WWE WrestleMania 42 night one results, match grades: Cody Rhodes beats Randy Orton, Liv Morgan wins gold

Night one of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium saw WWE almost tease a double turn between Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes. In the middle of the drama was Pat McAfee, inserted into the Undisputed WWE Championship match, much to the dismay of fans.

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By the end of the night, Rhodes remained champion, still held his composure as the face, and McAfee would become a non-factor after Orton turned on the former football star.

A storied rivalry had McAfee in it, and he was immediately taken out by Rhodes and Jelly Roll. Once the actual match happened, things fell a little flat. A key moment was Rhodes almost embracing his dark side against the sinister Orton. Orton had fan support all night, and still did, even after post-match shenanigans.

CODY RETAINS!!! 🤩@CodyRhodes found the killer instinct! pic.twitter.com/pezLMlUMsf

— WWE (@WWE) April 19, 2026

McAfee returned towards the end as a referee and attempted to give Orton the win. Orton would hit McAfee with an RKO after things didn’t go his way, and Rhodes took advantage to get the win. Orton ended the show by assaulting Rhodes, leading to a cliffhanger heading into night two.

With McAfee not a factor, will he focus on night two’s main event of CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns? Or will he be true to his word and not appear in WWE again with an Orton loss?

Stephanie Vaquer and Liv Morgan brutalized one another for weeks leading up to their Women’s World Championship match. Liv Morgan suffered a brutal injury that kept her out of action for a while. She earned some redemption in 2026, winning the Royal Rumble and beating Stephanie Vaquer for the Women’s World Championship.

Morgan still had a bump on her head from a recent attack by Vaquer. That didn’t deter her. With Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez by her side, Morgan beat Vaquer to once again hold gold. She’s on top of the world!

After losing against Jey Uso last year, Gunther redeemed himself by putting on what could be the match of the weekend against Seth Rollins. A match randomly put together, Gunther and Rollins gave it their all. Rollins could have had the match won if it wasn’t for the returning Bron Breakker, who speared Rollins out of his shoes.

Gunther continues his momentum. Meanwhile, Rollins and Breakker can finally feud after both suffered injuries over the last few months.

Becky Lynch is once again Intercontinental Champion after pinning AJ Lee, competing in her first WrestleMania since 2015. Lynch cheated to win by using an exposed top turnbuckle. She also had to deal with another foe in referee Jessika Carr. What’s next for Lee?

The women’s tag team titles switched hands at WrestleMania. Nikki Bella couldn’t compete due to an injury. However, she had a suitable replacement to team with Brie in the returning Paige. Paige, who retired after WrestleMania 34, returned to action in AEW before coming back to WWE.

A rivalry was finally settled when Jacob Fatu beat Drew McIntyre in an unsanctioned match. The two threw everything but the kitchen sink. They could have used that. McIntyre continued his trend of posting on social media while on the job.

Fatu overcame McIntyre and may now be moving on to bigger things to progress his career.

While IShowSpeed lost his first WrestleMania and wrestling match, he still got a moment. The Usos and LA Knight beat Speed, Logan Paul, and Austin Theory. After Paul attempted to attack Speed, the faces helped him, and Speed put Paul through a table after a massive frog splash.

As far as celebrities competing at WrestleMania goes, Speed gets it.

The Sporting News provided results, analysis, and match grades for night one of WrestleMania 42.

WWE WrestleMania 42 Night 1 results, highlights

Welcome to The Sporting News’ live coverage of night one of WrestleMania 42.

5:55 p.m. ET: With five minutes to showtime, Allegiant Stadium looks packed. 

5:57 p.m. ET: The Las Vegas Mass Choir sings God Bless America. 

6 p.m. ET: WrestleMania 42 has begun!

6:05 p.m. ET: John Cena kicked things off. In a suit. I know we saw him on Total Divas wearing one many times, but seeing Cena wear a suit to the ring looks odd. Corporate Cena. «Long time fan, long time performer, first time host.» 

Cena admitted the road to WrestleMania was chaotic, vocal, and polarizing. «The time to talk is up, the time to deliver is now… Who will step up and deliver?» He welcomed everyone to WrestleMania. 

The HOST of #WrestleMania 42 @JohnCena! 👋#WrestleMania is streaming LIVE on the @espn App with the first hour streaming LIVE on ESPN2!

➡️ https://t.co/jKAIj8nxxt pic.twitter.com/qOJ1mTNk3x

— WWE (@WWE) April 18, 2026

The opening match will see Jey Uso, his brother Jimmy, and LA Knight vs. Logan Paul, Austin Theory, and IShowSpeed.

The Usos and LA Knight open WrestleMania by beating Logan Paul, Austin Theory and IShowSpeed

Looks like IShowSpeed stole Danhausen’s gear. Usos with superkicks to Paul and Theory. Knight and Speed started things off. Speed with a headlock but Knight carried him around like a baby. Speed tried a moonsault, but Knight toyed with him, hitting hard shots. 

Powerslam by Speed. Paul now in the match. He played the heel in peril. Theory now in the match to try and give his team some momentum. Paul continued to give his team the edge. Corkscrew moonsault by Jimmy. Spear from Jey to Theory. Superkicks all over the place. 

Speed with a headscissors. Speed sent Knight into Paul, his partner. Theory tried demanding Speed to do a move. BFT to Theory for the win as Speed watched. 

.@ishowspeedsui is SHOWING OUT at #WrestleMania! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Bf6kIFoCrp

— WWE (@WWE) April 18, 2026

Expected more from Speed and Paul in this match. Though Speed is probably one of the best «celebrities» to enter the ring. The faces won. 

Grade: C+ 

Paul attacked Speed after the match. He tried to do a move through the table, but the Usos landed the 1D on him. Knight woke up Speed. Speed then hit a HIGH frog splash to the outside to a down Paul, through the announce table. That would have given the match a better grade if it happened then. 

ISHOWSPLASH!!!! 🔝@ishowspeedsui pic.twitter.com/Wjh04T1PGJ

— WWE (@WWE) April 18, 2026

Jacob Fatu shines in Unsanctioned match against Drew McIntyre

Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre in an Unsanctioned match is next. WWE is not liable for any damage or injuries. Can either one use McIntyre’s sword? 

Fatu started by attacking McIntyre right away. He put him over the barricade and took out multiple tables. A toolbox was brought into play. McIntyre slammed Fatu head on the steel under the ring. McIntyre did the selfie phone bit and posted on social media. 

I love this game. pic.twitter.com/kqNqqEgHlz

— Drew (@DMcIntyreWWE) April 18, 2026

Fatu took over the match in the ring. Fatu honored Umaga. He failed to land a move on the ropes and McIntyre took over. McIntyre with a swanton off the top rope to the outside. He missed a Claymore and Fatu put him through a chair. He hit a moonsault for two.  

McIntyre with a wrench to the head of Fatu. McIntyre sent Fatu through two chairs. He was going to use a belt, but Fatu threw chairs at McIntyre. Fatu used the belt. Claymore to Fatu. They traded shots in the ring. Fatu set up a table. He tried to put McIntyre through it, but the latter hit him with a chair. McIntyre sent Fatu through a table on the outside. 

Fatu got back up and hit superkicks. He hit McIntyre with a toolbox and a moonsault through the table for the win. 

McIntyre vs. Fatu should have opened WrestleMania. What a great car crash. Fatu gets put over in a big way. 

Grade: A

Paige returns to WWE, wins tag team gold with Brie Bella

The women’s tag team championship match is next. Will Nikki be in the match after it was announced she was injured? Nia Jax and Lash Legend honored Demolition’s Ax And Smash. 

Nikki Bella is indeed injured. Replacing her in the match? The returning Paige! AJ Lee and Paige are on the same WrestleMania card again. Paige retired after WrestleMania 34. She was unable to compete at the show. She’s back and wrestling at WrestleMania 42 following a run with AEW. Great story.

PAIGE IS BACK!!!!! 💜

WHAT A WRESTLEMANIA MOMENT!! pic.twitter.com/3ey0qK3G4o

— WWE (@WWE) April 18, 2026

The match structure was a bit confusing, with only a select number of women allowed in the ring and the women only being allowed to tag your partner. Brie with Yes Kicks after Flair initially took over. Jax threw Brie out of the ring. Flair and Legend exchanged boots. Bayley with a flying elbow to Bliss. The crowd wanted Paige. 

Legend forced several women down to the mat. What a force. Paige got tagged in to a loud reaction. She took everyone down. «This is my house!» Paige Turner to Valkyria but only for two. Brie and Valkyria took Jax out of the ring. Lash Extension to Valkyria. 

Flair and Paige took down Legend and the former NXT stars reunited. They exchanged shots. She tried a Figure Eight. Natural Selection to Paige, but Nikki hit Charlotte with a crutch. Twisted Bliss blocked by Paige. Rampage to Bliss and Paige and Brie won. 

Two rEVOLUTIONary Women in WWE!! 🫡

Stream #WrestleMania LIVE RIGHT NOW on the @ESPN app!

➡️ https://t.co/jKAIj8nxxt pic.twitter.com/qzeWHw2seq

— WWE (@WWE) April 18, 2026

So the Bellas were going to win all along, huh? Great moment for a returning Paige. All the women gave it their all. 

Grade: B-

Right after Paige returned, AJ Lee returns to WrestleMania for the first time since 2015 to defend the Intercontinental Title against Becky Lynch. The Wonder Years’ lead singer is wearing a Cactus Jack shirt as the band played Lynch to the ring. 

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Torch Passed: Becky Lynch beats AJ Lee to become Intercontinental Champion once again

Jessika Carr was the referee, someone Lynch has had issues with. Lynch took over to start. Lee tried to land a move from the top rope to the outside, but Lynch caught her. Lynch with a leg drop off the top rope. Lynch took the pad off the top rope. Lee with a few rough shots to Lynch.

Lee took Lynch off her feet and landed a missile dropkick as the match slowed way down. Lee tried to go for the Shining Wizard but Lynch with a powerbomb. Lee tried going for the Black Widow, but Lynch slammed her head down and hit a Manhandle Slam for two. Lynch got into Carr’s face several times. Carr pushed Lynch after she got pushed. 

She tried attacking Carr but the latter ducked and Lee hit a Manhandle Slam of her own. Black Widow submission attempt by Lee. Lynch got to the ropes after holding onto Lee’s hair. The top turnbuckle fell and Lee got hit into it. Lynch with the Manhandle Slam for the win. 

OH MY GOD 😲@BeckyLynchWWE is the NEW Women’s Intercontinental Champion! pic.twitter.com/2x7OyBVkKy

— WWE (@WWE) April 18, 2026

Lee had ring rust which was obvious in this match. Still, she tried to give it her all. Lynch made the most of it. She’s once again Intercontinental Champion.

Grade: C+

A random match that is expected to steal the show is next, as Gunther faces Seth Rollins. 

Gunther puts Seth Rollins to sleep, Bron Breakker sends a message in return

Gunther dropkicked Rollins right away. He landed a powerbomb. Rollins with thumbs to the eyes. He attacked Gunther on the outside. They threw fan chairs at one another. Back in the ring, they exchanged shots. Gunther with hard chops. Big boots by both. Gunther with the sleeper attempt. 

Gunther chopped Rollins’ chest and tried tearing him down limb by limb. On the top rope, Rollins got down and landed a Buckle Bomb. He tried the Stomp, but Gunther landed a release German Suplex. Rollins landed one of his own and a clothesline. They exchanged shots on the floor.

Rollins encouraged the chops. He landed a few of his own. Gunther with a powerbomb. He hit a hard clothesline. Rollins tried for the Pedigree. He landed a hard knee. A Pedigree attempt was reversed into a bridge pin. Pedigree hit and then a Stomp, but only for two. 

Rollins tried the top rope Stomp. Sleeper by Gunther. Rollins with a discuss punch. And another. Gunther with a clothesline. He tried for a top rope splash, but Rollins hit a superplex and a Falcon Arrow. Rollins with a sleeper but Gunther got to the rope. 

Rollins with a dive on the outside. He landed another one. A third attempt and Gunther hit two powerbombs, one on the apron and the other on the announce table. Rollins hit a Pedigree on the announce table. Rollins with Stomp on the table. 

Bron Breakker with a massive spear to Rollins. Sleeper to Rollins. Gunther wins. 

BRON BREAKKER IS BACK!!!! @bronbreakkerwwe

WHAT A SPEAR!!! pic.twitter.com/xSMkp2FDB6

— WWE (@WWE) April 19, 2026

After the mess that was the Jey Uso loss, Gunther redeemed himself by beating Seth Rollins. What an incredible match. Even with Breakker interfering, it didn’t affect it. 

Grade: A+

After the match, Breakker speared Rollins again. «You should have put me down when you had the chance.»

The members of the 2026 Hall of Fame came out: Nick Hogan and Robin Roussimoff for Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant, the family of Bad News Brown, Dennis Rodman, Ax and Smash, the family of Sid Vicious, AJ Styles, and Stephanie McMahon. 

Stephanie Vaquer vs. Liv Morgan for the Women’s World Championship is next. These women have decimated one another for weeks. Morgan was in concussion protocol at one point. Can it lead to a good match?

Liv Morgan back on top, wins Women’s World Championship against Stephanie Vaquer

Liv Morgan has a new theme song. That and the music video-like performance is… something. Morgan still has a MASSIVE bump on her head. Ouch. 

Vaquer took down Morgan right away. They exchanged shots on the floor. It was not pretty to start, in a good way. Knees to the face of Morgan. Vaquer tried going up top, but Morgan landed a powerbomb instead. Three Amigos by Morgan. Big kick to Vaquer’s head. 

Morgan tried for a Frog Splash but Vaquer countered. She hit the Devil’s Kiss. Elevated knees to the jaw of Morgan. Backstabber by Morgan. She slapped Vaquer and tried for her own Devil’s Kiss. Codebreaker by Morgan. Oblivion by Vaquer. Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez distracted Vaquer, Oblivion by Morgan, but Vaquer kicked out.  

Vaquer took out Perez and Rodriguez. Morgan accidentally went into Rodriguez. Vaquer with a crossbody to Perez and Rodriguez. Morgan drove Vaquer through the steps. Codebreaker and Oblivion. New champ! 

Short match, but Morgan and Vaquer did plenty with the time given. Morgan goes from injured to Royal Rumble winner to world champion at WrestleMania. 

Grade: B+ 

John Cena announced that Night 1 of WrestleMania had over 50,816 people at Allegiant Stadium. 

Bianca Belair is back! Following a long injury, she returned at WrestleMania! She thanked the fans for supporting her. She talked about surprises. She’s in gear. Oh, she’s pregnant. 

THE EST IS HAVING A BABY 🙌 @BiancaBelairWWE pic.twitter.com/nXr8s5P7vF

— WWE (@WWE) April 19, 2026

Alright, the main event is up next. Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton for the Undisputed WWE Championship. A match with several years of stories that could be told, only for Pat McAfee to be inserted. Will he or Jelly Roll have an impact in the match? 

McAfee is here. Michael Cole has turned on him. Orton has arrived. Rhodes shows all the gear he’s worn and the gimmicks he’s had through the years. Stardust! All three entrances combined were longer than any match tonight. 

McAfee assaulted Rhodes with a microphone. Rhodes with a Cross Rhodes to McAfee. Jelly Roll has arrived. He put McAfee through the table. McAfee got rolled out on a stretcher. It took several minutes. Orton may have a back injury. 

ELBOW THROUGH THE TABLE 💪@JellyRoll615 takes out @PatMcAfeeShow!

Stream #WrestleMania LIVE RIGHT NOW on the @ESPN app!

➡️ https://t.co/jKAIj8nxxt pic.twitter.com/mdXA7P9qF0

— WWE (@WWE) April 19, 2026

Cody Rhodes retains against Randy Orton, Orton turns on Pat McAfee

The match is now on. Right hand by Orton missed, and Rhodes with a powerslam early on. Cody Cutter attempt turned into a backbreaker by Orton. Neckbreaker by Orton. Orton was selling the back. Half Boston Crab by Rhodes. 

Rhodes attacked the back. The match slowed down. Suplex by Rhodes as Orton’s back continued to hurt. Orton finally got an edge and hit a superplex off the top rope. Draping DDT by Orton. 

Rhodes tried attacking Orton out of the ring, but Orton hit a back body drop onto the announce table. Rhodes attempted to rally, but the fans booed. Orton was bleeding after being put through the ring post. Disaster Kick by Rhodes as we’re back to square one pre-McAfee: the crowd booing Rhodes. 

Rhodes with a draping DDT. He mocked Orton with the RKO attempt. Orton with a Cross Rhodes but only for two. WWE may be doing a double turn. RKO attempt by Orton but Rhodes hit one. Orton got put on the announce table by Rhodes, who is mad. 

RKO by Orton but Rhodes kicked out. They exchanged shots. Rhodes with an eye poke. RKO to referee Charles Robinson. Orton tried to go low but Rhodes did it instead. Cody Cutter turned into an RKO. McAfee, with a referee shirt, made the count, but only for two. RKO to McAfee by Orton, Cross Rhodes to Orton and Rhodes won!   

So after all that, Orton turned on McAfee? Yikes. There was no double turn in the match, at least traditionally. Before the match could get going, that ending happened. 

Grade: D+

Orton hit Rhodes with the title after. Orton with the punt to end the show, to cheers.

Where to watch WrestleMania 42 Night 1

• Live stream: ESPN 

Wrestling fans looking for the WrestleMania 42 Night 1​​​​​​​ live stream can watch the event on the ESPN app, which carries WrestleMania and every WWE Premium Live Event (PLE).

WrestleMania 42 Night 1 coverage starts at 6 p.m. ET on the ESPN App, including access through the official WWE streaming hub for fans with an ESPN Unlimited plan.

The new ESPN app also gives fans a way to watch ESPN without cable, with live access to the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, college sports, and ESPN studio shows like SportsCenter and First Take — all in one place, anytime and anywhere.

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WrestleMania 42 Night 1 results

• Cody Rhodes (c) def. Randy Orton for the Undisputed WWE Championship
• Liv Morgan def. Stephanie Vaquer (c) for the Women’s World Championship
• Gunther def. Seth Rollins
• Becky Lynch def. AJ Lee (c) for the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship
• Brie Bella and Paige def. The Irresistible Forces (Nia Jax and Lash Legend) (c), Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, and Bayley and Lyra Valkyria for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
• Jacob Fatu def. Drew McIntyre in an Unsanctioned match
• The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso) and LA Knight def. The Vision (Logan Paul and Austin Theory) and IShowSpeed