The Road to WrestleMania 42 is already shaping up to be unpredictable, especially for Cody Rhodes following his surprising defeat to Drew McIntyre on the January 9 episode of SmackDown in Berlin. This marks a rare moment where Rhodes is positioned as the challenger rather than the champion, intensifying anticipation around his next moves heading into the event in Las Vegas.
Potential Shift Toward a More Ruthless Persona for Cody Rhodes
Fans have long debated whether Cody Rhodes’ traditionally heroic, babyface character might undergo a significant change. Recent reports indicate a possible transformation where Rhodes adopts a more aggressive and desperate edge. This development is fueled in part by the hostile reaction he received from the German crowd after his title loss.
Rather than a full heel turn, this new iteration would add complexity to The American Nightmare’s persona by showing a sharper, more unrelenting side. There are also rumors connecting Rhodes to an unresolved mystery attack on Jacob Fatu from late last year, which could introduce a morally ambiguous layer to his storyline as he seeks to climb back to championship status.
High-Stakes Triple Threat Match Emerging as a Key Rivalry
The title change in Berlin also spotlighted the return of Jacob Fatu, who played a pivotal role in costing Rhodes the Undisputed WWE Championship. This interference reshaped the main event landscape and opened the door for a potential Triple Threat matchup involving Rhodes, McIntyre, and Fatu.
While a tournament is currently underway to determine contenders for a Fatal Four-Way match on Saturday Night’s Main Event, neither Rhodes nor Fatu is included in the competition, indicating a different path for their involvement. Should Drew McIntyre hold onto the title at the Royal Rumble, WWE may set the stage for a high-impact Triple Threat clash soon after.
This scenario would not only make use of Fatu’s growing popularity but also provide Rhodes a direct avenue to face the competitor responsible for his loss. Whether this match takes place at WrestleMania 42 or a significant event like Saturday Night’s Main Event, it promises to be a dynamic departure from a traditional one-on-one contest.
The Transitional Champion Strategy and the Anticipated Roman Reigns Trilogy
One of the leading theories around the current championship landscape is that Drew McIntyre functions as a transitional champion. According to reports, McIntyre’s reign is intended to support Rhodes’ character evolution and keep the title scene unpredictable.
The long-term vision appears to be centered on a decisive third encounter between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns, potentially climaxing at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas. This rubber match would settle their rivalry, with both competitors having one WrestleMania victory against each other. It could also headline Night Two of the event, creating a highly anticipated finish to their generational feud.
In preparation for this, either Rhodes or Reigns might regain the championship at a prior event such as the Elimination Chamber, setting the final chapter for their storied conflict and defining the main event narrative leading into ‘Mania 42.
AND NEW!!@DMcIntyreWWE DID IT!! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/A4YJhIbtkG
— WWE (@WWE) January 10, 2026
