The first night of WrestleMania 42 delivered an unforgettable spectacle on Saturday, April 18, 2026, as a record crowd of over 50,000 fans packed Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The “Grandest Stage of Them All” saw championship gold change hands, the shocking return of a beloved icon, and a main event that redefined the rivalry between a mentor and his student. From Cody Rhodes proving his resilience to Gunther asserting his absolute dominance, Night 1 set an incredibly high bar for the weekend.
WrestleMania 42 Night 1: Full Match Results And Winners
| Match | Winner | Key Moment / Outcome |
| Undisputed WWE Championship | Cody Rhodes (c) | Defeated Randy Orton via triple Cross Rhodes. |
| Singles Match | Gunther | Defeated Seth Rollins via Sleeper Hold following a Bron Breakker spear. |
| Women’s World Championship | Liv Morgan | Defeated Stephanie Vaquer (c) to win the title. |
| Women’s IC Championship | Becky Lynch | Defeated AJ Lee (c) to win the title. |
| Women’s Tag Team Fatal 4-Way | Paige & Brie Bella | Paige made a shock return to pin Alexa Bliss for the gold. |
| Unsanctioned Match | Jacob Fatu | Defeated Drew McIntyre via a Moonsault through a table. |
| Six-Man Tag Team Match | LA Knight & The Usos | Defeated Logan Paul, Austin Theory & IShowSpeed. |
WrestleMania 42 Night 1: Cody Rhodes Retains After Emotional War With Randy Orton
In a main event that many are calling a psychological masterpiece, Cody Rhodes successfully defended his Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton. The match was a slow burn of veteran tactics versus pure heart, with Orton nearly securing the win after a mid-air RKO that left the stadium breathless.
WrestleMania 42 Night 1: Gunther Silences The Visionary Amid Bron Breakker Chaos
The encounter between Gunther and Seth Rollins lived up to its billing as a “technical war,” but it will be remembered for its controversial finish. Rollins seemed to have the momentum after landing a Pedigree and a Stomp, but the referee was momentarily distracted by a commotion at ringside.
WrestleMania 42 Night 1: Paige Returns To Shock Las Vegas And Capture Tag Gold
The biggest surprise of the night occurred during the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Fatal 4-Way. Originally scheduled to team with Brie Bella, Nikki Bella appeared on crutches due to an ankle injury. In a moment that blew the roof off Allegiant Stadium, she introduced her replacement: the returning Paige (Saraya).
