11 WrestleMania 42 Card Predictions After WWE Royal Rumble 2026

2. Drew McIntyre vs. Cody Rhodes

WWE WrestleMania 42 Drew McIntyre Cody Rhodes
WWE

Some will be frantically looking around wondering where one Jacob Fatu is in the graphic above. Listen, it's certainly possible that WWE turn this title showing into a Triple Threat. That'd fit the narrative on episodes of SmackDown since Drew won the belt in that '3 Stages Of Hell' situation vs. Cody, but it isn't essential.

What would be vital? Tacking some sort of 'No DQ' stipulation onto McIntyre's latest collision with Rhodes. They can't exactly go from '3 Stages' to a straight up singles match with rules, can they? So, either 'No DQ' or a ladder match would be the best way to go about things. That's why the United States Title clash examined earlier ditched the usual ladder treatment creative would give to such multi-mans.

The WWE Title bout may need it instead.

Again, don't be too stunned if Fatu is included here. It wholly depends on whether or not Hunter puts that match on at Elimination Chamber first. If he does, then there's next to no chance of a repeat in Vegas. Sorry, but Cody is a much bigger star than Jacob, so he'd get the thumbs up to challenge Drew first and foremost.

Predicted Winner: Drew McIntyre. A lengthy title run for McIntyre sounds reasonable after how long he's waited to get back on top. His patience since 2021-ish has been unmatched, so it'd be somewhat cruel to put the strap back on Cody mere months into Drew's reign.

Don't worry, because there's a gigantic babyface World Title win waiting across the same weekend to 'make up' for this heel success.

Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.