Cody Rhodes Retains Undisputed WWE Title as WrestleMania 42 Night 1 Delivers Shocking Twists

Liv Morgan Claims Women's World Championship in Chaotic Title Change on WrestleMania 42 Night 1

Main Event Drama Unfolds

Cody Rhodes held on to the Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton in a turbulent main event that defined WrestleMania 42 Night 1 at Allegiant Stadium. The clash featured interference, betrayals, and a post-match assault that left fans stunned and signalled the rivalry remains far from settled.

The American Nightmare entered the ring accompanied by musician Jelly Roll, while Orton had broadcaster Pat McAfee in his corner. Early chaos erupted as Rhodes and Jelly Roll neutralised McAfee outside the ring. Rhodes dominated large portions of the 22-minute contest with precise offence, but Orton’s veteran cunning kept the outcome in doubt.

In a bizarre twist, McAfee reappeared wearing a referee shirt. Orton quickly turned on his own ally with an RKO, creating the opening Rhodes needed. The champion capitalised with a Cross Rhodes to secure the pinfall and retain his title. Yet the drama escalated moments later when Orton launched a vicious post-match attack, culminating in his signature punt kick to Rhodes’ head. Sources close to the event indicated this brutal finish has intensified calls for a potential rematch.

Women's Title Changes Hands

Liv Morgan dethroned Stephanie Vaquer to become the new Women’s World Champion in one of the night’s most talked-about moments. The match quickly turned into a numbers game as Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez interfered, isolating Vaquer in a three-on-one disadvantage.

Morgan seized the opportunity amid the confusion, pinning Vaquer after just under seven minutes. Post-match celebrations saw Morgan joined by Dominik Mysterio, with Judgment Day members joining in as fireworks lit up the stadium. The victory marked a significant shift in the women’s division and boosted Morgan’s momentum heading into Night 2.

Gunther Overcomes Rollins with Surprise Return

Gunther secured a hard-fought victory over Seth Rollins after Bron Breakker made a shocking return from injury. Rollins appeared on the verge of victory when Breakker stormed the ring and unleashed repeated attacks. The interference allowed Gunther to apply a sleeper hold and claim the win in a 15-minute-plus encounter that showcased raw power and resilience.

Becky Lynch Makes History

Becky Lynch defeated AJ Lee to capture the Women’s Intercontinental Championship for the third time in her career. The bout highlighted Lynch’s experience and determination against a formidable opponent. Fans praised the technical display that reaffirmed Lynch’s status as one of the division’s top performers.

Tag Team Gold Shifts Amid Returns

In the Women’s Tag Team Championship fatal four-way, Paige made a surprise return to WWE. Teaming with Brie Bella after Nikki Bella was ruled out medically, the duo triumphed in a thrilling multi-team contest to claim the titles. The match featured high-flying spots and intense teamwork across competing alliances.

Fatu Prevails in Brutal Unsanctioned Clash

Jacob Fatu emerged victorious over Drew McIntyre in a no-holds-barred unsanctioned match that lived up to its violent billing. Tables, ladders, chairs, and belts came into play as both superstars pushed physical limits. Fatu survived the onslaught to earn a decisive win that highlighted his rising star power.

Opening Match Sets Energetic Tone

The night kicked off with high energy as The Usos and LA Knight defeated The Vision (featuring Logan Paul and Austin Theory) alongside IShowSpeed in a six-man tag team bout. Post-match tensions flared when Logan Paul turned on IShowSpeed, only for The Usos to intervene. IShowSpeed capped the segment with an impressive top-rope splash, delighting the capacity crowd of over 58,000.

Background and Build-Up

WrestleMania 42, held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, marked the third time the city has hosted the event. Night 1 on April 18 delivered on the promise of spectacle, blending established rivalries with surprise returns and title implications. The card reflected WWE’s strategy of mixing legacy stars with emerging talents across both Raw and SmackDown brands.

Officials described the production as smooth despite the unpredictable in-ring developments. Attendance figures underscored the continued global draw of WrestleMania, with fans travelling from across India and worldwide to witness the action live or via streaming on major platforms.

Impact on WWE Landscape

The results from Night 1 have sent ripples through the roster. Cody Rhodes’ retention, coupled with Orton’s aggressive aftermath, suggests the championship picture could dominate upcoming programming. Morgan’s title win strengthens Judgment Day’s influence, while Paige’s return injects fresh energy into the tag division.

Analysts noted that multiple title changes and interferences have heightened storylines, keeping viewers engaged for Night 2. The event also boosted visibility for crossover elements, including celebrity involvement and streamer appearances, broadening WWE’s appeal.

What Lies Ahead

With Night 2 scheduled for Sunday, April 19, attention now shifts to remaining marquee matches, including CM Punk defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Roman Reigns. WWE executives hinted at further surprises as the weekend concludes.

Fans and pundits alike expect the fallout from Night 1 to shape Raw and SmackDown episodes in the coming weeks. Whether Rhodes and Orton clash again or new challengers emerge remains a key talking point in this latest chapter of WWE’s flagship event.

The road to WrestleMania 42 officially kicked off with an emotional and historic night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The WWE Royal Rumble 2026 provided fans with a rollercoaster of emotions, ranging from the triumphant return of "The Tribal Chief" to the heartbreaking end of a legendary career.

With two high-stakes Rumble matches and an intense battle for the Undisputed WWE Championship, the landscape of the company has been permanently altered heading into the spring.

The End of an Era: AJ Styles Retires

In what was undoubtedly the most emotional moment of the night, "The Phenomenal One" AJ Styles was forced into retirement after a grueling 24-minute "Career vs. Career" match against Gunther. Known as the "Career Killer," Gunther added Styles to his list of legendary conquests, which already includes names like John Cena and Goldberg.

The match was a technical masterclass, featuring:

• Intense Physicality: Both men were bloodied, with Styles suffering a laceration on his forearm early on.

• The Final Move: After Styles failed to put the Ring General away with a Phenomenal Forearm, Gunther locked in a devastating sleeper hold.

• The Verdict: Styles passed out in the hold, leading the referee to call for the bell.

While Styles notably did not leave his gloves in the ring—a traditional sign of retirement—WWE officials have confirmed that the "Career" stipulation is being upheld. After ten years in the company, the man who debuted at the 2016 Royal Rumble has seen his journey come full circle.

Roman Reigns Dominates the Men’s Royal Rumble

In the main event, Roman Reigns outlasted 29 other superstars to win his second career Royal Rumble match. Entering at number 26, Reigns displayed the poise of a seasoned champion, eventually eliminating Gunther to secure his spot in the main event of WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas.

The match featured several breakout moments:

• Oba Femi’s Dominance: The NXT standout entered at number one and racked up five eliminations.

• Shocking Returns: Brock Lesnar made a surprise appearance, sending the Riyadh crowd into a frenzy before being eliminated.

• The Outcome: Reigns is now expected to challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship, likely setting up a collision course with current champion CM Punk.

Liv Morgan’s "Miracle" Win

The Women’s Royal Rumble match was a showcase of endurance and storytelling, lasting over an hour. Liv Morgan emerged victorious after entering at number 14, proving she is no longer "the bridesmaid" of the division.

In a chaotic final sequence, Morgan eliminated Tiffany Stratton and the high-flying Sol Ruca to punch her ticket to WrestleMania. With this victory, Morgan has the choice to challenge either Rhea Ripley or Charlotte Flair, sparking intense speculation among fans about which path she will take to achieve "immortality" in Las Vegas.

McIntyre Retains Amidst Controversy

Earlier in the night, Drew McIntyre successfully defended his Undisputed WWE Championship against Sami Zayn. Despite Zayn being the overwhelming crowd favorite in Riyadh, McIntyre utilized his brutal power game, including a powerbomb through a table and back-to-back Claymores, to retain his title.

The win cements McIntyre’s status as the "King of the Heels," though the "Underdog" Sami Zayn left the ring to a standing ovation, with many wondering if his journey to the top is truly over.

What’s Next for the WWE Universe?

The WWE Royal Rumble 2026 has set the stage for a massive WrestleMania season. With AJ Styles moving into a likely coaching or producer role and new challengers rising, the momentum is higher than ever.