The Road to WrestleMania is basically a minefield of "leaks" and "inside info" right now. Honestly, half of what you see on social media is just fan fiction. But if you look at the actual movement behind the curtain—travel logs, contract statuses, and those weirdly specific creative shifts—a much clearer picture of the next few months starts to emerge.
We’re sitting just weeks away from the 2026 Royal Rumble in Riyadh, and the vibe backstage is reportedly frantic. Between the transition to the "Netflix Era" and the fallout from John Cena’s official retirement match back in December, the locker room is in a state of flux.
The Royal Rumble Venue Scare Was a Bust
Earlier this month, everyone was panicking. Photos of the King Abdullah Financial District arena looked like a construction site that wouldn’t be ready until 2027. Rumors started flying that WWE would have to move the Rumble back to the States or delay it.
It’s not happening. Reliable word from the ground in Saudi Arabia is that the venue is nearing completion. WWE is full steam ahead for January 31. This is a massive deal because it’s the first time a "Big Four" PLE is happening outside North America. They aren't going to let a little drywall dust stop that.
Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre, and the Title Mess
If you missed SmackDown in Berlin, you missed a total shift in the landscape. Drew McIntyre taking the Undisputed WWE Championship from Cody Rhodes in a Three Stages of Hell match wasn't just a "moment." It was a pivot.
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The original plan—at least according to the chatter in early January—was for Cody to carry the gold into Las Vegas for WrestleMania 42. But with Jacob Fatu returning and immediately involving himself in that title change, the Bloodline story has once again eaten the main event.
There are some pretty heavy wwe spoilers and rumors suggesting that Cody might not even be in the title hunt come April. Internal documents apparently have Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes locked for a non-title grudge match, leaving the actual championship for someone like Gunther or even a surging Bron Breakker.
Speaking of Gunther, he just retired another legend. After tapping out John Cena in December, he just choked out AJ Styles in Germany. The "Ring General" is being booked like an absolute god right now. You've gotta wonder if he's the one destined to main event Night 1 in Vegas.
Surprise Returns: Who is Actually Cleared?
The "surprise return" is the lifeblood of the Royal Rumble. This year, two names are dominating the conversation:
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- Tiffany Stratton: She's been gone since losing her title to Jade Cargill at Saturday Night's Main Event in November. The word is she’s been dealing with a nagging injury, but she was officially medically cleared as of January 13. Expect her to be a "surprise" entrant in the Women’s Rumble.
- LA Knight: He’s been "injured" (storyline-wise) since early December after an ambush by The Vision. However, he was spotted on the flight to the European tour. WWE doesn’t pay for those charter seats just for fun. He’s back, and he’s probably going to cost someone a major match soon.
Then there's the Chris Jericho situation. He wasn't at the Germany tapings, and he hasn't been mentioned on TV in weeks. Some people think he's headed to TNA for a crossover stint, while others swear he's the "Plan B" for a major WrestleMania spot. Honestly? It feels like he's waiting for the Netflix hype to peak before he makes his move.
The Netflix Effect and "WWE Unreal"
We are officially one year into the Netflix deal. RAW is averaging over 3 million viewers per week, which is wild considering people thought the move to streaming would kill the reach.
Netflix isn't just a broadcaster anymore; they're basically part of the creative team. Season 2 of WWE Unreal drops on January 20, and the spoilers for that docuseries suggest we’re going to see some "unfiltered" footage of the Stephanie Vaquer vs. Nikki Bella feud that wasn't supposed to go public.
Chelsea Green has also been very vocal about wanting an all-female version of the docuseries. Given how much Netflix loves "Formula 1: Drive to Survive" style drama, don't be surprised if that gets greenlit before the summer.
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Breaking Down the Rumor Mill
Let's look at what's actually likely versus what's just noise:
- The Rock vs. Roman Reigns: Still on the table. It's the match that refuses to die. Internal whispers say it’s "now or never" for WrestleMania 42 in Vegas.
- Powerhouse Hobbs to WWE: His AEW deal is reportedly up. WWE scouts have been high on him for years. If he shows up in the Rumble, the roof will come off.
- CM Punk vs. Finn Balor: This is confirmed for the Belfast show. It’s a huge test for Balor, who hasn't touched a world title since 2016. If he wins, the Rumble match becomes a total wildcard.
The biggest takeaway for fans right now is to watch the "Vanity Project" (Brad Baylor, Ricky Smokes, and Jackson Drake). They’ve been dominating the EVOLVE/NXT scene, and there’s a lot of smoke around them making a main roster jump during the Rumble.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, stop following the "leak" accounts that post the same blurred photos every day. Instead, keep an eye on the WWE Speed Championship brackets and the NXT call-up lists. Historically, the people winning the minor titles in January are the ones getting the massive pushes in April.
Also, pay attention to the Netflix "top 10" in the UK and Ireland. WWE has been leaning heavily into their European talent (Gunther, Becky Lynch, Balor) because the data shows that's where the growth is happening. If a European star starts getting more screen time on RAW, they are almost certainly being groomed for a title run.
Finally, check the betting odds for the Rumble around January 28. Usually, the "smart money" starts moving about 72 hours before the show, and that’s when the wwe spoilers and rumors become cold, hard facts.