With the Royal Rumble done and dusted, WWE has officially shifted focus to WrestleMania 42. On paper, the biggest matches seem clear. But behind the scenes, things may not be as stable as they look.
Reports suggest there is growing concern within WWE due to lower-than-expected ticket sales. Because of that, the entire WrestleMania 42 card is reportedly being reviewed.
Current WrestleMania 42 Title Picture
On Monday Night Raw, CM Punk is set to defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Roman Reigns — provided Punk retains his title against Finn Balor at WWE Elimination Chamber.
In the women’s division, Liv Morgan is expected to challenge Stephanie Vaquer for the Women’s World Championship. However, this match has not yet been officially confirmed.
On the SmackDown side:
- The winner of the Men’s Elimination Chamber match will likely face Drew McIntyre if he remains champion.
- The winner of the Women’s Elimination Chamber match is expected to challenge Jade Cargill — assuming she holds onto her title.
Everything sounds organised. But recent reports say it is not that simple.
WWE Concern Over Ticket Sales
According to Wrestle Votes via Fightful Select, WWE recently held an “all departments meeting” because ticket sales for WrestleMania 42 are reportedly slower than expected.
Dave Meltzer also reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the entire card is being evaluated again. Creative members reportedly have different opinions about the direction of certain matches.
This has caused frustration internally because:
- Original plans have already been changed once.
- Some believe the current creative direction is strong.
- More changes could confuse fans.
Frequent changes this close to WrestleMania can create uncertainty, both for talent and for the audience.
Brock Lesnar’s Opponent Still Unclear
Another interesting development involves Brock Lesnar.
Earlier rumours suggested he would face Oba Femi after their Royal Rumble face-off. However, recent reports claim that as of late January, Lesnar was listed internally to face LA Knight.
Lesnar is scheduled to return on Raw on February 23 in Atlanta. That appearance could finally confirm his WrestleMania direction.
This kind of uncertainty adds to the idea that WWE is still adjusting plans.
Venue Changes Added to the Confusion
Initially, The Rock announced that WrestleMania 42 would take place in New Orleans. Later, WWE changed course and moved the event to Las Vegas — the same location that hosted WrestleMania 41.
This makes it only the second time in history that WrestleMania will be held in the same venue for two consecutive years. The last time that happened was with WrestleMania IV and V at the Historic Atlantic City Convention Hall.
Venue changes, creative differences, and slower ticket sales have made this WrestleMania build feel less smooth than usual.
Why Ticket Sales Matter So Much
WrestleMania is WWE’s biggest annual event. It is not just about storylines — it is about:
- Stadium attendance
- International travel packages
- Sponsorship deals
- Global media coverage
If ticket sales slow down, WWE may feel pressure to adjust the card to add bigger matches or more star power.
However, constantly changing plans can also hurt momentum.
