The 2026 Royal Rumble is set to make history on Saturday, January 31, as the event emanates from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking the first time the show has been held outside of North America. As the WWE promotional machine takes over the King Abdullah Financial District, eagle-eyed observers have noticed some interesting faces on the local advertising.
NXT Talent Front and Center
According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, several NXT standouts are featured prominently on billboards outside the new venue. The advertising includes Thea Hail, Tatum Paxley, Lola Vice, and current NXT Champion Ethan Page. Additionally, former champion Oba Femi appears on the signage, fueling rumors that his main roster call-up is imminent.
“NXT wrestlers Thea Hail, Tatum Paxley, Ethan Page, and Lola Vice are all featured on the billboard outside of the venue promoting the Royal Rumble… The likes of Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar are on the billboard too, although their inclusion will not come as a surprise since they are featured prominently on the poster for the event.”
A History of Rumble Appearances
While advertising is always subject to change, the inclusion of developmental talent is consistent with recent history. NXT stars have become staples of the Rumble matches over the last few years. In 2025, names like Roxanne Perez, Lash Legend, and Stephanie Vaquer made their mark in the women’s match, while Bron Breakker and Carmelo Hayes represented the brand in 2024. With the event taking place internationally, WWE appears keen to showcase its future stars alongside legends like Reigns and Lesnar to a global audience.
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