WWE’s plans for WrestleMania 42 underwent several shifts, ultimately resulting in Roman Reigns capturing the Royal Rumble for the second time in his career. OTC has already chosen CM Punk as Reigns’ opponent for the big event, where they will battle for the World Heavyweight Championship at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada.
The match between Reigns and Punk brings a fresh and exciting rivalry to WrestleMania, which will unfold during the lead-up shows. Their recent promos on WWE RAW have already generated significant buzz.
Originally, Bron Breaker was slated to win the Royal Rumble, but those plans changed. Breaker was eliminated in under 10 seconds after being attacked by a masked assailant on his way to the ring, sparking speculation about whether Seth Rollins is returning or if Logan Paul might have betrayed someone.
According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Breaker was initially booked to win the Royal Rumble and then defeat Punk at WrestleMania in a rematch following Punk’s victory on Netflix’s anniversary special RAW in early January. Many expected Breaker, a rising star aged 28, to secure a major triumph at the biggest WWE event. However, a shift in creative direction has placed Reigns in the title match instead, with Cody Rhodes likely to face Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre.
Breaker had gained momentum after manipulating The Vision to turn on its former leader Seth Rollins in September, which ultimately caused Visionary to relinquish the World Heavyweight Championship. Yet, WWE decided to keep Breaker out of the title picture, with RAW GM Adam Pearce banning him from competing in a battle royal for the vacant championship on the November Saturday Night Main Event. Since then, Breaker’s role has been limited to confronting Pearce and voicing grievances about his management.
The identity of the masked attacker who disrupted Breaker’s Royal Rumble chances remains a mystery, casting doubts over his potential rematch with Punk. While WWE aims to showcase the biggest possible match at WrestleMania, their creative changes have unfortunately diminished Breaker’s star power, undermining the momentum he had when he took over leadership of The Vision.
For Breaker to regain his trajectory, a significant victory at WrestleMania—possibly against Rollins—is crucial. His push has been inconsistent, and he has not started the year as the major contender many anticipated a few months ago.
Fan Take:
This news is important for WWE fans because it highlights how quickly creative decisions can alter a rising star’s career path, reflecting the unpredictable nature of WWE storytelling. For the sport, it underscores the ongoing challenge of balancing established legends with emerging talent to keep the product fresh and engaging.
