Royal Rumble 2026 Delivers Shocking Winners and Game-Changing Surprise Entrants

Throughout WWE history, the Royal Rumble has consistently been one of the hardest to predict events for the company's devoted fans. Now that the event features two Royal Rumble matches, there are enough participants that it is always fascinating to see who wins.

The Royal Rumble matches also almost always have surprise entrants, and that keeps viewers guessing. This article will detail who won at the highly anticipated 2026 WWE Royal Rumble event, and it will list every surprise entrant.

Drew McIntyre Retained his Undisputed WWE Championship by defeating Sami Zayn

On January 9, 2026, Drew McIntyre shocked fans when he defeated Cody Rhodes to win the WWE Undisputed Championship. A few weeks later, he put the title on the line against Sami Zayn at the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble.

For many fans, there were dueling desires going into the title match. On the one hand, Zayn, 41, is truly beloved by most viewers, and there is a palpable desire to see him finally win the big one. However, having McIntyre, 40, lose his championship so soon after winning it would feel wrong. Ultimately, the latter of those dueling feelings won out as McIntyre definitively defeated Zayn and retained.

Gunther Defeated AJ Styles, Forcing the Legend to Retire

Even though he lost his World Heavyweight Championship not too long ago, Gunther's career arguably has reached its zenith. Over the last several months, he retired two legitimate wrestling icons, John Cena and Goldberg. Going into the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble, fans were waiting to know if he would do it again, as AJ Styles was putting his career on the line in their match at the event.

A multiple-time former world title holder, including two reigns as WWE Champion, Styles, 48, is one of the most respected wrestlers of his generation. That, and his many other accomplishments, are why many fans were saddened when he lost to Gunther, 38, seemingly ending his in-ring career. After the match, the crowd paid their respects to an emotional Styles before "The Phenomenal One" made his way to the back.

Liv Morgan Won the Women's Royal Rumble - Surprise Entrants Included a WWE Hall of Famer

After being a stalwart of the Women's Royal Rumble since it was first held, Liv Morgan finally reigned supreme at the end of the annual match. A fitting moment for one of the WWE's most complete performers for months now, Morgan, 31, won by eliminating Tiffany Stratton last. The other two wrestlers who made up the final four were Sol Ruca and Raquel Rodriguez, the latter of whom Morgan betrayed and eliminated.

The Full List of the 2026 Women's Royal Rumble Match Surprise Entrants

• Lola Vice (NXT)
• Sol Ruca (NXT)
• Jacy Jayne (NXT)
• Kelani Jordan (NXT)
• Brie Bella (WWE Hall of Famer)

Roman Reigns Won his Second Royal Rumble Match - A Former AEW TNT Champion Debuts as Surprise Entrant

Already one of the most successful WWE wrestlers ever, Roman Reigns has now joined the elite list of two-time Royal Rumble match winners. After previously winning in 2015, Reigns, 40, eliminated Gunther last, who was a surprise entrant, to win the 2026 Men's Royal Rumble match. The other two wrestlers who filled out the final four were Logan Paul and Randy Orton.

The Full List of the 2026 Men's Royal Rumble Match Surprise Entrants

• Oba Femi (WWE Free Agent)
• Mr. Iguana (AAA)
• Royce Keys (WWE Free Agent/Formerly Known as Powerhouse Hobbs in AEW)
• La Parka (AAA)
• Brock Lesnar (WWE Free Agent)
• Gunther (Raw)