How Will WrestleMania 42 Night One Matchups Play Out?
WrestleMania 42 is right around the corner, and the top superstars of WWE prepare to make history as the biggest show of the year returns to Las Vegas for a second straight year. Legends will be created, and scores will be settled on the grandest stage. Multiple championships are on the line across two nights, with night one hosting four championship matches. Which superstars will walk into night one ready to walk out with their hands held high and with gold wrapped around their waists?
Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton for the Undisputed WWE Championship
What should’ve been an easy story to tell between two former friends turned bitter rivals has devolved into a storyline that included Jelly Roll and Pat McAfee. After Randy Orton’s heel turn, WWE could have used their past as a reason for Orton’s character turning on Cody Rhodes, but the story fell flat as soon as WWE revealed who was calling Orton the weeks following the attack. McAfee, the former Indianapolis Colts punter, revealed that he was on Orton’s side and had to help him win the championship in order to save the WWE. Jelly Roll, who teamed with Orton at SummerSlam 2025, was on the receiving end of an RKO after he attempted to stop Orton from attacking Rhodes. The story between the two men has seemingly been ignored in favor of giving a few celebrities free publicity. Regardless of the celebrity involvement, both men will allow their in-ring talent to tell the story of a brotherhood that once was. Orton might be chasing history, but it feels as if a third party will somehow get involved and ensure that Rhodes walks out of night one of WrestleMania 42 the champion.
Prediction: Cody Rhodes retains the Undisputed WWE Championship
Stephanie Vaquer vs. Liv Morgan for the Women’s World Championship
Liv Morgan earned the right to challenge Stephanie Vaquer for the Women’s World title after winning the 2026 Women’s Royal Rumble. Although neither she nor ‘La Primera’ has met in the ring before, their feud heading into WrestleMania has been nonstop entertainment, with both women attacking each other physically and verbally. The stakes couldn't be higher in this match, as both women vow to protect their upbringings and lead the Raw Women’s Division into the future. Vaquer walks into her first WrestleMania as champion, but the lights might end up being too bright for her, as Morgan will use her high in-ring IQ to successfully dethrone Vaquer as champion.
Prediction: Liv Morgan becomes the new Women’s World Champion
A.J. Lee vs. Becky Lynch for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship
Becky Lynch has a huge chip on her shoulder, and it stems from her ongoing feud with the Women’s Intercontinental Champion A.J. Lee. Ever since ‘Your Favorite Wrestler’s Favorite Wrestler’ made her return to in-ring competition after stepping away from the ring for nearly 10 years, Lee has been a thorn in the side of ‘The Man’. From getting involved in their husbands’ rivalry to Lee costing Lynch the championship on two separate occasions, Lee has had the upper hand multiple times. Lynch cannot accept that Lee has been better than her upon her return, and it’s her task to get rid of Lee from the WWE once and for all. The women had a great match at Elimination Chamber 2026, and it’s only fitting that Lynch gets the last laugh on the Grandest Stage of Them All.
Prediction: Becky Lynch becomes the new Women’s Intercontinental Champion
The Irresistible Forces vs. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley and Lyra Valkyria vs. The Bella Twins for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
All four women have done more than just go after the tag titles, as they have all interfered in each other’s matches. All of them have made their claim to challenge for the titles, and they have been rewarded with a Fatal-Four-Way match at WrestleMania to determine who will represent the Women’s Tag Team Division. The Bellas don’t need to hold the titles, and a defeat at WrestleMania could fuel a storyline between Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, as a possible implosion following this match seems imminent. The only correct choice is to give Bayley and Lyra Valkyria the titles, as both women can elevate the belts and defend them across multiple different shows.
Prediction: Bayley and Lyra Valkyria become the new Women’s Tag Team Champions
Logan Paul, Austin Theory, and IShowSpeed vs. The Usos and L.A. Knight
The Usos and L.A. Knight have feuded with The Vision for the past few months. Even after The Vision lost their two top stars, Logan Paul and Austin Theory have tried everything to put the faction at the top of the mountain. The Vision and The Usos collided in a match for The Usos’ tag titles, where IShowSpeed would somehow get involved after getting dragged into the match by Paul. Speed would accidentally hit Knight with brass knuckles, giving The Vision just enough of an edge to take advantage of the situation and win the titles. Speed tried to get out of the situation, but with The Usos and Knight gunning for him, he had no choice but to align with The Vision. The six-man tag match was confirmed after Speed once again got involved and accidentally cost Knight his match against Theory. Raw general manager Adam Pearce decided that if Speed wanted to get himself involved and not listen, then he would have to team with The Vision against Knight and The Usos at WrestleMania. This match will open the show, and having The Usos and Knight secure the victory gives the fans the satisfaction of seeing the faces come out on top and sets the stage for the rest of the night.
Prediction: The Usos and L.A. Knight win
Seth Rollins vs. Gunther
Seth Rollins returned from injury, vowing to end The Vision, the group that he created, but would then turn on him once he revealed he was injured. With two out of the four men from The Vision out with an injury, it seemed as if Rollins would have to wait to get his payback. However, while attempting to take out ‘The Oracle’ Paul Heyman, Gunther would suddenly make his presence known and put Rollins to sleep. Although Gunther aligning with Heyman made no sense at the time. ‘The Ring General’ revealed that Heyman would owe him a huge favor down the line, but first, he wants to put Rollins down. ‘The Architect’ has his hands full at WrestleMania, as the dangerous Gunther looks to continue his dominating run against all challengers. Whatever the favor might be, it’s going to be a huge motivator for Gunther to come out on top in this match.
Prediction: Gunther wins
Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre in an Unsanctioned Match
For months, Drew McIntyre has felt that the world has been against him. Even when he won the Undisputed WWE Championship from Rhodes at the beginning of 2026, McIntyre turned himself into a victim, feeling betrayed by the fans, the locker room, and even by top management. McIntyre forgot that he became champion after Jacob Fatu interfered and attacked Rhodes, unintentionally helping McIntyre secure the title. Fatu would right that wrong during McIntyre’s title defense against Rhodes, when he would prevent McIntyre from getting an advantage during the match, distracting ‘The Scottish Warrior’ and helping Rhodes regain the title. With another screwjob added to his list, McIntyre has vowed to hurt Fatu and destroy him for all the wrongs he’s done to him. With both men attacking each other with no end in sight, SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis made the decision to make this match happen at WrestleMania 42 under Unsanctioned Rules. This match is guaranteed to be physical, and McIntyre desperately needs this win as payback.
Prediction: Drew McIntyre wins
