Backstage Update on WWE’s Current Main Event Match Plans for WrestleMania 42

As noted before, WWE recently made big changes to their plans for this April’s WrestleMania 42 event in Las Vegas, Nevada. These changes were the reason for Drew McIntyre’s victory over Cody Rhodes in a Three Stages of Hell match for the Undisputed WWE Championship at the January 8th episode of WWE SmackDown in Berlin, Germany.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources provided additional details regarding the recent changes made and new potential plans for WrestleMania 42.

Meltzer reported that those spoken to stated that WWE CCO Paul “Triple H” Levesque took another look at WWE’s Rumble-to-Mania planned direction and made the decision that doing another Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns match for the third time in four years would have led to audience fatigue for the matchup.

Meltzer reported that the decision to change the plans for WrestleMania and also the decision to have McIntyre win the Undisputed WWE Championship were made by WWE officials within 48 hours of the title change taking place at last week’s SmackDown show.

Meltzer also reported that WWE officials are now currently considering two potential match options for the main event for WrestleMania 42.

These reportedly are a Three-way match for the Undisputed WWE title between Rhodes, Fatu, and McIntyre or a Rhodes vs. McIntyre match for the title.

Those spoken to reportedly stated that Reigns is no longer being considered for an Undisputed WWE title match at WrestleMania 42. Reigns reportedly is currently scheduled to make his return at this month’s Royal Rumble 2026 event and his direction for WrestleMania is expected to become clear at the show.