Everything just changed. If you thought you had the WrestleMania 42 card figured out, Dave Meltzer basically just threw a grenade into those plans.
Honestly, the January 7th episode of SmackDown was a turning point. We saw Drew McIntyre pin Cody Rhodes to take the Undisputed WWE Title, and while it felt like a "cool moment" at the time, the backstage fallout is much messier. The pro wrestling news rumors mill is spinning because that one booking decision reportedly scrapped the long-term plan for Cody vs. Roman Reigns III.
The WrestleMania 42 Pivot
Word is that WWE creative felt the product was getting "too predictable." You've heard it before, right? The same old dominant champions holding belts for years.
To shake things up, Triple H apparently moved away from the Reigns/Rhodes trilogy. Instead, we're looking at a potential Triple Threat involving McIntyre, Cody, and Jacob Fatu. Fatu has been absent lately, but his return is being positioned as a main-event level "disruptor."
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There’s no guarantee this sticks, though. Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that even this Triple Threat isn't locked in. WWE is playing it week-to-week, which is stressful for fans but probably better for the ratings.
The Royal Rumble 2026 Chaos
The Royal Rumble is headed to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 31st. This is a huge deal. It’s the first time the Rumble has ever left North America since 1988.
There were some scary rumors about the venue in the King Abdullah Financial District not being ready. Fans saw photos of a half-finished arena and panicked. But PWInsider reports it’s actually almost done and firmly on track.
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Who's winning the big one?
- Roman Reigns: The betting favorite. He’s a babyface now, and a "redemption" win makes sense.
- Bron Breakker: Despite losing to CM Punk on the first RAW of 2026, he’s still a heavy favorite.
- Sami Zayn: The perennial underdog. He’s been vocal about finally winning the world title this year.
- Gunther: He just retired John Cena (yeah, that still hurts). A Rumble win is the logical next step.
The AEW Exodus?
Things are getting kinda tense over in Tony Khan’s world. Mercedes Martinez and Matt Taven are already out. But the big name everyone is watching is Chris Jericho.
Jericho’s contract status is a giant question mark. He disappeared from TV in early 2025, and while he's still on the AEW roster page, there are heavy pro wrestling news rumors that he's WWE-bound. Some sources say his deal expired December 31st; others say he’s staying put. It's a classic Jericho shell game.
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Then there’s Private Party. Marq Quen and Isiah Kassidy haven't been on TV in nearly a year after losing to The Hurt Syndicate. Their contracts expire "soon," and WWE has reportedly expressed interest. It'd be wild to see the guys who beat the Young Bucks on day one jump ship.
Netflix, NJPW, and Beyond
WWE is officially on Netflix internationally (and the ESPN App in the US), which means they need global stars. That’s why they’re chasing Gabe Kidd from NJPW. His contract expires at the end of January. WWE wants him full-time; AEW wants him full-time. It’s an old-school bidding war.
Also, keep an eye on AJ Styles. Retirement rumors are swirling around "The Phenomenal One" as he feuds with Gunther. If Gunther "retires" AJ like he did Cena, the heat will be nuclear.
What to Watch Next
- Tune in to SmackDown this Friday: There are four qualifying matches for a Fatal 4-Way. The winner of that 4-way faces Drew McIntyre at the Royal Rumble.
- Watch the TNA Debut on AMC: A "huge WWE superstar" is rumored to appear. With the WWE/TNA partnership stronger than ever, this could be anyone from AJ Styles to a returning Shane McMahon.
- Check the Netflix "Unreal" Series: Season two is dropping more behind-the-scenes footage that often teases future creative directions before they hit TV.
The landscape is shifting fast. Plans that existed two weeks ago are in the trash, and by the time we hit the Royal Rumble, the WrestleMania 42 marquee might look completely different than what we expect today.