AJ Lee And Becky Lynch WrestleMania Showdown Rumored

WrestleMania season is officially heating up, and WWE fans have plenty to talk about as the road to the biggest show of the year takes some unexpected—and electrifying—turns. With Royal Rumble 2026 looming on the horizon, rumors are swirling, matchups are being set, and a few legendary names are back in the conversation. From dream matches in the making to surprise returns and fresh faces with new identities, the landscape of WWE is shifting right before our eyes.

Let’s start with the blockbuster news that’s got the wrestling world buzzing: AJ Lee versus Becky Lynch at WrestleMania 42. According to multiple reports, including WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, this long-anticipated showdown is now considered one of the most “locked in” matches for the upcoming event. For months, fans have speculated about the possibility of Lee, a former Divas Champion and one of the most influential women in WWE history, returning to the ring. Despite creative hurdles and the logistical challenges of bringing Lee back into active competition, WWE officials seem determined to deliver this dream match on the grandest stage of them all.

If the match is indeed finalized, it will mark AJ Lee’s first singles match at WrestleMania—a milestone that feels long overdue for a performer of her caliber. The anticipation is palpable, with social media already ablaze with fantasy booking and predictions. “This is the kind of match fans have been dreaming about for years,” one insider noted. The prospect of Lee facing off against Becky Lynch, herself a multi-time champion and one of the faces of WWE’s women’s evolution, is enough to make any wrestling aficionado’s heart race.

But that’s not the only major development on the women’s side of things. With the Royal Rumble set for January 31, 2026, in Saudi Arabia, the latest betting odds have Liv Morgan as the favorite to win the Women’s Royal Rumble match. While odds aren’t a guarantee, they often reflect the mood behind the scenes. Could Morgan be poised for a career-defining push? Only time will tell, but her momentum is hard to ignore as the event draws near.

On the men’s side, the picture is equally intriguing. The betting favorites for the Men’s Royal Rumble, as reported by MyBookie on January 22, include Roman Reigns (+150), GUNTHER (+200), and Bron Breakker. Reigns, the perennial powerhouse and face of WWE’s modern era, remains the man to beat, but GUNTHER’s relentless rise and Breakker’s explosive athleticism have made this year’s Rumble one of the most unpredictable in recent memory. Fans are left wondering: will Reigns continue his dominance, or is it time for a new name to seize the spotlight?

And speaking of new names, there’s a fresh twist for one of WWE’s latest acquisitions. Powerhouse Hobbs, whose signing was recently confirmed, is reportedly set to debut under the ring name “Royce Keys.” WWE’s recent trademark filing for the name has fueled speculation about big plans for the former TNT Champion. The company has been preparing for his arrival for some time, and with the new moniker, Hobbs—now Keys—could be primed for a major impact on the main roster. It’s a classic WWE move: rebranding a powerhouse with a name that’s sure to echo through arenas worldwide.

Of course, no WrestleMania season would be complete without rumors of a legendary return, and this year is no exception. Internal discussions about a possible appearance by “Stone Cold” Steve Austin have been making the rounds, according to WrestleVotes. Austin, one of the most iconic figures in WWE history, has reportedly been the subject of cross-departmental chatter regarding a near-future appearance. With the Royal Rumble taking place in Saudi Arabia next week, speculation is rampant about whether Austin might shock the world with a surprise cameo. However, those close to the situation suggest that an appearance at this particular event is unlikely, given Austin’s history with WWE’s shows in Saudi Arabia. Still, the mere possibility has fans on the edge of their seats—after all, in WWE, anything can happen.

Meanwhile, the men’s championship scene is getting a shakeup thanks to the quiet but persistent rise of Sami Zayn. On the January 16 edition of WWE SmackDown, Zayn picked up a crucial victory over Ilja Dragunov, earning himself a spot in a fatal four-way match at Saturday Night’s Main Event on January 24. The stakes? The winner will go on to challenge Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble. Zayn’s win has firmly placed him back in the championship conversation at a pivotal point in the season.

Behind the scenes, Zayn’s momentum has been building for weeks. Earlier this month, he was tentatively penciled in for a WWE Title match as the company mapped out its creative direction leading into WrestleMania 42. While it’s unclear if recent creative changes have altered those plans, Zayn’s path to WrestleMania remains a hot topic. As of now, his title opportunity appears likely to come before WrestleMania, rather than on the grandest stage itself, but nothing is set in stone. The unpredictability only adds to the drama as fans eagerly await the outcome of this weekend’s fatal four-way.

“Sami Zayn has quietly positioned himself as a major player,” one observer noted, referencing his recent performances and the backstage buzz surrounding his push. Zayn’s underdog status and passionate fanbase make him a compelling figure in the current WWE landscape, and with the championship picture so fluid, his next move could have major ramifications for the road to WrestleMania.

As for Drew McIntyre, the reigning WWE Champion, he finds himself in the crosshairs of several hungry contenders. The outcome of Saturday’s fatal four-way will determine his next challenger, and with the Royal Rumble just around the corner, the pressure is on to deliver a show-stealing match. McIntyre has proven himself a fighting champion, but with the likes of Zayn, Dragunov, and others gunning for his title, the path to WrestleMania is anything but straightforward.

All eyes now turn to Saturday Night’s Main Event and the Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia. With dream matches, surprise returns, and rising stars all in play, the next few weeks promise to be some of the most exciting in recent WWE memory. Whether it’s AJ Lee’s long-awaited return, the possible reemergence of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, or the rise of new contenders like Royce Keys and Liv Morgan, the stage is set for plenty of twists and turns on the road to WrestleMania 42.

For now, the WWE Universe can only watch, speculate, and enjoy the ride—because if there’s one thing this season has taught us, it’s that in WWE, anything is possible and nothing is certain until the final bell rings.