Earlier this week, former WWE star John Cena announced that he will be the host of WrestleMania 42 this month in Las Vegas, Nevada, but according to a new report, the 17-time World Champion was not originally planned to serve as the master of ceremonies for the two-night event.

On Thursday, Wrestlevotes Radio on Fightful Select reported that Cena hosting this year’s WrestleMania was not an idea that was discussed as early as his retirement match at Saturday Night’s Main Event against GUNTHER in December. Cena apparently was asked to be present at WrestleMania this past February and agreed to taking on hosting duties for the weekend. Additionally, several reports have indicated that the move to have Cena host WrestleMania was in light of the lower-than-expected ticket sales for this year’s event, with WWE hoping that the “Never Seen 17’s” inclusion will fill more seats. On Monday, 39,866 tickets have been sold for night one, and 41,330 tickets have been sold for night two, which is 13.3 percent lower than last year’s show.

Throughout his farewell tour, Cena claimed that he would be open to taking on non-wrestling related opportunities within WWE, and just four months ago, he signed a five-year deal to be an ambassador for the company. Cena explained last December he begged WWE to allow him to be an employee in some capacity for as long as possible, but stated that he’s committed to not getting involved physically on-screen and breaking his promise to permanently retire.

We’re under three weeks away from WrestleMania 42. On Monday, a host for the two-night event along with four matches were announced. Two of the matches are title matches and Seth Rollins finally got a match against a surprising opponent: GUNTHER.

During “Raw”, Rollins continued his feud with Paul Heyman by attacking him with a chair and landing a Curb Stomp. He was suddenly dragged out of the ring by GUNTHER and subsequently attacked. He is a surprising choice to feud with Rollins with only two more episodes of “Raw” to build it, especially since the logical opponent is Bron Breakker.

Breakker was reportedly rehabbing at the WWE Performance Center last week in an attempt to get cleared. When GUNTHER attacked Rollins instead, it appeared that meant Breakker has not been cleared. On Wrestling Observer Live, Dave Meltzer provided some clarity on the situation. “Bron Breakker has already been cleared.” WWE feels that Breakker vs. Rollins is such a big program, they decided to wait. “The decision on GUNTHER being added to the match actually took place several weeks ago.” It was made after Bronson Reed’s injury because “one of The Vision guys was going to face Seth.” Meltzer is unsure when the program from Breakker and Rollins will be, but it could potentially be at SummerSlam.

Last October, The Vision turned on Rollins and kicked him out of the group. Rollins was dealing with a legitimate shoulder injury and returned at the Elimination Chamber PLE where he revealed himself as the masked man that had been frequently interrupting matches.

Though she doesn’t name names, Grant alleges that while in the talent relations department, McMahon would have her sexually engage with WWE talents that were visiting WWE Headquarters. Grant describes a July 2021 incident where Blum escorted her to McMahon’s executive office, where he proceeded to offer Grant sexually to a WWE talent; she would instead escort the talent from the building before “any harm could happen.” Towards the end of the filing, Grant claims she was sexually engaged with another male talent other than Lesnar, which had been orchestrated and monitored by McMahon months earlier, as he had done with Grant’s relationship with Lesnar.

Grant also provided more graphic detail regarding her encounters with McMahon, alleging he violently beat her in order to prepare her for a sexual encounter with Lesnar, along with several rape/sexual assault encounters with McMahon and Laurinaitis that caused her to black out. In one of their last encounters in February 2022, after she had signed the NDA, McMahon allegedly sexually assaulted Grant again, despite her constantly saying no. Just days later, Grant says McMahon sent her flowers, and revealed he scripted a segment for the Valentines Day episode of “Raw” which featured a wrestler he encouraged Grant to have sex with, and suggested she “text him to congratulate him.”

Throughout the whole ordeal, Grant claims she suffered major physical and mental health issues, attempted to quit several times, only for McMahon to block it, made a suicide attempt in March 2021 during her transfer from legal to talent relations, and had further suicidal thoughts when she claims McMahon coerced her into signing her NDA. When Grant attempted to discuss this with McMahon, she claims he was dismissive, or ignored her statements.

If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN’s National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).