Based on past comments by Roman Reigns, WrestleMania 42 could mark the beginning of the end of the Tribal Chief’s sovereignty over WWE.
Before the 2025 Royal Rumble, Reigns told Sam Roberts and Dave LaGreca that he could “run this thing for two more years.” Months later, a Vanity Fair profile revealed that his current contract ends after this year’s Mania, with the six-time world champion indicating he wouldn’t be around much longer after that.
“After I finish the contract that I’m in, we probably
got another year or two max. Then it’s time to take on a less physical form of entertainment,” Reigns told the publication.
Unless plans change, Reigns’ timeline suggests next year’s Mania might be his last. If so, WWE will likely book the OTC favorably until then. That doesn’t bode well for his opponent at this year’s extravaganza, CM Punk.
Notably, his potential successor will open the show that Reigns headlines for an unprecedented 11th time, as Oba Femi faces Brock Lesnar. Once dubbed “The Next Big Thing,” Lesnar, also nearing retirement, appears ready to pass that mantle to Femi, whose popularity has surged ahead of their match.
On paper, Reigns vs. Femi is a marquee matchup of superhero-level proportions: The Tribal Chief vs. The Ruler. That they’ll bookend WrestleMania Sunday seems like no coincidence, and could signal the start of a dominant run for both, with Reigns perhaps racing toward his self-imposed finish line.
The Card
After weeks of buildup, WWE finally revealed the lineups for this year’s two-night WrestleMania. Barring last-minute additions, here’s how Saturday and Sunday will unfold.
WrestleMania Saturday — April 18
- Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Randy Orton (w/ Pat McAfee)
- WWE Women’s World Championship: Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Liv Morgan
- Women’s Tag Team Championship Fatal 4-Way: Nia Jax & Lash Legend (c) vs. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley & Lyra Valkyria vs. The Bella Twins
- WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: AJ Lee (c) vs. Becky Lynch
- Gunther vs. Seth Rollins
- Airing on ESPN 2 – Unsanctioned Match: Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre
- Airing on ESPN 2: The Usos & LA Knight vs. IShowSpeed, Logan Paul & Austin Theory
WrestleMania Sunday — April 19
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk (c) vs. Roman Reigns
- WWE Women’s Championship: Jade Cargill (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
- WWE United States Championship: Sami Zayn (c) vs. Trick Williams
- “The Demon” Finn Balor vs. Dominik Mysterio
- Airing on ESPN – WWE Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match: Penta (c) vs. Je’von Evans vs. Dragon Lee vs. JD McDonagh vs. Rusev vs. Rey Mysterio
- Airing on ESPN: Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar
Former WWE Champion and recent retiree John Cena will also be on hand, serving as the event’s host.
When and How to Watch
Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas hosts WrestleMania April 18–19. The first hour of Saturday’s show airs on ESPN2 and Sunday’s on ESPN, with full streaming on ESPN Unlimited. Select movie theaters will host live screenings, with tickets available through Fandango. Internationally, WrestleMania streams on Netflix.
