WWE WrestleMania 42 Night 1 Results, Highlights, and Key Moments April 18, 2026

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Tonight’s WWE WrestleMania 42 Night 1, airing on April 18, 2026, promises to be an action-packed night live from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. The show will feature undisputed WWE Champion “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes defending his title against “The Viper” Randy Orton. Additionally, Seth “Freakin’” Rollins will face “The Ring General” Gunther in a singles match.

The show begins at 3pm ET on YouTube and is available for international fans to watch on streaming platforms such as Netflix. Ringside News provides live match-by-match updates and highlights throughout the night. Please keep checking this page. Refresh to see the latest results as the action unfoldsjoin the conversation in the comments section below!

Matches and key moments scheduled for WWE WrestleMania 42 Night 1 on April 18, 2026

Undisputed WWE Championship Match: “American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes (c) vs. “The Viper” Randy Orton
Single match: Seth “Freakin’” Rollins vs. “The Ring General” Gunther
Fatal 4-way match for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: The Irresistible Force (Nia Jax and “The Boosie Bully” Rush Legend) (c) vs. Sharlexa (“The Queen” Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss) vs. Bayley and Lyla Valkyrie vs. WWE Hall of Famers The Bella Twins (Brie Bella and Nikki Bella)
WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Match: AJ Lee (c) vs. “The Man” Becky Lynch
WWE Women’s World Championship Match: “La Primera” Stephanie Vaquel (c) vs. Judgment Day’s Liv Morgan
Unsanctioned matches: “Samoan Werewolf” Jacob Fatu vs. “Scottish Warrior” Drew McIntyre
6-man tag match: WWE World Tag Team Champions The Vision (“The Maverick” Logan Paul & Austin Theory), IShowSpeed vs. The Usos (“Main Event” Jey Uso, “Big Jim” Jimmy Uso), “The Megastar” LA Knight

WWE WrestleMania 42 Countdown to Night 1 Pre-Show Results (4/18/26): Live Match Updates and Highlights

The countdown to WWE WrestleMania 42 Night 1 Pre-Show begins with views of Las Vegas and Allegiant Stadium. Next, we get a video package that introduces WrestleMania and its history.

Next, WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque and Drew McIntyre arrived as Joe Tessitore welcomed us and introduced co-hosts Big E, Corey Graves, and Wade Barrett. Big E said he’s looking forward to the match between Liv Morgan and Stefani Vachel. Corey then mentioned the match between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton, and Wade mentioned the match between Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu.

Kathy Kelly, Jackie Redmond, Byron Saxton and Peter Rosenberg are around the stadium. While talking about the Liv Morgan vs. Stefanie Vachel match, Cassie said her neck still hurts from Monday’s incident. Next, Byron Saxton talks about Stephanie Vaquel and Jackie Redmond talks about Cody Rhodes. Peter Rosenberg then talks about Randy Orton and the panel talks about the Undisputed WWE Championship match between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton.

Wade Barrett then interviews Randy Orton. Wade stated that it had been 12 years since Randy’s last WrestleMania main event and was asked if he was driven by legacy or something else. Randy says it’s about heritage, but there’s something personal about it. Then Randy says that nothing lasts forever. Randy then says number 15 is the next thing to get to and Randy says he has Flair and Cena in his sights. Randy then says that his goal is to go home with more money around his waist than anyone else. Wade then asks about his return from injury, but his demeanor has changed. There he is asked who is the real Randy Orton. Randy says they’re both themselves.

Randy then says he won’t take anything for granted in the ring, but he won’t let anything get in his way. Then Randy said someone was listening to him to make sure the job was completed. Then Randy said he knew what he had to do. Randy then mentioned the voice, which reminded him of what he had to do to become a villain again. Wade then talks about their time on Legacy and how Cody had to find himself. Randy says he’s proud of what Cody did. Afterwards, Randy said he was better and came back. Then Randy said that now that Cody’s story was over, it was time for him to finish his story. Randy then said that he loved Cody like a brother now and would continue to do so after defeating Cody for the title. Then Randy says he hears that Cody can’t do it. Randy then says that Cody must be executed.

Then we meet Chewy Martinez at WWE World.

Next, a video package will feature a six-man tag team match between WWE World Tag Team Champions The Vision (“The Maverick” Logan Paul and Austin Theory) and IShowSpeed vs. The Usos (“Main Event” Jey Uso and “Big Jim” Jimmy Uso) and “The Megastar” L.A. Knight, with a panel discussing the match.

Next up, we’ll be featuring the Women’s Intercontinental Championship match between AJ Lee and “The Man” Becky Lynch with a video package and panel talk.

Jackie Redmond then interviews AJ Lee and Jackie asks AJ what this means to her. AJ says everything they fought for 10 years ago is happening today. And AJ says tonight is the ultimate mountain. AJ then says this is her Everest. And AJ said that 12 years ago she was in and out as champion and it would happen again.

The panel then continues talking about the Women’s Intercontinental Championship match.

Then get a video package of some WWE Superstars doing media work throughout Las Vegas and watch ESPN and WWE in the build-up to WrestleMania.

Vic Joseph then interviews Sol Luca. Vic asks Sol about the atmosphere at WrestleMania. Sol says it’s great to be together. Sol said he had his WrestleMania moment, but he wants to compete next year. Vic then asks Sol about his match with ZARIA. Sol says that Zaria is the one he is jealous of and that he wants to be the last woman left on Tuesday night. Vic then asks about Sol’s performance at the Royal Rumble and her match against Bayley on John Cena’s farewell night. He then asks about being at WrestleMania. Sol says he will prove that he belongs here.

Next, take a look at the Women’s World Championship match between Stefanie Vaquel and Liv Morgan, as well as a panel talk about the Women’s World Championship match.

Cassie then interviews Stephanie Vachel, and Stephanie is asked about her debut at WrestleMania. Stephanie says she has spent her entire life trying to get to WrestleMania. Stephanie says she has worked her whole life to earn this title. Stephanie then says this is the most important match of her career. Stephanie then says that what’s important to Liv is fame and self-promotion. And Stephanie said tonight was about her journey.

Wade Barrett left the panel to prepare for the show call, and Jackie Redmond and Peter Rosenberg are currently performing on stage inside Allegiant Stadium to discuss the announcement.

Michael Cole is currently in the ring and talks about the Hall of Fame honoring the main event of WrestleMania 3. Cole then stated that this is the first WrestleMania without Hulk Hogan. Cole then shares his thoughts on Hulk Hogan. Cole then stated that he should have called Hulk Hogan’s match at WrestleMania.

Next, watch the unsanctioned match between Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu in the video package.

Byron Saxton then interviewed Drew McIntyre and Byron asked Drew about Jacob Fatu’s comments on SmackDown. Drew says he’s not playing mind games. Drew then says he’s telling the truth. Drew then says you can’t play mind games with someone who doesn’t have a brain. Drew then says that Fatu was in prison while he was getting his education. Drew then says that he learned from studying criminology that criminals reoffend. Then Drew said you took my title away. Then Drew says you stole my WrestleMania. Drew then says he will use every weapon against Jacob. Then Drew says you’re going back to living together again and it’s for Fatu’s wife and kids. Drew then says that he may not be everyone’s hero, but he’s the one you need.

Several WWE Superstars are then seen doing charity work around Las Vegas.

WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels then joins the panel to look back at the Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels Iron Man match. The panel then talks about the match.

Next, we get a video package showcasing stars who started their WWE careers in NXT and are now competing at WrestleMania. Corey Graves asked Sean if he knew that game meant so much to people. Sean says Brett may have thought that, but he thinks about it every day. Sean says he didn’t think about the long-term effects at the time. Then Sean says it’s not that he doesn’t know the match is going to take an hour, he doesn’t like knowing that the match is going to take an hour. Sean then says there’s no one he wants to be with other than Brett. They then ask Sean about the new talent on this year’s show. Shawn says he’s proud of the people he’s brought together through NXT.

Sean then mentions Trick, Oba, Jevon, and Rush. Sean says he knew Rush was special. Then Sean says that everyone had something. Sean said, will they be as special as we think? Sean then worries that he will be disappointed, but says that these four will be the most successful in the future. Corey then asks about seeing when young talent gets it. Sean said he could tell it was special. Then Sean says he thinks they have a chance. Then Sean says that a lot of people had potential but it didn’t work out. Then Sean says none of these people were afraid to be coached. Then Sean said he could challenge them and test them to push them. And Sean says they stood the test of time.

Next, you’ll get a video package showcasing the top 10 moments of celebrities competing and competing at WrestleMania.

Kathy Kelly then interviews IShowSpeed. Speed says it’s crazy that he’s wrestling at WrestleMania. And Speed says he feels he’s at a point where he has to give his all. Then Speed says he’s nervous. Speed then says he doesn’t know how this happened. Next, you will be asked about your training. Speed says he was busy. Speed said they are motivated but hope everything goes well.

Then we go to The Miz, but the airship Danhausen gets in his way. The Miz then finishes his presentation.

Michael Cole then mentioned his interview with Roman Reigns. Cole asks if she feels any different without him. Roman says this is his family’s business and he was born for this. Roman then says this is God’s plan to put him in this position. Roman then says this is what he was supposed to do. Cole then asks about Roman and WrestleMania and the main event of 11. Roman says it’s his legacy. Roman says she plans to tell the twins that they represent their family and their heritage.

And Roman says he’s proud to host 11 main events. He is then asked about 2012 with CM Punk and The Shield. Roman says there was nothing that drew him to punk. Roman then says that a higher power has added him to the group. Roman then said that Punk was cool to him and they traveled and trained with him. Roman then tells him not to bring up what’s going on with the boys in the office. Roman then says he was being played by CM Punk and takes his ball and goes home. Cole then asks if Roman was annoyed that Punk wasn’t here while you were on top. It was announced that the talks would continue tomorrow.

Shawn Michael is still on the panel to talk about Sunday’s WWE World Heavyweight Championship match with Roman Reigns.

WWE Hall of Famer AJ Styles then joins the panel. Shawn Michaels leaves the panel and talks about Styles’ Hall of Fame induction and the Hall of Fame induction ceremony in general. Corey says he has been seeing AJ more since his loss to Gunther. And AJ says he’s trying to hire the best talent for WWE. Cory then asks how he feels about not being an active wrestler at WrestleMania. AJ then says he doesn’t have to worry about the pressure of the match. AJ then says that he should have just focused on his family.

We then get a video package looking back at past WrestleManias and WrestleMania 42.

The panel then continued their discussion, with Joe Tessitore asking AJ Styles about the Pat McAfee situation.

Next, we see the card for tonight’s WrestleMania 42 Night 1, with Peter Rosenberg talking about Randy Orton.

Jackie Redmond then talks about Cody Rhodes and the panel talks about the Undisputed WWE Championship Match.

Joe Tessitore then interviews Cody Rhodes. When asked about returning to WWE in 2022, Cody said he was a golden boy due to his involvement with WrestleMania prior to his return. Cody then says he was the furthest from WrestleMania. Then Cody says: The returning main event makes this special. Joe then asks about going back to Las Vegas to meet up with one of his best friends. Cody says this situation cannot be reconciled. Cody then says that he wanted his first opponent to look at him and see that he had changed. Cody then says that Randy will do everything he can to make it to 15. Joe then asks if Cody wants this version of Randy and if he regrets it. Cody said he was there for Randy Orton in 2009 and what he did was pretty bad. Joe then asks about Pat.

Cody says Pat’s call was the most disappointing revelation in the history of professional wrestling. Cody then says he’ll tell Pat that he needs to buy a replica belt so he can get in and go back to the person who sent him and say thank you to his dad. Cody then says that Pat has allowed the wrestling fans to agree that no one wants Pat at WrestleMania. Joe said that Randy said Cody was not a murderer. Cody then asks who the murderer is. Then Cody asks if he jumps over people from behind. And Cody says no. Cody then says that Randy is still a fake and that he is trying to match Randy. Joe then once again brings up outside forces interfering with his WrestleMania journey. Cody says this is what we do during WrestleMania season. Then Cody said we were thriving and this was part of the territory. Cody then says that Randy isn’t going to fight an outside force, so he needs to be prepared.

Jackie Redmond then took over for the final hour as Corey Graves, Joe Tessitore and Big E appeared inside Allegiant Stadium.

Joe Tessitore then interviews Triple H.