Planned WWE WrestleMania 42 Match May Be Delayed
A match that was originally planned for WWE WrestleMania 42 may not be happening.
WrestleMania 42 will take place on Saturday, April 18th, and Sunday, April 19th, in Las Vegas. There are currently 13 matches advertised for the two nights, but there have been reports that WWE was planning to have 14 matches over the two nights.
One match that was rumored but isn’t official yet is between Raw superstars Iyo Sky and Asuka, both of whom are multiple-time Women’s World Champions. The story has also involved Kairi Sane, who is Sky’s friend, who has remained loyal to Asuka as a tag team partner even though Asuka is known for verbally berating Sane.
In the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer wrote that WWE was planning for the Sky/Asuka match to take place at WrestleMania, but it could be delayed until Backlash.
“Last week that (Sky vs. Asuka) match was listed on the internal lineup but not yet announced. Asuka did a taped interview on Raw on 4/6 to build the match. Sky put a photo of Allegiant Stadium on her social media teasing it.
On 4/7, when they announced both nights lineups on ESPN, the match was not there and the Sunday show only had six matches left.
At press time, we were told it is up in the air and I guess this basically depends on how long they want the show to go and how much time is allotted for the six matches. There is a plan, and it may not even be the backup plan but the plan, to save the match for Backlash on 5/9. But we were told this decision is still up in the air.”
There have also been rumors that WWE’s delay is due to Nikki Bella not being cleared to compete at WrestleMania 42, which would keep the Bella Twins out of the Women’s Tag Team Title match and have them replaced by Asuka & Sane.
With WrestleMania set for April 18th, WWE still has eight days to finalize the card.
Opening Matches Appear Set For Both Nights Of WWE WrestleMania 42
This past Tuesday, April 7th, WWE announced which matches will air on which day, which fans like to know, especially those going to one night of WrestleMania instead of both.
In an update, Wrestlevotes Radio on Fightful Select reported that the Saturday, April 18th opener will be the 6-man tag team match between LA Knight and The Usos – Jimmy & Jey Uso vs. The Vision – Logan Paul & Austin Theory and IShowSpeed. The first hour of WrestleMania Saturday will also air on ESPN2, along with ESPN Unlimited and Netflix worldwide.
Meanwhile, the Sunday, April 19th opener is expected to be the Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar match, which will also air on ESPN. It was reported that “ESPN pushed for Brock Lesnar to be included in a part of the package of matches to be included on the traditional ESPN platforms,” and WWE was happy to do it. Lesnar has also wrestled in opening matches at WWE PLEs before.
The full lineup of WWE WrestleMania 42 matches is below.
Saturday, April 18 Matches
- WWE Undisputed Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Randy Orton
- WWE Women’s World Championship: Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Liv Morgan
- Seth Rollins vs. Gunther
- Women’s Intercontinental Championship: AJ Lee (c) vs. Becky Lynch
- Women’s Tag Team Championships: Irresistible Forces – Nia Jax & Lash Legend (c) vs. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. The Bella Twins – Nikki & Brie Bella vs. Bayley & Lyra Valkyria
- Unsanctioned Match: Drew McIntyre vs. Jacob Fatu (Match Will Also Air On ESPN 2 In First Hour)
- LA Knight and The Usos – Jimmy & Jey Uso vs. The Vision – Logan Paul & Austin Theory and IShowSpeed (Match Will Also Air On ESPN 2 In First Hour)
Sunday, April 19 Matches
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk (c) vs. Roman Reigns
- WWE Women’s Championship: Jade Cargill (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
- United States Championship: Sami Zayn (c) vs. Trick Williams
- Finn Balor vs. Dominik Mysterio
- Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match: Penta (c) vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Dragon Lee vs. Rusev vs. JD McDonagh vs. Rey Mysterio (Match Will Also Air On ESPN In First Hour)
- Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar (Match Will Also Air On ESPN In First Hour)
WrestleMania 42 will STREAM LIVE Saturday, April 18, and Sunday, April 19, 2026, at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT on ESPN in the United States and Netflix everywhere else.
Also Read: What Seth Rollins Really Feels About Facing Gunther At WWE WrestleMania 42