12 WWE Nightmares That Could Come True In 2026

For whatever reason, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for WWE to choose satisfying Rumble winners. Everyone still loves the event, and it's considered a launching point for 'WrestleMania Season' as a whole, but the company has to be careful with how it's perceived. In 2025, neither the men's or women's Rumble winners actually headlined either night at 'Mania 41.

Footage shown in WWE Unreal put over the creative thinking that went into Jey Uso's victory too. He was chosen because it'd be a complete shock to fans, and that's fine, but there was a 'last minute' vibe to the whole process that's tough to shake. Maybe the most important thing is that WWE plumped for something new at all, because there was a time when they might not have done so.

Still, Uso and Charlotte Flair marked surprise and unwanted 2025 winners respectively, and that's food for thought heading into next year. Hunter will want 2026’s pushes to work out, and he might want a little longer atop the card than he got from 'Main Event' Jey. He's a popular star, no doubt, but on the level of a Roman Reigns or Cody Rhodes? Not quite.

Royal Rumble sets the tone for what WrestleMania will be like, or should be like. So, picking winners that both thrill the audience and serve major storylines going into the biggest weekender of 2026 will be super-important. This isn't a new problem. Batista was booed out of the building for winning in 2014, and folks have been so-so on winners like Ronda Rousey, Brock Lesnar and others in years since.

Let's hope they've got their thinking caps on. And not just Michael Hayes!