WrestleMania 42: Unveiling WWE Star Earnings and Event Highlights
WrestleMania season has arrived, marking WWE's premier annual spectacle with the 42nd edition set to captivate audiences this weekend. In a surprising twist, the event returns to Las Vegas merely a year after the city last hosted, a move that has sparked disappointment among some fans due to ticket prices and a perceived lacklustre build-up to this year's "Showcase of the Immortals." Nonetheless, WrestleMania consistently delivers high-octane entertainment, and WWE is pulling out all the stops to win over supporters, including enlisting retired legend John Cena as the official host.
How Much Do WWE Wrestlers Earn at WrestleMania?
The financial details of WWE contracts have traditionally been shrouded in secrecy, but insights from company executive Triple H, formerly known as Paul Levesque, shed some light. In a 2022 interview with The Athletic, he revealed that wrestlers on the main Smackdown and Raw rosters earn a minimum base salary of $250,000, a figure that may have increased since then. This minimum does not apply to performers on NXT, WWE's developmental programme.
Beyond base pay, wrestlers' incomes are significantly boosted by merchandise sales and believed shares of pay-per-view revenue. WrestleMania weekend, with its massive global audience, likely represents the most lucrative period of the year for many stars, as merchandise and pay-per-view sales peak. According to a 2023 report from The Mirror, top earners include Roman Reigns and Randy Orton at $5 million annually, Seth Rollins at $3.5 million, Cody Rhodes at $3 million, and Logan Paul at $2 million, though these figures exclude potential bonuses.
WrestleMania 42 Schedule and Viewing Details
Continuing the format established in 2020, WrestleMania 42 will unfold over two nights, Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th April, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. In the United States, each evening's action commences at 4pm PT, 5pm CT, and 6pm ET. For viewers in the United Kingdom, the event starts at 11pm BST.
Globally, including the UK, WrestleMania 42 will stream live on Netflix as part of standard subscriptions, with no additional fees required. However, in the US, the event will be broadcast live on ESPN, ensuring widespread accessibility for fans.
Confirmed Match Line-Up for WrestleMania 42
Night 1 Highlights:
- Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, and LA Knight versus Logan Paul, Austin Theory, and IShowSpeed
- Drew McIntyre versus Jacob Fatu in an Unsanctioned Match
- Women's World Tag-Team Championship: Lash Legend and Nia Jax defend against Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, Bayley and Lyra Valkyria, and Nikki Bella and Brie Bella
- Women's Intercontinental Championship: AJ Lee versus Becky Lee
- Seth Rollins versus Gunther
- Women's World Championship: Stephanie Vaquer versus Liv Morgan
- Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes versus Randy Orton
Night 2 Highlights:
- Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match: Penta defends against Rey Mysterio, JD McDonagh, Rusev, Je'Von Evans, and Dragon Lee
- Brock Lesnar versus Oba Femi
- United States Championship: Sami Zayn versus Trick Williams
- Women's WWE Championship: Jade Cargill versus Rhea Ripley
- Finn Balor versus Dominik Mysterio
- World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk versus Roman Reigns
Celebrity Appearances at WrestleMania 42
WrestleMania 42 features a star-studded lineup beyond the ring, with notable celebrities making appearances. YouTubers Logan Paul and IShowSpeed will compete as a team, while music artists Jelly Roll and rapper Lil Yachty are set to participate in various capacities. Adding to the glamour, former wrestler and actor John Cena will host the event, and NFL kicker-turned-sports analyst Pat McAfee is also expected to feature, blending sports and entertainment in true WrestleMania fashion.
