Location: T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada Commentary: Joe Tessitore, Corey Graves
Opening Segment: Randy Orton Promo
The show opened with a WrestleMania 42 hype package. Pat McAfee and Randy Orton arrived together backstage. McAfee left Orton to speak with SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis about a contract signing, saying he needed to read through the entire document himself. Orton told McAfee he had something to say and headed to the ring.
Orton said McAfee is the only straight shooter in the company. “He doesn’t tell me what I want to hear. He tells me what I need to hear. And what I needed to hear is that all along, all I ever needed to do was just be me.”
Orton said he had won the Elimination Chamber and was set to face Drew McIntyre for the title, but then Cody Rhodes won the title back. Orton said he and Rhodes were friends, and because of that, he could not do what he needed to do. He then took issue with Rhodes giving him “permission” to be himself. “Who the hell is Cody Rhodes to give me permission to be me? I wrote the book on being me. I am the Viper.”
Orton said friendship with Rhodes was all give and no take. He referenced WrestleMania 40, where Rhodes needed a partner against Roman Reigns and The Rock and called Seth Rollins instead of Orton. He said when Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline attacked Rhodes, Orton had his back and got put through a table months after career-threatening back surgery. He then referenced Rhodes gifting a WWE Championship match to Kevin Owens, which led to Owens turning on Rhodes, and when Orton tried to talk sense into Owens, he was dropped on his head with a piledriver.
“Pat McAfee has done more for me, my career and my legacy than Cody Rhodes has done in half of a lifetime,” Orton said. He closed by saying he would fix his legacy at WrestleMania 42 Night One by taking his 15th World Championship “with the three most dangerous letters in all of sports entertainment: RKO.”
After the promo, McAfee was shown backstage congratulating Orton and telling Nick Aldis, “That’s what a WWE Superstar looks like.”
MFT defeated The Wyatt Sicks in an Eight-Man Tag Team Street Fight
The Wyatt Sicks (Uncle Howdy, Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, and Dexter Lumis), accompanied by Nikki Cross, faced MFT (Solo Sikoa, Talla Tonga, Tama Tonga, and JC Mateo), accompanied by Tonga Loa, in a street fight.
MFT took control early with Tama Tonga getting the best of Uncle Howdy. Joe Gacy rallied momentum for the Wyatt Sicks, and he and Dexter Lumis, former tag team champions, connected with a combination leg drop and superkick to take down Talla Tonga on the outside. JC Mateo hit a German suplex on Lumis and sent him across the ring with a release throw. Talla Tonga, described as nearly seven feet tall, hit a chokeslam on Lumis. Rowan stood up to Talla Tonga in a giant-on-giant exchange and launched him to the outside, then dove through the ropes with a suicide dive.
Both sides brought weapons into the ring. Uncle Howdy hit Solo Sikoa with a trash can and delivered a uranage on top of it. Howdy hit a Sister Abigail on Tonga Loa. Nikki Cross dove off the turnbuckle with a crossbody to the floor to take out Tonga Loa. Solo Sikoa’s enforcer hit a splash to try to put the match away, but Joe Gacy broke it up with a kendo stick shot at the last second.
Talla Tonga hit a chokeslam on Rowan, who crashed to the floor and grabbed at his right knee. Tama Tonga prevented Sister Abigail from being delivered and removed his arm sleeve, appearing to set up for his Cutthroat finisher on Howdy. Before Tama could connect, Solo Sikoa intercepted and hit Howdy with the Samoan Spike to steal the pin for MFT.
After the match, Solo claimed the spike, taking the moment from Tama Tonga and adding to the tension between the two.
Backstage: Damian Priest and R-Truth
R-Truth and Damian Priest discussed the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. Truth called their team one of the most iconic in WWE, comparing it to an easy layup. Truth then claimed Asuka “cursed the dog” and said Xavier Woods was sick, turning “so white” and speaking with a British accent. Priest corrected him, explaining that was Grayson Waller, who is from Australia. Truth insisted he was talking about Xavier Woods.
Video Package: Danhausen in Las Vegas
A video aired showing Danhausen causing chaos during the Miz and Maryse’s vow renewal ceremony in Las Vegas. Danhausen introduced himself as the ring boy, the best man, and the maid of honor. Miz asked who he thought he was. Danhausen told Maryse, “You may now curse the bride.” Tessitore noted the full video would be available on WWE’s social media channels.
Hall of Fame Announcement
It was announced that the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony would air later tonight from Dolby Live at Park MGM, airing on the ESPN app and YouTube at 9 p.m. Pacific. This year’s inductees include AJ Styles, Demolition, Stephanie McMahon, Dennis Rodman, and Psycho Sid.
Video Package: Royce Keys
A video package aired on Royce Keys, who spoke about growing up in East Palo Alto. Keys said he was one of the few people he knew from that area living their dream. He became emotional speaking about his mother, saying she was proud of him and that her memory has kept him going. “I don’t think that emotions are a crutch. I believe that when you tap into your emotions, you’re stronger,” Keys said. Tessitore noted Keys would compete later in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
Video Package: Drew McIntyre vs. Jacob Fatu Recap
Footage aired from last week’s SmackDown showing Drew McIntyre attacking Jacob Fatu from behind, delivering a Future Shock DDT on the outside, hitting a Claymore, and ripping at Fatu while he was handcuffed. Their unsanctioned match at WrestleMania 42 was promoted for Night One with a 6 p.m. start time. WWE stated it would not be held responsible for the safety of either competitor.
Jacob Fatu Promo
Jacob Fatu arrived at the arena in a police car and stood on top of it before making his way to the stage to address Drew McIntyre. He responded to McIntyre calling him a criminal, saying he was not ashamed of his past and no longer lives that life. He said McIntyre putting him in handcuffs in front of his family did not embarrass him.
Fatu said, “Tomorrow night, unsanctioned match. That means no Nick Aldis, no police, no security, no management, no army, no navy. Hell, the SWAT team can’t even stop me from beating your ass.” He added, “The best thing about it, there’s no one to save you.”
Fatu closed by saying McIntyre tried to put him back in a jail cell, but he has already put that in his rearview. “Tomorrow night at WrestleMania 42, you’re gonna see Jacob Fatu shake them dreads. Get a calculator, do the math, cause tomorrow night at WrestleMania, I’m about to dog walk you.”
Backstage: Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss
Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss spoke backstage about their WrestleMania weekend. Bliss said she had tried new ice cream flavors and acquired more Charlotte Flair merchandise than she thought she would need. She noted they had become tag team champions together and best friends. Bliss said winning gold at WrestleMania would be the cherry on top, but they needed to beat Bayley and Lyra Valkyria tonight to walk in with momentum. Flair said to picture it: “Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, two-time Tag Team Women’s Champions, WrestleMania, Las Vegas.”
Damian Priest and R-Truth (c) defeated Kofi Kingston and Grayson Waller to Retain the WWE Tag Team Championship
Damian Priest and R-Truth defended the WWE Tag Team Championship against Kofi Kingston and Grayson Waller, who entered as the New Day. Tyrese Haliburton was shown sitting ringside.
Waller started opposite Priest. Priest quickly brought Waller to his corner and tagged Truth, who hit a corkscrew shoulder strike. Kingston tagged in and the challengers gained the upper hand, with Kingston landing a baseball slide kick to Priest on the outside. After the break, Kingston and Waller maintained control, with Waller landing forearms and Kingston connecting with a leg drop. Chemistry issues surfaced when Waller executed a cover that Kingston should have made, costing them a potential pinfall.
Waller made a blind tag that frustrated Kingston. Waller was sent chin-first across the top rope, and Truth crawled toward his corner for the hot tag. Priest entered and began cleaning house with running strikes, a splash in the corner, and an Old School crossbody on Waller. Priest hit a lariat, but Kofi broke up the pin. Truth stole the challengers’ corner, confusing Kingston, then ran through John Cena’s moveset with shoulder blocks and a Blue Thunder Driver. Priest scoop slammed Waller onto Kingston. Priest and Truth hit a double Five Knuckle Shuffle, then connected with a Shatter Machine on Waller for the pin.
WrestleMania 42 Set Reveal
A video aired showing the WrestleMania 42 set at Allegiant Stadium, with WWE having flown over 30 content creators from YouTube for an exclusive first look. Cody Rhodes appeared for the surprise reveal.
Video Package: Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton Rivalry Recap
A video package aired recapping the Rhodes-Orton feud, including McAfee’s involvement, Orton attacking Jelly Roll, and the title theft angle. McAfee was shown saying, “If Randy Orton doesn’t walk out of WrestleMania as a 15-time World Champion, you will never see or hear from me in this business ever again.”
Jade Cargill and Rhea Ripley Face-to-Face Segment
Jade Cargill, the WWE Women’s Champion, made her entrance flanked by B-Fab and Michin. A video package aired of Rhea Ripley’s WrestleMania 39 SmackDown Women’s Championship victory over Charlotte Flair, which Corey Graves called one of the best matches he has ever called. Rhea Ripley then made her entrance.
Ripley told Cargill she wanted to lay her out but did not want to give her an excuse not to walk into WrestleMania. She said Cargill had been hiding behind B-Fab and Michin, behind social media, and had been doing anything she could to avoid standing face to face. Ripley told Cargill this was her last chance to say anything face to face.
Cargill responded, “I’m scared of some cosplay goth kid with insecurities? I’m everything you wish you could be, a real btch.” She said she had been trying to spare Ripley and warned, “I’m putting belt to ass.”
Ripley fired back, saying she did not want to be anything like Cargill and that she has been fighting people like her all her life. She said her insecurities made her the person she is today and the reason she is a multi-time Women’s Champion. Ripley closed by calling Cargill a “narcissistic, selfish, fake ass btch.” The two stood face to face as the segment ended. Their WWE Women’s Championship match is set for WrestleMania 42 Night Two.
Backstage: Solo Sikoa and MFT
Solo Sikoa addressed MFT backstage after their street fight victory, calling it a team effort. He told Talla Tonga to go win the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal and bring the trophy home to the family. Solo said he was going to speak with “Mr. Aldis” about getting the Tag Team Titles back. The segment continued to suggest tension between Solo and Tama Tonga.
Tiffany Stratton defeated Jordynne Grace in a Women’s United States Championship No. 1 Contender’s Match
Tiffany Stratton was introduced from Prior Lake, Minnesota. Jordynne Grace followed. Women’s United States Champion Giulia and Kiana James took seats at ringside to watch the match. The match began with a handshake and early headlock exchanges as both competed for quick pins. Stratton hit an arm-drag jawbreaker and took control with corner stomps and a knee choke on the ropes. Grace countered with a sweep and a backward splash off the corner for a near fall. Grace brought Stratton up top for a superplex, but Stratton countered with a spike DDT.
The two traded punches. Stratton landed a spinning back elbow and a double stomp for a near fall. Grace hit a headbutt attack on the ropes, a fireman’s carry drop, and a package powerbomb for a near fall. Grace attempted a Vertebreaker, but Stratton escaped and hit a handspring stunner. Stratton followed with the Prettiest Moonsault Ever (PME) to pick up the win. Stratton will challenge Giulia for the Women’s United States Championship.
Note: Show in progress. Andre the Giant Battle Royal, Flair & Bliss vs. Bayley & Valkyria, and Cody Rhodes segment still to come.
WrestleMania 42 Schedule Rundown
Tessitore ran through the WrestleMania 42 weekend schedule: Hall of Fame red carpet show followed by the ceremony airing on the ESPN app domestically and YouTube internationally at 8:15 p.m. ET. WrestleMania 42 coverage begins Saturday at 3 p.m. ET with the Countdown show, with WrestleMania Night One starting at 6 p.m. ET. Night Two follows the same schedule on Sunday.
Trick Williams Promo, Confrontation with Sami Zayn
Trick Williams made his entrance to a large ovation, accompanied by Booker T, who said Williams is “that man” and belongs at WrestleMania. Williams addressed Sami Zayn, saying he crossed the line last week when he hit Lil Yachty with a Helluva Kick. Williams said he did not know when Yachty would be back or if he would be at WrestleMania, and that Zayn had ruined his WrestleMania entrance. Williams called Zayn “the gingerbread man” and told him to come out.
Zayn came out and Williams mocked him, suggesting Las Vegas might not have die-hard Sami Zayn fans and that perhaps they were all “in Drury Lane.” Williams said Sunday was all about him and his first WrestleMania and that he would do whatever it takes to win the United States Championship.
Zayn responded by saying he was glad Williams was having fun and wished he could say the same, but he has not been having a good time in a long time, even as United States Champion. He said he still was not sure what he did wrong, but that he does not care because he does this for the ride-or-die Sami Zayn fans.
Zayn then told Williams that since he showed up on SmackDown four months ago, everyone talked about him like he was the future, and Zayn was the first to agree. But in four months, Williams had not shown him much. “You’ve shown me that you have a great entrance, you got a catchy catchphrase, you could apparently even drop a pretty decent diss track. Congratulations. But you haven’t showed me anything where it counts, in this ring, when it matters.” Zayn called Williams “a little punk rookie” who was about to walk into his first WrestleMania against one of the best to ever do it without a plan.
Williams fired back: “No plan? Sammy, look at me. I am the plan.” He told Zayn he had spent four months trying to find himself, calling him lost and saying he had crashed. Williams said Zayn was one of the most respected guys in the locker room with all the accolades, but threw it all away because “this rookie got in the game.”
Zayn asked Williams not to stand with his hands on his hips and told him to go away. Williams responded by saying he was actually standing in the ring with “two gingerbread men,” referencing a costumed gingerbread man who had appeared on stage earlier.
The two then brawled in the ring, with Williams getting the upper hand and dropping the United States Champion. Zayn recovered and hit a Helluva Kick on the costumed gingerbread man. Williams then hit a Trick Shot on Zayn to stand tall heading into their United States Championship match at WrestleMania 42.
Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley and Lyra Valkyria ended in a No Contest
Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss faced Bayley and Lyra Valkyria ahead of their Fatal Four-Way Women’s Tag Team Championship match at WrestleMania. The match barely got underway before the Irresistible Forces, Nia Jax and Lash Legend, attacked all four women. Flair bounced Valkyria off the turnbuckles and the two exchanged words. Valkyria hit a spinning heel kick on Flair and Bayley was sent into the ring steps. Jax hit a splash on Valkyria and Lash attacked Bliss with a bicycle kick to Flair. Jax and Lash hit splashes on Bayley. Valkyria tried to fight back with a forearm to Lash but Jax sent her to the mat. Lash held Valkyria in a bear hug while Jax hit a leg drop off the turnbuckles.
Video Package: Women’s Tag Team Championship Fatal Four-Way
A video package aired with all four teams in the WrestleMania Women’s Tag Team Championship Fatal Four-Way cutting promos. The Bella Twins said even with Nikki fighting through injury, they are showing up because “when The Bella Twins step on that stage, the standard is set.” Lash Legend and Nia Jax, the Irresistible Forces, said they have run over every team. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss said they would show people who they still are and take back what is theirs as friends. Bayley and Lyra Valkyria said they would bring their absolute best and make everything they have been through worth it. Jax closed by telling all three teams, “At WrestleMania, don’t worry, we’ll make sure you all get your moment. And just know this will be the last WrestleMania moment you’ll ever have.”
Cody Rhodes Arrival
Tessitore announced that Cody Rhodes’ bus had arrived at the arena. The Undisputed WWE Champion would be heard from during the commercial-free final hour of SmackDown.
Note: Show in progress. Andre the Giant Battle Royal and Cody Rhodes segment still to come.
