Dave Meltzer Criticizes WWE’s Promotion of 2026 Royal Rumble in Riyadh
The excitement surrounding the Royal Rumble is palpable every January, particularly among WWE fans. However, for the upcoming 2026 Royal Rumble, scheduled for January 31 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, enthusiasm appears to be waning. This event will be significant as it marks the first time a major Premium Live Event from WWE is hosted in the country.
Concerns Raised by Dave Meltzer
Wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer, writing for the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, expressed concerns regarding the lack of promotion for the event. He noted that with only a week remaining before the show, the buzz surrounding the Rumble is notably subdued.
Match Participation and Promotion
- As of a recent update, neither the men’s nor women’s Royal Rumble matches had confirmed participants.
- Less than 25% of the male competitors and slightly over 25% of female wrestlers have been announced.
- Minimal promotional content has been produced leading up to the event.
Meltzer speculated that the lack of hype could be attributed to WWE’s focus on other programming, particularly the January 5 episode of “WWE Raw,” which was heavily marketed, as well as the upcoming Saturday Night’s Main Event scheduled for January 24. He criticized WWE for not adequately promoting the Rumble, suggesting they may have missed the opportunity to build excitement.
Anticipated Viewership Decline
Due to the factors mentioned, Meltzer predicts a significant drop in viewership for the 2026 Royal Rumble compared to the previous year’s event. The 2025 edition was notable as the first WWE Premium Live Event to be streamed live on Netflix.
In recognition of the potential decrease in interest, Meltzer pointed out that there are still opportunities for WWE to generate excitement. The schedule includes two episodes of “SmackDown” and one more airing of “Raw” before the Rumble, along with the upcoming Saturday Night’s Main Event, which could help boost viewership last minute.
As the event approaches, fans and analysts alike await to see how WWE will address these promotional challenges ahead of the Royal Rumble in Riyadh.
