WWE has decided not to schedule the highly anticipated Roman Reigns WrestleMania trilogy match at WrestleMania 42 after Cody Rhodes lost the Undisputed WWE Championship to Drew McIntyre on Friday Night SmackDown. This unexpected title change has shifted WWE’s plans for the biggest event of the year.
Creative Shift Following Title Change
Insider reports from Wrestling Observer Radio reveal that Triple H and WWE’s creative team have removed the match between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes from this year’s WrestleMania, opting instead to push Drew McIntyre as the champion. The decision appears to be a strategic move to realign storylines after Rhodes’s defeat.
Challenges in Booking Two Fan Favorites Against Each Other
One challenge cited is that both Roman Reigns, known as the Undisputed Tribal Chief, and Cody Rhodes are currently portrayed as babyfaces, or the heroes, in WWE’s storyline framework. WWE typically prefers to pit a babyface against a heel to create clear-cut rivalries, which could explain why the match was postponed. The company might aim to build toward next year’s WrestleMania, where possibly one of the two could turn heel to heighten the drama.
Maintaining Wrestlers’ Momentum and Credibility
Both Reigns and Rhodes are among WWE’s top stars, and allowing either of them to suffer a significant loss now could damage their credibility and standing within the company. WWE’s roster has fewer marquee names than before, making it critical for these two athletes to maintain strong momentum and audience appeal.
Saving the Trilogy Clash for a Larger Stage
Given the strong history and high box office success of the two previous WrestleMania matches between Reigns and Rhodes, WWE may be preserving their third encounter for WrestleMania 43, which is scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia. This potential spotlight event could draw record-setting attention and revenue, making it a strategic payoff for the long-running rivalry.
WrestleMania 43 promises to be one of WWE’s largest events and holding this climactic match there would give it maximum impact, with Triple H’s creative team likely intending to build toward this moment to ensure a grand spectacle for wrestling fans worldwide.
