WWE has internally planned for a Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton title match at WrestleMania 42 - something they had been pitched seriously dating all the way back to January. Fightful Select reported that one of the reasons that WWE had Rhodes drop the title to McIntyre was so that as a non-champion, he could be involved in both the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber - raising the stock and draw of both of those matches.
WWE is also moving ahead with Jade Cargill defending her WWE title against Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 42. Bryan Alvarez of f4wonline.com recently reported that Cargill's opponent came down to two wrestlers - Ripley and Tiffany Stratton but originally they were hoping that Bianca Belair would be back for the show and end up challenging Cargill for her belt. Because Belair continues to deal with a frustratingly long rehab for a finger injury, WWE pivoted to Cargill vs. Ripley.
PWInsider Elite reported that Royce Keys' absence from WWE TV lately is strictly due to the company wanting him to get "acclimated" to how the company runs things on the production side. They noted that his official TV debut still not happening has nothing to do with the company souring on him but more as a preparation that all newly signed wrestlers go through.
