WWE is reportedly planning a smaller match card than usual for the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble, with the event currently set to feature only four matches.
According to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the working plan is for the show to consist of the men’s and women’s WWE Royal Rumble matches, along with two championship bouts. If this structure holds, it would make the event one of the shortest Rumble cards in company history in terms of match count, although both Rumble matches typically run over an hour.
Meltzer wrote:
“The current plan for Royal Rumble is a four match show with two title matches and the two Rumble matches. The two matches are not finalised even though it is just under two months away. WrestleVotes first reported this and we confirmed that as the current plan.”
The approach is consistent with Triple H’s preference for tighter premium live event line-ups, allowing more time for individual matches. However, four matches are still fewer than the five or six bouts usually featured on recent major shows, but this year’s Rumble also only featured four matches. The report also noted that while the structure is in place, WWE has not yet finalised which championships will be defended.
The 2026 Royal Rumble will take place on Saturday, January 31, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking the first time a traditional Royal Rumble event has been held outside North America.
Who Won The 2025 WWE Royal Rumble?
Charlotte Flair won the 2025 women’s Royal Rumble, and Jey Uso won the men’s Royal Rumble. Flair went on to face Tiffany Stratton at WrestleMania 41 for the WWE Women’s Championship, but was unable to capture the title.
Uso used his Royal Rumble win to challenge Gunther for the World Heavyweight Title also at Mania 41, and he was able to win his match and capture the title.
