Cody Rhodes thinks WrestleMania 42 might deliver something special inside the ring — and he’s not being shy about it.
While speaking to Complex Graps on March 11, 2026, the Undisputed WWE Champion explained why he believes the upcoming WrestleMania could end up standing out compared to many previous editions of the event. Rhodes first reflected on a comment he made weeks ago when he referred to the show as a “sleeper Mania.” He admitted the phrase didn’t come across the way he intended.
“I said something that I don’t love how it came out; what I said was we’re sitting on a ‘sleeper Mania’. I said this like a month ago.”
He explained that milestone WrestleManias often come with a built-in sense of destiny because of the number attached to them, which naturally raises expectations: “What I meant is, a 10 year Mania like 40, you always feel the sense of ‘destiny’, there’s something about that 10 year moment.”
Rhodes then pointed to the major matches that are already taking shape for WrestleMania 42, including the announced main events involving CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns and his own title defense against Randy Orton. According to Rhodes, several other bouts are also starting to come together, which he believes will help make the show strong from start to finish.
“This year, the matches, we had our main event with CM Punk and Roman Reigns, and now we just got to myself vs. Randy Orton as the other main event at WrestleMania. The other matches that are coming together; Stephanie and Liv, what it clearly looks like Jacob might be doing, you mentioned earlier Sami, I think you’re looking at a bell to bell Mania, the best it’s been.”
Rhodes made it clear that the in-ring action could be the real standout this year. At the same time, he made it clear that the spectacle fans expect from WrestleMania will still be there.
“Bell to bell. Wrestling. The type of stuff I grew up on, wrestling, bell to bell. The people who come for the grandeur, the spectacle that is WrestleMania, that’s all there too.”
Rhodes also hinted that WWE may have some interesting guest appearances planned for the event. By the end of the conversation, Rhodes made a bold prediction about how the show could be remembered once it’s over.
“I think I saw some names on a sheet of potential guests that’s really, really exciting for a WrestleMania. But bell to bell, I think they’re gonna get one of the better Manias, if not the best Mania of all time.”
With WrestleMania 42 set for Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and major matches already taking shape, Rhodes clearly believes this year’s event could end up delivering something memorable inside the ring. If the card comes together the way he’s describing, WrestleMania might not just rely on spectacle this year — it could end up being remembered for the wrestling itself.
Do you think WrestleMania 42 can really become the best bell-to-bell WrestleMania ever, or is Cody Rhodes setting the bar a little too high? Let us know your thoughts and leave your feedback below.
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