Cody Rhodes, Liv Morgan and Most Likely Heel, Face Turns at WWE Royal Rumble 2026

For the first time in Royal Rumble history, WWE will host the event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in a newly constructed stadium in the King Abdullah Financial District.

Few events in WWE have a greater impact on WrestleMania than the men's and women's Rumble matches, crowning two No. 1 contenders and setting up new stories on the road to The Show of Shows.

In order to deliver major hype for WrestleMania 42, this is a night that will deliver plenty of massive surprises including memorable turns.

The following are the four potential heel and face turns for the 2026 Royal Rumble.

Heel: Cody Rhodes

One year ago on the road to WrestleMania 41, WWE first teased turning Cody Rhodes heel, but it never felt like the right move.

On the road to WrestleMania 42, though, it may be a far more realistic option.

The American Nightmare lost his Undisputed WWE Championship due to interference from fan favorite Jacob Fatu, who was previously taken out by a mystery assailant.

The Samoan Werewolf has issues with both new champion Drew McIntyre and Rhodes, indicating one of them had been responsible for the attack that had sidelined him.

If The American Nightmare was the one to injure Fatu, it would push The American Nightmare into a heel role going forward.

Their first match at Saturday Night's Main Event was inconclusive due to the interference of McIntyre, but they will both compete in the men's Rumble match on Saturday.

Both could win the contest this year and look to challenge The Scottish Warrior, and what they are willing to do to win will further tease their WrestleMania direction.

There is no guarantee any of this will play out to turn Rhodes, but it is one of the most intriguing stories in WWE right now.

Face: Liv Morgan

Craig Melvin/WWE via Getty Images

The Judgment Day is on the verge of a dramatic change, but who will stay in the group and who will be kicked out is less certain.

At present, the most obvious answer is Roxanne Perez turning against Liv Morgan, which could come in the form of an elimination in the women's Rumble match.

The Prodigy has started to team up with Morgan over Raquel Rodriguez, but that could be a red herring, setting the stage for a massive Judgment Day change.

Rodriguez has also grown more distant from her longtime friend and could be looking to make a statement at the expense of Morgan.

No matter who does turn against her, Morgan will likely be the one who changes the most, turning face for the first time in years to combat her own faction's betrayal.

Heel: Randy Orton

Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty Images

It is rare that Randy Orton remains a babyface in WWE, but his recent return seemed to indicate he will remain a fan favorite for a while longer.

However, The Viper has looked directionless since that return because he does not have strong rivals set up on the Road to WrestleMania.

WWE will not let Orton miss The Show of Shows, though, and one way to get everyone talking about him again would be a heel turn, costing a well-liked babyface such as Sami Zayn, Rey Mysterio or Roman Reigns the men's Rumble match.

There is no strong hint at present that The Viper will do this, but there is also no suggestion of a particular direction for him.

Orton has just always thrived more as the antagonist and needs a fresh foundation again.

Face: Bron Breakker

The biggest stable in WWE right now feels completely irrelevant outside of lead man Bron Breakker.

The Badass has made himself popular with his impressive work inside the ring, and he inches ever closer to winning the top prize in WWE.

However, he does not fit with the current direction of The Vision. Paul Heyman has made so much of the group's run without Seth Rollins about himself.

Bronson Reed and Austin Theory are an inconsistently building tag team that needs memorable wins to get over.

Logan Paul rarely likes to stand in anyone's shadow, especially because it has left him as a forgettable side character at present.

That could all change if The Vision teams up against Breakker in the men's Rumble, helping Paul stand tall over him.

The Maverick can be The Vision's top heel threat, possibly even winning the men's Rumble, and Breakker can become the face destroyer that best suits his talent.

Heel: Alexa Bliss

Chloe Baujean/WWE via Getty Images

Alexa Bliss or Charlotte Flair turning against each other has been a possibility for months, but it has never felt more likely than going into the Royal Rumble.

The two women are out of the title picture and looking to make a lasting mark in 2026.

While it would be best for them to rally and push their way back into Women's Tag Team Championships contention, a feud between the two would still be money for WrestleMania season.

Either woman could turn, but Flair has never felt more natural as a babyface than in this current run.

Bliss, meanwhile, has teased that she may be getting desperate for success, which could come at the expense of The Queen.