# Tommaso Ciampa Debuts in AEW, Royal Rumble Surprises Leaked, and Huge WWE Saudi Expansion: Wrestling News Roundup
It is a monumental week in the world of professional wrestling. As we head into the final days of January 2026, the industry is buzzing with massive roster shifts, shocking debuts, and high-stakes injury updates. From the fallout of *AEW Dynamite* to the final preparations for the *Royal Rumble* in Riyadh, here is everything you need to know for Thursday, January 29, 2026.
## Tommaso Ciampa Shocks the World with AEW Debut as the "Psycho Killer"
The landscape of All Elite Wrestling shifted last night on *Dynamite*. Following a grueling TNT Championship defense by Mark Briscoe against El Clon, the lights dimmed, and a familiar, haunting presence emerged. **Tommaso Ciampa** has officially arrived in AEW, but this isn't the Ciampa we saw in recent years—he has fully embraced his "Psycho Killer" persona.
In a chilling segment, Ciampa approached Briscoe and, rather than attacking, simply kissed him on the cheek—a terrifying callback to his most ruthless days in NXT. *Fightful Select* has confirmed that Ciampa is officially "All Elite" and is wasting no time getting to work; he is scheduled to challenge Mark Briscoe for the TNT Title this Saturday at *AEW Collision*.
## Royal Rumble 2026: Late-Breaking Travel Updates and Surprise Entrants
With the *Royal Rumble* set to take place this Saturday, January 31, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the rumor mill is spinning at maximum velocity. According to reports from *Fightful* and *PWInsider*, several names have been spotted traveling to the Kingdom:
* **Confirmed in Saudi Arabia:** LA Knight, Tiffany Stratton, and NXT standout Sol Ruca.
* **The Grayson Waller Swap:** Speculation is mounting that **Grayson Waller** will be a surprise entrant in the Men's Rumble. He was pulled from scheduled NXT house shows this weekend and replaced by Santos Escobar, a classic sign of a main roster call-up or special appearance.
* **The Jericho Situation:** Despite rumors of a WWE return fueled by fans noticing his absence from AEW TV, reports that WWE trademarked "Judas" have been debunked. Chris Jericho remains on the AEW roster page for now.
* **Injury Blows:** Unfortunately, it looks like **Kevin Owens** and **Seth Rollins** will miss the event, as both stars have reportedly failed to gain medical clearance for in-ring action.
## WWE Planning Massive Three-Event Expansion in Saudi Arabia for 2026
According to the latest *Wrestling Observer Newsletter*, the partnership between WWE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is reaching new heights. After scaling back to only one event in 2025, Dave Meltzer reports that WWE is locked in for **three Premium Live Events (PLEs)** in the Kingdom for 2026.
The *Royal Rumble* this Saturday is reportedly carrying a record-breaking site fee. With two additional major shows planned for later this year, insiders suggest WWE is on track for its most profitable financial year in the company's history.
## EVIL Departs NJPW; Rumors Swirl of a WWE Debut
New Japan Pro-Wrestling has officially confirmed that **EVIL** will not be re-signing with the company when his contract expires at the end of this month. This departure follows a trend of top NJPW talent seeking new horizons, following in the footsteps of Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu.
Rumors are intensifying that EVIL is heading straight to WWE. Many believe he could be the "wild card" entrant in the Men’s Royal Rumble match this Saturday. Former stablemate Tetsuya Naito recently told *Tokyo Sports* that the landscape of the "King of Sports" is shifting rapidly, especially following Naito's own departure in late 2025.
## AEW World Title "Contenders Series" Heats Up for Revolution
AEW is wasting no time setting the stage for *Revolution* in March. The "Contenders Series" tournament kicked off on *Dynamite* with a MOTY candidate that saw **Andrade El Idolo** defeat Swerve Strickland.
The road ahead is grueling: Andrade is now scheduled to face **Kenny Omega** on February 4. The winner of that blockbuster match will advance to *AEW Grand Slam Australia* to face the winner of the opposite bracket (rumored to feature Hangman Page) to determine MJF’s challenger for the World Title.
## Maki Itoh Signs with Stardom; Puts Career on the Line
In a move that has the Joshi world buzzing, **Maki Itoh** has officially signed a full-time contract with **Stardom**. However, her tenure could be incredibly short.
During a heated press conference in Tokyo, Itoh engaged in a war of words with Aya Sakura over who truly holds the title of the "cutest" wrestler. The stakes have been raised to the absolute limit: Itoh has vowed to **leave Stardom permanently** if she loses her debut match against Sakura at *Supreme Fight* in Osaka on February 7.
## Injury Report: Samoa Joe Out Indefinitely
Finally, some somber news from the AEW camp. AEW Press has confirmed that **Samoa Joe** suffered a non-contact injury during recent training sessions. While the promotion has not disclosed the specific nature of the injury (though rumors suggest a leg/Achilles issue), Joe is currently "not cleared for contact." He is expected to miss several months of action, including the upcoming *Grand Slam Australia* and *Revolution* events.
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**What do you think of today's news? Will Tommaso Ciampa win gold in his first week with AEW? Who is your pick to win the Royal Rumble this Saturday? Let us know in the comments below!**
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