Three signs that Roman Reigns will win WWE Royal Rumble 2026 in Saudi Arabia
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Reigns last appeared on WWE TV at Survivor Series 2025.
As WWE builds toward the 2026 Royal Rumble, taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 31, speculation has grown over who will walk out of the landmark premium live event as the winner of the men’s Rumble match.
Among the potential contenders, one name continues to rise above the rest: Roman Reigns. While WWE rarely confirms outcomes ahead of time, there are multiple storyline, historical, and creative indicators that point toward Reigns topping the card in 2026.
Roman Reigns is long established as one of WWE’s biggest stars. He has been woven into key narratives that could logically lead to a Royal Rumble victory and a subsequent championship opportunity at WrestleMania 42.
Here are three strong signs that WWE may be positioning him to win in Saudi Arabia and set up a marquee main event for the industry’s grandest stage.
Clear title tease on WWE TV
Roman Reigns’ latest major television appearance at Survivor Series: WarGames 2025 strongly signaled his intent to pursue the Undisputed WWE Title.
During that show, he confronted then-champion Cody Rhodes and CM Punk, leaving fans with little doubt about his championship ambitions.
With McIntyre now wearing the gold, there’s a narrative throughline that continues to cast Reigns as a logical challenger. The WarGames tease serves as a clear storyline breadcrumb suggesting WWE is planning to reinsert Reigns into the title picture, beginning with the Royal Rumble.
Heated history with Drew McIntyre
One of the most compelling reasons Reigns could win the Royal Rumble is his enduring rivalry with current Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre. McIntyre is at the top of WWE’s title scene, and the two have squared off numerous times over the years, delivering high-quality matches that have consistently resonated with fans.
Roman Reigns’ past victories over McIntyre lend credibility to a scenario in which he wins the Rumble to challenge McIntyre once again at WrestleMania, giving WWE a proven storyline foundation to build toward a blockbuster showdown.
The Saudi Arabia Rumble setting makes this especially poignant, as the international spotlight would amplify the draw of a Reigns-McIntyre collision at The Showcase of the Immortals.
Roman Reigns’ redemption arc
Even though Cody Rhodes is no longer the Undisputed WWE Champion, his history with Roman Reigns remains one of WWE’s most defining rivalries of the past decade. Cody was the man who ended Reigns’ historic 1,316-day title reign at WrestleMania XL, and Reigns has never received a rematch for the loss that completely shifted his career trajectory.
A Royal Rumble victory would give Reigns the automatic path back to the WrestleMania main event—his best route to correcting the only major blemish on his recent legacy. Whether the champion heading into WrestleMania 42 is Drew McIntyre or the winner of the upcoming No. 1 Contender’s Tournament, Reigns entering as the challenger creates an instant marquee attraction.
WWE often leans into long-term storytelling for WrestleMania, and a redemption-focused Roman Reigns chasing the world title again fits perfectly into that narrative, even without Rhodes holding the championship anymore.
When and where is the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble?
The 2026 men’s Royal Rumble match is scheduled for January 31 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Who could Reigns challenge if he wins?
If Reigns wins the Rumble, he could challenge the Undisputed WWE Champion at WrestleMania, possibly facing either Drew McIntyre or Cody Rhodes depending on WWE’s booking.
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Blesson Daniel is a sub-editor who spends his days organizing words and managing social media, crafting bursts of creativity designed to make people smile. He occasionally dives into writing as well — whether it’s crafting articles, brainstorming ideas, or finding the perfect caption. Believing that every piece of writing offers an opportunity to tell a story, Blesson brings creativity and thoughtfulness to every project he takes on. When he’s not glued to his laptop, Blesson is likely planning his next travel adventure or losing himself in music. A passionate explorer of new places, sounds, and ideas, he believes in balancing work, play, and a good playlist in the background. Whether he’s editing, writing, or daydreaming about his next trip, Blesson is always chasing that sweet spot where creativity and curiosity collide to create something memorable.