WWE will host the Royal Rumble 2026 on January 31. For the primary time, the annual occasion will likely be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It can kickstart the Highway to WrestleMania 42.
It is among the most fun occasions of the yr, primarily due to its important attraction: the Royal Rumble Match. Followers wait all yr for the 30-person bout, not solely to see who punches their ticket to The Grandest Stage of them All, but in addition for the shock component it comes with.
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Yearly, many surprising stars present as much as take part within the bout, making a viral second, and the upcoming occasion ought to be no totally different. That stated, given the present panorama, let’s predict each shock entrant of the 2026 Males’s Royal Rumble Match:
#9. Omos
Omos has been away from WWE tv for over two years. He was final seen competing within the 2024 Andre the Big Memorial Battle Royal. Whereas he has been lively in companion promotions like Professional Wrestling NOAH and AAA, The Nigerian Big has not been utilized within the world juggernaut, a lot to everybody’s shock.
With Royal Rumble developing, the Triple H-led artistic staff might convey the large again and have him enter the 30-person bout as a shock entrant. Given his dimension, Omos would certainly show to be a risk to everybody else within the match.
#8. Nic Nemeth
Nic Nemeth (fka Dolph Ziggler) was launched from WWE in September 2023 after 19 years with the corporate. He made a one-off return on the November 17 episode of RAW final yr as a part of John Cena’s Final Time is Now Event, however was defeated by Solo Sikoa.
Given how properly his look was obtained by followers, Nemeth might make one other look as a shock entrant within the 2026 Males’s Royal Rumble Match.
#7 & #6. The Hardy Boyz
The Hardy Boyz are at the moment signed to TNA, reigning as the corporate’s tag staff champions. Matt and Jeff made a number of appearances on NXT in 2025. Matt lately teased a WrestleMania match between The Hardy Boyz, The Usos, and The New Day following the Samoans’ title win.
Whereas they don’t seem to be at the moment signed to WWE, the Hardys stay probably the most in style groups of all time. Both Matt or Jeff, and even each of them, might make a shock look within the 2026 Males’s Royal Rumble Match.
#5. Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar made a shock return to WWE at SummerSlam 2025, taking out John Cena with an F-5. The Beast Incarnate has competed twice since coming again, together with his final look and match happening at Survivor Sequence within the Males’s WarGames Match.
Lesnar is marketed for WrestleMania 42, growing the chance of him coming into the 2026 Males’s Royal Rumble Match.
#4. David Finlay
A latest report has instructed that David Finlay’s contract with NJPW is about to run out, and he’s exploring his choices. Along with his father, Match Finlay, serving as a producer and a coach in WWE, the corporate might signal the previous Bullet Membership chief.
If that occurs, David might make his debut within the world juggernaut as a shock entrant within the upcoming Males’s Royal Rumble Match.
#3. LA Knight
LA Knight has been out of motion since being brutally attacked by The Imaginative and prescient on the December 8 episode of RAW. Bronson Reed hit a Tsunami on Knight, who was mendacity on prime of a automotive.
Knight might make a shock return through the Males’s Royal Rumble Match and doubtlessly actual revenge on The Imaginative and prescient members by eliminating them from the match.
#2. Zilla Fatu
The true-life Bloodline member, Zilla Fatu, is an thrilling younger expertise who has been making waves on the impartial circuit. Given his potential, WWE might finally signal the 26-year-old.
Zilla might make an enormous debut as a shock entrant within the Males’s Royal Rumble Match and doubtlessly work together with a few of his members of the family.
#1. WWE legend Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho is reportedly a free agent and might be on his method again to WWE. Many anticipated Y2J to return on the primary RAW of 2026, however that did not materialize.
That stated, if Jericho is certainly returning, the upcoming Royal Rumble Match appears to be the right stage to make a grand comeback. Followers in Riyadh would go loopy listening to “Break the Partitions Down” through the 30-person bout on January 31.
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Edited by Parth Pujara