WWE Reportedly Changing Plans for WrestleMania 42

It looks like Drew McIntyre winning the WWE Undisputed Championship from Cody Rhodes last week on Friday Night SmackDown might be a sign of a creative shake-up for WWE’s WrestleMania 42 plans. Speaking on today’s edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer indicated that WWE began changing its plans for WrestleMania around sometime last Wednesday (Jan. 7), which was when WWE decided to have McIntyre beat Cody Rhodes for the WWE Title.

A short while ago, it was rumored that WWE was planning Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns III for WrestleMania 42. However, according to Meltzer, it appears those plans have changed. Meltzer stated, “WrestleMania changed on Wednesday of last week, which was when they made the decision to go with the McIntyre title win/ So that wasn’t decided until Wednesday.”

Meltzer also noted that WWE might be planning a Triple Threat Match featuring new champ McIntyre, the former champ Cody Rhodes, and Jacob Fatu. He continued, “I don’t know what the new matches are, although they may be doing a three-way with McIntyre, Jacob Fatu, and Cody Rhodes. That may not necessarily be at Mania, but that’s kind of — that’s not even 100%, but I was told that that’s kind of like, it’s a possibility.”

For now, it looks like the plans for a Rhodes vs. Roman rematch are off. Meltzer added, “The Cody Rhodes/Roman Reigns thing is probably not happening. But whatever it is, the Mania plans were changed on Wednesday when they made the decision to change the championship.”

Meltzer speculated that WWE made the decision with McIntyre winning the title to “shake things up” and that the product was getting “too predictable.”

What’s Next for Newly Crowned WWE Champion Drew McIntyre Ahead of WrestleMania 42

For now, WWE is going to be holding qualifying matches on SmackDown later this week, with the winners heading into a Fatal 4-Way bout at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event. The winner of that match will then challenge Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship at Royal Rumble 2026 in Saudi Arabia on January 31.

Whether or not McIntyre makes it to WrestleMania as champion is something fans will have to wait and see. WrestleMania 42 takes place on April 18-29 at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada. The show will air live on the ESPN App in the U.S. and on Netflix internationally.

As previously noted, McIntyre is also set to appear on this Friday’s SmackDown in London, England. The show is being held at the OVO Arena Wembley on January 16. It airs on USA Network at 8:00 pm ET.