WrestleMania 42: six WWE superstars who could miss the event

WrestleMania 42 is less than five weeks away, and the buzz in Las Vegas is building fast. WWE has already confirmed the two biggest title matches: Night 1 will see Cody Rhodes challenge Randy Orton for the WWE Championship, and Night 2 will feature CM Punk against Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship. With rumors of six women’s matches and roughly 14–16 total bouts, the card is shaping up — but not every name on the roster will make it to The Showcase of the Immortals.

With limited slots and storylines still shifting, several high-profile performers could be crowded out when the final lineup is set. Here are six WWE superstars who, despite momentum or fan interest, face a real chance of missing WrestleMania this year — excluding anyone sidelined by injury.

Why some names may not make the WrestleMania 42 roster

WWE’s creative room is juggling championship plans, cross-brand rivalries, and marquee moments for the two-night spectacle. That means quality performers can still be left off the event if their angles haven’t reached a clear payoff. Below are the key contenders whose spots feel uncertain and the reasons behind the doubt.

Tiffany Stratton and Giulia: a tag-team of uncertainty around the Women’s U.S. Title

Tiffany Stratton has shown flashes of star power but has been largely absent from TV since the Elimination Chamber. Meanwhile, Giulia currently holds the Women’s U.S. Championship, a title that hasn’t featured on a major WWE pay-per-view since December’s Saturday Night’s Main Event. That slow rotation leaves both women in a precarious spot.

• Stratton’s recent appearances have been sporadic; she’s had limited TV time in the months leading up to WrestleMania.
• Giulia’s belt lacks PLE visibility, which lowers the likelihood the title gets a marquee match in Las Vegas.
• Possible outcomes include a pre-Mania SmackDown showdown or a Raw follow-up rather than a WrestleMania match — or one appearing in a midcard slot rather than a marquee spotlight.

If creative decides the Women’s U.S. Title needs a push, Stratton vs. Giulia could be a compelling angle. But with that belt currently out of the main PLE rotation, both women risk being left off the big weekend unless plans change rapidly.

Lyra Valkyria: inaugural Intercontinental champ without a clear path

Lyra Valkyria broke new ground as the first Women’s Intercontinental Champion, yet her place in the title picture feels unsettled. Bayley recently earned a No. 1 contender spot, and AJ Lee remains a central player in the rivalry. Add Becky Lynch’s potential involvement and the creative permutations grow messy.

• Bayley’s win in a gauntlet match positions her to challenge for the Intercontinental crown.
• Becky Lynch has history with Bayley and could be inserted, complicating Lyra’s route to a WrestleMania match.
• While a multi-woman match (Fatal Four-Way, triple threat, etc.) could include Lyra, those outcomes are far from guaranteed.

At minimum, Lyra could appear in a supporting role — at ringside or in an on-screen segment — but an official WrestleMania match is not locked in unless creative prioritizes her involvement.

Gunther: dominant heel with no obvious WrestleMania opponent

Gunther remains one of WWE’s most intimidating heels after high-profile moments like his elimination of AJ Styles at the Royal Rumble and a controversial unmasking of Dragon Lee on Raw. Yet he currently lacks a clear, marquee opponent for Mania night.

• Potential opponents include Rey Mysterio, but that storyline would require trust that Mysterio would accept the match stakes.
• Brock Lesnar is another rumored collision course, though many sources suggest a Lesnar showdown is being saved for a SummerSlam moment.
• Given Gunther’s top-tier villain status, not featuring him on the biggest weekend would be a missed opportunity for WWE’s main roster booking.

Gunther’s absence from a confirmed WrestleMania match would be surprising, but the lack of a pinned-down opponent keeps his status in flux.

LA Knight: fan favorite stuck in creative limbo

LA Knight remains one of the most popular performers on WWE TV, yet his upward trajectory has repeatedly stalled. Fans have clamored for a WrestleMania moment, but backstage reports and storyline choices have kept him from a clear title push.

• Longstanding rumors suggest creative dislikes may have limited Knight’s main-event opportunities.
• He’s currently involved in a low-stakes feud that doesn’t scream WrestleMania placement.
• There is speculation he could be slotted opposite Brock Lesnar, though fans balk at the idea of Knight being decisively squashed.

WWE’s challenge is balancing fan demand with long-term booking — and if a suitable, high-impact slot isn’t carved out, Knight could end up absent from the Las Vegas card despite heavy public support.

Aleister Black: momentum stalled and a vague TV role

Aleister Black’s recent TV work has been dominated by backstage beats and vignettes, often paired with Sami Zayn in ways that haven’t led to a major Mania direction. His prior in-ring work, including a decent program with Randy Orton, has given fans reason to expect more, but that promise hasn’t translated into momentum.

• Repeated backstage segments have replaced in-ring storytelling for Black.
• Comparisons to prior pairings that failed to elevate characters raise questions about long-term creative intent.
• Without a clear opponent or storyline escalation, Aleister risks being left off or relegated to a non-televised role.

If WWE doesn’t develop a concrete angle for him soon, his WrestleMania prospects will continue to dim.

What to watch between now and WrestleMania: creative dominoes and card updates

Creative shifts and surprise returns could change the picture quickly. There are currently five matches officially announced, and insiders expect additional bouts to be revealed in the coming days. Rumors are also circling about a potential Bron Breakker return and a fresh rivalry with Seth Rollins — any such move could reshuffle matchups across the card.

• Keep an eye on final SmackDown and Raw broadcasts before Mania for last-minute story beats.
• Championship placements for midcard titles like the Women’s U.S. and Women’s Intercontinental are especially fluid.
• Fan reactions and backstage decisions will both play a role in who ultimately headlines the weekend’s undercard and who gets left behind.

You might also like:

• WWE Elimination Chamber results: who survived and what it means
• WrestleMania 42 fallout: WWE shakeups, releases and what’s next
• WWE Elimination Chamber reshapes WrestleMania title picture and match card
• WrestleMania: 5 WWE superstars who could steal the show
• WWE championships graded ahead of Road to WrestleMania

John Davis

John Davis is a sports journalist focused on the NBA, NFL, and major global championships. With seven years of live coverage, he breaks down performances and key strategies. His expertise gives you a clear view of every game and its impact.