The Undisputed WWE Championship Match at the 2026 Royal Rumble sparked plenty of conversation—both backstage and among fans. Drew McIntyre successfully defended his title against Sami Zayn in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, keeping his undefeated record against Zayn alive at 12-0. But reports now suggest that things could have gone very differently.
Drew McIntyre Retains, But Zayn Pushed for the Win
The Royal Rumble marked McIntyre’s first title defense since dethroning Cody Rhodes in a brutal 3 Stages of Hell Match on SmackDown. The bout against Zayn was hard-fought, but in the end, “The Scottish Warrior” stood tall once again.
However, according to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the outcome wasn’t set in stone until the very day of the event. Sami Zayn had reportedly pushed for a title win, but WWE’s Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque decided against it. Instead, McIntyre retained, keeping momentum on his road to WrestleMania 42.
Road to WrestleMania 42: McIntyre vs. Rhodes in the Works
With McIntyre still champion, all signs now point to a WrestleMania showdown between him and Cody Rhodes at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The two have a brewing rivalry, and WrestleMania season is the perfect stage for a rematch.
There’s also talk of Jacob Fatu being added to the match. Fatu interfered in the final fall of the Cage Match between McIntyre and Rhodes on SmackDown, playing a major role in the outcome. His involvement could make the WrestleMania title match even more chaotic and unpredictable.
Royal Rumble Fallout: McIntyre Attacks Rhodes
McIntyre didn’t compete in the Men’s Royal Rumble match itself, but that didn’t stop him from making an impact. He stormed into the ring during the match and delivered a crushing Claymore to Cody Rhodes, costing him his chance at victory.
Meanwhile, Roman Reigns entered as the 26th entrant and went on to win the Royal Rumble. He later declared his WrestleMania 42 opponent would be World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk, setting up one of the most anticipated matches of the year.
What’s Next for Sami Zayn?
Despite his impressive performance, Zayn once again fell short in his pursuit of world championship gold. He’s been vocal over the past year about his desire to become a world champion, and the push continues. With Elimination Chamber taking place later this month in Chicago, there’s still a chance Zayn could find his way back into the title scene.
WWE may be playing the long game with Zayn. One possibility being discussed is that he could win the title at WrestleMania 43 in Riyadh next year—a poetic full-circle moment after his latest loss in the same city.
Main Event Scene is Packed
Right now, WWE has an overflowing main event roster, including:
- Drew McIntyre
- Cody Rhodes
- CM Punk
- Roman Reigns
- Jacob Fatu
- Gunther
- Bron Breakker
With this much talent, not everyone can be in the title match at the same time. But how WWE books Zayn during WrestleMania season could reveal whether he’s still on the path to the top—or if the wait continues.
