As we move past the fallout of Backlash 2026 in Tampa, the WWE landscape is dominated by two massive pillars: the “OTC” Roman Reigns, who narrowly escaped his cousin Jacob Fatu, and the Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, who continues his era-defining run after turning back Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42.
However, the horizon is shifting toward a historic destination: WrestleMania 43, the first-ever “WrestleMania Riyadh.”
To get to Saudi Arabia for the grandest stage of them all, the booking needs to transition from “settling scores” to a “clash of ideologies.” Here is how the staff of BetWrestling.Net would book the next 11 months, culminating in a main event for the ages.
Phase 1: The Ring General’s Summer Conquest
Following his submission victory over Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 42 and his subsequent destruction of the mid-card through the spring, Gunther must be positioned as an unstoppable force. While Cody Rhodes is occupied with a “Last Man Standing” feud against a desperate, post-defeat Randy Orton, Gunther should systematically dismantle the RAW roster.
By SummerSlam 2026, Gunther needs to capture the World Heavyweight Championship from Roman Reigns. This isn’t just a title change; it’s a symbolic passing of the “Final Boss” torch. Roman’s distraction with the crumbling Bloodline and the insubordination of Jacob Fatu provides the opening for Gunther to lock in a Sleeper Hold that puts the Tribal Chief to sleep. This establishes Gunther as the apex predator of the Netflix era, holding the gold while Cody continues to represent the “soul” of the company on the other side.
Phase 2: The Bloodline’s Extinction Event
Through the fall of 2026, the story isn’t about titles for Roman Reigns—it’s about survival. Jacob Fatu, having refused to “acknowledge” Roman after Backlash, leads a new, more feral version of the Bloodline (including a debuting Zilla Fatu and a returning, heel Jey Uso). This leads to a high-stakes Survivor Series: WarGames match: The OG Bloodline (Roman, Jimmy, and a returning Paul Heyman) vs. The Fatu Dynasty.
The booking here is crucial: The Dynasty wins. Roman is left broken and without a kingdom, leading to a hiatus that makes his eventual return for WrestleMania season feel like a messianic event. Meanwhile, Oba Femi, fresh off retiring Brock Lesnar, should spend this period as a terrifying Intercontinental Champion, creating a “Power Vacuum” where only the strongest survive.
Phase 3: The Royal Rumble and the Riyadh Horizon
As we enter 2027, the road to Riyadh begins. Cody Rhodes has now held the Undisputed Title for nearly three years, but the cracks are showing. At the Royal Rumble 2027, Gunther (still the World Heavyweight Champion) entered at #30 and won the match. In a shocking twist, Gunther doesn’t just challenge for a title—he demands a Unification Match.
Gunther’s logic is simple: “One King, One Kingdom.” He wants to walk into Saudi Arabia and leave as the sole owner of the industry. Cody, ever the fighting champion, accepts the “Winner Take All” stipulation for the main event of WrestleMania 43. This sets up a “Champion vs. Champion” dynamic that hasn’t felt this high-stakes since the days of Ultimate Warrior and Hulk Hogan.
The Main Event: WrestleMania 43
The Match: Cody Rhodes (Undisputed WWE Champion) vs. Gunther (World Heavyweight Champion)
The story of the match is “The American Dream” vs. “The Ring General.” In the sprawling, opulent setting of Riyadh, the match should be a 30-minute clinic of psychological warfare and physical brutality.
The Finish: After surviving multiple Powerbombs and the lariat, Cody Rhodes hits a “Cody Cutter” from the top rope, but Gunther catches him mid-air into a sleeper. The crowd in Riyadh is at a fever pitch as Cody nearly fades, only to find the strength to hit three consecutive Cross Rhodes.
The Coronation: Cody Rhodes wins, unifying the titles and solidifying his place as the greatest champion of the modern era. As the fireworks light up the Riyadh skyline, the screen fades to black, leaving the image of Cody holding both titles, finally finishing the ultimate story of undisputed dominance.
This path utilizes the momentum of rising stars like Oba Femi and Jacob Fatu to keep the mid-card explosive, while allowing the two biggest workhorses in the company to headline a historic international event.