Early creative discussions for WrestleMania 42 considered a Hell in a Cell match between Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Plans have since shifted to a singles bout featuring Cody Rhodes against Randy Orton. The event is scheduled for April 18 and 19, 2026, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
WrestleMania 42, set for April 18 and 19, 2026, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, has seen changes in its main event lineup for the Undisputed WWE Championship. According to reports from PWInsider.com, the original pitch during early 2026 creative discussions centered on Drew McIntyre facing Cody Rhodes inside the Hell in a Cell structure to conclude their rivalry that began in late 2025. McIntyre had held the Undisputed WWE Championship for 57 days before losing it to Rhodes in the main event of the March 6 episode of SmackDown.
The proposed Hell in a Cell match aimed to provide a definitive end to the feud between the two rivals. However, WWE has pivoted to a different direction, with Randy Orton now scheduled to challenge Rhodes for the title in a singles match. This booking draws on the personal history between Orton and Rhodes, stemming from their time in the Legacy faction, a matchup fans have anticipated for years.
Meanwhile, McIntyre is expected to feature prominently on the card in a separate program, potentially against Jacob Fatu, though no official announcement has been made. The updated card also includes CM Punk defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Roman Reigns, Stephanie Vaquer versus Liv Morgan for the Women's World Championship, and Jade Cargill facing Rhea Ripley for the WWE Women's Championship. Brock Lesnar is slated for a match against an opponent yet to be determined.
These adjustments reflect WWE's ongoing creative decisions leading into the event, which will be broadcast with the first hour of Night 1 on ESPN2 and Night 2 on ESPN, with full coverage on the ESPN app for subscribers.
