Detailed Summary: Raw Recap – Full Royal Rumble 2026 Preview

Podcast: Raw Recap with Sam Roberts and Megan Morant
Release Date: January 30, 2026
Hosts: Sam Roberts & Megan Morant
Theme: An in-depth, energetic preview of the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble, breaking down the landscape across Raw and Smackdown, analyzing the unpredictable state of WWE’s championship scenes, discussing major non-Rumble matches, and evaluating the possibilities for both the men's and women’s Royal Rumble matches.

Episode Overview

The 2026 Royal Rumble is upon us, and Sam Roberts and Megan Morant are fired up for what they both call the "most unpredictable Rumble in years." With the title scenes in flux, a loaded Rumble field, and major singles bouts on the card, the hosts run through scenarios, make predictions, reminisce about iconic moments, and highlight just how wide open the road to WrestleMania really is this year.

Key Topics & Discussions

The Wide-Open WWE Title Picture

• The championship landscape is wild: Drew McIntyre shocked many by beating Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship, and CM Punk has been fighting off all comers as World Heavyweight Champion.
• “There’s no way you can sit there and guarantee that Punk will even be the World Heavyweight Champion going into WrestleMania.” – Sam (01:19)
• Over on Smackdown, Jade Cargill has dominated, while Raw’s Raquel Rodriguez and Stephanie Vacair have been battling it out, making the women's title picture just as uncertain.
• The unpredictability sets up a unique Rumble: "[This] is one of the rare Rumbles... where you're looking at this going, ‘Anything could happen!’” – Sam (01:59)

Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn: WWE Championship Match

Set-up: Sami Zayn, after earning his opportunity in his hometown Montreal, faces Drew McIntyre in Riyadh—a poetic, personal showdown for both.

• The emotional stakes for Sami are high, with the hosts recounting his “almost moment” in Montreal against Roman Reigns and his open declaration that 2026 is “the year” for him.
• “And Sami told that story on Smackdown about sitting ringside for John Cena’s final match and his son asking him, ‘Why haven’t you ever won?’" – Sam (07:13)
• Drew’s arc: Since his “robbed” WrestleMania moment in 2020 due to the pandemic, Drew has become a heel and is fighting to validate his title run.
• On Drew: “Regardless... he's the one holding the WWE Championship, and you're going to have to peel it from his cold, dead hands.” – Sam (13:12)
• Megan and Sam go back-and-forth: While Sami’s underdog story is compelling, both end up favoring Drew to retain ("I think Drew’s breaking hearts. I don't think Sami Zayn’s getting that title at the Royal Rumble." – Sam, 14:40).

Gunther vs. AJ Styles: Career vs. Title

Background: AJ Styles’ career is on the line against the seemingly unstoppable Gunther.

• Megan expresses dread: "I feel like this could be it for AJ Styles... How can you argue any other way when it's Gunther?" (18:50)
• The hosts run through every possible schmozz and false hope but agree: Gunther feels “inevitable.” Sam: “You do do that sometimes. I’m getting emotionally ready to be upset.” (23:57)
• The emotional sting after Gunther’s high-profile victories in 2025: "He took away my childhood. I’ll always remember that as a kid, watching Gunther make John Cena tap out.” – Sam (24:25)
• Neither host can bring themselves to definitively pick against Gunther, acknowledging the emotional weight if AJ loses.

Women’s Royal Rumble: Field Analysis & Scenarios

• The women’s field is overflowing with former champs, rising stars, and powerhouse threats—Rhea Ripley, Liv Morgan, EO Sky, Tiffany Stratton, Charlotte, Nia Jax, Lash Legend, and more.
• Potential for a “powerhouse performance”: “You can't not talk about Nia Jax and Lash Legend. Just her size alone gives her such an advantage in this match.” – Megan (28:24)
• Tag team dynamics and possible alliances breaking down are an ongoing theme: “There’s no friends once you get into the Royal Rumble at some point.” – Megan (28:49)
• Becky Lynch’s “lone wolf” status: “She doesn’t have any friends.” – Megan (34:41)
• Both hosts ultimately predict Liv Morgan to win: “That’s my pick too. I really think Liv Morgan’s winning this.” – Sam (37:48). Megan singles out Liv’s comeback story and hunger.

Men’s Royal Rumble: Overflowing with Possibilities

• The hosts list an ocean of potential winners: Cody, Braun Breaker, Brock Lesnar, Gunther, Roman Reigns, Jacob Fatu, LA Knight, and more (39:34).
• Surprise and unannounced entries—Oba Femi, Seth Rollins (injured?), legends, and NXT talent—keep things fluid and open.
• Sam is fixated on the possibility of Roman Reigns returning in dominant fashion: “I want Roman Reigns to get 29 eliminations. I want Roman Reigns to just be complete return to form.” (51:08)
• Megan is resigned to Gunther possibly crushing everyone’s hopes: “There is nobody right now that can stop Gunther.” (53:16)
• Discussion of how a Gunther win could set up rematches with Sami Zayn or CM Punk, or even pave way for Brock vs. Drew or Roman in the main event.
• Sam’s favorite fantasy: “I want Roman Reigns’ reign to be beat by Roman Reigns. That’s what I want. That’s my prediction. That’s what I want for the Royal Rumble.” (52:40)

Notable Quotes and Moments

• On unpredictability:
  “Every time I have this conversation... you’re finding different theories, different ideas... It’s really, really fun.” – Sam (02:57)

• AJ Styles’ emotional reality:
  “He said, my last year is 2026. No one on the planet has ever been like, ‘My last year is 2026.’” – Sam (20:10)

• Gunther’s dominance:
  “You bring up Gunther, he’s inevitable.” – Megan (19:34)
  “He took away my childhood… watching Gunther make John Cena tap out.” – Sam (24:25)

• On Royal Rumble party traditions and stakes:
  “Royal Rumble parties are the best.” – Megan (16:19)
  “You also got to come correct… get your Royal Rumble gear at Fanatics…” – Sam (16:23) [ad plug removed]

• Women’s division insight:
  “Liv and Roxanne, they were on our show... and Liv said that Roxanne was her young. That she was like a mentor, and to Roxanne...” – Sam (31:06)
  “I think Roxanne’s ready for it now. I don’t think she’s wanting to sit under a learning tree...” – Sam (32:22)

• On Becky Lynch:
  “You know why Becky Lynch has a leg up? She doesn’t have any friends.” – Megan (34:41)

• Men’s Rumble possibilities:
  “You have to believe, because we don’t have anywhere near 30 women announced for this match yet. You gotta believe that the surprises that Triple H is talking about are not limited to one Rumble match.” – Sam (26:14)

• On Gunther as a menacing presence:
  “I told you I like your scenario better than mine.” – Megan (56:00)

• Roman Reigns’ potential return:
  “What I want more than anything is for Roman Reigns to go back to smashing them and stacking them.” – Sam (51:02)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:01] Show open, Royal Rumble weekend excitement
• [04:46] WWE Championship: Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn deep-dive
• [17:08] Gunther vs. AJ Styles – emotional stakes, predictions
• [25:56] Women’s Royal Rumble entrants, surprise possibilities, tag team drama
• [31:03] Tag teams and alliances in the Women’s Rumble
• [34:37] Becky Lynch’s isolation and edge
• [39:28] Men’s Royal Rumble rundown, wild-card picks, and scenarios
• [50:33] Sam’s Roman Reigns fantasy booking
• [53:01] Megan’s Gunther nightmare scenario
• [54:46] Gunther’s list of victims and title aspirations
• [56:04] Final thoughts and episode close

Tone and Style

The conversation is high-energy, light-hearted, and often self-deprecating or humorous, especially when dealing with emotionally fraught predictions (AJ’s possible retirement or Gunther’s unstoppable run). Both hosts blend insightful analysis with fan-level anticipation and empathy, alternating between bold fantasy booking and realistic, sometimes somber takes ("I'm getting emotionally ready to be upset." – Megan, 23:57).

Summary of Predictions

WWE Championship: Both favor Drew McIntyre to retain, despite compelling arguments for Sami Zayn.
AJ vs. Gunther: Gunther widely seen as inevitable winner, possibly ending AJ’s career.
Women’s Rumble: Both call Liv Morgan as their pick, with Becky Lynch singled out as a serious threat.
Men’s Rumble: Sam’s heart is with Roman Reigns returning in dominant fashion; Megan sees Gunther as the unstoppable force. Surprise wins (Cody, LA Knight, Oba Femi, Brock Lesnar, Jacob Fatu) are acknowledged as in play.

For Non-Listeners: Why This Matters

If you missed the episode, you now know:

• Why the 2026 Royal Rumble is considered wildly unpredictable.
• What emotional narratives are driving the major matches.
• Who the expert pundits and the fanbase are seeing as favorites, dark horses, and emotional favorites—and why.
• That both hosts love analyzing every angle, aren’t afraid of unhappy possibilities (see Gunther), and balance hope and realism, with plenty of quotable moments and passionate discussion.