the Men’s Royal Rumble match at the 2026 Royal Rumble premium live event.

Lesnar made the announcement during a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, where he addressed the rumors head-on and left little room for interpretation. In classic Lesnar fashion, “The Beast” didn’t just confirm his entry — he declared his intentions.

“I’m heading to the Royal Rumble, boys,” Lesnar said. “I’m gonna win it.”

The confirmation immediately positions Lesnar as one of the favorites heading into the 30-man match, especially given his dominant history in the Royal Rumble. Lesnar has previously bulldozed through the field in past appearances, and his mere presence tends to shift the entire dynamic of the match.

This year’s Royal Rumble is already historic, as the event will take place on January 31 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The show will be held at a temporary outdoor stadium in the King Abdullah Financial District as part of the ongoing Riyadh Season festivities, marking the first time the Royal Rumble is staged outside of North America.

With Lesnar officially in the field, the Men’s Royal Rumble just gained another massive layer of intrigue. Whether WWE plans to use his return to launch a WrestleMania main event program remains to be seen, but one thing is clear — Brock Lesnar isn’t coming to Riyadh just to participate. He’s coming to dominate.

Backstage Update Brings Relief on Rey Mysterio’s Status Ahead of Royal Rumble

Rey Mysterio had WWE fans holding their breath following a scary moment on this week’s episode of RAW. The Hall of Famer appeared to suffer an injury during his singles match with Austin Theory, sparking immediate concern with the Royal Rumble just days away.

The match itself descended into chaos thanks to interference from The Vision — Logan Paul, Bron Breakker, and Bronson Reed — which ultimately allowed Theory to pick up the win. However, the focus quickly shifted after the final bell when Mysterio was seen clutching his arm. The referee throwing up the dreaded “X” signal only added to the alarm, and Mysterio was notably absent from the post-match angle as medical personnel escorted him to the back.

Given WWE’s history of blending real injuries into storylines, fans were left wondering whether this was all part of the show or a legitimate issue that could derail Mysterio’s plans.

According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, there’s reason for optimism. Meltzer reports that the injury is not believed to be serious, and as of now, Mysterio is still expected to compete in the 30-man Royal Rumble match in Riyadh.

That’s significant news considering Mysterio only returned to action in November 2025 after missing seven months with a torn groin. At 51 years old, any physical setback naturally raises red flags, but WWE reportedly has no plans at this time to remove him from the Royal Rumble lineup.

While WWE will undoubtedly continue to monitor the situation closely, the early word backstage suggests this was more of a scare than a setback — a welcome update for fans hoping to see the legendary luchador shine on one of WWE’s biggest stages.

AJ Style’s Royal Rumble Match Against Gunther Could Truly Be His Final Match

AJ Styles’ upcoming clash with GUNTHER at the WWE Royal Rumble has quickly turned from a marquee attraction into one of the most emotional talking points heading into the weekend. With Styles putting his career on the line, what once felt like a dramatic stipulation is now being widely viewed as a very real goodbye.

For weeks, many fans assumed Styles would survive the match. After all, the former WWE Champion had previously mentioned that 2026 was his target retirement year, leading to speculation that this storyline was simply a high-stakes wrinkle rather than the end. However, new backstage reports are painting a much different picture.

According to PWInsider, Styles’ current WWE contract is set to expire before WrestleMania 42, and there are reportedly no internal plans for him to be part of that event. That detail alone has raised eyebrows, especially considering Styles’ legacy and his importance to WWE over the past decade.

Dave Meltzer has also added more context, reporting that Shinsuke Nakamura was under the impression that Styles intended to retire following the Royal Rumble in 2026. That belief reportedly explains Nakamura’s now-deleted Instagram post, which many fans viewed as an early farewell message.

Adding fuel to the fire is the status of GUNTHER. Reports suggest there are no creative plans for him to lose at the upcoming Saudi Arabia event, making a Styles victory at the Royal Rumble seem increasingly unlikely. If GUNTHER is indeed locked in to continue his dominant run, Styles’ career-ending stipulation suddenly feels very real.

Behind the scenes, Styles’ retirement has reportedly been discussed within WWE for months, with the Royal Rumble long viewed as a realistic exit point. While a retirement match in Saudi Arabia would come with a massive payday and global spotlight, WWE plans are always subject to change — especially when a legend is involved.

Still, as things stand, all signs point toward the Royal Rumble potentially being the final chapter of AJ Styles’ storied WWE career. Whether this ends with one last Phenomenal performance or a shocking swerve, fans may want to savor every moment, just in case this truly is goodbye.

AJ Styles Will Put His Career On The Line Against GUNTHER At WWE Royal Rumble

AJ Styles is officially walking into the most dangerous match of his WWE career.

On the latest episode of WWE Raw, Styles confirmed that he has accepted GUNTHER’s brutal stipulation for their upcoming clash at the Royal Rumble event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: if Styles loses, his career is over.

The tension between the two started brewing in the fallout from GUNTHER’s shocking submission victory over John Cena in what was billed as Cena’s retirement match. Since forcing Cena to tap out at Saturday Night’s Main Event in December, the self-proclaimed “Ring General” has been on a victory lap, boasting weekly on Raw about ending the career of one of WWE’s greatest icons. That arrogance didn’t sit well with Styles, another longtime rival of Cena who felt compelled to step in and humble GUNTHER.

Their first encounter took place last week on Raw in Berlin, Germany, and it delivered exactly the kind of hard-hitting, technical battle fans expected. Styles appeared to have GUNTHER beaten after locking in the Calf Crusher and clearly forcing a tap out. The problem? The referee didn’t see it. While Styles argued his case, GUNTHER capitalized on the distraction and escaped with a controversial victory, leaving a massive question mark hanging over the result.

That unresolved finish led Styles to demand a rematch this week. GUNTHER, however, wasn’t interested in a simple do-over. Instead, he raised the stakes dramatically, agreeing to face Styles again only if “The Phenomenal One” was willing to put his entire career on the line. Initially hesitant, Styles later made his decision clear in a backstage segment with Raw General Manager Adam Pearce, officially accepting the challenge.

Now the rematch is set, and the implications couldn’t be bigger. This will be GUNTHER’s third match since retiring John Cena, and he’ll be looking to add another legendary name to his list by ending AJ Styles’ career on one of WWE’s biggest international stages.

Whether this marks the final chapter for Styles or another defining moment in GUNTHER’s dominant reign remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Royal Rumble just became must-see viewing.

Alexa Bliss Reportedly Replaced Another WWE Superstar In Royal Rumble At Last Minute

After a year away from the ring, Alexa Bliss made her long-awaited return to WWE during the Women’s Royal Rumble Match on Saturday. Entering at #21, Bliss shocked both fans and many within WWE itself, as she had not been scheduled for the match as of Friday’s rehearsals.

According to Fightful Select, Bliss and WWE had been far apart in contract negotiations, leading to an assumption that she wouldn’t appear until the situation was resolved. However, by Saturday, both sides had clearly reached an agreement—at least enough for Bliss to make her return. Interestingly, her entry wasn’t originally planned, as the #21 spot had reportedly been intended for Shotzi, who has been working her way back from a knee injury. While some in WWE were thrilled to see Bliss back, others expressed sympathy for Shotzi, whose return to the main roster was seemingly delayed as a result.

Bliss had previously posted a picture of herself with her baby daughter, implying she would be spending the night at home. But much like Jordynne Grace’s misdirect before her own Rumble appearance, this may have been a clever attempt to throw fans off the scent.

With Bliss now back in the fold, the big question is: What’s next for her? Could she step back into title contention, or does WWE have a different storyline in mind? Either way, it’s good to see the former SmackDown Women’s Champion back in action as the Road to WrestleMania heats up.

WWE had already prepared Bliss’ merchandise for her return, which was created in advance for RAW in San Jose.

Bliss would be part of the RAW brand moving forward

Previously there was reports that she will join the Wyatt Sicks upon returning, who has been moved to SmackDown

UPDATE

With Alexa Bliss now back on WWE television and seemingly destined for the RAW brand, Pwinsider Elite is reporting that there have been internal discussions about moving her to SmackDown instead.

Bliss was absent from Monday’s WWE RAW TV tapings, despite early reports suggesting a return to the red brand in January. The potential move to SmackDown comes amidst The Wyatt Family’s shift to the blue brand, and there is speculation that WWE may revisit their original creative plans involving Bliss’ connection with the group.

Confirmation On Who Drew McIntyre Blames For His Royal Rumble Elimination Not Going As Planned

The Royal Rumble always brings surprises, but this year, one of the biggest stories came after the match, when Drew McIntyre stormed out of Lucas Oil Stadium, visibly frustrated. Reports quickly surfaced that McIntyre was upset about how his elimination played out, specifically blaming interference from another Superstar for throwing off the moment.

According to F4WOnline, McIntyre holds LA Knight responsible for the botched sequence, feeling that Knight “got in the way” and caused the planned angle with Damian Priest to lose momentum. Footage from the match fueled speculation among fans, with some initially pointing the finger at Logan Paul, but it’s now confirmed that Knight was the one involved.

This kind of real-life tension has often been turned into on-screen storylines in WWE, and there’s a possibility that McIntyre and Knight could be heading toward a rivalry leading into WrestleMania 40. The two have history dating back to their TNA days, and with Knight’s momentum cooling off in recent months, a feud with McIntyre could be exactly what he needs to climb back up the card.

However, McIntyre’s post-Rumble reaction suggests he’s not too happy with Knight at the moment, which could complicate things. If WWE wants to capitalize on this, they’ll need to get both men on the same page. Will we see their real-life frustration spill over into a heated WrestleMania program? Or will McIntyre push to move in a different direction?

McIntyre according to PWInsider, sources within the promotion have told them that the Scottish star will likely be moved to SmackDown with WWE’s transfer window that ended at the Royal Rumble

Either way, this is definitely a situation to watch as the Road to WrestleMania heats up.

Drew McIntyre Reportedly Storms Out of WWE Royal Rumble After Controversial Elimination

While WWE officials, including Paul “Triple H” Levesque, continue to celebrate a successful Royal Rumble weekend, not everyone left Indianapolis in high spirits. According to PWInsider, Drew McIntyre was visibly frustrated following his elimination from the Men’s Royal Rumble match, leading to a heated backstage incident and his abrupt exit from Lucas Oil Stadium.

What Happened in the Rumble?

McIntyre entered the match at No. 17 and found himself battling against longtime adversaries such as CM Punk, Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, and Sami Zayn. However, his night ended at the hands of Damian Priest, who eliminated the Scottish Warrior once all 30 entrants had made their way into the match.

According to PWInsider’s report, something about McIntyre’s elimination did not go as planned, leading to immediate backstage frustration. When he returned to the Gorilla Position, he was overheard “screaming and cursing”, allegedly upset that “someone had to get their moves in” at the expense of the match’s storytelling.

McIntyre’s Reaction: A Pattern of Frustration?

Rather than sticking around to watch the final moments of the Rumble, McIntyre stormed out of the arena before the match had even concluded. This incident echoes a similar situation from Survivor Series 2023, when he reportedly left the venue immediately after CM Punk’s shocking return.

It remains unclear who McIntyre was referring to in his post-match frustration, but his reaction highlights potential tension behind the scenes.

What’s Next for McIntyre?

With WrestleMania 41 now on the horizon, McIntyre’s current status raises several questions. Could this frustration impact his standing within WWE? Is this a sign of deeper creative frustrations? While McIntyre has been vocal about his contract situation in recent months, this latest outburst adds further intrigue to his future with the company.

For now, WWE is moving forward with Jey Uso as the 2025 Royal Rumble winner, while McIntyre’s next steps remain uncertain. Stay tuned to WrestlingNewsBlog.com for further updates on this developing story.

Surprise Entrants Shake Up the 2025 WWE Royal Rumble Matches

The 2025 WWE Royal Rumble delivered plenty of unexpected moments, as 60 Superstars battled for their chance to main event WrestleMania. From shocking returns to unexpected debuts, this year’s Rumble continued the tradition of jaw-dropping surprises.

Jey Uso’s Historic Victory & iShowSpeed’s Last-Minute Appearance

The biggest shock of the night came when Jey Uso outlasted 29 other men to win his first-ever Royal Rumble, eliminating John Cena to secure his WrestleMania moment. The win solidifies Jey as a true main-event player, and the WWE Universe is already buzzing about who he will challenge on the grandest stage of them all.

But the surprises started much earlier. Akira Tozawa was scheduled to compete but never made it to the ring, thanks to a blindsiding attack from Carmelo Hayes. With a sudden vacancy in the match, Triple H made a split-second decision and sent out popular streaming star iShowSpeed, who happened to be nearby. The internet sensation may not have lasted long, but his appearance added a wild, unpredictable element to the match.

TNA Represented in the Men’s Rumble

In a major crossover moment, TNA World Champion Joe Hendry made his surprise Royal Rumble debut to a thunderous ovation. However, his decision to go after Roman Reigns proved costly, as The Tribal Chief quickly disposed of him. Still, Hendry’s brief but memorable appearance marked a huge moment for WWE and TNA’s ongoing working relationship.

The surprises didn’t stop there, as AJ Styles made his long-awaited return after months sidelined with a foot injury. Entering at number 21, The Phenomenal One put on a strong showing, even eliminating LA Knight before Logan Paul ultimately sent him packing.

Women’s Rumble Sees Major Debuts and Returns

The Women’s Royal Rumble also delivered its fair share of shocking moments, none bigger than Jordynne Grace officially entering as a WWE Superstar. The former TNA Knockouts Champion’s participation confirmed what had been rumored for weeks—she’s now part of the WWE roster.

Another major return saw Alexa Bliss step back into the ring after two years away. Amid speculation about her WWE future, Bliss silenced the doubters by making a strong comeback.

Fans were also treated to appearances by two WWE Hall of Famers. Trish Stratus entered at No. 25, while Nikki Bella had the advantage of the coveted No. 30 spot. However, both legends fell victim to Nia Jax, who had a record-breaking performance, eliminating nine competitors before being taken out herself.

What’s Next on the Road to WrestleMania?

With Jey Uso now set for a championship match at WrestleMania and several surprise entrants making waves, the road to WrestleMania 41 is already heating up. Will Jordynne Grace make an immediate impact in WWE? What’s next for AJ Styles after his return? And how will John Cena respond to coming up short?

WWE Royal Rumble 2/1/2025 (Results)

Women’s Royal Rumble Match:

  1. IYO SKY
  2. Liv Morgan
  3. Roxanne Perez
  4. Lyra Valkyria
  5. Chelsea Green
  6. B-Fab
  7. Ivy Nile
  8. Zoey Stark
  9. Lash Legend
  10. Bianca Belair
  11. Shayna Baszler
  12. Bayley
  13. Sonya Deville
  14. Maxxine Dupri
  15. Naomi
  16. Jaida Parker
  17. Piper Niven
  18. Natalya
  19. Jordynne Grace
  20. Michin
  21. Alexis Bliss
  22. Zelina Vega
  23. Candice LeRae
  24. Stephanie Vaquer
  25. Trish Stratus
  26. Raquel Rodriguez
  27. Charlotte Flair
  28. NXT Women’s Champion Giulia
  29. Nia Jax
  30. Nikki Bella

Winner: Charlotte Flair last eliminating Roxanne Perez

WWE Tag Team Championships Two Out Of Three Falls Match: #DIY (c) defeated Motor City Machine Guns

Ciampa and Sabin to start, off the ropes, Shelley tags in, double-teams ensue! Gargano in, double solebutts, double whips reversed, do-si-do, MCMG double corner lariats and DIY get dumped to the floor! Chris tags back in, stereo baseball slides! Back inside, DIY cut Sabin off and get a nearfall out of it!

Chris gets a boot up in the corner, victory roll Tom through, tag blocked, back elbow takes Alex out! Running kick from Sabin, Shelley tags in, John fakes a tag, Ciampa with a knee…

#DIY win the first fall by pinfall with a knee trembler from Tommaso Ciampa on Alex Shelley, going up 1-0.

Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa, collectively known as #DIY, put their gold on the line against the legendary Motor City Machine Guns, Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin. The fast-paced action kicked off with both teams displaying their signature chemistry and rapid-fire double-team maneuvers.

Fall 1: #DIY wins

After a flurry of counters and hard-hitting exchanges, Ciampa landed a devastating knee trembler on Shelley, securing the first fall and putting #DIY in the driver’s seat.

Fall 2: MCMG win

The Machine Guns fought back, using their veteran experience to isolate their opponents. After a perfectly executed Skull and Bones on Gargano, Sabin and Shelley evened the score at 1-1, forcing a decisive third fall.

Fall 3: #DIY wins with outside interference from The Street Profits

Just as the match reached its climax, a hooded figure appeared at ringside, causing a distraction. That figure turned out to be Montez Ford of The Street Profits! Before Shelley could react, Angelo Dawkins cracked him with a steel crutch, setting up #DIY to capitalize with their Meet in the Middle finisher for the victory. With a 2-1 win, Gargano and Ciampa retained their titles, but the post-match attack by the Profits sent a clear message—this rivalry is far from over.

Undisputed WWE Championship – Ladder Match: Cody Rhodes (c) defeated Kevin Owens

The night’s main event saw Cody Rhodes put his Undisputed WWE Championship on the line against Kevin Owens in a brutal, high-stakes Ladder Match. Both men wasted no time turning the bout into an all-out war, brawling through the crowd and using every available weapon.

Ladders quickly became instruments of destruction, with Owens powerbombing Rhodes into one, while Cody retaliated by breaking off a rung and using it as a weapon. The physicality escalated when Owens executed an avalanche Fisherman Buster through a ladder, forcing WWE officials and medical personnel to check on both competitors.

In the match’s most jaw-dropping moment, Owens attempted a Package Piledriver on the announce desk, but Cody countered with an Alabama Slam through a ladder, sending KO crashing to the floor. With Owens down, Rhodes climbed the ladder and retrieved his title, surviving one of the most punishing matches of his career.

As the dust settled, medical personnel and Sami Zayn rushed to Owens’ aid,

Men’s Royal Rumble Match:

  1. Rey Mysterio
  2. Penta
  3. Chad Gable
  4. Carmelo Hayes
  5. Santo Escobar
  6. Otis
  7. WWE Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker
  8. Akira Tozawa (attacked by Carmelo Hayes) – replaced by IShowSpeed
  9. Sheamus
  10. Jimmy Uso
  11. Andrade
  12. Jacob Fatu
  13. Ludwig Kaiser
  14. The Miz
  15. TNA World Champion Joe Hendry
  16. Roman Reigns
  17. Drew McIntyre
  18. Finn Balor
  19. WWE US Champion Shinsuke Nakamura
  20. Jey Uso
  21. AJ Styles
  22. Braun Strowman
  23. John Cena
  24. CM Punk
  25. Seth Rollins
  26. Dominik Mysterio
  27. Sami Zayn
  28. Damian Priest
  29. LA Knight
  30. Logan Paul

Winner: Jey Uso

Bully Ray Teases “Huge” Surprise Planned For WWE Royal Rumble

With the WWE Royal Rumble set to take place this Saturday, speculation is running wild about potential surprises—and according to Bully Ray, fans should expect something massive.

Speaking on Busted Open Radio, the WWE Hall of Famer revealed that he’s received some inside information about the event and hinted at a major shocker in store.

“It’s going to be big. Inside information on a need-to-know basis, and I needed to know … I’m telling you, what I found out this morning for the Rumble, big is not the right word. Huge.”

While he didn’t provide specifics, Bully Ray also emphasized that neither the men’s nor women’s Rumble matches will have an easy winner, which could indicate unpredictable outcomes or unexpected entrants.

What Could This “Huge” Surprise Be?

With WrestleMania season officially kicking off at the Royal Rumble, there are several possibilities for what this major moment could be. Here are some of the biggest rumors and theories circulating:

  • A major return – Could we see The Rock?
  • A shocking debut – WWE has been known to bring in outside stars for big moments. Could a TNA or NJPW star make a surprise appearance?
  • An unexpected winner – While many expect Cody Rhodes, Gunther, or Seth Rollins to take the men’s Rumble, could WWE throw a curveball? And on the women’s side, could someone like Jade Cargill or a returning legend shake things up?
  • A game-changing storyline twist – WWE is known for pulling off massive storyline swerves at the Rumble. Could this be the night we see a major Bloodline betrayal, a new faction debut, or a shocking turn of events?

Regardless of what it is, Bully Ray’s comments have only added to the anticipation and excitement leading into Saturday’s event.

WWE Keeping Things Under Wraps

So far, WWE has been tight-lipped about any major surprises, which makes this year’s Rumble even more unpredictable. With Triple H leading creative, fans have high expectations for a blockbuster moment that will set the stage for WrestleMania 40.