Roman Reigns’ WWE Comeback Locked In—Official Royal Rumble 2026 Entry Sends WrestleMania Plans Into Chaos
Roman Reigns’ return is no longer a rumor—it’s official. WWE confirmed the comeback of The Tribal Chief during the January 23 episode of Friday Night SmackDown, ending months of uncertainty surrounding one of the company’s biggest stars. In a headline-making announcement, Roman Reigns declared his entry into the 2026 Men’s Royal Rumble match, marking his first WWE appearance since vanishing from television in November 2025.
The timing couldn’t be bigger. Royal Rumble 2026 takes place on January 31 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, making history as the first-ever Rumble held outside the United States. With Reigns now officially part of the match, the entire WrestleMania season outlook has shifted instantly.
The Night Roman Reigns Disappeared
Reigns’ last match came at Survivor Series 2025, where he competed in a brutal Men’s WarGames showdown. Aligning with CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, and Jimmy Uso, Reigns went to battle against a stacked lineup featuring Brock Lesnar, Drew McIntyre, Logan Paul, Bronson Reed, and Bron Breakker.
The loss was a rare stumble for Reigns, but what followed raised even more eyebrows. A tense post-match encounter with Cody Rhodes suggested unfinished business, and soon after, Reigns was written off WWE television without explanation.
2025 Nearly Derailed The Tribal Chief
For Roman Reigns, 2025 was a year filled with setbacks. Paul Heyman’s stunning betrayal sent shockwaves through The Bloodline saga, while Reigns’ defeat in the main event of WrestleMania 41 marked a major turning point. The situation worsened when Bronson Reed handed Reigns his first singles loss since WrestleMania 40.
Repeated attacks and storyline injuries eventually sidelined Reigns, leaving fans questioning whether he would return in time for WrestleMania — or if his dominant run was nearing its end.
Royal Rumble 2026 Could Rewrite History
By entering the Royal Rumble, Reigns now has a direct path to redemption. A victory would make him a two-time Rumble winner, over a decade after his first triumph, and could line him up for an unprecedented 11th WrestleMania main event.
That journey would lead straight to WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, where Reigns could once again challenge for the World Championship and reclaim his throne.
With Roman Reigns officially back, the road to WrestleMania has become far more volatile. Whether he runs through the Rumble field or simply sends a warning to the locker room, one thing is clear — the Tribal Chief’s return has changed everything.
