SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)…
WWE WRESTLEMANIA 42 NIGHT 1 RESULTS
APRIL 18, 2026
LAS VEGAS, NEV. AT ALLEGIENT STADIUM
STREAMING LIVE ON ESPN APP (U.S.) AND NETFLIX (INTERNATIONALLY)
Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett
Ring Announcer: Alicia Taylor
Attendance: WrestleTix reported as showtime that 50,386 tickets were distributed. Available seats totalled 68,703. Last year’s Night 1 in the same stadium drew 60,151 without mass marketing of discounts.
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[HOUR ONE – SIMULCAST ON ESPN2]
-They showed an aerial view of the stadium in Las Vegas as Michael Cole introduced the show. He said “over 50,000 fans are expected tonight.” The wide shot of the crowd looked great. They showed Cody Rhodes warming up.
-An introductory video aired.
-John Cena made his ring entrance as Host of WrestleMania 42. He wore a suit. He said, “Long time fan, long-time performer, first-time host. How am I doing so far?” He said the build to WrestleMania has been controversial and polarizing. He said it’s the moment he loves the most. “We’re all in here for the same reason,” he said. “Because we know the time to talk is up and the time to deliver is now.” He said they want to see who will step up and deliver. “Welcome to WrestleMania!” he exclaimed. Pyro blasted on the stage.
(1) THE USOS & L.A. KNIGHT vs. LOGAN PAUL & AUSTIN THEORY & ISHOWSPEED
The Usos made their entrance first. Then Knight. The bell rang 16 minutes into the hour. The Usos super kicked Theory and Logan out of the ring at the start, leaving IShowSpeed against Knight. After a backflip, Knight clotheslined him to the mat. Speed bodyslammed Knight, which Cole oddly called a powerslam. IShowSpeed showed a ton of fire celebrating afterward. Barrett said no match has been won from a bodyslam. Cole asked if he said that a match had never been won with a powerslam. Barrett corrected him and said he said bodyslam. Cole stuck with it and asked if he forgot about Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant at WrestleMania 3. Barrett pointed out a legdrop was the actual final move.
The Usos and Knight took over against Logan for a stretch. Logan made a comeback and tagged in Theory. Cole went into the usual explanation of Theory stepping up and naming himself The Pressure. IShowSpeed tagged in against a battered Jimmy. Austin and Logan shouted instructions. Jimmy suplexed IShow, who then tagged in Logan. Jimmy leaped off the top rope with a corkscrew dive onto Logan. Both were down and slow to get up. Jey and Theory both tagged in.
Jey speared Theory and scored a two count, with Logan breaking up the pin. Theory mocked Jey’s arm dance. Jimmy superkicked Theory. IShow entered. Jimmy threw him into the ropes, but IShow countered with a head scissors. He celebrated, so Knight came at him. IShow shoved Knight, knocking him into Logan on the ring apron. Theory yelled at IShow for that sequence. IShow defended himself. Theory held Knight and told IShow to “hit the ropes.” Knight then shoved Theory into IShow. Knight gave Theory a BFT for the win.
Barrett said IShow didn’t execute the plan correctly.
WINNERS: Knight & The Usos in 7:00.
-Logan yelled at IShow afterward and said he didn’t listen. He then knocked him down with his titanium plated right fist. He said he ruined his WrestleMania. He threw him out of the ring. Cole said IShow didn’t deserve to be treated like that. Logan cleared the announce desk and then threw IShow onto it. He climbed to the top rope as Knight and the Usos looked on from the other side of the ring. The Usos entered the ring and gave Logan a 1D. Knight threw IShow into the ring. They had a talk with him and encouraged him to leap off the top rope onto Logan on the announce desk. IShow was reluctant at first, but then stood on the base of the ringpost and splashed Logan. The table collapsed. The ref checked on them as fans chanted “Holy shit!” Knight and the Usos smiled and helped IShow back into the ring to celebrate with him. Then IShow danced with the Usos and Knight to the Usos’ theme.
(Keller’s Analysis: That was precisely what you would have expected out of this match in terms of in-ring style, finish, and post-match angle, although the length was too short given all the build and everyone involved. IShow handled himself well in terms of the moves he did and also his body language and acting like he knew he was in over his head, but getting too excited whenever something went well. Ultimately, he was a sympathetic figure being bullied.) [c]
(2) JACOB FATU vs. DREW MCINTYRE – Unsanctioned Match
Fatu came out first, accompanied by Polynesian fire dancers. Then Drew came out with his sword. Drew got in the first sustained offense in the ring. He landed a running flip dive onto Fatu at ringside and then went for a Claymore, but Fatu moved. Fatu threw Drew into a chair wedged in the corner. Fatu landed a top rope Mighty Moonsault for a near fall. Cole said he wasn’t sure if anyone had ever kicked out after that move.
Drew used a wrench as a weapon, jabbing Fatu in the face and then rubbing it into his eye. Drew suplexed Fatu toward two chairs, but Fatu landed between them mostly and slightly on one because of how they were positioned apart. Drew took the ref’s belt from his pants to use as a weapon. (If I had use of a wrench and a tool box, I’d probably stick with those if I wanted to beat someone up.) Drew wound up with the belt, but Fatu recovered and kicked him. He then bashed Drew with a chair across his back. Fatu then used the ref’s belt against Drew.
Fatu picked up the toolbox, but when he turned around, Drew hit a Claymore for a near fall. Drew got upset at the ref. Fatu and Drew exchanged strikes mid-ring. Fatu won the battle and headbutted Drew several times on the mat in rapid-fire fashion. Fatu set up a table. Fatu put Drew on the table, then climbed to the to rope. Drew stood and shoved Fatu off the top rope through a table at ringside.
Fatu re-entered the ring and caught a charging Drew with a kick. He then knocked Drew onto the table in the ring with the toolbox. Fatu then hit a Mighty Moonsault through the table for a three count. Cole said that closes the book on a long, intense rivalry.
WINNER: Fatu in 14:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Solid match of this style within the parameters of what they want to air on ESPN2 on basic cable. If Drew is heading to finally film a movie, this finish makes sense.) [c]
[HOUR TWO – ON ESPN UNLIMITED]
(3) ALEXA BLISS & CHARLOTTE vs. BRIE BELLA & PAIGE vs. NIA JAX & LASH LEGEND vs. BAYLEY & LYRA VALKYRIA – WWE Women’s Tag Team Title match
As Bliss and Charlotte came out first, Cole said only those two could pull off their outfits. They showed Bill Eadie and Barry Darsow at ringside, known as Demolition, inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame the night before. Nikki came out on crutches with Brie. She said she wasn’t cleared to wrestle, but she called in a favor from an old friend. out came Paige. “She’s back!” exclaimed Cole. “Paige has returned to WWE.” Cole said it’s no secret Paige and the Bellas are old friends. Barrett said Nikki misses out because of the injury on a WrestleMania match, but called it a big surprise and “a major shot in the arm for this audience.” Cole said she looked to be in tremendous shape. Cole said it was her first match in a WWE ring in more than eight years. Lash gave Bliss a clothesline that looked rough. Lash and Jax overpowered their opponents early.
Brie ended up delivering Yes Kicks to Charlotte and Lyra and then reached to tag in Paige. Lyra stopped her. Lash and Jax took control against Brie. Lash slammed Brie on the edge of the ring apron. A few minutes later Paige tagged in and got a nice rise from the crowd after a flurry of offense. As Paige absorbed cheers, Lash went after her. Paige got the better of her with a series of kneelifts. She leaped off the top rope onto Lyra, but Lyra rolled through and set up her Nightwing. Paige slipped out of that and landed the Paige Turner neckbreaker. Bayley broke up the cover .
Lyra dumped Brie and Nia over the top rope as if it was a battle royal. Lash then gave Lyra a Lash Extension. Paige and Charlotte broke up the cover. Then they clotheslined Lash over the top rope. Charlotte and Paige squared off. Cole called them teenage rivals. The crowd recognized it as a special moment. Barrett said they were part of changing the industry. Charlotte landed a Natural Selection, then tagged in Bliss. Nikki yanked Charlotte out of the ring and bashed her with crutch. Bliss paused, then leaped at Paige. Paige lifted her knees and then delivered her finisher for the win.
Paige got emotional with tears afterward as the Bellas raised their arms. They went to ringside where Barrett and Cole were standing. Cole said she is one of the most inspirational wrestlers in WWE history. Barrett called it a feel-good story after following her 15 year journey and called it amazing.
WINNERS: Brie & Paige in 9:00 to capture the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles.
-A promotional video aired for “The Mandalorian and Grogu” movie. Both characters were at ringside. [c]
-They showed Tony Hinchcliffe and Jeff Ross at ringside.
(4) A.J. LEE vs. BECKY LYNCH – Intercontinental Title match
“The Wonder Years” band performed Becky Lynch’s entrance theme. Lee made her entrance, accompanied by lots of little kids skipping to the ring dressed like her. Barrett said there is no way referee Jessica Carr will be unbiased in this one. Cole asked Barrett how much Becky was paying him to build in an excuse if she loses. The bell rang 38 minutes into the hour.
Becky got in early offense. She landed an Exploder Suplex for a two count at 2:00. Becky untied a corner turnbuckle. The ref caught her and reattached it. She called Becky “absolutely insane.” Barrett complained about that. Lee made a comeback. She slid to the floor and tripped Becky in the process. She leaped off the top rope back into the ring with a dropkick for a near fall. Becky swung Lee into the middle turnbuckle a minute later and then hit a Manhandle Slam for a near fall.
Becky stomped away at Lee in the corner. The ref scolded her. Becky got in the ref’s face. Carr had enough and yelled at Becky. Becky shoved her. Carr shoved her back. Cole said he can’t say Becky didn’t deserve that. Lee then gave Becky a Manhandle Slam for a dramatic near fall.
Lee applied a Black Widow, but Becky reached the ropes. Becky pulled the ref into the path of a charging Lee. She then rammed Lee’s head into the exposed turnbuckle. She then hit an Alabama Slam for the win. Cole said Becky won only due to ramming Lee “into exposed steel.”
WINNER: Lynch in 8:00 to regain the IC Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: Decent match, although not particularly ambitious. They continue to build the Becky-Carr rivalry, which seems like it could lead to an eventual match. The match length seems to be pointing toward a reasonable length show, but with commercials between matches, the crowd looks like they’ll have paid a lot of money on a per-minute-of-in-ring action basis tonight.) [c]
-They showed Chuck Zit, Funny Marco, and Conor Ben at ringside at ringside. They showed a family that was moved from the upper deck to ringside.
(5) GUNTHER vs. SETH ROLLINS
Gunther attached Seth before the bell with a dropkick right after Seth took off his jacket. Cole said Seth hasn’t had a match in months after a shoulder injury and isn’t 100 percent. Seth fought back at ringside. When both reentered the ring and were on their feet, the ref called for the bell 2 minutes into the third hour.
They swung away at each other. Seth ended up giving Gunther a bucklebomb a few minutes in. They exchanged suplexes afterward. Gunther powerbombed and stack covered Seth for a two count at 5:00. Gunther got up and nailed Seth with a lariat. Seth went for a sudden Pedigree, but Gunther backdropped out of it. Seth came back with a superkick and a running knee. Seth landed a Pedigree and a stomp for a near fall that the crowd roared for.
Seth climbed to the top rope, but Gunther avoided his stomp. Seth rolled up Gunther. Gunther slipped free and applied a sleeper mid-ring. They stood an exchanged deliberate strikes. Gunther climbed to the top rope. Seth met him up top and superplexed him and then rolled into a Falcon Arrow for a near fall. Seth then rolled Gunther and applied a sleeper mid-ring. Gunther draped his boot over the bottom rope to force a break at 12:00.
Seth played to the crowd and then landed his obligatory mid-match running dive through the ropes. He did it a second time, knocking Gunther into the ringside desk. And then a third, but this time Gunther caught him and powerbombed him against the ring apron and then against the announce desk. He cleared the desk and put Seth on it and then set up a powerbomb, but Seth countered into a Pedgree. Seth then cleared another announce desk and ran and leaped to the other one with a stomp to Gunther’s head.
Seth extended his arms and played to the crowd. Bron Breakker then charged to ringside and speared Seth. Fans barked. Gunther threw Seth into the ring and put Seth in a sleeper for the win.
WINNER: Gunther via submission pass out in 15:00.
-Breakker charged back down the ramp and speared Seth at ringside. He then met Paul Heyman on the stage and they hugged. Barrett said you’d be a fool to deny that the next hottest thing in this industry is Breakker.
(Keller’s Analysis: Not an entirely surprising finish. It didn’t seem like either wrestler was likely in line for a needed clean win, but neither were easy to sacrifice with a clean loss to boost the other. This match seemed like it existed to add a good match to the line-up while setting up a return by Breakker to make the finish more palatable and set up a match between them.)
-The sponsored “Highlight of the Night” was Paige’s return.
-The WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026 was represented on stage including Demolition, Dennis Rodman, and family members of Bad News Brown, Hulk Hogan (including friend Jimmy Hart), Andre the Giant, and Sid Vicious. Then A.J. Styles made his way onto the stage to his music followed by Stephanie McMahon to her music. [c]
-They showed an aerial view of the stadium. Cole then plugged Night 2 of WrestleMania 42. They aired a video feature on C.M. Punk with a timeline of his career with vintage photos.
(6) STEPHANIE VAQUER vs. LIV MORGAN – Women’s Title match
Liv lip-synced her new song on the stage. After dancing with a man, five women tore off her outer clothing to reveal her wrestling gear. Vaquer made her ring entrance next. Cole said they are “two of the biggest stars in our industry today.” He talked about their opposite upbringings. The bell rang 39 minutes into the hour. Cole said Liv has been busy filming the music video and side projects and wondered if her head was in the right place for a match of this importance. Barrett said Liv was often not considered part of the top tier, but that is changing lately.
Liv landed a powerbomb for an early two count. When Liv hit three consecutive suplexes, Cole noted she and “her boyfriend” Dominik Mysterio pattern themselves after Eddie Guerrero. Vaquer came back with the Devil’s Kiss. It got some cheers. Vaquer then dropped Liv over her knees and scored a two count. Liv came back with a Back Stabber. She signaled for a Devil’s Kiss herself, but Vaquer countered and then landed a package backbreaker for a two count.
Vaquer gave Liv an Oblivion for a near fall at 5:00. Roxanne Perez stood on the ring apron and distracted the ref as Raquel Rodriguez shoved Vaquer off the top rope. Liv then hit an Oblivion for a near fall. Vaquer fended off Raquel and Perez. Cole said the ref had to do something about that. Liv dove toward Vaquer, but Vaquer moved so Liv landed on Raquel at ringside. Vaquer then leaped onto Raquel and Perez at ringside. Liv threw Vaquer into the ringside steps.
Back in the ring, Liv hit a Code Breakker and Oblivion for the win. She immediately began crying. Dom ran out to celebrate with her. Barrett called it the “greatest love story of our time.”
WINNER: Morgan in 8:00 to capture the Women’s World Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: Solid action here. The match length tonight continues to be a story. Four out of six matches so far went less than ten minutes.)
-John Cena stood mid-ring and announced the “official attendance” of 50,816 people. Pyro blasted.
-Bianca Belair made an appearance on the stage to her music, smiling and strutting her way to the ring. She said she missed the fans and then said she had a surprise for them. She revealed her belly indicating she was pregnant. She said, “The EST is having a baby!” Cena thanked her for “allowing your family to share this moment with ours.” Cena revised the attendance to 50,817.
-Cole congratulated Belair and said her husband is Montez Ford.
-A preview aired for the movie “Street Fighter” [c]
(7) CODY RHODES vs. RANDY ORTON (w/Pat McAfee) – Undisputed WWE Title match
A video package aired on the history of Cody and Randy. Then Pat McAfee walked out to his entrance theme. He began with cheap heat by giving the fans the middle finger gesture. Cole said he’s given a lot of thought to this the past few weeks. He said that man is someone who embraced these fans for the past number of years and who stood next to him when Cody finished his story and he had tears in his eyes. He said now he has disrespected everyone and with a massive ego, said he’s going to change the way things are done around there. He said his ego has blown out of control. The camera picked up on him telling someone “F— you.” Barrett said what he has done has generated a buzz for the event. Cole said that’s true, but the way he has gone about it and his attitude is the issue.
Orton’s entrance then took place. Then Cody’s entrance, which included wax figures or mannequins of four of the incarnations of Cody over the years including the Legacy version, Stardust, and of course the current version. He rose from a lift in the stage and wore a golden mask and outfit. Not much crowd reaction to it. Then Cody’s music played and the crowd roared. Formal ring introductions began. McAfee took the mic from Alicia and told the “disgusting pigs” to listen up. He then introduced Orton, full of superlatives. He said the “fat-ass bums” would see what greatness looks like. He said he was going to “save the business tonight.”
Cody got a mixed response during ring introductions. Boos at first, then more cheers. (The C.M. Punk “rub” last night didn’t wipe out the naysayers.) McAfee attacked Cody with the the mic before the bell. Orton then stomped on him. Cody kicked McAfee and threw Orton shoulder-first into the ringpost. Cody then gave McAfee a Crossroads. Fans cheered. He then kicked McAfee out of the ring. “Take him out Cody,” said Cole. “Take him out. Beat the hell out of him.” Jelly Roll showed up at ringside and volunteered himself. He leaped off one announce desk and landed a flying elbowdrop onto McAfee after giving two a two middle finger gesture. He then yelled, “Go give them the fight they came to see.” Cole said, “Bring the garbage truck out and take out the trash.” The ref called for medical help. A stretched was brought out and he was rolled to the back. Cole said finally they’re going to get the one-on-one match with an even playing field. Fans sang the “Na na na na, good bye” song.
Cole said there were rumors running rampant all week that Orton might be injured. He said there was a lot of talk of Orton having a back injury. Barrett said it was just a red herring. Orton held his left shoulder at ringside, selling the toss into the ringpost minutes earlier. McAfee raised his thumb to indicate he was okay and then turned it into a middle finger gesture.
(Keller’s Analysis: Assuming he doesn’t interfere later, this is hopefully the end of the entire McAfee debacle. It’s a shame that the story they could have told in this match was hijacked by McAfee, so there wasn’t as much left for Cody and Orton to work with once he was taken out.)
The bell rang 29 minutes into the fourth hour. They eyed each other, then locked up mid-ring. Cody landed a powerslam, but when he went for a Cody Cutter, Orton went for a backbreaker. Orton stood and favored his left thigh and he couldn’t fully support his weight. Orton thumbed Cody in the eye. Orton then applied his obligatory mid-match chinlock at 4:00. Cody powered out and slammed Orton to the mat. Orton rolled to ringside and held his back. Cody went after Orton at ringside, but Orton kicked him and threw him back into the ring.
Back in the ring, Cody kicked Orton as he re-entered. Cody then rammed Orton into the corner. Cody applied a bearhug on the mat. Orton tried to elbow out of it, but winced he did it. Cody rolled up Orton for a two count. Cody shoved Orton into the ropes and then elbowed him in the kidney area. Cole emphasized Orton couldn’t even stand. Cody made a cover. Orton kicked out. Cole said even kickouts were tough for Orton.
Cody climbed to the top rope. Orton stood and swiped his arm across Cody’s boots, sending him crotch-first over the turnbuckle. A soft “RKO!” chant broke out. Orton then methodically punched Cody in the corner. He delivered a superplex. He sold pain upon impact. He followed up with a couple clotheslines and his snap powerslam. He then delivered a draping DDT. He held his back afterward. He pounded the mat to signal for an RKO. Cody blocked it and threw Orton to the floor. Cody then dove through the ropes, but Orton punched him out of mid-air. Orton dropped Cody on the announce desk.
Orton took a swig from a water bottle. Cody shoved Orton into the ringpost. Orton came up bleeding from the forehead. (If there was ever a match that needed something extra, it’s this one.) Boos rang out as Cody battered Orton in the corner. Cody looked around. The boos got louder briefly. Cody then landed a Disaster Kick. Orton kicked out. Barrett said, “Orton is a shell of a competitor right now.” Cody rubbed Orton’s blood on his chest. Cole said it became “a methodical beatdown by Cody” and he seemed to be enjoying it.
Cody then gave Orton a draping DDT. Cole said, “This is a different Cody Rhodes tonight.” Cody pounded the mat. Some cheering. Cole said Cody was mocking Orton. Orton side stepped Cody’s RKO and gave him a Crossroads for a near fall for the most drama of the match so far. The ref gave Orton a white towel and he wiped hiumself. He then pounded the mat to signal fior an RKO. Cody blocked it and used a backslide to score a two count. Cody then hit an RKO for a near fall at 17:00.
Orton rolled to ringside and collapsed. Cody went after him. Cole said it was crunch time. “This is a completely different Cody Rhodes,” Cole said. He said he has reached a breaking point. Cody threw Orton back into the ring and extended his arms and then waited for Orton. Orton, though, caught Cody with an RKO for a near fall. The crowd reacted to that sequence. Orton labored his way around the ring and punched Cody.
Cody poked Orton in the eye. Orton inadvertently gave the ref, Charles Robinson, an RKO. Cody checked on him. Orton went for a low kick, but Cody blocked it and then low-kicked Orton. Mixed reaction from the crowd. Cole said, “You do what you got to do; the way this man has been treated, you can’t blame him,” Cole said. Cody went for a Cody Cutter, but Orton caught him with an RKO. With the ref down, McAfee ran out and counted, but Cody kicked out before three.
Orton hugged Cody’s leg and smiled at McAfee. Fans chanted, “Ref, you suck.” Orton stood and gave McAfee an RKO. Cody then hit a Crossroads on Orton for a three count.
WINNER: Cody in 24:00 to retain the Undisputed WWE Title.
When Cody’s music played and he raised the belt, some fans booed. Orton then snatched the belt from Cody and hit him in the face with it. Orton then stood over Cody and punt kicked him. Cole said, “The Viper, showing his true colors.”
(Keller’s Analysis: The match took forever to get out of first gear. Once it did, it was dramatic, but hardly athletic. The McAfee situation just muddied the story of the match. Cody’s reaction is just a mess right now, but it’s hard to separate fan fatigue with Cody from just the effects of years of lousy, uneven booking of him.)
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch’s Greg Parks and Brandon LeClair reunite to review WrestleMania 42, the Saturday night 1 version, LIVE on YouTube right after the event ends. We’ll be incorporating live viewer comments into the show so join us LIVE!
Email our post-show at wnialivecast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about the event. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
If you can’t join us live on YouTube, stream the show on demand later at YouTube or listen or stream later on a podcast app. Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller” and “pwtorch” in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.
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OPEN TO EVERYONE – LINK TO WATCH LIVE RIGHT AFTER WWE WRESTLEMANIA 42 SATURDAY TONIGHT: CLICK HERE