Key Matches at WrestleMania 42
WrestleMania, the most anticipated event in WWE, is set to return with a series of high-stakes matches and intense rivalries. This year’s event, WrestleMania 42, will take place on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 April at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The action will be split into two nights, each filled with compelling storylines and legendary competitors.
On Night 1, fans can expect a mix of tag team battles and individual showdowns. Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, and LA Knight will face off against Logan Paul, Austin Theory, and IShowSpeed in a unique match-up that blends professional wrestling with entertainment. Drew McIntyre will challenge Jacob Fatu, while Lash Legend and Nia Jax (Women’s World Tag-Team Champions) will defend their titles against Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Bayley, Lyra Valkyria, Nikki Bella, and Brie Bella.
AJ Lee will compete against Becky Lee for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, and Seth Rollins will go up against Gunther. Stephanie Vaquer (Women’s World Champion) will take on Liv Morgan, while Cody Rhodes (Undisputed WWE Champion) faces Randy Orton in one of the main events.
Night 2 promises even more excitement. Penta (Intercontinental Champion) will battle Rey Mysterio, JD McDonagh, Rusev, Je’Von Evans, and Dragon Lee in a six-man ladder match. Brock Lesnar will face Oba Femi, and Sami Zayn (United States Champion) will take on Trick Williams. Jade Cargill (Women’s WWE Champion) will face Rhea Ripley, while Finn Balor will go up against Dominik Mysterio.
CM Punk (World Heavyweight Champion) will face Roman Reigns in the second main event, setting up a potential title change.
Predictions for WrestleMania 42
There are several key predictions for this year’s event. It is expected that Randy Orton will move closer to John Cena’s record of 16 world titles by defeating Cody Rhodes, much like Cena did last year. Roman Reigns is also predicted to dethrone CM Punk, following their previous loss in a triple threat match with Seth Rollins.
Seth Rollins may face an unexpected defeat against Gunther, given the latter’s recent success, including a win over John Cena in his retirement match. Additionally, there could be a passing of the torch when Brock Lesnar faces Oba Femi, an emerging talent.
Dominik Mysterio is expected to face consequences for his actions against Finn Balor, and Jade Cargill may find herself challenged by Rhea Ripley. A new women’s champion could emerge on Night 1, with Liv Morgan potentially defeating Stephanie Vaquer.
Penta might overcome the odds in his ladder match, but Sami Zayn may not fare as well against Trick Williams. Becky Lee is predicted to regain her Intercontinental title from AJ Lee, and the women’s tag-team fatal four-way match could see Bayley and Lyra Valkyria as the victors.
Jacob Fatu is expected to defeat Drew McIntyre, and the Uso twins along with LA Knight could secure a feel-good victory.
When and How to Watch WrestleMania 42
WrestleMania 42 will be held on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 April at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. In the US, each night of the event will begin at 4pm PT / 6pm CT / 7pm ET. For viewers in the UK, the event will start at 12am BST on Sunday and Monday morning.
The event will stream live on Netflix in the UK and most territories worldwide, available to subscribers without additional cost. In the US, the event will air live on ESPN.
Celebrities Involved in WrestleMania 42
This year’s WrestleMania will feature a variety of celebrities. YouTubers Logan Paul and IShowSpeed will compete, even teaming up together. Music star Jelly Roll and rapper Lil Yachty will also make appearances. Wrestler-turned-actor John Cena will host the event, while NFL kicker-turned-sports analyst Pat McAfee is expected to participate as well.
Earnings of WWE Stars at WrestleMania
The exact earnings of WWE stars during WrestleMania are difficult to determine, but it is known that the minimum base salary for wrestlers on the SmackDown and Raw rosters is $250,000. This figure may have increased since 2022, and it does not include wrestlers on NXT, WWE’s developmental show.
Wrestlers’ earnings are also boosted by merchandise sales and a share of pay-per-view revenue. Given the high demand for merchandise and pay-per-view sales during WrestleMania, the weekend of 18 and 19 April could be the most lucrative for WWE wrestlers.
In 2023, some of the highest-reported WWE wages included:
– Roman Reigns: $5m per year
– Randy Orton: $5m per year
– Seth Rollins: $3.5m per year
– Cody Rhodes: $3m per year
– Logan Paul: $2m per year
These figures do not include bonuses or additional income sources.
