The Royal Rumble is known for shocking returns and unforgettable surprises—and this year’s event in Saudi Arabia might already have one of its biggest secrets accidentally spoiled. All signs are pointing to the return of a WWE Hall of Famer, and fans are buzzing with excitement.
Did Jackie Redmond Accidentally Reveal Nikki Bella’s Return?
WWE correspondent Jackie Redmond may have let the cat out of the bag. On her Instagram story, she posted a photo while flying to Riyadh for the Royal Rumble. The caption read, “The face of a girl who slept the entire 16 hours to Riyadh,” but what caught fans’ attention wasn’t the caption—it was the person sitting behind her.
The face behind the seat appears to be that of none other than Nikki Bella. While her full face isn’t visible, the resemblance is striking. Given Nikki’s history, ongoing involvement in recent WWE programming, and her established status as a Hall of Famer, the rumor mill kicked into overdrive.
Why a Nikki Bella Return Makes Perfect Sense
Nikki Bella hasn’t been a stranger to WWE TV lately. In late 2025, she became a regular fixture again—turning heel, feuding with major names like Becky Lynch and Liv Morgan, and even challenging Stephanie Vaquer for the Women’s World Championship.
Her last appearance was on the December 29, 2025 episode of Monday Night Raw, where she came up short in a Triple Threat match against Raquel Rodriguez and Vaquer. She also lost to Vaquer at Survivor Series in a hard-fought title match.
With so many connections still active and storylines potentially unresolved, Nikki showing up at the Royal Rumble wouldn’t just be a fun surprise—it would make total sense creatively.
Could Brie Bella Be Returning Too?
There’s always a twist when it comes to the Bella Twins. Some fans have speculated that the person behind Redmond might actually be Brie Bella, not Nikki. Brie has also been linked with a potential WWE return and has kept close ties to the company despite stepping back from full-time wrestling.
And let’s not forget—Nikki returned in last year’s Rumble as the final entrant in the Women’s match. WWE loves to outdo itself year after year, so a surprise return from both Bellas is very much on the table.
Chris Jericho Also Rumoured for a Rumble Return
It’s not just the women’s Royal Rumble drawing attention. On the men’s side, Chris Jericho, former World Heavyweight Champion and one of WWE’s most iconic stars, is also heavily rumoured to be making his return this weekend.
Jericho has spent the past six years with AEW, but there’s growing speculation that he may be ready for one last run in WWE, possibly starting at this year’s Royal Rumble in Riyadh. With his legendary status and WrestleMania season coming up, the timing would be perfect for Y2J to return.
What to Expect at the 2026 Royal Rumble
The Royal Rumble, set to air live from Saudi Arabia on ESPN and Netflix, already promises to be a must-watch event. Here’s what’s officially confirmed:
- Men’s Royal Rumble Match – Winner earns a title match at WrestleMania 42
- Women’s Royal Rumble Match – Same high stakes
- Sami Zayn vs Drew McIntyre – For the Undisputed WWE Championship
- Gunther vs AJ Styles – Styles must retire if he loses
- Becky Lynch – Also confirmed for the women’s Rumble, rumoured to face AJ Lee at WrestleMania
Now, with the likely return of Nikki Bella—and possibly even Brie—and a potential Jericho comeback, this Rumble could become one of the most talked-about events of the year.
