Summary

A report says the original pitch for the Undisputed WWE Championship match at WrestleMania 42 was Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre in Hell in a Cell.

The source text says early internal creative discussions centered on ending their late-2025 feud inside the structure, after McIntyre's 57-day title reign.

Plans later shifted to Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton for WrestleMania 42, with the source text citing their Legacy history as part of that direction.

McIntyre is still expected to be on the WrestleMania card and has been linked to a potential match with Jacob Fatu, but that match is not officially announced.

Cody Rhodes title direction shifts from Drew McIntyre feud ender to Randy Orton history play

Moving from a reported Hell in a Cell finish with Drew McIntyre to Randy Orton changes the WrestleMania title story from feud-closure violence to long-term character history, because the current direction leans on Cody and Orton's Legacy connection.

The report also keeps Drew McIntyre in a meaningful WrestleMania position, with a possible Jacob Fatu matchup still in play even though it has not been confirmed.

Sources

As reported by NoDQ.