WWE has confirmed Cody Rhodes as a participant in a major match at WrestleMania 42, scheduled to take place in Las Vegas. This announcement comes as the buildup intensifies for the event, with Cody Rhodes set to compete in a high-stakes showdown linked to the Undisputed WWE Championship. This matchup is shaping up as one of the marquee attractions for the biggest wrestling event of the year, featuring Rhodes in the spotlight once again.
Current Matchups Enhance WrestleMania’s Growing Anticipation
Leading into WrestleMania 42, WWE fans are closely following several significant contests that have already been arranged. Liv Morgan, after winning the 2026 Women’s Royal Rumble, has pledged to challenge Stephanie Vaquer for the Women’s World Championship. Meanwhile, Roman Reigns, the male Royal Rumble winner, is positioned to vie for the World Heavyweight Championship against the victor of the CM Punk versus Finn Balor match taking place at the upcoming Elimination Chamber event.
The men’s Elimination Chamber winner will also challenge Drew McIntyre, who currently holds the Undisputed WWE Championship. This setup is part of a broader narrative that has WWE fans speculating about how the championship picture will unfold at WrestleMania 42.
Ongoing Uncertainties Surround Rhodes vs. McIntyre Showdown
Despite confirmation of Cody Rhodes facing Drew McIntyre, reports indicate some dissatisfaction behind the scenes with this being a straightforward singles match. WWE insiders have noted frustration because Rhodes and McIntyre have already contested four singles matches since September 2025, including two pay-per-view events and appearances on SmackDown and Saturday Night’s Main Event. The repetition has raised concerns about predictability in the storyline.
Potential Addition of Jacob Fatu to the WWE Championship Match
Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Newsletter revealed that Jacob Fatu might be introduced to the title match, potentially turning it into a triple threat contest. Meltzer emphasized that WWE is reportedly not considering matches with more than three participants for this encounter, keeping the focus tight. Although other wrestlers such as Randy Orton or Sami Zayn have been mentioned as possibilities, nothing beyond three competitors is currently being discussed.
The other talk regards McIntyre’s WWE title match. It’s a virtual lock Rhodes would be involved in that. Whether it’s a singles match or a three-way with Jacob Fatu, or even more that would involve Randy Orton, Sami Zayn or others is unclear, and may not even be finalized. What we have been told is that a match involving more than three people is not being talked about right now.
— Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Newsletter
My impression is that this has already been decided even though plans for the rest of the show are being rewritten. There has been frustration that the original plans were ditched and the idea of McIntyre vs. Rhodes has been questioned as a single because it’s too predictable and is what people expect.
— Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Newsletter
Implications for WrestleMania 42 and WWE’s Title Scene
The confirmation of Cody Rhodes in this critical title match highlights WWE’s intention to maintain his position as a top contender. However, the ongoing discussions and tweaks signal that creative adjustments are still underway to elevate the excitement of WrestleMania 42’s championship bouts. Adding Jacob Fatu could inject fresh dynamics into the storyline, reducing predictability and keeping fans engaged. As WrestleMania approaches, further announcements regarding the match format and participants are highly anticipated, potentially shaping the future of WWE’s championship divisions.
