On January 31, WWE Royal Rumble 2026 will take place from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and will be highlighted by two titular Rumble matches.
Over the past few years, fans have seen NXT talents getting their main roster debuts in the Men’s and Women’s Royal Rumbles.
This year, there are a number of names on the NXT roster that could make a name for themselves in the signature stipulation on January 31.
Here are nine NXT stars to potentially enter WWE Royal Rumble 2026.
9. Oba Femi
On the New Year’s Evil 2026 special of WWE NXT, Oba Femi defeated Leon Slater to retain the NXT Championship.
After the win, Femi shocked the world by vacating the NXT Championship and leaving the title belt in the center of the ring.
Following this move, it was confirmed that Femi was on his way to the WWE main roster and could make his presence felt in this year’s WWE Royal Rumble 2026 premium live event.
“The Ruler” has everything it takes to not only be a dominant force in the Men’s Royal Rumble, but he could win the whole thing and punch his ticket for the main event of WrestleMania 42.
Click the next page button below for more
8. Sol Ruca
At the December 13 edition of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, Sol Ruca defeated Bayley in singles action.
Following this victory, it became clear that Ruca was ready for the WWE main roster and could show up on Raw or SmackDown at any time.
The former NXT Women’s North American Champion’s array of high flying mastery has caught the eyes of fans and peers alike, which could make for a standout performance in the Rumble.
The Women’s Royal Rumble could be Ruca’s chance to cement her place on the WWE main roster in a significant way.
Click the next page button below for more
7. Tony D’Angelo
After the NXT Championship was vacated by Oba Femi on the January 6 New Year’s Evil edition of WWE NXT, it was Tony D’Angelo who could be seen from the crowd looking longingly at the title belt in the middle of the ring.
Debuting for WWE in 2021, D’Angelo became one of the major stars introduced at the start of the NXT 2.0 brand.
Over the course of the past four years, Tony D has won pretty much every championship except for the top prize on NXT.
After being a featured act on the brand for nearly five years, it might be time for D’Angelo to finally be spotlighted on the WWE main roster at Royal Rumble 2026 in the titular men’s bout.
Click the next page button below for more
6. Kelani Jordan
Since making her WWE debut in 2023, Kelani Jordan has been one of the premier talents in the NXT women’s division.
Becoming the first ever NXT Women’s North American Champion, Jordan showed her impressive athletic background and agility.
As of late, Jordan turned heel and has been showcasing a much more aggressive attitude that could allow her to stand out from a personality point of view.
WWE Royal Rumble 2026 could see Kelani Jordan finally get her first appearance on the main roster where she could present her exciting style in the ring, while giving a bigger audience a glimpse of what they can expect from the former TNA Knockouts World Champion.
Click the next page button below for more
5. Lola Vice
Over the past year, Lola Vice has been someone who has been featured on WWE NXT and elsewhere.
Over in Lucha Libre AAA, Vice has been able to show off her undeniable charisma and entertaining personality.
With her MMA background, Lola has brought her hard hitting style in every match she’s been across any brand or promotion she appears in.
Wanting to give her a main roster debut, Lola Vice could enter the Women’s Royal Rumble Match where she could get highlighted in a notable way.
Click the next page button below for more
4. Blake Monroe
Another WWE NXT star who has been discussed for a main roster call-up as of late is Blake Monroe.
Since signing with WWE in June 2025, the former AEW Women’s World Champion has more than established herself as a top star on NXT.
Winning the NXT Women’s North American Championship shortly after debuting, Monroe quickly solidified herself as someone to watch in the company.
Blake Monroe getting a main roster debut at WWE Royal Rumble 2026 would be interesting to watch unfold to see how she is presented and if she can garner a bigger spotlight as a result.
Click the next page button below for more
3. Ethan Page
Someone who is no stranger to the WWE main roster despite not making their official in-ring debut on Raw or SmackDown is Ethan Page.
Like Blake Monroe, Page did not waste any time making a seamless transition from All Elite Wrestling to WWE over the past two years.
“All Ego” has done it all on NXT since signing with WWE, including winning the NXT Championship just two months after arriving and currently being a double champion.
Wanting to further highlight the former AEW star, Page could make his debut in the Men’s Royal Rumble Match at the upcoming premium live event from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Click the next page button below for more
2. Ricky Saints
Another former AEW star who has made an immediate impact on WWE NXT is Ricky Saints.
The former AEW World Tag Team Champion is another talent who did not waste any time in establishing himself on the brand by winning the NXT North American Championship a month after his debut.
While that reign was short-lived, Saints has since won the NXT Championship before dropping the gold to Oba Femi at Deadline 2025.
Ricky Saints is more than deserving of getting the opportunity on the main roster by debuting at WWE Royal Rumble 2026, interacting with some stars from Raw and SmackDown.
Click the next page button below for more
1. Jacy Jayne
2025 has been a career year for Jacy Jayne, stepping up to the plate in a crucial role on the WWE NXT brand.
Over the past year, Jayne won the NXT Women’s Championship twice and also captured the TNA Knockouts World Championship as well.
While she currently holds the top prize in the NXT women’s division, Jayne is someone else who has been discussed for a main roster call-up.
Jayne getting a closer look in the Women’s Royal Rumble Match could make for a noteworthy debut for the current NXT Women’s Champion, allowing her to be thrusted into the spotlight and make a smooth transition to the WWE main roster.
To make sure you stay up to date with all the biggest wrestling and WrestleTalk news, follow us on Threads by clicking this link!
Comments.
Loading comments…