Results of Royal Rumble 2026 in Riyadh: Roman Reigns crowned champion of the historic event
The Saudi capital, Riyadh, witnessed an exceptional night that will forever be etched in the memories of wrestling fans worldwide, as the Kingdom hosted the 2026 Royal Rumble , a historic first as this prestigious event was held outside North America. The show officially kicked off the road to WrestleMania 42, drawing a massive crowd and extensive international media coverage, reflecting the Kingdom's growing stature as a global destination for major events.
Strategic partnership and ambitious vision
This huge event is the culmination of the long-term strategic partnership between the General Entertainment Authority in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and WWE, which actually began in 2018. Hosting an event the size of "Royal Rumble," which is one of the Big Four in the world of wrestling, falls within the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 , which aims to enhance the entertainment sector, attract global tourism, and transform Riyadh into a capital for diverse international sports.
In this context, Turki bin Abdulmohsen Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), expressed his deepest gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, the architect of the Vision, for their unwavering support, which resulted in the successful hosting of the "SmackDown" and "Royal Rumble" events. Al-Sheikh emphasized via his account on the "X" platform, accompanied by images of the Saudi flag adorning the ring, that this success highlights the Kingdom's leading role in organizing major entertainment events.
Women's Match Results: Liv Morgan Makes Headlines
The excitement kicked off with the Women's Royal Rumble match, which resulted in a well-deserved victory for Liv Morgan . Morgan entered the ring at number fourteen and delivered a heroic performance, eliminating three competitors before ultimately facing former champion Tiffany Stratton and rising NXT star Sol Roca. With tactical brilliance, Morgan secured the win, officially earning her spot in the women's Royal Rumble match at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas.
End of an era: Goodbye AJ Styles
In an emotional moment that held the audience's breath, the curtain fell on the legendary AJ Styles ' ten-year career in WWE. Styles faced his formidable opponent, "The General of the Ring," Gunther, in a match that threatened his career. Despite fierce resistance, Gunther imposed his brutal style and finished the match with a chokehold that rendered Styles unconscious. Styles left the ring to a standing ovation and farewell chants from the Saudi Arabian fans, in recognition of his illustrious history.
McIntyre retains the title and Roman Reigns dominates the scene
In terms of titles, Drew McIntyre retained the WWE Universal Championship after a grueling 16-minute battle against Sami Zayn. The match was characterized by intense competition and a fierce exchange of blows, before the Scotsman secured the victory with his signature flying kick.
The grand finale was the men's Royal Rumble match, which witnessed resounding surprises, most notably the swift elimination of Braun Breaker following a mysterious outside interference, and the return of The Viper Randy Orton in his 15th appearance. However, the final word belonged to Roman Reigns , who entered with the number 26, to defeat his opponents and be crowned Rumble Champion for 2026.
A fitting final scene for the event
The evening concluded with a dazzling visual spectacle, as fireworks lit up the Riyadh sky and the towers of the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) were illuminated in celebration of the winner, creating an artistic tableau that reflected the Kingdom's urban and cultural development. With this display, Riyadh reaffirmed its status as a major player in the global sports arena, now turning the world's attention to next April and the dream festival, WrestleMania 42.
