WrestleMania 42 is set to take place tonight, April 18, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. The festivities kick off at 3 PM ET with a free Countdown show, leading into the main event starting at 6 PM ET. In the U.S., the program commences with two matches airing on ESPN2 before transitioning to ESPN’s streaming service. International fans can catch WrestleMania on Netflix.
Cody Rhodes Disheartened by Main Event Lineup
The spotlight is on Cody Rhodes, who has expressed disappointment regarding the direction of the main event storyline. Initially set to clash with Randy Orton, who earned the right to challenge for the title after winning the Elimination Chamber, Rhodes felt the feud had all the ingredients for a compelling narrative. However, this has not been the case.
The Unexpected Twist
Things took a bizarre turn when the storyline introduced former NFL punter Pat McAfee. McAfee, acting as a mysterious figure, crashed the contract signing between Rhodes and Orton, seemingly shifting focus from their personal rivalry to a commentary on WWE’s business metrics. The audience saw McAfee punting Rhodes as he criticized the current state of wrestling.
With reports indicating involvement from TKO CEO Ari Emanuel in WWE creative decisions, fans were left questioning the integrity of the main event. McAfee’s forced inclusion in the narrative detracted from the potential depth of the Rhodes-Orton match.
Other Matches on the Card
WrestleMania 42 will feature several exciting bouts beyond the main event:
- AJ Lee (c) vs. Becky Lynch for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship
- Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Liv Morgan for the Women’s World Championship
- Irresistible Forces (c) vs. Bella Twins vs. Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair vs. Bayley & Lyra Valkyria for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles
- Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre in an Unsanctioned match
- LA Knight & The Usos vs. IShowSpeed, Logan Paul & Austin Theory
Additionally, wrestling legend John Cena has returned to host the event, with potential surprises from other notable stars in attendance. The excitement surrounding the event is palpable, even amidst concerns about the storyline direction.
As WWE fans prepare for WrestleMania 42, the question remains: Can Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton overcome the missteps in their storyline to deliver a remarkable main event? The answer will unfold tonight at this year’s biggest wrestling spectacle.
