We have some huge updates on WrestleMania 42, including backlash to Pat McAfee’s return on SmackDown and news on at least two more matches that are set to be added to the card in the coming weeks.
We’re less than two weeks away from WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, and you’ll find some huge updates about the Show of Shows in our latest WWE rumor roundup.
Unsurprisingly, there’s a lot of unhappiness surrounding Pat McAfee’s return last week. As for John Cena’s hosting gig, it seems that stems from a clear lack of interest in this year’s Showcase of the Immortals from fans.
We also have an update on why Chris Jericho decided to sign a new AEW contract, but for the most part, the spotlight is on WrestleMania (including the matches still expected to be added to the card, a change to the Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match, and more).
Check out these new WWE rumors below…but be warned that some potential spoilers follow!
- Cody Rhodes’ heated promo during Friday’s SmackDown wasn’t planned and, according to BodySlam.net, was in response to the negative online reaction to Pat McAfee’s alliance with Randy Orton. The American Nightmare was supposedly told by “members of creative” to go “shoot from the hip.” This is said to be a result of Rhodes and WWE officials being unhappy about TKO once again getting involved with WrestleMania storylines so close to the Show of Shows.
- Fightful Select has learned that McAfee’s return was down to TKO wanting to boost interest in the PLE, though there was also an element of “corporate synergy” due to WWE’s streaming deal with ESPN. “Several” people weren’t in favour of McAfee tearing into the WWE product the way he did, leading to a mixed reaction backstage.
- Chris Jericho returned to AEW last week, and Fightful Select has learned that he has indeed signed a new deal with the company. Ultimately, while he did talk with WWE, AEW offered more money and “a more favourable deal.”
- @WrestleVotes has revealed that there were no plans for John Cena to host WrestleMania 42 when he retired from WWE in December. Instead, the company came up with the idea in February, and the 17-time WWE Champion agreed to return for the Showcase of the Immortals. Around the same time, he signed a new long-term deal that won’t involve wrestling.
- Wrestling Observer Live‘s Bryan Alvarez reports that the Leader of the Cenation was “never supposed to be back this early,” and his WrestleMania hosting gig is a “panic move” caused by slow WrestleMania ticket sales.
- WWE is considering adding more “established names” from SmackDown and AAA to Penta’s Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match at WrestleMania, reveals @WrestleVotes.
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter has learned that the card will feature a total of 14 matches, with 7 matches held on each night.
- 12 bouts have been made official, but Logan Paul, Austin Theory, and IShowSpeed vs. The Usos and LA Knight and Asuka vs. Iyo Sky are likely to be added to the card imminently.