2026 WWE WrestleMania 42 matches, date, card, location and rumors for epic two-night event
CBS Sports
by
Shakiel Mahjouri
March 2, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
WWE's biggest event of the year, WrestleMania 42, is set to take place in Las Vegas on April 18 and 19. This year marks the second consecutive time the event will be held in Sin City, and it features an impressive lineup of top stars, including Roman Reigns, CM Punk, Brock Lesnar, and Rhea Ripley. The card is packed with high-stakes title matches and intriguing matchups that have fans buzzing.
One of the most anticipated bouts is the World Heavyweight Championship clash between CM Punk (c) and Roman Reigns. This rematch from WrestleMania 41 will see Punk defending his title against Reigns, who earned a shot by winning the men's Royal Rumble. Meanwhile, SmackDown's Undisputed WWE Champions Drew McIntyre (c) and Jade Cargill are set to face Randy Orton and another rising star, respectively. On the Raw side, Liv Morgan is looking to make history as the first Black women's champion in WWE when she challenges Stephanie Vaquer for the title.
In a highly unusual move, Brock Lesnar will issue an open challenge at WrestleMania, inviting any superstar willing to step into the ring with the Beast Incarnate. This has sparked rumors and speculation among fans about who might accept the gauntlet, with names like LA Knight and Gunther being thrown around. Additionally, women's title matches are shaping up to be must-see events, with Rhea Ripley looking to reclaim her WWE Championship from Jade Cargill and Becky Lynch potentially facing AJ Lee for the Women’s Intercontinental Title.
The event is also heating up with backstage drama, as Tom Brady recently called out WWE Hall of Famer Paul "Heyman" Heyman over a playful insult directed at Shakiel Mahjouri during an episode of *Saturday Night Live*. This adds another layer of excitement to what promises to be an epic two-night spectacle. With so many high-profile matches and
Verticals
sports
Originally published on CBS Sports on 3/2/2026