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Welcome to the English version of Solowrestling Read more
Welcome to the English version of Solowrestling Read more
Tonight a new edition of Royal Rumble is being celebrated. The classic WWE event will take place at the Riyadh Season Stadium at KAFD. The show can be followed live on ESPN and Netflix, and also here, on Solowrestling, with the live coverage that you can read in this same news article.
Next, we will provide you with the video to watch the CountDown to Royal Rumble live, an event that will be broadcast for free on YouTube and WWE's social media channels.
¡We look forward to your comments!
Michael Cole, Wade Barrett, and Big E welcome us to the first hour of the Countdown Show.
CM Punk joins the Countdown Show table.
Jackie Redmond interviewed Jey Uso backstage before the show. The Samoan listed some of the wrestlers he will have to face in the men's Royal Rumble match. However, nothing will stop him from winning it for the second year in a row. Jey showed off his predominantly green attire before yeeting. And that's how this brief interview ended.
Adam Pearce joins the Countdown Show table to talk about the Royal Rumble matches. Paul Heyman appears on the scene to interrupt him. Heyman wants to settle an issue, and he doesn't care if it has to be done in public or in private. Heyman hints that two members of The Vision will come out in the first positions of the men's Royal Rumble match, which he doubts is a result of chance. In a serious tone, Pearce assures him that it is a fair and random draw. Tension rises as both men face off. "Do you want to play a game of who can mess with me more? I'll play to see who can mess with you more," Heyman says to the Raw General Manager before leaving.
Vic Joseph interviewed Shawn Michaels before the show. HBK recalled his two victories in the Royal Rumble and what they meant to him. Now he is happy to be able to help the new talents in NXT, the best part of his job being to see how they rise to the main roster to fulfill their dreams. Michaels gave one last piece of advice to the newly promoted talents who will be part of the Royal Rumble matches: "Don't overthink it. Take your time to enjoy that moment."
Cathy Kelley interviewed Je'Von Evans backstage. Evans admitted to being nervous but also excited about his participation in the Royal Rumble, especially considering that he will share the ring with men like Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns. Je'Von recalled that the Royal Rumble is a golden opportunity. "It's my first opportunity, but it won't be the last," he said. Evans pointed out that his family will be cheering for him from home, and he hopes they do it with the same excitement as him.
Cathy Kelley interviewed Fadh Tuwaiq backstage. Tuwaiq is proud to represent his country, Arabia, as a new WWE star. Tuwaiq has been training at the Performance Center for about a month and a half, and it has been great, as they have the best trainers in the world. Tuwaiq addressed his compatriots in Arabic to end the interview.
Jackie Redmond and Peter Rosenberg replace Michael Cole and Wade Barrett at the Countdown table.
Cathy Kelley interviewed Charlotte Flair backstage. Kelley recalled that "The Queen" is known for being a singles wrestler, but this past year, fans have seen her in the tag team division alongside Alexa Bliss. "My best friend," says Charlotte before ensuring that winning the Tag Team Championships with Bliss felt like winning a world championship. Flair recalled that she has won the Royal Rumble twice. She wants to do it for the third time, but she also knows that Alexa is pursuing the same goal. So she will simply step into the ring, where her best friend will be, with everything in her favor. "Wooo!" she exclaims before leaving.
Wade Barrett interviewed Sami Zayn before the show. Barrett reminded the Canadian that he has never been able to defeat Drew McIntyre one-on-one, so he wondered if the atmosphere in Arabia will make a difference that could end McIntyre's 11-0 streak. Zayn is not a man who believes in destiny, but he has been on a journey for three years to win his first world championship. And he knows that Drew is his "white whale," his "Kryptonite," his "Achilles' heel," but he has never arrived in Arabia with this momentum before, and that does make it different from the rest of the times. Winning his first world championship against the man he has never beaten, and in Saudi Arabia, somehow feels more significant than anything he has ever done before. "I don't know if it sounds crazy, but this time it feels different," said Sami with a laugh as the interview came to an end.
Byron Saxton interviewed Drew McIntyre backstage. Saxton reminded the Scot that he has never lost to Sami Zayn, but neither has Zayn ever lost in Saudi Arabia. That's why he asks if competing in this land gives an advantage to his opponent. "No," Drew replies. However, McIntyre acknowledges that this version of Zayn is different, more dangerous and confident. That said, he addresses CM Punk directly, pointing out that, unlike him, he is not a champion defending the title. Whoever wants an opportunity must earn it.
**WWE Royal Rumble begins on Netflix!
We see the arrival of some of tonight's protagonists at the venue: Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, The Judgment Day (Liv Morgan, Roxanne Perez, and Raquel Rodriguez), Lash Legend, Nia Jax, IYO SKY, Rhea Ripley, AJ Styles, Gunther, Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn, Triple H, Jey Uso, Jacob Fatu, Je'Von Evans, and Cody Rhodes.
Fireworks echo in the venue to kick off the show.
Women's Royal Rumble Match
Winner and WINNER OF THE 2026 WOMEN'S ROYAL RUMBLE: LIV MORGAN
Liv Morgan points to the WrestleMania 42 sign as fireworks echo in the venue.
Match with AJ Styles' career on the line
Gunther vs. AJ Styles
AJ Styles and Gunther grapple in search of a submission hold. AJ Styles traps Gunther in a mat-based headlock. “The Ring General” breaks free, only to eat a kick. AJ Styles traps him once again in a headlock. Gunther escapes his opponent’s grasp once more and seeks refuge on the apron. AJ Styles grabs his opponent’s left leg. Gunther manages to break free in one of the corners.
Gunther traps AJ Styles in a headlock. AJ Styles escapes and fires back with a dropkick. Gunther surprises his rival, who ends up against the ropes. The Austrian delivers a kick to knock him out of the ring. Gunther goes after AJ Styles and drops him onto the Arabic commentary table. After that, he forcefully rams him into one of the ring posts. Gunther lands a chop before throwing his rival into the crowd barricade.
Gunther takes AJ Styles back inside the ring. The Austrian delivers a chop in one of the corners. AJ Styles tries to respond, but his rival throws him into the opposite corner. Gunther applies a body drop to AJ Styles before trapping him in a Boston Crab. AJ Styles breaks free, only to be kicked by the Austrian. Gunther brings his rival to his feet to apply another chop. AJ Styles recovers and floors Gunther with a Pele Kick. Both men are laid out on the mat.
AJ Styles continues attacking Gunther, striking him with two forearms. “The Phenomenal One” finishes him with an Ushigoroshi. 1..2..NO. Gunther blocks a Styles Clash and counters with a clothesline. 1..2..NO. AJ Styles tries to grab Gunther’s left leg, but Gunther prevents it. AJ Styles traps Gunther in a Calf Crusher, but the Austrian quickly reaches the bottom rope to force the break.
Gunther responds with a Shotgun Dropkick, followed by a Powerbomb. 1..2..NO. AJ Styles kicks “The Ring General’s” left leg to trap him once again in a Calf Crusher. The Austrian reverses it into a Gojira Clutch. AJ Styles throws himself into the ropes to send his rival out of the ring. AJ Styles dives with a diving forearm.
AJ Styles brings Gunther back inside the ring. AJ Styles looks for height in one of the corners. Gunther quickly follows him. Both men struggle, blocking each other’s attacks, until AJ Styles surprises the Austrian with a Powerbomb. 1..2..NO. AJ Styles launches himself with a springboard 450 splash and then executes a Styles Clash. 1..2..NO. “This is awesome!” chant the fans.
Gunther blocks a Phenomenal Forearm and counters with a Gojira Clutch. AJ Styles reverses the situation. Both men struggle, trapping the referee in one of the corners. Gunther takes advantage and delivers a low blow to AJ Styles, then finishes him with a powerbomb. 1..2..NO. Gunther corners his rival in one of the turnbuckles to unleash a ruthless offensive. The referee is forced to intervene.
The official checks on AJ Styles, who refuses to quit. Gunther unleashes a barrage of chops on AJ Styles, knocking him down with a clothesline. AJ Styles gets back to his feet to respond. Now it is “The Phenomenal One” who backs his rival into a corner. AJ Styles prepares for a Phenomenal Forearm, but Gunther lifts him onto his shoulders. Both men struggle. Gunther traps AJ Styles in a Gojira Clutch.
AJ Styles fires elbows at the Austrian in an attempt to escape. AJ Styles tries to reach the ropes before fading, but the Austrian prevents it by every means possible. AJ Styles begins to lose consciousness. The referee approaches “The Phenomenal One,” who is unable to respond. The official calls for the bell.
Winner by submission: Gunther
The stadium falls silent. “Symphony No. 9 in E Minor” begins to play throughout the arena. A triumphant Gunther heads backstage as AJ Styles regains consciousness. The crowd rises to its feet to applaud an emotional AJ Styles. “Thank you, Styles!” they chant. “The Phenomenal One” removes his gloves. “No, no, no!” shout the fans. AJ Styles teases leaving them on the mat, but ultimately puts them back on. The fans go wild. The WWE Grand Slam Champion poses in the center of the ring. “AJ Styles!” chant the fans. AJ Styles exits the ring, but returns one last time to pose on one of the corners. His theme music echoes through the arena. AJ Styles leaves the ring and heads backstage.
Undisputed WWE Championship Match
Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Sami Zayn
McIntyre drives Sami into one of the corners. Zayn escapes his opponent’s grasp, only to be caught in a headlock. Sami breaks free, but Drew quickly takes him down with a shoulder tackle. Zayn unleashes a flurry of chops on the champion. Drew responds with a chop of his own that drops the Canadian. Drew unleashes a barrage of punches on Sami before finishing him with a suplex. 1..2..NO.
Sami recovers and sends the champion out of the ring with a clothesline. He then dives with a tope. Both men are laid out on the floor. Zayn appears to have injured his back. The referee checks on him. McIntyre grabs Sami and throws him into the edge of the apron. The Scotsman takes his opponent back inside the ring to execute a painful backbreaker.
Drew throws Sami into one of the corners to continue damaging his back. Zayn tries to recover, but the champion stops him with a spinning backbreaker. 1..2..NO. Drew takes the Canadian to the top of one of the corners. Both men struggle. ¡Sami surprises Drew with a sunset flip powerbomb! 1..2..NO.
McIntyre surprises Sami with a neckbreaker. Zayn stops the Scotsman’s next attack with a big boot before executing a Blue Thunder Bomb. 1..2..NO. Both men trade attacks. Drew surprises Sami with a Glasgow Kiss. Zayn avoids a Claymore, causing the champion to land flat on his back. Sami covers him with a Crucifix Pin. 1..2..NO.
The action moves to the top of one of the corners. Drew grabs Sami to execute a side slam from the second rope. 1..2..NO. McIntyre delivers three consecutive Future Shock DDTs to the Canadian. 1..2..NO. Drew strikes Sami with several corner clotheslines. Zayn tries to surprise the Scotsman with a Helluva Kick, but the champion avoids it at the last second. Drew immediately counters with a Claymore. 1..2..NO.
McIntyre argues with the referee in one of the corners. ¡Sami takes advantage to surprise the champion with a Helluva Kick! 1..2..NO. Drew rolls to ringside. Zayn goes after him. Sami tries to lift him up, but his back gives out. McIntyre capitalizes, grabbing the Canadian and powerbombing him through the Arabic commentary table, which is destroyed.
Several officials check on Sami. Drew pushes them aside to grab Zayn and take him back inside the ring. The Scotsman strikes his opponent while berating him. Sami surprises Drew with an Exploder Suplex. Zayn prepares to execute a Helluva Kick, but McIntyre stops him with a Claymore. Drew refuses to cover him. Instead, he waits for Zayn to get to his feet. “Look me in the eyes!” he shouts before finishing him with a second Claymore. 1..2..3.
Winner and STILL Undisputed WWE Champion: Drew McIntyre
Men’s Royal Rumble Match
Winner and 2026 MEN’S ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH WINNER: ROMAN REIGNS
Roman Reigns climbs onto one of the corners and points at the WrestleMania 42 sign. Fireworks echo throughout the stadium. “The OTC” poses in the ring, one finger pointing at the sign of the grand event and the other toward the sky. Fireworks erupt once again inside the Riyadh Season Stadium at KAFD as the show comes to a close.
