WrestleMania 43 Undisputed WWE Championship match plans: What will headline the show in Saudi Arabia?

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Earlier this month, WWE President Nick Khan said WWE are “already across” their creative plans heading into next year’s WrestleMania 43, barring any injuries.

What exactly those plans are is currently left to the imagination of the WWE fanbase, however, one match that does seem highly likely to happen is a World Heavyweight Title showdown between Roman Reigns and WWE’s ‘Next Big Thing’ Oba Femi.

The Undisputed WWE Championship match on the other hand feels far less certain. There truly are so many stars in the mix for the title right now, and there could be even more involved by the time the company gets to WrestleMania 43.

Here are four potential matches WWE could book for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 43:

Sami Zayn vs. Cody Rhodes

The fracturing of Sami Zayn and Cody Rhodes friendship throughout the first half of 2026 was one of WWE’s most compelling storylines, with the pair delivering excellent segments backstage and in the ring.

This all led to Zayn shockingly dethroning Rhodes for the WWE Title at Night of Champions in a three-way that also featured GUNTHER.

With Cody Rhodes moving away from the WWE Title picture post SummerSlam, we have yet to see a true solo feud between he and Zayn, but this is certainly something WWE could revisit heading towards WrestleMania 43.

Cody Rhodes vs. CM Punk vs. Randy Orton

After CM Punk ended Sami Zayn’s aforementioned first Undisputed WWE Title run after just nine days, he took on Cody Rhodes in his first title defense at WWE SummerSlam 2026.

For many, Punk vs. Rhodes was a frontrunner to be the WWE Championship headliner at WrestleMania 43, but now that it’s already been done at SummerSlam it’s harder to see WWE doing it again without some significant changes to either Punk or Cody’s character.

With Cody teasing a heel turn, perhaps that is the big change needed for a rematch at WrestleMania 43. Or, alternatively, WWE could add the man who cost Rhodes his first match with Punk at SummerSlam: Randy Orton. With Orton chasing world title number 15, and he, Rhodes and Punk all being some of the last remaining top active stars from their era, a three-way would be solid choice for the WWE Title match at WrestleMania 43.

CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre

While there are some big caveats to a Cody Rhodes vs. CM Punk rematch at WrestleMania 43, CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre certainly would not need as much work.

The pair created magic with their 2024 feud, and it stands as the best work of McIntyre’s career and best of Punk in WWE since the ‘Summer of Punk’ in 2011.

It’s unclear when Drew McIntyre will be back on TV, or which brand he’ll return to, but if it’s SmackDown, it would surely be an inevitability that he and Punk run it back once again; perhaps this time in the main event of WrestleMania 43.

Cody Rhodes vs. Trick Williams

Much like John Cena and Batista at WrestleMania 21, WWE could not only crown one new top star in Oba Femi at WrestleMania 43, but two, as they could also go all the way with Trick Williams at ‘The Grandest Stage of Them All.’

Trick Williams is very clearly on his way to main eventing PLEs and winning world championship gold, the only question is when? Having qualified for the 2026 Money in the Bank, perhaps Trick will earn his shot that way; and in babyface fashion, he could book his shot for WrestleMania 43 ahead of time, rather than capitalizing on a weak champion after a match. Failing that, there is, of course the Royal Rumble or Elimination Chamber.

As for who would be passing Trick the torch, there are many options. But if WWE are going for their biggest names then it would have to be either Cody Rhodes or CM Punk. While the latter would be a great choice, there would also be something special about seeing Rhodes and Roman Reigns drop titles to the future stars in WWE over one weekend.

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