Roman Reigns Reportedly out of World Title Picture at WrestleMania 42 Following Recent Shake-Ups in WWE

Roman Reigns isn't expected to compete for either of the world titles at this year's WrestleMania, as per a new report.

Roman Reigns Reportedly out of World Title Picture at WrestleMania 42 Following Recent Shake-Ups in WWE

Roman Reigns [via- WWE]

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Having not appeared on WWE television since Survivor Series in late November, the tentative plans for Roman Reigns suggest that he will return at the Royal Rumble on January 31. It’s a no-brainer that the Pensacola-born wrestler will pop up during the 30-man Royal Rumble match to work his way into the WrestleMania 42 main event. He might not make it, though.

A new report from Dave Meltzer reflects that ‘The OTC’ is going to be the odd man out of the world title picture heading into the Showcase of the Immortals in Las Vegas. Moreover, Reigns’ creative direction for WrestleMania is expected to be, at least, hinted at through his participation in the Royal Rumble match.

With the former Bloodline leader supposedly out of contention for any of the marquee world title matches at WrestleMania this year, what would they possibly look like? Meltzer added in his reporting that WWE is considering having a triple-threat showdown for the Undisputed WWE title with Drew McIntyre defending it against Cody Rhodes and Jacob Fatu.

Those men were involved in the finish of the recent Three Stages of Hell match on SmackDown in Germany, where Fatu’s interference cost Rhodes the title. Apart from McIntyre vs. Rhodes vs. Fatu, WWE might also go with another singles rematch between ‘The Scottish Psychopath’ and ‘The American Nightmare’, but the fans are more than likely to turn on it.

Meltzer previously reported that WWE had scrapped a third match between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes after the latter lost the Undisputed WWE Championship to Drew McIntyre.

Why did Triple H decide to scrap Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes III for WrestleMania 42?

The consequences of Drew McIntyre dethroning Cody Rhodes to win the world title for a fourth time in WWE have opened up the floodgates for an unpredictable road to WrestleMania 42. As of late 2025, the company planned on having Roman Reigns complete his trilogy with ‘The American Nightmare’.

Triple H reportedly canceled Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes
Triple H reportedly canceled Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes [via- Cageside Seats]

It would have seen Reigns and Rhodes make up three of the last four WrestleMania main events had the plans stayed their course. However, as per Dave Meltzer, WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque decided against holding Reigns vs. Rhodes part III after realizing that it might result in audience fatigue.

Moreover, the decision to put the Undisputed WWE title on McIntyre wasn’t made until about 48 hours prior to the show, where he ousted Rhodes in a Three Stages of Hell match.

The aforementioned report added that ‘The QB1’ pitched to the creative about dropping the WWE Championship to the Scottish Warrior after consulting with the Scot if it’d be a better direction for him to chase the world title this year heading into WrestleMania.

The company agreed to their proposals after having previously declined them the time they went to war at Wrestlepalooza. Rhodes declared himself for the 2026 men’s Royal Rumble match on this week’s SmackDown, vowing redemption over McIntyre. ‘The Prodigal Son’ could etch his name in the history books should he win the Royal Rumble this year.

He would join Steve Austin as the only two stars in WWE history to complete a three-peat of Royal Rumble victories. Roman Reigns, on the other hand, is an odds-on favorite to outclass his competition in the 30-man Royal Rumble match in Riyadh.

However, the latest report doesn’t align with the betting odds as far as The OTC’s chances are concerned. His potential WrestleMania opponent, as mentioned earlier, will most likely be determined by who might end up eliminating the ‘Head of the Table’ from the Royal Rumble match.

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