The professional wrestling landscape underwent a seismic shift on April 18 and 19, 2026, as WrestleMania 42, also promoted as WrestleMania Vegas, took place at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada.¹ This two-night event was not merely the annual culmination of narrative arcs but served as a high-stakes litmus test for the TKO Group Holdings era, balancing traditional sports entertainment tropes against the increasingly aggressive commercial interests of a global media conglomerate.³ As the first WrestleMania to be broadcast via Netflix to international audiences and integrated deeply into the ESPN Unlimited streaming tier domestically, the event signaled a definitive departure from the traditional WWE Network model.⁵ This report provides an exhaustive analytical review of the proceedings, evaluating the technical execution of the matches, the psychological depth of the storytelling, the institutional implications of the production values, and the broader economic footprint of the weekend in Las Vegas.

The Institutional Landscape and Strategic Context

WrestleMania 42 returned to the “Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World” for the second consecutive year, marking only the second time in the event’s 42-year history that the same venue hosted back-to-back editions.¹ The decision to remain at Allegiant Stadium reflected a strategic pivot by WWE leadership, spearheaded by President Nick Khan, to maximize the infrastructure of Las Vegas and the high-revenue potential of its premium hospitality sector.¹ However, the shadow of WrestleMania 41 loomed large over the 2026 proceedings. While the previous year’s event drew a record-breaking 124,000 fans over two nights, WrestleMania 42 saw a noticeable decline in live attendance, a metric that became a focal point for industry critics and host John Cena alike.⁸

The build-up to the event was marked by palpable tension between TKO’s corporate ethos and the expectations of a wrestling community accustomed to the “Triple H Era,” which focused on in-ring logic.⁴ Critics pointed to a “convoluted mess” of storylines on the SmackDown side, particularly surrounding the Undisputed WWE Championship, which seemed to prioritize celebrity integration over competitive integrity.¹⁰ Conversely, the Raw brand, anchored by the CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns rivalry, maintained a more grounded, high-stakes trajectory.¹⁰

Attendance Dynamics and Economic Metrics

The attendance figures for WrestleMania 42 were a subject of intense speculation in the weeks leading up to the show, with distributor tracking suggesting sales were lagging behind the 2025 pace.⁷ During the broadcast, John Cena addressed these rumours directly, framing the eventual turnout as proof of the brand’s enduring strength despite the comparative decline.⁷

Attendance Metric	Night 1 (April 18)	Night 2 (April 19)	Combined Weekend
WWE Announced Figures	50,817 2	55,256 8	106,072 2
WrestleMania 41 Comparison	61,467 7	63,226 8	124,693 8
Stadium Authority Estimate	~49,597 8	~53,930 8	~103,527 8
Change from Previous Year	-17.3%	-12.6%	-14.9%

The disparity between the 2025 and 2026 figures suggests a potential saturation point for the Las Vegas market or, perhaps more critically, a cooling of the “post-Endeavour honeymoon” phase for the audience.⁸ Despite the lower headcount, the event remained a commercial powerhouse, bolstered by exorbitant premium offerings. Viral reports highlighted the $142.99 42-ounce tomahawk steak featuring a seared WrestleMania logo and the $42.99 “3 Count Burger” composed of Wagyu beef and a litany of toppings, underscoring the shift toward luxury hospitality over traditional fan-accessible pricing.⁷

Night 1: The Chaos of the Corporate Era

Night 1 of WrestleMania 42 was defined by the theme of “survival amid disorder,” featuring seven matches ranging from influencer-driven spectacles to a divisive main event between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton.² The production aesthetic for the evening was notably ad-saturated, with sponsorships from Ram Trucks, Chumba Casino, and other TKO partners integrated directly into the match presentations.³

The Influencer Paradigm: LA Knight and The Usos vs. The Vision

The opening contest served as a quintessential example of modern WWE’s “spectacle first” philosophy. The six-man tag team match featured “The Vision”—a faction consisting of Logan Paul, Austin Theory, and the viral streamer IShowSpeed—facing off against the veteran trio of Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, and LA Knight.¹ The narrative focused on the volatile chemistry within The Vision, contrasted against the unified front of the fan favourites. ¹²

IShowSpeed, making his formal in-ring debut, demonstrated an athletic acumen that exceeded the typical celebrity guest’s expectations, absorbing significant offence and displaying a high level of physical commitment.3 The match concluded when miscommunication between Paul and IShowSpeed allowed LA Knight to deliver the BFT to Austin Theory for the pinfall.3 The post-match segment, however, provided the more enduring visual; after Logan Paul turned on IShowSpeed, the streamer retaliated with a spectacular splash from the top turnbuckle through a table, signalling a potential long-term alignment with the WWE brand.³

Unsanctioned Brutality: Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre

The rivalry between Jacob Fatu and Drew McIntyre culminated in an Unsanctioned Match that utilized the full stadium environment.¹ Fatu set an immediate tone by executing a suicide dive during McIntyre’s entrance, transitioning into a brawl that incorporated toolboxes, steel chairs, and tables.¹²

Critics noted that while the match was physically intense, it struggled to escape the shadow of more legendary “Hardcore” or “Unsanctioned” bouts of the past, with some labelling it a “tame and timid” interpretation of the stipulation.³ Despite these critiques, the match served its primary purpose: establishing Jacob Fatu as a legitimate main-event force on the SmackDown roster.¹⁷ Fatu secured the victory after a high-risk moonsault through a table, leaving the veteran McIntyre incapacitated.¹²

The Return of the Glampire: Paige’s Full-Circle Moment

Perhaps the most emotional highlight of Night 1 occurred during the Fatal 4-Way match for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship.¹² Originally scheduled to feature The Bella Twins, the match was thrown into flux when Nikki Bella appeared on stage with a crutch, confirming she was medically cleared following an ankle injury sustained in late March.¹² In a moment that generated one of the weekend’s loudest reactions, Nikki introduced Paige as her replacement.¹²

Paige, who had not competed in a WWE ring since her 2017 neck injury and subsequent tenure in AEW as Saraya, returned to the company where she originally defined the “Divas Revolution”.¹⁹ Teaming with Brie Bella, Paige faced the teams of Nia Jax and Lash Legend, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, and Bayley and Lyra Valkyria.¹ The finish saw Paige deliver the “RamPaige” to Alexa Bliss, securing the titles and maintaining an undefeated 2-0 record at WrestleMania.¹⁹ This victory made Paige the first performer to claim major titles at both WrestleMania and AEW’s All In, carving out a unique historical niche.¹⁹

Mid-Card Evaluations: Technical Prowess vs. Creative Constraints

The middle of the Night 1 card featured two singles matches with high technical expectations that ultimately received mixed reception due to their structural execution.

• Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch defeated AJ Lee in a match that hinged on Lynch’s escalating hostility toward referee Jessika Carr.¹² The “slow-moving” contest lacked the technical fluidity of their previous encounter at Elimination Chamber 2026, culminating in a controversial finish where Lynch used the official as a shield to set up a Manhandle Slam.¹²
• Seth Rollins vs. Gunther: Widely regarded as the technical standout of Night 1, this match pitted the “Ring General” against a returning Seth Rollins.¹² The match was a gruelling display of strikes and psychological warfare, with Rollins hitting a Pedigree and Curb Stomp on the announce table.¹² However, the return of Bron Breakker proved decisive; Breakker speared Rollins while the referee was distracted by Gunther, allowing the Ring General to apply a sleeper hold for the submission win.¹² Following the match, The Vision officially exiled Rollins, with Paul Heyman appearing on the stage to give Bron Breakker a nod of institutional approval.¹⁷

Night 1 Main Event: The Nightmare and The Viper

The main event for the Undisputed WWE Championship featured Cody Rhodes defending against his former mentor, Randy Orton.¹ The narrative built was centred on Orton’s heel turn and his alliance with Pat McAfee, creating a “backwards” dynamic where the veteran Orton played the role of the babyface in peril for much of the match while Rhodes targeted his surgically repaired back.¹²

The contest was heavily criticized for its methodical pace and “shenanigans,” including a referee bump that led to Pat McAfee assuming officiating duties in a controversial move.¹⁰ Rhodes eventually retained the title after a low blow and a Cross Rhodes, but the real story emerged after the bell.¹⁶ Orton delivered a punt kick to Rhodes, leaving the champion lying as the show went off the air.¹² WWE later confirmed that Rhodes sustained an orbital injury in the assault, requiring three sutures to the face and four staples to the head, throwing his immediate future into uncertainty.²³

Night 2: The Future and the Tribal Chief

While Night 1 was viewed by many as an “overbooked” commercial exercise, Night 2 was largely praised for its narrative focus and for elevating a new generation of talent under the theme of “The Future”.²⁴ The card was anchored by a monumental retirement and the reclamation of the World Heavyweight Championship by a familiar, yet revitalized, force.²

The Slaying of the Beast: Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar

The opening match of Night 2 served as a definitive “passing of the torch” moment. Oba Femi, the powerhouse former NXT Champion, faced Brock Lesnar in what many believed to be Lesnar’s final match.² The contest was a high-impact sprint, lasting only five minutes but leaving a lasting impression of Femi’s dominance.¹¹

Match Phase	Action Description	Impact/Result
Opening Stalemate	Collar-and-elbow tie-up in center ring 27	Neither man budged, establishing Femi’s strength 27
Lesnar’s Offensive	Three German Suplexes and an F5 11	Femi rose to his feet before Lesnar could pin 27
The Turning Point	Femi absorbs Lesnar’s best strikes 11	Crowd begins massive “Oba!” chants 11
The Finish	Chokeslam followed by Fall From Grace powerbomb 27	Femi scores the decisive pinfall victory 27

The post-match atmosphere in Allegiant Stadium was described as “heavy with aura”.²⁹ A visibly emotional Lesnar removed his gloves and boots, sobbing in the ring as the audience provided a standing ovation and chants of “Thank you, Lesnar”.¹¹ Commentary framed the moment as the definitive retirement of the “Beast Incarnate,” with Oba Femi standing tall as the new apex predator of the roster.¹¹

The Ladder Match: High-Altitude Innovation

The Intercontinental Championship was defended by Penta in a six-man ladder match involving Rey Mysterio, Dragon Lee, JD McDonagh, Je’Von Evans, and Rusev.¹ The match avoided the “formulaic” traps of typical ladder bouts by incorporating unique size dynamics and high-risk sequences.¹¹

Significant spots included JD McDonagh taking a Spanish Fly off a ladder from Dragon Lee and Penta delivering a Mexican Destroyer to McDonagh onto a bridged ladder that left the challenger motionless.¹¹ The 21-year-old Je’Von Evans shined in his WrestleMania debut, hitting an OG Cutter on Rusev from the top rope.¹¹ However, Penta proved his veteran mettle, taking Evans out with another Mexican Destroyer before climbing the ladder to retain his title.¹¹

Title Shifts: Williams, Balor, and Ripley

The middle portion of Night 2 saw the fulfillment of several long-term narrative arcs.

• United States Championship: Trick Williams, supported by the celebrity presence of Lil Yachty, defeated Sami Zayn to win the United States Title.²⁴ The crowd was notably hostile toward Zayn, cheering enthusiastically as Williams hit the “Trick Shot” following an interference spot involving Yachty.²⁸
• Finn Balor vs. Dominik Mysterio: In a deeply personal grudge match, Balor brought back “The Demon” persona for the first time in three years to defeat Dominik Mysterio.²⁶ The match was praised for its entrance psychology and for providing Balor with a much-needed WrestleMania win over the man who had usurped his position in The Judgment Day.²⁶
• WWE Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley challenged Jade Cargill in a battle of pure power.¹ The match was marked by interference from Cargill’s associates (B-Fab and Michin) and Ripley’s ally (IYO SKY).¹¹ Despite Cargill’s “Sand Storm” powerbomb, Ripley showcased her resilience, countering a “Jaded” attempt into a final “Rip Tide” to capture the title in a 10-minute contest.¹¹

The World Heavyweight Championship: Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk

The main event of WrestleMania 42 was a 34-minute epic that pitted World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk against the Royal Rumble winner, Roman Reigns.² Unlike the overbooked Cody Rhodes match from the previous night, this encounter was framed as a “clean” battle of legacies, focusing on the real-life and on-screen friction between the two icons.¹⁰

The match told a story of “exhaustion vs. endurance”.¹¹ Reigns dominated the early stages with power moves, even throwing Punk over the barricade into the crowd.¹¹ Punk mounted a comeback with a flurry of strikes and a flying elbow drop from the top rope through an announce table.¹¹ The closing minutes saw both men trading finishers; Punk hit a GTS for a near-fall that had the stadium convinced of a retain, but he eventually collapsed from physical exhaustion while attempting a second GTS.¹¹ Reigns capitalized with two final spears to secure the victory and his seventh world title.¹¹ Following the match, commentary noted that the “Tribal Chief” was back at the “head of the table,” signalling a return to his status as the company’s central figure.¹¹

Analysis of Production and Fan Reception

WrestleMania 42 faced significant scrutiny regarding its production choices and stage design, which many fans felt reflected a “corporate” and “unimaginative” shift under the TKO banner.⁴

The “LED Pipe” Stage and Visual Identity

The stage design for WrestleMania 42 was a point of contention for many attendees and online viewers.²⁵ Moving away from the elaborate physical props of the past—such as the massive roller coaster of WrestleMania 33 or the giant dominos of WrestleMania 41—the 2026 set utilized a minimalist approach centered on tall LED towers and video screens.²⁵

• Critique of Spectacle: Fans described the stage as looking like a “modernized version of WrestleMania 29” or a “glorified RAW set”.²⁵ The lack of a “Vegas” theme (e.g., slot machines or neon lights) was noted as a missed opportunity.³²
• Monetization of Space: The design included “balconies” for premium ticket holders, which some interpreted as a sign that TKO was prioritizing high-yield seating over aesthetic grandeur.²⁵
• Audio-Visual Disconnect: While the stage received poor reviews, the live atmosphere remained “electric,” particularly for the returns of Paige and the entrance of The Demon Finn Balor.¹⁹

Advertising and The “Infomercial” Perception

A significant portion of the critical backlash directed at Night 1 focused on the perceived dilution of the wrestling product in favour of commercial placements.³

Show Segment	Total Broadcast Time	Actual In-Ring Action	Non-Wrestling Content
Night 1 Overall	~4 Hours	1 Hour, 22 Minutes 3	2 Hours, 38 Minutes 3
Content Breakdown	100%	34%	66%

This breakdown led to “Cagematch” users rating Night 1 as one of the worst nights in WrestleMania history, with critics arguing that the show felt more like a “special episode of RAW” than the “Grandest Stage of Them All”.³³ The over-reliance on video packages and commercial breaks—some of which were described as “infomercials interrupted by wrestling matches”—highlighted the challenges of the TKO era’s focus on brand partnerships.¹⁴

Menu Items and Merchandise

The weekend also featured the largest WWE merchandise store in the event’s history at the Las Vegas Convention Center.⁵ Beyond clothing and memorabilia, the “WrestleMania Superstore” offered experiential walkthroughs, including a “Hulkamania Forever” exhibit and a Gorilla Position walkthrough.⁵ The culinary offerings at Allegiant Stadium became a viral sensation for their sheer excess, specifically the $142.99 Tomahawk Steak and the $42.99 “3 Count Burger,” which served as physical representations of the “Vegas pricing” that permeated the weekend.⁷

Future Outlook: The Summer of Reigns and The Road to Backlash

The immediate fallout from WrestleMania 42 indicates a significant realignment of the WWE power structure. Roman Reigns, despite his recent part-time status, has publicly committed to a “full-time summer run” to restore prestige to the World Heavyweight Championship and fix the “part-time crap” that had plagued the title scene.¹⁴

Strategic Rivalries and Emergent Threats

Reigns’ first major hurdle appears to be a dual threat from the winners of the weekend’s most physical encounters.³¹

1. Gunther: Reports suggest a “marquee rivalry” between Reigns and the Ring General is in the early stages of development, pitting the most dominant champion of the modern era against the current top titleholder.³¹
2. Oba Femi: Following his career-defining win over Brock Lesnar, Femi issued a direct challenge to Reigns during the post-WrestleMania press conference.³¹ Reigns has responded by demanding the rookie “prove himself” over the next few months before being granted a “seat at the table”.³¹

The Fate of the Undisputed Championship

The status of the Undisputed WWE Championship remains volatile.²³ With Cody Rhodes currently sidelined by an orbital injury sustained during Randy Orton’s post-match assault, the SmackDown brand is without its primary babyface champion for the foreseeable future.²³ This has allowed Orton to fully lean into his “Viper” persona, potentially setting up a high-stakes rematch at Backlash once Rhodes is medically cleared.²³

Institutional Conclusions

WrestleMania 42 was a study in contradictions. On one hand, the event successfully elevated new stars like Oba Femi and Trick Williams, provided a legendary retirement for Brock Lesnar, and saw the emotional return of an icon in Paige.¹⁹ On the other hand, the event struggled under the weight of its own commercialism, with Night 1 suffering from a perceived lack of technical wrestling and a stage design that many felt was beneath the WrestleMania brand.³

As WWE transitions into its summer season under the new “Netflix Era,” the success of WrestleMania 42 will likely be measured by the longevity of the stars it helped create and the ability of the company to balance the demands of TKO’s investors against the passionate, and often vocal, wrestling fan base.⁴ While the attendance figures and critical ratings suggest a slight retreat from the heights of WrestleMania 41, the narrative foundation laid in Las Vegas ensures that the “Tribal Chief’s” new reign and the ascent of the “future” will remain the central focus of the industry for the year to come.¹⁰

Works cited

1. WrestleMania 42 | Allegiant Stadium, accessed April 20, 2026, https://www.allegiantstadium.com/events/detail/wrestlemania-42
2. WrestleMania 42 – Wikipedia, accessed April 20, 2026, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WrestleMania_42
3. COLUMN: Grading every Night 1 Wrestlemania 42 match – The Hoosier Network, accessed April 20, 2026, https://www.thehoosiernetwork.com/article/2026/04/wrestlemania-42-grades
4. My Opinion: WrestleMania 42 isn’t broken. It’s being built to feel broken. : r/SquaredCircle, accessed April 20, 2026, https://www.reddit.com/r/SquaredCircle/comments/1so4tkk/my_opinion_wrestlemania_42_isnt_broken_its_being/
5. WrestleMania 42 Las Vegas 2026: Match Card, Schedule, And Fan Guide, accessed April 20, 2026, https://spotlight.vegas/info/wrestlemania-42-las-vegas/
6. WrestleMania 42 card revealed as main events and major matches are set – 930 WFMD, accessed April 20, 2026, https://www.wfmd.com/2026/04/07/wrestlemania-42-card-revealed-as-main-events-and-major-matches-are-set/
7. WrestleMania in Vegas sees Night 1 attendance dip from last year, accessed April 20, 2026, https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2026/04/19/wrestlemania-in-vegas-sees-night-1-attendance-dip-from-last-year/
8. WrestleMania 42 Attendance Falls Short of Last Year’s Record, accessed April 20, 2026, https://www.sescoops.com/article/wrestlemania-42-attendance-numbers-john-cena
9. Night 2 of WrestleMania draws well, but below last year’s Vegas event, accessed April 20, 2026, https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2026/04/20/day-2-of-wrestlemania-draws-well-but-below-last-years-vegas-event/
10. How WrestleMania 42 Must End – TheSportster, accessed April 20, 2026, https://www.thesportster.com/wwe-wrestlemania-42-main-event-cm-punk-roman-reigns-winner/
11. WWE WRESTLEMANIA 42 SUNDAY – NIGHT 2 RESULTS (4/19 …, accessed April 20, 2026, https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2026/04/19/wwe-wrestlemania-42-sunday-night-2-results-4-19-kellers-report-on-cm-punk-vs-reigns-oba-femi-vs-brock-lesnar-jade-cargill-vs-rhea-ripley-ladder-match-for-ic-title/
12. WrestleMania 42 Night 1: Cody Rhodes retains title, Paige returns, Gunther prevails, accessed April 20, 2026, https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/other-sports/story/wrestlemania-42-cody-rhodes-retains-full-results-returns-match-card-2898397-2026-04-19
13. Full WrestleMania 42 results – WWE, accessed April 20, 2026, https://www.wwe.com/article/full-wrestlemania-42-results
14. Powell’s WrestleMania 42 Night One Hit List: An infomercial interrupted by wrestling matches, Cody Rhodes finds the killer instinct he already had, a legitimate WrestleMania Moment, accessed April 20, 2026, https://prowrestling.net/site/2026/04/19/powells-wrestlemania-42-night-one-hit-list-an-infomercial-interrupted-by-wrestling-matches-cody-rhodes-finds-the-killer-instinct-he-already-had-a-legitimate-wrestlemania-moment/
15. WrestleMania 42 card revealed as main events and major matches are set – WFIN, accessed April 20, 2026, https://wfin.com/fox-sports/wrestlemania-42-card-revealed-as-main-events-and-major-matches-are-set/
16. WWE WrestleMania 42 Saturday: Every Match Ranked & Reviewed, accessed April 20, 2026, https://www.thesportster.com/wwe-wrestlemania-42-saturday-every-match-ranked-reviewed-cody-rhodes-randy-orton/
17. ‘WrestleMania’ 42 Brings Shocking Moments, Star-Studded Lineup & Baby Reveal, accessed April 20, 2026, https://www.tvinsider.com/1259054/wrestlemania-42-highlights-lin-manuel-miranda-joe-jonas-cena/
18. Rating WrestleMania 42 Saturday every match 1 out of 10 (also WrestleMania 42 night 1 overall show rating) : r/WWE – Reddit, accessed April 20, 2026, https://www.reddit.com/r/WWE/comments/1spmx1q/rating_wrestlemania_42_saturday_every_match_1_out/
19. Fan favorite WWE superstar makes surprise return after nine years to team up with Brie Bella, accessed April 20, 2026, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/wwe/top-stories/fan-favorite-wwe-superstar-makes-surprise-return-after-nine-years-to-team-up-with-brie-bella/articleshow/130364042.cms
20. WWE WrestleMania 42: John Cena and Nikki Bella reunion on the cards in a possible last-minute twist – The Times of India, accessed April 20, 2026, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/wwe/top-stories/wwe-wrestlemania-42-john-cena-and-nikki-bella-reunion-on-the-cards-in-a-possible-last-minute-twist/articleshow/130361613.cms
21. WWE WrestleMania 42 Night 1: Full schedule, start timings, how to watch, and more, accessed April 20, 2026, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/wwe/top-stories/wwe-wrestlemania-42-night-1-full-schedule-start-timings-how-to-watch-and-more/articleshow/130297987.cms
22. Bron Breakker returns and SPEARS Seth Rollins: WrestleMania 42 Saturday highlights, accessed April 20, 2026, https://www.wwe.com/videos/bron-breakker-returns-and-spears-seth-rollins-wrestlemania-42-saturday-highlights
23. Shocking report reveals original WrestleMania 42 plans for Randy Orton, accessed April 20, 2026, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/wwe/top-stories/shocking-report-reveals-original-wrestlemania-42-plans-for-randy-orton/articleshow/130380779.cms
24. WWE WrestleMania Vegas Sunday Night 2 Results – April 19th, 2026, accessed April 20, 2026, https://www.wrestlingnewssource.com/news/98318/WWE-WrestleMania-Vegas-Sunday-Night-2-Results-April/
25. Full look at WrestleMania stage, via Chris Denker on Twitter : r/SquaredCircle – Reddit, accessed April 20, 2026, https://www.reddit.com/r/SquaredCircle/comments/1soau31/full_look_at_wrestlemania_stage_via_chris_denker/
26. Wrestlemania 42 Results / Post-Event Discussion (May Contain …, accessed April 20, 2026, https://www.reddit.com/r/WWE/comments/1sqc7sv/wrestlemania_42_results_postevent_discussion_may/
27. WWE WrestleMania 42 Night 2 results: Roman Reigns bests CM Punk for world title – CBS Sports, accessed April 20, 2026, https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-wrestlemania-42-results-2026-night-2-live-updates-winners-grades/live/
28. WWE WrestleMania 42 Night 2 Results: Punk vs Reigns, Ripley vs …, accessed April 20, 2026, https://www.si.com/fannation/wrestling/wwe/wwe-wrestlemania-42-results-highlights-live-blog-for-night-two-sunday
29. WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas: What you didn’t see on TV, accessed April 20, 2026, https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/wrestlemania-42-in-las-vegas-what-you-didnt-see-on-tv-3764266/
30. WWE WrestleMania 42 start time: Here’s how to watch matches for Night 2 on Sunday, accessed April 20, 2026, https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-wrestlemania-42-start-time-schedule-2026/
31. Two Powerhouse Challengers Emerged for Roman Reigns’ New …, accessed April 20, 2026, http://www.wrestlingnewssource.com/news/98334/Two-Powerhouse-Challengers-Emerged-for-Roman-Reigns-New-Championship/
32. I acknowledge the fact people don’t like the stage reveal of WrestleMania 42 but the truth is ple stage’s don’t always have to be big or small but the important thing is it’s a premium live event that is worth enjoying. : r/SantiZapVideos – Reddit, accessed April 20, 2026, https://www.reddit.com/r/SantiZapVideos/comments/1sohsaq/i_acknowledge_the_fact_people_dont_like_the_stage/
33. WrestleMania 42 (Saturday) Cagematch Rating : r/SquaredCircle – Reddit, accessed April 20, 2026, https://www.reddit.com/r/SquaredCircle/comments/1spnvdk/wrestlemania_42_saturday_cagematch_rating/