WWE WrestleMania 42 Results, Salary & Retirement News

The lights go down, the crowd roars, and another WrestleMania writes its history. For fans who followed the road to WrestleMania 42, the two-night event at Allegiant Stadium delivered surprises beyond the matches themselves—from a potential farewell to a legend to unanswered questions about paychecks and retirement plans. Here’s what we know for sure, and what remains unclear.

Event: WrestleMania 42 ·
Date: April 18–19, 2026 ·
Location: Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Nevada ·
Main Event: Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk (World Heavyweight Championship) ·
Notable Match: Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar

Five key facts paint the full WrestleMania 42 picture, one clear pattern: the event confirmed titles and results while deepening uncertainties about compensation and careers.

Which day is WrestleMania 2026?

WrestleMania 42 confirmed its two-night format: Saturday, April 18, and Sunday, April 19, 2026, at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada (CBS Sports). The 42nd annual event was officially confirmed earlier in the year.

Where will the next WrestleMania be in 2026?

The venue was Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders, marking Nevada’s first WrestleMania since WrestleMania IX at Caesars Palace in 1993.

Is WrestleMania 42 confirmed?

Yes. WWE officially announced WrestleMania 42 as part of its 2026 calendar, with tickets and travel packages released months in advance (CBS Sports).

Is Brock Lesnar richer than Roman Reigns?

Both Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns are among the highest-paid wrestlers in WWE, but the company does not disclose individual earnings. According to Lindy’s Sports (sports financial analysis site), both Lesnar and Reigns were listed at approximately $5 million in reported late-2023 earnings. Randy Orton ($4 million), Seth Rollins ($3.5 million), Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles ($3 million each), and Edge ($3 million) rounded out the list. Forbes has previously estimated Lesnar’s net worth at around $25 million, compared to Reigns’ estimated $20 million—but these figures come from brand endorsements and appearances, not salary disclosures.

Who is the lowest paid in WWE?

WWE does not publish a salary table, so pinpointing the lowest-paid performer is impossible from the outside. Lindy’s Sports reported a minimum main-roster weekly pay floor of $250,000 for Raw and SmackDown performers, citing Triple H in a 2022 Athletic interview. That baseline—if still accurate—means even entry-level main-roster talent earn six figures, though wrestlers on the NXT brand or part-time deals likely make less.

What is CM Punk’s salary?

CM Punk’s exact salary has never been confirmed. He returned to WWE at Survivor Series 2023, and multi-year contracts for top stars typically range from $3 million to $6 million annually, based on industry estimates.

Does Cody Rhodes still get paid by AEW?

Cody Rhodes left All Elite Wrestling in February 2022 and signed with WWE. He no longer receives payments from AEW. His current WWE contract, signed in 2022, places him in the top pay tier alongside Reigns and Rollins.

Do WWE refs pay for travel?

According to multiple industry reports, WWE referees are responsible for their own travel to and from events. This practice is common in professional wrestling, where officials are classified as independent contractors rather than full-time employees.

Is Rey Mysterio retiring in 2027?

Rey Mysterio has made no public announcement about retiring in 2027. The 51-year-old luchador continues to wrestle on a part-time schedule. His 2020 eye injury was a storyline angle, not a real medical emergency. In interviews, Mysterio has expressed a desire to wrestle “until the body says no,” with no fixed date.

Did Rey lose his eye?

No. The eye injury during a 2020 match with Seth Rollins was a storyline device. Mysterio has full vision in both eyes.

Is Roman Reigns retiring in 2028?

Roman Reigns has not announced any retirement plans. At 40, he holds the World Heavyweight Championship and remains WWE’s top draw. His contract runs through at least 2028, per industry speculation, but no official statement exists.

Who is retiring from WWE in 2026?

As of late April 2026, no WWE performer has officially confirmed a 2026 retirement. The strongest signal came from Brock Lesnar, who removed his gear after losing to Oba Femi at WrestleMania 42. CBS Sports reported that Lesnar “appeared to retire,” while Fox News noted the gesture “signaled retirement.” However, SPORTbible reported that WWE officials did not expect him to retire at the event, believing it might happen later in 2026. Triple H told ESPN that Lesnar’s gesture “seemed that way,” stopping short of confirmation.

Who is Roman Reigns’ biggest enemy?

Roman Reigns has feuded with Seth Rollins, Brock Lesnar, and CM Punk at different points in his career. At WrestleMania 42, his opponent was CM Punk, a rivalry that reignited in early 2026. The term “biggest enemy” is subjective: Rollins has a longer personal history with Reigns (The Shield breakup), Lesnar represents a classic monster versus champion dynamic, and Punk brings pre-WWE bad blood. For now, CM Punk is the man standing across the ring.

Timeline of WrestleMania 42

Two nights, two defining moments. The timeline below captures the key events.

The implication: Lesnar’s post-match gesture on Night 2 overshadowed even the championship main event, turning retirement speculation into the story of the weekend.

Clarity: What we know vs. what we don’t

Quotes from the weekend

“It seemed that way.”

— Triple H, WWE Chief Content Officer, on Brock Lesnar’s retirement gesture (ESPN via SPORTbible)

“People in WWE believed Lesnar was not retiring yet, but might retire later in 2026.”

— Dave Meltzer, wrestling journalist, cited by SPORTbible

For WWE fans and the locker room, the implications are clear: the next year will define the post-Lesnar era, or the Beast Incarnate returns for one more run. The salary debate continues without transparency, and retirement rumors will persist until official announcements replace ring gestures. The business of wrestling moves forward—but uncertainty is part of the show.

Frequently asked questions