The road to WrestleMania 42 is heating up, and fans are finally getting a glimpse of what promises to be an unforgettable event. But here’s where it gets controversial: with five marquee matches already set, WWE is pulling out all the stops—yet some fans are already debating whether this lineup lives up to the hype. Let’s dive into the details and explore why this year’s WrestleMania might just be the most talked-about yet.
Following the Elimination Chamber, the WrestleMania card is starting to take shape, and it’s packed with high-stakes matchups. Rhea Ripley and Randy Orton emerged victorious in their respective Chamber matches, securing their spots in what’s shaping up to be a historic two-night event. Here’s the current lineup:
- World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk (c) vs. Roman Reigns
- Women’s World Championship: Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Liv Morgan
- Undisputed WWE Championship: Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Randy Orton
- WWE Women’s Championship: Jade Cargill (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
- Open Challenge: Brock Lesnar vs. TBD
And this is the part most people miss: Orton’s path to WrestleMania wasn’t without drama. He defeated Cody Rhodes in the men’s Chamber match, but Drew McIntyre’s interference left a cloud of controversy over the finish. SmackDown GM Nick Aldis has since ordered McIntyre to defend his title against Rhodes this Friday on SmackDown, with the winner likely facing Orton at WrestleMania. Orton, however, seems more focused on settling the score with McIntyre, who cost him a recent match against Aleister Black. “Right now, my sights are set on Drew McIntyre,” Orton declared on the Elimination Chamber post-show. Is Orton making a mistake by overlooking Rhodes, or is this a calculated move?
On the women’s side, Ripley’s victory in the Chamber match earned her a shot at Jade Cargill, the WWE Women’s Champion. Cargill’s response on social media was dismissive: “I guess she’ll do…” Ripley fired back with Cargill’s own catchphrase: “Guess… I’m that bitch.” Will Ripley’s bold attitude translate into a championship win, or will Cargill’s dominance continue?
The buildup to WrestleMania hasn’t been without its critics. After the Royal Rumble, fans were vocal about the lack of announced matches, with only Reigns vs. Punk confirmed. Reigns, fresh off his second Rumble win, wasted no time declaring his intentions to challenge Punk. In contrast, women’s Rumble winner Liv Morgan spent weeks taunting Cargill and Stephanie Vaquer before finally making her move on Raw, smashing Vaquer with a microphone. Was Morgan’s delay a strategic move, or did it diminish her momentum?
Adding to the excitement, Paul Heyman issued an open challenge on behalf of Brock Lesnar, inviting anyone in WWE to face the former WWE and UFC Heavyweight Champion at WrestleMania. Who will step up to the challenge, and can anyone truly stop Lesnar?
WrestleMania 42 returns to Las Vegas on April 18 and 19, streaming on the ESPN app. For the first time, the opening hour of Saturday’s show will air on ESPN2, with Sunday’s first hour on ESPN. Internationally, fans can catch the action on Netflix. With so many storylines colliding, which match are you most excited for, and who do you think will walk away as champions? Let’s debate in the comments!
