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WWE Royal Rumble 2026: ‘Ones to the Sky’ as Roman Reigns Wins Title Shot at WrestleMania in a Night Full of Unsolved Mysteries

By Michael Fairman

Published

4 months ago

on

Photo: WWE

The road to WrestleMania 42 began by turning back to the OTC1, Roman Reigns, to lead the WWE into their Super Bowl of the year, when he survived the 30-man Royal Rumble on Saturday night, January 31 at the 2026. This year’s Rumble emanated for the first time in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Earlier in the week, Reigns made a guest appearance on The Pat McAfee Show in a bit of foreshadowing where he put the WWE creative and roster on notice, that in his absence, they were not getting things done since none of the young guy’s stepped up, so now he needs to step back in and right this wrong.

Reigns survived the final four of the stacked Men’s Rumble. When the smoke cleared it was down to Gunther, Randy Orton, Logan Paul and the OTC. In the end, Reigns tossed Gunther over the top rope to secure the victory. Now, he has his pick of which WWE champion to face at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas come April.

If the championship picture stays as it is until then, Roman could go back after the belt he held for an historic four years, the Undisputed WWE Championship, now held by Drew McIntyre or the World Heavyweight Championship held by CM Punk. 

CURB STOMPS

Reigns’ victory was only a part of the story coming out of Riyadh as the Royal Rumble left the WWE Universe with much to ponder. Let’s run back these mysteries.

As entrant #2 Bron Breakker headed to the ring to face off with entrant #1 Oba Femi, a black hooded figure came out of nowhere tossing him outside the ring and giving him the ‘Seth Rollins’-like patented Curb Stomp. Next, he was tossed into the ring for Femi to then officially throw Breakker over the top rope and thus eliminated.

The hooded figure to us was slighter in build than potential suspects: Seth Rollins, Adam Pearce or even Austin Theory, who were all suspect. However, what if it is the ‘Vision’s’ own Logan Paul? Remember, earlier in the week, he was part of a backstage vignette saying that the clique will all help Breakker win the rumble.

Brock Lesnar came out accompanied by his former manager, Paul Heyman. Although, the two in Lesnar’s recent appearances seem to have aligned. Femi, who has tossed out the first several participants easily, came up against the “Beast Incarnate” and went to Suplex City and was then eliminated. Eventually, Lesnar was taken out by L.A. Knight and Cody Rhodes.

Speaking of Roman Reigns, he was all for himself, eliminating his own cousins, Jey Uso and Jacob Fatu. Before Fatu was sent home, he was about to toss Rhodes over the top rope, when Drew McIntyre (who is not in the Rumble) came out of nowhere and Claymore’d him and thus he was eliminated too! Now, Cody’s only current way back to WrestleMania is a win at the ‘Elimination Chamber’ later this month

In the arrivals and returns department: AEW’s former Powerhouse Hobbs entered the Rumble with his new WWE in-ring name of Royce Keys, Chad Gable returned as the Original El Grande Americano, La Parka (who had a run in WCW, but with the running gag of someone different in the skeleton leotard attire) showed up which felt very odd. Kudos to former NXT star Je’Von Evans who has now been called up to the main WWE Men’s roster for a solid first Rumble performance.

LIV IT UP

Photo: WWE

The Women’s Rumble kicked-off the card and in an intriguing plot twist, tag-team partners Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss were the number #1 and number #2 participants causing some drama. While they never really went “at” each other, things took a turn during the Rumble when Flair accidentally eliminated Bliss.

In the end, it was Judgment Day’s Liv Morgan who took out the returning-from-injury Tiffany Stratton to win the Women’s Rumble. After two previous second-place finishes, Morgan is heading to WrestleMania with a title shot in the very near future. However, on her way to victory, she double-crossed her former tag partner, and stablemate, Raquel Rodriguez by eliminating her from Rumble contention.

The big stars of the Women’s Rumble were Lash Legend, who while getting so boo’d by the crowd, eliminated several key women and put on quite a show. In addition, props have to go to Sol Ruca, who wound up in the final three with Morgan and Stratton, and delivered her patented Sol Snatcher, only for it to fall apart from there when she was eliminated by Stratton.

The huge pop of the match came when Brie Bella entered at #29. She has been out of in-ring action since 2022’s Rumble. Along with her sister, Nikki, they eliminated Bayley and Lyra Valkyria. Will the Bellas make another run for tag team gold? Stay tuned.

However, most everyone thought the #30 entrant would turn out to be Bianca Belair. The EST did not appear, raising questions and concerns if she will ever be able to be cleared to wrestle again, or if the WWE is holding her back for a huge pop on an upcoming RAW or SmackDown, or if she will be in Chicago later this month at Elimination Chamber.

STYLE

Photo: WWE

AJ Styles, just like the Taylor Swift song lyric from her hit song, Style, says “Will Never Go Out of Style,” and that holds true for the Phenomenal One. Sadly, AJ lost with his WWE career on the line via a sleeper hold to “career killer” Gunther in their singles match up.

In the follow-up to last month’s shocking end of John Cena’s legendary career, where the 17-time champ tapped out to the “Ring General,” Styles just passed out. In a shocker, Style came too and was told by the ref, he lost. AJ received a standing ovation from the crowd.

However, this did not feel like the “official” end to Styles career. When it was time for him to remove his wrestling gloves or boots, as is customary when a wrestler says farewell and is retiring from in-ring performance, Styles stopped himself short of doing that. Time will tell if he moves on for another run at TNA or comes to AEW, or if some other thing is at play here.

It should be noted that multiple WWE superstars past and present took to social media including Cena himself, acknowledging Styles incredible work or how emotional it was backstage at the Rumble after he lost to Gunther.

THE WAITING GAME

Photo: WWE

In the weakest match of the night, Syrian-born Sami Zayn, for all intent and purposes the hometown favorite, lost another bid for the world championship to Drew McIntrye, who threw everything at the kitchen sink at Zayn to make him give up or stay down. It was hard to watch Zayn take the beat down, but it also was so monotonous.

With WrestleMania 43 coming to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2027, that may be the time that Zayn captures the big prize if the WWE can figure out an engrossing long-term storyline for him, that would give us all the feels around the world and not just in Saudi Arabia a year or so from now.

OVERALL 2026 ROYAL RUMBLE GRADE – B

Now below, check out the highlights from the Royal Rumble 2026, followed by the Michael Fairman Channel’s “What’s Up? Wrestling” post-show.

Then let us know, what did you think of Roman Reigns and Liv Morgan as this year’s Royal Rumble winners? AJ Styles being retired by Gunther? What was your high and low point of this year’s card? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Would You Be Down With a Dante and Elizabeth Romance?

Published

3 days ago

on

May 15, 2026

By

On the Friday, May 15 episode of General Hospital, Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) shared a heartfelt talk on trauma. Dante is so concerned for Rocco (Finn Carr), and how it affects someone for the rest of their life, which is something Elizabeth knows all too well, but got through it.

It all begins when Elizabeth shows up at Dante’s office ready for her date with Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst). How beautiful she looked did not go unnoticed by Dante. When the talked turned to how Dante told Rocco that he knew his son shot Cullum (Andrew Hawkes), he admits he is scared for his child, because he lost his innocence with the emotional baggage he now must carry forever of shooting someone.

Dante notices how Rocco is becoming more and more withdrawn and he wants to know how to help him. Elizabeth bring up how she can absolutely relate to trauma at a young age, just like Rocco. However for Elizabeth, her trauma came in the form of a brutal rape by Tom Baker. Speaking from experience, Elizabeth details that it was her friends and family like Lucky and Bobbie who helped pull her through. She encourages Dante to continue to show up and be there as support for his son.

Courtesy/ABC

SPECIAL DELIVERY

Next, an officer delivers to Dante the evidence from the pier shooting, which Dante plans on destroying. Before she leaves for her date with Ric, Liz reassured Dante he is doing the right thing to protect Rocco and she has done the same. She has left no record of Rocco’s hospital visit the night of the shooting. Liz leaves for her date.

THE WRONG SUSPECT

Then, Cullum storm troops in to Dante’s office demanding the evidence that the PCPD must have collected at the site of his shooting. Dante says that the evidence must be misfiled in the warehouse, but they will find it. However, Cullum realizes Dante is stalling and lying. Before heading to Dante’s office, Cullum paid a visit to Carly (Laura Wright) and saw a photo of Danny with Jason, triggering him to now believe that Danny may have been the person who shot him in the back on the pier!

Courtesy/ABC

DINING WITH RIC

At dinner at Café Cherie, Ric handed Elizabeth the folder with the priceless piece of artwork he’d purchased for her through Ava. Elizabeth loved it and went over to Ric and planted a kiss on him.

Will GH move Elizabeth into a romance with Dante? Do you think Liz and Dante make a cute couple? After today’s episode, it’s clear they very much like and admire one another. If so, what happens to Liz and Ric’s burgeoning repeat romance? Share your thoughts and picks via the comment section below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Dante Tells Rocco He Knows He Shot Cullum and Will Protect Son

Published

3 days ago

on

May 15, 2026

By

In well-played scenes on the Thursday, May 14 episode of General Hospital, Dante (Dominic Zampogna) finally had a talk with his son, Rocco (Finn Carr) informing him that he knows the teen shot Cullum (Andrew Hawkes).

Rocco has dreaded his father finding out, because he is the acting police commissioner of the Port Charles PD and feared his dad will have to arrest him for the crime.

Dante asks Rocco in his own words to recount what happened the night on the pier. He assured his son, he is not going to arrest him and noted there are very extenuating circumstances surrounding the crime.

Courtesy/ABC

FATHER AND SON

Rocco explained how he followed Britt  (Kelly Thiebaud) to the pier. Then, how Cullum attacked Britt. Jason (Steve Burton) showed up and fought with Cullum and how the gun came loose.He remembers the other weapon Cullum pulled out to kill Jason and that’s when he shot him.

Next, Dante explained that he was proud of his son for saving Jason and Britt’s lives. He also tells Rocco that he is very concerned in Britt’s involvement in all of this stemming all the way back to the Five Poppies, and feels she is still tied into everything that is happening.

Dante tells Rocco that nobody else can know about this involvement in the shooting. He also touchingly said, that he is his father, he will protect him. However, Rocco is worried that if the truth came out that he shot Cullum, his dad would be in serious trouble for covering up a crime. Dante tells Rocco, he should not worry about that right now, but he needs to stay in Port Charles so he and his mom can keep him safe.

A SHOCKING CALL

Suddenly, as father and son hug it out, Dante gets a call from Justine (Nazneen Contractor), alerting him to the fact that she just met with Cullum and he is looking for the evidence and the file from his shooting. Dante rolls his eyes, knowing things are about to go from bad to worse, and how is he going to keep his son safe from the evil WSB Director?

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

Dominic Zamprogna always delivers a nice counterbalance to the often histrionics of other characters in Port Charles in his portrayal of Dante Falconeri. So that, when Dante breaks or gets emotional, it counts. Finn Carr has continually shined in the storyline as Rocco continues to teeter on the edge of knowing what he has done and being wracked with guilt. Next up has to be Danny learning his brother is the reason Jason was carted away. Stay tuned!

So, what did you think of the scenes between Dante and Rocco? How on earth will Dante keep Rocco safe? Share your thoughts via the comment section.

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Recaps

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Who Will Ridge Make His Co-CEO … Brooke or Steffy?

Published

5 days ago

on

May 13, 2026

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Ridge (Thorsten Kaye) has a decision to make after both his wife, Brooke Logan Forrester (Katherine Kelly Lang) and his daughter, Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) stated their case, albeit in different ways, that they should be the rightful Co-CEO of Forrester Creations.

The whole dilemma comes about after Hope (Annika Noelle) instills in her mother to fight to be the Co-CEO after having it up to here with Steffy. Of course, before that, Hope was considering a move to go work for rival fashion house “Logan.” It seems if Brooke was given the Co-CEO seat and Steffy was deposed, Hope might be able to make headway with her line “Hope for the Future” at Forrester again, after Steffy back-burnered it for now.

Now on the Wednesday, May 13 episode, Steffy is stunned that Ridge is considering replacing her with Brooke. Ridge explains to his daughter the shift would not be a reflection on Steffy, but a way to honor his wife. Brooke thinks the two of them running the business harkens back to the good old days of when Stephanie and Eric ran the company.

Courtesy/CBS

PROVING HER WORTH

Steffy’s not having any of this talk, stating, “Don’t you dare pretend that you’re re-creating the magic of what they were, OK?” If Brooke wants to be the matriarch, fine, but not as co-CEO.” Ridge tries to let Steffy down and assures her that one day this will all be hers.

While Steffy admits that Brooke is a major icon of the company, she is the one that has relationships with buyers, designers, social influencers, etc., and it’s because of her that Forrester is on the cutting edge. Ridge recognizes this and is so proud of his daughter, and how she has kept the company relevant. However, Steffy cannot believe after all she has done that he is even considering Brooke’s request. She says if he wants to give Brooke a title, fine. “Give her any other title, but not mine.”

Meanwhile, Brooke and Hope are thinking of what it will be like once Brooke is in the Co-CEO position. Brooke assures her daughter that Ridge will come through for her. Hope has doubts where Steffy is concerned and how she can’t see her going down without fight. Brooke believes the transition will happen today.

Courtesy/CBS

BROOKE ALWAYS COMES FIRST

Back at Forrester, Steffy doesn’t like that Brooke put her father in this impossible situation. The conversation takes a turn and Steffy talks about the repetitive theme in her life, and that is how Brooke was always chosen above his other family with Taylor. Steffy admits that she knows Ridge loves her, but he must love Brooke more.

Standing up to Brooke, Steffy tells Ridge, “You need to stop listening to her, Dad. Choose your daughter over your wife. For once.” Steffy asks her father to show her some respect, not only because she is his daughter, but as his Co-CEO. Her final plead ends with, “Don’t let me down again.” We fade to black.

So, what do you think will happen? Will Ridge keep Steffy as his Co-CEO? If he does, will it send Hope and Brooke to work at Logan, or do you think Brooke becomes Co-CEO and Steffy hightails it out of Forrester? Share your thoughts on Ridge’s upcoming pick via the comment section below.

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