WrestleMania 42 is this weekend in Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium, bringing us two nights of pro wrestling spectacle from WWE. Both Sat., April 18 and Sun., April 19 will feature a free “Countdown” pre-show, then the premium live event itself begins at 6 p.m. ET — streaming HERE on ESPN in the U.S., and on Netflix pretty much everywhere else.
Saturday’s Night One kicks off on ESPN2 with Logan Paul, Austin Theory & IShowSpeed taking on The Usos & LA Knight, and will conclude on ESPN Unlimited platform
with Pat McAfee cornering Randy Orton against Undisputed WWE champion Cody Rhodes. WrestleMania 42 Night One will also feature three different women’s title tilts: A 4Way for the Women’s Tag belts, Liv Morgan challenging WWE Women’s World champion Stephanie Vaquer, and Becky Lynch trying to get the Women’s Intercontinental championship back from AJ Lee. And more!
It’s a lot to process. Luckily for you Cagesiders, our staff of learned wrestling blowhards is here to help figure out just how the event is going to play out with predictions for each match on the card.
Let’s get to it.
PREDICTIONS FOR WRESTLEMANIA 42 NIGHT ONE
Undisputed WWE championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Randy Orton
Geno Mrosko: If we are certainly getting Orton & Pat McAfee vs. Rhodes & Jelly Roll at Backlash, wouldn’t that mean Orton has to win here? After all, McAfee said he would leave WWE for good if The Viper comes up short. He doesn’t lie, right?!? Pick: Randy Orton
Sean Rueter: One of the goals of McAfee’s involvement, methinks, is to make sure Rhodes stays at least “polarizing” for at least a little while longer before negative reactions force a heel turn (or make the refusal to turn even more awkward). You can’t do that with a win, so in addition to Pat Mac’s stip that seems to make this one pretty obvious. Pick: Randy Orton
Kyle Decker: I would have initially picked Rhodes because it feels too much like last year. Cody loses it just to win it from Randy later. But as soon as McAfee said he would leave forever if Orton lost, that sealed the winner. Gotta get that Cody/Jelly vs. Randy/Pat match. Pick: Randy Orton
Claire Elizabeth: Oh ye of little faith, I wouldn’t believe Pat McAfee if he told me the sky was blue. I’m sure if Randy loses, he’ll tuck tail and go hide on his show for a couple months to lick his wounds, but he’ll be back with a tearful apology to Michael Cole and a big yeet for the crowd sooner or later. Orton’s spent more time on the shelf than wrestling in the last two years, Cody is best when his back is against a wall, I never count the Viper out but this one is the American Nightmare’s. Pick: Cody Rhodes
Cain A. Knight: McAfee promised to leave WWE forever if Orton doesn’t win the title, which strongly implies that Cody is losing. However, Cody will look like a total chump if the new voices in his head don’t lead to his killer instinct being unleashed. This story sucks Triple H’s ass so hard that maybe Orton loses, and then Pat has to win back his old WWE status by teaming up with The Viper to beat Rhodes and Jelly Roll at Backlash. So I’ll go with Cody winning by punting Orton’s head off. Pick: Cody Rhodes
Marcus Benjamin: We’re here now with the story. It’s not the story I want. Probably not the story a lot of others want. But it’s what we’re getting. WWE’s put Pat McAfee in such a bright spotlight that I can’t imagine them ever pulling him out of it. To say nothing of a possible tag match featuring Pat Mac and Jelly Roll. The fans may be through with Pat Mac but Pat Mac is not through with the fans. Pick:Randy Orton
M. G0MEZ: Pat McAfee says he’ll leave WWE for good if Randy Orton loses. I hate to break it to you, kids, but that’s not happening. “Raheem” falls to 1–4 in WrestleMania main events. Pick: Randy Orton
Jon Velez-Jackson: I’d like to see what probably most fans want to see: Randy turning on Pat with an RKO. Even if that doesn’t happen, it still feels like an Orton victory. Pick: Randy Orton
Josh Jagler: My desire for a major swerve here has led me to some fantasy booking. Pat turns on Randy and helps Cody win. Pat goes back on his word and sticks around. Cody embraces the role that he seems naturally fit for as a corporate champion. Backlash can then be Cody & Pat vs. Randy & Jelly. Aw, who am I kidding? Pick: Randy Orton
Women’s World championship: Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Liv Morgan
Geno Mrosko: I think they’re still high on Vaquer, and there’s a lot they can do there, but Morgan appears to be the new face of the division on Monday nights. Pick: Liv Morgan
Sean Rueter: The Judgment Day’s probably not gonna be around for too much longer, but the problem I have calling for Roxanne Perez and/or Raquel Rodriguez to cost Morgan this match is that I don’t know what Vaquer would do next as champion. Becky Lynch? Turn heel? Nah, cringey music video aside, it’s her time. Pick: Liv Morgan
Kyle Decker: It’s time to go all in on Liv as the top women’s star on Raw. I never would have believed I’d say that just a few years back, but she’s put in the work and deserves a WrestleMania title win. Pick: Liv Morgan
Claire Elizabeth: Maybe it’s superficial of me but this one is about lipstick. Liv is a coward in her nude lip (doubly so when her new song repeatedly talks bout cherry lips and she couldn’t even be bothered to wear a red for the whole video), Stephanie always goes with a nice bold red, AND she wants to come out to Megadeth? Sold! Pick: Stephanie Vaquer
Cain A. Knight: Stephanie Vaquer’s run with the gold has run its course. It’s time for a different champion on top, and the Royal Rumble winner is the obvious choice. Pick: Liv Morgan
Marcus Benjamin: This is a tough pick for me. I always go based on the story’s focal point. Is it the heel or the babyface? Is it the underdog or the dominant champ? These ladies played both roles in this feud. Liv is both the underdog and the dominant force with everything handed to her. Stephanie is both the dominant champ and also the underdog who scratched and clawed to get to this spot. They’re both the aggressor and the victim as it relates to one another. But ultimately, I think they go with the bigger name here since Mania is usually the time to do such things. Pick: Liv Morgan
M. G0MEZ: Liv Morgan is a face of WWE and a cornerstone of Raw’s women’s division. A Morgan title reign would spice up Monday nights — as will an eventual title feud against fellow Judgment Day member Raquel Rodriguez. Pick: Liv Morgan
Jon Velez-Jackson: Liv has so much momentum right now, but she’s also incredibly busy with a film coming up. I’m just not sure she needs a title right now, and I could see this match leading to a fracture in the Judgment Day for a larger storyline. Pick: Stephanie Vaquer
Josh Jagler: One of the toughest calls for me on the entire card. Stephanie has an aura that very few people can match, but her title reign hasn’t seemed to get out of first gear. Liv finally winning the Rumble after being a bridesmaid two years in a row makes me think that she might see it through and win the gold, but I just have a sneaking suspicion that Raquel and Roxanne involvement ends up costing Liv here. Pick: Stephanie Vaquer
Women’s Intercontinental championship: AJ Lee (c) vs. Becky Lynch
Geno Mrosko: They haven’t done nearly enough for this program in the lead up to this one, instead relying on the history they already share. Lee’s part time status makes me think a title change would make sense here but I’m going to say they hold off for now. Pick: AJ Lee
Sean Rueter: The belt was unjustly taken from it’s rightful owner by Corrupt Carr and Petty Pearce, and it’s not just me saying it. Many are saying it. Becky Lynch, for one. Still, seems like AJ’s due for some time off, and despite it flying under the radar a bit, The Man’s been on a fantastic run and deserves to be able to mock the “Becky Hogan” crowd again. Or should could shake Absolute Joke’s hand afterwards and try being a face again for a while. This superfan will be there either way. Pick: Becky Lynch
Kyle Decker: Honestly could see this going either way given Becky has taken so many L’s throughout the feud. But WrestleMania needs to give the crowd moments to cheer about and AJ Lee winning her first Mania back would do that. Pick: AJ Lee
Claire Elizabeth: Becky’s been slipping for months, her ego’s out control, and AJ’s gonna teach her one more lesson about whose shoulders she’s been standing on this entire time. Pick: AJ Lee
Cain A. Knight: Becky has been on the losing end to AJ Lee too many times. It’s time for that to change at WrestleMania, and probably also time for AJ to vanish from WWE for a while. Pick: Becky Lynch
Marcus Benjamin: I think there’s more juice to squeeze out of AJ’s title run. Becky doesn’t need the championship and a loss won’t hurt her. She can easily talk her way into a rematch if one needs to happen. Pick: AJ Lee
M. G0MEZ: Seriously, the nerve of these part-timers. AJ Lee has one title defense in nearly 50 days as champion and just four matches since returning last fall. The Women’s I.C. title needs saving, and “The Man” is the right woman for the job. Pick: Becky Lynch
Jon Velez-Jackson: Logically, it seems like Becky must pick up a win against AJ at some point. Yet I just don’t see it happening in Las Vegas this weekend. Pick: AJ Lee
Josh Jagler: Last month in my Elimination Chamber predictions, I surmised that AJ would win the title at Chamber in her adopted hometown of Chicago, and then lose it back to Becky at WrestleMania. No sense in changing my pick now. Pick: Becky Lynch
Singles match: Gunther vs. Seth Rollins
Geno Mrosko: It wouldn’t make a damn bit of sense to me to beat GUNTHER right now after everything he’s done over the past six months. Pick: GUNTHER
Sean Rueter: After squandering his momentum from retiring John Cena and AJ Styles, would they risk beating him here, even to a returning main eventer? I can’t come up with a good reason to, and Rollins is protected in defeat by his recent injury whether or not The Vision get involved. Pick: Gunther
Kyle Decker: They still have to protect Gunther this close to him submitting John Cena. Pick: Gunther
Claire Elizabeth: The thing about this one is that GUNTHER is right when he says Seth isn’t fit to lace his boots, and the crowd singing for Rollins is gonna turn into a funeral dirge in this one. Pick: GUNTHER
Cain A. Knight: Bron Breakker returns at WrestleMania to screw over Rollins, and hopefully spear the shit out of IShowSpeed a couple nights later on Raw. Pick: GUNTHER
Marcus Benjamin: This would be the perfect time for a certain dog to return and ruin his rival’s day. I see Bron Breakker breaking Seth in two and helping GUNTHER pick up the W. I don’t see GUNTHER being happy about it either but he will take it. Pick: GUNTHER
M. G0MEZ: Gunther said Paul Heyman owes him “so much more than a very big thank you” after saving him from Seth Rollins. That story requires Gunther to keep his momentum. Pick: Gunther
Jon Velez-Jackson: Normally, a returning Seth would get a slam-dunk win over almost anybody. But a win here would kill all the build Gunther received in 2025. Pick: Gunther
Josh Jagler: Rumors on Bron Breakker’s status have quieted recently, leading me to believe he’s on the brink of returning. I think the second generation star comes back looking to get his hands on Rollins and ends up costing Gunther instead. This will further entrench Der Ring General in Vision business, which will lead to Gunther vs. Brock this summer. Pick: Seth Rollins
Singles match: Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre
Geno Mrosko: McIntyre is going away for other commitments after, apparently, and Fatu is still on the rise, even if that feels like it has tailed off some. Pick: Jacob Fatu
Sean Rueter: All I know is that Drew’s innocent. Again. Pick: Jacob Fatu
Kyle Decker: Jacob Fatu would benefit more from winning this than Drew. Fatu is close to the main event and a win in a car crash of a match (positive) against the Scottish Warrior will help him get there. Pick: Jacob Fatu
Claire Elizabeth: Drew McIntyre has been running up a hell of a tab and it’s time for him to get that receipt and pay for it. Pick: Jacob Fatu
Cain A. Knight: This looks like the match of the night, and by a pretty wide margin. It’s finally time for Drew McIntyre to get his comeuppance for…being unfairly blamed for knocking out Fatu’s teeth way back in October? Pick: Jacob Fatu
Marcus Benjamin: Jacob needs the win more than Drew. Sometimes it’s that simple. Pick:Jacob Fatu
M. G0MEZ: For the record, this match shouldn’t be happening. McIntyre has repeatedly denied attacking Fatu last fall, a crime that — along with who took out Jey Uso before Elimination Chamber — remains a mystery. Alas, Drew seems headed for a break, meaning WWE could write him off here. Pick: Jacob Fatu
Jon Velez-Jackson: This match has the potential to be a show-stealer. Fatu needs a victory, or at least a compelling reason to lose, in order to regain some of his aura. Pick: Jacob Fatu
Josh Jagler: Jacob Fatu has seemed like a shoe-in for this with rumors that Drew would be taking a break after ’Mania. One of our Rumor Roundups this week suggested McIntyre may not be doing that. Whatever happens with Drew, I still think Fatu needs this win a lot more. Pick: Jacob Fatu
Women’s Tag Team championship: The Irresistible Forces (c) vs. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley and Lyra Valkyria vs. The Bella Twins
Geno Mrosko: Give the Bellas their big win now! Complete the career! Pick: The Bella Twins
Sean Rueter: One year after being bumped from the card, a Horsewoman comes full circle to win the belts she helped will into existence with someone WWE clearly wants to make happen. Pick: Bayley and Lyra Valkyria
Kyle Decker: As long as Nikki is able to go, they’re winning this match. Pick: The Bella Twins
Claire Elizabeth: So the usual four-way math favors the champions, especially as they’re the team most likely to cut corners out of these four, but I think it’s even odds that their overconfidence costs them, and then the second most likely team to cut corners (and maybe indulge in a little bit of twin magic that really shouldn’t work these days because they have different hair) picks up the win, perhaps? Pick: The Bella Twins
Cain A. Knight: I would have picked the Bella Twins to win if Nikki wasn’t injured, but I’m less sure about that now. The Irresistible Forces have kicked a little too much ass leading up to this match, so maybe it’s time to put the belts back on Flair and Bliss. Pick: Charlotte Flair & Alexis Bliss
Marcus Benjamin: The Bella’s getting the big win in Las Vegas feels like the right thing to do. Pick: The Bella Twins
M. G0MEZ: Under the tutelage of Nia Jax, WWE is slowly building Lash Legend. Unless Legend has upset management recently, I see no reason to disrupt that push. Pick: Nia Jax & Lash Legend
Jon Velez-Jackson: As much as I’d like to see Bayley with gold around her waist again, the Bellas seemed primed to win. Pick: The Bella Twins
Josh Jagler: I think it’s inevitable for the Bellas to win the titles at some point. As much as I think any of the other three teams are just better right now, winning the titles in a Fatal 4 Way with so many moving parts is more digestible than say….. beating Nia & Lash in a standard tag match. Pick: The Bella Twins
Trios match: The Vision (Logan Paul & Austin Theory) and IShowSpeed vs. The Usos and LA Knight
Geno Mrosko: I want to give the babyfaces the win here but I genuinely think WWE does business differently now and having Speed promoting the product with a victory may be more appealing to them than the opposite. Pick: The Vision & IShowSpeed
Sean Rueter: Speed rolls up a shocked LA Knight, setting the internet ablaze and pulling him further into The Vision’s web. Why was Knight shocked? Killa Cam’s getting payback, on WrestleMania Saturday, of all places. Pick: The Vision & IShowSpeed
Kyle Decker: I think I have to pick the team that doesn’t have someone cursed on it. Pick: The Usos & LA Knight
Claire Elizabeth: IShowSpeed has trained hard and he’s got some moves, but at some point I gotta think he’s gonna see through the Vision lovebombing him and realize that he’s on the wrong side of justice here, and that’s gonna be the deciding factor. Pick: LA Knight & the Usos
Cain A. Knight: Even if Cam’ron shows up to attack Jey Uso, WWE should probably kick off WrestleMania 42 on ESPN with the babyface squad beating the YouTubers. Pick: The Usos & LA Knight
Marcus Benjamin: Wild card of the night: Cam’Ron. After what happened recently between Cam and Jey Uso, along with Cam’s vow to see Jey this weekend, I predict the Harlem rapper works his way into what is already a weird match and hurts the good guys. Pick: The Vision & IShowSpeed
M. G0MEZ: IShowSpeed will either be the fall guy or an unlikely hero à la “Dangerous” Danny Davis at WrestleMania III. Based on how Paul and Theory have been acting around ISS, expect The Vision to bounce in his time of need. Pick: The Usos & LA Knight
Jon Velez-Jackson: I’m giving my pick to the team that needs the win more. Pick: The Usos & LA Knight
Josh Jagler: If this match was on the main card, I might think SpeedVision had a chance here, but I just don’t think they’re going to kick off WrestleMania weekend without a big Yeet-fest. Pick: The Usos & LA Knight
That’s how we see Saturday night’s matches playing out. In the comments, tell us where we’re wrong or why you agree, and give us your predictions for Night One of WrestleMania 42!
