Royal Rumble 2026 results: Roman Reigns and Liv Morgan win in Riyadh
Royal Rumble 2026 delivered two headline winners—Roman Reigns in the men’s match and Liv Morgan in the women’s match—on Saturday, January 31, 2026 (ET), as the event staged its first traditional Royal Rumble outside North America in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The wins set the early direction for WrestleMania 2026, while the undercard produced a major career-changing result and a title defense that kept the championship picture intact.
Royal Rumble 2026 start time and viewing
For fans asking “when is the royal rumble 2026” and “royal rumble 2026 start time,” the main show began at 2:00 PM ET on Saturday, January 31, 2026. A free Countdown-style pre-show began at 12:00 PM ET.
Where to watch Royal Rumble 2026 depends on where you live. In the United States, the event streamed through a sports app pay-per-view package rather than traditional cable, and it was not carried on the main U.S. subscription library service that streams weekly shows. Outside the U.S., many international markets had live streaming access through a major subscription platform, with availability varying by country.
Royal Rumble 2026 results and key moments
If you’re searching “who won the royal rumble 2026,” the answers are:
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Men’s Royal Rumble winner: Roman Reigns
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Women’s Royal Rumble winner: Liv Morgan
Morgan’s win came after a late-match sequence involving several top names, including Rhea Ripley, before the final eliminations opened a lane for Morgan to secure the WrestleMania opportunity. Ripley played a central role in the endgame, but she did not leave with the ticket.
Reigns’ victory in the men’s match reinforced how quickly the title picture can pivot once he’s involved. The closing stretch featured heavy star power, and the finish positioned Reigns as a front-runner for a major championship choice on the biggest weekend of the year.
A separate thread for the night was the “new faces and surprises” factor: Oba Femi debuted as the first entrant in the men’s match, and the entrant list also included Rusev and the uniquely named Mr Iguana, all of whom drew attention as the match unfolded.
Match card: titles and a forced retirement
Beyond the over-the-top-rope chaos, the Royal Rumble match card had two high-stakes singles bouts that shaped the road ahead for WWE champions and challengers:
| Match | Result |
|---|---|
| Women’s Royal Rumble | Liv Morgan won |
| Men’s Royal Rumble | Roman Reigns won |
| Undisputed WWE Championship | Drew McIntyre def. Sami Zayn (title retained) |
| Career stipulation | Gunther def. AJ Styles (Styles forced to retire) |
The AJ Styles result is the most final storyline beat of the night: the stipulation made the outcome career-ending on the spot. Gunther’s win closed the door on “what’s next” in the short term and turns attention to how that retirement reverberates across upcoming shows.
Meanwhile, Drew McIntyre’s win over Sami Zayn kept the title stable heading toward WrestleMania season, with McIntyre leaving Riyadh still wearing the championship label.
Notable names that shaped the Rumbles
Royal Rumble winners often reflect long-term booking plans, but the details that stick are usually the performers who either lasted deep or created signature moments.
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Rhea Ripley was deeply involved late in the women’s match, and her presence helped define the final phase even without the win.
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Oba Femi made an immediate impression as an opening entrant, a high-visibility slot that effectively served as a welcome to the main event scene.
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Rusev returning to the mix added a power-threat dimension to the men’s match.
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Mr Iguana stood out largely because the entrant name itself became a talking point, the kind that can travel quickly beyond wrestling circles.
What it means for WrestleMania 2026
Royal Rumble winners earn a world-title shot of their choice at WrestleMania 2026, and this year’s setup points directly to WrestleMania 42 in the Las Vegas area on Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19, 2026 (ET).
The next several weeks will revolve around one question per winner: which champion does each choose? Reigns’ decision can reshape the top of one brand instantly, while Morgan’s choice can redirect an entire women’s division. With the championships currently held and defended, the Rumble winners now control the leverage—timing their challenges to maximize momentum, rivalry heat, and main-event positioning.
Sources consulted: WWE, Netflix Tudum, CBS Sports, Cageside Seats
