WWE Planning Surprise Appearances for Royal Rumble – Royal Rumble week has officially arrived, and with it comes the annual anticipation surrounding surprise appearances that have defined the event for decades. Whether it is a returning legend, a debuting star, or an unexpected celebrity cameo, the Royal Rumble has built its identity on shock moments. Even with the 2026 edition marking the first time the event takes place outside North America, emanating from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, expectations for major surprises remain high.
A new report suggests WWE officials are confident they can still deliver those moments, despite the challenges that come with international travel. According to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select, WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque has multiple surprises planned for the weekend, and the company has taken steps to protect those secrets.
“WWE’s charter with talent takes off in the wee hours after this week’s WWE RAW, and the talent will be there all week to prepare for SmackDown and the Royal Rumble,” Sapp wrote. “There are also plans to bring in talent on their own later in the week, including surprise names.”
For years, fans have questioned how WWE could realistically hide surprise entrants when long-haul international flights are involved. However, sources told Fightful Select that the overseas setting may actually make secrecy easier than domestic events.
“In previous years, WWE would have to worry about people seeing the talent travel in at various airports, especially with autograph hounds stalking out talent hotels and airports,” the report stated. “Now, many there feel as if with their plane chartered, and more privacy provided at their air strip and hotels, it will be easier to keep that quiet.”
As expected, speculation has intensified regarding which names could be on those private flights. Chris Jericho is one of the most talked-about possibilities, with rumors continuing that the former nine-time world champion could be leaving AEW for a final WWE run. Jericho remains listed on AEW’s roster page, though his contract is reportedly set to expire at the end of 2025.
Another name generating buzz is Powerhouse Hobbs. Reports indicate the former AEW talent, whose contract expired earlier this month, has signed with WWE and is expected to debut under the ring name “Royce Keys.”
It was previously reported that Brock Lesnar, LA Knight, and Chad Gable were all expected to be in Riyadh ahead of the event. On the women’s side, Tiffany Stratton is expected to return after being sidelined since November with an undisclosed injury. AJ Lee is also expected back soon to continue her feud with Becky Lynch, though no specific timing has been confirmed. Many fans are also hopeful that Bianca Belair will finally make her return after being out of action since WrestleMania 42 due to a broken knuckle.
WWE Planning Surprise Appearances for Royal Rumble
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