Dave Meltzer Critiques WWE’s 2026 Royal Rumble Promotion in Riyadh
The announcement of WWE’s 2026 Royal Rumble event has generated interest among fans, especially given its location in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Scheduled for January 31, this will be a landmark event as it is the first Premium Live Event from WWE classified as one of the “Big Five” to occur in the kingdom.
Dave Meltzer’s Concerns on WWE’s Promotion Strategy
However, WWE’s promotional efforts for this year’s Rumble have come under scrutiny. Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s Dave Meltzer has voiced concerns regarding the lack of hype leading up to the event. With the event less than two weeks away, the momentum seems subdued.
Current Status of Competitors
- As of now, fewer than 25% of participants have been confirmed for the men’s battle.
- For the women’s match, just over 25% of the field is established.
- No wrestlers have officially declared their participation in either match.
Meltzer pointed out the minimal promotion related to the Royal Rumble, attributing this to the focus on previous episodes of “WWE Raw” and “WWE SmackDown.” He emphasized that the January 5 episode of “Raw” had received significant promotion, which may have overshadowed the buildup for the Rumble.
Impact of Timing and Interest
The Royal Rumble is set for an earlier start time to accommodate the time difference in Saudi Arabia—2 PM EST and 11 AM PT for viewers in the United States. This, along with an observed decline in interest compared to the previous year, leads Meltzer to believe that viewership may significantly drop this year.
The 2025 Royal Rumble had a particularly high viewership, as it was the first WWE Premium Live Event to stream live on Netflix. Meltzer acknowledges, however, that there is still time for WWE to enhance visibility for the event. The upcoming episodes of “SmackDown” and “WWE Raw,” as well as “Saturday Night’s Main Event,” may serve as crucial opportunities to boost interest.
