Is WWE Planning Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes III?
Despite a backstage staredown between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes being teased after Clash in Italy, there are currently no plans for the two champions to meet during the summer of 2026, according to WrestleVotes on WrestleVotes Live.
The brief moment between WWE’s two men’s world champions backstage at Clash in Italy on May 31 raised questions about a potential program, but WrestleVotes reports that no summer match is planned.
Reigns and Rhodes are currently 1-1 in singles matches, with Reigns defending the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Rhodes at WrestleMania 39 before Rhodes ended his multi-year reign as champion in the WrestleMania XL main event. A third match was being built toward for WrestleMania 42 following their Survivor Series 2025 team’s loss to The Vision, but those plans were scrapped. Rhodes instead headlined WrestleMania 42 Night One against Randy Orton, while Reigns defeated CM Punk to win the World Heavyweight Championship on Night Two.
Rhodes said earlier this year that the two have a “very strange” personal relationship, with reports indicating they were kept apart on the set of the upcoming Street Fighter film. Reigns will portray Akuma, and Rhodes will play Guile in the movie, set for release in October.
As both men hold world championships, Crown Jewel — which WWE has been building around champion vs. champion matches — has been floated as a possible destination for an eventual third match.
