With the Royal Rumble 2026 in the books, there could already be some fascinating matches being set for WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas.
From who the respective winners of the titular Rumble bouts will challenge to future showdoiwns teased in the battle royal match, there are some interesting options.
Here are six potential matches to be added to WWE WrestleMania 42 after Royal Rumble 2026.
6. Oba Femi vs. Cody Rhodes
One massive bout which could be announced on the Road to WrestleMania 42 would be between NXT call-up Oba Femi and former Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes.
While there may or may not be any future title implications between the pair of WWE stars, clearly their bad blood is not over.
Meeting again in the Royal Rumble after their singles bout at Saturday Night’s Main Event was interrupted by Drew McIntyre, the duo could put on an incredible feud if given the time and space.
However, with Femi seemingly ending up with a babyface presentation by the end of the Rumble bout, he could be headed to WWE Raw as a good guy, instead of facing off against Rhodes on SmackDown.
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5. Rhiyo (Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky) (c) vs. Bella Twins (Brie & Nikki Bella) vs. Lash Legend & Nia Jax vs. Bayley & Lyra Valyria for WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
With the return of Brie Bella to WWE, it was noted on commentary that it wasn’t clear whether or not this Bella twin was to stay or making a one-off appearance.
Since the Brie and Nikki have seemingly resumed their heelish ways together as a tag team, the Royal Rumble may have revealed several upcoming storylines.
With the Bellas eliminating Bayley and Lyra Valkyria, the duo was later eliminated from the Rumble by Lash Legend, possibly teasing a future showdown between the four massive teams.
Containing so many top stars in WWE, this bout could end up serving as a main event match from the women’s division on either Saturday or Sunday of WrestleMania 42
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4. Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Jacob Fatu vs. Cody Rhodes for Undisputed WWE Championship
There is definitely still bad blood brewing between Drew McIntyre, Cody Rhodes and Jacob Fatu.
Since Sami Zayn came up short at the Royal Rumble 2026, Drew McIntyre will go into WrestleMania 42 season as the Undisputed WWE Champion.
With McIntyre able to escape Royal Rumble 2026 in Riyadh with the Undisputed Championship by besting Sami Zayn, he appears to be headed for a major WrestleMania 42 showdown.
Since there is continued tension, it may be that a triple threat match is made for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42.
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3. Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Championship
There is no shortage of bad blood between Drew McIntyre and Roman Reigns in WWE.
With the current Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre having a rich history with the entire Bloodline faction, it could be that an inevitable return to his feud with Reigns is on the cards.
If the 2026 men’s Royal Rumble winner was to challenge Drew McIntyre for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42, there could be a fascinating story surrounding the match.
With Reigns’ cousin Jacob Fatu locked in battle with McIntyre, Reigns’ old foe Cody Rhodes could end up being pivotal in helping the OTC achieve success at WrestleMania.
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2. Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Liv Morgan for WWE Women’s World Championship
A major WrestleMania 42 match that could come out of the Royal Rumble 2026 would be Liv Morgan challenging Stephanie Vaquer for the WWE Women’s World Championship.
Since Liv Morgan captured victory in the women’s Royal Rumble, it would make sense for her to choose to target a top champion in WWE.
While the current WWE Women’s Champion on SmackDown is Jade Cargill, we could see Morgan challenge the WWE Raw champ instead.
Since Stephanie Vaquer continues to reign over the WWE Raw women’s division, perhaps Liv Morgan will choose to target the Chilean champ.
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1. Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins for the WWE Heavyweight Championship
In a swerve that could evolve from the Royal Rumble 2026 victory of Roman Reigns, there could end up being a huge triple threat rematch for the WWE Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 42.
While Punk is currently holding the title and Reigns captured the Rumble victory, the night also held another interesting development.
With a masked assailant attacking Bron Breakker — who was set to enter at #2 to immediately face off against the menacing Oba Femi — Breakker’s Royal Rumble dreams were quickly extinguished.
Since his attacker rolled him the ring to be battered by the #1 entrant Oba Femi before being eliminated, it would seem that perhaps Rollins could have been the man working to instead eliminate Breakker and set up the perfect WrestleMania 42 showdown.
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