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WrestleMania 42: Cena Hosts Epic Two-Night Championship Showdown

4/18/2026

Summary

Cena Hosts WrestleMania

WrestleMania 42 will take place April 18-19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, featuring 13 matches across two nights.
John Cena will host.
The event will stream on ESPN and Netflix.
Night 1 features Cody Rhodes defending the Undisputed Championship against Randy Orton.
Night 2's main event features CM Punk defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Roman Reigns.

Summary

Paige Returns WrestleMania

Paige (Saraya-Jade Bevis) signs a multi-year WWE contract and returns at WrestleMania 42 to pair with Brie Bella, replacing the injured Nikki Bella in Women's Tag Team Championship.
AJ Lee (WWE superstar) will make her first WrestleMania appearance in 11 years, defending the Women's Intercontinental Championship against Becky Lynch.
Liv Morgan (WWE wrestler) will challenge Stephanie Vaquer for the Women's World Championship, as their heated rivalry builds toward the match.

Summary

Rhodes Defends Legacy

Cody Rhodes (professional wrestler) faces Randy Orton (professional wrestler) at WrestleMania 42 with high stakes, as Rhodes, the reigning champion, is under scrutiny over his legacy and popularity.
Analysts say Randy Orton's experience and Pat McAfee (commentator) could sway the match in his favor.
CM Punk (professional wrestler) is favored to retain his title against Roman Reigns (professional wrestler), with Punk's active presence contrasted by Reigns' part-time status.

History

Historical Context

WrestleMania III, held on March 29, 1987, at the Pontiac Silverdome, drew a claimed 93,173 fans, marking a peak in the 1980s wrestling boom. The event featured Hulk Hogan's iconic victory over André the Giant, solidifying the WWF's dominance. This legacy continues with modern stars like John Cena and Cody Rhodes, reflecting wrestling's evolution and expanding media partnerships with platforms like ESPN and Netflix.

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Cena Hosts WrestleMania

WrestleMania 42 will take place April 18-19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, featuring 13 matches across two nights.
John Cena will host.
The event will stream on ESPN and Netflix.
Night 1 features Cody Rhodes defending the Undisputed Championship against Randy Orton.
Night 2's main event features CM Punk defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Roman Reigns.

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