The Showcase of the Immortals. The Grand Daddy of Them All.
Or just simply, Wrestlemania.
Yes, the most famous wrestling event of all-time happens this weekend — Saturday April 18 and Sunday April 19 — from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. Wrestlemania 42 will stream on the ESPN app, and for the first-time ever will broadcast matches on traditional cable. Yes, the first hour of Night 1 will air on ESPN, while Night 2’s first hour airs on ESPN2.
Wrestlemania 42 (aka Wrestlemania: Vegas, Wrestlemania XLII) has 12 matches over two days featuring celebrities, all-time legends, and the biggest names in WWE. So we at Pop Break have assembled an all-star panel of writer and podcasters to give their predictions on who walks out of the biggest WWE shows of the year with their name etched in the history books as winners.
Wrestlemania 42 Night 1 Predictions
Undisputed WWE Championship Match: “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes (c) (with Jelly Roll) vs. “The Viper” Randy Orton (with Pat McAfee)
Prediction by: Tyler Yasembousky – All Yaz Wrestling, BCP+, Pop Break
Thoughts: Time to get on my soapbox. This has been the worst build for a Wrestlemania main event that I think I’ve ever seen. This was so simple: teacher vs. student, Orton’s obsession over becoming a 15-time world champion, him letting the voices back in, winning the title even if it meant turning on someone he truly loved. Cody having to deal with the emotions of being stabbed in the back by his mentor and someone he loved … instead we got TKO and more of their bullshit. It’s becoming an annual tradition that they force themselves in every Cody Rhodes main event. Clearly, despite WWE thinking Cody is a star, the people at TKO must disagree.
At Wrestlemania 40 they forced The Rock to be involved. That one worked out, but it’s been all downhill since. At WrestleMania 41, they had The Rock and Travis Scott participate in John Cena’s heel turn, yet neither appeared again. Now this year takes the cake as the worst one yet. They forced Pat McAfee into this storyline and it makes ZERO sense. Every segment since Pat was revealed to be the person Randy has been talking to has legitimately been some of the worst wrestling segments I’ve ever seen.
He’s just doing a “final boss” cosplay but it’s not working because who gives a shit about Pat? It’s just the most unnecessary thing that could have happened for this feud. Now to top it off they are adding Jelly Roll into the mix. The entire focus of this feud has shifted from WM to this dumb celebrity tag team match that’s clearly happening at Backlash. This will go down in history and not in a good way. My final thoughts are: Trash. Just garbage.
Prediction: Randy Orton wins (expect a lot of Pat and Jelly Roll because TKO hates us)
Women’s World Championship Match: Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Liv Morgan
Prediction by: Isabella Baute Arboleda – Staff Writer at The Pop break
Thoughts: This could be one of the strongest flights of the night and also one of the hardest to predict. Both Stephanie Vaquer and Liv Morgan have a real chance to win this match.
Liv Morgan earned this match after winning the 2026 Royal Rumble, showing how determined she is. But the story between Vaquer and Morgan has become more personal when Stephanie said that Liv did not really deserve her spot, making things more intense. After that, Liv attacked her, trying to prove that she was ready for this match.
Stephanie Vaquer is a strong champion and very skilled, while Liv Morgan never gives up, and we can count on her to win in an event like Wrestlemania. It’s an exciting match, but hard to predict.
Prediction: This could go either way, but Liv Morgan wins the championship.
Seth “Freakin'” Rollins vs. “The Ring General” Gunther
Prediction by: Kelvin Kately – The DFPN, BCP+, The Pop Break
Thoughts: This match is the result of the injury bug that hit WWE, so I can’t be too upset at it. Still, one has to wonder how Gunther found himself in a WrestleMania match with Seth “Freakin’” Rollins. He has been largely absent since his win in the last match of AJ Styles’ career. He should be entering Mania with all the momentum in the world, considering he’s retired two legends of the sport in such a short span of time. This should be the crowning achievement of his career, as he hoists up the WWE Undisputed Title in Allegiant Stadium to a chorus of boos. What we will get is a great match between him and Seth with no real consequences. Though this could have been under better circumstances, I fully expect this to be a potential show-stealer. If done right, there is an excellent story on the backend of this one.
Prediction: Gunther
Women’s Intercontinental Championship Match: AJ Lee (c) vs. “Big Time Becks” Becky Lynch
Prediction by: Mike Mueller – Editor at The BCP+, Pop Break & Co-Host of The Spring Kings Podcast
Thoughts: This has been a journey! When AJ Lee returned, it seemed like she was going to be here for a quick victory lap and then be on her way. While 5 matches in 7 months isn’t exactly a workhorse schedule, she’s been a fixture on TV and has reminded the wrestling world why she was at the top of the women’s division in her prime. Conversely, this version of Becky Lynch just isn’t doing it for me. I don’t like my heel Becky to be unhinged and out of control. I want cocky, large and in-charge Big Time Becks. This personal rivalry has gotten in her head and is bringing out the worst in her. If Becky loses here, expect the spiral to get worse. That being said, I feel like AJ has done what she set out to do, and doesn’t really need to hold this belt any longer.
Prediction: And new…Becky Lynch
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Fatal 4-Way Match: Nia Jax & Lash Legend (c) vs. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley & Lyra Valkyria vs. The Bella Twins
Prediction by: Courtney Rice of Women’s Wrestling Talk
Thoughts: Even though the men’s tag team division as a whole in WWE has been lackluster along with not having a Wrestlemania match, I am glad the women are getting the opportunity. Granted, I’m not the biggest fan of the Bella Twins but I’m happy they are getting the opportunity to go for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Matches along with CharBliss and Bayley/Lyra. Another fact I found out is this is Lyra’s second Wrestlemania match which I am glad she is getting another opportunity in the spotlight on the biggest stage. People might not see it but I do think Lyra is going to have a breakout year and there is something that she has that I can see as one of the future stars of the division. I don’t want Nia Jax & Lash Legend’s reign to end since they have great chemistry and Lash is getting the opportunity to work with a veteran like Nia Jax. This will be a fun match to showcase all four of these tag teams.
Prediction: And still champs….Nia Jax and Lash Legend
Unsanctioned Match: “The Samoan Werewolf” Jacob Fatu vs. “The Scottish Psychopath” Drew McIntyre
Prediction by: Robert Williams – EIC of the BCP+, Pop Break
Thoughts: The Scottish Psychopath, Drew McIntyre, takes on The Samoan Werewolf Jacob Fatu on ESPN Night One of WrestleMania 42. McIntyre, a guy who makes the most of his minutes, social media, and his losses takes on Fatu, a well regarded Samoan who came up on the independent scene. He’s a guy that will work a show and show up at your family BBQ afterwards.
The two have connected with the fans in very different ways and have remained JUST outside the main event picture at WrestleMania 42. Their match is unsanctioned, leading me to believe they will make use of the full arena space inside Allegiant Stadium. Fatu will impress with his charisma and agility, while Drew will most certainly have something devious yet clever up his sleeve. Give me Fatu to win this one. Fatu could use the win, and Drew will as always milk every second of the loss.
Prediction: Jacob Fatu
Six-Man Tag Team Match Logan Paul, Austin Theory & IShowSpeed vs. The Usos & LA Knight
Prediction by: Tyler Yasembousky
Thoughts: Now this is how you handle celebrity involvement in a Wrestlemania match. IShowSpeed has played his role perfectly in this, he’s not the main focus of the match but he has a reason to be there. He’s in over his head and being used by The Vision. Also to the kid’s credit, he seems super athletic and his facial expressions have been great every week.
Prediction: LA Knight & The Usos
Wrestlemania 42 Night 2 Predictions
World Heavyweight Championship Match: CM Punk (c) vs. “The Tribal Chief” Roman Reigns
Prediction by: Amanda Rivas – Co-host of The Socially Distanced Podcast & Anime x Pop Podcast
Thoughts: As a long-time member of Team OTC, I hoped the build-up for this match would be personal, intense, and bitter. Roman and Punk have a long history going back to the days of The Shield filled with promos about how they hated each other from the get-go, fighting over Paul Heyman, and reluctantly teaming at WarGames. This feud had a strong start with a heated first promo between Roman and Punk and early physicality between both opponents. But the momentum has cooled drastically as subsequent promos started sounding repetitive and the amount of physicality dwindled.
During the final RAW before ‘Mania, both men’s pre-taped segments aired and they delivered a long promo that ended with a staredown in the ring lacking the rage I would expect from two men who have hated each other with a fiery passion for years. Despite the lackluster build, this should be a physical, brutal match with both men putting all they have in the ring to make the most of this long-term storytelling. If they do not, this was all a wasted effort.
Prediction: AND NEW….Roman Reigns
WWE Women’s Championship Match Jade Cargill (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
Prediction by: Courtney Rice
Thoughts: This is going to be an interesting match between two alpha females, considering this will be Jade’s second title defense this year (the first one was back in February against Jordynne Grace). Throughout this rivalry, it looks like it has been trying to build Jade as a super heel with the new faction and take down a fan favorite like Rhea.
I know people want to see Bianca Blair back (including me) but WWE/TKO Creative Team really need to strategize better on Jade’s list of potential opponents if she retains (Hint, Hint…Chelsea Green or Charlotte). I know Rhea will not back down during this match and want these ladies to deliver a solid match all around.
Prediction: Still Women’s Champion….Jade Cargill
“The Demon” Finn Bálor vs. “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio
Prediction by: Mike Mueller
Thoughts: I understand that this isn’t a title match, nor a match with huge stipulations or consequences, but it still feels like WWE is barely giving much attention to this match when The Judgment Day has been a key (at times main event) component to Raw for the past 4 years. That being said, it’s exciting to see The Demon back, and I disagree with those who say it should have been a surprise reveal.
The Demon hasn’t been in WWE for 3 years. There are a lot of new fans who wouldn’t even get why Finn was done up in face paint. Establishing the character is important. The greatest Mysterio ever has an uphill battle as JD McDonagh is already in a match that night, and while Liv might be at his side (she shouldn’t) Finn is all too used to her wily ways. Given that Finn’s last two appearances as The Demon were a loss, It’s looking like a long, painful night for the mustachioed heartthrob of the WWE.
Prediction: “The Demon” Finn Balor
United States Championship Match Sami Zayn (c) vs. Trick Williams
Prediction by: Bill Bodkin, Editor-in-Chief of The PopBreak.com
Thoughts: Such a weird build on this. Sami, a babyface, is doing this slow heel turn that the fans just want to skip to the end on. Meanwhile, they’re cheering Trick Williams, who is firmly in a heel role. Make it all make sense. This could be a very messy match with Carmelo Hayes, Kevin Owens, and Lil’ Yachty getting involved. Whatever the shenanigans may be, WWE needs to pull the trigger and put the US Title on the Trick Williams, who is without a shadow of a doubt, one of the future pillars of the WWE.
Prediction: “And new,” Trick Williams
“The Ruler” Oba Femi vs. “The Beast Incarnate” Brock Lesnar
Prediction by: Matt Widdis – Editor at The BCP+ and Pop Break, Co-Host of The Down Beat Beat Down on WMCX
Thoughts: To quote a tag team legend and former WWE champion “Big sweaty men slappin’ meat!”
This could end up being a paradox: a hoss fight with a part-timer that could very well be the opening match yet has captured the imagination of virtually the entire audience. Is this really going to happen, where maybe next year’s main event features someone under 40? Will Oba be fed to Brock for one last huge push so that Saudimania has the huge star they want? Oba has gotten the better of every exchange each week. Brock showing more emotion for Oba than he has for anyone in a long time. Personally, I’m going with my heart here and predicting Oba Femi.
But, anything can happen in WWE, pal. When money talks, it seems TKO ignores incoming calls.
Prediction: Brock Lesnar
Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match Penta (c) vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Dragon Lee vs. JD McDonagh vs. vs. Rusev vs. Rey Mysterio
Prediction by: Brandon Hoffman – Writer at The Pop Break
Thoughts: In a world where Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov aren’t allowed in the United States Title match for some silly reason, we at least find solace in the return of the multi-man Ladder match. The star talent should speak for the match’s potential alone, but we have a beautiful mix of luchadors and ring experience here. Rey Mysterio’s late addition into the match is very strange when you consider his lightning-quick injury recovery time. The theory of him wanting Dominik to retire him instead of Gunther is funny, so I choose to believe that.
But anyway, everyone in this match is going to look like a million bucks, even the non-flippy Rusev acting as the brick wall for peeps to bounce off of. The easy answer to win this high-speed matchup should be Je’Von Evans. He can OG Cutter people off of ladders, and he’s proven to work well with the best names like Gunther and Randy Orton. It makes Penta look strong in losing the title too, especially when he doesn’t have to eat a pinfall to do it. And hey, WWE would actually benefit from pushing a young up-and-coming talent this early into their careers. It’s about time we have a workhorse champion that’s not pushing or over 40 years old.
Prediction: Je’Von Evans
