Tag: wrestlemania

Bianca Belair announces pregnancy at WWE WrestleMania 42

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Bianca Belair delivered some great news at WWE WrestleMania 42 — though it wasn’t the announcement people were expecting.

Out of action for a year now, Belair made a surprise appearance at night one of WrestleMania, coming down to the ring after host John Cena had announced the attendance. She revealed that Cena would need to add one more to that number, because she and husband Montez Ford are expecting a child.

“Thank you so much for all the love and all the support,” Belair told the crowd. “Whether it’s me at home or me in this ring, thank you so much. Now you know you can’t have WrestleMania without a few surprises now, right? So, John, I think we need to add one more to the attendance list, because the E-S-T is having a baby.”

Cena then thanked Belair for allowing the WWE family to share this moment with her family.

At WrestleMania 41 last year, Belair helped steal the show in a triple threat match against Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY. But Belair suffered a hand injury that night that proved to be significantly more complicated than originally expected. This February, she underwent surgery in hopes of finally fixing the injury. She had been doing post-surgery rehab in recent weeks as fans hoped she would return soon.

The attendance number announced by Cena, before Belair’s addition, was 50,816.

This is Belair and Ford’s first child together, with Ford also having two children from a previous relationship.

Bron Breakker returns at WWE WrestleMania 42

Posted on by Joseph Currier

An injury disrupted his WrestleMania plans, but Bron Breakker still ended up playing a big role on Saturday night.

The returning Breakker interfered in Seth Rollins vs. Gunther at WWE WrestleMania 42 night one, costing Rollins the match as the two resumed their rivalry. Breakker laid out Rollins with a spear before Gunther used a sleeper to pick up the victory.

Rollins had momentum on his side after giving Gunther a Pedigree onto the announce table and delivering a stomp. But Breakker then ran down and laid out Rollins. After the match, Breakker sprinted down the entrance ramp so he could give Rollins another spear. Breakker then posed with Paul Heyman on the stage.

In February, Breakker was forced out of action due to hernia surgery. He was cleared in time for WrestleMania, but WWE decided to hold off his return until tonight. Breakker vs. Rollins was considered as a potential WrestleMania match at one point as the card took shape over the past few months.

Both Rollins and Breakker suffered injuries on the road to WrestleMania. Tonight was Rollins’ first match since October 2025, when he was sidelined due to a shoulder injury that required surgery. At that time, WWE wrote Rollins off television in an angle where Breakker turned against him and kicked him out of The Vision.

Appearing on The Bill Simmons Podcast ahead of WrestleMania, WWE President Nick Khan named Breakker as one of WWE’s biggest stars for the future. Khan said everyone in WWE is on the same page about Breakker’s path, saying they can’t rush him and need to let him develop at his own pace.

Paige returns, wins gold at WWE WrestleMania 42

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE is Paige’s house once again.

At WrestleMania 42 night one, Paige returned to WWE and worked her first match for the company in nearly a decade, teaming with Brie Bella to win the Women’s Tag Team titles. It was scheduled to be Nikki & Brie Bella teaming together in the match, but Nikki was unable to be cleared in time after suffering an ankle injury on SmackDown three weeks ago.

Nikki walked out with a crutch as The Bella Twins made their entrance tonight. Announcing that she would not be able to compete, Nikki said an “old friend” would be taking her place — bringing out Paige for her return.

That crutch ended up playing a big role in the fatal four-way match. Interfering during the finish, Nikki used the crutch as a weapon and struck Charlotte Flair with it. Paige then got her knees up when Alexa Bliss went for Twisted Bliss. She followed up with RamPaige on Bliss for the victory.

Nia Jax & Lash Legend were Women’s Tag Team Champions heading into tonight. The four-way bout featured Jax & Legend, Brie Bella & Paige, Charlotte & Bliss, and Bayley & Lyra Valkyria.

On commentary, Michael Cole brought up that Paige won the Divas Championship on her first night on the main roster back in 2014 and had now won gold again her first night back.

Paige was once medically disqualified from WWE due to neck issues, last wrestling for the company in December 2017. She remained with WWE in a non-wrestling role until departing the promotion in 2022. She then joined AEW, returning to the ring there and holding the AEW Women’s World Championship one time.

In March 2025, Paige (Saraya) and AEW mutually parted ways. She took the past year off from pro wrestling but had been training for her return recently.

Emotional John Cena kicks off WWE WrestleMania 42

Posted on by Joseph Currier

John Cena was a man of his word as he kicked off WWE WrestleMania 42.

When he retired, Cena said he would not wear his wrestling gear in a WWE ring again. That stayed true as he ditched his signature jorts for a suit as he welcomed fans to WrestleMania. In his first time back since retirement, Cena — the host of WrestleMania 42 — immediately became emotional upon receiving a big reaction from the crowd.

“Wow, I didn’t expect that. Thank you so much,” Cena said. “Sorry, long-time fan, long-time performer, first-time host, how am I doing so far?”

Cena noted that the road to WrestleMania has been chaotic, unpredictable, vocal, and — a word Cena is very familiar with — polarizing.

“One could say it’s — Michael Cole, is it polarizing? Polarizing. Now I see why I got the hosting gig.”

To close his message, Cena said it was “such a great honor” to welcome everyone to WrestleMania. He declared that it was now time to see who would step up and seize the moment.

Cena concluded his WWE retirement tour in December 2025 with a loss to Gunther. Now working for the company as an ambassador, he appeared at the WWE World convention today, took part in a live podcast recording on Six Feet Under with The Undertaker, and is hosting both nights of Mania.

Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the host of this weekend’s event, is also where Cena had his final WrestleMania match last year, defeating Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41.

Nikki Bella addresses WWE WrestleMania 42 status, spotted in walking boot

Posted on by Ian Carey

Nikki Bella says she’s still in the four-way Women’s Tag Team title match at WrestleMania 42 despite being in a walking boot on Friday.

The Bellas were interviewed by Big E on the red carpet special ahead of the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony on Friday. Big E specifically asked if she was still in the four-way match at WrestleMania and Nikki responded that she is.

“I’m feeling great, just getting that extra rest in so I can be ready for tomorrow. Ready to win those tag titles.” Nikki answered when Big E asked how she was feeling.

Big E pointed out the walking boot Nikki was wearing and asked if she was still in the match at WrestleMania.

“Oh yeah. I’m there. I’m here, I would never leave Brie’s side ever. I’m still in it, I’m still there tomorrow and we’re going to win those tag titles.”

Brie added, “The Bella Twins are unstoppable, we are used to obstacles, and we overcome everything.”

PWInsider reported Friday that Bella will not be cleared in time for WrestleMania. The outlet also reported that Saraya, formerly Paige in WWE, has signed to return to the company and will be Nikki’s replacement in the bout.

The full red carpet special is available below. The video is queued to Big E speaking with the Bellas.

Four surprise returns that could shake up WWE WrestleMania 42 weekend | Opinion

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

The grandeur of WrestleMania often paves the way for surprise comebacks whether it’s for legends or stars after fully recovering from injury. For some of them, it’s about picking up where they left off while for others, a blockbuster showdown against a talent from another generation. 

Every year, WWE attempts to outdo the previous events when it comes to shocking returns and memorable appearances. With that in mind, here’s a few names whose comebacks this weekend would fit the moment perfectly. 

Kevin Owens

Last year, Owens was heading into WrestleMania 41 in a feud with Randy Orton. However, he announced neck surgery which derailed the match and ultimately led to Joe Hendry’s WrestleMania debut.

Towards the end of 2025. Owens was spotted training at the Performance Center which proved to be a positive direction for an in-ring return.

Owens is attending WWE World this week and has also been keeping tabs on SmackDown, congratulating Carmelo Hayes after he won the United States Title in December. 

That in itself could lead to his involvement in Sami Zayn’s U.S. title defense against Trick Williams given their whirlwind of a friendship. Another opportunity awaits if he disrupts the night one main event between WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and Orton. Given his incomplete rivalry with Orton, his interruption ould extend the storyline and prolong Orton’s quest to win his 15th World title with Pat McAfee being taken out to the delight of the fans.

The Rock

The Rock’s latest update indicated he was flying out of Las Vegas this week after attending CinemaCon to promote the live action remake of Moana. However, it is not uncommon for WWE to fly in talent and popular names for WrestleMania at the last minute. I’m guessing The Rock has easy access to a private plane whenever he wants.

The Rock last appeared on WWE TV at 2025’s Elimination Chamber where he influenced John Cena’s heel turn. Travis Scott took over that rivalry when he showed up at WrestleMania to interfere in Rhodes’ match with Cena that cost Rhodes the undisputed WWE Championship. 

The Rock’s potential involvement at WrestleMania 42 makes sense with Roman Reigns and CM Punk’s feud. Their confrontations saw Punk fire off some personal comments about Sika Anoa’i, following which Reigns extended an open invitation to his family to attack Punk as they saw fit. Punk apologized for saying that on Monday’s Raw, but it may be too late.

On top of that, Punk taunting Rock’s Hollywood career as he did on Raw could provoke his old rival once again. After all, the two share an extended history that goes back nearly 14 years. 

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin

Austin has often addressed reduced his capacity for in-ring matches. He briefly came out of retirement for a street fight at WrestleMania 38 against the aforementioned Owens followed by rare appearances on WWE programming both backstage and in the ring. 

A similar role this weekend would carry immense impact. Austin remains one of the most iconic figures in WWE history and his association with WrestleMania is unmatched. 

In the context of WrestleMania 42, his presence for even a brief segment would be a huge moment. After all, hearing the glass shatter is all it takes to make a WrestleMania moment.

Bianca Belair 

The EST of WWE sustained a finger injury at last year’s WrestleMania in a triple threat match with IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley for the Women’s World Championship.

In a recent interview, Ripley revealed that Belair informed her mid-match that she suspected her finger was broken after an awkward landing while the latest report stated Belair had commenced light training and was working towards an in-ring return.

Her comeback would have major implications if it occurs on night two as former friend Jade Cargill defends the WWE Women’s title against Ripley, someone she feuded with a year ago.

The last time Belair was seen in a WWE ring was when she served as special guest referee for Naomi and Cargill’s match at Evolution 2025. Sunday could see that comeback begin.

Roman Reigns teases WWE departure if he loses at WrestleMania

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Roman Reigns is, unofficially, raising the stakes for his match against CM Punk at WWE WrestleMania 42.

On its YouTube channel today, WWE uploaded an in-character interview with Reigns speaking with Michael Cole ahead of WrestleMania. Reigns addressed what will happen going forward depending on the result of the night two main event. If Reigns wins, he says it will help bring WWE back to relevancy. But if Reigns loses, he doesn’t see a place for himself in WWE anymore.

“If I lose to CM Punk at WrestleMania, I don’t belong in the WWE anymore,” Reigns said. “I think if I were to lose on Sunday, I’d say my work is done.”

It was stated last year that Reigns’ WWE contract was coming up soon after WrestleMania 42. But he recently said he still feels like he has a lot more to offer WWE, is feeling good physically at 40 years old, and plans to maximize his earnings potential in the company.

The World Heavyweight Championship will be on the line when Reigns challenges Punk on Sunday. A victory would give Reigns his first title reign in WWE since dropping the Undisputed WWE Championship to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40.

Wrestling Weekly: WWE WrestleMania 42 weekend, the new AEW World Champion

Posted on by Victor Sosa

It’s WWE WrestleMania 42 weekend and on a new Wrestling Weekly, Les Thatcher and Vic Sosa are back to make their predictions for all the matches on both nights.

They also discuss the new AEW World Champion Darby Allin.

Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!

Click here to listen (sub needed)

Report: Nikki Bella won’t be cleared for WWE WrestleMania 42

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Update —

It’s being reported that the returning Paige could factor into WWE’s plans for the Women’s Tag Team title match with Nikki Bella unable to compete.

*********

The card for WWE WrestleMania 42 looks to have taken a hit with Nikki Bella unable to wrestle at the show.

PWInsider reports that Bella will not be cleared to compete at WrestleMania 42, where she and her twin sister Brie were scheduled to be part of a fatal four-way match for the Women’s Tag Team titles. The report does not say if WWE plans on adding a different team to the match or if it will proceed as a triple threat.

The match is scheduled for night one of WrestleMania this Saturday and was supposed to be Women’s Tag Team Champions Nia Jax & Lash Legend defending against The Bellas, Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss, and Bayley & Lyra Valkyria.

Bella suffered an ankle injury on the March 27 episode of SmackDown. Though she was initially optimistic about making it back in time for Mania, Dave Meltzer noted in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter this week that her status was still in question.

The Bellas — who are already WWE Hall of Famers — have never held the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles before. Winning the belts is one of their biggest goals before retirement, with Nikki & Brie planning to finish their in-ring careers when their current WWE contracts expire in 2027.

Triple H: Love him or hate him, Pat McAfee makes people talk

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Paul “Triple H” Levesque is happy that Pat McAfee has people talking heading into WrestleMania 42.

WWE’s Chief Content Officer stopped by ESPN’s First Take on Friday morning to preview this weekend’s show. While discussing the Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton night one main event, Levesque teased that we could potentially see McAfee have some physical involvement with someone getting payback on him.

“There’s something on the horizon for this, for sure. You know, when you run your mouth as much as Pat does, eventually somebody is going to try to shut it,” Levesque said. “Really, as a WWE fan, what I’m really looking forward to is that moment — mentor-student, Cody Rhodes-Randy Orton, locking up over that WWE Championship. It’s just a moment that transcends a couple of generations to me, and that’s what’s really cool about it.”

McAfee will be in Orton’s corner for the Undisputed WWE Championship match. Though McAfee’s inclusion in the storyline has brought a lot of criticism from fans, Levesque thinks it’s always good when people are talking about the product.

Levesque was asked if he feels any added pressure when fans question his decisions.

“It’s always pressure, but the thing is — talk is good, right? People are talking,” he responded. “And that’s a good thing. Love him or hate him, Pat makes people talk. I think that’s what is important here, is people are talking. This is going to be an amazing show. This will be incredible, and it will deliver on all levels.”

Each night of WrestleMania 42 has a start time of 6 p.m. Eastern, streaming live on the ESPN app in the United States and on Netflix internationally this Saturday and Sunday.

Nick Khan not worried about criticism of WWE WrestleMania 42 build

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Nick Khan isn’t worried about the criticism WWE’s build to WrestleMania 42 has faced.

Ahead of Allegiant Stadium hosting WrestleMania 42 this weekend, the Las Vegas Review-Journal published a feature story on Khan, a Vegas native who now serves as WWE’s president. He was asked to address fan complaints about the build to WrestleMania.

“Let’s see the reaction [when] the show is done,” Khan said. “I think a lot of times with WWE storylines, they take a moment to develop. We have the good fortune when we’re on the inside of knowing where we’re going. If you look at the two main events, there is real heat there and when the storylines are blurred between reality and pre-determined outcomes in WWE, we think that always delivers. And with the (Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton) especially with the addition of Pat McAfee, we think both will overdeliver.”

“Let’s see.”

McAfee’s insertion into the Rhodes vs. Orton storyline has been one of the main criticisms of the WrestleMania build, with fans feeling like it was not necessary given the 20-year history Rhodes and Orton have together. McAfee will be in Orton’s corner when Orton challenges Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship this Saturday.

Sunday’s main event will then see CM Punk defend his World Heavyweight Championship against Roman Reigns.

This is the second straight year WrestleMania has been held at Allegiant Stadium. Given that and high ticket prices for the event, attendance won’t be at the same level as it was in 2025, though WWE says it will still be among the biggest gates in company history.

Khan told the Review-Journal that the economic health of Las Vegas is important to WWE and its parent company TKO, especially with the city being UFC’s home.

“There’s no city that can handle big events greater than Las Vegas can,” Khan said. “It was a no-brainer to come back again. It motivated us further when we read that Vegas was in a bit of an economic downturn because we think big events like this can help stimulate an economy and that local economy matters to me and it matters to our business at TKO, especially with UFC headquartered in Las Vegas as well as Zuffa Boxing. We’re excited to have the event and fingers crossed on people leaving the event happy. We believe that will be the case.”

CM Punk responds to Roman Reigns WWE WrestleMania promo

Posted on by Joseph Currier

While appearing on ESPN’s Get Up this morning, CM Punk gave one last response to Roman Reigns ahead of their WWE WrestleMania 42 match.

Reigns posted a social media promo yesterday, calling out Punk for not being a fighting champion and saying Punk’s “not even a fighter.” Reigns said it blows his mind that Punk thinks they are equals — and he vowed to end Punk when they face off this Sunday.

The Reigns promo received a lot of praise from fans online. Punk seemed to have respect for it too, telling ESPN he wishes Reigns brought this kind of material when they were actually in the same building together.

“My response is: man, I wish he brought that energy the days he actually decided to show up on a couple of Mondays,” Punk said. “Look, I take nothing away from Roman. Tremendous superstar, he has the credentials. He’s a heavyweight. He’s going to be a tough out for me. But I am not looking to lose on Sunday. I’m sure he isn’t either. But this is about pro wrestling versus cinema.

“I’m glad that he had four days to shower and think about what he would say to me in a rebuttal and did it in a car while I wasn’t around. But I’m going to be around and in his face on Sunday. I’m going to send him to the orthodontist. I’m going to make his orthodontist a very rich person.”

Punk vs. Reigns is headlining night two of WrestleMania 42 this weekend. They were also opponents last year at WrestleMania 41, losing a triple threat to Seth Rollins.

WrestleMania is back in Las Vegas again this year, which Punk does not mind even if business is down from 2025.

“We’ve run into a little bit of trouble running the same venue twice in a row,” Punk told Get Up. “But, logistically, for me, I’m selfish. It’s fun for me. I like Vegas. There’s great food. There’s great atmosphere. You can always do something at any time of day.

“But we want your sights focused on Saturday night and Sunday night, Allegiant Stadium, for WrestleMania. Because this is going to be our biggest show of the year. We always like to say it’s our Super Bowl. I like to say the Super Bowl is the NFL’s WrestleMania.”

WOL: Filthy Tom & Royce Isaacs recap Darby Allin winning the AEW title, WrestleMania news

Posted on by F4W Staff

It’s a Thursday and “Filthy” Tom Lawlor & special guest Royce Isaacs have returned to host Wrestling Observer Live.

The guys recap all of Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite action which included a new AEW World Champion being crowned in Darby Allin.

They also talk about the latest WWE WrestleMania 42 news as they are on the scene in Las Vegas.

Click here to listen or watch on YouTube below.

Seth Rollins gives status update ahead of WWE WrestleMania 42

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Seth Rollins is ready to return to the ring at WrestleMania 42, even if he isn’t quite feeling 100 percent yet.

On Thursday, Rollins made multiple appearances on ESPN to help promote WrestleMania, telling First Take that he feels great after the shoulder injury he suffered in October 2025. But Rollins at least played up the idea that he’s not completely at full strength going into his match against Gunther.

“As for the shoulder, it feels great,” Rollins said. “I don’t know that it’s 100 percent, but maybe 80-90 percent. And I’ll tell you what, my 80-90 percent is pretty good. Good enough to get us in a position here where we’ve got a match at WrestleMania against Gunther.”

Rollins suffered the shoulder injury at Crown Jewel: Perth last year and has been out of action for six months after undergoing surgery. This match against Gunther is his first match back. It’s a bout that came together fairly late in the game, with Rollins and Bron Breakker both suffering injuries that affected WWE’s WrestleMania plans. Though Breakker has been cleared, WWE decided to go with Rollins vs. Gunther at Mania.

When Rollins’ injury happened, he had to vacate the World Heavyweight Championship. He kept kayfabe on ESPN’s Get Up this morning when asked if he feels like he deserves a shot at either CM Punk or Roman Reigns after WrestleMania. Rollins said he needs to prove he’s back in form and capable of delivering in the ring like he did pre-injury.

The Rollins vs. Gunther match is part of the lineup for night one of WrestleMania 42 this Saturday.

Stephanie McMahon credits Ronda Rousey for making only WWE WrestleMania match happen

Posted on by Joseph Currier

If it wasn’t for Ronda Rousey, Stephanie McMahon probably never would have wrestled at WWE WrestleMania.

The only time McMahon actually competed in the ring at WrestleMania was when she and Triple H teamed up against Rousey & Kurt Angle in 2018. Ahead of her upcoming WWE Hall of Fame induction, McMahon discussed her career on “What’s Your Story?” and looked back at that match.

McMahon noted that she’s always been a Rousey fan, seeing how strong she is while still having “broken pieces” from all she’s gone through in life. It was Rousey who requested the WrestleMania 34 match as a way to follow up on the confrontation they had at WrestleMania 31 three years prior.

“I was a big fan of Ronda, always have been. I used to love to watch her fight,” McMahon said. “I read her book and it made a big impact on me, what she’s lived through. You know, her dad committed suicide when she was young. She didn’t speak her first words until she was like four…

“My heart just always is with her because she’s so strong in many, many ways, you know, mentally and physically. And then also, I think she has broken pieces too, as we all do, right? So I’m a big fan of hers, and she was the one who requested the match. It was like a couple of years later, originally she was going to come in sooner, but then there was a movie or I don’t know, something happened. And then you sign her and Ronda was the one who said, ‘We need to finish the story with Steph.’ So she’s the reason I ever had a WrestleMania match.”

McMahon said Dakota Kai, Lacey Evans, and NXT coach Sara Amato were among the people who helped prepare them for the bout. It ended up being “safe but stiff” with Rousey & Angle getting the win.

This match was Rousey’s pro wrestling debut. She went on to have two separate stints with WWE before finishing up with the company in August 2023.

Rousey is now returning to MMA for a Netflix fight against Gina Carano next month. To help promote that, she made a one-off appearance for AEW at Revolution 2026.