As WrestleMania 42 gets closer, the rumours around Brock Lesnar’s opponent are only getting stronger. For weeks, many fans believed that Oba Femi was the clear choice to face The Beast at WWE’s biggest event of the year. But now, a new name has entered the discussion — LA Knight.
With creative plans reportedly changing and ticket sales becoming a talking point, WWE could still make a big decision in the coming weeks. Let’s break down what is happening and why LA Knight may now be the front-runner.
Oba Femi vs Brock Lesnar: The Original Plan?
After the Royal Rumble, most fans were talking about one moment — the face-off between Brock Lesnar and Oba Femi. During the Men’s Royal Rumble match, Femi impressed everyone with his strong performance. However, he was later clotheslined over the top rope by Lesnar.
That moment got a huge reaction from the crowd. Many fans believed it was the beginning of a WrestleMania storyline.
Reports from wrestling outlets like BodySlam and the Wrestling Observer suggested that Lesnar vs Femi had been discussed internally by WWE’s creative team. The idea made sense:
- Oba Femi is a rising star and former NXT Champion
- Lesnar is known for facing powerful, athletic opponents
- The Royal Rumble moment felt like a clear setup
It looked like WWE was ready to build a massive “Ruler vs Beast” showdown on the grand stage.
LA Knight Emerges as the New Front-Runner
However, according to Dave Meltzer, things may not be that simple anymore. He reported that in late January, internal plans listed Brock Lesnar vs LA Knight for WrestleMania 42.
Interestingly, while the Lesnar-Femi moment got a huge crowd reaction at the Royal Rumble, there was no strong follow-up tease between Lesnar and Knight during the match. Still, LA Knight’s involvement in eliminating Lesnar could play a key role in the story.
Here’s what happened at the Royal Rumble:
- LA Knight and Cody Rhodes eliminated Brock Lesnar
- Lesnar was thrown out in the middle of Jey Uso’s entrance
- The elimination looked sudden and disrespectful
That alone gives Lesnar a reason to target Knight.
Why LA Knight Makes Sense as Lesnar’s Opponent
LA Knight has been one of the most popular stars on Monday Night Raw. His connection with the crowd continues to grow. Recently, he has also been involved in a storyline with The Vision.
Knight eliminated Bronson Reed and Austin Theory from the Royal Rumble and nearly eliminated Logan Paul as well. His rivalry with The Vision has been heating up week after week.
There is also an interesting angle involving Paul Heyman. If Knight continues to cause problems, Heyman could bring Lesnar back into the picture as a form of revenge.
From a business point of view, Lesnar vs LA Knight offers:
- A fresh matchup
- Strong crowd reactions
- A storyline based on Royal Rumble elimination
- Mainstream appeal
While Oba Femi vs Lesnar feels like a powerful dream match, Knight vs Lesnar could draw more attention right now.
Lesnar’s Next Appearance Could Reveal Everything
Brock Lesnar has not appeared on WWE programming since the Royal Rumble. However, his return has been announced for WWE Raw in Atlanta on February 23, which is the final episode before Elimination Chamber.
According to reports, Lesnar’s direction for WrestleMania 42 should become clearer after this appearance. WWE could officially begin building the match during that show.
WrestleMania 42 Plans Still in Flux
Another important factor is ticket sales. Reports suggest that WrestleMania 42 has not sold as strongly as expected. Because of this, WWE is said to be reviewing parts of the card.
When plans are constantly changing, it can create confusion. But it also means WWE is trying to put together the strongest possible lineup to attract fans.
Here’s a quick comparison of the two possible matches:
| Factor | Lesnar vs Oba Femi | Lesnar vs LA Knight |
|---|---|---|
| Freshness | Very high | High |
| Crowd Reaction | Strong Rumble tease | Strong fan support |
| Storyline Base | Rumble face-off | Rumble elimination |
| Star Power | Rising vs Legend | Established fan favourite vs Legend |
Both options are exciting. The final decision will likely depend on what WWE feels is best for business.
