WrestleMania season is right around the corner as the 2026 Royal Rumble is taking place this Saturday, January 31, at 2:00 p.m. ET. This year’s Royal Rumble is occurring at the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This is the first Royal Rumble to take place outside of North America.
Before this year’s Royal Rumble, I break down some of the greatest surprises and returns in the past years.
John Cena’s shocking return in 2008
In October 2007, John Cena suffered a torn pectoral muscle during a match on Monday Night Raw. Cena was out of action for over two months but made a surprising return as the final entrant in the 2008 Royal Rumble at Madison Square Garden on January 27, 2008.
Chris Jericho returned to WWE in 2013
After Chris Jericho lost to Dolph Ziggler on Monday Night Raw in August 2012, he took a five-month break from the company to focus on his band Fozzy. Five months later, Chris Jericho made a shocking return at No. 2 on January 27, 2013, in Phoenix, Arizona.
Bubba Ray Dudley came back to WWE in 2015
In Philadelphia, the home city of ECW, Bubba Ray Dudley made his return at the 2015 Royal Rumble. Bubba Ray is one half of one of the greatest tag teams in WWE history, The Dudley Boyz. From 1999-2005, the Dudley Boyz competed in WWE, but in September 2005, they signed with TNA Wrestling. Bubba Ray Dudley came back to WWE at the Royal Rumble after 10 years away from the company and truly shocked the fans in attendance.
AJ Styles debuts in the 2016 Royal Rumble
AJ Styles competed around the world in ROH, TNA, and NJPW, accomplishing everything there is to achieve outside the WWE. Fans had always wondered if Styles would ever join WWE, and that dream came true at the 2016 Royal Rumble in Orlando, Florida. When Styles’ music hit, the crowd exploded in excitement.
Edge returned to WWE at the 2020 Royal Rumble
After beating Alberto Del Rio at WrestleMania 27, Edge revealed to the WWE audience that he was forced to retire after not being cleared by the WWE medical team since he was diagnosed with cervical spinal stenosis. Edge had been retired for nearly nine years, and then the unthinkable happened at the 2020 Royal Rumble. “On this day, I see clearly…” played, and the Rated R Superstar entered the Royal Rumble at No. 21.
WWE Royal Rumble 2026: FAQ
Where will the 2026 Royal Rumble take place?
The event is taking place at the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
What time does the 2026 Royal Rumble start?
The main card for the Royal Rumble begins at 2:00 p.m. ET.
How can I watch the 2026 Royal Rumble?
Fans in the U.S. can view this event live on ESPN Unlimited.
