Following CM Punk’s victory for the World Heavyweight Championship in last month’s main event on Saturday Night, speculation quickly arose about his potential WrestleMania 42 challenger, with Roman Reigns—who is favored to win the 2026 Royal Rumble—being a strong contender. Meanwhile, plans for Cody Rhodes’ Undisputed WWE Championship match were uncertain, though Randy Orton was widely rumored to be a top candidate to face "The American Nightmare."
However, after Survivor Series concluded with Bron Breaker pinning Punk and Reigns showing anger toward Rhodes during the Men’s WarGames match, Dave Meltzer revealed updated plans on Wrestling Observer Radio. He shared that the current blueprint features a WrestleMania world title showdown between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns, alongside a championship bout pitting CM Punk against Bron Breaker. Meltzer explained that since Breaker scored a pinfall over Punk, he has earned a title shot under traditional wrestling norms, and the storyline strongly hints at these matchups.
Originally, Meltzer expected Breaker to challenge Rhodes at WrestleMania 41 while Reigns would feud with Punk for the World Heavyweight title. However, all indicators now appear to favor a trilogy between Rhodes and Reigns instead.
If quoting this summary, please credit Wrestling Inc.’s "Wrestling Observer Radio" for the source transcription.
Fan Take: This update sheds light on WWE’s evolving WrestleMania landscape, exciting fans with the promise of high-stakes clashes between top-tier talent. These confirmed matchups could elevate ongoing rivalries and deliver unforgettable moments, underscoring WrestleMania’s status as the pinnacle event in sports entertainment.
