Whereas the complete WWE WrestleMania 42 match card has been introduced, modifications might nonetheless be made, and the promotion ought to make one relating to the place Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi takes place.
It is a main cash match, and admittedly, it has been extra entertaining than the opposite possible foremost occasion matches, particularly with the latest insertion of Pat McAfee into the Cody Rhodes-Randy Orton feud.
WWE hasn’t introduced the order of the matches, however it’s confirmed to be a part of Night time 2. Curiously sufficient, in WWE’s announcement, Lesnar vs. Femi and the Intercontinental Championship ladder match are outlined the place it factors out that the primary hour of Night time 2 will likely be broadcast on ESPN.
🚨 #WrestleMania Sunday Card 🚨
As first introduced by @JoeTessESPN on @GetUpESPN, right here is the complete match card for WrestleMania Sunday happening on Sunday April nineteenth in @Vegas at @AllegiantStadm with the FIRST HOUR airing on @espn! pic.twitter.com/IrlHNLmJz8
— WWE (@WWE) April 7, 2026
So, that implies that Lesnar vs. Femi is probably going one of many first two matches. Between the primary two slots, it is extra prestigious to open the present, as Becky Lynch as soon as instructed us.
Having the automobile crash that Lesnar vs. Femi is bound to be open the present is sensible, because it’ll amp up the group earlier than Roman Reigns and CM Punk shut the present with a cinematic 40-minute bout.
Merely put, this can be a grave mistake. It has nothing to do with Reigns vs. Punk a lot as Rhodes vs. Orton. Lesnar vs. Femi ought to shut out WrestleMania 42 Saturday, on Apr. 18. The 2 males have earned it with their final three weeks alone over feuds involving males with a decade-plus of historical past.
How we acquired right here
In a couple of month, Femi vs. Lesnar has develop into the most popular feud on Monday Night time RAW. Technically, the origins of their feud may be traced again to the Royal Rumble on Jan. 31, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Femi entered the 30-man battle royal within the first spot, working by the competitors early on a la Lesnar within the 2020 Royal Rumble.
Nevertheless, the “Beast Incarnate” entered 21 spots later. He shared just a few moments with Femi, together with a stare-down that instructed WWE followers all they wanted to know: this dream match taking place was a matter of when, not if.
Lesnar acquired the higher of Femi this time round. The “Ruler” would get his again weeks later throughout the Mar. 16, 2026, version of RAW. Lesnar, seemingly with no dancing associate for the Showcase of the Immortals, had issued an open problem for WrestleMania 42. Initially, it appeared that Seth Rollins was answering the decision.
It was a setup for Femi to come back out. He delivered a devastating powerbomb to Lesnar, and similar to that, the “Beast Incarnate” had his challenger.
The next week, Femi once more acquired the higher hand on Lesnar. He countered the F5 right into a clothesline that despatched Lesnar excessive rope, prompting each fan to surprise why WWE did not e-book Lesnar’s Royal Rumble elimination like this; as an alternative choosing it to nonchalantly occur throughout Jey Uso’s entrance.
Through the Mar. 30 version of RAW, Lesnar, wearing his ring gear, known as Femi out for a match. Earlier than issues might escalate additional, WWE officers, together with Paul “Triple H” Levesque, intervened. One week later, that they had their contract signing, which as soon as once more turned bodily.
Why Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi ought to be the principle occasion of WWE WrestleMania 42
It took simply 4 encounters for Lesnar vs. Femi to develop into a must-see match (much more spectacular — sans any superstar involvement).
Not like the possible foremost occasion matches (Rhodes vs. Orton and Reigns vs. Punk), Lesnar vs. Femi will not be a 30-minute story-driven spectacle. It will be nearer to Godzilla vs. Kong than The Irishman, and that is okay!
Reigns has been in the principle occasion of 11 WrestleManias (a WWE report), and Rhodes has been in three of these matches with the “Tribal Chief” since his return in 2022. Punk additionally deserves to headline the second evening of WrestleMania. He was in the principle occasion of WrestleMania 41 Saturday in 2025, dealing with Reigns and Rollins in a triple risk. However he has but to shut out the weekend.
Nonetheless, WWE made a mistake by having Lesnar vs. Femi on Night time 2. Once more, it’s going to be a enjoyable opener, but it surely ought to’ve been the nearer of Night time 1. It might’ve been swapped with one thing like Drew McIntyre vs. Jacob Fatu in an unsanctioned match (the possible opener of Night time 1).
If nothing else, Lesnar vs. Femi can be a refreshing change of tempo for a WrestleMania foremost occasion, which has develop into accustomed to 30-40-minute marathons the place large title modifications happen. There is not any title at stake, and longer does not equal higher (keep in mind Rhodes vs. John Cena final yr?).
Lesnar vs. Femi would ship the group residence completely happy. Femi would greater than possible win, and the match will likely be a fast-paced dash. This fashion, followers will not be deflated after McAfee prices Rhodes the Undisputed WWE Championship
Then, Reigns and Punk might have their 40-minute marathon that most likely ends with a Bloodline reunion because the “Tribal Chief” stands with pyro going off within the background, the next evening, to correctly finish the weekend.
Why it will not occur
Sometime, Femi will shut out a WrestleMania in the principle occasion. Nevertheless, that most likely will not occur in 2026. He should wait his flip, even regardless of his arduous work during the last month with Lesnar.
WWE loves viral moments. Rhodes vs. Orton has the Pat McAfee issue. Reigns vs. Punk is a match between the 2 greatest stars within the firm. WWE’s latest peak was when Reigns was on high of the mountain, and WrestleMania 42 will possible be the beginning of his second keep on the Island of Relevancy.
There’s additionally an opportunity WWE is attempting to garner a wider mainstream viewers with the primary hour of Night time 2 of WrestleMania 42 being broadcast on ESPN. WWE equally had Lesnar open the present in his match towards John Cena at Wrestlepalooza, the PLE within the firm’s partnership with ESPN.
Lesnar is likely one of the few true mainstream stars WWE has, regardless of what they will have you ever consider, due to his success in UFC. He’s a serious draw, and informal followers and non-fans alike will acknowledge him if he is strolling out first.
Finally, it is a disgrace. Greater than possible, that is the final WrestleMania that Lesnar will likely be part of. The “Beast Incarnate” ought to’ve closed out the present yet another time.
Lesnar vs. Femi has all of the makings of a match of the evening contender. Despite the fact that they’re unlikely to shut out the present, they’ll nonetheless be in a chief spot for optimum viewership. And as Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Aptitude displayed at WrestleMania 39, you do not have to go on final to steal the present.
WWE WrestleMania 42 begins on Apr. 18 and continues on Apr. 19.
Whereas the complete WWE WrestleMania 42 match card has been introduced, modifications might nonetheless be made, and the promotion ought to make one relating to the place Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi takes place. It is a main cash match, and admittedly, it has been extra entertaining than the opposite possible foremost occasion matches, particularly with the latest insertion of Pat McAfee into the Cody Rhodes-Randy Orton feud.
