WWE’s road to WrestleMania 42 hasn’t exactly been a straight shot to Las Vegas.
With injuries piling up, ticket movement reportedly slower than expected, and several key creative decisions still up in the air, the company is looking at this weekend’s Elimination Chamber as a potential turning point. While nothing earth-shattering has been finalized, new details are beginning to emerge regarding the direction of both the Undisputed WWE Championship and WWE Women’s Championship matches.
Undisputed Title Picture: McIntyre vs. Rhodes… or a Wild Card?
As things stand, Drew McIntyre is expected to defend the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42, but the format of that match remains fluid.
The current working plan strongly points to Cody Rhodes being involved. Internally, Rhodes is said to be close to a lock for the title match, which wouldn’t come as a surprise given his consistent positioning near the top of the card. However, there’s hesitation behind the scenes about running back McIntyre vs. Rhodes in a straight singles bout, especially given their history. Some within WWE reportedly feel that matchup could come across as too predictable.
That’s where Jacob Fatu enters the conversation.
There have been discussions about potentially inserting Fatu into the match, turning it into a triple threat scenario. The creative logic is already there: Fatu has been at odds with Rhodes since costing him the Three Stages of Hell title defense back on January 9. Adding “The Samoan Werewolf” would not only freshen up the dynamic but also raise the stakes heading into WrestleMania weekend.
Other top names, including Randy Orton and Sami Zayn, are also lingering around the title scene. However, at this stage, WWE officials reportedly aren’t considering expanding the match beyond three competitors.
Women’s Championship: Is Rhea Ripley the Frontrunner?
On the women’s side, Jade Cargill’s dominant run as SmackDown Women’s Champion appears set for a major test in Las Vegas.
Several names have been floated as potential challengers, including Alexa Bliss, Tiffany Stratton, Asuka, Kiana James, and Raquel Rodriguez. But among them, Rhea Ripley is currently viewed as the favorite for the WrestleMania spot.
Nothing is locked in, and as always, creative plans can shift quickly. Still, Ripley vs. Cargill would be a marquee-level showdown that feels tailor-made for the WrestleMania stage.
Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi? Not So Fast.
Brock Lesnar’s return on Monday Night Raw immediately sparked speculation about a blockbuster clash with Oba Femi. The potential “Beast Incarnate” vs. “The Ruler” showdown is something fans are already buzzing about.
That said, there are reportedly no confirmed creative plans in place for that match just yet. WWE is aware of the interest, but whether it materializes at WrestleMania 42 remains to be seen.
The Two Matches Officially Set
Despite the uncertainty surrounding several major storylines, two WrestleMania 42 matches are already confirmed:
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk or Finn Bálor will defend against Roman Reigns.
- WWE Women’s World Championship: Stephanie Vaquer will defend her title against 2026 Women’s Royal Rumble winner Liv Morgan.
With Elimination Chamber looming and creative decisions still in flux, the WrestleMania 42 card feels like it’s in a holding pattern — but not for long. Las Vegas is fast approaching, and WWE will need to solidify its marquee matches soon if it wants the “Showcase of the Immortals” to live up to its name.
Expect movement in the coming days. The Road to WrestleMania rarely stays predictable for long.
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