Roman Reigns Dethrones CM Punk in Blood-Soaked Masterpiece as Brock Lesnar Retires at WrestleMania 42 Night 2 — Full Results & Epic Title Shakeups (4-19-26)

By: Xavier Jones

Headline Photo Credit: WWE

WrestleMania 42 Night 2 Recap: A Night of New Eras, Title Changes, and One Emotional Farewell in Las Vegas

Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, pulsed with 55,256 fans on Sunday, April 19, 2026, as WrestleMania 42 Night 2 delivered a rollercoaster of high-stakes drama, brutal physicality, and storyline payoffs that will reshape WWE for months. John Cena hosted the evening, but the real stars were the in-ring warriors who closed out the two-night spectacular with six compelling matches—three of which crowned new champions. From a rising star slaying a legend to a ladder match that redefined chaos, Night 2 was defined by endings and beginnings: Brock Lesnar’s likely retirement, CM Punk’s championship reign coming to a crashing halt, and Roman Reigns reclaiming his throne as the Tribal Chief.

The night opened with a blockbuster singles match that set the tone for farewells and fresh dominance.

Oba Femi def. Brock Lesnar by pinfall

In what many suspected would be Brock Lesnar’s final WrestleMania appearance, the “Ruler” Oba Femi answered The Beast’s open challenge with ruthless efficiency. Lesnar, accompanied by Paul Heyman, unleashed his signature German suplexes and an F-5, but Femi no-sold the offense like few before him. After a chokeslam and his devastating Fall from Grace powerbomb, Femi pinned Lesnar clean in the center of the ring. Post-match, an emotional Lesnar removed his gloves and boots, placed them in the ring, embraced Heyman, and waved to the crowd amid thunderous “Thank You Lesnar!” chants. The moment felt like a genuine passing of the torch—Femi looked like a future world champion, while Lesnar exited on his terms after two decades of redefining what a monster can be. 

Penta retains the WWE Intercontinental Championship in a Six-Pack Ladder Match (def. Je’Von Evans, Dragon Lee, JD McDonagh, Rusev, and Rey Mysterio)

This instant classic ladder match was pure pandemonium from bell to bell. Rey Mysterio’s surprise return added nostalgia, but the young guns—Evans’ jaw-dropping agility and Dragon Lee’s precision—stole the spotlight early. High spots flew: Rusev bridging ladders into the announce table, Penta launching Mysterio into a West Coast Pop that crashed through a ladder bridge, McDonagh’s Spanish Fly off the top, and Evans’ OG Cutter on Rusev while dangling from the title hook. Penta, the defending champion, weathered the storm with two picture-perfect Mexican Destroyers (one on McDonagh onto a ladder, another on Evans) before climbing alone to unhook the gold. Penta proved why he’s one of the most exciting champions in years, while Evans emerged as a bona fide star in defeat. 

Trick Williams def. Sami Zayn to win the WWE U.S. Championship

Fresh off his meteoric rise, Trick Williams (escorted by Lil Yachty) dethroned Sami Zayn in a hard-hitting but brisk title match. Zayn controlled the early going with a Blue Thunder Bomb, apron brainbuster, and near-miss Helluva Kick. But Yachty’s ringside interference—clotheslining Zayn over the top during a distraction—proved decisive. Williams capitalized with his signature Trick Shot for the pinfall and his first WWE title. The victory felt like the culmination of Williams’ rapid ascent, though the match could have used a few extra minutes to fully breathe. Zayn’s reign ends with respect earned, but the spotlight now belongs to the new U.S. Champion.

“The Demon” Finn Balor def. Dominik Mysterio in a Street Fight

Judgment Day’s internal civil war reached its boiling point as Finn Balor—fully embraced as The Demon for the first time since WrestleMania 39—destroyed his former protege in a no-holds-barred street fight. Mysterio brought the aggression with a suicide dive, kendo stick shots, chairs, a 619, and a frog splash, even driving Balor through a table. But The Demon was unrelenting: sling blades, shotgun dropkicks with a chair wrapped around Mysterio’s neck, and a vicious Coup de Grace through another table for the pin. It was the decisive, cathartic end to months of betrayal. Balor looked unstoppable, while Mysterio’s “spoiled little prick” heel run took a major hit. 

Rhea Ripley def. Jade Cargill to win the WWE Women’s Championship

Power met power in a clash of titans, with Ripley dethroning Cargill after a hard-fought battle. Cargill dominated early with spine busters, a power slam, and her Jaded finisher attempts, but Ripley’s resilience and selling shone through. Iyo Sky’s timely Asai moonsault neutralized outside interference from Michin and B-Fab’s save. After a Sandstorm near-fall from Cargill, Ripley countered into her signature Riptide for the pin and the gold. This was arguably Cargill’s best match to date, but Ripley’s star power and the crowd’s investment in “Mami” made her the rightful new champion. A new era for the women’s division is officially here. 

Roman Reigns def. CM Punk to win the World Heavyweight Championship

The main event lived up to every ounce of hype—a 33+ minute war that felt like the culmination of a decade of mutual respect and resentment. Punk, the defending champion, and Reigns started with a tense stare down and chain wrestling before exploding into brawls at ringside, through tables, and into the crowd. Punk hit multiple GTS attempts, a diving elbow through the announce table, and even a low blow for a near-fall. The drama peaked with near-falls on Spears, Superman Punches, and choke counters. In the end, after Punk’s final exhausted GTS, Reigns delivered two consecutive Spears to pin Punk to become the new World Heavyweight Champion. The OTC is back on top, the crowd erupted, and years of storytelling—from The Shield to WarGames to this grudge—reached a perfect crescendo. Punk’s reign ends valiantly; Reigns’ new chapter begins with undeniable momentum. 

Night 2 also featured a chaotic comedic interlude where The Miz and Kit Wilson tried to crash Cena’s hosting duties, only for Danhausen (with a crew of mini lookalikes) to deliver crotch punches, eye pokes, and a smoke-bomb disappearance—pure WrestleMania absurdity that gave the crowd a breather before the emotional main event. 

The Bigger Picture

WrestleMania 42 Night 2 wasn’t just about titles—it was about legacy. Lesnar’s retirement (if confirmed) closes one of WWE’s greatest chapters. New stars like Femi, Williams, and Evans announced themselves on the grandest stage. Reigns’ victory restores order to Raw’s top tier. Penta’s retention keeps the IC Title scene white-hot. 

As the pyro faded in Las Vegas, one thing was clear: WWE’s future has never looked brighter—or bloodier. The road to Backlash and beyond starts now, but Night 2 will be remembered as the night the old guard stepped aside and the new regime took over.