Uncrowned's Horsemen break down some of the burning questions for WWE's biggest event of the year.
With ::checks notes:: three WWE shows under our belt for 2026, the Uncrowned Horsemen figured it was about time we started fantasy booking WrestleMania 42.
Think it’s too early? We would like to point to Drake Riggs’ pick for the main event from last year, where he revealed he’s actually a time traveler and accurately predicted CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins would close the show.
Will Riggs go back-to-back? Will Kel Dansby, Robert Jackman or Anthony Sulla-Heffinger manage to forecast the future? Read our way-too-early predictions below!
1. Who are your main events for Night 1 and Night 2? Will CM Punk and Cody Rhodes be the top men’s champions heading into WrestleMania?
Drake Riggs: Based on history, and excluding Night 1s from recent years, some form of a WWE world title has headlined all but seven WrestleManias. With how "sportified" WWE has become in recent years, there's no reason to expect that to change. Neither CM Punk nor Cody Rhodes should be the champions going into the annual spectacle, at least as babyfaces — but it feels like a very safe bet they will be, particularly with Rhodes. All of WrestleMania 42's promotional material is practically spoiling what we can expect atop the billings for each night.
Instead, I'll dive into my fantasy booker backpack. I've been adamant that Drew McIntyre needs to dethrone Rhodes this Friday on "SmackDown." Let that be a temporary reign, where Rhodes wins the belt back between now and WrestleMania. Meanwhile, Punk drops the title to someone — let's say Bron Breakker, or ideally, LA Knight. (YEAH!) While I'm holding out every last shred of hope for a Knight win at the Royal Rumble or Elimination Chamber, Punk needs to be freed to pursue Rhodes. It's been danced around for too long — putting either in a heel role for that feud is money and easily makes for main-event material. Besides, the argument is still out there that Punk didn't really headline last year.
As for Night 1, that's been a nice spot for a high-profile story match, and 2026 should continue that trend. Ideally, one of WWE's women's world titles can regain enough steam to reach the point of being there, and the obvious pairing we saw teased throughout 2025 was Stephanie Vaquer vs. Rhea Ripley. That match doesn't even need much of a story. Just push them toward each other, Hunter.
Robert Jackman: I'm working from the assumption that we’re getting Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns on Night 2, which seemed to be the big hint coming out of Survivor Series. If that’s the case, it’s both a blessing and a curse. Yes, it gives you a suitably headline-worthy finale, but it also involves Roman Reigns: thus taking up someone who would have been the go-to cornerstone for a Night 1 main event.
So what do we do for the first night then? Coming off Monday night’s “Raw,” I’m not convinced CM Punk vs. Bron Breakker is the best option for the main event (though I do expect Punk to be champion come WrestleMania). I’d also point out that it’s now been four years running where the women have been deprived of the chance to main-event WrestleMania. I’m not someone who argues for representation for the sake of it, but wasn’t that part of the reason for having these two-night stadium shows?
If it’s a women’s match, then I think it needs to involve Rhea Ripley. Her brand is absolutely stratospheric right now, and it’s been a while since she’s had that big-match treatment. Maybe the best answer is the one closest to hand right now — Ripley and Iyo Sky against Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss for the tag titles. It’s likely happening at 'Mania anyway, so why not give it the full red-carpet treatment?
Anthony Sulla-Heffinger: The big unknown here has to be Seth Rollins’ health, because if The Visionary can return in time for WrestleMania, I don’t see how you don’t have him and CM Punk in the main event of Night 1, potentially with Bron Breakker factoring in as well for the World Heavyweight Championship.
If Rollins can’t go, I think you can make a very easy case that the “Raw” women deserve to be in the main event. As for who gets the spot — I’ll get into this a little later!
Night 2 has traditionally been reserved for the bigger — not necessarily better — of the two matches. Here’s where Cody Rhodes, still holding the Undisputed WWE Championship, comes into play against this year's men’s Royal Rumble winner … Gunther. The win over John Cena should be capitalized on, fast. Let Gunther take out AJ Styles and then pull off a Royal Rumble win and chase Rhodes, putting WWE’s top heel against WWE’s top babyface and spiritual successor to Cena in many ways.
Kel Dansby: With WrestleMania still about four months away, it’s hard to picture both champions making it to the show with their titles. At the same time, there really isn’t anyone built up enough right now to take the belts off them either. Rhodes feels like he’s on a clear collision course with Randy Orton, a feud that practically writes itself given their history. On the other side, Punk finally getting his Night 2 WrestleMania main event feels inevitable, especially if that opponent is a returning Roman Reigns.
2. How do you use Roman Reigns?
Dansby: I hinted at this already, but Roman’s path feels pretty straightforward. Have him return at the Royal Rumble and win the whole thing. That immediately puts him back on top and sets up a Punk match that’s been quietly brewing since they first teamed up at WarGames in 2024. It’s a rare fresh matchup at the very top of the card, and WWE usually doesn’t overthink things when the money match is that obvious.
Jackman: It has to be Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns. We’ve had countless hints over the past two years that their respective storylines aren’t finished — if you’re not going to close that chapter, then what’s been the point of all these teasers?
It isn’t like there are any obvious contenders for Roman Reigns to wrestle right now either. He did a good job with Bronson Reed, but I think it’s time to let him cook with another upper-card name.
Riggs: We're in a weird place with Roman Reigns, where anytime we see him, it's considered a "return."
I get the allure for anything related to Punk or Rhodes, but it is far too soon for me to care about linking Reigns back to either of them. He also doesn't need a title, anyway. He's treated like a final boss character as-is.
WWE clearly had something in mind brewing between Reigns and The Usos before Survivor Series. The entire teasing of a Jey Uso heel turn has since been dropped now that The Usos are tag-team champions again, but that should be revisited. There was even a butting of heads between the brothers themselves. Go that route. Let Jey implode and do his best to cosplay as old Tribal Chief Reigns. No one wants to see an Usos WrestleMania rematch, but have the family break down to the point that we get a triple threat match with Reigns and The Usos. Drama, folks.
Sulla-Heffinger: Drake hit the nail on the head with so much of his answer. Reigns doesn’t need a title or to be chasing one to be a major draw, and I do wish we would've seen a Jey Uso heel turn that could have built into a WrestleMania match against Reigns. Right now, it feels like if WWE were to go down this road, it would be rushed.
Instead, let’s get Tribal Chief vs. "The Ruler" Oba Femi in Vegas. What better way for one of the most promising young talents in WWE to get over than by getting the rub from Reigns?
3. How does WWE address the fact that this is the second Vegas WrestleMania in a row, or should they ignore it?
Jackman: If nothing else, I think it needs to look different to WrestleMania 41. Last year’s 'Mania wasn’t exactly a slam dunk on any level, but the lazy presentation didn’t help. Let’s see something a bit jazzier that actually leaves a visual impression, a bit like WrestleMania 39.
As a Vegas obsessive, I’d love to see them do something gimmicky that actually involves Sin City itself. Screw it — why not have an actual match in a casino, with the kind of production values we saw with the Boneyard match during the pandemic year? Imagine Aleister Black and Damian Priest hurling each other into slot matches or over blackjack tables. I bet somewhere like Circa would love to host that.
Riggs: Oh, that old thing? Yeah, that's getting completely ignored. Triple H and this regime couldn't care less about any complaints regarding their clear pursuit of nothing but money.
Don't get me started on next year's WrestleMania.
Sulla-Heffinger: I’m not sure it makes sense to address that this is the second consecutive WrestleMania in Las Vegas unless we get a major rematch this time around, which doesn’t appear to be in the cards.
WWE pulls out all of the stops for WrestleMania, and each has its own unique feel. I don’t think that will stop because we’re getting a repeat venue for the first time since WrestleMania IV and V (Atlantic City).
Dansby: Vegas is a money printer for WWE, and there’s no real reason to dance around that. The city is built for spectacle, big crowds and week-long chaos, which is exactly what WrestleMania has become.
With next year’s WrestleMania already announced for Saudi Arabia, this one should be positioned as the must-attend 'Mania for the foreseeable future. If you’re going to do back-to-back Vegas shows, you might as well lean into it.
4. Who will be the WrestleMania MVP?
Riggs: I have two shouts I want to give here, and I am confident both will be in the picture by then. Firstly, there's Oba Femi, who already brushed shoulders with the main-event scene in his match with Rhodes. The other is Trick Williams, who I fully believe has "it." That guy is a true star in the making and the future of the world title scene. Undeniably, he should be in that scene before 2026 ends, but WrestleMania could shape up to be his launchpad with, let's say, a U.S. Championship win.
Jackman: I’m going to go out on a limb and say Gunther. After what happened at SNME, he’s been given one hell of a tee-up for 2026. Surely this has to be his biggest year yet. Add that to the fact that he has a massive personal incentive to improve on last year’s WrestleMania loss and I think you have everything in place for him to smash this out of the park.
Dansby: MVP is always tricky, but I usually look at who’s going to have the biggest moment rather than just the best match. Dominik Mysterio fits that bill. He’s hovering right below the main-event tier and feels overdue for a true WrestleMania-defining angle. If WWE really wants to swing big, this could even be the year he retires Rey Mysterio in a hair vs. mask match. That’s instant legacy stuff.
Sulla-Heffinger: Dominik Mysterio. You can probably pencil him in for a big match on the main card and perhaps pulling double duty if a AAA show takes place the same week. He drew arguably the biggest reaction for his win at the "Showcase of the Immortals" last year. This year he steps it up further.
5. Considering Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky and Bianca Belair delivered the 2025 Uncrowned Match of the Year, book a women’s match to follow in their footsteps.
Sulla-Heffinger: Remember my answer above about the “Raw” women deserving a main-event spot? Even if they don’t get it, I would book a Fatal 4-Way between Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer, Rhea Ripley, Roxanne Perez and 2026's Women’s Royal Rumble winner, Liv Morgan.
Morgan has been one of the most consistent Rumble performers throughout her career and is among the biggest draws, men’s or women’s, in WWE today. I think 2026 could be massive for her — a Royal Rumble win, split from Judgment Day and then, with the help of WrestleMania MVP Dominik Mysterio, capturing the Women’s World Championship.
Jackman: I’m sticking to the tag match I’ve put forward for Night 1, partly as it makes me think of the absolute stellar piece of art that was Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 39. Imagine something that could revisit those highs while also involving Iyo Sky and Alexa Bliss as well. That has to be enough to get the wrestling aficionados excited.
Dansby: The women’s division has quietly loaded up on talent over the past year, and Stephanie Vaquer already feels like someone WWE trusts in big spots. If you’re trying to top last year’s match, give her time and a top-tier opponent. A 20-minute Vaquer vs. Bianca Belair one-on-one match feels like the kind of bout that could steal the entire weekend if they let it breathe.
Riggs: Talk about a tough one to follow. I know we don't have to stick to the triple-threat template, but I'm going to because I love triple-threats.
Leaving my hope of Ripley vs. Vaquer intact as the Night 1 main event, that leaves Iyo Sky to continue out this long-term family feud between herself, Asuka and Kairi Sane. By WrestleMania, Sane will have escaped the shackles of her abusive friendship with Asuka, and they'll wind up in a match together. Sure, that feels tailor-made for an easy Sky win, as things currently stand. But it would slap, and you know it.
6. Running it back from last year: Pick a star to debut on the "Raw After 'Mania."
Riggs: This one is so difficult, and I don't have much faith anymore. There's already been a crop of NXT talent getting pushed to the main roster, leaving some others stuck on the developmental brand. Simply considering how well he's done and the spots he's been put in, appearing in the crowd on "SmackDown" and things alike, I'll say Ethan Page. He should arguably come up sooner than that, but he still holds gold, so the timing can extend to hit a perfect mark
Sulla-Heffinger: Bring Ricky Saints and Ethan Page up to the main roster. Doesn’t matter which one goes to “Raw” and which goes to “SmackDown” — both will be stars, fast.
Dansby: The "Raw" after WrestleMania doesn’t hit quite like it used to, especially now that the first "Raw" and "SmackDown" of the year have become the real debut showcases.
Still, if you’re going to make a statement, Ricky Saints makes the most sense. He’s been main-roster ready since coming over from AEW, and giving him a big moment on that show would instantly signal WWE sees him as a serious player.
Jackman: Sorry, Carlos, but I’m going with Leon Slater here. It’s obvious from outer space that WWE knows they have someone special on their hands with the TNA star (assuming they can sign him) — not only was he on John Cena’s retirement show, but he then went straight to getting an NXT title shot against Oba Femi. Sending him out on the “Raw After 'Mania” would be the logical next step in his big push.
And let’s not overlook the obvious here: You’d get one hell of a match from him, too.
Category: General Sports
