The road to WrestleMania 42 is heating up, and recent events on WWE SmackDown have significantly shifted the landscape, particularly for the Night One main event. The return of a more savage Randy Orton has sent shockwaves through the WWE Universe, positioning the Undisputed WWE Championship match between Cody Rhodes and Orton as arguably the most anticipated bout of the entire weekend. Cody Rhodes himself has declared this year’s WrestleMania will be one of the greatest in-ring events WWE has ever produced, and based on the matches already confirmed, this claim holds considerable weight.
For those eager to witness the spectacle live, tickets are still available, including attractive two-night combo packages. If you’re planning to watch from the comfort of your home, the two-night premium live event will be streamed on ESPN in the United States and internationally on Netflix.
Confirmed Matches for WrestleMania 42
Here’s a look at the officially announced matches that are set to take place at Allegiant Stadium:
World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk (c) vs. Roman Reigns
Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Randy Orton
WWE Women’s Championship: Jade Cargill (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
Women’s World Championship: Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Liv Morgan
Open Challenge: Brock Lesnar vs. TBA
Potential Matches and Grudge Matches on the Horizon
Beyond the officially sanctioned bouts, several other matchups are rumored or in development, adding further excitement to the WrestleMania 42 card.
Celebrity Involvement: Following the events of SmackDown, it appears WWE is building towards a celebrity match featuring country music star Jelly Roll. A potential tag team encounter could see Kit Wilson and The Miz facing off against Jelly Roll and Danhausen, offering a unique and entertaining spot for some of WWE’s most charismatic personalities.
Drew McIntyre vs. Jacob Fatu: A singles match between Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu has been slated for next week’s SmackDown in Raleigh. The outcome of this match will be crucial. If it concludes decisively, it’s unlikely to be repeated at WrestleMania. However, any interference or controversial finish could easily lead to this grudge match being saved for the grandest stage of them all.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: WWE has confirmed that the Women’s Tag Team Championships will be defended. Based on recent SmackDown developments, a thrilling triple threat match is seemingly in the works, potentially featuring The Irresistible Forces, The Bella Twins, and the formidable duo of Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss.
Dominik Mysterio vs. Penta: Dominik Mysterio has issued a bold challenge to Penta El Zero Miedo, proposing a Hair vs. Mask match with the Intercontinental Championship on the line. The WWE Universe is eagerly awaiting to see if this high-stakes encounter will materialize on WWE Raw or be saved for WrestleMania.
United States Championship Rematch: After weeks of anticipation, many fans, including this writer, are hopeful for a United States Championship rematch between Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov to earn a spot on the WrestleMania 42 card. Their previous encounters have been nothing short of spectacular.
How to Watch WrestleMania 42
For wrestling fans worldwide, here are the essential details for tuning into WrestleMania 42:
- Dates: Saturday, April 18, 2026, and Sunday, April 19, 2026
- Main Card Start Time:
- 6:00 p.m. ET (Eastern Time)
- 5:00 p.m. CT (Central Time)
- 3:00 p.m. PT (Pacific Time)
- Location: Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada
- Streaming:
- United States: ESPN
- International: Netflix
Additionally, WWE has announced that the first hour of WrestleMania Saturday will be broadcast on ESPN2. Similarly, the initial hour of WrestleMania Sunday will be available for streaming on ESPN. Comprehensive coverage of both nights will be accessible through the ESPN app with an ESPN Unlimited plan.
