After weeks of storylines and anticipation, WrestleMania 42 is sort of right here. The 13-match card — that includes eight title matches — takes place over two nights from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas (6 p.m. ET on ESPN Limitless).
Night time 1 is headlined by Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes defending his title in opposition to Randy Orton, and Night time 2 sees World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk squaring off in opposition to Roman Reigns.
Earlier than we get to a weekend stuffed with wrestling, ESPN’s Andreas Hale, Marc Raimondi, Sach Chandan, Juliana Daddio and Joe Fortenbaugh share their ideas on the must-see matches, the primary eventer extra more likely to retain their title and one daring WrestleMania 42 prediction.
The Night time 1 match you’re looking ahead to probably the most is …
Hale: Seth Rollins vs. Gunther. By way of pure wrestling, Rollins and Gunther have a chance to ship a show-stealing efficiency paying homage to the stellar Kurt Angle-Shawn Michaels match at WrestleMania 21 in 2005. Like Angle vs. Michaels, Rollins vs. Gunther has been subtly positioned at this 12 months’s ‘Mania with out the hype of the 2 predominant occasions. However Rollins and Gunther are arguably two of the easiest in-ring performers presently within the WWE and may take the chance to placed on a memorable match.
Rollins is establishing himself as this era’s “Mr. WrestleMania,” a title that Michaels earned by commanding the highlight irrespective of the place he was on the cardboard. From cashing in his Cash within the Financial institution briefcase to changing into WWE World Heavyweight champion at WrestleMania 31 in 2015 to beating CM Punk and Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 41 final 12 months, Rollins at all times finds a method to do one thing memorable. Gunther hasn’t been in WWE so long as Rollins, however he already has had a handful of wonderful matches between WWE and NXT and operates because the purest type of a heel. I am nearly sure that by the top of the match, they are going to have earned a standing ovation.
Raimondi: Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton. And the reason being pure schadenfreude. The buildup for this match has been so dreadful, I am weirdly inquisitive about how they try to tie issues along with Rhodes, Orton, Pat McAfee, Jelly Roll and whomever else will get concerned. Is there any method to make this higher? Is it doable to even make it make sense? I haven’t got a solution, however I would be mendacity if I stated I did not need to see the way it shakes out.
It did not must be this manner. Rhodes and Orton have such a wealthy shared historical past. Pulling from that to develop an A-plus WrestleMania story wouldn’t have been overly troublesome. They’re each additionally otherworldly performers. However right here we’re, in a program (progrum?!) that Rhodes himself has in comparison with the Gobbledy Gooker and Shockmaster. The match may attain a degree of so-bad-it’s-good that will make even Tommy Wiseau blush.
Chandan: Stephanie Vaquer vs. Liv Morgan. This feud has lived as much as the billing as one of many extra intense tales on the cardboard. It started with a blistering, emotionally charged takedown of Morgan, as Vaquer believed she needed to traverse the tougher path to get to WWE. From there, the battle between the “Uncooked” Girls’s champion and the 2026 Royal Rumble winner simply ramped up in depth, together with a number of brawls out and in of the ring.
Vaquer was the standout girls’s wrestler of 2025, however Morgan’s disrespect has pressured “La Primera” to slip right into a extra violent, intense aspect. This feud has been a throwback to old school hatred between two rivals preventing for greater than a championship, to show who’s the higher girl wrestler … and neither can afford to lose.
Fortenbaugh: Seth Rollins vs. Gunther. Given the unbelievable in-ring expertise each wrestlers possess, I believe this matchup has a chance to steal the present — even with solely two weeks to construct the story. Rollins is without doubt one of the WWE’s most versatile and constant performers who’s simply again from harm, and Gunther spent the previous 5 months sending each John Cena and AJ Kinds into retirement. Additionally, do not low cost the Paul Heyman issue. His involvement brings a degree of treacherous intrigue to a showdown that would function a wild end.
Daddio: Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre. This seems like some of the thrilling clashes of all the weekend. They’ve been feuding for months now, and McIntyre brings veteran energy and large‑battle presence, and Fatu delivers uncooked depth and unpredictable explosiveness. Their types collide in a approach that guarantees chaos, physicality and a real “battle really feel.” Making this an unsanctioned match is a good stipulation for these two and that dynamic alone makes it the match I am most trying ahead to on Night time 1.
1:19
Stephen A. and Liv Morgan talk about affect of girls in WWE
Liv Morgan tells Stephen A. Smith how massive girls’s participation within the WWE has turn out to be for the reason that starting of her profession.
The Night time 2 match you’re looking ahead to probably the most is …
Hale: Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar. This has nothing to do with the standard of the match and every little thing to do with WWE establishing what it desperately wants: a younger predominant occasion star. The buildup has been phenomenal, their respective bodily presences are plain and Lesnar, 48, is at a stage in his profession when he can go the torch and put Femi — who’ll flip 28 simply days after WrestleMania — on the quick monitor to changing into WWE champion. These two powerhouses ought to obliterate one another for so long as this match lasts, however relaxation assured, no consequence is smart exterior of Femi beating Lesnar. It has been a very long time since WWE had a can’t-miss star on its fingers, and Femi checks each single field. The WWE is on the 1-yard line and had higher not fumble.
Raimondi: Six-pack ladder match. Iyo Sky vs. Asuka would have been my reply right here, however sadly, it appears to be like as if that match, which was so effectively constructed between two premier performers, has been shelved regardless of having a transparent course.
who does not have a transparent course? Nearly everybody on this ladder match. WWE has dropped the ball with Penta after a red-hot begin. He ought to have his personal story as Intercontinental champ heading into ‘Mania. With that stated, I am unable to complain an excessive amount of. I am a sucker for ladder match. And guys reminiscent of Penta, Je’Von Evans, JD McDonough and Dragon Lee are locks to do some ludicrous stuff.
Chandan: Six-pack ladder match: I agree with Marc. I really like myself chaotic, online game match, with six wrestlers who every carry totally different talent units to this ladder match. Add in another weapons (tables?), and this may very well be the non-main occasion match that I bear in mind most.
Some intriguing storylines heading into WrestleMania embrace a possible final hurrah for Mysterio, a primary championship for Evans and intrigue over how the others will work collectively to cease Rusev … if they will. Penta and Dragon Lee have emerged as two of WWE’s greatest standouts this previous 12 months. I anticipate one in every of them to climb the ladder and unhook the Intercontinental Championship, however I am excited to see the jaw-dropping strikes on the best way there.
Fortenbaugh: Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar. There isn’t any different acceptable reply as a result of no different match on the cardboard — Night time 1 or Night time 2 — has had a greater construct. Lesnar, “The Beast Incarnate,” the person who ended The Undertaker’s legendary WrestleMania successful streak, is entering into the squared circle close to the top of his illustrious profession in opposition to the person set to take his place as probably the most terrifying wrestler within the sport. Femi’s entrance and each males’s mixed uncooked energy alone makes this definitely worth the value of admission. Consider it like this: When was the final time there was this a lot hype round a match with a construct that featured so few phrases spoken by both combatant? This has been a grasp class in storytelling.
Daddio: “The Demon” Finn Bálor vs. Dominik Mysterio. The story is fueled by betrayal and transformation. After being turned on by Judgment Day, Bálor brings again his demon persona for the primary time in years — the second followers have been ready for. Bálor’s alter ego immediately raises the match’s depth and drama. The feud turns into a mentor‑vs-student showdown, as Bálor, who helped form Dominik’s “Soiled Dom” id, returns in his darkest type to finish him.
Which champion is extra more likely to stroll out retaining the title: Cody Rhodes or CM Punk?
Hale: CM Punk. Overlook about how clunky the buildup to Rhodes vs. Orton has been for a second. As a substitute, contemplate the place Rhodes is and the way followers are responding to him. Earlier than Pat McAfee’s involvement, Randy Orton had drawn a robust babyface response as he approached the chance to turn out to be a world champion for the fifteenth time. As a lot as that speaks to followers’ assist of “The Viper,” it additionally speaks to the staleness of Rhodes as champion. It is not Rhodes’ fault, as he desperately wants a robust contingent of heels to feed off of. To not point out that his story is considerably extra attention-grabbing chasing the title than being chased. Orton deserves one other second within the solar, which might put him third all time in WWE World Championship reigns behind Cena (17) and Ric Aptitude (16).
As for Roman Reigns, until he plans to be round extra typically, there’s actually no motive to take the title away from the extra lively CM Punk. To not point out that Reigns has gained his justifiable share of WrestleMania predominant occasions. Punk deserves to go away Las Vegas as champion with a win in the primary occasion.
Raimondi: In all probability CM Punk. It does not appear as if the Rhodes-Orton program will finish this weekend. Possibly it really works higher with Rhodes giving chase because the challenger? How’s that for a success of copium? Punk works higher as a champion for sensible causes. Reigns isn’t round, and the Undisputed WWE title was created as a result of he was constantly absent whereas holding the opposite world title. Reigns will certainly turn out to be champion once more in some unspecified time in the future; he stays WWE’s greatest star. Maybe one other disappointing WrestleMania will pressure his character to be extra introspective and at last acknowledge (pun meant) the function of his household in all of his success.
Chandan: Cody Rhodes. Rhodes has typically been capable of vanquish the largest foes in his path, however regardless of that, he is solely 1-2 in WWE Championship matches at WrestleMania. I anticipate interference from Jelly Roll, Pat McAfee and others in his predominant occasion match with Randy Orton. Regardless of this, I anticipate Rhodes to be extra more likely to prevail and proceed his championship reign.
Fortenbaugh: CM Punk, though I believe he and Rhodes each go down of their respective matches. I am unsure how Rhodes will get by this reincarnation of 2009 Randy Orton, particularly now that Pat McAfee has inserted himself into the story and warranted the world that he’ll by no means be heard from once more on the earth of wrestling if “The Viper” comes up quick. The one factor holding me up about backing Reigns over Punk is Reigns’ penchant for inactivity. The fan base likes a preventing champion, and that is precisely what Punk has been since claiming the throne. What occurs if Reigns regains the title he misplaced at WrestleMania XL two years in the past in Philadelphia? I am very to seek out out.
Daddio: CM Punk. After shedding eventually 12 months’s WrestleMania, that is his second to shine in the primary occasion in opposition to Reigns and show why he’s the “Finest within the World.” Punk is a preventing champion, and Reigns is seen as a component‑timer. The one actual concern is potential interference from The Bloodline, whom Punk insulted, and will price him the title.
Which snubbed wrestler would you add to WrestleMania?
Hale: Iyo Sky. It makes completely no sense that arguably the most effective in-ring performer presently in girls’s wrestling, who beat Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair in an exceptional triple menace eventually 12 months’s WrestleMania, is someway left off the cardboard. Sky has a ready-made story with Asuka that has been constructing for nearly a 12 months and may have culminated at WrestleMania. I do not understand how you do not capitalize on probably the greatest feuds in professional wrestling that does not want a world title hooked up. Is there any doubt that Sky vs. Asuka, with Kairi Sane’s loyalty hanging within the stability, can be an exceptional match, have vital stakes and entice the followers’ curiosity?
Raimondi: Rey Fenix. The place on the earth is that man? He is solely probably the greatest bell-to-bell staff within the business. There was no room for him within the ladder match? The Undertaker is doing a reasonably respectable job reserving AAA proper now; perhaps he can lend some recommendation to the WWE artistic crew on how greatest to make use of one of many prime luchadores on the earth.
Chandan: Motor Metropolis Machine Weapons. I really like the talent and timing Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley carry to their matches, which is why I am dissatisfied to not see them on the primary playing cards of WrestleMania. That is now the second WrestleMania in a row that MCMG has not been capable of crack the lineup.
With the “Uncooked” Tag Workforce Championship wrapped up in The Imaginative and prescient’s feud with the Jay and Jimmy Uso — and each groups concerned in a six-man tag match — it could be good to have the “SmackDown” Tag Workforce Championships defended with a number of of the groups not concerned in different motion. The Girls’s Tag Workforce Championship can be defended in a four-way match, and it could be good symmetry for the “SmackDown” males to have an analogous match.
Fortenbaugh: Iyo Sky, though Carmelo Hayes is a really shut second place. I do not get it. Sky is tremendous over and I nonetheless assume there’s time to get one thing achieved with Asuka earlier than we attain the weekend. In the meantime, Hayes vs. Trick Williams vs. Sami Zayn for the US Championship made a ton of sense earlier than Hayes was phased out solely. The excellent news for Hayes? I’ve a sense he’ll quickly discover himself in a program with Williams if Trick beats Sami at WrestleMania.
Daddio: Iyo Sky. Sky not being on this WrestleMania card seems like a significant oversight as a result of she brings a degree of star energy few girls can match. She has charisma, athleticism and presence that immediately elevate any match she’s a part of. I really feel she is the following breakout attraction — somebody WWE can construct the division round for years.
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Seth Rollins: ‘I’m going to offer it every little thing I obtained’ at WrestleMania
Seth Rollins joins “Get Up” to debate what he has to show at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas.
Your daring WrestleMania 42 prediction is …
Hale: I am unsure if this counts because it will not occur at WrestleMania, but when Gunther beats Seth Rollins, the favor he desires is the chance to retire Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam in Minneapolis — Lesnar’s billed hometown.
Raimondi: Bron Breakker returns to assist CM Punk beat Roman Reigns as an enormous cliffhanger heading into “Uncooked.”
Chandan: Paul Heyman will get concerned with CM Punk and Roman Reigns … and sides with Punk.
Fortenbaugh: Danhausen will get his blimp and it flies excessive above the Las Vegas Strip.
Daddio: Kevin Owens makes a return, will get concerned with Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton and helps Rhodes win.
