WWE WrestleMania 42 Night 1 Results, Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights

Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas played host to the most important weekend of the year for WWE, beginning with Night 1 of WrestleMania 42.

After the most controversial build of the year, Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton collided for the Undisputed WWE Championship, with Pat McAfee playing a supporting role in The Viper's corner.

Stephanie Vaquer defended the Women's World Championship against Liv Morgan, and Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu looked to settle their dispute in an Unsanctioned match.

These contests and more set the stage for a night that needed to deliver true spectacle. Could WWE live up to the expectations for The Show of Shows?

The Vision and IShowSpeed vs. The Usos and LA Knight

Last Time in Action: LA Knight, Jey Uso, and Jimmy Uso defeated The MFTs (Raw, April 13); Austin Theory and Logan Paul defeated The Usos to win the World Tag Team Championships (Raw, March 30). This was the debut match for IShowSpeed.

The guest host, John Cena, opened the show to talk about the controversy around WrestleMania 42 and promised the talent was ready to deliver for the fans.

The match started with Knight and Speed, who tried to show out with his athleticism but could not rattle The Megastar.

Down the stretch, Theory grew more annoyed with Speed, accidentally hitting him followed by running into a BFT from Knight for the face win.

Afterward, The Maverick bullied Speed and threatened to put him through the announce table. The faces helped Speed and encouraged him to frog-splash Paul through the table and then celebrate with The Usos.

This was a terrible opener for WrestleMania, not because the match was bad but because it wasn't interesting. This came off as a TV tag team match that lost half its time.

Somehow, this lasted only seven minutes, lacking any real near-falls or pace-pushing moments. It was bland, forgettable action outside of its one narrative.

Speed was the star of the match from start to finish and got the only interesting spots throughout, particularly working well as the inexperienced athlete next to a veteran Knight.

The Megastar alongside the post-match action with The Maverick put over Speed better than many active members of the WWE roster.

However, beyond this possibly setting up Speed vs. Paul at Backlash, that serves no long-term purpose to WWE. This was a forgettable match for a moment that served only to put over a one-off celebrity.

Result

Knight, Jey and Jimmy def. Theory, Paul and Speed by pinfall.

Grade

D

Notable Moments and Observations

Cena questioned whether he might have been picked to host because of the polarizing build to 'Mania this year.

It is a good thing that WWE tested the new Usos theme and reverted back to Jey's music before 'Mania to get a proper Yeeting at the big show.

It would have been more effective for The Usos and Knight to come out together to show they were as cohesive a trio as the heel team.

Unsanctioned: Drew McIntyre vs. Jacob Fatu

Rich Freeda/WWE via Getty Images

Jacob Fatu picked up his biggest win to date at WrestleMania 42.

Last Time in Action: Jacob Fatu defeated Tama Tonga (SmackDown, April 10); Drew McIntyre lost to Cody Rhodes to lose the WWE Championships (SmackDown, March 6).

Fatu jumped onto McIntyre during his entrance to start this match hot. It did not take long for the two to start pulling out weapons to get more violent.

The Scottish Warrior mocked The Samoan Werewolf as he turned the tide, even pulling out his brother's cellphone for his latest "Bored at Work" tweet.

Fatu hit the Mighty Moonsault for a near-fall as Michael Cole questioned if this was the first time anyone had kicked out of it.

McIntyre caught The Samoan Werewolf with a suplex that bent a steel chair followed by a Claymore for a near-fall.

After sending Fatu through a table outside, the Scot thought he had an easy opening to win. Fatu fought back with a toolbox to the face and hit a second Mighty Moonsault through a table to win.

This may have been the strongest story build of any match at 'Mania, so it was not surprising that it landed so well in the ring.

It was obvious that the two were somewhat restricted from the full violence typically expected in an Unsanctioned encounter, but they delivered on what was allowed to them.

In particular, the athleticism of both big men made them look like nearly unstoppable warriors going to war.

Especially since Unsanctioned match results do not technically count in the record books, the result could only go one way.

Fatu needed this win and gets a huge 'Mania rub that should put him in the world title picture beyond The Show of Shows.

Cody Rhodes or Randy Orton would be intriguing next rivals for The Samoan Werewolf, though WWE should revisit this rivalry at some point with bigger stakes.

Depending on how Rhodes vs. Orton lands, there will be strong arguments to be made that McIntyre vs. Fatu would have been a better Undisputed WWE Championship match.

Result

Fatu def. McIntyre by pinfall.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments and Observations

The Samoan Werewolf set the standard for special WrestleMania entrances with a fantastic fire-juggling routine. His camo-werewolf attire was also fantastic.

Fatu pulled out the toolbox, causing McIntyre PTSD from Hell in a Cell.

The most brutal-looking spot in this match was The Scottish Warrior trying to poke out Fatu's eye with a wrench.

McIntyre bullied the referee throughout, stealing his belt and knocking him around when he got a near-fall.

WWE rarely has blood in matches, but this could have used some, particularly for Fatu down the stretch to sell the damage.

Women's Tag Titles: Irresistible Forces (c) vs. Flair & Bliss vs. Bayley & Lyra vs. Brie & Paige

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Paige made her return to action for the first time in nearly 10 years and won gold.

Last Time in Action: Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley and Lyra Valkyria ended in a no contest (SmackDown, April 17). Nia Jax and Lash Legend defeated Bayley and Valkyria to defend the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships (Raw, March 30). Brie Bella and Paige alongside Alicia Fox, Eva Marie, and Natalya def. Emma, Lana, Summer Rae, Naomi and Tamina (WrestleMania 32 Kickoff, April 3, 2016).

Nikki Bella came out in a walking boot, still not cleared to compete. She revealed the returning Paige, who would team with Brie for the night.

The action started slow until Paige got the hot tag, and she was the focus of the action from that point on.

Legend hit the first potential finish of the night with a Lash Extension on Valkyria, but Paige and Charlotte sent both out and called back to their own history before a strike exchange.

The Queen laid out Paige with a Natural Selection, but Nikki struck Charlotte with her crutch. The Goddess went for Twisted Bliss right into the knees of Paige followed by a RamPaige for the win.

For a match with eight women involved, this felt like it was all about one woman the entire time. It was a nice spot for Paige, who looked solid in her in-ring return.

It was not a complete surprise given her decent AEW run through 2024, but she fit well in the chaotic action.

It was a shame that this return overshadowed everyone else. A forgettable and sloppy opening act led into both Legend and Jax as well as Bayley and Valkyria disappearing for the home stretch.

The title win makes sense to pop a crowd that was only focused on one woman down the stretch, but this is unlikely to be a long title reign.

Once Nikki is cleared, she and Brie will want to be tag team champions, and they will likely turn on Paige on the road to the gold.

Long-term, it will be interesting to see what Paige can do with this stacked modern women's roster in redefining a legacy previously cut short by a serious neck injury.

Result

Paige and Brie def. Bliss and Charlotte by pinfall as well as Bayley and Valkyria and Jax and Legend to become the new women's tag team champions.

Grade

C+

Notable Moments and Observations

Bliss came out in impressive gothic fairy wings, her whole gear in black-and-white, while Charlotte arrived with bright colorful gear and giant butterfly wings.

Jax and Legend wore white Demolition-inspired gear with the new WWE Hall of Famers shown watching in the crowd.

Michael Cole cheekily stated that no one should have seen this Paige return coming when it was leaked by Mike Johnson of PWInsider on Friday.

A cameraman collapsed as Paige and Legend were fighting to the apron. Hopefully he is all right.

Women's Intercontinental Championship: AJ Lee (c) vs. Becky Lynch

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AJ Lee and Becky Lynch collided for the last time at WrestleMania 42.

Last Time in Action: AJ Lee defeated Bayley to successfully defend the Women's Intercontinental Championship (Raw, March 16); Becky Lynch lost to AJ to lose her championship (Elimination Chamber, February 28).

Lynch came in heated against Lee early in this contest, but the champion refused to stay down.

AJ fought off a Man-Handle Slam and transitioned into a Black Widow, but Lynch wiped her into the ropes followed by a successful Man-Handle Slam for the first near-fall.

The Man then exchanged words and shoves with referee Jessika Carr, setting up Lynch for a Man-Handle Slam from the champion for her own near-fall.

Lynch pulled the hair to escape the Black Widow. The Man then exposed the turnbuckle, used Carr as a shield and sent AJ into the turnbuckle followed by a second Man-Handle Slam to win.

This was an over-the-top spectacle playing on the story that built this rivalry. It was the cleanest Lee and Lynch have worked together, but they did not try as much this time around.

The focus was Lynch sneaking her way past AJ by manipulating Carr. The two focused on their signature offense over athletic or technical sequences, especially down the stretch.

It was a solid performance from both women, but it did not live up to the 'Mania spotlight put upon it.

AJ's title reign was ultimately a disappointment as it would have been nice to see more title defenses before her 'Mania loss.

Instead, the title is back on Lynch, and she needs someone else to step up to try to take her championship.

It is hard to say if this was the right move, mainly because it is down to how much Lee will appear going forward.

If she is around on a weekly basis, she should still be champion. If she is going to disappear for a stretch again and move onto a new rival, Lynch needed the title she has defined back on her shoulder.

It would be a good idea to move on from this rivalry as the two have limited chemistry, and the goal with the Women's Intercontinental Championship should be to focus on the lesser used talent.

Result

Lynch def. AJ by pinfall to become the new women's intercontinental champion.

Grade

B-

Notable Moments and Observations

The Man got The Wonder Years live for her entrance.

AJ came out with two dozen young fans in matching gear with titles of their own.

Lynch got into it with referee Carr when she got to the ring, furthering her personal rivalry with the official. They continued to jaw-jack during the match where Carr called her "insane."

Wade Barrett was a delightful advocate for The Man throughout this match.

This makes Lynch a three-time women's intercontinental champion. Three others have each won it only once each.

Seth Rollins vs. Gunther

Last Time in Action: Gunther defeated Dragon Lee (Raw, March 2); Seth Rollins defeated Cody Rhodes (Crown Jewel 2025, October 11).

Gunther attacked Rollins as he tried to take off his jacket, starting a brawl around the ring before the bell could officially ring.

The pace slowed once they were in the squared circle, and they began to hit haymakers and big offense to push the pace.

After Gunther countered the Pedigree, Rollins slipped through his grip into a Stomp for the first near-fall.

The Career Killer locked in a sleeper hold for the first time, and Rollins managed to fight free. The Visionary hit a Superplex into a Falcon Arrow into a Sleeper of his own.

Gunther slipped free to the outside. Rollins dived onto the Austrian but got caught with a pair of Powerbombs. Rollins responded with a Pedigree and Stomp on the announce table.

Bron Breakker made his return with a high-speed Spear on Rollins into the barricade. Gunther locked in another sleeper and knocked out The Visionary.

Afterward, Breakker hit another Spear on The Visionary from the ramp to the ring. Paul Heyman raised his hand on the stage afterward.

Michael Cole called out multiple times that this was not going to be a five-star classic but rather a fight, and that mentality may have held this back from reaching its best form.

It was the best pure action of the night to this point, but for WrestleMania, a place where both Gunther and Rollins have stolen the show before, this was not up to their high standard.

The Career Killer was selling exhaustion at the 10-minute mark, and Rollins paced this for a 'Mania crowd that would fill the silence and buildup moments better.

The crowd's inconsistent energy may be down to a thrown-together build over the last couple weeks, but Rollins and Gunther should have had more natural support and heat with a WWE crowd.

The Ring General needed this win as he should be a major title contender after 'Mania. Rollins has a strong program on the horizon with Breakker that has a chance to outshine anything from The Show of Shows.

Result

Gunther def. Rollins by technical knockout.

Grade

B

Notable Moments and Observations

Rollins came out in smoking gear and pure-black contact lenses. Cole compared the look oddly to a Game of Thrones villain.

The inconsistent crowd response had Rollins begging the fans for a reaction in key moments.

The announce tables did not give at all no matter what Rollins and Gunther did.

The post-match Breakker run into the Spear was the coolest spot of the night.

Women's World Championship: Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Liv Morgan

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Stephanie Vaquer and Liv Morgan had much to prove at WrestleMania 42.

Last Time in Action: Stephanie Vaquer defeated Raquel Rodriguez (Raw, March 16); Liv Morgan alongside Raquel lost to Jade Cargill and Jordynne Grace (SmackDown, February 6).

Liv started strong with a springboard Powerbomb out of the corner and an enzuigiri to set up a frog splash. La Primera countered and laid in the Devil's Kiss.

Liv went for her own Devil's Kiss, but Vaquer countered into an SVB and an ObLivion for a near-fall.

Roxanne Perez arrived to distract the referee for a Raquel Rodriguez attack on Vaquer followed by the ObLivion for a shocking near-fall.

La Primera sent Liv into Raquel outside followed by a springboard to the floor. Morgan sent her into the steel step followed by a second ObLivion for the victory.

Dominik Mysterio arrived afterward to celebrate the win alongside Raquel and Roxanne.

This should have gone longer and allowed both women to do more than just hit their signature offense, but they made the most of the time they had.

Liv was ambitious with her entrance and may have been tired before the bell rang, but she hit her offense clean and never slowed down.

Vaquer was consistently strong throughout, but she was clearly ready to go another 10 minutes at the least.

Hopefully, a rematch will get more time and spotlight as this is a feud that should have multiple matches.

Morgan was always the heir apparent to the Women's World Championship. Her new theme and presentation highlighted that WWE wants to go as big as possible with her.

She still has much to prove but is clearly much more ready to be world champion now than she was when she first won the gold.

Result

Liv def. Vaquer by pinfall to become the new women's world champion.

Grade

B

Notable Moments and Observations

Before this match, the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2026 appeared on the stage.

Morgan had a full dance routine to her new theme where the back-up dancers helped her with a Britney Spears-inspired strip.

The new theme is still rough to hear just as an entrance. Morgan might want to consider getting a professional singer to cover it.

Vaquer came out in impressively dramatic gear that dragged rose petals behind her.

One of the loudest reactions of the night was for Vaquer's Devil's Kiss. Michael Cole advised Wade Barrett to keep his thoughts quiet.

Bianca Belair Announces Her Pregnancy

Bradlee Rutledge/WWE via Getty Images

Bianca Belair made a shock appearance to announce her pregnancy.

John Cena appeared before the main event to announce the attendance for Night 1 as 50,816.

Bianca Belair then made her surprise return to the ring, revealing she was pregnant and ask that Cena add her child-to-be to the attendance for the show.

A bittersweet reveal since Belair has already been off air for a year with a finger injury.

Hopefully, she takes as much time as she needs to take care of her child before returning. When she does return, The EST will instantly be a top star again.

It was surprising that this was the extent of Cena's appearances on Night 1. Perhaps a surprise match or promo segment awaits on Night 2.

Grade

Cena C+, Belair A

Notable Moments and Observations

The 50,817 number sounds likely accurate despite WWE's tendency to embellish. It was under last year's number of 58,538, though.

It was odd to not see Belair's husband, Montez Ford, share this moment with The EST.

WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Randy Orton

Last Time in Action: Randy Orton defeated Matt Cardona (SmackDown, March 27); Cody Rhodes defeated Drew McIntyre to become the new WWE champion (SmackDown, March 6).

Pat McAfee stole the microphone from Alicia Taylor and gave Orton a hype promo. He then blasted Rhodes with a mic before the bell.

The brawl to the outside saw Jelly Roll arrive to elbow McAfee through the announce table. He was stretchered out while Orton refused to get in the ring with Rhodes.

Once it started, The Viper quickly showed weakness, highlighting potential injuries to his knee and back that The American Nightmare targeted.

Orton could not even pull off his signature RKO tease taunt when he started to make his comeback. Rhodes sent The Viper into a steel post outside and busted him open.

The American Nightmare beat down Orton only to get caught by a Cross Rhodes. Rhodes responded with an RKO for a near-fall.

Rhodes walked into an RKO for a near-fall. The American Nightmare responded with an eye poke that caused Orton to accidentally RKO referee Charles Robinson.

In the follow-up chaos, Rhodes low-blowed Orton only to dive into an RKO. McAfee returned in a referee's uniform to count, but Rhodes kicked out before three.

Orton RKO'ed McAfee for failing him and then got caught with a Cross Rhodes for an anticlimactic win.

Afterward, Orton struck Rhodes with the Undisputed WWE Championship and then punted The American Nightmare.

On a night when nearly everything else was rushed, this moved at a snail's pace, but the story was seemingly clear throughout

What started with a heel Orton and a face Rhodes quickly shifted. The American Nightmare kept mocking The Viper while Orton tried to find the spirit that would allow him to win.

The aggression of the champion makes sense for the story they built, but the weakness of Orton and a crowd that was already invested in The Viper's victory led to an early double-turn feeling in the arena.

However, commentary continued to harp on that Rhodes was only doing what he was doing to answer Orton's aggression, and by the end, The Viper had reaffirmed himself as a solo heel and a loser while Rhodes was still the champion.

What was the point of this slow methodical mess of a pace? Why did Rhodes come off far more as the heel only to reaffirm a losing Orton as the villain?

The action in this match relied heavily on a crowd that was far more invested in this contest than anything else, but the match then let down the fans with an anticlimax.

Rhodes wins and stays the face. Orton stands tall to end the first night of 'Mania without actually winning the title the fans wanted him to win. The crowd looked baffled.

Unless there is a dramatic follow-up for Night 2, this did not live up to the storytelling or action expectations of the main event spot.

It was simply a way to keep moving this story forward that had already lost many of the fans in its current iteration.

Result

Rhodes def. Orton by pinfall to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship.

Grade

D

Notable Moments and Observations

Michael Cole confirmed that his bromance with McAfee has come to an end.

Orton walked so slow down to the ring that he and McAfee's entrances could have doubled the length of one of the women's matches.

Double another one with the ridiculous dramatics in Rhodes' entrance, selling his journey with a Batman-like presentation of his past looks.

Double the third for how long the main event was delayed to stretch out McAfee.

McAfee did the thumbs up that turned into a middle finger as he was carried off.

Overall Show

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

The last shot of WrestleMania 42 was Randy Orton holding an Undisputed WWE Championship he did not win.

For all the conflicted hype around WrestleMania 42, the expectation was that the talent would overdeliver in the ring in front of a massive crowd.

WWE made sure that did not happen. Short matches across most of the night made the women's action particularly look secondary.

The main event moved Pat McAfee out of the way immediately, yet Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton struggled to deliver the action expected in the moment.

The story was confused, and the action was sluggish. McAfee returned just to get RKO'ed, and the only follow-up was to say that maybe Orton and Rhodes will have a better match in the future.

Gunther vs. Seth Rollins was good but not steal-the-show-at-'Mania great. Drew McIntyre vs. Jacob Fatu was the best match of the night by a solid margin and may not end up among the best of the year for WWE.

Most painful of all, beyond Paige's exciting return, the rest of the night lacked a real moment. Even Liv Morgan's deserved world title win was rushed heavily.

Night 2 has so much to live up to in terms of selling this year as a worthy addition to the WWE canon of WrestleManias.

Overall Grade: D+