Royal Rumble 2026

By Steve Ward

WWE presented the 39th incarnation of the Royal Rumble from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia this evening in front of a crowd of 25,000. Not only was the event held in a crowd substantially smaller than what would’ve been commanded in the United States, it also was within a stadium that was built in a parking lot over the past month. The show, which marks the beginning of the Road to WrestleMania, featured four matches and was headlined by the Men's Royal Rumble Match.

Women’s Royal Rumble Match
Winner: Liv Morgan

The show kicked off with the Women’s Royal Rumble Match where the competitors were all required to wear Saudi-approved attire and more importantly, where the winner would earn a shot at the championship of her choice at WrestleMania.

Order of Entry:

Charlotte Flair
Alexa Bliss
Kiana James
Nia Jax
Ivy Nile
Lola Vice
Candice LeRae
Jordynne Grace
Becky Lynch
Sol Ruca
Roxanne Perez
Maxxine Dupri
Nattie
Liv Morgan
Lash Legend
Zelina
Raquel Rodriguez
Chelsea Green
Giulia
Iyo Sky
Asuka
Rhea Ripley
Bayley
Jacy Jayne
Nikki Bella
Lyra Valkyria
Kelani Jordan
Kairi Sane
Brie Bella
Tiffany Stratton

Final Four: Raquel Rodriguez , Liv Morgan, Sol Ruca, and Tiffany Stratton.

The first of the final eliminations occurred as Liv dumped her Judgement Day stablemate Raquel over the top rope as she celebrated her elimination of Rhea Ripley. Moments later, the final three women found themselves battling on the ring apron. First, Ruca went for the Sol Snatcher but missed and was eliminated by Stratton. This opened the door for Liv Morgan to knock Stratton off the ring apron with the Oblivion to punch her ticket to WrestleMania.

AJ Styles vs. Gunther
Winner: Gunther via submission

This bout came to the forefront after AJ Styles squared off with Gunther on Monday Night RAW earlier this month. Styles seemingly clinched victory with a Calf Crusher submission that prompted The Ring General to tap out, however, the referee didn’t see it and Gunther eventually prevailed after a low blow gave him the edge. This outcome lead Styles to seek a rematch but Gunther would only accept the challenge once Styles put his career on the line. AJ Styles emptied the tank in this contest but in the end, Gunther cinched in a vicious sleeper hold that saw The Phenomenal One unable to answer the call of referee Dan Engler (formerly TNA lead official Rudy Charles) as his career came to an end.

Undisputed WWE Championship
Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Sami Zayn
Winner: Drew McIntyre via pinfall

This match came to fruition after McIntyre stunned the WWE Universe by defeating Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship three weeks ago on Friday Night Smackdown and after Zayn won the number one contender’s fatal four way at last week’s Saturday Night’s Main Event. The final minutes of this match saw Sami Zayn square up McIntyre for a Heluva Kick, however, he was intercepted by Drew with a Claymore. Rather than go for a pinfall, Drew elected to deliver more punishment with a second Claymore as he silenced the challenge of Sami Zayn to retain his title.

Men’s Royal Rumble Match
Winner: Roman Reigns

In the main event of the evening, 30 WWE Superstars competed for a main event spot on The Grandest Stage of Them All, WrestleMania, in a 30-man over the top rope battle royal.

Order of entry:

Oba Femi
Bron Breakker
Solo Sikoa
Rey Mysterio
Rusev
Matt Cardona
Damian Priest
Je’Von Evans
Mr. Iguana
Trick Williams
Cody Rhodes
El Grande Americano
El Grande Americano (Chad Gable)
Royce Keys (fka Powerhouse Hobbs)
Austin Theory
Bronson Reed
Ilia Dragunov
La Parka
Dragon Lee
Logan Paul
LA Knight
Brock Lesnar
The Miz
Rey Fénix
Jey Uso
Roman Reigns
Jacob Fatu
Penta
Randy Orton
Gunther

Final Four: Gunther, Roman Reigns, Randy Orton, and Logan Paul 

One major development that occurred at the onset of the match occurred during Bron Breakker’s entrance. Before he could enter the ring, a masked assailant emerged from the crowd and issued a severe beatdown that was capped off by one of Seth Rollins’ signature moves, The Stomp, which lead many to speculate it was him.

Fast forward to the closing moments of the match where Roman Reigns eliminated Logan Paul after Paul was intercepted with a Superman Punch as a counter to a springboard maneuver he attempted. After Reigns tossed Paul, he received an RKO out of nowhere from The Viper who was promptly tossed by Gunther. Gunther seemed poised to win the match as he had Roman trapped in a sleeper until he was carried towards the corner and had his head propelled towards the ring post. This opened the window for Reigns to spear Gunther before tossing him from the ring to claim his spot in the main event of WrestleMania.

Elimination Chamber 2022 Recap

By Steve Ward

The final stop on the Road to Wrestlemania landed at the Jeddah Super Dome in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The WWE took things a step too far this time with their semi-annual cash grab, in my opinion, by holding the event that will likely mold the landscape for the Showcase of the Immortals overseas. The card featured seven matches and was headlined by the Men’s Elimination Chamber match with the WWE Championship on the line.

WWE Universal Championship

Goldberg vs. Roman Reigns (c) w/ Paul Heyman

Winner: Roman Reigns via submission

No one saw this match coming to fruition as Goldberg recently shocked the WWE Universe when he returned to Smackdown to challenge The Tribal Chief for his Universal Championship - and of course it was set for Saudi Arabia because it’s a known fact that they put out extra money for extra star power as part of their agreement with WWE. Now we knew that Roman Reigns would retain his title but this match was absolutely terrible - something that it pains me to say for how much of a fan I‘ve been of Goldberg over the years. Goldberg’s most significant offense consisted of a couple of spears as he was never able to execute his patented Jackhammer before Reigns deeply cinched in a guillotine choke which Goldberg eventually succumbed to.

Women’s Elimination Chamber

Alexa Bliss vs. Bianca Belair vs. Nikki A.S.H. vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Liv Morgan vs. Doudrop

Winner: Bianca Belair

The stakes were high for the Women’s Elimination Chamber match as the winner would earn a shot to compete for the RAW Women’s Champion at Wrestlemania. The match began with Nikki A.S.H. and Liv Morgan as the other four were locked in their respective pods around the ring. The first participant released from her pod was the massive Doudrop who immediately laid waste to Nikki and Liv. The next participant to enter the fray was Rhea Ripley. Ripley wasted little time making the first elimination of the match as she pinned Nikki following a Samoan drop. Alexa Bliss was the next to enter the match as she had her first in-ring action since September. The next elimination came at the hands of Liv Morgan as she was able to pin Doudrop just moments before the final combatant, Bianca Belair, entered the contest. Alexa Bliss secured the next elimination as she executed a perfect Twisted Bliss which allowed her to pin Liv Morgan.

Belair next expunged Ripley from the bout in short order following a KOD leaving her alone in the ring with Alexa Bliss. After Bliss was unable to execute a Twisted Bliss and multiple DDT attempts, Bianca Belair made Bliss the next victim of the KOD allowing her to punch her ticket to Wrestlemania where she will compete for the RAW Women’s Championship.

Charlotte Flair & Sonya Deville vs. Ronda Rousey & Naomi

Winners: Ronda Rousey & Naomi via submission

This contest featured two women who will compete for the Smackdown Women’s Championship at Wrestlemania, champion Charlotte Flair and Ronda Rousey, on opposite teams with the added stipulation where Ronda would need to tie one hand behind her back. The match, which quite predictably never saw Rousey and Flair in the ring at the same time, came to it’s conclusion as Rousey hit the Piper’s Pit on Deville before she trapped her in an armbar to secure the submission victory.

Falls Count Anywhere Match

Drew McIntyre vs. Madcap Mos w/ Happy Corbin

Winner: Drew McIntyre via pinfall

As a result of the ambush he sustained at the hands of Moss and Corbin at WWE Day 1, Drew McIntyre has found himself in arguably the worst feud of his WWE career since he was a member of Three Man Band and unfortunately, it probably will not conclude until Wrestlemania where McIntyre will likely end up battling Happy Corbin. After McIntyre nearly broke the neck of Madcap Moss with a botched Alabama Slam, he put him away moments later with the Claymore Kick despite continued interference at the hands of Happy Corbin.

RAW Women’s Championship

Becky Lynch (c) vs. Lita

Winner: Becky Lynch via pinfall

Despite making appearances in the Women’s Royal Rumble multiple times, Michael Cole made it known prior to the match that this was Lita’s first significant single’s match in 16 years. Lita displayed virtually no ring rust as she gave the performance of someone who could still hang with the current women’s roster. In the closing moments, Lita seemed poised for a monumental upset after she executed the Twist of Fate immediately followed by a moonsault, however, Becky was able to kick out of a subsequent pinfall attempt. As Lita attempted to mount more offense to continue her momentum, she was promptly stifled with The Manhandle Slam which allowed Lynch to escape with her title.

Smackdown Tag Team Championship

The Usos (c) vs. The Viking Raiders

Winners: No contest

This match never even started as The Usos ambushed The Viking Raiders in the midst of their ring entrance leaving them in a heap of human debris.

WWE Championship Elimination Chamber Match

Bobby Lashley (c) w/ MVP vs. Brock Lesnar vs. AJ Styles vs. Seth Rollins vs. Riddle vs. Austin Theory

Winner: Brock Lesnar

This match created an interesting dynamic as Brock Lesnar already had his ticket punched to challenge Roman Reigns at Wrestlemania for the Universal Championship and should he win the Elimination Chamber, would enter as the WWE Champion as well. The match began as Seth Rollins stepped toe to toe with Austin Theory while the other men remained locked in their respective pods chomping at the bit to enter the bout. Just before Riddle entered the match as the first to be released from his pod, Rollins power bombed Theory through Bobby Lashley’s pod knocking the champ senseless in the process. The fourth man to enter the fray was “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles. 

Bobby Lashley was the next to enter the match, however, he had been escorted from the ring by medical personnel. Brock Lesnar proceeded to kick through the chamber wall and inserted himself in the match prematurely. Lesnar immediately F5d Rollins for the elimination, then decimated Riddle for the next elimination, and delivered another F5 to Styles to eliminate him as well. In the midst of all the chaos, it was announced that Lashley had been placed in concussion protocols meaning a new champion would be crowned. The final two competitors were Brock Lesnar and Austin Theory.  Theory attempted to flee Brock by climbing up the chamber, however, Lesnar delivered an F5 to Theory that propelled him from the top of one of the pods. Lesnar then easily pinned Theory to become new WWE Champion setting up a showdown between champions at Wrestlemania.

WWE Super Showdown Aftermath

By Steve Ward

WWE presented it’s latest Saudi Arabian cash-grab today from the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia with Super Showdown.  This show aired at 2 PM ET/11 AM PST while most of North America was at work  -including myself. Despite the time difference, it was still about 100 degrees in the stadium at the start of the show which certainly would create an additional dynamic for the Superstars. The ridiculously stacked card was arguably as good as, if not better than, this year’s installment of Wrestlemania as it featured nine matches with three titles contested, including a 50 man over-the-top battle royal thrown in for good measure. As has been the case with all of the previous Saudi Arabian shows, there were no women’s matches featured on the card, however, Renee Young was still featured on the commentary team - my one question here is with her present and her long blonde hair fully exposed, did this earn a TV-MA rating on Saudi television???

WWE Universal Championship

Seth Rollins (c) vs. Baron Corbin

Winner: Seth Rollins via pinfall

Lesnar made his way to the ring after the contest with a referee and The Advocate with the intention of cashing in his Money In The Bank contract, however, Paul Heyman “tripped” over the ropes. This mishap distracted Brock long enough for Rollins to low blow The Beast. With Lesnar subdued, Rollins subsequently laid waste to him with a steel chair before he finally finished him off with a curb stomp that drove Lesnar’s skull into his own briefcase.

WWE Intercontinental Championship

“The Demon” Finn Balor (c) vs. Andrade

Winner: Finn Balor via pinfall

Roman Reigns vs. Shane McMahon

Winner: Shane McMahon via pinfall

While Shane McMahon continued to impress me with his ability to hang in with some of WWE’s top talent at age 49, he needed the assist in the form of a brutal Claymore Kick from Drew McIntyre to score the pinfall.

3 on 1 Handicap Match

Lucha House Party (Gran Metalik, Lince Dorado, & Kalisto) vs. Lars Sullivan

Winner: Lars Sullivan via DQ

Triple H vs. Randy Orton

Winner: Randy Orton via pinfall (RKO Outta Nowhere)

Bobby Lashley vs. Braun Strowman

Winner: Braun Strowman via pinfall (Running Powerslam)

WWE Championship

Kofi Kingston (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler

Winner: Kofi Kingston via pinfall (Trouble In Paradise)

50-Man Over-the-Top Battle Royal

Winner: Mansoor

Once the luster of the spectacle that was 50 men in the ring at one time faded, this match turned into kind of an uninspired cluster. Essentially, the WWE threw in all of the Superstars who haven’t been on tv in quite a while with those they didn’t book a match for (except for The Revival and The Usos who squared off on the kick-off show) and allowed the bodies to start flying. Another disappointment was the lack of  any legends in the contest along with the continued burial of EC3 as he was the first participant eliminated. The match concluded as virtual unknown and the first Saudi born WWE Superstar Mansoor (Am I the only one who immediately thinks of Mantaur when I see this name? Look him up if you need to, you won’t regret it.) eliminated Elias to walk out victorious in front of his fellow countrymen.

Goldberg vs. The Undertaker

Winner: The Undertaker

Two legends collided in the main event, unfortunately it was twenty years beyond the time this collision should have occurred. I give the utmost respect to these two 50+ year old men for still stepping into the ring, however, The Undertaker (54) and Goldberg (52) both appeared to be slowed by the intense heat and Goldberg by the blood he lost from a gash to his forehead early in the contest. Late in the match, Goldberg hoisted up the near seven foot Undertaker for the Jackhammer, however, he was unable to land all of it as it essentially turned into a Brainbuster. After The Undertaker kicked out of the subsequent pinfall attempt, Goldberg appeared to attempt a Tombstone but both men fell to the canvas seemingly exhausted. As soon as they returned to their feet, The Undertaker quickly executed a chokeslam (barely lifting Goldberg off the canvas) and covered him for the pinfall. Personally, the ending of this bout left me and seemingly many of the fans in attendance dissatisfied so I would not be opposed to seeing a rematch in an air conditioned venue with about five minutes shaved off of it.

Fun fact: Before Goldberg debuted in WCW way back in 1997, his now famous entrance theme had been used by Pat Tanaka - best known as a member of the Orient Express in his WWF days and Badd Company in the early days of ECW.

Support The Weigh-In: Your Home for Combat Sports by Shopping World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Products!

\