Original WrestleMania Plan Revealed for Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre Before WWE Pivoted

WWE’s road to WrestleMania 42 may look different now, but a new backstage update reveals the company originally had a much more brutal showdown in mind for Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre.

According to PWInsider, the initial WrestleMania pitch circulating internally called for Rhodes to defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against McIntyre inside Hell in a Cell. The idea reportedly made the rounds earlier in the planning process before WWE pivoted in a different direction as the card began taking shape.

The plan would have placed two of WWE’s top stars in one of the company’s most dangerous stipulations on the biggest stage of the year. However, those original creative discussions never made it to the final lineup.

Instead, the WrestleMania landscape appears to be shifting toward separate rivalries. Current expectations point toward Cody Rhodes facing Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42, while Drew McIntyre is now believed to be headed toward a match with Jacob Fatu.

That change follows the chaotic Undisputed WWE Championship match between Rhodes and McIntyre on the March 6, 2026 episode of Friday Night SmackDown from the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.

The main event turned into a wild brawl as the two fought around ringside, up the ramp, and eventually crashed through a table before returning to the ring. After surviving multiple near falls and interference, Rhodes regained the Undisputed WWE Championship when he connected with a Cody Cutter followed by Cross Rhodes to score the pinfall.

The closing moments also featured Jacob Fatu entering the scene to stop McIntyre from using a steel chair, creating the kind of chaos that has fueled speculation about the new WrestleMania direction.

With that result now in the books, the original Hell in a Cell plan between Rhodes and McIntyre appears to be off the table. Instead, WWE seems to be setting up two separate major matches as WrestleMania 42 approaches.

WrestleMania 42 will take place on April 18 and 19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, and the final card is still coming together as WWE moves deeper into WrestleMania season.

What do you think about WWE’s original WrestleMania idea for Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre inside Hell in a Cell? Would you rather see that match happen, or do you prefer the current direction with Cody facing Randy Orton and McIntyre potentially battling Jacob Fatu? Let us know your thoughts and drop your opinion in the comments.