WWE Royal Rumble Seen as Launch Point for Next Generation of Stars Backstage

While Roman Reigns and Liv Morgan walked out of the 2026 Royal Rumble with the biggest wins of the night, the real story backstage focused on the future.

According to PWInsider, there was strong internal praise within WWE for several younger talents who stood out during the Royal Rumble event, with Sol Ruca, Oba Femi, and Je’Von Evans drawing especially high marks from those behind the scenes. The belief among WWE officials was that this event wasn’t just another Royal Rumble—it was a deliberate turning point.

The performances from Ruca and Femi in particular were viewed as breakout moments. Both were heavily featured, given extended sequences, and positioned to interact with established stars rather than being treated as quick eliminations. Je’Von Evans also earned praise for his presence in a match loaded with main-event names, reinforcing confidence in his upside.

The internal feeling was that this Royal Rumble represented the true beginning of WWE shifting focus toward its next wave of talent. Rather than relying solely on established names, the company used the Rumble stage to quietly establish who fans should start paying attention to going forward.

With WrestleMania 42 on the horizon and multiple new faces gaining traction, WWE appears to be laying the groundwork for the next era—one moment at a time.

Which of the new names stood out to you the most at the Royal Rumble, and who do you think WWE should push next? Leave a comment and let us know.