WWE Royal Rumble 2026 predictions, preview – NZPWI Roundtable

by David Dunn

January 31, 2026

WWE Royal Rumble 2026 predictions, preview – NZPWI Roundtable

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The ‘Road to WrestleMania‘ begins on Sunday, but someone’s road may reach a dead-end when AJ Styles stakes his career on the result of his match against Gunther at Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Gunther vs. Styles is a rematch from the January 13 (New Zealand time) edition of Raw in Dusseldorf, Germany. With Gunther’s name in the win column, however controversial—Styles scored a Calf Crusher submission missed by the referee—The Ring General demanded Styles put his career on the line to secure the rematch.

Gunther made headlines in 2025 by wrestling and defeating Goldberg and John Cena in their retirement matches.

“I’m sick and tired of all those old timers around here overstaying their welcome, chasing one moment after another,” Gunther told Michael Cole. “Those moments, they belong to me.”

Styles made his WWE debut a decade ago to the event, entering the 2016 Royal Rumble Match. Prior to that, The Phenomenal One had spent some 14 years as a must-see attraction in TNA, ROH, and NJPW.

Since staking his career on the Royal Rumble result, Styles hastily renewed rivalries with Shinsuke Nakamura and CM Punk, wrestling each on Saturday Night’s Main Event and Raw respectively.

“Some of you are a little worried about tomorrow,” Styles said on SmackDown in Riyadh. “I’m not. When I beat Gunther tomorrow, it starts the ‘Phenomenal Farewell Tour’.”

Will Styles avenge his controversial loss, and the retirements of Goldberg and Cena? Or conclude his incredible career after exactly 10 years in WWE? Find out from 8am Sunday, February 1, at WWE Royal Rumble.

WWE Royal Rumble Card:

30-Man Royal Rumble Match:
Austin Theory vs. Brock Lesnar vs. Bron Breakker vs. Bronson Reed vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Damian Priest vs. Dragon Lee vs. Gunther vs. Ilja Dragunov vs. Jacob Fatu vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Jey Uso vs. Logan Paul vs. Matt Cardona vs. The Miz vs. Oba Femi vs. Penta vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Roman Reigns vs. Solo Sikoa vs. Trick Williams vs. ???
30-Woman Royal Rumble Match:
Alexa Bliss vs. Asuka vs. Bayley vs. Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Chelsea Green vs. Giulia vs. Iyo Sky vs. Jordynne Grace vs. Lash Legend vs. Liv Morgan vs. Lyra Valkyria vs. Maxxine Dupri vs. Nia Jax vs. Raquel Rodriguez vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Roxanne Perez vs. ???
WWE Championship:
Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Sami Zayn
AJ Styles vs. Gunther [If Styles loses, Styles must retire]

NZPWI Roundtable: WWE Royal Rumble 2026

30-Man Royal Rumble Match:
Austin Theory vs. Brock Lesnar vs. Bron Breakker vs. Bronson Reed vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Damian Priest vs. Dragon Lee vs. Gunther vs. Ilja Dragunov vs. Jacob Fatu vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Jey Uso vs. Logan Paul vs. Matt Cardona vs. The Miz vs. Oba Femi vs. Penta vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Roman Reigns vs. Solo Sikoa vs. Trick Williams vs. ???

Grady Hooker (76% accurate in 2025):
I’ve made a rule when it comes to predictions: never bet against Roman Reigns. I’m pretty sure that extends to Royal Rumbles as well…
Winner: Roman Reigns

Steve McCleary (73% accurate in 2025):
Do I also expect Roman Reigns to win? Yes. Do I have any interest in that result? No. Do I just love Penta and want to see him win a championship? Yeah.
Winner: Penta

David Dunn (69% accurate in 2025):
We’re not talking about one man versus 29 others here, but a four-man team versus 26 individuals. If their entry numbers match up right, it’s going to be very hard to eliminate The Vision. And their vision is of Bron Breakker at WrestleMania.
Winner: Bron Breakker

AJ Murtagh (65% accurate in 2025):
There are a lot of ways the men’s Rumble could go this year, a lot of entrants have a lot of potential. But for my money, I can’t shake my gut feeling that this is Jacob Fatu’s year, so that’s who I’m going with.
Winner: Jacob Fatu

Sammy G (73% accurate in 2025):
As much as Oba Femi getting his main roster moment in the Royal Rumble excites me, it’s the kind of match where I need to take a step back and survey the field as it stands at time of writing. Following his recent return, this is a prime opportunity for Jacob Fatu to re-assert himself and put the roster on notice that 2026 will be his year!
Winner: Jacob Fatu