Wrestling fans have been spiraling for the last 72 hours. You’ve probably seen the headlines. One minute we’re all coasting toward a predictable Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns trilogy in Las Vegas, and the next, the entire creative board is being flipped upside down. Honestly, it’s wild how fast things move in this business. One title change in Berlin and suddenly every long-term plan we thought was locked in for April is basically scrap paper.
If you’ve been keeping up with the latest wwe news and rumours, you know that Drew McIntyre winning the Undisputed WWE Championship on January 9 wasn't just a big moment for "The Scottish Warrior"—it was a tactical reset for the whole company.
The WrestleMania 42 Shake-up
Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer dropped a bombshell this week that’s still rattling through the community. Apparently, the decision to put the belt on McIntyre didn’t even happen until the Wednesday before the show. That’s a 48-hour window. Imagine being Cody Rhodes, thinking you’re walking into Allegiant Stadium as the face of the company for a third showdown with the Tribal Chief, only to find out you're losing the gold to a guy who just burned a photo of your dad on national TV.
The rumor mill is currently churning out a few different scenarios for WrestleMania 42. While Rhodes vs. Reigns III is reportedly "probably not happening," we’re hearing a lot of chatter about a Triple Threat match. The names in the hat? McIntyre, Rhodes, and the newly returned Jacob Fatu.
Fatu is the wildcard here. He cost Cody the title in that brutal Three Stages of Hell match, but he doesn't exactly look like he's following McIntyre’s orders. It’s a messy, violent triangle that feels much fresher than another "Finish the Story" sequel.
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Royal Rumble in the Desert
For the first time since 1988, the Royal Rumble is leaving North America. It’s heading to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 31, and the logistics have been a bit of a headache, at least if you believe the grainy drone footage floating around Twitter.
- The Venue: Rumors started circulating that the new arena in the King Abdullah Financial District wouldn't be ready. Fans saw videos of construction cranes and uninstalled seats and panicked.
- The Reality: PWInsider has stepped in to kill that rumor, reporting that internal sources say the project is firmly on track.
- The Odds: Betting markets are already favoring Bron Breakker and Sami Zayn for the men's side. On the women's end, Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley are the names to watch.
Speaking of the Rumble, there’s a mini-tournament happening right now on SmackDown to determine who faces Drew McIntyre for the title at the PLE. Nick Aldis has set up some heavy-hitter qualifiers. We’ve got Randy Orton, The Miz, Sami Zayn, and even Trick Williams in the mix. It's a stacked field, but most insiders expect Orton to take that spot for a marquee veteran vs. champion clash.
The Roster Revolving Door
WWE in 2026 feels like a different world because of the "Netflix Effect." The roster is bloating in the best way possible. Matt Cardona—who we all knew as Zack Ryder—is officially back full-time and actually looks like a threat. He’s ditched the "Woo Woo Woo" for a much more cynical, "undeniable" persona that he spent years building on the indies.
And then there's the R-Truth situation. After a weird contract scare in 2025 where he was briefly "gone," Truth just revealed in a TV Insider interview that he’s signed a four-year deal with a three-year option. He’s not going anywhere. He’s basically the glue of the locker room at this point, and his "shaved head" storyline is apparently going to be a major focus of the second season of WWE Unreal on Netflix.
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Surprise Debuts on the Horizon
The wwe news and rumours regarding AEW crossovers haven't slowed down either. Chris Jericho’s contract is the one everyone is circling on their calendars. He’s done everything there is to do elsewhere, and a final "Hall of Fame" run in WWE feels inevitable. There is also heavy speculation about Miyu Yamashita. Triple H has been vocal about strengthening the women's division, and bringing in a "striking" specialist like Yamashita would be a massive get for the NXT or SmackDown brands.
Business is Booming (The Netflix Numbers)
Let’s talk numbers, because they’re actually impressive for once. Netflix just released their Year One data for WWE content. Subscribers watched over 525 million hours of wrestling in 2025. Monday Night Raw alone did 340 million of those hours.
What does this mean for the product you see on screen? It means WWE has zero reason to play it safe. Netflix wants "appointment viewing," which is why we’re seeing more title changes on free TV (well, streaming TV) and more "holy crap" returns like Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair joining forces with Rhea Ripley. The churn rate for Netflix subscribers who joined specifically for WWE is under 19%. That’s a win for Nick Khan and a sign that the "High Production" era is here to stay.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Creative Shift
A lot of fans think the pivot away from Rhodes vs. Reigns is a sign of "disaster" or "bad planning." It’s actually the opposite.
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The online pushback against a third Cody/Roman match was getting loud. WWE Creative—now more than ever—is hyper-aware of social sentiment. By putting the title on McIntyre and involving Jacob Fatu, they’ve created a "can’t miss" situation where you don't know who the villain is. Is it the guy who burned the photo? Is it the Bloodline member who is acting on his own? Or is it the "American Nightmare" who might be losing his grip on his legacy?
How to Track These Rumours Like a Pro
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, you have to look at the taping schedules and the "dark match" listings. Often, the matches WWE tests out after the cameras go off are the matches they plan for the next PLE.
- Watch the Berlin Fallout: The fact that the title changed hands in Germany tells you WWE is prioritizing their "International PLE" strategy. Expect more major shifts at the London and Riyadh shows.
- Follow the Contract Cycles: Keep an eye on the "Free Agent" status of former WWE stars currently in TNA or AEW. Triple H has shown he’s willing to pay for "rebranding" projects like he did with Cardona.
- Check the Netflix Top 10: If a certain superstar’s segments are consistently trending, expect them to get a massive push. This is why Trick Williams was called up so quickly—his engagement numbers were off the charts.
The road to WrestleMania 42 is no longer a straight line. It's a jagged, unpredictable mess, and honestly, that’s exactly what the business needed. Keep your eyes on the Royal Rumble qualifiers this Friday; that's where the next piece of the puzzle falls into place.
To stay truly updated, pay close attention to the "Saturday Night’s Main Event" lineup on January 24. That Fatal Four-Way match will basically tell us who the next face of the company is going to be for the spring season. Don't get distracted by the "construction" videos—the show is happening, and the card is going to be chaotic.
Next Steps for Fans: Check the official WWE social channels for the confirmed bracket of the #1 Contender tournament. If you're planning to attend the Rumble, verify your travel via the King Abdullah Financial District portal rather than relying on third-party "delay" rumors. For the most accurate contract updates, cross-reference talent interviews with SEC filings if you're really into the business side of the "Netflix Era."