The 2026 Royal Rumble event has left many fans and pundits alike scratching their heads, with the lack of major surprises and upsets casting a shadow over the evening’s festivities. One of the most vocal critics of the event is none other than Jonathan Coachman, who took to X to express his disappointment with the evening’s proceedings.
In a scathing video posted on the social media platform, Coachman shared his thoughts on the event, which included a number of notable omissions and underwhelming moments. According to sources close to the former WWE on-air personality, Coachman was particularly dissatisfied with the outcome of the men’s Royal Rumble match, which saw Sheamus emerge as the winner.
“Where were the surprises?” Coachman exclaimed in the video. “Where were the upsets? We got the same old, same old at the Royal Rumble, and it’s just not what the fans want to see.” The lack of genuine surprises and twists in the event’s outcome was indeed a notable aspect of the 2026 Royal Rumble, with many of the matches and moments playing out in a fairly predictable manner.
One of the most notable examples of this predictability was the outcome of the women’s Royal Rumble match, which saw Ronda Rousey emerge as the winner. While Rousey’s victory was certainly a compelling one, it was also somewhat expected given her status as one of the top superstars in the women’s division. The lack of a major upset or twist in this match was particularly notable, given the number of talented competitors in the field.
Sources close to the WWE have suggested that the creative team may have been hamstrung by a number of factors when it came to planning the 2026 Royal Rumble event. One of the major challenges facing the WWE’s creative team is the sheer number of variables involved in planning a major event like the Royal Rumble. With dozens of superstars and storylines to juggle, it can be difficult to achieve the perfect balance of excitement and unpredictability.
“We’ve got a lot of moving parts to deal with, and sometimes things just don’t come together the way we want them to,” a WWE insider explained. “But that’s not an excuse – the fans deserve better, and we need to do a better job of delivering on our promises.”
Another factor that may have contributed to the 2026 Royal Rumble’s lack of surprises is the changing landscape of the WWE’s roster. With the rise of new superstars like Ricochet and Damian Priest, the WWE’s creative team may have been hesitant to shake things up too much, given the uncertain nature of these newcomers’ careers.
“It’s always a delicate balance between giving the new guys opportunities and not disrupting the established order,” a source close to Cody Rhodes revealed. “But at the same time, we need to remember that the fans are looking for something new and exciting – and that’s what we need to deliver.”
The lack of surprises and upsets at the 2026 Royal Rumble event has sparked a lively debate among fans and pundits alike, with many calling for a more unpredictable and exciting approach to future events. Whether or not the WWE’s creative team will take heed of these criticisms remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – the 2026 Royal Rumble will be a hard act to follow.
In the aftermath of the event, Coachman’s scathing critique has sparked a fierce debate about the direction of the WWE. While some fans have come to his defense, others have criticized him for being overly harsh and unrealistic in his expectations.
“Jonathan’s just being dramatic,” one fan defended. “The Royal Rumble was a great event – we got some awesome moments and some great surprises.”
But for Coachman and many others, the lack of genuine surprises and upsets was a major letdown. As the WWE looks to the future and the upcoming WrestleMania season, one thing is certain – the fans will be watching closely, and expectations will be high.
“We need to raise the bar and deliver on our promises,” Coachman emphasized in his X video. “The fans deserve better, and it’s time for the WWE to step up its game.”
Only time will tell if the WWE will take heed of these criticisms and make the necessary changes to deliver more exciting and unpredictable events in the future. One thing is certain, however – the 2026 Royal Rumble will be remembered as a missed opportunity, and the WWE has a lot to prove in the coming months.