4 Potential Insane Finishes For The 2026 Men’s (Women’s) Royal Rumble Matches

As WWE Royal Rumble 2026 approaches, WWE appears poised to deliver one of the most unpredictable editions in recent memory.

The event could feature controversial finishes, especially in the men’s and women’s Royal Rumble matches. Here are my predictions for how the night could unfold.

Women’s Royal Rumble:

# IYO SKY Wins But Loses Friendship With Rhea Ripley

One of the most compelling possibilities in the Women’s Royal Rumble centers around IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley. IYO accidentally could eliminate Rhea while attempting to throw out another competitor. The mistake would leave IYO alone in the ring, and she is declared the winner.

WWE has subtly teased tension between the two. Liv Morgan’s warning to IYO SKY that Rhea Ripley might turn on her felt intentional rather than throwaway. That tension could escalate following IYO’s WWE Royal Rumble win. Rhea Ripley could snap, turn on her tag partner, and attack IYO post-match.

According to Dave Meltzer, WWE is internally planning a singles match between the two at WrestleMania 42, and this Rumble finish would be the perfect catalyst to transition them from the Women’s Tag Team Championship scene into a marquee WrestleMania rivalry.

# Chelsea Green Steals The Rumble Victory

Another bold prediction involves Chelsea Green delivering one of the most unconventional WWE Royal Rumble victories of all time. Chelsea could spend the majority of the match avoiding physical confrontation altogether. She could hide under the ring, pretend to be eliminated, or even attempt to bribe referees, all while the chaos unfolds above her.

As the match seemingly reaches its conclusion and the presumed final woman celebrates her victory, Chelsea could reappear from beneath the ring, revealing she was never eliminated. She would then eliminate the final competitor and be declared the winner by default.

While intentionally anticlimactic, this finish would perfectly fit Chelsea Green’s character. WWE has shown increasing faith in her over the past year, and following her recent loss of the United States Championship to Giulia, this could be the moment that launches her into the World Championship picture.

Men’s Royal Rumble:

# Cody Rhodes and Jacob Fatu Both Win

On the men’s side, a rare and controversial finish could take place. Cody Rhodes and Jacob Fatu could be the final two competitors, only to eliminate each other simultaneously. Instead of overturning the result, WWE could rule that both men are winners.

WWE is clearly building a heated program between McIntyre, Rhodes, and Fatu. With both Rhodes and Fatu claiming legitimate Rumble victories, McIntyre could be forced to defend his title against both challengers at WrestleMania 42, setting up a blockbuster triple-threat match.

# Oba Femi Gets His Breakout Moment

Another possible endgame sees Oba Femi and Brock Lesnar as the final two men standing. Lesnar, rumored to return at the WWE Royal Rumble 2026, and Oba Femi, who recently relinquished his NXT Championship to pursue main-roster success, could come face-to-face as the last two men standing inside the ring.

Oba could ultimately eliminate Brock Lesnar to win the match. While he may or may not capture the World Championship later, this victory would firmly establish him as a main-event force and set the stage for a highly anticipated match with Lesnar, potentially at WrestleMania42, one that fans have been eager to see.