With the WWE Royal Rumble 2026 coming up on January 31, there were some matches that ended up cut from the card.
From intriguing bouts that seemed like they could be set for the big event in Riyadh to others that are likely still percolating for the future, there are some interesting matches that ended up off the card.
Here are six WWE Royal Rumble 2026 matches that seemed to be teased but that ultimately ended up scrapped.
6. Stephanie Vaquer vs. Liv Morgan for WWE Women’s World Championship
While Stephanie Vaquer defended her WWE Women’s World Championship in a triple threat match against Nikki Bella and Raquel Rodriguez on the December 29 edition of WWE Raw, she has only been back in in-ring competition once in 2026.
Making her in-ring return to team with Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY to take on the Judgment Day trio of Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez, the babyfaces were successful on the January 26 episode.
Headed into the Royal Rumble 2026, it would have made sense to see Vaquer continue to tangle with members of the group ahead of a final showdown with Liv Morgan, that conflict could still be on the horizon.
With Liv Morgan seemingly a favorite to win the Royal Rumble 2026, it could be that the pair end up meeting up at WrestleMania 42 instead.
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5. CM Punk vs. AJ Styles for WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Instead the pair of Styles and Punk would clash on what could be Styles’ last WWE Raw appearance on January 26.
After a hard fought battle for the WWE Heavyweight Championship, in the end Punk did claim victory to retain as the pair had an emotional moment after the show went off the air in front of the live crowd.
With the setup to the Royal Rumble 2026 certainly seeming to suggest that Styles could be winding down his WWE career, the reason for Styles facing GUNTHER may become clear.
Possibly escaping the emerging career killer (yes, WWE just trademarked that) this time, there is a possibility we could see a rematch down the line.
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4. Drew McIntyre vs. Jacob Fatu for Undisputed WWE Championship
Although there are a limited number of matches announced for the Royal Rumble 2026 event beyond the two titular battle royals, one that fans may have expected was a perhaps another challenger.
While Drew McIntyre has captured the WWE Undisputed Championship already, his tour with the title could come to an end in Riyadh.
Set to face off against Sami Zayn after Zayn won a fatal four way match to determine who would face McIntyre at the event, the champ’s other feuds will have to wait.
After McIntyre continues to brawl with both Jacob Fatu and Cody Rhodes, with Fatu & Rhodes’ match at Saturday Night’s Main Event technically never starting — there might be a triple-threat coming up at Elimination Chamber instead.
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3. Becky Lynch vs. AJ Lee for Women’s Intercontinental Championship
Since AJ Lee made her return to WWE, she has seemed poised to go one-on-one against Becky Lynch for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship.
However after their bout at Wrestlepalooza, there hasn’t been a rematch between the pair while their feuding has remained mostly ancillary.
Potentially set for a showdown in the actual Royal Rumble 2026 match, this showdown could still be planned for a future event, perhaps WrestleMania 42.
With Lynch featuring in the already released adverts for the event seemingly indicating she could be taking on one of the other women featured in the ad, there could be something entirely different set for Lynch and Lee in Las Vegas.
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2. Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY vs. Nia Jax & Lash Legend for WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
Seemingly set for a showdown in the future, it could be that RHIYO that ends up dropping the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship to the fearsome duo.
While understandably all four women will likely participate in the women’s Royal Rumble match in Riyadh, it would have been fun to see them featured in a standalone match on the card.
Alternatively, if Bianca Belair returns as a heel, perhaps she will re-align with Jade Cargill and it will be their heelish alliance set to take aim against RHIYO at WrestleMania 42.
With plenty of possibilities for title matches for the dynamic duo of Ripley & SKY, the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship could end up featuring in a big bout on the ‘grandest stage of them all’.
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1. Dominik Mysterio vs. Rey Mysterio for WWE Intercontinental Championship
One bout that wasn’t specifically teased for Royal Rumble 2026 but that fans have been growing anticipation for is the inevitable showdown between Dominik and Rey Mysterio.
While the ultimate Mysterio showdown is still likely happen in the future, it would have been enjoyable to see the bout take place in Riyadh, even if a conclusive winner was deferred to a later date.
With Dominik expected by many to make his return to action in the men’s Royal Rumble match, the real-life father son duo could tease a future bout at WrestleMania 42.
Since Dirty Dom continues to carry both the AAA Mega Championship and the WWE Intercontinental Championship, it could end up that Rey targets simply the AAA title, but time will tell.
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