Roman Reigns, after securing victory in the men’s Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, now faces a pivotal choice for WrestleMania 42: challenging either Drew McIntyre for the Undisputed WWE Championship or CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship. This decision emerges amidst tensions and developing storylines involving several WWE superstars, setting the stage for an intense and uncertain road to the biggest event at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas this April.
Roman Reigns’ Royal Rumble Triumph and the Championship Decision
Roman Reigns outlasted all competitors, including Gunther, to claim his second Royal Rumble victory. This win grants him the right to challenge for any major title at WrestleMania 42, positioning him between two major champions: Drew McIntyre, who holds the Undisputed WWE Championship, and CM Punk, the current World Heavyweight Champion. Reigns’ potential rivalry with Punk would mark a rematch, as the two previously faced off in the main event of WrestleMania 41 Night 1, though both were defeated by Seth Rollins. Despite displays of animosity at Survivor Series: War Games, Reigns and Punk have only met once on television in a singles match back in 2014, making this possible matchup at WrestleMania highly anticipated.
Meanwhile, Drew McIntyre, now defending the Undisputed WWE Championship, successfully overcame Sami Zayn in a grueling contest. McIntyre’s resilience keeps his title reign intact as he appears to be a formidable contender headed to Allegiant Stadium. However, his actions during the Royal Rumble—specifically delivering a Claymore Kick to Cody Rhodes as Rhodes attempted to avoid elimination—may have stirred tension that could lead to Rhodes seeking another championship chance.
Liv Morgan’s Women’s Royal Rumble Victory and The Judgement Day’s Future
On the women’s side, Liv Morgan claimed her first Royal Rumble win in a chaotic finale that included eliminating her own teammate Raquel Rodriguez of The Judgement Day. Morgan’s victory marks a significant turning point, as she is likely to challenge the current Women’s World Champion, Stephanie Vaquer, at WrestleMania. However, the ongoing rivalry between Vaquer and Rodriguez, who will face off in a Philadelphia Street Fight on Raw, adds complexity to Morgan’s path.
The elimination of Rodriguez by Morgan during the match signals possible fractures within The Judgement Day faction, which had worked closely throughout the Royal Rumble. Morgan’s shoulder injury, which temporarily sidelined her, had previously interrupted her tag team run with Rodriguez, highlighting the unpredictable dynamics within the group heading into WrestleMania.
Unexpected Upheavals and Rising Talents in the Royal Rumble
Bron Breakker, once favored to win the men’s Royal Rumble, was unexpectedly eliminated in under a minute by Oba Femi. Following this elimination, a masked attacker assaulted Breakker with a move reminiscent of Seth Rollins’ signature stomp before disappearing into the crowd. With Rollins inactive due to a shoulder injury after being betrayed by Breakker and The Vision last October, their potential reunion—especially if Rollins returns—could lead to a high-stakes confrontation involving Paul Heyman, representing the most significant match of Breakker’s career.
Tag team drama also surfaced when Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, the first two entrants in the women’s Royal Rumble, avoided conflict until Flair accidentally eliminated Bliss. A similar scenario happened within The Kabuki Warriors, where Kairi Sane unintentionally removed Asuka from the match. These accidental eliminations may sow seeds of tension ahead of WrestleMania.
Newer stars like Sol Ruca and Lash Legend showed promise during the match. Legend notably eliminated the Bella Twins (Nikki and Brie), Flair, and Iyo Sky, the latter’s exit potentially setting up Legend and her partner Nia Jax as contenders for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship.
Championship Landscape and Uncertain Challenges on SmackDown
The situation surrounding WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill remains unsettled. She defended her title against Tiffany Stratton in November, and with Stratton’s return from injury, a rematch could be arranged for either the Elimination Chamber or WrestleMania. Meanwhile, Bianca Belair, the former champion sidelined by a hand injury since last year’s WrestleMania, could make a comeback, creating a possible rivalry with Cargill given their history as former tag team partners.
On the men’s side of SmackDown, Sami Zayn’s prospects appear unclear. Though he recently lost to McIntyre, there is no obvious path for Zayn toward a world championship shot. Instead, he may compete for the United States Championship in a multi-competitor scenario as he seeks to climb back into the title scene amid a crowded field.
Gunther’s Rising Dominance and the Retirement of AJ Styles
Gunther continued his momentum by defeating AJ Styles, who was forced to retire due to the loss. This marks the third legendary wrestler Gunther has retired consecutively, following Bill Goldberg and John Cena. Gunther, nicknamed the “Career Killer,” finished as the runner-up in the men’s Royal Rumble and is expected to be featured in a significant WrestleMania bout. Potential opponents include Brock Lesnar or Randy Orton, the “Legend Killer.” A Gunther vs. Lesnar match could also be a compelling attraction for SummerSlam in Minneapolis, Lesnar’s college hometown. If Lesnar’s career is indeed nearing its end, Gunther is poised to play a central role in a possible retirement match.
AJ Styles’ WWE career likely concluded with this defeat, as he succumbed to the sleeper hold that also ended Cena’s tenure last December. Despite showing his trademark moves and tenacity, Styles passed out in the ring to the hold. The crowd responded with heartfelt appreciation, and after briefly contemplating leaving his gloves in the ring as a symbol of retirement, Styles reversed that decision and thanked the fans. Whether Styles will return for more in-ring competition elsewhere remains an open question, but his decade-long WWE journey, which began at the 2016 Royal Rumble, leaves numerous dream match possibilities unfulfilled.
What Lies Ahead on the Road to WrestleMania 42
The looming question remains: who will be Roman Reigns’ opponent at WrestleMania 42? Choosing Drew McIntyre could continue a heated reign for the Undisputed WWE Championship, especially with the brewing rivalry involving Cody Rhodes. Opting to face CM Punk would rekindle a feud filled with unresolved tension and history. Both options guarantee a high-stakes main event befitting the grandeur of WrestleMania.
Simultaneously, Liv Morgan’s ascension in the women’s division, the unpredictable dynamics with The Judgement Day, and Gunther’s relentless rise all contribute to a highly volatile and intense period for WWE superstars. As alliances shift and rivalries reignite, the WWE universe faces an anxious and emotionally charged buildup to WrestleMania, promising thrilling matches and unexpected outcomes.
The developments following the Royal Rumble set the stage for dramatic storytelling and career-defining moments across the roster. Fans will be watching closely as these conflicts unfold, shaping the next chapter for WWE’s biggest names and potentially altering the landscape of sports entertainment in 2026.
