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2026 WWE Overview
Who is the Favorite to Win the Men’s Royal Rumble Match?
On the men’s side, Roman Reigns is considered the top contender, followed closely by Gunther, Sami Zayn, and Bron Breakker, which makes the competition even tighter. One notable name near the top of the betting odds is two-time winner Cody Rhodes. If WWE ends the Royal Rumble by giving the American Nightmare his third WrestleMania signing, it would be a great sign because it shows confidence in his enduring appeal.
Several Wrestlers Are Potential Challengers for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42
This leaves the WWE Championship as another prime option for WrestleMania’s main event. Drew McIntyre currently holds the title and is set to face Sami Zayn at the Royal Rumble, where WWE might push a compelling narrative of Zayn winning the world title in front of a predominantly Muslim crowd for the first time. However, it might be too early to have McIntyre lose the championship. The planned setup appears to be a triple threat match at WrestleMania involving McIntyre, Cody Rhodes, and Jacob Fatu. This could indicate a Royal Rumble victory for Fatu, or in typical WWE fashion, the reliable choice might be to hand the win to Cody Rhodes again.
Why Cody Rhodes Can’t Win the Royal Rumble Again
How will Cody Rhodes make his way back to the main event at WrestleMania 42? It’s not unheard of for WWE to feature a top star in the main event four years in a row. Historically, both Hulk Hogan and Roman Reigns have enjoyed multiple consecutive WrestleMania main events. Though some may argue the triple threat with McIntyre, Rhodes, and Fatu lacks the star power and charisma of previous years, it’s likely the best WWE can offer right now. If Fatu triumphs at the Royal Rumble, a new major star would be born, leading WWE into a fresh direction. But if Cody wins once more, it could ultimately backfire on him.
Despite his popularity, WWE poorly handled both of Rhodes’ title reigns. The storylines were flat and recycled old feuds, and his character development was minimal beyond occasional references to his late father, Dusty Rhodes. Given WWE’s struggle with ratings and its need for fresh narratives, relying on Cody again might feel repetitive. Although Rhodes should ideally be the face of WWE, if he is crowned in a lackluster way, fans could grow tired and turn against him. Similar to his time in AEW, fans might begin booing the American Nightmare without the need for him to become a heel, diminishing his momentum.
Fan Take: This upcoming Royal Rumble and WrestleMania storyline matters greatly to WWE fans as it signals whether the company is ready to build new stars or continue relying on familiar faces. The decisions here could either rejuvenate the sport with fresh talent and storytelling or risk alienating fans seeking more innovation in WWE’s product.
