The anticipation for the 2026 Royal Rumble is building as the event approaches on January 31. This year, the prestigious wrestling event will be hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking a significant milestone as it is the first time WWE has held one of its major premium live events (PLEs) in the country.
Superstars Set to Make a Comeback at Royal Rumble
While the official card for the Royal Rumble remains largely unannounced, updates suggest several popular WWE superstars are expected to return. Reports indicate that these wrestlers might appear in various roles during the event, particularly focusing on fantastic comebacks after injury hiatuses.
Confirmed Returns
- Randy Orton: After being absent since October, Orton is poised for a comeback. He last competed in a tag match on SmackDown alongside Cody Rhodes.
- Brock Lesnar: Known for his limited appearances, Lesnar participated in only two matches last year. His return is highly anticipated, especially for major events like the Royal Rumble.
- Tiffany Stratton: Stratton has not been seen since losing the WWE Women’s Championship to Jade Cargill, taking time off for recovery.
- Dominik Mysterio: Following good news regarding his shoulder injury, Mysterio is scheduled to return soon.
- Chad Gable: Gable is also on the recovery track and is listed among those expected to attend the event.
- Jacob Fatu: After being sidelined due to a dental injury, Fatu is reportedly in good shape and ready to participate.
Potential Storylines
As the event draws near, rumors are swirling about possible storylines involving returning wrestlers. There are creative discussions around Gable’s return while maintaining the El Grande Americano character for Kaiser. Additionally, there might be angles concerning Los Americanos and the Creeds.
Looking Back at Last Year’s Returns
The Royal Rumble has historically been a platform for major WWE comebacks. Last year saw notable returns, including:
- AJ Styles, who came back from a Lisfranc injury.
- Nikki Bella and Charlotte Flair among women’s match returns.
- Trish Stratus and Alexa Bliss also made comebacks during the event.
- Noteworthy moments included Jade Cargill’s return at Elimination Chamber and Becky Lynch at WrestleMania 41.
The excitement surrounding this year’s Royal Rumble is palpable, and fans are eager to see how the returns will impact the landscape of WWE as 2026 unfolds.
