As Roman Reigns has confirmed CM Punk as his competitor for WWE WrestleMania 42, speculation rises about who will face Drew McIntyre at the event known as The Showcase of the Immortals. Fans eagerly await Drew McIntyre WrestleMania challengers, as the Undisputed WWE Champion remains a pivotal figure in the title scene.
Potential Challenger: Cody Rhodes
Cody Rhodes stands out as a strong contender to wrestle Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 42. During the Men’s Royal Rumble match, McIntyre eliminated Rhodes after launching a brutal attack. Their rivalry has depth, given that McIntyre took the championship from Rhodes, yet a rematch has not been scheduled. This unfinished business makes Rhodes a likely candidate to challenge McIntyre for the title on the grand stage.
The Return Threat: Jacob Fatu
Jacob Fatu, known as The Samoan Werewolf, recently made his comeback on SmackDown and has been involved in conflicts with both Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes. McIntyre’s participation in the Men’s Royal Rumble even influenced Fatu’s elimination. Prior to that, McIntyre decisively defeated Fatu and Rhodes in a tag match on Saturday Night’s Main Event. These events position Fatu as a potential WrestleMania challenger, either in a one-on-one bout or part of a Triple Threat match including McIntyre and Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
A Surprise Contender: Oba Femi
Although less likely, Oba Femi could emerge as a powerful challenger for Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 42. The Nigerian star showed dominance in the Men’s Royal Rumble and further impressed by overwhelming The War Raiders on RAW following the Saudi Arabia event. Should Femi transition fully to SmackDown, a championship match against McIntyre could be on the horizon this year.
Veteran Rival: Randy Orton
WWE veteran Randy Orton, known as The Viper, has been signaling his intent for a world title shot recently. Despite setbacks—in a Fatal Four-Way at Saturday Night’s Main Event and the Royal Rumble itself—Orton remains in contention. The current creative team, led by Triple H, could pit Orton against other contenders at the upcoming Elimination Chamber event to determine the official number one contender. A win there would set up a marquee match with McIntyre at WrestleMania 42, potentially restoring Orton to a main event spotlight.
With several intense rivalries brewing and a mix of returning stars and established veterans, Drew McIntyre’s path to WrestleMania is shaping up to be fiercely contested. The selection of his challenger will significantly impact the championship landscape heading into WWE’s biggest event of the year, promising a high-stakes showdown at The Showcase of the Immortals.
“As most would expect, right now the plan for WrestleMania is Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk and Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre. Jacob Fatu could be added to that match.”
– Dave Meltzer
(@WONF4W Daily Update) pic.twitter.com/IfhtGppjkn— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) February 2, 2026
