WWE Quietly Scraps Roman Reigns’ WrestleMania 42 Mega Match—Major Creative Shake-Up Revealed
WrestleMania 42 may still be months away, but a massive shake-up behind the scenes has already changed the course of WWE’s biggest show of the year—and Roman Reigns is right at the center of it.
For months, fans believed WWE was slowly building toward Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes III, a blockbuster rubber match that would finally settle their WrestleMania rivalry. With both men tied 1–1 after epic main events at WrestleMania 39 and WrestleMania XL, the trilogy felt inevitable—especially after WWE teased it following Survivor Series: WarGames.
But according to new reports, those plans are now dead.
A fresh update from Wrestling Observer Radio reveals that WWE’s creative direction dramatically shifted last Wednesday when Triple H’s team made the call to move the Undisputed WWE Championship onto Drew McIntyre. That single decision reportedly forced WWE to abandon its original WrestleMania 42 blueprint.
As things stand, Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes III is no longer scheduled for WrestleMania in Las Vegas.
Instead, WWE is now exploring a completely different title scenario. The report suggests that a high-stakes triple-threat match involving Drew McIntyre, Cody Rhodes, and Jacob Fatu is being discussed as a potential WrestleMania showdown—though plans are still fluid.
“This whole WrestleMania changed last Wednesday when they decided to go with the McIntyre title win,” the report noted, emphasizing how late the creative pivot came together.
With Cody Rhodes no longer champion, WWE appears to have pulled the plug on his long-rumored trilogy with The Tribal Chief, leaving Roman Reigns without a clear WrestleMania opponent—at least for now.
Roman Reigns has been absent from WWE television since Survivor Series: WarGames, where he teased unfinished business with both Cody Rhodes and CM Punk. With Cody out of the title picture, attention is now shifting toward Punk, who currently holds the World Heavyweight Championship.
Interestingly, Reigns remains a central figure on WWE’s official Royal Rumble promotional material, strongly hinting that his return is imminent. If The Original Tribal Chief wins the upcoming 30-man Battle Royal in Saudi Arabia, it could set the stage for a title clash against Drew McIntyre—potentially revisiting their rivalry from Clash at the Castle.
For now, one thing is clear: WWE’s WrestleMania 42 plans have changed dramatically, and Roman Reigns’ originally rumored marquee match is officially off the table. What replaces it could reshape the entire Road to WrestleMania.
