WWE received significant financial incentives to bring WrestleMania 42 to Las Vegas for the second consecutive year.
According to Brandon Thurston and Jason Ounpraseuth of POST Wrestling, WWE received a $6 million site fee from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority for WrestleMania 42, representing a $1 million increase over the $5 million the company received for WrestleMania 41 at the same venue.
In addition to the site fee, WWE also received approval for $4,314,821 in tax credits from the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development, up slightly from the $4,240,456 in tax credits the company received the previous year.
Combined, the two figures represent more than $10 million in financial incentives from the state of Nevada and the LVCVA for hosting the event at Allegiant Stadium. WWE touted WrestleMania 42 as one of the highest grossing events in the company’s history.
WrestleMania 42 was originally announced as taking place in New Orleans before being moved to Las Vegas, making Allegiant Stadium the host venue for back-to-back WrestleMania events. The show took place on April 18 and April 19.
Night one delivered several significant title changes and memorable moments. Paige made her stunning return to WWE, replacing an injured Nikki Bella to team with Brie Bella and win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships by defeating Lash Legend, Nia Jax, Lyra Valkyria, Bayley, Charlotte Flair, and Alexa Bliss. Becky Lynch defeated AJ Lee to reclaim the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Liv Morgan defeated Stephanie Vaquer to win the Women’s World Championship. Jacob Fatu defeated Drew McIntyre in their Unsanctioned match. Seth Rollins defeated Gunther. Bianca Belair made a surprise appearance to announce her pregnancy with Montez Ford. The night closed with Cody Rhodes retaining the Undisputed WWE Championship over Randy Orton in a brutal main event that left Rhodes bloodied and with his left eye swollen shut, before Orton delivered a punt kick in the aftermath.
Night two was headlined by Roman Reigns defeating CM Punk to win the World Heavyweight Championship, closing the show with Reigns standing tall alongside his family. Rhea Ripley defeated Jade Cargill to reclaim the WWE Women’s Championship. Trick Williams defeated Sami Zayn to win the United States Championship in his first main roster title win. Penta retained the Intercontinental Championship in the ladder match over Je’Von Evans, Dragon Lee, JD McDonagh, Rusev, and Rey Mysterio. Finn Balor defeated Dominik Mysterio in a Street Fight after the bout was converted to that stipulation during the kickoff show. Oba Femi defeated Brock Lesnar in what appeared to be Lesnar’s retirement match, with Lesnar leaving his boots and gloves in the ring and embracing Paul Heyman as the crowd chanted “Thank you, Brock.”
