The topic of “Royal Rumble 2026” is currently trending with over 50,000 searches, primarily due to recent news that has sparked significant fan interest. A report from Ringside News has suggested that WWE may have inadvertently revealed the identity of the #1 entrant in the 2026 Royal Rumble, which can generate considerable buzz among wrestling enthusiasts eager for insights and spoilers about this popular event.
Additionally, ESPN has provided key statistics and information about the upcoming Royal Rumble, further fueling audience curiosity and search activity. Fans often look for detailed information prior to major WWE events to enhance their viewing experience, making the availability of statistics and match details particularly engaging as the event approaches.
Moreover, an unknown source has contributed predictions regarding winners and match outcomes, enhancing engagement levels as fans start speculating about potential scenarios for the 2026 Royal Rumble. This combination of leaked information, statistical insights, and predictions is driving high volumes of search interest in the event, as fans prepare for one of WWE’s most anticipated annual showcases.
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G
The post-show thread will go up after the USA broadcast of SmackDown. Until then, you are free to discuss the show in this thread or on other posts marked [SPOILERS]. Please refrain from spoiling the show for those in the US who will be watching when it airs at its usual time.
I
Bar Ilija vs Miz, all the matches on this show were good. Even great in the case of Gargano vs Axiom, and excellent in the case of Fenix vs Carmelo. The main issue I had though was that there was nowhere near enough of it, with just barely over an hour of actual wrestling on a 3 hour show. This can be made up for if the stories throughout the night and/or the segments carried their end of the deal but that didn’t really happen, with 30 mins alone spent on setting up the main event when you really didn’t need more than 20 minutes. The segment with CharLexa and JD to set up their match was less egregious as it got to the point much quicker but having 1 of these segments on your show, let alone 2, reeks of laziness which is unfortunate considering Smackdown has felt far more fresh in 2026 so far and this episode feels like a return to the norm of 2025 Smackdown. Not to mention we had that AJ-Gunther segment that really went nowhere. Just a badly paced show all around One funny thing I found though was the Saudi crowd being very specific. They cheered for Jey, Cody, and Charlotte for 95% of their screen time but as soon as any of them mentioned winning the Rumble, they either booed or said no. Lol They really said “We like you but PLEASE NO, NOT AGAIN”
T
Giving this smackdown an F You know why
G
Just noticed that the WWE.com preview included * Sami Zayn comes face-to-face with Drew McIntyre before Royal Rumble Which uhhhhh technically was a spoiler lol
S
My brains a bit scrambled as it’s currently 6am for me and I’ve not slept… but I thought that was a half decent show, not bad not great. Excited for the rumble, even if I feel like they’ve done a poor job building to it. I’m also really feeling the 3 hours, I’ve always mentioned that you can’t have a weekly 3 hour wrestling show if it’s not absolutely fantastic every week
T
Was this Smackdown worth watching?
I
There was no new developments in this episode and Only Fenix vs Carmelo I’d say is worth going out of your way to watch (Gargano vs Axiom was pretty good too thought) Wasn’t a bad show, not a single bad match imo bar Ilija vs Miz, but there wasn’t enough wrestling for my liking and the segments did nothing for me
Z
Just meaningless bangers tbh (Hayes vs Fenix, 8 man tag etc). I don’t know if there’s any real bangers because I found myself fast forwarding most of it. There was nothing of storyline significance that was progressed on the show. Watch if you have 2-3hrs to waste.
T
Thanks friend, i can’t give that time to wrestling – I’ll skip
M
SNME was the true Smackdown before Rumble show.
A
Feels like they really want to force a Bryan/Kofi mania moment up but the fans just aren’t taking to the Sami storyline as much as the others. It’s not a natural flow from crowd desire is the problem.
M
Probably the weakest show for a while for me. I just didn’t feel that into it for some reason. It was fine. The Rumble is my favourite PLE of the year though and I can’t wait for tomorrow. Getting to watch it live at a reasonable time is even better.
S
Do we think Balor wins the rumble? It can’t be Cody thrice.
H
B
I think he will beat the shit of somebody and take their spot. I don’t see him not being in the rumble.
F
AJ loses to Gunther and vacates his spot. Balor is in.
_
Roman Reigns
T
Jacob has been getting dispatched by Cody a bit too easily since he’s back. Cody just through him against the Cage at SNME and he never got up, now a little toss to the steps and he doesn’t come back in.
B
Damn is cody actually gonna win the rumble
A
Roman wins from number 29 imo
A
Why do people complain about DQ finishes to smackdown when it’s the night before the royal rumble like cmon it calls for shenanigans
D
Because almost every The Vision match ends in a DQ ?
T
Especially a meaningless 8-man tag.
_
Last week’s Smackdown main event was a No Contest as well
P
Getting the best of Drew AND touching the belt. Oof Sami.
C
Boo we’re sick of your lame ass story Cody
J
hell yeah Bron
T
Chaotic finish
B
Cool ending
I
That double spear 🔥
J
The “Huh?”-luva kick “strikes” again
A
“OH SHIT” – Sami Zayn, 2026
X
What a weak-ass spear
C
Cody vs Jacob vs Drew is the most obvious Mania match lol
B
Nah I think thats the Elimination Chamber match
T
I am actually thinking the Chamber might be FOR the title. Like Drew is forced to defend it against Cody, Jacob, Sami, maybe Roman and Orton to fill it out? If the plan for a multi-man title match at Mania, then someone getting in to the match without a Rumble or Chamber win might be hard to sell, but if they have Drew defend it in the Chamber and win, then its much easier to get to a multi-man match for the title at Mania
A
Thats been my thought for a while. Randy Drew Cody Sami Trick Jacob for the title in the Chamber
P
Double spear was clean
D
Sami stands tall over Drew both times since winning the #1 contenders match
J
Drew needed eyes in the front of his head to avoid that one
S
Sami is always so…excited when he wrestles
V
A part of why Sami is still one of my favorites. You can tell he loves wrestling so much
C
Well Sami, congrats on your Rumble win.
J
I don’t imagine he’ll even be in the Rumble…? Unless you just mean the title match, which I’m not sure he’ll win.
C
Sami gets a +10 to all his stats in Saudi. I see them having him lose the Title match just so he can win the Main Event
D
Have you ever seen a Rumble? They almost always do one “this person had a match earlier in the night and lost, they’re now in the Rumble, omg what are the chances!?” spots
J
I thought about that, and could be wrong, but I feel like they’ve stopped doing that in the last few years. Maybe HHH isn’t a fan of it?
A
Don’t touch it!
S
That kick was 🤌
T
DON’T HOLD THE BELT SAMI, IT’S BAD LUCK
Additional Sources:
Ringside News – WWE May Have Spoiled #1 Entrant in 2026 Royal Rumble
ESPN – Key stats and info to know before the 2026 Royal Rumble
