Drew McIntyre vs. Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship is currently the planned main event for the first night of WrestleMania 42. According to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, while the match is likely set for the Saturday show, there is still a possibility that Jacob Fatu could be added to the contest.
The creative direction for the event has shifted multiple times. Meltzer reported that the initial plan was to feature the company’s “four biggest stars” in two key matchups: Seth Rollins defending the World Title against Roman Reigns, and Cody Rhodes defending against CM Punk. However, an injury to Rollins forced a change in strategy.
A subsequent plan involved Bron Breakker facing CM Punk, with the idea of Breakker winning the Royal Rumble and defeating Punk at WrestleMania to establish him as a top star. This idea was eventualy discarded in favor of the current direction involving McIntyre. Meltzer noted that McIntyre advocated for winning the title in their “Three Stages of Hell” match to avoid another loss to Rhodes, a logic that Rhodes supported.
Paul “Triple H” Levesque reportedly agreed with the talent, feeling that revisiting Rhodes vs. Reigns for a third consecutive WrestleMania felt “predictable.”
“Paul Levesque… agreed with Rhodes and McIntyre,” Meltzer wrote. “His feeling is that the direction felt predictable and that Rhodes vs. Reigns had already headlined two WrestleMania shows.”
With Reigns now set to face CM Punk on Night 2, Rhodes is expected to earn his title shot by winning the Elimination Chamber, though Meltzer cautioned that Fatu remains a variable in the equation.
“The other main event, likely on the Saturday show, is Drew McIntyre vs. Cody Rhodes for the WWE title, although it is still possible to add Jacob Fatu to this match,” Meltzer stated.
