• Current Betting Favorite To Win The 2026 Men’s Royal Rumble
Weeks before the first countdown clock even starts, one name has already taken control of the conversation surrounding the Royal Rumble. As wagering interest builds for the 2026 edition set for Riyadh, the betting public has made its position unmistakably clear: Roman Reigns is the man they expect to outlast the field.
Fresh figures released by Oddschecker show The OTC installed as the overwhelming favorite, listed at 10/11 odds. Nearly two-thirds of all bets placed over the past week have gone toward Reigns, giving him a commanding share of the action before the event has even begun to take shape.
Oddschecker spokesperson Chris Rogers pointed out just how decisive the early betting trends have been. According to Rogers, bettors have rallied quickly behind Reigns as anticipation builds for what’s being promoted as the largest Royal Rumble ever staged, with The Tribal Chief standing alone at the top of the market.
Trailing him is Bron Breakker, who has separated himself from the pack as the clear second choice. Breakker currently sits at 5/2 odds and has captured a respectable portion of the betting interest, signaling growing belief in his ascent despite being well behind Reigns in overall support.
Rounding out the top tier is Sami Zayn, priced at 10/1. Zayn has drawn a similar level of weekly bets as Breakker, suggesting fans still see him as a potential dark horse capable of making a serious run if the night breaks his way.
WWE Royal Rumble 2026 will be the 39th annual Royal Rumble PPV/PLE. It will take place at the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 31.
• WWE Is Planning A Big Title Push For Absent Wrestler
Despite a prolonged absence from weekly television, Santos Escobar hasn’t fallen out of favor behind the scenes. In fact, WWE has been patiently waiting for the right moment to move forward with plans that could significantly elevate him – just not where many fans might expect.
According to Self Made Pro, Escobar is now lined up for a prominent role in AAA. WWE is revisiting creative ideas that were discussed early in the partnership between the two companies, with Escobar positioned to receive a meaningful push in the promotion very soon.
Those plans were temporarily put on hold as other performers surged in popularity with AAA audiences. The rise of Dominik Mysterio, the unexpected success of El Grande Americano, and shifts surrounding El Hijo del Vikingo’s babyface status all altered the creative landscape. With those arcs now settled, WWE is reportedly circling back to its original vision for Escobar, which once included him as a potential AAA Mega Championship contender.
This renewed focus aligns with Bryan Alvarez’s previous report. Alvarez previously disclosed that Escobar quietly signed a substantial new WWE contract in October, a deal significant enough to warrant careful long-term planning. According to Alvarez, WWE deliberately kept Escobar off TV while crafting a direction worthy of that level of investment.
Part of what helped seal the deal was Escobar’s desire for clarity. Before agreeing to the new contract, he reportedly requested a face-to-face meeting with Triple H to discuss his future. WWE granted that request, and shortly thereafter, the contract was finalized.
Also Read: Former World Champion Is In Legal Dispute With WWE
• WWE Hall Of Famer Reveals He’s Now Color Blind
WWE Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler has revealed that his recent health struggles have left him color blind, a life-altering effect of the stroke he suffered earlier this year that has taken away his ability to see color and put a pause on one of his lifelong passions.
During his interview with Action News 5, Lawler opened up about the ongoing effects of his stroke while walking through his home and discussing his extensive art collection. As he looked at artwork during the sit-down, Lawler explained the change to his vision, saying, “I’m color blind and I can’t see the colors.”
The moment quickly turned emotional as Lawler tried to interpret what he was seeing in front of him. While examining an image, he questioned whether it was in black and white, reacting in real time to the disconnect between what his eyes now perceive and reality. “Yeah. Oh my god. Isn’t this… this is black and white?” Lawler asked during the interview.
Long before his wrestling career took off, Lawler was an accomplished artist who earned a full art scholarship and later became a collector, even owning original works by Norman Rockwell. The loss of color perception has prevented him from returning to painting and drawing since his stroke.
During an interview with Valerie Calhoun of FOX13 a few months back, Lawler revealed that he had skipped his medication in the days before suffering the stroke, which is the most likely cause.
