The 2026 Royal Rumble event has come and gone, leaving a mixed bag of emotions among fans and pundits alike. While some were thrilled by the outcomes, others felt that the show lacked the unexpected twists and turns that make the Royal Rumble so beloved. One of the latter group is none other than Jonathan Coachman, a well-known figure in the world of professional wrestling. In a candid video posted to X, Coachman expressed his disappointment with the event, questioning the creative team’s ability to deliver surprises.
Coachman’s video, which has been making waves on social media, showcased his signature blend of humor and passion. However, beneath the surface, his criticism of the WWE’s creative team was clear. According to him, the Royal Rumble event failed to deliver on one of its key promises: surprise.
“Where were the surprises?” Coachman asked, his tone laced with frustration. “I mean, we knew who was going to win the men’s and women’s Royal Rumbles. We knew who was going to cash in their Money in the Bank contracts. It was like they took all the surprises from last year’s event and just rehashed them. I don’t know what the creative team was thinking, but it was like they took a page out of the same old playbook.”
Coachman’s comments are not entirely unfounded. The 2026 Royal Rumble event did feature several familiar faces, including a surprise return that was heavily rumored in the days leading up to the event. While some fans were thrilled to see their favorite stars step back into the ring, others felt that the event lacked the freshness and unpredictability that makes the Royal Rumble so compelling.
According to a WWE insider with knowledge of the creative process, the team faced significant challenges in planning this year’s Royal Rumble event. “The team was under a lot of pressure to deliver a show that would meet fan expectations,” the insider revealed. “With the recent influx of new talent and the introduction of new storylines, they were trying to balance a lot of different factors. Sometimes, when you’re trying to do too much, it can feel like you’re not doing enough.”
One possible explanation for the lack of surprises at this year’s Royal Rumble event is the WWE’s ongoing efforts to build towards WrestleMania. With the biggest event of the year just around the corner, the creative team may have prioritized laying the groundwork for WrestleMania over trying to create surprises for the Royal Rumble. However, this approach can be a double-edged sword, as fans may feel like they’re being set up for a long and drawn-out build towards the main event.
Sources close to Cody Rhodes revealed that the American Nightmare was heavily involved in the planning process for this year’s Royal Rumble event. While Rhodes has been a driving force behind many of the WWE’s biggest storylines in recent years, his role in planning the Royal Rumble was more focused on helping to create a cohesive narrative for the event as a whole.
“Cody was instrumental in helping the creative team tie everything together,” a source said. “He’s always been a master of taking complex ideas and turning them into something cohesive and compelling. This year’s Royal Rumble event was no exception.”
Despite Coachman’s criticism of the WWE’s creative team, it’s worth noting that the event still managed to deliver some exciting moments and surprises. The return of a certain WWE legend, for example, sent shockwaves through the crowd and left fans eagerly anticipating his next move. Additionally, the women’s Royal Rumble event saw several unexpected twists and turns, including a surprise cash-in by a fan favorite.
While the 2026 Royal Rumble event may not have been as surprising as some fans had hoped, it’s clear that the WWE is still working to create an experience that will leave fans buzzing. As the company looks towards WrestleMania and beyond, it will be interesting to see how the creative team responds to Coachman’s criticism and tries to deliver a more unpredictable and exciting product.
In the end, the Royal Rumble is all about the surprises. Whether it’s a surprise return, a shocking elimination, or an unexpected cash-in, the event is designed to keep fans on the edge of their seats and guessing until the very end. While this year’s event may not have delivered on all fronts, there’s still plenty to be excited about as the WWE looks towards the future and what’s in store for WrestleMania season.
As Coachman himself noted in his video, the WWE still has a long way to go in terms of delivering the kind of surprises that fans crave. “I love the WWE, and I love the Royal Rumble,” he said. “But I think they need to take a step back and re-evaluate their approach. We need more surprises, more twists, and more turns. That’s what makes the Royal Rumble so special.”