Drew McIntyre, the current Undisputed WWE Champion, faces a looming threat from one of his most formidable rivals, Roman Reigns. After being absent since Survivor Series last year, Reigns is expected to return to the WWE spotlight with intentions of reclaiming the top title. This anticipated showdown is centered around WrestleMania 42, with Reigns aiming to end McIntyre’s reign as champion.
Roman Reigns has not held the Undisputed WWE Championship since his defeat at the WarGames match, where he hinted at future pursuits of the title. With Cody Rhodes having lost the championship, Reigns is now shifting focus to McIntyre as a potential next challenger. Rumors suggest Reigns will win the Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia on January 31, 2026, setting the stage for this major clash.
History of Rivalry Highlights Roman Reigns’ Dominance
Reigns and McIntyre have faced off in five singles matches throughout their WWE careers, with Roman Reigns victorious in every encounter. The most recent meeting occurred at Clash at the Castle in 2022, where Reigns retained the WWE Championship after assistance from Solo Sikoa. McIntyre’s struggle to secure a win against Reigns adds tension to their potential WrestleMania rematch, raising questions about whether the Scottish Warrior can finally overcome the leader of the Bloodline.
Drew McIntyre’s Frustration Over WrestleMania Pitch Rejection
Earlier reports indicated McIntyre was unhappy with WWE management after his proposal for a WrestleMania feud against Roman Reigns was dismissed last year. The Scottish Warrior’s disappointment was compounded by his elimination from last year’s Royal Rumble in a manner he found unsatisfactory. According to Self Made Pro, McIntyre’s plans included portraying the “Bloodline Hunter” in a storyline aimed at taking down Reigns, which was ultimately not approved.
“Okay, so last year, Drew McIntyre was very p***** off at the Royal Rumble. Part of why he was mad was because his initial Mania pitches and creative kind of got turned down, which was like the Bloodline Hunter stuff that he really wanted to do. Drew McIntyre wanted to play the Bloodline and work Roman Reigns at WrestleMania. Between that and his Rumble elimination being as unceremonious as it was, Drew McIntyre was really upset last year.”
— Self Made Pro
Expectations for the Upcoming WrestleMania and Its Impact
If Roman Reigns secures the Royal Rumble victory as predicted, he will target Drew McIntyre’s Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42. This match holds significant weight, as it could finally mark the end of McIntyre’s undefeated streak against Reigns and shift the WWE landscape. The outcome may also influence future storylines involving the Bloodline faction and McIntyre’s role within WWE.
Fans and analysts alike await official confirmation from WWE regarding the booking of this anticipated encounter. Given McIntyre’s history of frustration and Reigns’ desire to reclaim dominance, WrestleMania 42 has the potential to be one of the most intense and dramatic events in recent WWE history.
