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WWE WrestleMania 42 Kickoff Show Recap

By John Canton • Published Apr 17, 2026 17:55 EDT
WWE WrestleMania Kickoff
WWE WrestleMania Kickoff - Image via WWE/YouTube

A recap of what happened on WWE’s WrestleMania 42 Kickoff show.

WrestleMania 42 weekend is finally here, with Las Vegas set to host the festivities for the second year in a row. To kick things off, WWE aired a live WrestleMania Kickoff show from Las Vegas on the company’s YouTube channel at 2 p.m. PT (5 p.m. ET), which is 3 hours before SmackDown tonight.

They showed some superstar arrivals to let us know who would be appearing.

A video aired with various WWE superstars and personalities sharing their favorite WrestleMania moments.

There was a stage set up outside in Las Vegas for the WrestleMania Kickoff show. They were right beside T-Mobile Arena, which is hosting SmackDown later tonight. Legendary WWE announcer Michael Cole was the host and even got a “Michael Cole” chant. Cole did the rundown of how to watch WrestleMania. Cole brought out the first guest, Seth Rollins.

Seth Rollins Interview

The former 6-time WWE World Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins made his entrance and even greeted some fans in the crowd. Cole said we weren’t sure Rollins would have a match at WrestleMania. The fans kept singing Seth’s song as Seth tried to speak. Seth said that he wanted to get back here, get back in front of the WWE Universe, and do what he has loved from an early age and hear the fans sing his song.

Cole asked how shocked Rollins was by Gunther’s attack. Rollins said that his issues were with The Vision, so he was very surprised when Gunther attacked him. Rollins said Gunther wants to prove who is the best, but we know Gunther wants something from Paul Heyman. Cole wondered if Rollins was 100% healthy. Rollins said he doesn’t know if he’s 100% until after tomorrow night. Rollins said that won’t stop him.

Gunther Interrupts Seth Rollins

The former 2-time WWE World Champion Gunther appeared on the stage with Rollins and Cole. The fans booed him as usual. Cole asked Gunther why he targeted Rollins for WrestleMania. Gunther said Rollins should focus on what’s at stake. Gunther told Rollins that pretending he’s the best in this company is over. Gunther said Rollins will experience what it is like to be outclassed.

Cole mentioned Gunther ended the careers of Goldberg, John Cena, and AJ Styles. Gunther said maybe Seth’s shoulder is hurting a little bit, too. Cole mentioned Gunther doesn’t have a great track record at WrestleMania – losses to Sami Zayn and Jey Uso in the last two years. Cole asked why is this year going to be different? Gunther told Cole to shut up.

Gunther said he’s focused on the here and now. Gunther said that Rollins has one night to truly believe he’s the best around here. Rollins said he doesn’t just believe he’s the best around here, he believes he’s the best wrestler on planet Earth. Rollins said his WrestleMania catalog proves it. Rollins said that Shawn Michaels may be the all-time Mr. WrestleMania, but Rollins is the Mr. WrestleMania of this generation. Rollins said that Gunther will be listening to the fans singing his song as they announce that the winner is the best planet on Earth: Seth “Freakin” Rollins. Seth’s song played, and Gunther left.

Analysis: Strong promos from both guys. Neither man is holding a title right now, but they are both multi-time former World Champions, so it’s a simple way to sell the match by saying it’s about proving who is the best. As I noted in the WrestleMania preview, Rollins/Gunther might be the best match on either night of WrestleMania.

The “We’ll Be Right Back” graphic appeared while videos played behind it. I’m not sure why they needed to show that. Just show some videos promoting the WrestleMania matches instead.

They aired the new Liv Morgan music video, “Trouble.”

Liv Morgan Interview

The Women’s Royal Rumble winner, Liv Morgan, made her entrance, joined by three security guards. Liv still has a scar on her head, along with bruises around her eyes. Liv claimed she had the greatest music video of all time, which she likes to do.

Cole mentioned Liv finally won the Royal Rumble, and he wondered why she chose to face Stephanie Vaquer at WrestleMania. Liv said she used to respect Vaquer, but then Vaquer discredited Liv for what she’s done in her WWE career. Cole mentioned the rivalry has become personal because of the scars on Liv’s face. Liv said she’s still hot.

Stephanie Vaquer Interrupts Liv Morgan

The Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer made her entrance on the stage, and Liv was hiding behind the security guys. Vaquer said that Liv is running away because she’s a better singer than a wrestler. Vaquer said she won’t talk about Liv’s mom like how Liv spoke about Vaquer’s mom. Vaquer said that tomorrow, she will kick Liv’s ass. Vaquer said something in Spanish and left. Liv had already left the stage by that point.

Analysis: This was okay. A bit brief. Liv does a great job as the cocky heel that she is, while Vaquer has improved a lot at speaking English, so she can hold her own. I’m looking forward to that match.

They showed AJ Lee standing by because she’s up next.

The “We’ll Be Right Back” graphic appeared while videos played behind it.

The WrestleMania 42 set was shown inside Allegiant Stadium.

AJ Lee Interview

The Women’s Intercontinental Champion, AJ Lee, skipped her way onto the stage with her IC Title. Cole said, “Welcome back” as fans chanted her name. Cole mentioned 11 years since AJ competed at WrestleMania, so how excited is she? Lee said she can’t believe it’s been 11 years. Lee said she came back to remind everybody who the hell she is, and she came back to snatch the pretty hair from Becky’s big ass head. Lee said she wanted to prove she could still be a champion. Lee said she will walk out as the champion tomorrow.

Cole asked Lee why she put the title on the line at WrestleMania? Lee said she didn’t want to take it easy. Lee mentioned tapping out Lynch three times. Lee said that she wants to defend this title against Stephanie, Liv, Rhea, and whoever wants to get a shot. Cole asked how it felt to tap out Becky Lynch in Chicago. Lee said she dreamed about it, and here comes Lynch.

Becky Lynch Interrupts AJ Lee

Becky Lynch walked onto the stage and told Cole to stand to the side to let a real talker talk. Lynch said that The Man has come around to Las Vegas. Lynch claimed she never tapped out and said Lee tapped out from being here. Fans chanted, “You tapped out” so Lynch said that fans were chanting that to Lee. Lynch said that Lee spent six years here before, and Lynch has been here for nearly double that. Lynch complained about Lee and said that Lynch’s daughter likes Lee because she has a dumb song. Lynch said that her daughter likes Lee skipping around too, but Lynch can erase Lee from her daughter’s mind since her daughter is only five. Lynch did her bit about being the best of all time. Lynch said that after tomorrow, Lynch will make Lee an afterthought and a never-was. Lynch left.

Analysis: It is one of the longer rivalries at WrestleMania since it started back in September, and it’s still going. They have kept it fresh since it’s only the second Lee/Lynch singles match.

Dominik Mysterio Interview

The AAA Mega Champion Dominik Mysterio walked onto the stage uninvited. Cole asked Dom how he feels about going up against Finn Balor. Dominik said that “Demon” Finn Balor won’t be able to deal with Dominik’s demon. Dominik claimed there is nobody in this world who can out-dirty Dirty Dom.

Rey Mysterio Interview

The WWE Hall of Famer, Rey Mysterio, made his entrance. Rey told “Nepo Dom” his time was up and to get out of there, so Dominik left.

Cole said that at the WWE Hall of Fame, they’ll celebrate the 2026 Class of the Hall of Fame. Rey said that when he was put in the Hall of Fame, he thought they wanted him to retire, but he is glad he can keep wrestling. Rey said that being able to continue to wrestle is a huge blessing. Cole claimed his favorite moment at WrestleMania was when Rey Mysterio won the World Heavyweight Title at WrestleMania 22 in 2006. Rey said he still gets goosebumps. Rey said after that moment, what comes next is the Hall of Fame, and that’s amazing.

Penta Interrupts Rey Mysterio

The Intercontinental Champion, Penta, walked out wearing the IC Title, and the fans loved him. The IC Title Ladder Match is on WrestleMania Sunday. Cole said that Penta is crazy for wanting to defend his title in a Ladder Match. Penta said that he knows moments like this define who you are, and Penta is ready for everything. Cole asked Penta to teach him his strut, so Cole did it the best he could. Penta told the fans he loved them.

Analysis: That wasn’t a confrontation there. It was more about babyfaces hyping up the crowd. Rey didn’t even mention being in the Ladder Match for the Intercontinental Title, but we know he’s a part of that. I love Penta’s connection with the crowd. They love the guy, and they should.

CM Punk was shown walking backstage for a promo up next.

A video aired featuring Cody Rhodes, who discussed how fans in the US can sign up for ESPN+ Unlimited. If you do that, then you can watch WrestleMania and WWE PLEs.

The “We’ll Be Right Back” graphic appeared while videos played behind it.

Michael Cole gave a rundown of how to watch WrestleMania 42 and also plugged SmackDown.

CM Punk Interview At WWE Kickoff

The World Heavyweight Champion, CM Punk, made his entrance to a big ovation, and the fans sang along with “Cult of Personality” as it played for his entrance. There were “CM Punk” chants as usual.

Cole mentioned that for the first time in Punk’s Hall of Fame career, he’ll main event WrestleMania in a one-on-one match. Punk thanked Cole and said that this doesn’t happen without any of you. Punk said he was at WWE World for half the day and took a lot of photos with people, some of them on his own and some with his wife. Punk said that he knows the world is on fire, times are tough, and things are expensive. Punk thanked the fans for their support. Punk mentioned fans are from all over the world and mentioned specific countries. Punk thanked the fans for spending their hard-earned money to watch him defend his title in the main event of WrestleMania. Punk said this championship title is as much yours as it is his Punk continued to thank the fans for supporting him. Punk said anybody who said he helped them or inspired them, he thanks you. Punk said Sunday night is for you.

Punk teased that he might hijack SmackDown. Cole asked Punk to do his line, so Punk did his line: “Is it great to be alive on a Friday night in Las Vegas or what?” The fans cheered. Cole ended the Kickoff Show as Punk’s music played.

Analysis: It was nice of CM Punk to thank the fans for coming and supporting him. I found it strange that Punk didn’t even mention Roman Reigns at all. I understand they’ve both done enough trash talk in countless interviews, but I figured there would be a bit more. It’s not a big deal, and it sounds like Punk will be on SmackDown as well.

The Kickoff Show had a runtime of exactly 60 minutes.