WrestleMania 42 week event guide: Every rival show, fan event in Las Vegas for WWE's big week

WWE is heading back to Las Vegas for this year’s WrestleMania 42. While that’s not great news for New Orleans — who were rudely jilted at the altar, having previously been announced as hosts — it does mean that America’s entertainment capital will once again become the center of the wrestling universe, with all the bells and whistles that entails.

If you’re lucky enough to be heading to Sin City this weekend, here are some of the best events to look out for ahead of professional wrestling’s Super Bowl.

WWE EVENTS

“Smackdown” before WrestleMania: T-Mobile Arena, Friday, April 17, 4:30 p.m. PT

Having successfully made “Raw after Mania” into a thing last year, WWE have now rebranded this year’s Friday night show too, with WWE’s website billing it as “SmackDown Before WrestleMania.” Let's just hope it surpasses the dire standard of some recent shows.

WWE Hall of Fame 2026: Dolby Live at Park MGM, Friday, April 17, 9 p.m. PT

With the upmarket Fontainebleau seemingly choosing not to renew their WWE partnership, this year’s Hall of Fame is off to the Park MGM — a casino with solid combat sports prestige. AJ Styles, Stephanie McMahon and Demolition are set to be inducted, while Hulk Hogan vs Andre the Giant from WrestleMania 3 becomes the second match to be immortalized.

AJ Styles is joining this year's WWE Hall of Fame class.

(WWE via Getty Images)

Kill Tony: WrestleMania: Dolby Live at Park MGM, Saturday, April 18, 9 p.m. PT

Triple H’s favorite comedian is back, having hosted last year’s Roast of WrestleMania. This time around Tony Hinchcliffe is reviving his semi-regular "Kill Tony" show, in which fellow comedians — which in this case includes WWE wrestlers and managers — take the microphone for one minute to deliver a short burst of their most provocative jokes.

Gronk Beach: WrestleMania After Dark: Marquee, The Cosmopolitan, Sunday, April 19, 10:30 p.m. PT

This year’s official afterparty takes place in Marquee — the nightclub inside the Cosmopolitan — with Tiffany Stratton, Trick Williams and Lash Legend set to appear, alongside host Rob Gronkowski. Tickets start from $67 (for men), which is probably around the same price you’ll pay for a cocktail inside. Hey, it's Vegas; that's just how it works.

“Raw” after WrestleMania: T-Mobile Arena, Monday, April 20, 4:30 p.m. PT

Last year’s post-Mania “Raw” saw the birth of the short-lived Seth Rollins/Bron Breakker alliance, as well as the start of the Randy Orton and John Cena feud. We await to see what twists are in store this year in what has become one of the more exciting weekly shows of the WWE calendar.

RIVAL SHOWS

New Texas Pro Wrestling: Sin City Stampede: Bizarre Bar, Thursday, April 16, 11 a.m. PT

AEW’s Bryan Keith leads the pack as one of the Lonestar State’s hottest promotions returns to Sin City, with a strong recommendation from Uncrowned’s own Cameron Hawkins. The Texans are putting three of their belts on the line, as “Starboy” Danny Orion defends against Mr. Keith, while women’s champ Charity King faces the utterly jacked Gabby Forza.

RISE Underground Pro Wrestling: The Dive Bar, Thursday, April 16, 3 p.m. PT

UK-based lighttube addicts RISE have been pushing the boundaries of deathmatch wrestling for years now, combining wince-inducing ultraviolence with a refreshing undercurrent of humor. This year's Vegas show features Iceman, BA Rose, Mickie Knuckles and Tim Strange. If you like deathmatch wrestling, you'll know their work. If you don't like it, I'd stay well away.

WrestleCon Mark Hitchcock Memorial Supershow: Horseshow, Thursday, April 16, 3 p.m. PT

This particular show has had more coverage due to Leon Slater being pulled from his match with Ricochet — a decision that led to speculation about whether WWE had vetoed the idea of TNA talent working directly with AEW wrestlers. Whatever the truth, the show still has a strong bill of names, including Ricochet, Bandido, Kevin Knight and Michael Oku.

West Coast Pro Wrestling: West Coast vs. The World: Bizarre Bar, Thursday, April 16, 7 p.m. PT

Based in the Bay Area, WCPW has steadily built a reputation as one of the top-tier indie promotions in the States. Their special Vegas show will see the best from the U.S. scene go up against indie darlings from elsewhere, with WCPW's gravity-defying champion Andrew Cass up against Australia’s Adam Brooks. Hotly-tipped breakthrough names Starboy Charlie and Dani Luna are in action too.

House of Glory Wrestling: Culture Clash: Pearl Theater, Thursday, April 16, 8 p.m. PT

Hip hop-inspired House of Glory Wrestling boasts a stacked card at their Vegas show, culminating in a hotly-anticipated match between Brody King and Zilla Fatu. Fan-favorites The Hardy Boyz are also scheduled to make an appearance, while HOG stalwart and current world champion Charles Mason will defend his title against British rising star Michael Oku.

The Hardy Boyz are in action this week with House of Glory Wrestling.

(Elsa via Getty Images)

GCW: Gringo Loco's The Wrld on Lucha: Horseshoe, Friday, April 17, 11 a.m. PT

Honestly, we could fill half of this page with GCW events, with everything from Effy's Big Gay Brunch to the deathmatch-laden MDK Fight Club also scheduled for ‘Mania weekend. One smaller show that stands out from the list, though, is Gringo Loco's "The Wrld on Lucha," which boasts a high-flying card of names from CMLL, AEW, AAA and NJPW.

GCW: Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XV: Horseshoe, Friday, April 17, 3 p.m. PT

Josh Barnett's no-ropes, MMA-inspired show remains one of the most acclaimed indie events in pro-wrestling — and the perfect palate cleanser to the silliness of WWE. This time, Barnett is set to throw hands against NJPW's Yuji Nagata, with Masashi Takeda, Pete Dunne and Shayna Baszler also on the card.

STARDOM: American Dream 2026 in Las Vegas: Pearl Theater, Friday, April 17, 3 p.m. PT

All-women Japanese promotion Stardom returns to the States once more for ‘Mania weekend. Stand by for Alex Windsor vs. Saya Iida, while the Joshi squadron of Mei Seira, Starlight Kid, AZM will take on three of Tony Khan's darlings in the form of Willow Nightingale, Harley Cameron and Kris Statlander.

GCW: Joey Janela’s Spring Break X: Horseshoe, Friday, April 17, 7 p.m. PT

Joey Janela’s Spring Break had the Vegas crowds out of their seats last ‘Mania weekend. This time around, they’re looking to recreate the magic, as “Kid Suicide” himself takes on Brodie Lee Jr. in the main event. Meanwhile, hardcore legend The Sandman is set to ride off into the sunset (or is he?) with a retirement match against The Invisible Man …

Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling: Multiverse: Pearl Theater, Friday, April 17, 8 p.m. PT

Having landed a TV deal back home in Canada, Scott D'Amore's MLPW rolls into Vegas with a Forbidden Door-style show pitting the promotion's breakthrough names against stars from elsewhere. Women's champion Gisele Shaw will defend her gold against Shotzi Blackheart and AEW/CMLL's Persephone, while The Rascalz battle the team of Mistico, Mascara Dorada and Amazing Red.

FSW: MECCA XI: HyperX Arena, Friday, April 17, 10 p.m. PT

Vegas homeboys Future Stars of Wrestling have smashed it out of the park with their Vegas lineup, which includes partnering with WWE on their indie-tastic ID Showcase on Thursday, and then two full-length shows on Friday and Saturday. The bigger of the two looks like Friday's Mecca XI, where FSW alumnus Killer Kross (formerly Karrion Kross in WWE) will face Zilla Fatu.

Juggalo Championship Wrestling: Strangle-Mania: Horseshoe, Friday, April 17, 11:59 p.m. PT

Vince Russo joining ICP-run Juggalo Championship Wrestling could well be one of the most exciting or idiotic things in pro-wrestling, depending on which side of the fence you're sitting. If nothing else, though, the Juggalos tend to know how to put on a show. This year's outing features Rob Van Dam alongside such wrestling luminaries as Matt Riddle and Hollywood Haley J (as seen in Netflix's “Wrestlers”).

Mick Foley, forever a legend.

(Roy Rochlin via Getty Images)

PARTIES, FAN EVENTS & CONVENTIONS

40 Years of Mick Foley: Ghostbar, Palms Casino Resort, Wednesday, April 15, 6 p.m. PT

Mick Foley might be fully estranged from WWE these days, but God knows he has a few stories to tell. His latest one-man show — “40 Years of Mick Foley” — has been selling out theaters on both sides of the Atlantic and now arrives in Vegas as part of the Palms Slam Fest. The show then transfers to the Horseshoe for four more dates.

Mark Henry Comedy Show: The Space, Wednesday, April 15, 8 p.m. PT

It turns out that Foley isn't the only WWE Hall of Famer giving stand-up a whirl. The world's strongest man is also hosting his own comedy show, joined by friends including D'Lo Brown, Braun Strowman and O'Shea Jackson Jr.

Wrestlecon: Horseshoe, Thursday-Sunday, April 16-19

Queuing up for signed photos isn't everyone's idea of a great weekend. But if conventions are your thing, you'll probably already have entries sorted for Wrestlecon. They're taking over the Horseshoe casino on The Strip with literally hundreds of special guests signing autographs and flogging their wares.

Ric Flair at the Wynn Encore Beach Club: Wynn Las Vegas, Saturday, April 18, 11 a.m. PT

Never one to miss an opportunity to impress, the five-star Wynn casino resort has an extra special guest for its WrestleMania party in the form of Ric Flair. The 16-time world champion will be appearing at the casino's plush Encore Beach Club on Saturday. The Nature Boy's appearance adds extra intrigue to one of WrestleMania's big questions: Will Flair witness Randy Orton equalling his own record when "The Viper" faces Cody Rhodes for the WWE title on Saturday evening?

Mallmania: Battle for Sin City: Neonopolis, Saturday, April 18, 7:30 p.m. PT

Situated just by the cluster of cheaper and boozier casinos on Fremont Street, Neonopolis will play host to the biggest block party of ‘Mania weekend. Hosts Mall Mania have promised a weekend packed with indie matches, live music, cosplay contests, giveaways and merch booths, all with a steady supply of affordable alcohol.

Circa Mania Stadium Swim: Circa Resort & Casino, Saturday-Sunday, April 18-19, 3 p.m. PT

There was a brief outbreak of outrage earlier this year, when it was announced WWE was looking to block casinos from hosting watch parties during ‘Mania weekend. With that policy now wisely aborted, the watch parties are officially back on. The biggest of the bunch is Circa Mania at Stadium Swim: The massive poolside entertainment complex at the glitzy Circa casino resort on Fremont Street.

Rob Van Dam's WrestleMania Afterparty: The Nerd, Sunday, April 19, 9 p.m. PT

Where better to host RVD than The Nerd, an iconic Vegas bar that has a solid track record of hosting WWE and AEW watch parties throughout the year.

The ECW legend's official Mania afterparty will kick off on Sunday night at 9 p.m., giving fans the chance to toast the arrival of 4/20 with wrestling's most famous stoner himself — if that's your sort of thing, of course.