WWE Royal Rumble 2026: Predicting All 30 Entrants

3. AJ Styles (#28)

WWE Royal Rumble 2026 Roman Reigns Chris Jericho Santino Marella
WWE.com

Confession: It was really tempting to jot AJ Styles down as the winner instead of Roman just because this is the legend's final year as an active pro wrestler. Styles said as much before clashing with John Cena in a memorably chaotic bout over in Australia at Crown Jewel. He's ready to bring the curtain down, folks.

AJ has recent beef with wrestling machine Gunther too, so it'd be logical if the Cena-retiring monster ('You're a MONSTER!') had something to do with Styles getting eliminated at the Rumble. Sure, it sucks a wee bit to think of AJ only working 5 mins or so in a match like this when he's capable of so much more, but...storytelling.

They make movies, don't you know? Seriously though, Styles having a short stint in this year's Rumble is fine. He'll make the most of whatever he's handed, because he's one of the best wrestlers in the world.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.