The choice to crown Drew McIntyre because the Undisputed WWE Champion was one reportedly backed by each “The Scottish Warrior” and the now-former titleholder Cody Rhodes, with Rhodes specifically keen on giving WWE fans a clean slate and himself a worthwhile story as a title-chaser heading into WrestleMania 42. On a recent edition of “The Extreme Lifetime of Matt Hardy,” TNA star Matt Hardy echoed Rhodes’ sentiments while surveying the potential world title scene en path to “The Show of Shows.”
“As a WrestleMania primary event, I would favor personally to have something fresh, a brand new big matchup,” Hardy said. “I believe popping Drew McIntyre into that spot because the champion really freshens the whole lot up, freshens the scene up, and it really makes people curious of who’s going to be his challenger. Is he going to maintain the title through then? Is Cody going to get his rematch? There’s a number of possibilities and it freshens up the whole lot. I believe it’s good to try this once in a while.”
Prior to some WrestleMania 42 plans being modified in early January, reports indicated that WWE had penciled within the third installment of Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Championship on the grand stage. In Hardy’s eyes, though, that faceoff likely would not be as exciting as the primary two.
“We have had two of those primary events of Cody versus Roman. I’m okay not having one other one,” he said. “They might have a rubber match at another point and it could possibly be advertised as an important match on whatever sort of show, but I believe it is the primary event of WrestleMania, it is time to do something fresh.”
This weekend, Reigns and Rhodes will compete within the 2026 Men’s Royal Rumble match. Meanwhile, McIntyre will defend his title against Sami Zayn on the titular event.
In the event you use any of the quotes in this text, please credit “The Extreme Lifetime of Matt Hardy” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.