WWE already has a major WrestleMania 43 match in mind, but fans expecting Cody Rhodes vs. CM Punk might be disappointed. While Roman Reigns vs. Oba Femi is currently planned for the show, the Rhodes vs. Punk match isn’t on WWE’s schedule right now.
According to Dave Meltzer in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, there’s been plenty of talk about WWE booking Rhodes vs. Punk for Night One and Reigns vs. Femi for Night Two. However, Meltzer has been told that only one of those matches is actually in the plans.
“There has been a lot of talk this week that the two main events for WrestleMania in 2027 would be Rhodes vs. Punk on night one and Reigns vs. Femi on night two. From what we were told, the latter is accurate but the former is not the current plan.”
Meltzer explained that Rhodes vs. Punk would make sense considering both stars are on SmackDown and WWE has largely kept them apart since their August 1 SummerSlam championship match. That still doesn’t mean the company is planning to pull the trigger.
“Rhodes vs. Punk would make sense and I could see the argument for it as they are the two top stars on the Smackdown brand and have been kept apart aside from their 8/1 SummerSlam title match. But right now that is not the plan.”
Of course, WWE still has six months before WrestleMania 43, and Meltzer made it clear that nothing is set in stone. Plans have changed plenty of times before, and there’s no guarantee the current direction will stick.
“We’re only in October and historically these plans will change multiple times anyway, whether due to injuries or other situations.”
Reigns is currently holding the World Heavyweight Championship on RAW, while Sami Zayn is the Undisputed WWE Champion on SmackDown. That leaves plenty of possibilities for how WWE could get to Reigns vs. Femi, especially if the company wants to put a championship on the line.
There’s also still no word on what WWE has planned for the other main event. Meltzer didn’t name a replacement for Rhodes vs. Punk, so that part of the WrestleMania card remains a mystery.
WrestleMania 43 is expected to take place April 10 and 11, 2027, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. WWE is also scheduled to return to Saudi Arabia for Crown Jewel on November 7, although ongoing tensions in the Middle East could complicate those plans. WWE and TKO officials have maintained that the event is still moving forward.
For now, Reigns vs. Femi appears to be the match WWE wants, while Rhodes vs. Punk is off the table under the current plans. With six months left before WrestleMania, there’s still plenty of time for WWE to change its mind.
Do you want to see Roman Reigns face Oba Femi at WrestleMania 43, or would you rather WWE go with Cody Rhodes vs. CM Punk as one of the main events? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
