WWE makes a massive Royal Rumble announcement
WWE is at a busy time already this new year. The Royal Rumble is scheduled, unusually, for February 1 this time around. The show will emanate from Indianapolis, Indiana. Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens in a Ladder Match for the…
WWE is at a busy time already this new year. The Royal Rumble is scheduled, unusually, for February 1 this time around. The show will emanate from Indianapolis, Indiana. Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens in a Ladder Match for the Undisputed WWE Championship has been announced for the upcoming PLE.
In the history of the annual premium live event, there has never been a show held outside the United States of America, barring the inaugural edition, which took place in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in 1988. But there is a first for everything.
WWE has confirmed that Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will host the Royal Rumble next year. This confirms the previous report by PWInsider that it was the working plan. Saudi Arabia General Entertainment Authority Chairman Turki Alsheikh disclosed last year in May that there were talks to host the ‘Rumble or WrestleMania in 2026 or 2027. He took to X (fka Twitter) today to shed more light.
“For the first time in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the legendary Royal Rumble is coming to #RiyadhSeason on January 2026 A historic night for WWE fans #BigTime,” wrote Turki Alalshikh.
You can check out his tweet below:
Meanwhile, as mentioned above, this year’s annual spectacle will feature a Ladder Match between Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens. Their feud has been brewing for months, and it looks like the upcoming battle will be its culmination. This year’s ‘Rumble will also reportedly feature the return of a legendary name.
WWE has held a unique and noteworthy rendition of the Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia before
The Greatest Royal Rumble was WWE’s first show in Saudi Arabia. It took place on April 27, 2018. The event was marred by controversies, but the company’s relationship with Saudi has gotten better in the years that followed.
At the 2018 event, Braun Strowman won the titular bout, which was contested as a 50-man Royal Rumble Match, the first of its kind. Post-match, Strowman was awarded a trophy and a championship belt. This peculiar contest was also notable for a variety of other reasons.
Bryan Danielson, formerly Daniel Bryan, made history for lasting one hour and 16 minutes in the titular bout. It was Chris Jericho’s final match in WWE. He later signed with AEW. It was also the final bout of The Great Khali and Mark Henry’s wrestling careers, and the last time Hornswoggle wrestled for the Stamford-based promotion.