WWE has announced the main events for WrestleMania 42, set for April 18 and 19, 2026, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Night One features Cody Rhodes defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton, while Night Two pits Roman Reigns against champion CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Title. The bookings follow recent title changes and key victories in the Elimination Chamber and Royal Rumble.
WrestleMania 42 will take place on April 18 and 19, 2026, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, with both nights starting at 6 p.m. Eastern Time. The event kicks off WrestleMania weekend, which includes the Hall of Fame ceremony on April 17.
For Night One, Cody Rhodes reclaimed the Undisputed WWE Championship by defeating Drew McIntyre on the March 6 episode of SmackDown at the Moda Center in Portland, with assistance from Jacob Fatu. This sets up Rhodes to defend the title against Randy Orton, who won the 2026 Men's Elimination Chamber match in Chicago at the end of February. Orton, a 46-year-old veteran with 26 years in wrestling, aims for his 15th world championship. In an interview with ESPN Get Up, Orton stated, "It would mean the world to me. I've been around now 26 years. I've been doing this for well more than half of my life... to be able to be world champion again would mean the world."
Backstage footage after Rhodes' win showed Orton watching the match, displaying a faint smile that sources describe as recognition rather than celebration. The two have a shared history, as Orton once mentored Rhodes early in his career as part of Legacy.
Night Two's main event sees Roman Reigns challenging CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship. Reigns earned his spot by winning the Royal Rumble, while Punk enters as the defending champion. Their feud has intensified through promos on Raw, highlighting personal stakes and contrasting styles.
The announcements have sparked mixed reactions. The SmackDown match video garnered 160,000 dislikes compared to 34,000 likes on YouTube, with some fans comparing Rhodes to Hulk Hogan, dubbing him "Cody Hogan" and criticizing his repeated pushes. Despite this, the Portland crowd reacted positively to Rhodes' victory.
Other confirmed matches include Rhea Ripley challenging Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s Championship after winning the Women’s Elimination Chamber, and Liv Morgan facing Stephanie Vaquer for the Women’s World Title following Morgan's Royal Rumble win. Brock Lesnar has issued an open challenge, with potential opponents including Seth Rollins or LA Knight.
These bookings emphasize personal histories and high stakes, positioning WrestleMania 42 as a balanced card focused on legacy and redemption.
