WrestleMania 42 adds major match to card at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas

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• 🔥 Quick Facts
• CM Punk and Roman Reigns Set for Headline Collision
• Liv Morgan Challenges for Women’s World Title
• Elimination Chamber Winners Secure World Title Shots
• Brock Lesnar Issues Open Challenge for the Grandest Stage
• Historic Broadcasting Changes Bring WrestleMania to ESPN
• Will WrestleMania 42 Deliver the Biggest Shocks of 2026?
  • Sources

WrestleMania 42 just shook up its card at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The biggest wrestling event of the year lands April 18 and 19, 2026, with fresh matchups that will define superstars’ legacies. Here’s what you need to know about the ultimate showcase of immortals.

CM Punk and Roman Reigns Set for Headline Collision

CM Punk will defend his World Heavyweight Championship against Roman Reigns in what WWE is already promoting as one of the biggest WrestleMania main events in modern history. Reigns earned this opportunity by winning the 2026 Men’s Royal Rumble back in January.

The storyline intensified after Reigns appeared on Raw and chose to challenge Punk instead of pursuing an easier path against a SmackDown champion. Punk reminded Reigns that he brought him to the main roster as part of The Shield in 2012. Reigns countered by citing Punk’s past podcast comments that hurt his career and claimed he was responsible for bringing Punk back to WWE at Survivor Series WarGames in 2025. Despite teaming up previously, Reigns has decided to face Punk out of sheer dislike for the Best in the World.

Liv Morgan Challenges for Women’s World Title

Liv Morgan won the 2026 Women’s Royal Rumble and challenged Stephanie Vaquer for the Women’s World Championship. This will be Morgan’s first singles match at WrestleMania as a title challenger. Morgan appeared on both Raw and SmackDown to confront both brand champions before making her choice official on Raw February 23.

Vaquer has dominated the women’s division since her rise to the top. The Mexican superstar told Morgan that she had been handed everything throughout her career but would not win against La Primera. Morgan responded with determination, attacking Vaquer and officially declaring her intention to capture the Women’s World Championship at the biggest event of the year.

Elimination Chamber Winners Secure World Title Shots

Championship	Challenger	Status
Undisputed WWE Championship	Men’s EC Winner	To Face Drew McIntyre
WWE Women’s Championship	Women’s EC Winner	To Face Jade Cargill

Triple H confirmed in January that winners of the men’s and women’s Elimination Chamber matches would earn world title matches at WrestleMania 42. Since both Royal Rumble winners chose Raw’s championships, the Elimination Chamber victors will challenge for SmackDown’s titles. Drew McIntyre will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship, while Jade Cargill will put her WWE Women’s Championship on the line.

Brock Lesnar Issues Open Challenge for the Grandest Stage

Brock Lesnar made a dramatic return to Raw on February 23, accompanied by Paul Heyman. The Beast Incarnate announced he will compete in an open challenge at WrestleMania 42, allowing any superstar brave enough to step forward to face him. Heyman questioned who possessed the courage to challenge the most dominant force in WWE today.

This marks a significant moment as any superstars not yet booked for the event could potentially secure a WrestleMania spot. Lesnar’s open challenge has historically produced shocking matchups and memorable moments on the grandest stage of them all. Who will answer the call?

“There are no more obstructions along the road to WrestleMania 42. The Showcase of the Immortals will once again take place inside Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.”

— WWE Sports Illustrated Report, Match Card Update

Historic Broadcasting Changes Bring WrestleMania to ESPN

WrestleMania 42 will make history on February 27 when WWE announced that the first hour of both nights will air live on ESPN2 (Saturday, April 18) and ESPN (Sunday, April 19). This marks the first time a live WrestleMania will air on cable ESPN networks. The entire show streams on ESPN Unlimited in the United States and Netflix internationally.

The event will start at 6 p.m. ET (3 p.m. PT locally in Las Vegas), a change from the previous 7 p.m. ET start time. WWE made this adjustment to accommodate the new ESPN partnership and broadcasting requirements. The modified start time gives West Coast fans easier access while maintaining prime-time viewing for East Coast audiences.

Will WrestleMania 42 Deliver the Biggest Shocks of 2026?

Las Vegas has always been the perfect setting for unexpected moments, and WrestleMania 42 promises to deliver. The card continues to develop with the Elimination Chamber taking place February 28 in Chicago, where crucial matches will finalize several WrestleMania matchups. Logan Paul has replaced Jey Uso in the Men’s Elimination Chamber, competing against Randy Orton, LA Knight, Cody Rhodes, Je’Von Evans, and Trick Williams.

The Women’s Elimination Chamber features Rhea Ripley, Tiffany Stratton, Alexa Bliss, Asuka, Kiana James, and Raquel Rodriguez. More matches will likely be announced in the coming weeks as WWE builds toward the biggest showcase on April 18 and 19. Will every superstar playing a role reach their destination at WrestleMania 42?

Sources

• Sports Illustrated – Comprehensive WrestleMania 42 match card and broadcast details
• Wikipedia – Official WrestleMania 42 event information and storyline updates
• TJR Wrestling – ESPN broadcast changes and start time modifications