Recent reports from Self Made, PWInsider, and Bodyslam.net have shed light on a significant shift for the Undisputed WWE Championship match at WrestleMania 42. The current internal direction points toward a showdown between Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes at Mania. This path was solidified after Orton won the Men’s Elimination Chamber match to secure his title opportunity, while Rhodes is set to challenge the current champion, Drew McIntyre, on this week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown.
According to sources at Bodyslam.net, internal discussions regarding the pivot to Orton vs. Rhodes began around the start of February. The decision was reportedly made to “shake things up” for the WrestleMania season and provide a definitive payoff to the various teases between the former Legacy stablemates over the last few years. Despite long-term planning for the season, both Rhodes and McIntyre reportedly did not learn of the official change to the title match plans until last week.
With the championship picture shifting, the current creative plan for Drew McIntyre appears to be a match against Jacob Fatu at WrestleMania. This placement on the card comes at a pivotal time for McIntyre, who is scheduled to begin filming the Highlander reboot immediately after the event concludes.
There has also been speculation that McIntyre could be added back into the title match to make it a triple threat, or even a clash with General Manager Adam Pearce, though the Fatu match remains the leading internal direction.
