With WWE shaking up its title landscape early in 2026, anticipation is high for the Royal Rumble PLE and the ensuing Road to WrestleMania 42. Fans and insiders alike are eager to see what the creative direction under Triple H will bring to this year’s main event, but some rematches may be premature for the grandest stage. This article examines five potential WrestleMania 42 rematches that many believe should be postponed to preserve their impact and freshness.
Reconsidering Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar’s Clash
Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar’s storyline heated up during the build toward the Men’s WarGames Match at Survivor Series, where Reigns served as a counterbalance to Lesnar’s dominance. While this has sparked rumors about another showdown at WrestleMania, Reigns and Lesnar have already faced off three times on WWE’s biggest event. Given this history, another encounter between these two titans so soon may feel redundant.
Delaying the Women’s World Championship Triple Threat Rematch
Stephanie Vaquer currently holds the Women’s World Championship, fending off challengers Nikki Bella and Raquel Rodriguez in a recent Triple Threat match. Although Vaquer retained her title, Rodriguez continues to pursue her relentlessly. However, Vaquer is managing an injury, and Nikki Bella has taken a break from television, making this feud unsettled at the moment. Booking another triple threat so rapidly at WrestleMania risks the storyline feeling rushed before all competitors are fully prepared.
Holding Off on a Rematch Between Gunther and AJ Styles
Gunther and AJ Styles delivered a highly competitive contest on recent Monday Night RAW, with Gunther securing victory through clever tactics. Despite the controversial ending fueling chatter about revisiting the rivalry at WrestleMania, many believe that extending this feud to the event would be premature. The conclusion of their current chapter should be evaluated carefully before elevating it to WWE’s showcase.
Why Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre Should Not Return at WrestleMania
Drew McIntyre claimed the Undisputed WWE Championship in a brutal Three Stages of Hell Match against Cody Rhodes on SmackDown, aided by Jacob Fatu’s interference during the final stage. This marked their third meeting, yet scheduling a fourth bout for WrestleMania may not be ideal. With additional characters like the Samoan Werewolf in play, pursuing fresh rivalries for the Las Vegas event might offer more compelling narratives than revisiting this already well-trodden path.
Putting a Pause on Another Reigns vs. Rhodes Main Event
Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes shared a tense moment at Survivor Series: WarGames, convincing many fans that a WrestleMania rematch was on the horizon. However, given they have headlined two consecutive WrestleManias, urging a third consecutive main event clash could diminish excitement. Allowing time for the rivalry to breathe before a potential rubber match seems prudent for maintaining anticipation.
These five rematches, while exciting, illustrate the delicate balance WWE must strike between leveraging established feuds and introducing fresh storylines. Fans expecting WrestleMania 42 rematch delays on major rivalries may see WWE opting instead to build new tensions and payoffs as the road to WrestleMania unfolds under Triple H’s direction.
