WWE Rumor Roundup - CM Punk vs Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 43, Creative plans for Gunther & Rhea Ripley & more

Latest WWE rumors, including WrestleMania 43 main event and frustration around Gunther storyline

Fans already showed their true feelings over the Money in the Bank 2026 outcomes, with many storylines taking shape for the upcoming PLEs. The Biggest one would be around April 2027 – WrestleMania 43.

The road to WrestleMania 43 is already generating speculation, with early creative discussions reportedly involving a blockbuster clash between CM Punk and Cody Rhodes.

Meanwhile, Roman Reigns has shared his views on the live-event business model, and questions have reportedly emerged over Gunther’s creative direction. Here is a roundup of the latest WWE rumors and backstage updates.

CM Punk vs Cody Rhodes discussed for WrestleMania 43 Night 1 main event

WWE could be considering another major showdown between CM Punk and Cody Rhodes for WrestleMania 43. According to a report from WrestleVotes Radio, early creative discussions for the 2027 event include a potential rematch between the two superstars, with the contest reportedly being considered for a main-event position.

Punk and Rhodes previously faced each other at SummerSlam 2026, where Punk defeated Rhodes to retain the Undisputed Championship. The reported WrestleMania proposal would give Rhodes an opportunity to settle the score on WWE’s biggest stage, while providing Punk with another high-profile championship-level rivalry.

A match between these two men is especially interesting due to the stardom of the wrestlers involved. Rhodes has recently become a major part of WrestleMania main events, and Punk is still considered a top WWE draw.

The match between them is not confirmed yet, however, as the report only refers to the initial creative talks and WWE has not announced the main events for the two nights. There were even suggestions about a potential Roman Reigns vs Oba Femi match in the same report.

Roman Reigns explains why he is not keen on working live events

Reigns has commented on WWE’s plans to have more live events and their influence on his decision whether to perform there. In the interview for Club Shay Shay, Reigns talked about the new business model that the company is using.

The wrestler has explained why the current model does not allow him to appear in non-televised live events. The fact is that the deals with the TV channels involve a lot of money nowadays.

His remarks have prompted discussion because WWE has increased its live-event activity during 2026 after reducing the number of non-televised shows in previous years. Reigns, however, has remained a special attraction whose appearances are generally built around major television episodes and premium live events.

The comments should not automatically be interpreted as a dispute between Reigns and WWE management. He spoke about the business logic behind his schedule rather than announcing a refusal to work or claiming that he was unhappy with a specific booking decision.

Reigns’ limited schedule has long been part of his presentation as one of WWE’s biggest stars. His value is tied to his ability to draw attention to major appearances, and television and premium live events remain the most significant platforms for his ongoing storylines.

The recent report also comes amid a busier schedule for Reigns towards the end of 2026, including appearances connected to major WWE programming. However, there is no verified evidence that he is seeking to change his contracted schedule because of dissatisfaction with the company.

Frustration over Gunther’s creative direction in WWE

Gunther’s recent direction on WWE television has reportedly raised questions behind the scenes, with sources describing a degree of frustration and confusion surrounding his current presentation.

According to WrestleVotes Radio, some within WWE’s creative environment have questioned how Gunther has been used since moving to SmackDown. The report suggests that his current direction has prompted uncertainty about the company’s longer-term plans for him, particularly considering the momentum he had built through his high-profile victories.

Gunther has proven to be one of WWE’s most dominant stars in recent memory. He has gained such prominence based on his long reign with the Intercontinental Title, which was further solidified by winning the match against John Cena. With all of this information, it should come as no surprise that fans are eager to know what WWE is going to do with him now that he has moved to the blue brand.

It seems like the frustration is stemming from how WWE is going to build upon his already established presence, and not an actual dispute between Gunther and the company.

There have not been any reports about WWE changing his gimmick, nor has there been any news about Gunther demanding one. Having a good story could keep his momentum going and give him another big opponent to look forward to on SmackDown.

Rhea Ripley could be a major focus at WrestleMania 43

Rhea Ripley can become a significant player in WWE’s plans for WrestleMania 43 despite the injury she has suffered, as the participation of the former champion at WrestleMania 43 would depend on her recovery from injuries. The former champion would attend another PLE event prior to WrestleMania 43, though it is not clear if she will compete or participate in any other way.

According to the report from WrestleVotes Radio, which was quoted by Fightful Select, WWE wants to make Ripley’s involvement on the women’s half of the card significant only if she is able to recover enough. However, no confirmed opponent for Ripley has been revealed yet.

Injured with a torn meniscus, the former Women’s World Champion has had to undergo an operation, which made Ripley miss out on WWE. Previously, Ripley explained to the fans why it is not enough just to walk well after the injury.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Wrestling on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram & Whatsapp.