WrestleMania 42 is just over a week away and we’re still learning details. Earlier this week, WWE released the lineup for Saturday and Sunday’s shows, with the first two matches of each night airing on ESPN. Now, WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select has reported which match will open each night.
Night One will see one of the celebrity involved matches at the start, with IShowSpeed teaming up with Logan Paul and Austin Theory to face The Usos and LA Knight. Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu will face off in an Unsanctioned Match afterward. Night Two is scheduled to kick off with Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar and will be followed by the ladder match for the Men’s Intercontinental Championship.
WrestleVotes reports that ESPN pushed for Lesnar to be included in the package of matches to be showcased on the traditional ESPN platform. WWE was reportedly happy to do so.
The remaining matches each night will air on ESPN’s streaming service. As of this writing, Night One has seven matches announced while Night Two has six matches. There is speculation that Asuka vs. IYO SKY will be added, which would put both nights at an even amount of matches.
Not to get all “Arrested Development” on you here, but how can this situation be described as anything other than “Carlos Silva has made a huge mistake”? And frankly, I’m having to tone down my language when I describe it like that. Whatever way you slice this, Silva, and by extension TNA, looks horrible. First, he’s depriving fans, shows, and promotions of major matches, including one promotion that is run by one of his own talents in Brian Myers (who booked MJF vs. Nemeth for Create-A-Pro Wrestling). Second, he’s potentially depriving his talent of an extra paycheck they could be earning, and on short notice. And third, he appears to be doing so because he’s having a fit over something that was out of AEW’s control. Oh, and if you want to add a fourth point to it, he’s doing so after one of his talents (Jody Threat) defeated one of AEW’s biggest stars (Mercedes Mone) on an indie show just last week. Hmm, I wonder why that one wasn’t a big deal.
And look, I know some are going to wonder whether that “Silva got mad at AEW for airing against him” story is a cover for WWE swooping in, giving TNA the old “your talent working with AEW talent doesn’t work for us, brother” and forcing them to make the move. I don’t believe that (the only way reasoning as dumb as “they aired against us, so I have to pull my talent!” gets out is if its true in my book), but it also doesn’t matter. What matters is that Silva is now the guy that took away important matches from fans and promotions for the silliest of reasons, and may have taken money out of his own talents’ pockets by doing so. In short, he’s added another reason for fans to go LOLTNA. I’d say he’d learn a lesson from this, but if wrestling has taught me anything, it’ll just lead to him doubling down even more in the future.
WWE is reportedly reworking some plans, not an uncommon thing on this “Road to WrestleMania,” after a “WWE SmackDown” segment was not well-received by both fans online, and reportedly some in the back.
According to WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, the company has reworked some plans following the “SmackDown” segment where ESPN talent and former WWE commentator Pat McAfee was revealed to be Randy Orton’s mystery ally. During the reveal, McAfee low-blowed Orton’s WrestleMania opponent, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, and cut a promo about how the business “sucks” and Orton is here to save it.
WrestleVotes reported that additional outside involvement was planned, which was speculated to be country music artist Jelly Roll. Jelly Roll has appeared on multiple episodes of “SmackDown” leading into WrestleMania, and even scored a recent singles victory over Kit Wilson. The outlet reported it was said WWE “went back to the drawing board” to discuss any possibilities regarding the story on the blue brand.
Sources indicated to WrestleVotes that CM Punk’s comments during his scathing promo to open “WWE Raw” on Monday were “an indicator of the shift and the plans becoming fluid throughout the week, as his comments were not a part of the plan as of the Friday of the Pat McAfee reveal.”
Rhodes cut his own heated promo later in the night on Friday, one that was not initially on the rundown for the show. The “American Nightmare” tore into not just Orton and McAfee, but, like Punk, WWE’s parent company, TKO. It was believed backstage that Rhodes’ comments reflected his real thoughts on TKO CEO Ari Emanuel inserting McAfee into the storyline.
Jim Ross has weighed in on the ongoing debate surrounding WrestleMania, making it clear that he still favors the traditional one-night format over the current two-night structure.
Speaking on Grilling JR, Ross was asked directly whether he prefers WrestleMania to take place over one night or two. His response left no room for doubt.
“One. One night.”
Ross explained that, in his view, WrestleMania feels more impactful when everything is packed into a single, stacked card rather than spread across two evenings. While he acknowledged the reasoning behind WWE’s decision to expand the event, his personal preference remains unchanged.
“I think you load your wagon. One night, to me, works. But I’m not anti a two-night show—I get it. But I’m a bigger fan of loading the wagon and having one huge, magnificent night of sports entertainment and athleticism and so forth. So we’re going to see where it takes us. I love destinations, especially when I don’t know what the destination is. That’s one of the charms of pro wrestling—surprises.”
Ross also questioned whether the current two-night setup generates equal interest across both shows. He pointed to a perceived drop-off in conversation, particularly when it comes to the second night.
“WrestleMania—I might be wrong, Conrad, and you tell me—you’re a huge fan and you’re a much smarter guy than me—but it seems to me like the formula has changed. I don’t hear much about the second night of WrestleMania on social media and so forth.”
In closing, Ross reiterated his stance, emphasizing that he remains more enthusiastic about the one-night concept despite understanding WWE’s direction.
“So, you know, time will tell, as the old cliché goes. But I’m a lot more positive about a one-night WrestleMania than I am a two-night WrestleMania.”
WWE has presented WrestleMania as a two-night event in recent years, a shift designed to expand the card and maximize audience engagement across an entire weekend. However, Ross’ comments highlight that the debate is far from settled, with some still believing that condensing the show into one night would restore its feel as a singular, must-see spectacle.
Jim Ross Prefers One-Night WrestleMania Over Two-Night Format
Steve Maclin has provided a positive update following the frightening incident that halted his match at TNA Sacrifice, confirming that he has already returned to in-ring training.
In a message shared on April 8, 2026, Maclin revealed that he stepped back into the ring just two weeks after the match was stopped, signaling a strong recovery. Reflecting on the moment, he did not downplay how serious it felt at the time.
“TNA Sacrifice was one of the scariest moments of my career.”
Maclin explained that his immediate instinct was to continue competing despite the danger, pointing to his mindset and background as key factors in that reaction.
“My first instinct was to keep going, push through, and finish the match. Because that’s just who I am, how Marines are hardwired. But it only took one voice to protect me from myself. Ace looked at me, calm as ever, and said, ‘You’re done.’”
According to Maclin, that voice belonged to Ace Steel, who made the call to stop the match. Maclin made it clear that he trusted that decision immediately, recognizing the importance of having someone step in during a dangerous situation.
“No hesitation. No debate. I said ‘yes sir.’ Sometimes you need that coach, that dad voice, someone you have the upmost respect for, to make the call you won’t make yourself.”
The most notable takeaway from Maclin’s update is that he has already resumed training under supervision. He confirmed that his first session back in the ring came with Ace Steel overseeing the process, ensuring a controlled return.
“I got back in the ring today for the first time in 2 weeks under Ace’s supervision. I can’t thank you enough. You might have dropped me but you CAN’T F**** KILL ME.”*
The injury scare occurred during Maclin’s TNA World Title match against Mike Santana, which was stopped following a hard superkick. Early concern surrounded his condition, though subsequent reports indicated he had avoided a concussion.
Now, just two weeks removed from the incident, Maclin’s return to the ring shifts the focus toward his recovery and eventual in-ring comeback. His latest comments reflect the same determination that nearly kept him going during the match, but also highlight the importance of having experienced voices like Ace Steel step in when necessary.
Steve Maclin Returns to the Ring Two Weeks After TNA Sacrifice Scare
