John Cena’s role as host of WrestleMania 42 was not part of WWE’s original plans at the time of his retirement match last December, with the opportunity only coming together earlier this year, according to Wrestlevotes Radio on Fightful Select.
Sources told Fightful that Cena was not informed of the hosting plans until February, at which point he agreed to take on the role. The decision was driven by WWE’s desire to boost ticket sales for the Las Vegas show, with Cena’s star power seen as a draw.
The report also notes that Cena has agreed to a new long-term deal with WWE that excludes in-ring wrestling, formalizing his post-retirement relationship with the company in a non-competing capacity. The hosting role at WrestleMania 42 gives Cena a way to remain involved with WWE’s biggest events without returning to the ring.
Cena retired from in-ring competition at Saturday Night’s Main Event in December. At WrestleMania 41, he defeated Cody Rhodes to win a record 17th WWE Championship before stepping away.
WrestleMania 42 takes place April 18 and 19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. The current updated WrestleMania 42 lineup can be seen in full below:
- World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk (c) vs. Roman Reigns
- Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Randy Orton
- WWE Women’s Championship: Jade Cargill (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
- Women’s World Championship: Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Liv Morgan
- Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match: Penta (c) vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Rusev vs. Dragon Lee vs. JD McDonagh
- Women’s Intercontinental Championship: AJ Lee (c) vs. Becky Lynch
- United States Championship: Sami Zayn (c) vs. Trick Williams
- Women’s Tag Team Championship Fatal 4-Way: Irresistible Forces (c) vs. Bella Twins vs. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley & Lyra Valkyria
- Unsanctioned Match: Drew McIntyre vs. Jacob Fatu
- Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi
- Seth Rollins vs. Gunther
- Finn Balor vs. Dominik Mysterio
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