WrestleMania is WWE’s premier event where the highest stakes matches occur, including championship defenses. One anticipated main event for WrestleMania 42 is Drew McIntyre versus Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship. However, fan enthusiasm appears muted since these two wrestlers have battled repeatedly over the past six months, leading to diminishing excitement around their clash.
Their recent Three Stages of Hell match expanded this feud extensively, pushing its limits and leaving little space for natural escalation. This prolonged rivalry between Rhodes and McIntyre now risks feeling stagnant, and even adding new stipulations may not capture the audience’s interest for a marquee WrestleMania bout.
The Rock’s Return as a Catalyst for Storyline Revival
There is a strong belief among fans that the only figure capable of revitalizing the McIntyre-Rhodes feud at WrestleMania 42 is WWE legend The Rock. His history with Cody Rhodes offers an opportunity to introduce fresh drama and energy into this storyline. A surprise appearance from The Rock would likely electrify the audience and reframe the rivalry in a compelling new light.
For instance, The Rock could interrupt a Rhodes-McIntyre confrontation on SmackDown following the Elimination Chamber event, prompting a spectacular crowd reaction when his entrance theme plays. If The Rock then declares his support for Drew McIntyre as his chosen corporate champion, it would place Cody Rhodes in a challenging position, deepening the conflict.
The character of Cody Rhodes, known as The American Nightmare, could experience flashbacks of past encounters with The Rock, who once played a critical role in disrupting Rhodes’ efforts to complete his own story. This dynamic would cast McIntyre as an unwilling pawn, portraying Rhodes once more as the underdog hero, adding complexity to their continuing saga.
Such a development would infuse the storyline leading to WrestleMania 42 with renewed charisma and high stakes. The Rock’s involvement is widely viewed as a perfect solution to elevate what might otherwise be a fading match at The Showcase of the Immortals.
Why the Rhodes vs. McIntyre Feud Should Conclude at WrestleMania 42
The animosity between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre began in late August of last year and has been a central focus on WWE programming since then. Their intense rivalry has featured major matches on prominent shows, including Wrestlepalooza, Saturday Night’s Main Event, and the high-profile Three Stages of Hell match on SmackDown.
As WWE prepares for another high-stakes encounter between the two at WrestleMania 42, many believe that this storyline must reach its conclusion there. Extending the feud beyond WrestleMania risks exhausting the audience, especially when similar confrontations have already dominated SmackDown’s main event spots without meaningful new developments.
Given the length and intensity of the Rhodes-McIntyre conflict, WrestleMania represents the ideal platform for delivering closure. Historically, this event has been where WWE culminates its most significant rivalries, making it the logical and prestigious setting to end their saga.
Moreover, concluding this storyline at WrestleMania opens opportunities for WWE to refresh the SmackDown main event scene with new rivalries and emerging talent during the post-WrestleMania season. This transitional phase is critical for building fresh narratives that maintain fan interest throughout the year.
Potential Impact of Storyline Evolution on WWE Programming
The possibility of The Rock’s involvement adds anticipation for how WWE might change the direction of this rivalry and heighten interest going into WrestleMania 42. Introducing his influence could break the current stagnation and create unexpected tension between McIntyre and Rhodes, benefiting both performers and the overall show.
The renewed storyline intrigue would likely generate substantial buzz among fans and analysts alike, reinforcing WrestleMania 42 as a must-watch event. Beyond the immediate match, such a shift may also shape future character arcs and rivalries within WWE’s roster, positively impacting the company’s long-term storytelling approach.
CODY RHODES GETS THE JUMP ON DREW MCINTYRE!pic.twitter.com/rI961fZD2G
— WrestleTalk (@WrestleTalk_TV) February 7, 2026
