Andrew Timms/WWE via Getty Images
Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from the WWE Universe.
WWE Reportedly Planning Reigns vs. Punk vs. Rollins
Following their interaction in the 2025 men’s Royal Rumble match on Saturday, plans are reportedly in place for three of WWE’s biggest stars to clash at WrestleMania 41.
According to PWInsider.com (h/t Steve Carrier of Ringside News), the current plan calls for a Triple Threat match between Roman Reigns, CM Punk and Seth Rollins at WrestleMania.
During the late stages of the star-studded men’s Royal Rumble match, Reigns and Rollins were battling near the ropes when Punk came up behind them and dumped them both out.
While Punk was admiring his work, Logan Paul sneakily threw him out as well, essentially taking out three top contenders in one fell swoop.
Punk, Reigns and Rollins then argued on the floor, and Rollins took out Reigns with a vicious stomp to the head before throwing hands with Punk.
Reigns and Rollins have issues that date way back to when Rollins ended The Shield by attacking Reigns and Dean Ambrose.
Rollins was also the most vocal critic of Punk when he returned to WWE in November 2023, and there are plenty of unresolved problems between them stemming from their match on the debut episode of Raw on Netflix.
Reigns and Punk have had some tense exchanges in recent months as well, although Punk did lend Reigns a helping hand back in November when he agreed to be part of his WarGames match at Survivor Series as a favor to Paul Heyman.
Of course, any of Reigns, Punk or Rollins could be moved into the world title scene at any time, but a match between them with no title on the line would be a huge addition to the WrestleMania card.
Assuming whoever wins earns a future title shot would ensure that there are important stakes involved as well.
McIntyre Reportedly Uncertain for Friday’s SmackDown
Drew McIntyre did not appear on Raw this week following his shocking elimination from the men’s Royal Rumble match, and it isn’t yet clear if he will resurface on SmackDown.
According to PWInsider.com (h/t Subhojeet Mukherjee of Ringside News), McIntyre’s status for SmackDown is uncertain, although it isn’t a case of major issues between him and WWE.
PWInsider.com noted that McIntyre and WWE have remained in contact since his abrupt Rumble exit.
It was originally reported by PWInsider.com (h/t Carrier) that after Damian Priest eliminating McIntyre from the Rumble, Drew could be heard “screaming and cursing” backstage. McIntyre reportedly expressed his belief that his elimination didn’t come off properly because “someone had to get their moves in,” and he then “stormed out of the building.”
Per Fightful Select (h/t Randall Ortman of Cageside Seats), Priest was originally supposed to eliminate McIntyre before Logan Paul got into the ring as the 30th entrant, but that didn’t happen for unknown reasons.
When Priest did eventually eliminate McIntyre, it came as Paul, LA Knight and Jey Uso were fighting to the side of them.
McIntyre reportedly felt Knight’s “errant movement killed the drama and momentum” of his elimination, and believed it came off in a “clunky manner.”
Adding to McIntyre’s apparent frustration is the fact that the elimination was supposed to be the start of a feud between Drew and Priest, leading to a match at WrestleMania 41.
Since Priest recently moved from Raw to SmackDown, it would make sense for McIntyre to do the same, which suggests there is a solid chance the former WWE champion shows up Friday on the blue brand.
WWE Reportedly Considering SmackDown Move for Bliss
Despite initial plans to bring her back as part of the Raw brand, Alexa Bliss reportedly could be on the move.
According to PWInsider.com (h/t Carrier), there have been internal discussions about moving Bliss to SmackDown where she could potentially work with the Wyatt Sicks.
A little over a week before Royal Rumble, PWInsider.com (h/t Carrier) reported that WWE had scrapped plans for Bliss to return to WWE on the Jan. 13 episode of Raw on Netflix in San Jose, California.
Bliss was supposed to do something with the Wyatt Sicks, but the creative team was reportedly told to scrap the plans and put everything “on hold indefinitely.”
There was reportedly a belief within WWE at the time that plans for Bliss’ return were halted due to a contract issue, as she had “an older WWE deal” and reportedly wanted a new one before returning.
WWE and Bliss were able to get on the same page before Royal Rumble, as she returned in the women’s Royal Rumble match, entering as a surprise at No. 21.
Bliss had been gone for two whole years after going on maternity leave and having her first child, and that coupled with the surprising nature of her return resulting in one of the biggest pops of the night.
Prior to her absence, Bliss had been working with “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt, and at the Rumble, she wore a jacket that was a clear tribute to Wyatt, who tragically died in 2023 at the age of 36.
Given her history with Wyatt, moving Bliss to SmackDown and putting her with the Wyatt Sicks would likely be the most logical way to utilize her coming out of the Rumble.
Listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot wrestling topics. Catch the latest episode in the player below.