WWE Royal Rumble 2026 Kickoff Coverage, Stream and Highlights for January 30, 2025

WWE is holding its Kickoff show for the WWE Royal Rumble on January 30, 2025. Below is the coverage, highlights and stream of the event. Continue to refresh this page for updates.

WWE Royal Rumble 2026 Kickoff Stream

WWE Royal Rumble 2026 Kickoff Coverage : Live Updates and Highlights

They showed GUNTHER talking on his phone, at least not having to walk. Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, and Roxanne Perez were shown riding together on a golf cart.

The Vision and Paul Heyman arrived, followed by Jey Uso making his entrance in front of a massive “YEET” sign.

A video narrated by Paul Levesque aired, clearly trying to frame him in a Dana White–style role.

Cole then came out to the stage to a loud crowd. Fans sang his name and reacted big when he announced WrestleMania will be in Riyadh next year. Cole wrapped things up by running down the lineup for tomorrow’s Royal Rumble broadcast.

Cole announced that CM Punk is the cover star for WWE 2K26. Punk then came out as the entire crowd sang along to his theme song.

CM Punk stepped onto the stage to a thunderous ovation as fans in Riyadh sang along to his entrance music. He smiled and soaked it in before grabbing the mic and asking, “Isn’t it great to be alive on a Friday night in Riyadh?”

Punk said it was special to be able to do the WWE 2K26 cover reveal in front of the live crowd and told fans, “I’ve missed you. I love you.” Cole asked him who might step up to face him, and Punk turned the question to the fans. Chants for Roman Reigns broke out immediately. Punk brought up members of The Vision, and each name was met with loud boos.

He mentioned there are a lot of studs in the Royal Rumble match and gave a special shout-out to Oba Femi. The crowd responded with chants for Femi.

When Cole brought up AJ Styles vs. GUNTHER, Punk said he doesn’t want to see Styles retire and is rooting for him. “My money’s on AJ,” he said, adding that he’s relieved GUNTHER isn’t in the Rumble because “that way, he can’t beat me up.” He followed with, “I think Styles can pull it off. What do you guys think?” The crowd roared back, and Punk closed that bit by joking, “Styles is my second favorite AJ.”

Cole ended the segment by announcing that Punk will be part of the panel on the Royal Rumble Countdown show tomorrow. Punk teased that he’s got a lot of trash to talk, especially about “Finn Balor, Becky Lynch, and more.”

WWE aired a special vignette introducing their new Saudi Arabian signee, powerlifter Fahad Sahli. He’s now going by the ring name Fahd Tuwaiq.

Michael Cole welcomed him onto the stage and introduced him to the crowd, asking what it meant to be part of Royal Rumble weekend. Tuwaiq said he was proud to be there and promised “The Rumble will be awesome.”

Cole noted that Tuwaiq has been training at the WWE Performance Center and asked how the experience has been. Tuwaiq answered in Arabic, and unfortunately, Cole didn’t translate—so fans didn’t catch exactly what was said.

Still, the moment hit home with the crowd when Cole hyped up next year’s WrestleMania in Riyadh, getting fans to chant: “The Mania in Arabia!”

As Cole began to thank everyone for watching the ESPN2 broadcast, Paul Heyman interrupted, walking out to introduce The Vision, signaling that the final moments of the show were about to heat up. Bron Breakker confidently declared that he’s going to win the Royal Rumble and main event WrestleMania. He didn’t hold back, saying he doesn’t care “if it’s CM Punk or some other old-timer” standing in his way — he’ll take them down. Breakker made it clear: “WWE will belong to The Vision.” Michael Cole followed up by pointing out that on RAW, all members of The Vision agreed to sacrifice themselves in the Rumble to help Breakker win.

The crowd erupted with chants for Roman Reigns, trying to drown out the segment. That prompted Paul Heyman to step in, saying coldly: “I know none of you have any manners, but could you please shut up.” The tension between the fans and The Vision was loud and clear—setting the stage for a chaotic Royal Rumble showdown.

Michael Cole questioned whether The Vision would actually follow through on sacrificing themselves so Bron Breakker could win the Royal Rumble. Without hesitation, Bronson stepped up and made it clear—he absolutely would.

Right then, the crowd erupted as Jey Uso’s music hit. Jey made his entrance through the crowd, adding even more electricity to the already fired-up arena. The fans fed off the moment. The Usos got the crowd fired up as Jey Uso stood tall in the ring.

Then, Michael Cole introduced The Judgment Day—and it was the three female members of the group who came out to represent the faction. Michael Cole reminded fans that last year, Roxanne Perez set a Royal Rumble record by lasting 67 minutes. He asked how that helps her this year. Roxanne responded that she’s learned she doesn’t need to set records anymore—last year wasn’t her peak, it was just a preview.

Raquel Rodriguez said she plans to win the Rumble and go on to defeat Stephanie Vaquer in the Philly Street Fight, so she can walk into WrestleMania as champion. Liv Morgan talked about her history in the Rumble, saying she’s been in every one and has had great luck every time WWE comes to Saudi Arabia. She’s confident she’ll outlast the other 29 women and win it all.

Cole then asked what would happen if they were the final three left in the match. Before they could answer, Lyra Valkyria and Bayley came out. Lyra said she was going to win in front of one of the best crowds WWE has ever seen.

Cole pointed out that Bayley had already won a Royal Rumble. Bayley said she was the only Rumble winner on the stage and that it was the perfect time to become a two-time winner.

Then IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley came out. Huge reaction from the crowd. Every entrance has been over, and the fans have been singing along to all the theme songs. IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley said they were both going to compete—and they were going to win—because “Rhiyo is always on top.”

They then cut to GUNTHER walking backstage. They aired a video package for AJ Styles vs. GUNTHER. GUNTHER asked where Styles was, saying Styles must be regretting putting his career on the line against “the best professional wrestler today.” Michael Cole noted that GUNTHER could beat Styles and then go on to win the Royal Rumble, reminding viewers he holds the Rumble record of 1 hour, 11 minutes.

The crowd started chanting for Styles. GUNTHER pointed out that Styles wasn’t even there and said the interview should be about him—the man who would end Styles’ career. He turned to Cole and asked if he believed Styles could beat him. Cole replied, “Maybe.”

GUNTHER fired back, “Then you and all these people are equally stupid,” before promising that he would beat Styles.

That ended the broadcast.