WrestleMania 42 Recap: Roman Reigns Back on Top, Brock Lesnar Retires, Paige Returns

Roman Reigns Back on Top, Brock Lesnar Retires, and Paige Returns: The Biggest Moments from WrestleMania 42 WrestleMania 42 took over Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas this past weekend, and the two-night spectacle hosted by John Cena delivered on every level. From shocking returns and viral celebrity spots to the end of legendary careers and the crowning of new champions, the landscape of WWE has been fundamentally altered. Here is the full breakdown of the biggest moments, title changes, and surprises from the Showcase of the Immortals. The End of an Era: Brock Lesnar Retires The most shocking moment of Night 2 didn't involve a championship. After suffering a grueling defeat to the rising powerhouse Oba Femi, Brock Lesnar remained in the ring. In a rare break of character, "The Beast Incarnate" removed his gloves and boots, leaving them in the center of the ring — the universal wrestling signal for retirement. If this is truly the end for Lesnar, he leaves behind one of the most dominant and decorated legacies in combat sports history. Roman Reigns Reclaims the Throne In the highly anticipated main event of Night 2, Roman Reigns clashed with CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship. The match was a masterclass in storytelling, with Reigns ultimately overpowering Punk to become the new champion. The victory puts the "Tribal Chief" back on top of the WWE mountain, setting up a massive summer for the new titleholder. Shocking Returns and Viral Moments WrestleMania is known for its surprises, and Vegas did not disappoint: - Paige Returns to the Ring: When Nikki Bella was ruled out due to injury, the crowd erupted as Paige made a shocking return to team with Brie Bella. The duo didn't just participate — they won the Fatal 4-Way match to capture the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship. - IShowSpeed Gets Physical: The YouTube star didn't just show up for a cameo. He actually landed a splash on Logan Paul during the six-man tag match that saw LA Knight and The Usos pick up the victory. - Bron Breakker Makes an Impact: Seth Rollins lost his match against Gunther after a surprise attack from a returning Bron Breakker, immediately establishing Breakker as a top-tier threat on the main roster. A Weekend of Title Changes Championship gold changed hands repeatedly across the two nights. While Cody Rhodes successfully defended his Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton in the main event of Night 1, the rest of the card saw a massive shakeup: - Rhea Ripley defeated Jade Cargill to become the NEW WWE Women's Champion. - Trick Williams knocked off Sami Zayn to capture the United States Championship. - Becky Lynch defeated AJ Lee to become the NEW Women's Intercontinental Champion. With the dust settling in Las Vegas, the WWE Universe now looks toward the summer. Roman Reigns has the gold, Oba Femi has the momentum, and the women's division has been completely reshaped. --- Related reading: The 2026 NBA Playoff Bracket Is Officially Set: Full Breakdown The Cooper Flagg Disrespect Has to Stop: Why the ROY Race Isn't Even Close Rory McIlroy Makes History: Back-to-Back Masters Champion