5 WWE stars who will miss the 2026 Royal Rumble

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Let’s take a look at five WWE stars who will miss the 2026 Royal Rumble:

#5. Sheamus

Sheamus is one of the veteran names who competed in several Royal Rumble matches in the past. However, The Celtic Warrior will miss this year’s edition of the annual event due to a shoulder injury. He was withdrawn from The Last Time is Now tournament due to that very incident in late 2025.

The nature of the injury was so severe that Sheamus had to undergo surgery last month. Well, injuries like that do take time for a full recovery and WWE doesn’t rush a return in such cases. Therefore, The Celtic Warrior will not be in the Royal Rumble 2026 as he is under rehabilitation.

#4. Piper Niven

Piper Niven has been away from WWE since August 2025 after suffering a serious neck injury on a taped show. Since then, she has been out of action with no update on her return timeline. Neck injuries have ended several superstars’ careers and are considered career-threatening in pro wrestling.

There is no way Niven is returning to WWE in early 2026. Therefore, she will miss the Royal Rumble this year. There are no chances of her making any surprise entrance in the Women’s Rumble Match. She is currently recovering from her neck injury, which might keep her status uncertain for a long time.

#3. Kevin Owens

One of the biggest names on the list to miss the 2026 Royal Rumble is Kevin Owens. The Prizefighter has been absent from in-ring action since April 2025, when he suffered a career-threatening neck injury. KO was involved in a blockbuster feud with Randy Orton, but the injury forced him to miss WrestleMania 41.

Kevin Owens underwent neck fusion surgery and has been out of in-ring action since then. There is currently no update on his return timeline and WWE has been giving Owens adequate time. The Prizefighter is expected to miss several premium live events, along with Royal Rumble this year.

#2. Zoey Stark

One of the top stars from the women’s division who will miss the 2026 Royal Rumble is Zoey Stark. The 31-year-old also became a victim of injury back in May 2025 when she tore her ACL, MCL and meniscus. Since then, Stark has been absent from the programming and she underwent surgery.

Zoey Stark has been in recovery for over seven months, with no indication of readiness for the Royal Rumble. Well, she is expected to return to the Stamford-based promotion by mid-2026 or by the end of the year. Hence, Stark will remain on the shelf for the upcoming months.

#1. Seth Rollins will miss Royal Rumble

Seth Rollins is the biggest name on this list, whose Royal Rumble dreams were shattered last year. The Visionary sustained a shoulder injury back in November after landing awkwardly during his match against Cody Rhodes. He is currently in his rehabilitation, recovering from the aftermath of the surgery.

Although Seth Rollins’ sling is off and he is doing much better now, there is still no chance of him being in the 2026 Royal Rumble. WWE is monitoring The Visionary’s situation closely without stressing on his return plans. Rollins could return to WWE by WrestleMania 42 period.