Summary

Kit Wilson said he believed he was heading for a spot in the 2026 men's Royal Rumble before plans changed on the day of the show.

While speaking on *What Do You Wanna Talk About?* with Cody Rhodes, Wilson described being disappointed after thinking the appearance was locked in. He said he came back the next day determined to stay visible and useful backstage instead of letting that frustration linger.

Wilson also said AJ Styles spoke with him during the situation. Not long after the Royal Rumble, Wilson was paired with The Miz on WWE television.

That kind of missed-break moment is familiar territory in WWE, and Wilson's story lines up with the same pressure other talent have described around making the most of a Royal Rumble opportunity, as seen in Royce Keys talking about his own debut nerves.

Quote from Kit Wilson

"I don't have to go too far behind the curtain, but there was a situation where I thought maybe it was a sure thing. Then, something happened, and I wasn't. That day, I was struggling with those emotions, which is okay because I'm not toxic. However, I do value your opinion and a lot of people's opinions. AJ talked to me that day as well. The next day, I came in with a smile on my face, which I always try to do, but I made an effort with a smile on my face, and I just worked in every which way possible. Not to put myself over, but I was doing the interviews, I put myself to use. I was working with the China social teams. That day, The Miz saw me two or three times in the middle of pushing for this, and I think that was the impetus for The Miz liking me."

What The Royal Rumble Setback Meant For Kit Wilson

Wilson's comments frame the Royal Rumble disappointment as a turning point rather than a dead end. In his telling, the decision to stay engaged backstage helped put him in front of The Miz repeatedly, and that mattered because Wilson said the pairing came together shortly after the event.

For WWE fans, that adds a little more context to how Wilson's on-screen position shifted after the Rumble. It does not confirm long-term creative plans, but it does show how one missed appearance still led to a different opening on television.

Sources

Kit Wilson on What Do You Wanna Talk About with Cody Rhodes