It has been 8 years that WWE has let NXT superstars in the Royal Rumble Match. It all started in 2018 when Andrade and Adam Cole were in the Royal Rumble Match. After that it has been a yearly tradition that at least 3 male and female NXT superstars will be in the Royal Rumble Matches. This year in 2026 once again there will be NXT superstars that will be in the Royal Rumble Matches on 31st January.
Let’s look at the 5 NXT Superstars that could appear in 2026 Royal Rumble Matches
Blake Monroe
Blake will for certain be one of the women stars of NXT that will be in the Royal Rumble Match. She is one of the most ready wrestlers who would want to move on to the main roster. The casual wrestling fans already know her as Mariah May. She will get a great reaction and she will look to showcase her skills in the Royal Rumble Match. Her interaction with Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky will be special.
Tatum Paxley
One of the women that has been in NXT for a long time and finally has realised her potential is Tatum Paxley. She has become one of the best women in NXT and has become a multiple time champion. Tatum Paxley is ready for the main roster and this could be her callups from NXT to the main roster. She would love to interact with her role model Alexa Bliss in the match. Tatum Paxley will get cheered and she will get much needed experience.
Kendal Grey
The male roster of NXT has been depleted so it will be the women that will make up for the majority of NXT entrants in the Royal Rumble Match. The Evolve Champion Kendal Grey will be in the Royal Rumble Match. She is one that the WWE is very high on. She is very young and the fact that she holds a title and is featured regularly on NXT is incredible. She recently won the Women’s Iron Survivor Match at NXT Deadline. Kendal Grey will have the opportunity to make new fans and perform in front of her biggest audience.
Joe Hendry
Joe Hendry is a full time NXT superstar and he will once again be in the Royal Rumble Match. He was in the 2025 Royal Rumble Match but as the TNA World Champion. He will be one of the few male NXT Superstars in the Royal Rumble Match. He will have experience and therefore he will look to do much better this year. He will get to interact with Ronan Reigns once again and with Cody Rhodes. He will be one of the most popular wrestlers in Saudi Arabia.
Ricky Saints
Ricky Saints is still a part of NXT. He will be in the Royal Rumble Match. He has started power and he has been the champion in NXT. Ricky Saints is one of those wrestlers that is known around the wrestling world as Ricky Starks from AEW. He will interact with his friend Cody Rhodes in the match. This could also be the official callup for Ricky Saints to the main roster. Other wrestlers such as Ethan Page could also enter the Royal Rumble Match as he has been the best thing about NXT.
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