WrestleMania Night 1 ended with Cody Rhodes defending the WWE Undisputed Championship against Randy Orton. And of course, this got out of control before the match even began.
Cody Rhodes was attacked during the match announcements when Pat McAfee hit him in the head with the microphone. Orton then pounced on the attack. But, Cody fought back. Cody then beat Pat McAfee up and took him to the outside. Jelly Roll then showed up from the crowd, and put Pat through the announcers table.
After Pat was taken out on a stretcher, the bell rang and the match actually began. Randy Orton was busted open early on, and then things just kept getting crazier. Both men traded each others finishers, Orton then RKO’d the referee, and Pat McAfee made his way back down with a referee shirt on and a neck brace.
When Randy couldn’t get the match done, he RKO’d Pat, but then walked right into a cross-Rhodes and Cody Rhodes picks up the win. After the match, Randy Orton hit Cody with the WWE Championship, and then punted him. Orton stood tall over Cody to end the show.
Bianca Belair has been out with a finger injury that occurred following WrestleMania last year. Now, the EST of WWE will be out a little longer, but it isn’t due to injury.
Bianca Belair made a surprise return at WrestleMania 42 night 1 and announced that we couldn’t have WrestleMania without the EST! But, she didn’t come alone. Bianca Belair took her jacket off and revealed that she’s pregnant! John Cena, who was also in the ring to announce the attendance, embraced her and gave her congratulations.
The co-main event of WrestleMania 42 night 1 saw Stephanie Vaquer defend her WWE Women’s World Championship against Royal Rumble winner, Liv Morgan.
The match got off to a fast start when the champ took the challenger down and started raining punches on her immediately. Stephanie was getting all of her stuff in early, including the Devil’s Kiss, which the crowd loved.
WrestleMania 42 night one saw a last-minute match between Seth Rollins and Gunther. While this match wasn’t literally last minute, it was only made two weeks ago when Gunther attacked Seth Rollins on RAW after Rollins was tormenting Paul Heyman.
Last week, Gunther explained that he’s tired of Seth Rollins thinking he’s the best and knows Seth can’t even lace his boots. Now, we found out.
Gunther wasted little time as he drop kicked Seth into the corner before the match even began. Gunther then started bringing the fight to Rollins on the outside and it turned into an all out brawl between both men. Seth was throwing chairs at Gunther and the referee had to break it up. They got back into the ring, and finally, the bell rang.
These two beat the hell out of each other. From buckle-bombs, to chops and everything in between. But in the end, everything turned into chaos when Rollins hit a pedigree to Gunther on the announcers table. While the referee was checking on Gunther, Bron Breakker ran down and speared Seth!
This allowed Gunther to lock in a a choke and make Seth Rollins pass out. After the match, Bron went up the ramp, only to run back down and spear Seth again.
On night 1 of WrestleMania 42, Lash Legend and Nia Jax defended their Women’s Tag Team Championships against Charlotte & Alexa Bliss, Lyra Valkyria & Bayley and The Bellas.
But, after being injured two weeks ago, Nikki Bella revealed that she is injured and cannot compete. therefore Paige returned to WWE and took her place in the match.
The match didn’t get a lot of time, but the women had nonstop action the entire time the match was going. Lash legend had a fun spot where she power bomb two competitors off the top rope.
But, in the end, Nikki Bella attacked Charlotte and hit her with her crutch, causing a distraction to Alexa Bliss and allowing Paige to pick up the win for her team. Paige and Brie Bella are now the Women’s Tag Team Champions.
WrestleMania 42 is full of surprises and it all started with Paige. The former WWE Divas Champion and NXT Women’s Champion is back with the company after a hiatus with AEW last year.
At WrestleMania 42 Night 1, Lash Legend and Nia Jax defended their WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles against Charlotte and Alexa Bliss, Bayley and Lyra Valkyria, & The Bella’s. But, Nikki Bella, who hurt her foot two weeks ago, was unable to compete. She needed a new partner, and as a surprise, that partner was a returning Paige.
Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu finally got to collide in an Unsanctioned Match at Wrestlemania 42 night one. And it took no time to kick the match off.
Fatu dove on McIntyre before he was even able to get into the ring, and from there, the chaos started. Weapons were introduced fast, and things got violent.
A table, a toolbox, a cellphone and even the referee’s belt were introduced into the match, along with a plethora of other weapons. These two kicked out of everything their opponent had to offer.
Logan Paul and Speed are no longer friends after the opening of WrestleMania 42 night one. They went into Saturday’s six-man tag team match as partners, alongside Austin Theory, to battle The Usos and LA Knight, but, they ended as enemies.
LA Knight and The Usos defeated iShowSpeed, Logan Paul and Austin Theory in the opening match and after it was over, Logan blamed Speed for the loss. He then punched him in the face and dropped him in the ring!
Logan Paul then tried to put Speed through the announcers table at ringside, but The Usos and LA Knight made the save. The Usos then encouraged to iShowSpeed to put Logan through the table, and that he did!
WrestleMania 42 night one kicked off with LA Knight, Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso versus The Vision, Logan Paul, Austin Theory and iShowSpeed.
Though Speed is the least experienced in this match, he started against LA Knight. He showed off his physical abilities early until he got clothes-lined, by LA Knight. He then quickly tagged out, of course.
Speed had a solid showing in this match, but it was surprisingly short. In the end, LA Knight pushed Theory into Speed, which knocked him down. Then, LA hit the BFT on Theory for the win.
After the match, Logan Paul was furious with Speed and dropped him with a punch. Logan then tried to put him through the announcers table, but the Uso’s save Speed and then iShowSpeed put Logan through the announcers table with a big splash!
A decision to deny credentialed media access to a major event can have ripple effects far beyond a single newsroom. That concern came into focus today when longtime combat sports journalist Andreas Hale took to social media to announce that he had been blocked from covering WrestleMania 42, despite the established relationship with WWE and its premium live event distribution partner ESPN.
WWE Blocks ESPN Reporter
Andreas Hale via X.Com
“I will not be covering WrestleMania 42 for ESPN,” Hale wrote via X. “WWE denied my credentials and blocked my access. Neither I nor ESPN has been told why. You can speculate on the reasons, but if you want answers, ask WWE. Let me know what they tell you.”
For large companies, restricting access to journalists or media outlets can undermine credibility at a time when public trust is already fragile. Access to events like WrestleMania is not simply about coverage. It is about accountability. Journalists serve as a bridge between organizations and the public, offering context, critique, and analysis. When access is selectively limited, it raises questions about whether companies are attempting to control narratives rather than engage with them.
The reported decision is particularly notable given the complicated history between WWE and ESPN. While the two entities have collaborated in various capacities, the relationship has not been without friction. In January, their business dealings were scrutinized through a class-action lawsuit alleging deceptive marketing practices tied to premium live event distribution. Though details of that case continue to develop, it has already cast a shadow over what might otherwise be seen as a standard media partnership.
Further tension has reportedly surfaced in editorial influence. ESPN was said to have adjusted aspects of its coverage, including the removal of its letter-grade review system for shows, following pressure from WWE. If accurate, such changes blur the line between editorial independence and corporate influence, a distinction that is critical in maintaining journalistic integrity.
Blocking access to a journalist like Hale amplify concerns for integrity. Established reporters bring knowledge, trust, and a track record of fair coverage. Denying them entry does not eliminate scrutiny, it often intensifies it, shifting the conversation from the event itself to questions about transparency and control.
Final Thoughts
Moments like this go beyond one reporter or one event. They show how companies handle scrutiny when it matters most. If transparency only exists when it’s convenient, trust will erode.
