Date: Saturday, January 24, 2026
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium – Indianapolis, IN
Commentary Team: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett, and Corey Graves
Opening Video Package
The broadcast opens in total darkness. A long, echoing hallway appears on-screen. The lighting is minimal — a faint flicker follows a towering shadow moving toward the camera.
Michael Cole’s voice narrates quietly: “Legends rise… champions fall… destinies are rewritten tonight.”
As the figure nears, the shadow grows smaller. The camera pans down — it’s… a mouse. Smoking casually, a worn trench coat brushing the floor. In his right paw, a glass bottle glints under the light. You never see his face.
The faint sound of footsteps echoes just before the screen fades entirely to black.
Barrett mutters over silence: “If that’s who I think it is, Cole… we might all be in trouble.”
Cue the Royal Rumble 2026 opening pyro and roaring 70,000-strong Indianapolis crowd.
Match 1 – World Women’s Championship
Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Natalya
This match sets the tone — a war between Rhea’s dominance and Natalya’s technical precision.
Cole: “Rhea Ripley was attacked by Natayla on the Hit and Spear Podcast. Rhea has steamrolled everyone in her way. But don’t forget, Natalya’s DNA is wrestling royalty. Still, I wonder if Natayla is prepared tonight for Rhea.”
Barrett: “I just want to say that Rhea has been revolutionary to women’s wrestling.”
The bout is fast paced and very exciting— a mix of mat wrestling and brute-force exchanges.
Rhea nearly wins with Riptide, but Natalya reverses into a Sharpshooter that has the crowd on its feet.
Rhea reaches for the ropes but Natalya drags her back to center.
After what feels like an eternity, Rhea taps out!!
Winner and NEW World Women’s Champion: Natalya
The crowd explodes. Confetti falls. Natalya hugs the title, tears flooding her eyes. 🎊
Graves: “Years in the making for a moment like this in her career… and finally, the Queen of Hearts is here!”
Backstage Segment – “The Jeff Gene File”
A man in a gray suit, clearly stressed, stands with Kayla Braxton. He introduces himself: “I’m Mr. Murrey’s attorney, and I have an official document ordering my client to undergo DNA testing.”
Kayla looks confused. “Why?”
The lawyer replies, “Because rumors say Murrey’s supposed father might actually be… related to Mickey, Benny, Vinnie, and Lenny Mouse. A direct cousin.”
Barrett laughs over the clip: “We’ve gone from sports entertainment to species entertainment.”
Cole: “I have no words, Wade. I guess it is better than no handed chokes.”
Barrett: “I knew this girl once that could..”
Cole: “Stop!!”
Match 2 – WWE Women’s Championship
Bayley (c) vs. Tiffany Stratton
This match follows their explosive contract signing from SmackDown. Tiffany enters in a glittering pink robe; Bayley arrives with the title on her shoulder.
The two put on a crisp, high-speed match with technical counters and emotional storytelling. Tiffany lands the Prettiest Moonsault Ever for a close two-count. Bayley rallies, feigns injury, and rolls Tiffany up with a handful of tights for the crafty win. Bayley has definitely taken to being a less than noble champion.
Winner and STILL WWE Women’s Champion: Bayley
Afterward, Tiffany storms off, shouting “This story’s not over!” while Bayley smirks, clutching the title near her chest.
Backstage – The Van Damme Encounter
In one of the night’s funnier (and totally unexpected) moments, Nikki Bella walks backstage with her bodyguard Joey Mercury when she bumps — literally — into Jean-Claude Van Damme.
Van Damme: “Ah, mon chéri, you still look… fearless.”
Before Mercury can intervene, JCVD whips a lightning-fast sidekick straight to Joey’s head, dropping him cold.
Nikki gasps, pauses… then bursts out laughing. Jean-Claude kisses her hand — then her lips.
Nikki smiles wide, nodding approvingly: “You still got it.”
Cole (barely keeping a straight voice): “Did… did we just witness Van Damme knock out Joey Mercury and kiss Pete the Ref’s lady?” 😂
Barrett: “And he’s undefeated in WWE competition. Two kicks, Two knockouts!”
Match 3 – World Heavyweight Championship
Seth “Freakin” Rollins (c) vs. Gunther
Cole calls this one a “professional wrestling clinic,” and they mean it. It’s a true clash of brutal chops, blood, and grit.
Gunther dominates early with body-blistering hits, but Rollins counters with speed, rolling through powerbombs and hitting multiple Pedigrees. Near the end, both men bleed visibly, trading slaps and forearms like warriors. The crowd is on their feet!
Rollins finally hits the Curb Stomp — Gunther kicks out at 2.5. Rollins screams, hits another Stomp, then a Phoenix Splash off the top rope to seal it!
Winner and STILL World Heavyweight Champion: Seth Rollins
Graves: “This wasn’t a wrestling match; it was a trial by fire.”
Match 4 – Title for Title
The Rock (WWE Champion) vs. Batista (Legends Champion)
The stadium atmosphere is electric. Two megastars stare down under flashing lights while chants of “THIS IS AWESOME” fill the air before the bell even rings.
If The Rock loses the fairytale is over. If he wins, then come next SmackDown he will be sitting at 734 days as Champ.
Throughout this instant classic, Batista works the power game, countering Rock’s speed. Both men kick out of finishers — Batista avoids one Rock Bottom only to hit a Spinebuster. Rock rebounds with a People’s Elbow that narrowly misses.
Everyone is on their feet.
Cole: “This crowd is divided Wade! I am shocked at the outpour we are seeing for Batista!”
Barrett: “The fact that Batista is giving The Rock this type of match after being away for so long is staggering. The Rock can’t catch his breath!”
Batista is in control and reigning down on The Rock!
In the end, Batista attempts another Batista Bomb, but Rock reverses mid-air into a Rock Bottom for the three-count.
Winner and STILL WWE Champion and NEW and FINAL Legends Champion:
The Final Boss
The Rock
Cole: “Edge of your seat doesn’t even begin to cover it! The People’s Champion remains undisputed and will hold the record for longest reigning champion of all time when we see him on the next SmackDown!”
Barrett: “And Batista just proved he still belongs in the conversation. I wonder what his plans will be after tonight.”
Main Event – Men’s Royal Rumble Match
The crowd roars as the rules are announced.
Entrant #1 – John Cena
Entrant #2 – Damian Priest
The bell rings.
Cena points toward the WrestleMania Legacy sign as the crowd roars— and chaos begins.
#3 Seth Rollins enters to a wild ovation but is targeted by Priest immediately. They brawl viciously.
#4 HBP
#5 Carmello Hayes
#6 Ethan Page
#7 Trick Williams
#8 The Hurricane
HBP eliminates Trick Williams, Carmello Hayes, and Ethan Page. HBP is eliminated by former friend The Hurricane!
#9 Apollo Crews!!
Apollo eliminates The Hurricane!
#10 Julius Creed
#11 Montez Ford
#12 Chad Gable
#13 Austin Theory
#14 Brutus Creed
#15 Grayson Waller
#16 Angelo Dawkins
# 17 Tomasso Ciampa
# 18 Johnny Gargano
#19 Braun Strowman enters and starts a rampage — eliminating the Creed Brothers, DIY, A-Town Down Under, The Hurricane, and Chad Gable, and The Street Profits in a spree of destruction!
#20 Dexter Lumis silently joins eliminates Apollo Crews with help from Rollins, then Lumis squares up to Braun.
Moments later, #21 Erick Rowan joins, and the three monsters stare each other down before exploding in a massive clash.
Alliances crumble quickly — it’s every man for himself.
Suddenly, Joe Gacy returns at #22, shocking everyone!
He tricks Braun by offering to follow him in The Hollow and tosses him over the ropes.
Cole: “Gacy just eliminated Strowman! What an upset!”
Dominik Mysterio sneaks into the ring at #23, immediately slides out, and hides under the ring.
Later, #24 Rey Mysterio arrives, spots his son, and drags him out by the leg — eliminating him.
Before Rey can celebrate, #25 JD McDonagh sneaks up and tosses Rey over.
#26 Van Damme enters and side kicks Rey knocking him out.
Rollins quickly tossed Van Damme over the ropes.
On his knees Van Damme sweating holds his hands in the air and starts screaming “Noooo”. He slaps his hands to the grounds as sweat pours downs his face. Reminiscent to a scene in Blood Sport.
This goes on for quite awhile until security pulls him while he is still on his knees to the back.
Rowan goes out courtesy of a group effort from Priest and Rollins.
#27 RVD
#28 Gunther
#29 Ilja Dragonuv
Cena eliminates RVD
Priest eliminates Dragonuv
Seth eliminates Gunther!!
#30 – the surprise!
Loudest pop of the night as the Viper stalks to the ring!
Wade Barrett: Oh! My! God in Heaven! That is the serpent! The Viper! The Legend Killer! Randy….Bloody…Ooorrrrtttton!
Final Four: Randy Orton, Seth Rollins, John Cena, and Damian Priest.
Rollins eliminates Priest after a wicked Superkick-to-curtain-call combo.
Cena and Rollins circle warily, both men now in over an hour… until Orton slithers in, hits an RKO on both, and dumps Rollins over the ropes.
It’s down to Cena and Orton. They brawl, trade finishers, both teeter on the ropes. Cena lifts for an Attitude Adjustment… but Orton slithers free, spins, and hits another RKO, sending Cena tumbling over!
Winner of the 2026 Royal Rumble: Randy Orton
Cole: “Randy Orton is WWE — and he’s going to WrestleMania Legacy!”
Barrett: “Business just picked up. The Apex Predator is now… on the hunt.”
The show ends with fireworks and Orton standing on the turnbuckle, pointing to the WrestleMania Legacy logo hanging above the ramp.
World Of Wrestling: Murrey Universe 