Roman Reigns Returns As WWE Legends And Surprises Await At Royal Rumble 2026

The anticipation is reaching a fever pitch as the 39th annual WWE Royal Rumble prepares to storm Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 31, 2026. With the King Abdullah Financial District set to host this iconic spectacle, wrestling fans around the globe are bracing for a whirlwind of surprises, nostalgia, and high-stakes drama. For seasoned followers and newcomers alike, the Royal Rumble isn’t just another pay-per-view—it’s the official gateway to WrestleMania season, packed with legacy, unpredictability, and career-defining moments.

This year’s Royal Rumble, airing at a special start time of 3:00 p.m. ET in the United States, promises a loaded card and more than a few nods to the past. The event will be streamed on ESPN for U.S. viewers and on Netflix internationally, ensuring fans everywhere can catch every twist and turn. The full slate includes the always-chaotic Men’s and Women’s Royal Rumble matches, a WWE Championship clash featuring Drew McIntyre defending against the winner of the Saturday Night’s Main Event Fatal Four Way, and a career-threatening singles showdown between AJ Styles and Gunther—where Styles’ WWE tenure hangs in the balance.

But what really has the WWE Universe buzzing? It’s the prospect of legendary names stepping back into the squared circle, alongside the emergence of new contenders hungry for their own slice of immortality. The Royal Rumble is renowned for its jaw-dropping returns, and this year’s build-up is no exception.

One of the biggest stories heading into the event is the confirmed WWE Legends Deal signed by Victoria, known outside the ring as Lisa Marie Varon. The two-time WWE Women’s Champion, a pivotal figure during the Attitude and Ruthless Aggression Eras, broke the news during an appearance on WrestlingNewsCo. Victoria last graced the Royal Rumble in 2021, when the world was still locked in the Thunderdome era, and fans were forced to watch from home. Now, with her contract inked and a live crowd awaiting, speculation is running rampant that she’ll make a triumphant return—perhaps even unleashing her signature Widow’s Peak finisher once more.

“Victoria was a cornerstone of the women’s division during the Attitude Era and Ruthless Aggression Era,” as WrestlingNewsCo put it. Her return would be more than a nostalgia pop; it’d be a testament to her enduring popularity and her ability to thrive in any era. After a recent backstage visit at Survivor Series: WarGames in San Diego, the stars seem aligned for one more unforgettable Royal Rumble moment. As one fan put it, “For Lisa Marie Varon’s sake, hopefully she gets one more well-earned pop.”

Meanwhile, the Men’s Royal Rumble field just got a massive injection of star power. On the January 23rd, 2026 edition of WWE SmackDown, none other than the “Tribal Chief” himself, Roman Reigns, declared his entry into the match. The announcement, made by Michael Cole on commentary, sent shockwaves through the WWE Universe. Reigns, who last competed at Survivor Series: WarGames in November 2025 (where he suffered a rare loss at the hands of The Vision and their cohorts), has been conspicuously absent since. Now, he’s back and laser-focused on reclaiming his spot atop WWE’s mountain.

Roman Reigns’ participation raises the stakes considerably. The former Rumble winner—he first captured the honor in 2015—returns after an 11-year gap, aiming to prove that lightning can indeed strike twice. Can the “Tribal Chief” outlast 29 other superstars and punch his ticket to WrestleMania once again? It’s a tantalizing prospect, and as history shows, anything can happen when the clock ticks down and that buzzer sounds.

The Women’s Royal Rumble is also shaping up to be a must-watch affair. On the same SmackDown episode, Jordynne Grace officially declared herself an entrant, following a backstage confrontation with SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis. Grace, frustrated by Jade Cargill’s selective title defenses, is gunning for a major opportunity. Should she emerge victorious, the expectation is that she’ll target either Stephanie Vaquer or Jade Cargill for a championship showdown at WrestleMania. The women’s division has never been deeper, and this year’s Rumble could set the stage for a new era of dominance.

Of course, no Royal Rumble would be complete without its trademark surprises and nostalgia. The event is famous for unexpected returns and emotional callbacks, and this year, fans are clamoring for one Attitude Era favorite in particular. Scotty 2 Hotty (Scott Garland), beloved for his time with Too Cool alongside Rikishi and the late Brian “Grandmaster Sexay” Christopher, recently recreated his iconic 2000 Royal Rumble moment at a Limitless Wrestling show in Lewiston, Maine. Donning his original jacket, spiked hair, and signature hat, Scotty paid tribute to the dance routine that once brought Madison Square Garden to its feet.

“We took it back to 2000 last night in the Limitless Wrestling Rumble in Lewiston, Maine,” Scotty shared backstage. “I broke out the spiked hair for the first time in 25 years, the original jacket from the 2000 Royal Rumble, and the hat that I wore the first time that we did the Too Cool/Rikishi dance.” Fans in attendance and online erupted with support, flooding social media with calls for WWE to bring Scotty 2 Hotty back for a surprise appearance in the 2026 Rumble. One fan pleaded, “We need you as a surprise entrance in the royal rumble,” while another added, “If Scotty looks like this in 2026, it definitely deserves a Royal Rumble appearance.”

Though released from WWE in 2021, Scotty remains active on the independent circuit, having wrestled 14 matches in 2025 alone. His enduring popularity and match-ready condition make him a prime candidate for a nostalgic cameo—something the Rumble has delivered time and again.

With the event just days away, speculation is reaching a fever pitch. Will Victoria step through the curtain to the roar of a live crowd once more? Can Roman Reigns reclaim his destiny and add another Rumble victory to his storied career? Will Jordynne Grace seize her moment and shake up the women’s division? And could fans witness the return of Scotty 2 Hotty, jacket and all, for one more dance under the bright lights?

As the countdown to the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble continues, one thing is certain: the stage is set for unforgettable moments, career-altering victories, and the kind of surprises that keep fans talking for years. With legends, rising stars, and the promise of history in the making, Riyadh is about to become the center of the wrestling world—don’t blink, or you might just miss the moment everyone will be talking about come WrestleMania season.