The Royal Rumble is basically WWE’s yearly permission slip to do the most unserious, crowd-hijacking thing imaginable: hit a surprise entrance theme and let the building do the rest.
And with the 2026 Rumble set for Riyadh, the “anything can happen” energy is going to be cranked.
We’re not going to say that all of these are happening. We’re just saying WWE fans should be emotionally prepared to spill a drink if any of these themes hit.
7 wild WWE returns that could flip Royal Rumble 2026 upside down
7. Chris Jericho
Jericho is the ultimate Rumble temptation: one entrance, and suddenly you’ve got a ready-made WrestleMania program. The chatter around his future hasn’t exactly gone away, and he’s publicly kept the door cracked for a WWE return someday.
If WWE wants “instant headline,” the Rumble is the cleanest way to do it.
6. Brie Bella
This is the kind of return WWE can play totally straight: a pop, a quick moment with her sister, and a path to one last meaningful run without overcomplicating it. If the women’s Rumble needs a nostalgia jolt that still feels relevant, Brie is right in that sweet spot.
Brie Bella takes hold of the match with some "YES!" Kicks for @sarahloganwwe! #RAW @BellaTwins pic.twitter.com/L90VbF4O7V
— WWE (@WWE) September 4, 2018
5. Chad Gable
Gable is one of those guys who can return and immediately move pieces on the board. He’s earned real crowd respect, and WWE can take that reaction in two directions fast:
- babyface “welcome back” surge
- or the smug pivot into a heel reset that makes him even more dangerous
Also… if WWE wants to do something ridiculous like have him pop up to confront a certain “El Grande Americano” situation, the Rumble is where that becomes canon.
4. LA Knight
LA Knight doesn’t need a five-week “mystery vignette” campaign. He needs a music hit and a live mic. He’s been off TV and can recharge the weekly shows instantly. Throw him in the Rumble, let him stack a couple eliminations, and aim him at whatever title scene needs more oxygen.
CM Punk 👀 LA Knight pic.twitter.com/iOZafjgh8t
— WWE (@WWE) October 13, 2025
3. The Hardy Boyz
This is the “don’t tease me unless you mean it” pick — but it’s not totally fantasy-land anymore. There’s been plenty of crossover with TNA-WWE that a one-night surprise doesn’t sound impossible.
And if it happens? That’s one of those Rumble moments that lives forever in highlight packages.
2. Bianca Belair
Bianca’s been out nursing a hand injury and the women’s division is in need of an immediate shot of star power. Let the “EST” be the lightning bolt. You don’t even need her to win — though you should want her to — but you really just need the return. And the reminder that she’s still one of the safest big-match bets in the company.
1. Brock Lesnar
Simple: WWE loves the spectacle, Lesnar loves the money, the marquee, and the Rumble loves a human final boss showing up to ruin everyone’s plans. There’s been plenty of recent industry chatter tying Lesnar to early-2026 WWE plans, and Saudi shows have historically been where WWE goes big-game hunting.
If his music hits, the entire Rumble becomes “survive the next 90 seconds.”