Bron Breakker was originally penciled in to win the 2026 Royal Rumble and main event WrestleMania 42, according to a new report from Dave Meltzer. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter details a complex series of creative pivots triggered by injuries and backstage input that ultimately reshaped the entire WrestleMania card.
Following Seth Rollins’ injury at Crown Jewel, WWE devised a “three step program” to elevate Breakker to the top of the card. The plan involved Breakker losing to CM Punk on the Raw Netflix premiere, only to bounce back by winning the Rumble and defeating Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania.
“The injury to Rollins caused changes, as they went with Punk as champion with the idea of a three step program with Bron Breakker getting a title match on the Raw Netflix anniversary show and losing, coming back and winning the Rumble and then facing and beating Punk for the title at Mania,” Meltzer wrote.
Why Plans Changed
However, the direction shifted again due to the creative decisions surrounding the WWE Championship. Drew McIntyre reportedly advocated for a victory over Cody Rhodes in their “Three Stages of Hell” match to avoid another loss, a move that Rhodes supported. This decision had a domino effect on the Royal Rumble outcome.
“Enter McIntyre, who pushed the idea that since he had lost multiple times to Rhodes, that it would be better for him to win the title in the already announced Three Stages of Hell match,” Meltzer continued. “Rhodes was on board with that idea.”
With McIntyre holding the title and the main event picture shifting towards Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk and McIntyre vs. Rhodes, the company had to pivot away from Breakker’s coronation.
“When the decision was made, they had to scrap Breakker winning the Rumble and the choices were either Rhodes or Reigns,” Meltzer concluded.
