WWE is already working on the first creative plans for WrestleMania 43, which will take place in April 2027 in Saudi Arabia. Although the showdown between Roman Reigns and Oba Femi continues to shape up as one of the main attractions of the event, the company is also considering a rematch between CM Punk and Cody Rhodes, who starred in one of the main matches of SummerSlam 2026.
According to WrestleVotes Radio via Fightful Select, CM Punk and Cody Rhodes are among the names that WWE is considering for another one of the main events of WrestleMania 43. The report indicates that creative discussions are still in an early stage, so none of the mentioned matches are confirmed, and plans could change in the coming months.
The possibility of a new showdown between Punk and Rhodes is of particular interest due to what happened last August. Both wrestlers faced off at WWE SummerSlam 2026, where "The Best in the World" successfully defended the Undisputed WWE Championship in the main event of the first night.
That match marked their first individual encounter in 18 years and ended with a controversial outcome. After an intense battle where they exchanged their signature moves, Randy Orton appeared when the referee was incapacitated and delivered an RKO to Cody Rhodes. The interference allowed Punk to later hit a GTS and secure the three-count to retain the championship.
The result left the door open for a possible rematch. In fact, a few days later, CM Punk publicly offered Cody Rhodes a new opportunity for the Undisputed WWE Championship during an untelevised event held in Fairfax, Virginia. The champion acknowledged the circumstances of his victory and assured Rhodes that he could face him again whenever he wanted.
At the moment, it is unknown if WWE intends to revisit that story with a championship on the line or if the potential WrestleMania 43 match would take place outside of the title scene. However, the rivalry has recent history that would allow the company to pick up the conflict without needing to build an entirely new storyline.
The selection of both names wouldn't be surprising considering their recent trajectory at the biggest event of the year. Cody Rhodes has been part of the WrestleMania main events since 2023, while CM Punk has once again established himself as one of WWE's top attractions after his return to the company.
The WrestleVotes report also keeps on the table the showdown between Roman Reigns and Oba Femi, a possibility that has been circulating among specialized media for several months. In September, Dave Meltzer pointed out that WWE would be building a match between them for the main event of WrestleMania 43's Sunday.
The story has progressed in recent weeks. After his victory over Bronson Reed at Money in the Bank 2026, Oba Femi issued a direct challenge to Roman Reigns, making it clear that the current World Heavyweight Champion is among his main targets.
The potential match would allow WWE to present a duel between one of its most established stars and one of the young talents who has gained significant prominence over the past year. Femi has experienced a notable rise within the company, including his victory over Brock Lesnar in a Hell in a Cell Match at SummerSlam.
Furthermore, Reigns himself has recently spoken about the need to prepare a new generation of stars. In an interview with Shannon Sharpe on the Club Shay Shay podcast, the world champion acknowledged the prominence Cody Rhodes has assumed in WWE, but also emphasized the importance of finding new figures capable of leading the company in the coming years.
For now, the match between Reigns and Femi remains a creative direction under discussion, not an officially announced showdown by WWE.
The report also provides updates on WWE's plans for the women's division. According to WrestleVotes, the company wants Rhea Ripley to have a prominent role at WrestleMania 43, provided her physical recovery allows it.
"Mami" has been sidelined from competition after suffering a meniscus tear last June. The injury forced her to interrupt her second reign as WWE Women's Champion and thwarted the plans the company had prepared for her during the second half of the year.
Ripley's potential participation will depend on her medical progress and receiving clearance to return to the ring. The report does not specify an opponent or confirm that WWE has a specific match reserved for the Australian, but it does point out that her presence would be one of the company's priorities within the women's lineup.
Ripley has established herself in recent years as one of the top stars in WWE's women's division. Her presence at WrestleMania has been linked to some of the most important women's matches in recent editions, so her absence would be a significant loss for the show.
WrestleMania 43 will mark a historic event for WWE as it will be the first edition of the event held in Saudi Arabia. The show will take place in Riyadh during April 2027, although the company has not yet announced the exact dates for the two days.
The celebration of the event in Saudi territory is part of WWE's international expansion and its commercial relationship with the country, which has hosted numerous large-scale shows in recent years, including several editions of Crown Jewel and other Premium Live Events.
With several months still ahead, WWE has time to develop the stories that could lead to the main matches of WrestleMania. For now, Roman Reigns vs. Oba Femi and CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes are two of the possibilities being internally debated, while Rhea Ripley's situation will depend on her recovery.
It is worth noting that none of these matches have been officially confirmed, and creative discussions may undergo changes before WWE begins announcing the final card for WrestleMania 43.
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