Returning WWE Superstar Pulled from Royal Rumble 2026 Match

Aleister Black might be in Saudi Arabia for WWE’s Royal Rumble, but don’t expect him to step into the ring tonight.

According to PWInsider, Black is not slated to appear in the Men’s Royal Rumble match. Even though he made the trip overseas, WWE officials decided to delay his in-ring return and instead reintroduce him on SmackDown in the coming weeks.

Black’s last appearance came on the January 2 episode of Friday Night SmackDown, where he faced off against Damian Priest in a brutal Ambulance Match. The bout ended with Priest hurling Black off the ambulance roof through a table, then locking him inside the vehicle for the win. That match was part of a storyline exit to temporarily write him off TV.

Since that moment, Black hasn’t been seen on WWE programming—but now we know it was by design. WWE reportedly wants his return to be part of a bigger storyline arc, rather than just a one-off Rumble spot.

It’s a move that will definitely keep fans guessing. But with Black confirmed to be backstage at the Royal Rumble venue, there’s always that tiny chance WWE swerves the audience… even if the plan right now is to hold him back.

Would you rather see Aleister Black return during the Royal Rumble for a pop, or save it for a bigger SmackDown moment? Let us know your take in the comments.