GoKawiilWrestleMania 42 is right around the corner, and I've got thoughts. WWE's biggest professional wrestling event is returning to Las Vegas for two nights -- on Saturday and Sunday -- and you can stream all the action on ESPN Unlimited. That is, if you feel like it.
I guess I feel like it. But that drive to watch is mostly inspired by one recently cobbled-together match: Brock Lesnar versus Oba Femi. I know I am not alone in this opinion; I'll get into my reasoning in a second.
The Road to WrestleMania is the most important time for WWE, and it's over these few months that the strongest storylines are put together with the goal of creating huge moments in the ring in the big event.
WWE needs stronger stories
And hey, some storylines have come together nicely during this time -- Stephanie Vaquer vs. Liv Morgan is one example I can think of. Another would be Finn Bálor's babyface turn against Dominic Mysterio, in which he'll be resurrecting his "Demon" persona after three-years.
But aside from all this, as a whole, WrestleMania doesn't feel super exciting this year. Since John Cena turned heel at 2025's Elimination Chamber and then clunkily followed through on that character pivot until the story fizzled out, it has felt as if cracks in the creative foundation of the biggest company in sports entertainment have begun to show.
I understand that, in the end, this is live theater, and unexpected wrenches can be tossed into the mix to change planned storylines. That said, the addition of YouTube streamer iShowSpeed to this year's event feels like a ploy to tap into his followers and nothing more. The match between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton could deliver, but the beats of that story are basically a retread of Cody's drama with Cena last year.
Pat McAfee stomps Cody Rhodes while Randy Orton watches on WWE SmackDown. Melina Pizano/WWE/Getty Images
And don't get me started about Pat McAfee's return to WWE. McAfee left his role as ringside commentator last year due to burnout, which is understandable given his busy schedule. His return, though, as Orton's in-ring hype man, is so out of character for the popular ESPN host and former NFL player that his involvement with Orton's heel turn makes it all feel like one big joke.
It wasn't that long ago that he was standing on the table, yeeting along to Jey Uso's theme music, challenging Gunther to a match to defend the honor of his co-host and friend, Michael Cole. With his silly heel turn, it feels like all that goodwill has been tossed out the window.
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