Whether you like it or not, the new year is right around the corner meaning that the WWE Royal Rumble 2026 isn’t far behind.
While the titular Royal Rumble matches are always a great deal of fun, but they only account for two bouts on the card.
Here are six matches that could potentially be added to the card for the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble premium live event.
6. Bron Breakker (c) vs. CM Punk – World Heavyweight Championship
While the pair are already set to do battle for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at the first edition of WWE Raw of 2026 on January 5 — it would seem likely that there could end up being a rematch, regardless of the outcome.
With Breakker potentially besting Punk in their first meeting and with the potential for hijinks high, it would be an amazing redemption story for Punk attempt to reclaim the title in Riyadh.
Punk stalking Breakker for a period of weeks ahead of their Rumble rematch could rival the recent ‘real world’ interactions between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre in stylized vignettes.
Setting the stage for a potential showdown between CM Punk and Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 42 — there may be some interesting storylines that spring forth from the Royal Rumble.
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5. Jade Cargill (c) vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Charlotte Flair – WWE Women’s Championship
With any number of potential major surprises set for the Royal Rumble 2026, it will be intriguing to see who winds up as the top champions on each brand ahead of the Road to WrestleMania.
Potentially seeing a showdown percolating in the future between Jade Cargill and Charlotte Flair, the return of Bianca Belair could end up spoiling things for the first-time champ.
Since Tiffany Stratton is also featured in the WrestleMania 42 adverts, it seems reasonable that she will be still involved in the main event scene, however, perhaps not on SmackDown if she loses to Cargill at Royal Rumble 2026.
If there were a title defense by which Cargill retained by besting Stratton and thereby sending her to WWE Raw, there could be an entirely new landscape moving into the Road to WrestleMania 42 for both brands’ women’s divisions.
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4. Maxxine Dupri (c) vs. Becky Lynch – Intercontinental Championship
When Maxxine Dupri captured the Intercontinental Championship from Becky Lynch, Lynch squarely blamed her ‘illegal manager’ AJ Lee who arrived in the middle of the match, distracting Lynch.
Having recently showcased her dedication to the technical aspects of professional wrestling as champion, Maxxine Dupri looks poised to reject Lynch’s attempts to underestimate her.
In what could prove to be an amazing rematch, Maxxine Dupri could end up falling to Becky Lynch but having proven herself entirely to the audience in the process.
Poised to move forward with continued success on her side, it would seem that Dupri’s time holding gold in WWE has just begun.
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3. AJ Styles & Dragon Lee (c) vs. The Usos vs. The New Day vs. The Hardy Boyz for WWE World Tag Team Championship
In what could end up being a fast moving and exciting bout in Riyadh, the openness of the World Tag Team Title scene could result in a huge multi-team bout in Riyadh.
With Matt and Jeff Hardy reportedly set to see their TNA Wrestling contracts expire in the near future, the duo could be WWE bound providing new terms aren’t agreed.
Adding to the field of already iconic talent that could be a true showcase of tag team wrestling, a fatal-four way match at the Royal Rumble could be the primer for a more hardcore match to happen at WrestleMania 42.
With the prospect of a modern iteration of the Hardy Boyz in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs match at WrestleMania 42 on the horizon, the duo of returning legends could pick up a big win in their debut in Riyadh.
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2. Chelsea Green & Ethan Page (c) vs. Arianna Grace & Stacks Lorenzo – AAA Mixed Tag Team Championship
In what could be a first for WWE on a major PLE stage, perhaps the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble will play host to a AAA championship match.
With the entertaining mixed tag team dynamic of Ethan Page & Chelsea Green being overdue a spotlight at a main roster PLE, WWE could pit the pair against the up and coming tandem of Arianna Grace and Stacks.
In light of TNA Wrestling making their network debut on AMC a few weeks before the Rumble, Stacks’ inclusion could perhaps further his ongoing rivalry with Grace’s father, and TNA Director of Authority Santino Marella.
With the Saudi Arabia fans sure to pop for a nostalgic name such as Marella, this match could make for both a perfect platform for two promising mixed tag teams, as well as provide a fun palette cleanser between the higher stakes matches on the card.
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1. Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Brock Lesnar – Undisputed WWE Championship
One bout that could happen at the Royal Rumble and set in motion the rest of WrestleMania season is a showdown between Drew McIntyre and Brock Lesnar.
With Drew McIntyre set to clash with Cody Rhodes ahead of the Royal Rumble, it could be that there is a new champ by the time WWE returns to Riyadh.
Setting the stage for a potential Lesnar victory, coupled with Cody Rhodes tying the record set by Stone Cold Steve Austin by winning his third Royal Rumble — we get nicely back around to Lesnar vs. Rhodes at WrestleMania 42 but with entirely different stakes.
Pitting Rhodes as the underdog trying to get back his title from The Beast, it could prove to be another amazing chapter in Rhodes’ story of resilience and triumph over adversity.
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