WWE WrestleMania 42 Night 1 Results & Winners: Randy Orton decimates Cody Rhodes; Paige & Bron Breakker return; Bianca Belair announces pregnancy & more
(Courtesy : WWE.com)
Jelly Roll takes out Pat McAfee, Liv Morgan captures the World title & more!
WWE’s grandest annual spectacle returned bigger than ever. WrestleMania 42 descended upon Las Vegas for a second consecutive year, taking over Allegiant Stadium on April 18 and 19, 2026. Night 1 of the 42nd edition concluded tonight, and it featured four title matches.
The show hosted by John Cena also saw the return of former Divas Champion Paige, who returned for the first time since 2022. Meanwhile, Bianca Belair also made an appearance to announce her pregnancy.
Get to know what happened this Saturday, as we have the complete summary, highlights, results, and winners’ list for the Night 1 edition of WWE WrestleMania 42.
WWE WrestleMania 42 Night 1 Summary and Highlights
John Cena returns
‘The 17-time WWE World Champion’ John Cena returned for the first time since his retirement match at Saturday Night’s Main Event in December 2025. Cena returned to host the ‘Grandest Stage’ in Las Vegas, which is emanating from the Allegiant Stadium.
Cena kicked off the show as fans welcomed the G.O.A.T. with loud chants. The 17-time Champion thanked the crowd before recapping how chaotic, unpredictable, and polarizing the Road to WrestleMania has been. He then hyped up the crowd for what’s in store as pyros went off near the entrance.
The Usos (Jey & Jimmy) & LA Knight vs Logan Paul, Austin Theory & IShowSpeed
In the first match of the show, The Usos (Jey & Jimmy) and LA Knight took on Logan Paul, Austin Theory, and IShowSpeed in a six-man tag team match. The Usos and Knight emerged victorious in the match, with Knight capitalizing on the argument among the opposing team that arose when Speed accidentally took out Logan.
Logan didn’t take kindly to the loss and Speed’s failure in the match and attacked him. The Usos came to Speed’s rescue, taking down Logan with the 1D, before lining up Logan on the announce desk as Speed delivered the IShowSplash, taking Logan through the announce desk.
Winner: The Usos (Jey & Jimmy) & LA Knight
Grade: D
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- The match was too short for a PLE like WrestleMania, but sadly, this became a trend later on and not an anomaly.
- The match marked Speed’s second WWE in-ring appearance, with his first being at the 2025 Royal Rumble.
Drew McIntyre vs Jacob Fatu – Unsanctioned match
Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu collided in an unsanctioned match, determined to put the other man in a hospital, they brought in multiple weapons. However, it was Fatu who wound up on top after hitting Drew with a toolbox and taking him down through a table with a mighty moonsault to pick up another win at WrestleMania.
Winner: Jacob Fatu
Grade: B+
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- McIntyre got PTSD after witnessing the Tool Box, which was also used in the finish.
- Drew once again kept the tradition of posting during his matches at Mania alive, this time with a video.
Irresistible Forces (Nia Jax & Lash Legend) (c) vs Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs Bayley & Lyra Valkyria vs Paige & Brie Bella – Women’s Tag Team Championship Fatal 4-Way match
During the entrances, Nikki Bella walked out with crutches alongside Brie Bella and announced that she had not been medically cleared, before announcing that Paige would replace her. The former Divas Champion teamed up with Brie and managed to win the Fatal Four-way to capture the title.
The victory came with a little assist from Nikki, who attacked Charlotte Flair with the crutches, aiding Paige, who countered Twister Bliss’ attempt from Alexa and delivered the Rampage to pin Alexa Bliss and capture the titles in her return.
Winner & New: Paige & Brie Bella
Grade: C+
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- This was Paige’s first WWE appearance since 2022. It was also her first in-ring appearance in WWE since December 2017.
- Alexa Bliss appeared in a dark, gothic look featuring black-and-white gear and wings, while Charlotte Flair made a contrasting entrance in colorful attire highlighted by oversized butterfly wings.
- On the other hand, Nia and Lash walked out in white gear inspired by the newly inducted WWE Hall of Famers Demolition (Ax & Smash), who were in attendance at the PLE.
- Nikki Bella also provided an update on her injury via social media after the match.
AJ Lee (c) vs Becky Lynch – Women’s Intercontinental Championship
After suffering defeat at Elimination Chamber, Becky Lynch battled AJ Lee in a title rematch at Mania. This time around, she was able to break the undefeated streak as the underhanded tactics finally worked in her favor.
Becky exposed the turnbuckle and pulled referee Jessika Carr in front when AJ came rushing in to attack. She then whipped AJ on the exposed turnbuckle and followed it up with the Manhandle slam to capture the Women’s Intercontinental title once again.
Winner & New: Becky Lynch
Grade: B
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- Wonder Years performed live for Becky’s entrance, while AJ walked out with a dozen young fans in matching gear and title.
- This was AJ Lee’s first Mania appearance in 11 years; her last appearance was at the 31st edition alongside none other than Paige as they battled The Bella Twins.
- Becky Lynch is now a three-time WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion.
- The head-to-head record between the two is now 1-1 and 3-1 overall in AJ’s favor.
Seth Rollins vs Gunther
The people’s main event delivered as expected, with both Seth Rollins and Gunther tearing each other apart. Just when Rollins started to take over the match, slamming Gunther down on the announce desk with a Pedigree, followed by a stomp, Bron Breakker rushed in, taking out Rollins with a spear.
Gunther capitalized on the interference, putting Rollins to sleep. After the match, Breakker went breakneck speed once again to deliver a second spear to Rollins, before joining Paul Heyman in the celebration near the entrance ramp.
Winner: Gunther
Grade: A
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- This was their second singles match after their first encounter in 2019, where Rollins defeated ‘Walter’ via DQ.
- Rollins walked out with a ‘smoking’ jacket and striking all-black contact lenses, giving him an eerie, unsettling look.
- The WWE Hall of Fame class of 2026, including AJ Styles and Stephanie McMahon, made an appearance after the match.
Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs Liv Morgan – Women’s World Championship
The co-main event saw Liv Morgan defeat Stephanie Vaquer, with help from Judgment Day’s Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez, to capture the Women’s World title. Dominik Mysterio, Perez, and Rodriguez joined Liv in celebration after the match.
Winner & New: Liv Morgan
Grade: B-
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- Liv Morgan delivered a high-energy entrance featuring a full choreographed dance routine to her new theme song.
- This marked Stephanie Vaquer’s WWE WrestleMania debut as she battled Liv Morgan for the first time ever.
- Stephanie Vaquer has not been pinned or submitted since coming to the main roster, per Michael Cole.
- The win marked the start of Liv Morgan’s third World title reign.
- John Cena announced Night 1 total attendance at 50,816.
- Bianca Belair made an appearance during the segment and announced her pregnancy.
Cody Rhodes (c) vs Randy Orton – Undisputed WWE Championship
Before the bell even rang, Pat McAfee and Randy Orton attacked Cody Rhodes, who fought back and lined up McAfee on the commentary desk as Jelly Roll took down McAfee with a flying elbow through the announce desk. McAfee was taken out on a stretcher as the match began, and Cody started exploiting Orton’s back injury.
During the match, Cody attacked Orton’s eyes, leading Randy to RKO the referee instead, as he was unable to see. McAfee then rushed in to make the pin, but Cody kicked out. This angered Orton, who took out McAfee with an RKO. However, Cody capitalized, delivering the Cross Rhodes to pin Orton and retain the title.
After the match, Orton attacked Cody, whipping him with the title, before lining him up for the infamous Punt Kick to end the show.
Winner & Still: Cody Rhodes
Grade: C-
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- WWE spent a significant amount of time on entrances before the main event, which raised questions about why that time wasn’t instead allocated to the matches, particularly the women’s matches.
- With the win, Cody continues his third Undisputed title reign, registering his first successful defense.
- After the attack, Cody’s left eye was completely swollen shut. The medical team was shown tending to him during the post-show.
WWE WrestleMania 42 Night 1 Results
- The Usos (Jey & Jimmy) & LA Knight defeated Logan Paul, Austin Theory & IShowSpeed
- Jacob Fatu pinned Drew McIntyre – Unsanctioned match
- Paige & Brie Bella defeated Irresistible Forces (Nia Jax & Lash Legend) (c), Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss, and Bayley & Lyra Valkyria– Women’s Tag Team Championship Fatal 4-Way match
- Becky Lynch pinned AJ Lee (c) – Women’s Intercontinental Championship
- Gunther defeated Seth Rollins
- Liv Morgan pinned Stephanie Vaquer (c) – Women’s World Championship
- Cody Rhodes (c) pinned Randy Orton – Undisputed WWE Championship
Who won in the main event of Night 1 of Mania?
Cody Rhodes defeated Randy Orton to retain the title in the main event of Night 1 of Mania.
Did any major returns take place on the show?
Yes, Paige, Bron Breakker, and Bianca Belair all made their return. Belair also announced her pregnancy during the appearance.
When and where will Night 2 of the PLE take place?
Night 2 of WrestleMania 42 will emanate from the same venue on April 19 (Sunday).
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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.