Fun Fact: Drew McIntyre vs Jacob Fatu will mark second Unsanctioned match in WWE WrestleMania history
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Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu will battle in an unsanctioned match.
With no end in sight to the brutal brawl between Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis had no choice but to make a match between the two official for WrestleMania, giving them time to settle their scores.
However, Aldis went one step ahead and announced that the two would battle in a no-disqualification, no-count-out, unsanctioned match at the upcoming edition of WrestleMania.
The 42nd edition of WrestleMania will take place as a two-night event on April 18 and 19 at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada.
Notably, this will be only the second time ever in WWE WrestleMania history that an unsanctioned match will be a part of the match card.
Seth Rollins and Triple H clashed in the first unsanctioned match at WrestleMania
The feud between Seth Rollins and now WWE CCO Triple H, which culminated in an unsanctioned match at the 33rd edition of WrestleMania in 2017, is the first unsanctioned match of its kind in PLE history.
The feud, which kicked off after Triple H betrayed Rollins, effectively kicking him out of The Authority, who in turn overcame the knee injury to battle Triple H in the dangerous stipulation and emerge on top in their clash on April 2, 2017, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida
After nine years, McIntyre and Fatu will now compete in a non-sanctioned match, where the stakes are high, promising the continuation of the “unhinged” feud.
Who attacked Jacob Fatu?
The feud between the two can trace its roots back to the attack on Fatu in October 2025, which forced him out of action until January, when Fatu returned to attack McIntyre, but accidentally helped him capture the Undisputed title against Cody Rhodes.
While McIntyre has denied having anything to do with the attack, Fatu is looking for some payback and rectified his mistake by helping Rhodes capture the title from McIntyre in the rematch, making things more personal.
It now remains to be seen who winds up on top and if WWE decides to reveal who the real attacker was, as the mystery still remains unsolved to this date.
What is the first unsactioned match in WrestleMania history?
The feud between Seth Rollins and now WWE CCO Triple H, which culminated in an unsanctioned match at the 33rd edition of WrestleMania in 2017, is the first unsanctioned match of its kind in PLE history.
When and where will WrestleMania 42 take place?
The 2026 edition of the event will take place as a two-night spectacle on April 18 and 19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
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Abhijit Singh is a budding sports journalist with over three years of experience in the field, and a photographer capturing stories through his lens since 2018. With a background in philosophy and political science, he brings a thoughtful, analytical edge to his reporting where every word is guided by curiosity and intent. Whether he's capturing the emotion of a moment or unpacking the deeper narratives within the game, Abhijit’s work is rooted in insight and passion. When he’s not covering sports, he’s often exploring new ideas through reading, traveling or just procrastinating.