WrestleMania 42 brings WWE biggest stars to Las Vegas
WrestleMania 42 takes over Las Vegas as WWE stars collide in title matches and high stakes showdowns at Allegiant Stadium.
LAS VEGAS — The time has come for the biggest event in wrestling.
WWE WrestleMania 42 has arrived, with the wrestling extravaganza starting with night one on Saturday, April 18. Seven matches are scheduled, highlighted by Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton facing off for the Undisputed WWE Championship – with an appearance from Pat McAfee likely coming.
Three other titles will be on the line, and they all come from the women’s division, giving it a chance to once again deliver an amazing product with stars like Stephanie Vaquer and Liv Morgan battling, as well as AJ Lee and Becky Lynch.
Follow USA TODAY Sports for all of the action from night one of WrestleMania 42:
The Usos make an early statement with a superkick to The Vision, forcing IShowSpeed to go up against LA Knight. He displays some quickness and even gets a slam in on Knight, but it doesn’t do much, resulting in him tagging in Paul.
Match in progress.
He ended the last WrestleMania. Now he starts the next one.
Cena returns to WWE for the first time since he retired, serving as the host of the show. His music hits the Allegiant Stadium speakers and the crowd roars seeing his iconic entrance again.
“This is the moment I love the most,” Cena said. “We are all here for the same reason: the time to talk is up, the time to deliver is now.”
Cena welcomes the crowd to WrestleMania 42.
The Las Vegas Mass Choir sings ‘God Bless America’ to start WrestleMania 42.
When is WrestleMania 42?
WrestleMania 42 night one is on Saturday, April 18. Night two takes place on Sunday, April 19.
WrestleMania 42 night 1 start time
WrestleMania 42 night one kicks off at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT. Coverage begins at 3 p.m. ET/noon PT.
How to watch WrestleMania 42 night 1
The first hour of WrestleMania 42 – the first two matches – will air on ESPN2 and ESPN’s streaming service.
Afterward, WrestleMania 42 will stream exclusively on ESPN’s streaming service. Viewers can sign up for a subscription to the site here, which starts at $29.99 a month.
ESPN’s service is available through select cable and TV packages, including:
If your cable or TV package includes the ESPN streaming service, you can figure out how to activate it here.
Internationally, WrestleMania will be available on Netflix in most markets.
Is WrestleMania 42 on ESPN?
The first two matches of night one will be on ESPN2. The rest of the night will be on ESPN’s streaming service.
Will WrestleMania be on Netflix?
WrestleMania is only available on Netflix internationally. It will not be on Netflix for U.S. audiences.
Where is WrestleMania 42?
WrestleMania 42 is at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, home of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders, for the second straight year.
WrestleMania 42 night 1 match card
Matches not in order
- Unsanctioned match: Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre (on ESPN2)
- iShowSpeed, Logan Paul and Austin Theory vs. LA Knight, Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso (on ESPN2)
- Gunther vs. Seth Rollins
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship fatal four-way match: Nia Jax and Lash Legend (c) vs. The Bella Twins vs. Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair vs. Lyra Valkyria and Bayley
- Women’s Intercontinental Championship match: AJ Lee (c) vs. Becky Lynch
- Women’s World Championship match: Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Liv Morgan
- Undisputed WWE Championship match: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Randy Orton
When is WrestleMania 42 preshow?
The WrestleMania 42 preshow begins at 3 p.m. ET/noon PT.
How to watch WrestleMania 42 preshow
The preshow will be available to stream for free on YouTube and WWE’s social media channels. It will also be available to stream on ESPN’s streaming service.
What happens at WrestleMania? See the full predictions here.
Unsanctioned match: Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre
- Jordan Mendoza: Jacob Fatu
- Richard Morin: Jacob Fatu
iShowSpeed, Logan Paul and Austin Theory vs. LA Knight, Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso
- Jordan Mendoza: iShowSpeed, Logan Paul and Austin Theory
- Richard Morin: iShowSpeed, Logan Paul and Austin Theory
Gunther vs. Seth Rollins
- Jordan Mendoza: Seth Rollins
- Richard Morin: Gunther
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship fatal four-way match: Nia Jax and Lash Legend
(c) vs. The Bella Twins vs. Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair vs. Lyra Valkyria and Bayley
- Jordan Mendoza: Lyra Valkyria and Bayley
- Richard Morin: Nia Jax and Lash Legend
Women’s Intercontinental Championship match: AJ Lee (c) vs. Becky Lynch
- Jordan Mendoza: Becky Lynch
- Richard Morin: Becky Lynch
Women’s World Championship match: Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Liv Morgan
- Jordan Mendoza: Stephanie Vaquer
- Richard Morin: Liv Morgan
Undisputed WWE Championship match: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Randy Orton
- Jordan Mendoza: Randy Orton
- Richard Morin: Randy Orton
One thing that always makes WrestleMania feel like a big-time event is the stage, and while not as impressive as WrestleMania 41, this year’s set up does still meet the moment.
The WrestleMania 42 stage takes inspiration from the night one theme, which features a post-apocalyptic branding. It has two stands set up to the side of where the stars will emerge from. One new addition is the massive screen behind the stage.
The greatest of all-time is back at WrestleMania.
Recently retired John Cena is the host of WrestleMania 42, returning to the site where he won his record-setting 17th WWE Championship. It will be his first WWE appearance since his retirement in December.
Could a last-minute move happen on the card?
Nikki Bella could miss out on WrestleMania as an injury has put her status in jeopardy. The WWE Hall of Famer is scheduled to compete with sister Brie in the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship fatal four-way match on night one.
She hurt her ankle during the March 27 edition of SmackDown in a tag team match against Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, and a decision has not been made whether she will go as WWE’s major show set to begin soon. She was spotted at the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony with a boot.
“I’m gonna have to keep wearing my boot to keep resting my foot so we’re all good for tomorrow,” she said on the Nikki & Brie Show on Friday, April 17.
A major return could be in store for WrestleMania.
PWInsider reports Paige will return to WWE, a stunning comeback after she was medically not cleared to compete for the company eight years ago. The outlet reported she has signed a multi-year contract with WWE and if Nikki Bella is unable to compete, she will be Brie Bella’s partner for the match.
Once a top star in WWE, Paige was the inaugural Women’s NXT Champion before she defeated AJ Lee to win the Divas Championship in her main roster debut at the age of 21. She was a force afterwards but had to retire in 2017 due to a serious neck injury, and was with All Elite Wrestling from 2022-25.
Night one features an unsanctioned match between Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu, and as far as that means, anything can go.
An unsanctioned match basically means WWE won’t take responsibility for what happens, therefore it does not regulate the match. There aren’t many rules to follow. Weapons can be used, there are no disqualifications and no count outs. It is the same thing as a street fight or hardcore match, allowing for as much violence as desired.
Whether you like it or not, he’s here.
The sports media giant has returned to wrestling, but not everyone is thrilled about it as McAfee has come to the aid of Orton for the Undisputed WWE Championship match. It has frustrated fans, who have felt his insertion into what was already a great story between Orton and Rhodes was ruined.
McAfee has played the heel role during this, feeding into the distaste, and he likely plays a role during the match that will close out night one.
Remember the immaculate vibes that came with WrestleMania 39? Just play “Less Than Zero” if you need a nostalgia hit.
What about the build to get Cody Rhodes his title shot at WrestleMania 40, The Rock’s “Final Boss” and the cinematic masterpiece in the main event — hailed as the greatest five minutes in WWE history? Or the hype of seeing John Cena become a heel and chase his record 17th WWE title?
Great times — and they all feel so distant from this point.
WWE’s biggest event of the year has arrived with WrestleMania 42, but with all the typical glitz and glamour there, it’s missing the massive excitement from the fan base. It’s been a frustrating, confusing and exhausting road to get at the show of shows, and it’s nearing a breaking point.
Simply put, WWE needs to crush WrestleMania 42 and make it a massive success — or else it can start crumbling down.
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