WWE Royal Rumble 2026 proved to be a turning point on the road to WrestleMania 42, delivering high-stakes drama, emotional farewells, and career-defining victories. Hosted at the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the event crowned Roman Reigns and Liv Morgan as the winners of the men’s and women’s Royal Rumble matches, earning both superstars championship opportunities at WrestleMania in Las Vegas.
Beyond the Rumble wins, the night will be remembered for AJ Styles’ heartbreaking retirement at the hands of Gunther, Drew McIntyre’s continued dominance as Undisputed WWE Champion, and the emergence of several young stars who seized their moment on WWE’s grand stage.
WWE Royal Rumble 2026 Key Highlights and WrestleMania 42 Implications
- Roman Reigns won the Men’s Royal Rumble for the second time, last eliminating Gunther.
- Liv Morgan captured her first Women’s Royal Rumble victory after betraying Raquel Rodriguez.
- Gunther defeated AJ Styles by referee stoppage, forcing Styles to retire from in-ring competition.
- Drew McIntyre retained the Undisputed WWE Championship against Sami Zayn.
- Bron Breakker was eliminated within seconds following a masked attack, hinting at Seth Rollins’ return.
- Oba Femi, Lash Legend, Sol Ruca, Je’Von Evans, and Trick Williams delivered breakout performances.
- The road to WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas officially began.
WWE Royal Rumble 2026 Match Results Overview
| Match | Result | Major Outcome |
| Women’s Royal Rumble Match | Liv Morgan won | Earned WrestleMania 42 title shot |
| Men’s Royal Rumble Match | Roman Reigns won | Earned WrestleMania 42 title shot |
| Career vs Career Match | Gunther defeated AJ Styles | AJ Styles retired |
| Undisputed WWE Championship | Drew McIntyre defeated Sami Zayn | Title retained |
Roman Reigns Wins the Men’s Royal Rumble and Secures His WrestleMania Moment
Roman Reigns emerged victorious from the 30-man Men’s Royal Rumble match, entering at No. 26 and eliminating five competitors to win his second Royal Rumble of his career. The match began in shocking fashion when Bron Breakker was attacked by a masked assailant before the bell, allowing Oba Femi to eliminate him immediately.
Reigns’ path to victory included eliminating The Miz, Jey Uso, Jacob Fatu, and Logan Paul, before surviving a grueling final exchange with Gunther. After escaping multiple Gojira Clutch attempts, Reigns delivered a decisive Spear to eliminate Gunther and secure the win.
With the victory, Reigns earned the right to challenge either Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre or World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk at WrestleMania 42.
Men’s Royal Rumble 2026 – Final Standings and Key Stats
| Superstar | Entry No. | Eliminations | Final Position |
| Roman Reigns | 26 | 5 | Winner |
| Gunther | 30 | 2 | Runner-up |
| Randy Orton | 29 | 1 | Third |
| Logan Paul | 20 | 0 | Final Four |
| Oba Femi | 1 | 5 | Eliminated by Brock Lesnar |
Liv Morgan Wins the Women’s Royal Rumble in a Career-Defining Victory
Liv Morgan claimed the Women’s Royal Rumble victory by outlasting 29 competitors, entering at No. 14 and eliminating three superstars on her way to the win. The final moments saw Morgan battling Tiffany Stratton and Sol Ruca in a chaotic finish before eliminating Stratton last to secure her WrestleMania 42 opportunity.
Perhaps the most significant moment of the match came earlier when Morgan eliminated her Judgment Day teammate Raquel Rodriguez, signaling possible fractures within the faction. The betrayal added emotional depth to Morgan’s victory and immediately raised questions about her road to WrestleMania.
Women’s Royal Rumble 2026 – Final Results and Top Performers
| Superstar | Entry No. | Eliminations | Final Position |
| Liv Morgan | 14 | 3 | Winner |
| Tiffany Stratton | 30 | 1 | Runner-up |
| Sol Ruca | 10 | 1 | Third |
| Lash Legend | 15 | 5 | Eliminated by Rhea Ripley |
| Raquel Rodriguez | 17 | 2 | Eliminated by Liv Morgan |
Lash Legend, Sol Ruca, and Surprise Entrants Steal the Spotlight
Lash Legend delivered one of the most dominant performances of the night, eliminating five competitors, including Charlotte Flair, Iyo Sky, and both Brie and Nikki Bella. Sol Ruca impressed with her athleticism and innovation, solidifying herself as one of the breakout stars of the women’s division.
Brie Bella’s surprise return generated a strong reaction and added intrigue to the Women’s Tag Team division. Accidental eliminations involving established partners, including Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, and tension between the Kabuki Warriors further shaped future storylines.
Gunther Forces AJ Styles to Retire in an Emotional Career-vs-Career Match
Gunther defeated AJ Styles by referee stoppage after trapping Styles in the Gojira Clutch, forcing the official to stop the match when Styles passed out. The loss marked the end of Styles’ WWE in-ring career.
Following the match, the atmosphere in Riyadh turned somber as the crowd showed its appreciation for Styles. In an emotional moment, Styles removed his gloves, teased leaving them in the ring, then put them back on before acknowledging the audience one final time. Gunther added Styles to his growing list of legendary careers he has ended, reinforcing his reputation as WWE’s most dangerous competitor.
AJ Styles vs Gunther – Match Summary
| Detail | Information |
| Match Type | Career vs Career |
| Winner | Gunther |
| Finish | Referee stoppage (Gojira Clutch) |
| Result | AJ Styles retired |
| Crowd Reaction | Emotional silence followed by chants |
Drew McIntyre Retains the Undisputed WWE Championship
Drew McIntyre successfully defended the Undisputed WWE Championship against Sami Zayn in a physically demanding contest. Despite Zayn’s resilience and near-falls, McIntyre’s power proved decisive.
A brutal powerbomb through the announce desk shifted the momentum firmly in McIntyre’s favor. The champion ultimately ended the match with consecutive Claymore Kicks, securing his 12th straight victory over Zayn and strengthening his grip on the championship heading toward WrestleMania 42.
WrestleMania 42 Picture Takes Shape After Royal Rumble 2026
Royal Rumble 2026 reshaped WWE’s landscape heading into WrestleMania season. Roman Reigns now faces a critical championship decision, Liv Morgan stands on the brink of the biggest match of her career, and Gunther continues his rise as a career-ending force. AJ Styles’ farewell closed a historic chapter, while emerging stars proved they belong on WWE’s biggest stage.
As the road to Las Vegas unfolds, the consequences of Royal Rumble 2026 will define WWE programming in the weeks leading to WrestleMania 42.
FAQs on WWE Royal Rumble 2026 Results and WrestleMania 42 Road
1. Who won the WWE Royal Rumble 2026 men’s match?
Roman Reigns won the 2026 Men’s Royal Rumble after eliminating Gunther last, earning a championship match opportunity at WrestleMania 42.
2. Who won the WWE Royal Rumble 2026 women’s match?
Liv Morgan won the Women’s Royal Rumble 2026, last eliminating Tiffany Stratton to secure her first WrestleMania title shot.
3. Why did AJ Styles retire at WWE Royal Rumble 2026?
AJ Styles was forced to retire after losing a career-vs-career match to Gunther by referee stoppage following the Gojira Clutch.
4. Did Drew McIntyre retain his title at Royal Rumble 2026?
Yes, Drew McIntyre defeated Sami Zayn to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship at Royal Rumble 2026.
5. What major storyline began at WWE Royal Rumble 2026?
The road to WrestleMania 42 began, with Roman Reigns and Liv Morgan earning title shots and new rivalries forming after shocking eliminations.
