As WWE gears up for the 2026 Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia, one familiar rule remains in place: WWE’s women superstars must follow Saudi Arabia’s modest dress code, requiring full body coverage during their matches and public appearances. Despite the progress WWE has made with women’s wrestling in the region, certain cultural norms are still non-negotiable.
This year’s women’s Royal Rumble match will take place under those guidelines, but it still promises to be one of the most anticipated bouts of the night.
Modesty Rules Still Apply for Women at Royal Rumble 2026
According to a report from Fightful, WWE’s female superstars will once again compete while wearing custom-made gear that fully covers their bodies in line with Saudi Arabia’s cultural expectations.
Interestingly, it’s also reported that the women themselves were responsible for designing and funding their attire to meet these requirements.
While this may sound limiting, it marks how far things have come. When WWE first partnered with Saudi Arabia in 2018, women weren’t even allowed to wrestle in the country.
A Look Back: How Women’s Wrestling Has Grown in Saudi Arabia
In 2019, WWE made history when Natalya and Lacey Evans competed at Crown Jewel, becoming the first women to wrestle in Saudi Arabia. At the time, they wore large baggy t-shirts over their gear to stay compliant with local rules.
Since then, the presentation has evolved. Superstars now wrestle in custom full-body suits designed for performance while respecting cultural guidelines. While the rules remain, the attire has become more professional and fitting for WWE’s presentation.
Women’s Royal Rumble 2026: Who’s In?
This year’s Royal Rumble will feature just one women’s match — the 30-woman Royal Rumble bout. The winner will go on to challenge for a championship at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas.
Confirmed and Expected Entrants:
- Rhea Ripley – a dominant force and former champion
- Iyo Sky – high-flying star with championship experience
- Becky Lynch – one of WWE’s biggest names, always a threat
Potential Surprise Entrants:
- Bianca Belair – strongly rumoured to return after a long hiatus in 2025
- Lita and Trish Stratus – Hall of Famers who’ve made Rumble cameos before
- The Bella Twins – crowd favourites with past Rumble experience
The women’s match is likely to be packed with surprises, returns, and high-stakes drama, even with the required wardrobe modifications.
WWE’s Growing Women’s Presence in Saudi Arabia
Over the past few years, WWE has gradually expanded the role of women in their Saudi Arabia shows, adding more matches and highlighting top stars like Sasha Banks, Bayley, and Charlotte Flair.
Though progress is slow and comes with compromises, the presence of women at high-profile events like the Royal Rumble shows WWE’s continued commitment to making change — even in places with strict limitations.
Royal Rumble 2026: Other Matches to Watch
In addition to the women’s Royal Rumble, several key matches have been announced:
- Men’s Royal Rumble Match – winner gets a title shot at WrestleMania
- Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn – for the Undisputed WWE Championship
- Gunther vs. AJ Styles – Styles’ career is on the line in a must-win match
How to Watch:
- International Streaming: Netflix
- US Broadcast: ESPN
- Start Time: Saturday afternoon (local time in Saudi Arabia)
