Former World Champions WWE could bring back enroute WrestleMania 42
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The PLE is set to emanate from Las Vegas.
The 42nd edition of WrestleMania will take place as a two-night event on April 18 and 19 at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada. The promotion kicked off the Road to WrestleMania 42 with style in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 31 with the Royal Rumble PLE.
Before Mania, WWE will deliver the 2026 edition of Elimination Chamber, which is scheduled for February 28, 2026, and will take place at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. As the Mania season approaches, fans are excited for high-stakes clashes and surprise returns.
After a disappointment in the Rumble PLE, fans are hoping for a major return on the Road to Mania, and here are the four former World Champions the promotion can bring back ahead of the ‘Grandest Stage.’
4. Dolph Ziggler
Nic Nemeth, aka Dolph Ziggler, recently made an appearance on Raw during John Cena’s final match tournament in November. This was possible due to the working relationship of WWE with TNA Wrestling. However, fans have long demanded Ziggler’s return, and the promotion can make it happen on the Road to Mania, setting up a clash against rising stars.
Also Read: All matches announced for WWE WrestleMania 42 so far ft. CM Punk vs Roman Reigns & more
3. Jeff Hardy
Similar to Dolph Ziggler, Jeff Hardy, along with his brother Matt Hardy are signed to TNA Wrestling. Despite massive outcry from fans, the legendary tag team has only made appearances on NXT, even capturing the NXT Tag Team titles. However, the promotion could bring back Jeff Hardy even for one match of high-flying action at the ‘Grandest Stage.’
2. Paige
The return of former WWE Divas Champion, Paige aka Saraya, has been a hot topic of debate among fans ever since she left AEW. The speculations picked up after she made an unexpected appearance at Insane Wrestling Revolution’s Season’s Beatings Fest on December 27, 2025 using her old WWE song.
Paige has also been sharing videos of herself back in training, fueling speculation about a potential return. If WWE manages to bring back the former Divas Champion, it could set up a highly anticipated comeback story, giving fans a chance to see her in action once again and potentially shake up the women’s division.
1. Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho’s highly anticipated return to the WWE has been one of the most talked-about points in the pro-wrestling world. Fans in Saudi Arabia were very upset when Jericho’s return didn’t materialize at the Rumble PLE, they even booed Triple H and heckled him with “Y2J” chants. While, all reports points to Jericho’s contract with AEW expiring in December 2025, he remains listed on AEW’s official roster page.
This means he likely is still under contract with AEW. That said, the demand from fans is paramount and the promotion should explore every opportunity to bring Jericho back during the Road to WrestleMania, delivering on fans’ demands and adding major star power to the buildup.
Is Chris Jericho still signed with AEW?
While reports suggest Jericho’s deal with AEW expired in December 2025, he remains listed on AEW’s official roster page, signalling that he is likely still under contract with AEW.
When and where will WrestleMania 42 take place?
The 2026 edition will take place as a two-night event on April 18 and 19 at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada.
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Abhijit Singh is a budding sports journalist with over three years of experience in the field, and a photographer capturing stories through his lens since 2018. With a background in philosophy and political science, he brings a thoughtful, analytical edge to his reporting where every word is guided by curiosity and intent. Whether he's capturing the emotion of a moment or unpacking the deeper narratives within the game, Abhijit’s work is rooted in insight and passion. When he’s not covering sports, he’s often exploring new ideas through reading, traveling or just procrastinating.