Quick Read
- Liv Morgan won the 2026 Women’s Royal Rumble Match, securing her first-ever Rumble victory and a spot at WrestleMania.
- Roman Reigns won the 2026 Men’s Royal Rumble Match, his second Rumble victory, also earning a main event slot at WrestleMania.
- Gunther defeated AJ Styles, ending Styles’ storied career in a highly emotional match.
- Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre successfully defended his title against Sami Zayn.
- Notable returns included Brie Bella, Nikki Bella, Tiffany Stratton, and Brock Lesnar, while Oba Femi and Royce Keys made impactful debuts.
SAN ANTONIO (Azat TV) – Liv Morgan and Roman Reigns emerged victorious at the 2026 Royal Rumble, securing their coveted spots at WrestleMania following a night of intense competition, surprise returns, and career-altering matches held on Saturday, January 31, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Morgan’s win marked her first-ever Royal Rumble triumph, while Reigns claimed his second, setting the stage for a dramatic “Road to WrestleMania.”
Liv Morgan’s Historic Women’s Royal Rumble Victory
Liv Morgan, a fan favorite, finally achieved her long-sought Royal Rumble victory, eliminating a returning Tiffany Stratton to punch her ticket to WrestleMania. Morgan, who had been a runner-up in two previous Royal Rumble matches, entered at number 14, making her and Nattie the only two Superstars to compete in all nine Women’s Royal Rumble Matches, according to WWE.com.
The match began with tag team partners Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, who initially worked together. Early eliminations included Lola Vice, Candice LeRae, and Ivy Nile by Jordynne Grace (No. 8). Flair eliminated Nia Jax but also accidentally took out Bliss in the process. Becky Lynch (No. 9) quickly engaged in a brawl with Flair, while Maxxine Dupri (No. 12) sought retribution against Nattie (No. 13) before both were eliminated by their respective rivals.
The ring eventually filled with a diverse roster, including a strong showing from Japanese representatives Women’s United States Champion Giulia (No. 19), WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion IYO SKY (No. 20), and Asuka (No. 21). Rhea Ripley (No. 22) made a dominant entrance, eliminating several competitors, including Roxanne Perez with a Razor’s Edge. Brie Bella (No. 29) and Nikki Bella (No. 25) made a highly anticipated return, reuniting to a massive crowd reaction and eliminating Bayley and Lyra Valkyria (No. 26).
Lash Legend (No. 15) delivered a standout performance, achieving a match-high five eliminations, including Grace, The Bella Twins, Charlotte Flair (who was the Iron Woman, lasting just under an hour), and IYO SKY. Legend’s impressive run ended at the hands of Ripley, who was then eliminated by Raquel Rodriguez with a Tejana Bomb. In a shocking twist, Morgan then eliminated her Judgment Day partner Rodriguez, leading to a final three of Morgan, Stratton, and Sol Ruca (No. 10). After Sol Ruca was eliminated by Stratton, Morgan delivered an Oblivion to Stratton, securing her first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble win.
Roman Reigns Dominates Men’s Royal Rumble
In the Men’s Royal Rumble Match, Roman Reigns, “The Tribal Chief,” emerged victorious, eliminating Gunther last to win his second Royal Rumble and his first since 2015, solidifying his path to WrestleMania. Reigns entered the match at number 26, joining a stacked field of 30 competitors.
The match kicked off with Oba Femi (No. 1) making his Royal Rumble debut, immediately eliminating Bron Breakker (No. 2) after a masked Superstar softened him up. Femi had a dominant start, eliminating a total of five Superstars, including Rusev, Solo Sikoa, Rey Mysterio, and Matt Cardona. Je’Von Evans (No. 8) showcased high-flying skills, eliminating both Damian Priest and Femi, and later became the Iron Man of the match, lasting over 40 minutes.
The Royal Rumble also saw the debut of Royce Keys (No. 14), formerly Powerhouse Hobbs, who went toe-to-toe with Priest. Two-time Rumble winner Brock Lesnar (No. 22) made a destructive entrance alongside Paul Heyman, clearing the ring before eliminating Femi. Cody Rhodes (No. 11), a two-time Rumble winner himself, and LA Knight (No. 21) teamed up to eliminate Lesnar, a significant moment in the match.
The final four came down to Roman Reigns, Logan Paul, Randy Orton (No. 29), and Gunther (No. 30). Gunther, still visibly limping after his brutal career-ending match against AJ Styles earlier in the night, put up a valiant fight. Drew McIntyre, the Undisputed WWE Champion, played a crucial role in eliminating Cody Rhodes after Rhodes avoided an earlier elimination. Reigns then systematically eliminated Paul, and Gunther eliminated Orton, leaving Reigns and Gunther as the final two. After a fierce exchange, Reigns connected with a Spear, sending Gunther over the top rope to secure his second Royal Rumble victory.
Career-Defining Bouts and Championship Retentions
Beyond the two main Royal Rumble matches, the event featured several pivotal contests that left a lasting impact. In a highly anticipated showdown, Gunther defeated AJ Styles in a match where Styles’ career was on the line. Following a controversial win over Styles on Raw, Gunther brutalized “The Phenomenal One,” with the decisive moment coming when Styles passed out in Gunther’s Sleeper Hold. This marked the emotional end of AJ Styles’ illustrious career, prompting a standing ovation from the WWE Universe.
Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre successfully defended his title against Sami Zayn. Zayn, seeking his first World Championship and maintaining an undefeated record in Saudi Arabia, mounted a strong challenge. However, McIntyre relentlessly targeted Zayn’s back, delivering multiple Future-Shock DDTs and two devastating Claymore Kicks to retain his championship in a hard-fought battle.
Surprise Entrants and Notable Debuts at the Rumble
The 2026 Royal Rumble, as reported by The Sportster, featured a mix of surprise entrants, though some were considered subpar compared to previous years. Notable returns included Brie Bella and Nikki Bella, who reunited to a massive crowd response in the Women’s Rumble. Tiffany Stratton also made an electric return as the 30th entrant in the women’s match, immediately making an impact with a Swanton Bomb.
In the Men’s Rumble, Oba Femi (No. 1) made an impressive debut, showcasing his power with multiple eliminations. Royce Keys (No. 14), formerly known as Powerhouse Hobbs, also made his WWE debut. While some surprise appearances, such as AAA’s La Parka (No. 18) and El Grande Americano (Chad Gable) (No. 12), were noted for their novelty, they did not have as significant a role in the overall outcome of the matches.
The outcomes of the 2026 Royal Rumble not only cemented two main event challengers for WrestleMania but also underscored a strategic blend of emerging talent and established legends, signaling a dynamic shift in WWE’s landscape as new rivalries ignited and storied careers reached their emotional conclusions.