WWE creative is reportedly narrowing down plans for the WWE Championship match at WrestleMania 42. According to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the company is currently weighing two specific options for the top title bout. The scenarios revolve around the new champion, Drew McIntyre, and his recent challenger, Cody Rhodes.
Meltzer reports that the current ideas are either a standard singles rematch or a triple threat match involving a rising star. “The two ideas for Mania at this point are a three-way for the title with Rhodes, Fatu and McIntyre, or just McIntyre vs. Rhodes.” The involvement of Jacob Fatu stems from his interference in the “Three Stages of Hell” match on SmackDown, where he inadvertently helped McIntyre secure the victory.
Path To The Main Event
The report suggests that a singles match might be the simpler route from a booking perspective, given the upcoming Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber events. Meltzer explained the logic behind potentially keeping it a one-on-one affair.
“The straight match is easier because there has to be a single winner at the Rumble and at the Chamber (for CM Punk or whoever the other champion is), so Rhodes winning the Chamber (could be Rumble but my gut is Chamber makes the most sense) would get him in.”
Meltzer noted that if WWE decides to go with the triple threat option, adding Fatu to the mix would not be difficult creatively. “There are always ways to get Fatu in if need be.” This leaves the door open for the “Samoan Werewolf” to headline the biggest show of the year alongside two established main eventers.
With the Royal Rumble approaching on January 31, the direction for the WWE Championship picture is expected to become clearer in the coming weeks. Whether it’s a direct rematch or a chaotic three-way dance, McIntyre’s first defense on the “Grandest Stage of Them All” appears set to be a high-stakes encounter.
