How the WWE Royal Rumble Match Is Really Put Together

The 2026 Royal Rumble will take place in Saudi Arabia on January 31—and while the action in the ring will look seamless, D-Von Dudley says behind the scenes, it’s pure madness.

Speaking on his YouTube channel on January 29, 2026, the WWE Hall of Famer and former producer broke down exactly what goes into producing one of wrestling’s most complex and unpredictable matches. According to D-Von, producers juggle 30 wrestlers, dozens of spots, and the egos that come with it—all while keeping the show flowing minute-by-minute.

“Well, a Royal—to me, it’s always felt like in a production meeting for the Rumble—hectic. I mean, you got 30 superstars who are entering the ring every two minutes. You start off with two participants, and then 2 minutes after, each participant starts coming in from the 30 that have been selected.

Once you find out that you’re in the Rumble, you want to go to your producer—or find out who’s in charge—and figure out the order of eliminations and where you stand in terms of being eliminated. At that point, whoever is going to eliminate you, or however you’re getting eliminated, you want to go over it with that person.

The producer then breaks it down and says, ‘Okay, this person will eliminate you, then you eliminate that person,’ and so on and so forth, as all of that is being laid out.”

Once wrestlers find out they’re in the Rumble, they immediately chase down their producer to find out the game plan—how they’re being eliminated, when, and by whom. But the actual choreography of the eliminations? That’s on the talent.

“It’s the producer's job to lay everything out for you… but it’s up to the talent to decide to make it intriguing and exciting—how to eliminate, how to be eliminated, or how to do the elimination.”

Still, there are exceptions—especially when Vince McMahon got involved. D-Von made it clear that while most of the chaos is collaborative, Vince’s word was law.

“Unless Vince sees a certain way that a person should be eliminated… then it’s going to be done Vince’s way. I’ve never worked under Triple H so I’m not sure, but I can speak for Vince. So the producers and Vince trust that the talent will make it exciting and propelling, as Vince likes to say a lot—he really likes that word. That’s usually how it’s done within the framework of those 30 participants coming in and out of the ring.”

One iconic example is Kofi Kingston’s gravity-defying saves over the years. Who came up with those ideas? According to D-Von: “That’s all Kofi. Kofi is really that good.”

But the creative freedom wasn’t always universal—especially when Vince McMahon was still fully in charge. D-Von revealed that Vince had the final say on everything from entry numbers to eliminations. That iconic Rey Mysterio run from the #2 spot in 2006? All Vince.

“Well, that’s a Vince question… No one knows what Vince was thinking. Writers and producers close to Vince probably helped, but ultimately, it was his call. He writes the story—we have to make it come true.”

Even as a producer himself, D-Von admitted there wasn’t much room for discussion when Vince had a vision.

“It wasn’t like the producers decided who was coming in first or going out last. It wasn’t like talent decided. It was actually a Vince McMahon call.”

Vince’s style, according to D-Von, was less collaborative and more mafia boss—think The Godfather. By contrast, D-Von believes Triple H offers more creative flexibility now that he’s steering the ship.

“Vince stayed old school… he didn’t let you know what he was thinking. It’s that old Italian mob thing—like The Godfather. They’re not going to let you know what they’re thinking or their next plot.

I do feel that there’s a little bit more leeway with Hunter than there was with Vince... This is what I want. I’m going to give you the order, let you know who’s getting thrown out by whom. But it’s up to you, the talent, to put it together and make it exciting and propelling, as he liked to say.”

With the Royal Rumble just around the corner, Dudley’s behind-the-scenes revelations paint a picture of the planning, politics, and pressure that go into one of WWE’s most iconic matches.

What do you think about D-Von’s behind-the-scenes breakdown? Do you prefer Vince McMahon’s strict control, or Triple H’s more open approach? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.