Steve Carrier on January 26, 2026
With the 2026 Royal Rumble taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, WWE is taking extra steps to keep the element of surprise intact — and they believe it might be easier than ever this year.
Fans have long speculated about how WWE can pull off surprise returns and debuts while flying talent overseas, especially with so many eyes on airports and hotels during Rumble weekend. But this year, WWE is locking things down tighter than usual.
Per Fightful Select, WWE’s charter flight — which departs in the early hours following Monday Night Raw — will include many top stars and is scheduled to arrive in Saudi Arabia with plenty of time for SmackDown and Rumble prep. However, the real intrigue lies in who isn’t on that plane.
“There are also plans to bring in talent on their own later in the week, including surprise names,” the report notes. WWE sources claim that the privacy of chartered flights, combined with restricted access to airstrips and secured hotels, gives them a distinct advantage in shielding big reveals.
“WWE sources that we spoke to say that they actually think it will be easier to keep surprises secret this year,” the report continues. “In previous years, WWE would have to worry about people seeing the talent travel in at various airports, especially with autograph hounds stalking out talent hotels and airports.”
On the logistical side, travel was anything but straightforward. WWE had multiple routes mapped out, including a path from Montreal to Toronto and then onward to Saudi Arabia. Some talent reportedly needed to rent vans to get to the Toronto hub, while others couldn’t make the initial leg at all. Many SmackDown stars have already begun their extended journey abroad after last week’s show, followed by Raw talent flying out post-show.
The strategic travel plans — staggered and selective — have only fueled speculation. With names like Tiffany Stratton, Naomi, and even legends like AJ Lee floating around in rumor circles, WWE fans will be watching every camera angle for who might appear once that countdown clock hits zero.
Do you think WWE can actually keep surprises hidden in 2026? Or will someone slip up before the big night? Drop your predictions below — and let us know who you’re hoping to see.
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