As Roman Reigns faced Cody Rhodes at Survivor Series last November, anticipation grew for a third encounter at WrestleMania. Following Reigns’ January victory at the Royal Rumble, which granted him the right to select his championship opponent, Rhodes reclaimed the Undisputed WWE Championship by defeating Drew McIntyre on SmackDown.
Instead of meeting directly in the ring, Rhodes and Reigns are now headlining separate matches at WrestleMania, shifting their competition to the event’s overall box office performance, highlighting the growing tension about who commands WWE’s biggest audience.
Determining WWE’s Leading Star
During Rhodes’ recent match on SmackDown, announcer Wade Barrett proclaimed,
“In 2026, Cody Rhodes is undeniably the biggest star in this industry.”
This statement sets the stage for a significant contest between Rhodes and Reigns, two of professional wrestling’s foremost figures, as they headline opposite nights of WrestleMania.
Reigns, fresh off his Royal Rumble win, opted to challenge CM Punk for the World Heavyweight title just two days later. Concurrently, Randy Orton emerged victorious in the men’s Elimination Chamber match, earning the chance to face Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship in Las Vegas.
Which match will serve as the main event for each night remains undecided, but this arrangement places the ticket sales and crowd size of each night under scrutiny as fans gauge which star still holds the greatest draw.
This WrestleMania marks Reigns’ first time returning as a challenger instead of champion since 2018, testing whether the Tribal Chief’s dominance can translate into a solo victory against a formidable opponent like Punk. Meanwhile, Rhodes prepares to defend the championship against Orton in a match that carries not only the weight of the title but also represents a deeply personal storyline involving former friends and mentor-mentee dynamics.
As the event approaches, the storytelling around these matches will be pivotal in shaping audience interest and ticket demand.
Influencing Factors That Could Shift the Outcome
Historically, WrestleMania’s second night has tended to outdraw the first since 2022, though attendance estimates have occasionally contradicted that trend, such as WrestleMania 38’s opener headlined by Stone Cold Steve Austin’s rare match against Kevin Owens.
Perceptions among fans often cast Night 2 as the true climactic event, bolstered by WWE positioning key moments to close the show, and ticket trackers like WrestleTix currently show Night 2 slightly ahead in ticket distribution.
Beyond scheduling, the appeal of each star’s opponent significantly impacts interest. Reigns’ adversary, CM Punk, matches his star power and is embracing a villainous role following a controversial comment about Reigns’ late father made on Raw.
This shift toward a darker character reminiscent of historic confrontations—such as Shawn Michaels versus Hulk Hogan at SummerSlam 2005—raises the stakes for Reigns, emphasizing his challenge to prove his solo strength.
Conversely, Randy Orton faces the challenge of portraying a villain against Rhodes, despite his status as a fan-favorite legend. Last year’s WrestleMania featured Rhodes opposing a heel John Cena, but Cena’s farewell appeal muted boos.
Rhodes might need to adopt a more antagonistic presence himself to enhance drama, as recent audience reactions have varied. Without a clear villain, their match risks feeling like a straightforward contest between two heroes, which may reduce excitement and ticket sales.
Finally, WWE could strategically add star power to the night with lagging sales to ensure full attendance, keeping the final box office winner uncertain.
The Larger Stakes Behind the Matchups
Although WWE benefits from dividing its top talent across two nights, the larger live audience each star attracts will serve as a lasting measure of influence and appeal. For Reigns, this contest offers a chance to solidify his legacy as the dominant Tribal Chief, sustaining his status as the industry’s benchmark.
For Rhodes, it is an opportunity to affirm Wade Barrett’s assertion that he is truly the biggest star in wrestling today, as Barrett stated,
“undeniably the biggest star in this industry.”
In storyline terms, both The OTC and “The American Nightmare” aim to leave Las Vegas with their respective championship belts. Beyond fiction, they compete for an unofficial title as the foremost box office attraction and the definitive face representing their era in professional wrestling.
WrestleMania Sunday
Sun • Apr 19, 2026 • 3:30 PM
Allegiant Stadium, LAS VEGAS, NVAvailable Tickets: 5,954
Available Combo Tickets: 869
Current Setup: 43,958
Tickets Distributed: 37,135📈 +763 since the last update (7 days ago)
📅 Days until show: 52
🔢 Total # of seats on… pic.twitter.com/ZH7MivCQz0— WrestleTix (@WrestleTix) February 27, 2026
