WrestleMania 42 Early Main Event Predictions: Who Headlines Night 1 and Night 2?

With WrestleMania 42 still months away, WWE’s biggest question is already taking shape: who will headline Night 1 and Night 2 in 2026? Based on WWE’s booking patterns, star momentum, and long-teased rivalries, names like Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Roman Reigns, and Rhea Ripley are emerging as the most realistic headliners.

Here’s how WrestleMania 42 could realistically shape up across both nights.

Night 2: Cody Rhodes and the Undisputed WWE Championship

Historically, Night 2 almost always closes with a men’s world title match, and there’s little reason to expect WWE to change that formula in 2026.

Most Likely Scenario: Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns

All signs point toward Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns as the Night 2 main event. Hints dropped throughout late 2025 programming — particularly around Survivor Series — strongly suggest WWE is building toward another blockbuster collision between the two.

Rhodes entering WrestleMania as Undisputed WWE Champion feels like the safest bet. While a short-term title change (possibly involving Drew McIntyre) wouldn’t be shocking, the expectation is that Rhodes would reclaim the championship well before April to anchor WrestleMania’s biggest night.

Alternate Option: Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther

Another compelling possibility is Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther.Following Gunther’s recent momentum and major victories, WWE could fast-track him into a Royal Rumble win and position him as the ultimate challenger — pitting the company’s top babyface against its most dominant heel.

Night 1: CM Punk, Storytelling, and the Wild Card Slot

Night 1 has evolved into WWE’s platform for high-profile story-driven main events, and WrestleMania 42 fits that mold perfectly.

CM Punk’s Likely Role

There’s a strong belief that CM Punk will be champion heading into WrestleMania, but that doesn’t mean he must defend the title on the grandest stage. In fact, many scenarios suggest Punk could drop the championship earlier in the year — potentially to LA Knight or Bron Breakker — freeing him up for a blockbuster feud.

A CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes rivalry has been teased for far too long, and placing either man in a heel role instantly creates main-event-level drama. There’s also a lingering sense that Punk never truly got his definitive WrestleMania main-event moment, something WWE may finally correct in 2026.

Seth Rollins: The X-Factor

Everything changes depending on the health of Seth Rollins.

If Rollins is cleared in time, CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins becomes an obvious Night 1 main event — potentially with Bron Breakker added to raise the stakes for the World Heavyweight Championship.

Should the Women Main-Event WrestleMania 42 Night 1?

One of the strongest arguments heading into 2026 is that the women’s division deserves the Night 1 spotlight.

It’s been several years since a women’s match closed WrestleMania, despite WWE adopting a two-night format to create more marquee opportunities.

Rhea Ripley Is the Key

Any women’s Night 1 main event almost certainly needs to involve Rhea Ripley. Her popularity, aura, and mainstream appeal put her in rare company.

Possible headline scenarios include:

• Rhea Ripley vs. Stephanie Vaquer — a matchup teased throughout 2025 that requires minimal storyline to feel special

• A marquee tag match featuring Ripley and Iyo Sky vs. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss

Night 1 may be the perfect place to restore the women’s division to true WrestleMania main-event status.

Final Prediction: WrestleMania 42 Main Events

Most realistic projection right now:

• Night 1:CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins(or a Rhea Ripley–led women’s main event if Rollins is unavailable)

• Night 2:Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns(with Gunther as the strongest alternative challenger)

While plans can always change, WWE’s booking patterns suggest WrestleMania 42 will once again balance legacy, star power, and long-term storytelling across both nights.

Why This Matters for WWE in 2026

Who headlines WrestleMania 42 isn’t just about match quality — it’s about signaling who WWE sees as the foundation of its next era. The decisions made for Night 1 and Night 2 will define WWE’s creative direction well beyond Las Vegas.

And as always, the road to WrestleMania has only just begun.