play1:19Stephen A. and Liv Morgan discuss impact of women in WWELiv Morgan tells Stephen A. Smith how big women’s participation in the WWE has become since the beginning of her career.
play1:37Seth Rollins: ‘I’m going to give it everything I got’ at WrestleManiaSeth Rollins joins “Get Up” to discuss what he has to prove at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas.
Cody Rhodes shares how to watch WrestleMania 42 on ESPN Unlimited (0:41)Cody Rhodes explains how to watch WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas on ESPN Unlimited. (0:41)
Stephen A. and Liv Morgan discuss impact of women in WWELiv Morgan tells Stephen A. Smith how big women’s participation in the WWE has become since the beginning of her career.
Liv Morgan tells Stephen A. Smith how big women’s participation in the WWE has become since the beginning of her career.
Seth Rollins: ‘I’m going to give it everything I got’ at WrestleManiaSeth Rollins joins “Get Up” to discuss what he has to prove at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas.
ESPN staffApr 17, 2026, 07:04 AM ETMultiple Authors
The Night 1 match you are looking forward to the most is …
The Night 2 match you are looking forward to the most is …
Which champion is more likely to walk out retaining the title: Cody Rhodes or CM Punk?
Which snubbed wrestler would you add to WrestleMania?
After weeks of storylines and anticipation, WrestleMania 42 is almost here. The 13-match card — featuring eight title matches — takes place over two nights from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas (6 p.m. ET on ESPN Unlimited).
Night 1 is headlined by Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes defending his title against Randy Orton, and Night 2 sees World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk squaring off against Roman Reigns.
Before we get to a weekend full of wrestling, ESPN’s Andreas Hale, Marc Raimondi, Sach Chandan, Juliana Daddio and Joe Fortenbaugh share their thoughts on the must-see matches, the main eventer more likely to retain their title and one bold WrestleMania 42 prediction.
It didn’t have to be this way. Rhodes and Orton have such a rich shared history. Pulling from that to develop an A-plus WrestleMania story would not have been overly difficult. They are both also otherworldly performers. But here we are, in a program (progrum?!) that Rhodes himself has compared to the Gobbledy Gooker and Shockmaster. The match could reach a level of so-bad-it’s-good that would make even Tommy Wiseau blush.
Chandan: Stephanie Vaquer vs. Liv Morgan. This feud has lived up to the billing as one of the more intense stories on the card. It began with a blistering, emotionally charged takedown of Morgan, as Vaquer believed she had to traverse the more difficult path to get to WWE. From there, the conflict between the “Raw” Women’s champion and the 2026 Royal Rumble winner just ramped up in intensity, including multiple brawls in and out of the ring.
Vaquer was the standout women’s wrestler of 2025, but Morgan’s disrespect has forced “La Primera” to slide into a more violent, intense side. This feud has been a throwback to old-fashioned hatred between two competitors fighting for more than a championship, to prove who is the better woman wrestler … and neither can afford to lose.
Stephen A. and Liv Morgan discuss impact of women in WWE
Raimondi: Six-pack ladder match. Iyo Sky vs. Asuka would have been my answer here, but unfortunately, it looks as if that match, which was so well built between two premier performers, has been shelved despite having a clear direction.
Chandan: Six-pack ladder match: I agree with Marc. I love myself a good chaotic, video game match, with six wrestlers who each bring different skill sets to this ladder match. Add in some other weapons (tables?), and this could be the non-main event match that I remember most.
Some intriguing storylines heading into WrestleMania include a potential last hurrah for Mysterio, a first championship for Evans and intrigue over how the others will work together to stop Rusev … if they can. Penta and Dragon Lee have emerged as two of WWE’s biggest standouts this past year. I expect one of them to climb the ladder and unhook the Intercontinental Championship, but I’m excited to see the jaw-dropping moves on the way there.
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 back his demon persona for the first time in years — the moment fans have been waiting for. Bálor’s alter ego instantly raises the match’s intensity and drama. The feud becomes a mentor‑vs-student showdown, as Bálor, who helped shape Dominik’s “Dirty Dom” identity, returns in his darkest form to end him.
As for Roman Reigns, unless he plans to be around more often, there’s really no reason to take the title away from the more active CM Punk. Not to mention that Reigns has won his fair share of WrestleMania main events. Punk deserves to leave Las Vegas as champion with a win in the main event.
Chandan: Cody Rhodes. Rhodes has generally been able to vanquish the biggest foes in his path, but despite that, he’s only 1-2 in WWE Championship matches at WrestleMania. I expect interference from Jelly Roll, Pat McAfee and others in his main event match with Randy Orton. Despite this, I expect Rhodes to be more likely to prevail and continue his championship reign.
Daddio: CM Punk. After losing at last year’s WrestleMania, this is his moment to shine in the main event against Reigns and prove why he is the “Best in the World.” Punk is a fighting champion, and Reigns is seen as a part‑timer. The only real concern is potential interference from The Bloodline, whom Punk insulted, and could cost him the title.
Raimondi: Rey Fenix. Where in the world is that guy? He’s only one of the best bell-to-bell workers in the industry. There was no room for him in the ladder match? The Undertaker is doing a pretty decent job booking AAA right now; maybe he can lend some advice to the WWE creative team on how best to use one of the top luchadores in the world.
Chandan: Motor City Machine Guns. I love the skill and timing Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley bring to their matches, which is why I’m disappointed to not see them on the main cards of WrestleMania. This is now the second WrestleMania in a row that MCMG has not been able to crack the lineup.
With the “Raw” Tag Team Championship wrapped up in The Vision’s feud with the Jay and Jimmy Uso — and both teams involved in a six-man tag match — it would be nice to have the “SmackDown” Tag Team Championships defended with a few of the teams not involved in other action. The Women’s Tag Team Championship will be defended in a four-way match, and it would be nice symmetry for the “SmackDown” men to have a similar match.
Fortenbaugh: Iyo Sky, although Carmelo Hayes is a very close second place. I don’t get it. Sky is super over and I still think there’s time to get something done with Asuka before we reach the weekend. Meanwhile, Hayes vs. Trick Williams vs. Sami Zayn for the United States Championship made a ton of sense before Hayes was fazed out entirely. The good news for Hayes? I have a feeling he’ll soon find himself in a program with Williams if Trick beats Sami at WrestleMania.
Daddio: Iyo Sky. Sky not being on this WrestleMania card feels like a major oversight because she brings a level of star power few women can match. She has charisma, athleticism and presence that instantly elevate any match she’s part of. I feel she is the next breakout attraction — someone WWE can build the division around for years.
Seth Rollins: ‘I’m going to give it everything I got’ at WrestleMania
Seth Rollins joins “Get Up” to discuss what he has to prove at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas.
Raimondi: Bron Breakker returns to help CM Punk beat Roman Reigns as a big cliffhanger heading into “Raw.”
Daddio: Kevin Owens makes a return, gets involved with Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton and helps Rhodes win.
Rollins is establishing himself as this generation’s “Mr. WrestleMania,” a title that Michaels earned by commanding the spotlight no matter where he was on the card. From cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase to becoming WWE World Heavyweight champion at WrestleMania 31 in 2015 to beating CM Punk and Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 41 last year, Rollins always finds a way to do something memorable. Gunther hasn’t been in WWE as long as Rollins, but he already has had a handful of excellent matches between WWE and NXT and operates as the purest form of a heel. I’m almost certain that by the end of the match, they will have earned a standing ovation.
Fortenbaugh: Seth Rollins vs. Gunther. Given the incredible in-ring talent both wrestlers possess, I think this matchup has an opportunity to steal the show — even with only two weeks to build the story. Rollins is one of the WWE’s most versatile and consistent performers who’s just back from injury, and Gunther spent the past five months sending both John Cena and AJ Styles into retirement. Also, don’t discount the Paul Heyman factor. His involvement brings a level of treacherous intrigue to a showdown that could feature a wild finish.
Daddio: Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre. This feels like one of the most exciting clashes of the entire weekend. They have been feuding for months now, and McIntyre brings veteran power and big‑fight presence, and Fatu delivers raw intensity and unpredictable explosiveness. Their styles collide in a way that promises chaos, physicality and a true “fight feel.” Making this an unsanctioned match is a great stipulation for these two and that dynamic alone makes it the match I’m most looking forward to on Night 1.
Hale: Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar. This has nothing to do with the quality of the match and everything to do with WWE establishing what it desperately needs: a young main event star. The buildup has been phenomenal, their respective physical presences are undeniable and Lesnar, 48, is at a stage in his career when he can pass the torch and put Femi — who’ll turn 28 just days after WrestleMania — on the fast track to becoming WWE champion. These two powerhouses should obliterate each other for as long as this match lasts, but rest assured, no outcome makes sense outside of Femi beating Lesnar. It has been a long time since WWE had a can’t-miss star on its hands, and Femi checks every single box. The WWE is at the 1-yard line and had better not fumble.