Roman Reigns’ WrestleMania 42 Rival Switched, Report Reveals

Roman Reigns’ storyline for WWE’s WrestleMania 42 has undergone some changes, but he is still anticipated to compete for a world championship match in April 2026. The leading favorite to win the upcoming Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is OTC.

Reigns was initially set to challenge Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 42, which is scheduled to take place at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada. However, after Rollins suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery, he was stripped of the title, leading to a shift in plans. The new plan features Roman Reigns facing WWE Champion Cody Rhodes in what is expected to be the main event on the second night of the event. Despite Rollins’ projected return in three to four months, WWE is unlikely to build a storyline for his match in time for WrestleMania 42, meaning the title will likely be passed on before the event. Additionally, a third chapter in the rivalry between Reigns and Rhodes is anticipated, with both superstars currently positioned as fan favorites, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown.

CM Punk holds the World Heavyweight Championship and is set to defend it against Bron Breaker on January 5th during a special episode of RAW celebrating Netflix’s anniversary. Reports from Survivor Series: WarGames indicate WWE’s plans involve Reigns versus Rhodes and Punk versus Breaker at WrestleMania, although these plans could evolve following the title match announcement. WWE is also monitoring Seth Rollins’ recovery, considering how he might fit into future storylines, possibly reintroducing him as a competitor in a triple threat match alongside Punk and Breaker, or as part of another title feud connecting to Rollins’ recent betrayal storyline.

Rollins is expected to face Punk at WrestleMania, which could complicate Breaker’s chances, potentially leading to surprising twists in the championship picture. However, a resurgence of the Rollins-Reigns rivalry seems unlikely before the event.

Fan Take: This shakeup in WrestleMania 42’s main events keeps WWE fans excited about the unpredictability and fresh matchups in the championship scene. It demonstrates WWE’s dynamic storytelling approach, ensuring top talent like Reigns, Rhodes, and Rollins remain central to the sport’s biggest moments, promising an exhilarating build-up to WrestleMania.