WWE may have just tipped its hand ahead of the 2026 mens Royal Rumbleand fans watching the international feed caught it live.
During todays SmackDown broadcast from Riyadh, Saudi Arabiastreamed internationally on Netflixa production slip-up may have revealed that Bron Breakker is set to enter the Royal Rumble at #1.
While airing entrances for the Axiom vs Johnny Gargano match, a nameplate graphic briefly flashed on-screen showing Bron Breakker as the #1 Entrant in the 30-man match. The graphic appeared to be part of WWEs official production assets for tomorrows Rumble event.
This broadcast only aired live internationally via Netflix. U.S. fans wont see this version, as SmackDown will run on USA Network at 8pm ET in its usual delayed timeslot.
So was it a mistake? Maybe. WWE could easily pivot last-minute or claim it was a placeholder. But given the timing and official format of the nameplate, it seems very likely that Breakker is being set up to open the match.
If true, its a big spotlight for the second-generation star and current NXT breakout. Breakker would join the ranks of past ironman entrants like Shawn Michaels, Chris Benoit, and Gunther, who famously started at #1 and went the distance.
Will WWE stick with the leaked plan? Or will they change it to maintain the element of surprise? Either way, Bron Breakkers Rumble story just got a lot more interesting.
Do you think Bron Breakker will enter at #1 and go the distance? Or was this just a production mistake WWE will walk back? Sound off in the comments.
