The Road to WrestleMania begins today. That feels weird to say…today. Not tonight, but today. Why? Because WWE couldn’t resist making an extra buck and decided to have the Royal Rumble in Riyadh. What does that mean? It means that you’ll be able to flip on the PLE after your lunch on the East Coast and after a late breakfast on the West Coast. But I’m not salty or anything about that. Let’s take a look at this year’s card.

Aside from the two battle royal matches, there are two traditional matches on the slate.

Undisputed WWE Championship Match

Drew McIntyre (C) vs. Sami Zayn

Can Sami Zayn finally realize his dream? That’s the big question heading into this showdown. Sami earned this spot after winning a number one contenders fatal four way match over Randy Orton, Trick Williams, and Damian Priest. Zayn has been extremely popular with fans for several years now dating back to his Honorary Uce days as part of The Bloodline. If you think Zayn gets a huge pop from fans now, just wait until his music hits in Saudi Arabia. As a Muslim of Syrian descent, Zayn is a HUGE hit in this region of the world. Looking to play spoiler is Drew McIntyre. The Scottish Psychopath arrives to his first PLE as Undisputed Champion after winning the title from Cody Rhodes on Smackdown in early January. This match could go either way, it really could. I’ll give you my prediction at the end of the blog as part of how I’d book the Road to WrestleMania.

Career Threatening Match

Gunther vs. AJ Styles

Just as we started to get over the end of John Cena’s career, we’ve reached a point of where this could be the last time we see The Face that Runs the Place in a WWE ring. Following Gunther’s victory over John Cena in Cena’s final match, tons of talent have wanted to step up and avenge the Never Seen 17’s final loss to Gunther. AJ Styles is set to lead that charge. Unfortunately for Styles, the only way to get Gunther in the ring was to put up his WWE livelihood on the line. That’s right, Gunther has the chance to retire yet another great in less than 45 days.

My Prediction: Gunther wins and AJ Styles gets a standing ovation as his WWE career comes to an end. (Don’t worry; I think Styles shows back up in TNA soon)

Women’s Battle Royal

Oof, where do I begin? The women’s division right now is RED hot. There is so much talent at all levels. You’ve got the heavy hitters like Charlotte Flair, Rhea Ripley, Asuka, Liv Morgan, Iyo Sky, Becky Lynch, Bayley, and Nia Jax. You’ve got superb workers like Chelsea Green and Tiffany Stratton. You’ve got the next generation with Roxanne Perez, Lyra Valkyria, Lash Legend, Giulia, and Maxxine Dupri. You’ve got the possibility of legends like Trish Stratus showing up as well. The winner gets their choice of title shot at WrestleMania. Will the winner go after Stephanie Vaquer’s Women’s World Championship? Or will they opt to go after Jade Cargill’s WWE Women’s Championship? Could we get some surprise entrants? Perhaps returns, whether they be from injury or time spent away from the company. So who are some potential surprise entrants?

After a solid run as Saraya in AEW, I think Paige returns home to WWE and makes her return in Saudi Arabia.

I’m a big believer in the EST making her return at the Royal Rumble. She’s not been on WWE television since July and the pop would be MASSIVE if the 2021 Women’s Rumble winner shows back up.

My Prediction: Bianca Belair becomes a two-time Rumble winner in her return to action. She’ll then take aim at Jade Cargill’s WWE Women’s Championship.

Men’s Battle Royal

This is one of the most exciting matches wrestling fans get in an entire year. 30 men enter and 29 leave over the top rope. We’ve seen this match produce some historic moments.

One of my favorite moments of all-time? How about this one where my goosebumps had goosebumps.

This year’s Men’s Rumble is jam-packed with talent and potential. You’ve got The Vision led by Bron Breakker. Breakker will have his faction mates in the match with him: Bronson Reed, Logan Paul, and Austin Theory. Cody Rhodes is vying to become only the second person all-time to win three Rumbles. The Beast Incarnate Brock Lesnar will be trying to punch his ticket to WrestleMania. Jey Uso will try and go back-to-back. LA Knight looks to get his big break — YEAH. Will Finn Balor get his chance to earn another shot at CM Punk?

But what I think will be the biggest pop of the night:

That’s right, get those ones to the sky! Our Tribal Chief will make his return to the squared circle and he’ll look to win his second Rumble.

Can we expect any surprise entrants in the Men’s Rumble?

Absolutely!

Oba Femi should be in the Rumble and I can only hope we get Femi and Lesnar in the ring at the same time. WHAT A FACEOFF THAT WOULD BE!

Known to AEW fans as Powerhouse Hobbs, Will Hobson has jumped ship to WWE and is expected to make his debut in Riyadh. Look for Hobson to be introduced to the WWE Universe as Royce Keys.

The only pop that could rival Roman Reigns’ is if Chris Jericho makes his return in Saudi Arabia. Could it happen? Absolutely. My question: are we getting his classic WWE theme or are we getting “Judas”? I don’t care, I just want to see the Lionheart back home.

Instead of my prediction here, I’m going to give you how I would book the Road to WrestleMania.

1.) Sami Zayn gets his moment in front of a HOT crowd in Saudi Arabia and becomes Undisputed WWE Champion.

2.) In the coming weeks, Cody Rhodes slithers his way to Sami, asking for a chance to fight for the title he lost to Drew, as he never got a rematch. In the build up that appears to be Face vs. Face, we begin to see the cracks in Cody’s foundation. The heel turn happens. Cody destroys Sami at Elimination Chamber and wins back his title.

3.) Roman Reigns wins the 2026 Men’s Royal Rumble. After Cody’s win at Elimination Chamber, Roman declares he’s coming for Cody. We will get Cody/Roman III at WrestleMania.

4.) Bron Breakker has a solid run in the Men’s Rumble match; probably final four. After coming close, but still no cigar, Breakker turns his sights to Elimination Chamber. Breakker will win the Chamber match in Chicago and get his WrestleMania opportunity to take on CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship. And Breakker will take the title from Punk at Mania. And while The Vision celebrates in the ring, we’ll hear an all too familiar line echo through Vegas:

BURN IT DOWN!!!

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We’ve made it to the Royal Rumble. Lock in and enjoy the ride. It’ll be time for WrestleMania in a flash.