WWE’s plans for a third match between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 42 appeared uncertain after Rhodes lost the Undisputed WWE Championship to Drew McIntyre on SmackDown last Friday. This unexpected title change led to speculation that the highly anticipated bout might be canceled, as WWE seemed to pivot toward a different storyline direction.
Originally, Rhodes was poised to defend the WWE Championship against Reigns, who is the likely winner of the Royal Rumble on January 31st. The American Nightmare had held the title since SummerSlam of the previous year, when he defeated John Cena to claim the championship.
However, recent updates from Ibou of Self-Made indicate that the Rhodes-Reigns match might still be in the cards. On Self Made Sessions, Ibou explained that Drew McIntyre would serve as an interim champion while Rhodes undergoes a character transformation, potentially moving toward a heel turn. This change is reportedly part of WWE’s broader storytelling strategy.
The shift in plans followed the return of Jacob Fatu, who played a pivotal role in Rhodes’ loss to McIntyre during a Three Stages of Hell match. Fatu initially attacked McIntyre and later clashed with Rhodes, creating chaos that helped McIntyre escape the steel cage for the win. Fatu was expected to maintain a tweener role amid ongoing uncertainty about whether Rhodes was responsible for attacking him some months earlier.
The underlying concept seemed to be that Reigns would eventually overcome McIntyre to claim the title, setting up a high-profile defense against Rhodes at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada. However, whether WWE will follow through with this plan remains uncertain. Ibou added that McIntyre himself suggested becoming champion, winning significant fan support as a heel-wrestler who was cheered like a babyface after his victory—contrasting with Rhodes, who was booed during events such as those in Berlin, Germany.
Why Drew McIntyre as Champion Fits WrestleMania 42
A brief McIntyre reign at WrestleMania 42 would be an unusual move given his lengthy pursuit of this career highlight. Known as one of WWE’s top heel performers over recent years, McIntyre has helped revive his rivalry with Rhodes after fans grew restless with repeated setbacks to the champion.
Rhodes’ tenure as champion had become increasingly repetitive, signaling a need for fresh motivations during the Road to WrestleMania. The prospect of Rhodes gradually shifting toward a villainous persona offers new narrative possibilities and can reengage audiences eager for change.
Alternatives and Future Storylines Beyond the Title Match
Even if the WWE opts not to make the title the focal point of Rhodes versus Reigns, the promotion can still justify a trilogy match through compelling storytelling alone. One angle could involve Rhodes joining a Bloodline vengeance arc, expanding the current narrative beyond championship stakes.
McIntyre is likely to enter WrestleMania as the reigning world champion, defending against fresh challengers who can capture fans’ enthusiasm. Sami Zayn remains a front-runner for Royal Rumble success, while emerging stars such as Oba Femi are also in consideration. Femi, recently called up from NXT, notably chokeslammed McIntyre on Saturday Night’s Main Event, hinting at a potential main event push.
Setting up McIntyre to face a rising star like Oba Femi would create an intriguing storyline, especially with other key attractions like Bron Breakker versus CM Punk anticipated for title contention. Balancing established talent with promising newcomers could strengthen WWE’s main event scene heading into WrestleMania.
