
WWE is set to make history later this month when it holds its first-ever Royal Rumble outside of North America. The 2026 Royal Rumble is set to emanate live from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The show is one of the most exciting and unpredictable of the year, with the winners of the two Royal Rumble matches going on to main event WWE WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas this April. Let's take a closer look at who the top UK Bookmakers think is going to have their hands raised in Saudi Arabia on January 31st and go on to headline the Showcase of the Immortals.
Roman Reigns is the favourite for the event, and it’s easy to see. The WWE has felt like it has been in a holding pattern since Reigns dropped the belt to Cody at WrestleMania 40, and with John Cena no longer on the scene, it is hard to see who else could step up to challenge Cody on the Grandest Stage of Them All.
All signs point to this year’s two Mania main events being Bron Breakker vs CM Punk and Roman Reigns vs Cody Rhodes, so if that is the case, then it's just a question of how we get to that point. Reigns is currently the favourite at 4/7 with Star Sports, while Breakker is at 9/4.
Reigns could win the Elimination Chamber to set up his trilogy match with Cody, but given that he works a lighter schedule than Bron, it makes more sense for him to win the Rumble. The Elimination Chamber also gives Bron a chance to rebuild himself with a dominant display after losing to Punk on the Raw Netflix anniversary special.
Of course, WWE could go on for an alternative option and hold off on Cody vs Roman until later in the year. If they do this, Randy Orton would be the next logical choice for Cody Rhodes, given their history. He is priced at 20/1 with Star Sports.
However, we would recommend playing it safe here. WWE threw a total curveball into the mix at last year's Rumble, and while Jey Uso may have boosted merch sales briefly, his run as champion was instantly forgettable. They won't make the same mistake here, which is why we are going with Roman Reigns to win.
Tip: Roman Reigns to win at 4/7 with Star Sports
Like the men’s Royal Rumble, the women’s match is likely to go one of two ways: a Bianca Belair win or a Liv Morgan win.
Morgan has been red-hot since she returned to the company, and it feels like a matter of time before she gets her hands back on the women’s title. While a showdown between Rhea Ripley and Stephanie Vaquer felt like the natural direction for the WWE to go down for Mania 42, it looks increasingly likely they will shift Liv Morgan into that position, especially now that Rhea is one-half of the tag-team champions.
With Vaquer being tied up in a feud with Raquel Rodrigeuz, Morgan becoming the number one contender heading into Mania season feels like the most natural follow-up. She is the favourite with BetMGM at 6/4.
However, we will back Belair, who is slightly behind at 7/4. Belair vs Jade Cargill is the money match at this year’s Mania, and it feels as though this is the right time to pull it off.
There is also a very strong history of returning female wrestlers winning the Rumble. Charlotte Flair, Ronda Rousey, and Becky Lynch have all returned from injuries or time away and run the match, and Bianca looks likely to do the same. Liv can run the gauntlet in the Elimination Chamber and secure her spot that way.
In terms of alternative options to these two, there are very few out there. Becky Lynch and Rhea Ripley are tied up, Charlotte Flair won last year and is not around the title scene right now, and Stratton's title reign feels too fresh in the memory for them to run it back. Roxanne Perez and Lyra Valkyria are both at 3/1, but they don't feel ready quite yet. We'd recommend keeping an eye on those for the Money in the Bank briefcase later in the year.
Tip: Bianca Belair to win at 7/4 with BetMGM

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