Each year, fans and insiders alike guess which match will headline WWE WrestleMania. A highly anticipated trilogy between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns was expected to be a top feature for 2026, whether for a title or not. Reigns claimed victory at WrestleMania 39 in 2023, with Rhodes evened the score at WrestleMania 40 in 2024, making a third deciding match a logical prediction. However, this rubber match appears to have been canceled—so what’s behind the change?
According to Dave Meltzer’s latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Paul "Triple H" Levesque has decided to scrap all creative plans around a third match between Rhodes and Reigns. Meltzer also clarified that despite rumors, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has no say in current WWE directions; this was solely Levesque’s decision. Although Rhodes and Reigns won’t face off again soon, Reigns remains a wildcard in the Undisputed WWE Championship scene. Reigns is slated to return at the Royal Rumble on January 31st, with his WrestleMania 42 storyline to be revealed soon after. Meanwhile, handing the title to Drew McIntyre leaves Reigns’ future path uncertain as spring approaches.
One rumor yet to gain traction is a potential heel turn for Cody Rhodes, something many have speculated about. Meltzer says WWE believes a heel turn for Rhodes will only occur if deemed absolutely necessary by top management like Levesque, and for now, there are no plans to take that step. Rhodes’ strong popularity and product appeal make a heel turn unlikely anytime soon, as it doesn’t make good business sense at this point.
Fan Take: This news is significant because it shows WWE’s shifting priorities backstage and highlights the unpredictable nature of storytelling in wrestling. For fans, it means big surprises could be on the horizon, and the landscape of WrestleMania main events might look very different than expected, keeping the excitement alive.
