The 2026 Royal Rumble could be left without surprises due to Saudi Arabian restrictions

Royal Rumble is one of the most anticipated events by WWE fans every year, but the next edition could arrive without one of its most cherished elements: the element of surprise. According to Bryan Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Live, the company is reportedly planning to eliminate the usual comebacks and surprise appearances that have made the Rumble an unpredictable event for fans.

The event will take place on January 31, 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, posing a unique logistical challenge for WWE. Alvarez explained that the main complication lies in keeping the names of potential surprise participants secret while coordinating international flights and entry permits into the country.

Normally the Rumble is full of surprises, but this year it seems very difficult to keep them hidden. They are considering the possibility of not including any surprises because it will be almost impossible to hide people during their travels.

Faced with this scenario, WWE may be considering an alternative plan. The week before the event, SmackDown and Saturday Night's Main Event will be held in Montreal, Canada, on January 23 and 24 respectively. According to Alvarez, the company could use those shows to introduce the comebacks or debuts that were originally planned for the Royal Rumble.

"The idea is that, if there is any surprise, it will happen in Montreal. This way, fans will see those comebacks before the trip to Saudi Arabia, and they won't try to keep them hidden until the Rumble itself," he added.

The decision is not yet confirmed, but the mere rumor has already divided fans: some argue that it is better to keep logistics under control, while others believe that without surprises, the Royal Rumble loses some of its magic.