Tis the season of WWE WrestleMania, and in keeping with reports, multiple creative rewrites. Because it pertains to the Undisputed WWE Championship, the newest rewrite has reportedly resulted in Randy Orton battling a long-time friend of his for the title on WWE’s grandest stage.
In keeping with PWI Elite, WWE’s current plans are believed to being calling for Orton, the winner of the 2026 Men’s Elimination Chamber, to challenge Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas. Because it stands, that title is held by Drew McIntyre, who dethroned Rhodes in a Three Stages of Hell match on the January 9 edition of “WWE SmackDown.” Following McIntyre’s involvement within the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber at Rhodes’ expense, though, “SmackDown” General Manager Nick Aldis confirmed that “The Scottish Warrior” and “The American Nightmare” would meet in a rematch this Friday, with the Undisputed WWE Championship on the road.
PWI Elite indicates that Rhodes is predicted to unseat McIntyre as champion on “SmackDown,” thus setting the stage for him and Orton, former Legacy members, to collide one-on-one at WrestleMania. One WWE source told the outlet that the likely title change isn’t a dig at McIntyre’s work for the corporate, but moderately a way for WWE to supply the most important Rhodes-Orton match they wanted this yr. Orton winning the Men’s Elimination Chamber was also reportedly viewed as a “nice surprise” to fans.
McIntyre’s direction after his expected title loss on Friday is unclear, though based on previous reports, a multi-man match involving the Undisputed WWE Championship has been on the table as a possibility before.