Recaps
WWE Royal Rumble 2026: ‘Ones to the Sky’ as Roman Reigns Wins Title Shot at WrestleMania in a Night Full of Unsolved Mysteries
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.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: The WSB Extradites Nina After Drew Frames Her for Jack’s Disappearance

It was not a good day on the Thursday, September 17 episode of General Hospital for Nina Reeves. However, while it was not a good day for Nina, it was a good day for GH fans because of the performance (as per usual) of Daytime Emmy winner, Cynthia Watros who is at the epicenter of this leg of the story.
In story, Nina has been dragged down to the PCPD and Agent Baines (Alimi Ballard) shows Nina, and her now lawyer, Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst), evidence of Jack (Chris McKenna) Brennan’s wallet found in Nina’s car. Baines says he has enough evidence to extradite Nina immediately.
Nina loses it and fumes and cries. Baines instructs Ric to get his client to cooperate before heading into the squad room to tell Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) that Nina would be transferred to a WSB facility. Now alone with Ric, Nina tells him she is being framed. She did nothing to Jack other than have a public argument with him. Ric asks her if she can think of anyone who would frame her for Jack’s disappearance or possible murder?
After not giving Ric any thoughts as to who could be framing her, Baines returned and informs Nina she is being extradited and taken into WSB custody immediately. Just as a frantic Nina is being carted away, Ava (Maura West) has shown up at the police station and witnessed the whole thing.

Courtesy/ABC
AVA LEARNS EXACTLY WHAT NINA AND WILLOW DID TO DREW
Earlier in the episode, Ava got a mouthful from Drew (Cameron Mathison). He informed her that Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) and Nina drugged him for months with a paralytic drug and he never had a stroke. He also informed her Willow shot him.
Ava was not surprised about Willow shooting him in the back. However, Drew told Ava that Nina tried to kill him when she pushed him into the water at the Quartermaine boathouse while he was locked in his wheelchair.
Drew admits to framing Nina with Brennan’s wallet, although Ava is upset because Nina is her friend. He then reminds Ava that Nina also gave her drugs, induced labor and stole her baby. Ava says Nina is a very different person now than she was then. A vengeful Drew wants Nina to suffer after all she did to him, plus he has a plan for taking down Willow next.
So, what do you think of Nina being taken into custody by the WSB? How will she get out of the new hell she is in? Do you think Ava will help her friend, or continue to help Drew because of their alliance to take down Sonny? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Dancing with the Stars
DANCING WITH THE STARS Season 35 Premiere Night Two: Which Women Stole The Show? Who Went Home?

The second night of a two-part season 35 premiere had the ladies hitting the dance floor for the first time on Wednesday’s, September 16 edition of Dancing With the Stars. As previously reported, night one was the male celebrity contestants and night two would be the women.
When the smoke cleared, three couples looked very strong coming out of the gate: Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas, Jenna Dewan and pro Val Chmerkovskiy and Amber Glenn and pro Pasha Pashkov.
The remaining couples were: Tatyana Ali and pro Jan Ravnik, Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong, Giada De Laurentiis and pro Alan Bersten, Julia Stiles and pro Ezra Sosa and Sarah Jane Nader and pro Hailey Bills. Look for Miller and Stiles, who tied with 18 points with Amber Glenn, to possibly challenge the frontrunners in the weeks ahead, but this is Dancing with the Stars were the popular at-home vote really decides who stays and who gets the boot.

Photo: ABC
Let’s take a look at the top three couples from last night’s competition:
Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas – dancing the Foxtrot to “Black Velvet” by Alannah Myles – 21/30
Judge Bruno said of the sleek performance, “So enticing. Smooth as silk and ready for the kill. I was talking earlier about the quality of the foxtrot … you’ve done just that. The movement on Week 1, I’ve never seen something that level of quality.”
Judge Carrie Ann said of Traitors star Higgins. she was blown away and almost rendered unable to speak, sharing, “That was mesmerizing. Not only was it all that Bruno said, you are mesmerizing. You had the character right, the way you toned it.”
Jenna Dewan & Val Chmerkovskiy – dancing to Tango to “Call Me” by Blondie – 19/30
For the final dance of the night Jenna Dewan and Valentin Chmerkovskiy performed a tango. The star of The Rookie, who once danced for the likes of Janet Jackson and others is expected to go far, so Val made sure they turned up the heat.
Judge Derek Hough said of the routine, “It literally had so much power, so much energy, and I think part of that, actually, for me, made the shoulders go up a little bit.” He also had a bit of warning for Dewan that she needs to work on the “fine strokes” of her dance moves as she moves forward in the competition.
Amber Glenn & Pasha Pashkov – dancing the Cha Cha to “Smooth” by Carlos Santana Ft. Rob Thomas – 18/30
Although there were those annoying winks at the start of her routine and later on from the Olympic Gold medalist, Amber Glenn took her athletic prowess from the ice to the dance floor.
Judge Bruno said of her performance, “She attacked the cha-cha-cha like a warrior queen. I love the attitude. You really went for it. There are bad habits that come with what you do. You don’t articulate with your foot … she’s got it all, you just need to refine.”
THE RESULTS
When it was time for the evening’s result which would send one couple home packing, the five couples safe were: Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas, Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy, Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov, Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa, and Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong.

Photo: ABC
That left: Giada De Laurentis and Alan Bersten, Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills, and Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik. The couple eliminated was the all-girl duo of Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills, thus ending the run to showcase a same-sex dancing duo moving forward for the rest of the season.
So, we ask you, did the right couple get voted out? Who do you think is your early favorite from the ladies to make it to the finals for the Len Goodman MirrorBall Trophy later this season? How do you think the ladies ranked with what you saw from the men on night one? Let us know via the comment section below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Chase Walks Out on Brooklyn, Anna and Valentin Share Poignant Moments as She Urges Him to Go to Carly

The Wednesday, September 16, episode of General Hospital provided the tipping points in the marriage of Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard), the case of Jack Brennan, where Agent Baines (Alimi Ballard) arrested Nina Reeves (Cynthia Watros), and Anna (Finola Hughes) and Valentin’s (James Patrick Stuart) deep love for each other on display, even though Anna didn’t want Valentin to do anything to destroy his burgeoning relationship with Carly (Laura Wright).
Let’s take a look at what went down. First, Brook Lynn’s world is rock when Chase announced he was moving out of the Q’s. As he packed (his one duffel bag?), Brook Lynn begged him not to leave. However, no matter what solution she came up with, Chase shot her down explaining that the trust issues between them is bigger issue than her family and their love for one another.
As they talked about mistrust, Chase says that Brook Lynn lied about framing Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) despite swearing there were no more lies between them. Then, Chase reveals he had spoken to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) about a legal separation to a stunned BLQ. Chase said he had concerns if it would effect their adoption of Phoebe, which Alexis assured Chase it would not.

Courtesy/ABC
Somehow, Brook Lynn manages to convince Chase to hold off on filing the legal separation paperwork. She wants him to figure out for himself if he feels their marriage is worth saving, by taking some time with it. After he leaves, Brook Lynn breaks down and cries.
THE WSB DESTROYS MINDS
In the pick-up of Tuesday’s episode, Carly (Laura Wright) shows up at Anna’s front door and finds Valentin there when he opened the door. Carly saw Anna inside and then took off.
However, Valentin is so worried for Anna and how the WSB had broken her. It’s something he understands and relates to and hates seeing the woman he loves deeply and always will, in such a state. Initially, he said they should go away together. Anna instead told Valentin to go after Carly and explain to her that he was just visiting her to take care of a friend.
Anna phoned Felicia to come sit with her, so Valentin could salvage his relationship with Carly. Once Felicia arrives, and Valentin left, Anna shared to her best friend that no one understood her better than Valentin who had seen her though the years in some of her worst moments. However, Anna says she cannot lean on him any longer, and that she would always love him. Now, it’s time for he and Carly to be together because he deserved happiness.

Courtesy/ABC
Valentin heads back to Carly’s and sees her with a glass of red wine. Valentin wants to explain, but Carly wants to respect Anna’s privacy. She explains she had gone to see Anna after seeing Emma (Braedyn Bruner) and her daughter Josslyn (Eden McCoy) in a fight over Anna’s situation.
Carly fears Josslyn could one day end up like Anna. Valentin explains that Anna’s downfall was linked to Cesar Faison, so it would be unlikely that Josslyn would suffer the same fate.
In a very adult conversation, Valentin tells Carly he believes Anna will get back up from this, and land on her feet and he hoped that one day she can find some peace, just like he has now with Carly. Throughout all the scenes that played out featuring Anna, Valentin and Carly, James Patrick Stuart played it all to perfection.
YOU’RE UNDER ARREST
Finally, while Ava (Maura West) and Nina are at the Metro Court Gardens, Agent Baines shows up and handcuffs Nina for the disappearance, possible murder, of Jack Brennan. Nina screams that she did not to it while she is being dragged away which is also witnessed by her ex Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard).
So, what did you think of Chase walking out on Brook Lynn? Do you hope he files separation papers and eventually gets out of Brook Lynn’s life for good, since one can assume he will be headed back Willow’s way? What did you think of the Anna/Valentin scenes? Do you hope they end up together down the road, or would like to see Valentin remain with Carly? And, now that Nina is arrested for Jack’s disapperance, will the real culprit reveal themselves? Let us know in the comment section, but first check out a preview for today’s Thursday, September 17 episode via the official GH video tease below.
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