Despite the upcoming Elimination Chamber event, WWE launched its Road to WrestleMania with the 2026 Royal Rumble, where Roman Reigns and Liv Morgan emerged victorious. However, several booking decisions and scheduling choices have already caused frustration among fans, making the buildup to WrestleMania 42 complicated and problematic.
Overlooking the Importance of WWE Championships
One major issue discovered late in 2025 was the apparent neglect of WWE titles after Jade Cargill and Dominik Mysterio won their championships in November. Cargill held the WWE Women’s Championship without defending it for over three months until a recent SmackDown appearance, while Mysterio vanished after reclaiming the Intercontinental title at Survivor Series: WarGames. Neither champion engaged in title defenses, with Mysterio instead appearing in qualifiers for the Elimination Chamber on RAW, revealing a disregard for the visibility and value of these championships.
Returnees from the Royal Rumble Fade Out Quickly
WWE’s handling of Royal Rumble returnees posed another baffling decision. Royce Keys debuted in the Rumble, lasting close to ten minutes before elimination, but received no follow-up appearances on WWE programming. Brie Bella was the sole surprise entrant in the Women’s Rumble and appeared on the subsequent RAW episode with the Bellas claiming their legacy as “the original tag team” in the women’s division. Yet, the Women’s Tag Team Champions went missing soon after, appearing only as participants in Elimination Chamber qualifiers rather than being featured defending their titles, raising questions about WWE’s direction in building meaningful storylines for returning stars.
Extended Gap Between Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania Creates Momentum Problems
Since Triple H assumed creative control, WWE’s event scheduling has suffered, particularly the unusually long six-week break between the Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania 42. Instead of maintaining a steady flow of Pay-Per-View Events (PLEs) monthly, WWE introduced Saturday Night’s Main Event right before major shows but did not fill the long gap between the two biggest events with additional content. As a result, fans face an excessive period dominated by promos without fresh matches or storyline breakthroughs. Moving the Elimination Chamber to mid-March or utilizing Saturday Night’s Main Event more effectively could alleviate this stagnant period.
Roman Reigns’ Royal Rumble Win and Subsequent Plans Stir Controversy
Choosing Roman Reigns to claim his second Royal Rumble victory over a first-time winner has caused debate, especially considering his immediate selection of CM Punk and the World Heavyweight Championship as his next target on RAW, despite having previously downplayed the title’s importance. Reports indicated that Reigns would take February off after the Rumble and not compete until after Elimination Chamber, raising questions about the logic of his booking. If he was unavailable to compete during the month, fans wonder why the storyline did not allow him to win the Chamber instead. This decision also diminishes intrigue around Punk’s title defense against Finn Balor at the Chamber, given that officials are unlikely to book Punk to lose before a major event.
Repetition of Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 42
Cody Rhodes‘ involvement in Elimination Chamber qualifiers despite an existing contract clause barring him from title shots while Drew McIntyre is champion has further muddied the waters. The American Nightmare, a top WWE star, is heavily favored to win the Chamber, which would once again set him against McIntyre, continuing a rivalry that has already seen four title matches. This recurring feud has dragged on since an August tag team match involving Logan Paul and John Cena, and a fifth showdown would risk exhausting fan interest.
Such choices highlight WWE’s creative shortcomings during the Road to WrestleMania, leaving fans uneasy about the coming months.
Implications for WWE’s WrestleMania Build-Up
The decisions made so far on the Road to WrestleMania 2026 reveal significant challenges for WWE’s storytelling and event pacing. Questionable title booking, missed opportunities with returnees, extended downtime between major events, and repetitive rivalries all contribute to a buildup that increasingly risks losing fan engagement. How WWE addresses these issues moving forward will play a crucial role in the success of WrestleMania 42 and the company’s broader narrative momentum.
