WrestleMania 42 is two weeks away, and the buzz around WWE’s biggest annual event is at fever pitch. The two-night spectacular at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada takes place on 18 and 19 April, and for the first time the event streams live on Netflix outside the United States — a major moment in the streaming giant’s expanding live sports strategy.
The Main Events
The headline matches are as compelling as any WrestleMania card in recent memory. Night One is expected to be headlined by Cody Rhodes defending his Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton — a clash of generations and wrestling royalty that has been building across months of outstanding storytelling. Rhodes, who finally captured the title he has been chasing since returning to WWE, faces the most calculated and dangerous challenger on the roster in Orton.
Night Two’s main event pairs CM Punk against Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship. This is a match that the wrestling world has wanted for years — two of the most compelling figures in modern wrestling, both brilliant talkers and in-ring performers, colliding on the grandest stage. Punk, who holds the World Heavyweight Championship after a turbulent year, faces Reigns in what promises to be one of the most emotionally charged matches WrestleMania has delivered in years.
John Cena Returns as Host
Adding significant star power and nostalgic appeal to the event, John Cena has come out of his in-ring retirement to serve as the official host of WrestleMania 42. Cena, who called time on his legendary wrestling career, will be front and centre across both nights — and wrestling fans will be watching closely to see whether “hosting” means purely ceremonial appearances or something more active.
The Full Card
Beyond the headline matches, WrestleMania 42 features a packed championship card. Stephanie Vaquer defends the Women’s World Championship against Liv Morgan in what should be a physical, hard-hitting contest. Jade Cargill and Rhea Ripley face off for the WWE Women’s Championship in a power-versus-power collision. Oba Femi meets Brock Lesnar in what is being billed as a battle of the new generation versus the established monster — the kind of passing-of-the-torch match WrestleMania excels at.
The Intercontinental Championship, Women’s Intercontinental Championship, United States Championship and Women’s Tag Team Championship are all on the line, with WWE targeting a total of 14 matches across both nights. There are also unsanctioned match options that allow for more dramatic, rules-free violence — crowd-pleasing additions to a card that already has substantial depth.
How to Watch WrestleMania 42
In the United States, WrestleMania 42 airs on ESPN, with coverage beginning at 6pm Eastern on both nights. Internationally, including in the UK, the event streams exclusively on Netflix. UK viewers should note the time difference: a 6pm Eastern start translates to 11pm BST, making it a late-night viewing proposition on a Saturday and Sunday. Netflix has been promoting the event heavily and has made no secret of its ambitions in live sports — WrestleMania is one of the crown jewels of that strategy.
Why This WrestleMania Matters
There is something particularly significant about WrestleMania 42 beyond the individual matches. It represents WWE’s most visible moment on Netflix since the streaming deal was announced, and the quality of the card will shape perceptions of what live wrestling on the platform can be. It also comes at a moment when professional wrestling is riding one of its most sustained commercial and creative peaks in two decades. Attendance, TV ratings and streaming numbers have all been strong.
For British fans staying up late on an April weekend, it promises to be worth the effort. WrestleMania at its best delivers spectacle, emotion and memorable moments — and all the ingredients for that are in place for Allegiant Stadium on 18 and 19 April 2026.