The 5 WWE Stars Who Must Win At WrestleMania 42

Oba Femi answered Brock Lesnar's open challenge on Raw. (Credit: Meg Oliphant/WWE via Getty Images) WWE via Getty Images WWE highlights its biggest stars during WrestleMania season, but the company’s flagship PLE is also a turning point for its next generation of stars. That is once again holding true at WrestleMania 42, where a new crop of former NXT talents are getting a major spotlight in Las Vegas.

Among the key newcomers confirmed for or expected to have a major WrestleMania match are Trick Williams, Oba Femi and Je’Von Evans, a trio that carried WWE’s NXT brand in 2025. WrestleMania will be a defining moment in their young careers and potentially set them up for main event success in both the short and long-term futures. Likewise, there are plenty of established veterans and surefire future Hall of Famers who are hitting the apex of their career inside Allegiant Stadium.

For stars like AJ Lee, CM Punk and Randy Orton, WrestleMania 42 will go a long way toward keeping them at the top of the card and cementing their legacies. Just being featured in a high-profile WrestleMania match is a career achievement, but there are a plethora of WWE stars who must leave WrestleMania 42 with more than just a WrestleMania match on their resume. They need a big win, too.

MORE FROM FORBES WWE Has No Idea What To Do With Gunther At WrestleMania 42 By Blake Oestriecher WWE WrestleMania 42 Match Card WWE has only officially confirmed five matches for WrestleMania 42, but there are expected to be at least 14 bouts across the two-night event: World Heavyweight Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. CM Punk WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Randy Orton WWE Women’s Championship: Jade Cargill (c) vs.