WWE WrestleMania 42 Night 1 GRADED - Results, Review

Three months on from the Royal Rumble, and after a whole host of creative changes, WWE presented night one of WrestleMania 42 from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.

This is WWE WrestleMania 42 Night 1 GRADED!

The Usos (Jey Uso & Jimmy Uso) & LA Knight def. IShowSpeed, Logan Paul & Austin Theory (7:08)

After host John Cena opened the show and welcomed fans to WrestleMania 42, it was time for the opening contest and The Usos immediately laid out The Vision with a Superkick to make IShowSpeed begin the match against LA Knight. Speed was quickly flattened, doing a Moonsault straight into a Clothesline from LA Knight.

The babyfaces remained on top in the opening minutes until Logan Paul managed to fight back against Jimmy Uso, which led to The Vision and IShowSpeed working over Big Jim until Jey Uso got the hot tag and hit a Spear to Austin Theory, with the pin being broken up by Logan Paul.

Soon after, IShowSpeed blocked a BFT attempt by pushing Knight into Logan Paul, who went flying out of the ring. Austin Theory immediately expressed anger with IShowSpeed before he urged Speed to hit LA Knight. Knight pushed Theory into Speed, though, and Knight followed up with the BFT on Theory for the quick win.

Post-match, Logan Paul decked IShowSpeed with the Paulveriser and was about to put him through the announce table with a Frog Splash when The Usos and LA Knight made the save. LA Knight was then fine with Speed and set up Logan Paul to be put through the table with a Frog Splash of his own.

The Usos, IShowSpeed, and LA Knight then ran it back to end the opening contest on a happy note.

Grade: C - The opening contest of WrestleMania 42 was inoffensive, but shorter than expected as The Usos and LA Knight picked up the win when it felt like the match was just properly getting going. The post-match angle of Logan Paul being put through the announce table with a Frog Splash from IShowSpeed was almost as long as the match itself.

Jacob Fatu def. Drew McIntyre - Unsanctioned Match (14:10)

Before the match could even begin, Jacob Fatu took out Drew McIntyre with a Suicide Dive and proceeded to bounce his opponent's head off the ring post and send him over the barricade, before bringing out tables, much to those inside Allegiant Stadium's delight. Jacob Fatu then tipped out a red toolbox and terrified Drew McIntyre in the process due to his past Hell in a Cell match with CM Punk.

After some initial fear, though, McIntyre recovered and bounced Fatu's head off the apron, which led to his annual selfie at WrestleMania. The selfie, however, allowed Fatu to recover and a Pop-Up Samoan Drop recorded a near fall for Jacob. After fighting back, McIntyre hit a Tope Con Hilo, but he missed on a Claymore. Fatu then hit the Best Moonsault Ever but McIntyre kicked out.

Before Fatu could continue his assault, McIntyre hit Jacob with a wrench and squeezed it into Fatu's eye before he followed up with a Suplex on a set-up steel chair. McIntyre then argued with the referee and stole the official's belt, but a Fatu Superkick prevented Irn Dru from using it, and Fatu used the belt on McIntyre instead, repeatedly whipping his opponent with the leather.

Fatu retrieved the toolbox, but he took too long and McIntyre fired back with a Claymore, but it was only enough for two. Later, McIntyre prevented a dive from Fatu by throwing a chair straight into his head. With Jacob teetering on the top rope, Drew pushed his opponent from the top turnbuckle through a table on the outside.

Fatu recovered extremely quickly, though, practically no-selling the move and he hit McIntyre with the toolbox before connecting with a BME inside the ring to put McIntyre through the table. One pinfall later and Jacob Fatu defeated Drew McIntyre in the second match of WrestleMania.

Grade: B - A very good PG No DQ match from Jacob Fatu and Drew McIntyre as they used tables, chairs, a belt, a wrench, and a toolbox to entertain the fans inside the squared circle. There was little time to breathe during the contest and the only small criticism is Fatu recovered a little too quickly from being put through the table, basically no-selling the move.

Brie Bella & Paige def. Nia Jax & Lash Legend (c), Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss, and Bayley & Lyra Valkyria - WWE Women's Tag Team Championships (8:35)

The Bella Twins were the last team to make their entrance when Nikki Bella announced that she was unable to compete due to the ankle sprain she sustained back on March 27. As Nikki didn't want Brie to lose her WrestleMania moment, though, she made a call to an old friend, which resulted in the return of Paige, who received a big pop from the fans in Las Vegas.

The opening minutes allowed each team to get in some offence, but the crowd was absolutely dead in the early going, eventually coming alive when Brie made the hot tag to Paige and the former Saraya ran wild with Clothesline after Clothesline. Paige even hit a Paige Turner to Lyra Valkyria, but Bayley broke up the pin at two.

The match came down to Charlotte Flair and Paige soon after for another big pop from the fans in attendance, with Flair getting the better of the exchange with Natural Selection. Alexa Bliss then set up for Twisted Bliss but Alexa was distracted when Nikki Bella attacked Charlotte Flair with her crutch.

The distraction allowed Paige to get her knees up for Twisted Bliss and the former Saraya followed up with Rampaige for the win.

Grade: B - While the match was fairly short and the in-ring action was a standard four-way tag at WrestleMania, this match was elevated by the feel-good moment that was Paige's return, something the fans inside Allegiant Stadium popped loudly for. Having Paige and Brie Bella win was also the right decision on the night.

Becky Lynch def. AJ Lee (c) - WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship (8:15)

The opening minutes saw Becky Lynch on top and spending half of the time arguing with referee Jessika Carr, especially after Lynch removed the padding from the top turnbuckle and Carr had to put it back on.

Later, AJ Lee went for the Black Widow, but Lynch threw her opponent into the turnbuckle and followed up with a Manhandle Slam for a near fall. Lynch then argued some more with Jessika Carr and pushed the official, so the referee pushed her back. When Lynch tried to charge at the official, Carr ducked and Becky ran straight into a Manhandle Slam from Lynch for her own near fall.

Soon after, Lee applied the Black Widow but AJ fell off. Lynch then removed the turnbuckle cover and pulled the referee in front of her when AJ went for a Stinger Splash in the corner. With Carr slightly injured and not looking, Lynch bounced Lee's head off the exposed turnbuckle and hit a Manhandle Slam for the 1-2-3.

Grade: C- - Another short match at WrestleMania 42 and one that was primarily dominated by Becky Lynch arguing with referee Jessika Carr. While Jessika Carr was a major part of the storyline between Becky Lynch and AJ Lee, it wasn't particularly interesting or entertaining and just seemed to get in the way of the match, if anything. The in-ring action was a standard WWE affair and really could have done with a few more minutes to reach another level too.

Gunther def. Seth Rollins (15:45)

Seth Rollins began lobbing chairs at Gunther on the outside and gave the former WALTER the middle finger before the match began. Once the bell went, Seth remained on top and set up for an early Stomp but he ran straight into a Lariat from Gunther.

Gunther was on top for the next few minutes until Rollins fired back with a Buckle Bomb and both men were down after exchanging Lariats. After some chops from Gunther, he connected with a Powerbomb for a near fall. Seth then fired back and repeatedly went for a Pedigree and he finally hit it on the third attempt and followed up with a Stomp, but Gunther kicked out at two.

Rollins went for a Super Stomp but Gunther dodged it. A couple of counters later and the former WALTER locked in a Sleeper. Rollins managed to fight out of it with two big Discus Elbows before Gunther flattened Rollins with a huge Lariat. Gunther went for a Splash but was caught on the top turnbuckle and Rollins hit his Superplex-Falcon Arrow combination for a near fall. Rollins wasted no time in applying a Sleeper and Gunther eventually managed to reach the bottom rope.

Rollins remained on offence with two Suicide Dives but Gunther caught him on a third one and hit an Apron Powerbomb and a Powerbomb on the announce table. Gunther went for another Powerbomb, this time on top of the announce table but Rollins flipped through and hit another Pedigree. With Gunther down, Rollins hit a Stomp on the announce table.

As the referee checked on Gunther behind the announce table, Bron Breakker made his return and charged to ringside, absolutely flattening Rollins with a Spear. Breakker then dumped Rollins in the ring and Gunther recovered and applied a Sleeper. Soon after, Rollins passed out as Gunther won on the biggest stage with a huge assist from Bron Breakker.

Post-match, Bron Breakker ran the length of the ramp and laid out Rollins with a huge Spear. Breakker then walked back up the ramp and embraced Paul Heyman.

Grade: A - The best match of the night by a mile as Gunther and Seth Rollins delivered at WrestleMania with a lengthy, entertaining pro wrestling match filled with memorable moments. The return of Bron Breakker was fun too and will allow fans to finally see the Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker programme that was set up back in October 2025.

Liv Morgan def. Stephanie Vaquer (c) - Women's World Championship

Stephanie Vaquer went immediately on the attack, throwing Liv Morgan into the barricade, but Morgan fought back and hit Three Amigos. Morgan teased going for the Devil's Kiss but Vaquer rolled through into a pin for a near fall.

Morgan followed up with a Codebreaker and Liv went for Oblivion but Vaquer moved out of the way and hit an Oblivion of her own for a near fall. Stephanie Vaquer set up for a Moonsault but Roxanne Perez charged to the ring and distracted the official, which allowed Raquel Rodriguez to attack Vaquer.

Liv Morgan took advantage with Oblivion but Vaquer kicked out. Judgment Day continued to interfere when Morgan accidentally took out Rodriguez with a Suicide Dive. Vaquer then followed up with a Springboard Plancha to take down Rodriguez and Perez, but not Morgan. Liv then followed up with another Codebeaker and Oblivion for the win.

Liv Morgan celebrated regaining the Women's World Championship with Dominik Mysterio post-match.

Grade: C- - A bit of a nothing match, really, and another sub-10 minute match at WrestleMania 42. The action barely got going when Judgment Day began to interfere and then it was all over.

John Cena came out before the main event and announced the official attendance of 50,816. Bianca Belair then made her return and revealed she was pregnant!

Cody Rhodes (c) def. Randy Orton - Undisputed WWE Championship (22:55)

Managers don't typically have their own entrance but Pat McAfee did at WrestleMania, before Randy Orton and then Cody Rhodes took an absolute age getting to the squared circle after an entrance with mannequins of 2007 Cody Rhodes, Undashing Cody Rhodes, Stardust, and American Nightmare.

During the in-ring introductions, Pat McAfee attacked Cody Rhodes with a microphone, which allowed Orton to also get in a few punches on the Undisputed WWE Champion before Rhodes kicked Pat to the mat and threw Orton into the ring post. Cody then connected with a Cross Rhodes and lay McAfee across the announce table, which led to a Jelly Roll appearance and an Elbow Drop to McAfee to absolutely destroy the table, with wood shooting everywhere.

Pat McAfee was stretchered to the back, with Michael Cole acknowledging the rumours that Randy Orton was hurting ahead of WrestleMania 42 on commentary, with Cole saying the talk in the locker room was that Orton may have been dealing with a back injury.

After all of that, the bell actually rang and both competitors felt each other out in the early going, wrestling very slowly, which included a Half Crab and a Bearhug in the opening minutes as Cody worked over Randy's back. Orton fought back with a Superplex, hurting his back in the process.

Orton then hit a Draping DDT, hurting his back some more, and set up for an RKO but Cody blocked it and they continued battling, with Cody pushing Orton into the ring post and busting Randy open in the process. Rhodes then hit a Disaster Kick and continued to slowly work over Orton, targeting Orton's bloody face, including wiping Orton's blood across his chest.

As Rhodes received boos, he took a page out of Orton's book and hit a Draping DDT. Cody then mocked Orton by setting up for an RKO but Randy countered into a Cross Rhodes for a near fall. Orton then whiffed on an RKO and Cody hit one of his own for a near fall.

Cody followed up by bouncing Orton's head off the announce table and he fell straight into an RKO from Orton back in the ring, but it wasn't enough to put Cody away. After an exchange of punches, Rhodes poked Orton in the eye so Randy hit referee Charles Robinson with an RKO.

Orton looked to take advantage with a punt Low Blow but Cody blocked it and hit a punt to Orton's nether regions. Rhodes went for a Cody Cutter but jumped straight into an RKO from Orton. Pat McAfee in a referee shirt and a neck brace then ran to the ring to count the pinfall but Cody kicked out at two.

Orton then hit Pat McAfee with an RKO out of nowhere and Cody Rhodes took advantage, hitting a Cross Rhodes. Cody then covered his former Legacy stablemate as Charles Robinson recovered to count the 1-2-3.

After the match, Randy Orton grabbed the WWE Title from Cody and hit the champion over the head with the belt. As Cody recovered, Orton punted Cody in the head as the fans in Las Vegas cheered loudly, before eventually booing.

Grade: D - What a weird main event. There were rest holds in the first five minutes and it was okay once the match got going, but it took an awfully long time to get there. There was a bizarre energy even once it did. though, as Cody worked as the heel and Orton the babyface, hinting at a potential double turn. That double turn didn't happen, but the Pat McAfee angle appeared to at least be kiboshed, with Orton laying out Pat with an RKO seconds before Cody picked up the win. The post-match was then weird and the whole match came across more of an Elimination Chamber contest to set up a WrestleMania match, as opposed to a fully fledged WrestleMania main event.

Show Grade: C- - Night one of WrestleMania 42 was very much an odd night of professional wrestling. The entrances for Pat McAfee, Cody Rhodes, and Randy Orton were longer than every match on the show except the main event, and one of the main features of the show was all of the adverts for the upcoming Hulk Hogan documentary.

Except for Seth Rollins vs. Gunther, Drew McIntyre vs. Jacob Fatu, and Paige's return, it was a pretty poor night of in-ring action with way too many short matches and a main event that left you with more questions than answers. Not a WrestleMania night that will live long in the memory.