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WWE Has No Plans For Ex-Champion At WrestleMania 42

By Kaushik Das • Published Apr 03, 2026 06:58 EDT
WWE
Triple H - Image Source - WWE.com

WWE WrestleMania 42 is just days away, and the card is almost set. However, it looks like a top star may miss out on The Show of Shows in 2026.

As of this writing, the sports entertainment juggernaut has announced 12 matches for WrestleMania. According to WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, the current working plan for the mega event is to have 14 matches, spread across both nights.

The report stated that IShowSpeed and The Vision vs. The Usos and LA Knight is expected to be added to the card. But as always, WWE could change plans at any moment.

Some names from AAA and SmackDown are also seemingly being considered for the Intercontinental Title Ladder Match. Currently, the IC Champion, Penta, is scheduled to put his gold on the line against Je’Von Evans, Rusev, Dragon Lee, and JD McDonagh in a five-way clash.

In a big disappointment, there is reportedly no update on Carmelo Hayes being added to the card at WrestleMania 42. WrestleVotes did mention that the Stamford-based promotion is aware of the criticism due to Hayes’ ouster from the United States Title picture.

For those unaware, Sami Zayn dethroned Carmelo Hayes for the US Championship on the March 27 edition of SmackDown.

Full match card for WWE WrestleMania 42

Below are the confirmed bouts for The Grandest Stage Of Them All so far:

  • CM Punk (c) vs. Roman Reigns – World Heavyweight Championship Match
  • Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Randy Orton – Undisputed WWE Championship Match
  • Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Liv Morgan – Women’s World Championship Match
  • Jade Cargill (c) vs. Rhea Ripley – WWE Women’s Championship Match
  • Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar
  • AJ Lee (c) vs. Becky Lynch – WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Match
  • Sami Zayn (c) vs. Trick Williams – WWE United States Championship Match
  • Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre – Unsanctioned Match
  • Finn Balor vs. Dominik Mysterio
  • Seth Rollins vs. Gunther
  • Penta (c) vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Rusev vs. Dragon Lee vs. JD McDonagh – Intercontinental Championship Match
  • The Irresistible Forces (c) vs. The Bella Twins vs. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley and Lyra Valkyria – WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match

It remains to be seen what surprises Triple H has in store for fans at WrestleMania this year. Stay tuned to TJR Wrestling for all the hottest updates!

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