Backstage News & Notes Following WWE Royal Rumble in Riyadh – Behind-the-scenes details continue to surface following WWE Royal Rumble 2026, shedding light on travel logistics, production decisions, and internal reactions to the event. As the company shifts focus back to its regular weekly programming, several noteworthy points have emerged regarding both talent and presentation.
WWE’s travel schedule began moving quickly after the event concluded. The first group of WWE talent and staff were scheduled to depart Riyadh later in the day, returning to Philadelphia as the company resumes its standard television cycle. Additional departures are expected to follow as WWE transitions out of its international setup.
One of the most closely watched situations involves AJ Styles. At this time, there is no confirmation that Styles will appear on Monday’s episode of RAW following his in-ring retirement after losing to GUNTHER at the Royal Rumble. Internally, if WWE decides to acknowledge or formally celebrate Styles’ career on television, the upcoming RAW in Atlanta is viewed as a meaningful and appropriate location for such a moment. No decision has been finalized.
Several performers from the weekend reportedly received strong internal praise. Sources indicated that Sol Ruca and Oba Femi stood out in particular, with Je’Von Evans also earning positive feedback. There was a sense backstage that Saturday night represented a shift toward establishing new faces as long-term cornerstones, rather than relying solely on established stars.
Questions from fans about the appearance of the arena on television were also addressed internally. WWE sources stated that the venue was more filled than it appeared during the broadcast. The LED lighting used in the seating sections reportedly created the impression of empty areas on camera, even though roughly 25,000 tickets were distributed. Those familiar with the production setup noted that the visual effect did not translate well to television and is unlikely to be used again for future Saudi Arabia events. We have more details on how the Royal Rumble venuew drew heavy criticism for empty look.
A minor technical issue also occurred during the Men’s Royal Rumble. After entrant number 30 entered the match, in-arena graphics briefly displayed a nonexistent number 31. The issue was attributed to an automated graphics system error, not a creative change.
Backstage News & Notes Following WWE Royal Rumble in Riyadh
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