WWE WrestleMania 42: The Anticipation Builds

The ultimate weekend for pro wrestling fans is here again. WWE WrestleMania 42 is set to take place in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium, the home of the Raiders. This two-night event acts like the culmination of WWE’s season, bringing closure to major storylines and featuring a surge of celebrity appearances, creating a spectacle that’s hard to match.

Honestly, there’s something different about this year’s WrestleMania. It’s not just for die-hard wrestling fans; it’s got a broader appeal in its sights. Thanks to ESPN’s promotional power, they’ve included streamer IShowSpeed, targeting Gen Z and Gen Alpha. We’ve seen Pat McAfee get attacked on set and Danhausen poke fun at Stephen A. Smith. So, let’s break down both nights of WrestleMania and make some predictions about where this will all lead.

The Vision (Logan Paul and Austin Theory) and IShowSpeed vs. The Usos (Jimmy and Hey Uso) and LA Night

I don’t think we need to overanalyze this one. IShowSpeed’s inclusion speaks volumes, especially with Logan Paul backing him up. It’s all pretty straightforward.

Winner: Vision and IShowSpeed

Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre

This match looks like a guaranteed highlight of night one. Two immensely athletic competitors are set to deliver a hard-hitting performance. I think the goal here is to elevate Fatu into title contention, which could be pretty exciting.

The Irresistible Force (Nia Jax & Rush Legend) (c) vs. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley & Lyla Valkyrie vs. The Bella Twins (Brie & Nikki Bella) — WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship

There’s a wealth of talent in this match, but it feels a bit overcrowded. The risk of chaos is high with so many different factions competing at once. Given the current stagnation in the women’s tag division, I think there’s really only one sensible outcome here.

Winner: Bailey and Lyra Valkyrie

AJ Lee (c) vs. Becky Lynch — WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship

AJ Lee’s return has been quite enjoyable, as was her title match, but I suspect her reign ends at WrestleMania. This feels like a stepping stone to get Becky Lynch back into the championship spotlight, as she’s one of wrestling’s biggest names. The quality of the match itself is uncertain, but I think we all know where it’s heading.

Things shifted a bit when WWE had to adapt their storyline because Bron Breaker got injured. Rollins, known for his impressive performances, especially in huge matches, should add an intriguing dynamic here, but the conclusion seems fairly predictable given the prior plans.

Stephanie Vachel (c) vs. Liv Morgan — Women’s World Championship

Since her return from injury, Liv Morgan has been clutching onto a locket. It makes sense, really. From a technical standpoint, Vaquel is arguably the best female wrestler right now, but WWE seeks more than just appearances. That makes this choice seem a bit clearer.

Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Randy Orton (with Pat McAfee) — Undisputed WWE Championship

This main event has been brewing for quite a while, and Rhodes and Orton share a strong friendship outside the ring. I mean, the buildup has been a bit messy, trying to cram in too many storylines, including a perplexing Jelly Roll angle. Despite their ages, both can still deliver a great match—as long as it doesn’t get too overtaken by celebrity cameos.

A big aspect of this match is the stipulation that if Orton loses, McAfee will have to retire from wrestling. Considering WWE’s partnership with ESPN, it seems unlikely they’d let that happen, but we’ll see.

Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar

This is likely the match fans are looking forward to most. WWE has positioned Oba Femi as the new powerhouse in wrestling, and for him to step up, he’ll need to prove himself against the veterans. The goal seems to be legitimizing Femi’s role as a future star.

Penta (c) vs. Rusev vs. Jevon Evans vs. Dragon Lee vs. JD McDonough vs. Rey Mysterio — WWE Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match

This match carries a bit of risk; there are competitors who might prioritize showmanship over their safety. While multi-competitor ladder matches can be exhilarating, when the dust settles, there’s one clear winner in my mind: Penta. He tends to overlook the audience, making it hard to imagine him losing here.

Sami Zayn (c) vs. Trick Williams (with Lil Yachty) — WWE Intercontinental Championship

I’ve always been a fan of Sami Zayn, but it seems like he might never really get his due. Maybe it’s because he speaks out on social issues or perhaps it’s just his stature. Either way, it seems like Trick Williams is positioned for a title run here, and this could be his moment.

“The Devil” Finn Balor vs. Dominic Mysterio

This one is a bit confusing. WWE seems to see something special in Dom, though I’m not sure I do. They can’t let Balor lose in this scenario, but expect some antics to keep him strong even as he possibly takes a loss.

Jade Cargill (c) vs. Rhea Ripley — WWE Women’s Championship

Cargill has the charisma to be a star, but her wrestling skills have some catching up to do. Although she gained fame for her looks, her title reign hasn’t been stellar due to her performance in the ring. This presents an opportunity for her to step back and let Rhea Ripley reclaim the title.

CM Punk (c) vs. Roman Reigns — World Heavyweight Championship

This match is a tricky call. Generally, we can expect a title change over WrestleMania weekend, and I’m leaning toward Randy Orton for that. But WWE’s long-term plans seem to suggest that Reigns will regain the title, even if he’s transitioning into a part-time role. Punk has always thrived as the challenger, so we’re in for a fascinating match.

How to Watch WWE WrestleMania 2026

Date: April 18th (Saturday) and April 19th (Sunday)

Location: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada

Stream: Available through ESPN Unlimited for U.S. viewers (via the ESPN app), and Netflix for international audiences.

The first hour of both nights will air on ESPN2 (Saturday) and ESPN (Sunday) at 6pm ET.