Establishments in Las Vegas might not be able to air WrestleMania 42 at their locations this year, leaving many local fans and tourists scrambling for alternative viewing options. According to a report from Fightful, the distributor of the WrestleMania broadcasts has informed a number of venues in the Las Vegas area that they will be unable to broadcast the premium live event, even if they are willing to pay the standard licensing fee.
The restriction is reportedly part of a new protocol affecting areas within 50 miles of the event’s location. The strategy is designed to drive fans to purchase tickets and attend the show live at the stadium rather than watching from local bars or restaurants. Fightful noted that while some smaller-scale operations may attempt to bypass the rule, the blackout could have a detrimental effect on their business, particularly regarding their UFC viewership, which is a major revenue driver in the city. WWE did not respond when reached for comment regarding the policy.
If the blackout holds, local venues will miss out on showcasing one of the most anticipated cards in recent history. The event, which is taking place in Las Vegas for the second consecutive year after a pivot from the originally announced location of New Orleans, features a lineup heavily influenced by recent creative shifts.
The main event of Night 2 is confirmed to be Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that this matchup was part of the original plan to feature the company’s “four biggest stars,” a group that also includes Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins.
“The basic idea is the four biggest stars in the company were and are Reigns, Punk, Rhodes and Seth Rollins,” Meltzer reported. “Rhodes would then defend the world title against Punk in a babyface vs. babyface match which the company has avoided doing but teased multiple times since Punk’s return.”
However, injuries and creative pivots reshaped the card. Night 1 is now expected to be headlined by Drew McIntyre vs. Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship, a match that came together after McIntyre advocated for a title win in his “Three Stages of Hell” match against Rhodes.
“Enter McIntyre, who pushed the idea that since he had lost multiple times to Rhodes, that it would be better for him to win the title in the already announced Three Stages of Hell match,” Meltzer explained.
Additionally, Seth Rollins is set to face Bron Breakker in a match confirmed for the card, following a storyline attack at the Royal Rumble. “The identity of the masked man was supposed to make everyone think it was Rollins,” Meltzer wrote. “Right now the belief is Rollins will be ready for Mania and face Breakker in a singles match.”
Local screens will also miss the return of AJ Lee, who is reportedly scheduled to face Becky Lynch for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. “Lynch vs. AJ Lee for the IC title had been scheduled on the show and at last word was still scheduled,” Meltzer noted.
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