WWE Spoiler: Creative Changes for WWE Championship Match at WrestleMania 42

Rhodes vs. Orton Is the Stronger Play

Six months ago, Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton at WrestleMania felt inevitable. Rhodes was champion, and WWE repeatedly teased tension between the former stablemates.

Then McIntyre captured the title in a brutal Three Stages of Hell match, and the conversation shifted. Expectations moved to a potential Triple Threat involving Jacob Fatu.

Heading into the Chamber, I didn’t see Orton's involvement coming. I was in Chicago on Saturday, and Orton’s win positively stunned the crowd. 18,000 people jumped in unison — the kind of organic reaction you can’t manufacture.

There was a strong case for McIntyre in another WrestleMania main event. He’s earned that spotlight. The idea of Fatu breaking through in that role was intriguing, too.

But Rhodes vs. Orton is the premium story. It’s layered with history, legacy, and unfinished business — much of which WWE hasn’t fully explored since Cody’s 2022 return. Orton is arguably the top babyface on SmackDown right now, getting some of the loudest reactions of his career. When someone is that hot heading into WrestleMania, you capitalize.

From a marquee standpoint and a storytelling standpoint, it’s hard to argue against it.

Where Does Drew McIntyre Fit?

That’s the looming question.

McIntyre added fuel to the fire on X, playing on Rhodes’ signature line after reports of the creative shift surfaced. Whether it’s frustration or storyline savvy, he’s keeping himself in the conversation.

The logical pivot would be McIntyre vs. Jacob Fatu. Still, there’s a fair question: if Drew didn’t retaliate against Fatu back in October, what's the story of their match?

Friday’s SmackDown suddenly feels like a Premium Live Event in disguise. With the WWE Championship potentially changing hands and WrestleMania ramifications hanging in the balance, all eyes will be on how WWE officially sets the board for its biggest show of the year.