WWE Quietly Avoided a Brock Lesnar vs Roman Reigns Moment at Royal Rumble 2026—Here’s Why
The 2026 WWE Royal Rumble delivered shock value from the moment Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns made their surprise returns, but one detail didn’t go unnoticed by fans: the two never crossed paths.
Now, a new report has revealed that this was no accident.
Both Lesnar and Reigns had been absent since Survivor Series 2025, where they last competed in the Men’s WarGames match. Their returns in the 30-man Royal Rumble instantly raised expectations of a blockbuster confrontation—especially with the Premium Live Event taking place in Saudi Arabia.
Lesnar entered the match at No. 22 and looked every bit like “The Beast Incarnate.” He bulldozed through Rey Fenix, Oba Femi, and Ilja Dragunov, reminding fans why he’s one of the most feared competitors in WWE history. But his run ended abruptly during Jey Uso’s No. 25 entrance, when Cody Rhodes and LA Knight teamed up to dump him over the top rope.
Just one spot later, Roman Reigns entered at No. 26—and Lesnar was already gone.
According to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE management deliberately booked the match this way to keep Lesnar and Reigns separated. The company reportedly wanted to avoid teasing or delivering a major Lesnar–Reigns showdown at the Saudi Arabia event, likely saving any potential clash for a bigger stage down the line.
In short, WWE chose long-term planning over a one-night spectacle.
Roman Reigns Pulls Back the Curtain
Ahead of his eventual Royal Rumble victory, WWE released a video featuring Roman Reigns reflecting on locker-room culture and his reputation for sharp trash talk.
Reigns explained that verbal jabs are simply part of life at the top of WWE, emphasizing that only thick-skinned competitors survive. He also made it clear that his confidence wasn’t handed to him — it was earned the hard way.
The former Undisputed WWE Champion spoke about coming up alongside veterans like John Cena, Randy Orton, Big Show, and Kane, and having to fight for every ounce of respect. In Reigns’ words, he didn’t wait for opportunities — he took them.
With Reigns now back on top and Lesnar removed from the equation early, the Royal Rumble result feels less like coincidence and more like calculated storytelling. WWE may have denied fans a face-off this time, but the way it was avoided suggests the company knows exactly how big that match still is — and when it truly matters.
