Roman Reigns and Liv Morgan emerged victorious in the men’s and women’s Royal Rumble matches at WWE’s 2026 event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, securing championship opportunities at WrestleMania 42, while AJ Styles retired following a loss to Gunther. The Premium Live Event, held on Saturday, January 31, marked the start of the road to WrestleMania and featured several pivotal moments that will shape WWE’s storyline landscape in the coming months.
Reigns, a former Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, outlasted 29 other competitors to win his second Royal Rumble, last eliminating Gunther in a dramatic finale. His victory grants him a choice between challenging Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre or World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas. Reigns’ win sets up a potential marquee match, with speculation pointing towards a clash with Punk, given their history and the allure of a WrestleMania main event.
In the women’s division, Liv Morgan claimed her first Royal Rumble win after years of near-misses, eliminating Tiffany Stratton in the final moments. Morgan’s triumph is complicated by her involvement with The Judgment Day faction, as she eliminated teammate Raquel Rodriguez during the match, hinting at internal strife. This could lead to a breakup storyline, with Morgan likely to challenge Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer or whoever holds the title by WrestleMania.
The event also saw the retirement of AJ Styles, a future Hall of Famer, who lost a hard-fought match to Gunther. Styles, who made his WWE debut at the 2016 Royal Rumble, ended his decade-long run with the company after passing out to Gunther’s sleeper hold. Gunther, now dubbed the “Career Killer” after retiring Goldberg and John Cena in 2025, continues his dominant streak, positioning himself for a high-profile match at WrestleMania, possibly against Brock Lesnar or Randy Orton.
Elsewhere on the card, Drew McIntyre successfully defended his Undisputed WWE Championship against Sami Zayn in a brutal contest, solidifying his reign and setting up future challengers. McIntyre’s interference in the men’s Royal Rumble, where he attacked Cody Rhodes, suggests a brewing feud that could culminate at WrestleMania. Additionally, Bron Breakker was attacked by a masked assailant early in the Rumble, potentially signaling the return of Seth Rollins and a high-stakes match down the line.
The Royal Rumble showcased the depth of WWE’s roster, with standout performances from newcomers like Oba Femi and Je’Von Evans in the men’s match, and Sol Ruca and Lash Legend in the women’s match. These emerging talents gained valuable exposure, hinting at future pushes and storylines as WWE builds towards its biggest event of the year.
With the road to WrestleMania now underway, the winners, Reigns and Morgan, must decide their championship paths, while other superstars jockey for position through events like Elimination Chamber. The retirement of Styles marks the end of an era, but opens doors for new rivalries and narratives to unfold in the weeks ahead, ensuring an exciting buildup to WrestleMania 42.
