What We Know So Far About WWE Changing Brock Lesnar’s WrestleMania 42 Plans

Brock Lesnar’s WrestleMania 42 direction has turned into one of WWE’s biggest question marks — and the latest update makes it clear that plans have already shifted at least once.

After Lesnar’s intense staredown with Oba Femi at the 2026 Royal Rumble, fans immediately assumed WWE was setting up a blockbuster showdown in Las Vegas. The moment was framed like a future main event. Femi entered at number one, lasted 39 minutes, and was ultimately eliminated by Lesnar following a brutal German suplex. Their face-off drew one of the loudest reactions of the entire night.

But according to Dave Meltzer, that tease doesn’t mean the match is locked in. In the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Meltzer reported that despite the Royal Rumble setup, nothing was confirmed internally after the event.

“There was a tease at the Royal Rumble of Oba Femi and after the Rumble we were only told that it was not a sure thing yet. We do know that in the lineup in late January for the show, that Lesnar was listed as facing LA Knight. But in the Rumble, nothing memorable was done in that direction while the Lesnar-Femi face-off was set up to get a big reaction and actually got the biggest reaction of the show except for Brie Bella.”

That revelation immediately changes the conversation. What we know so far:

• Lesnar vs. Oba Femi was strongly teased at Royal Rumble.
• Internally, it was not considered a “sure thing” after the show.
• In late January, Lesnar was actually listed against LA Knight for WrestleMania.

The situation became even clearer during a follow-up discussion on Wrestling Observer Radio, where Meltzer provided expanded context about the original creative direction before plans shifted.

“The original plan that I was told — and this was before everything changed — LA Knight was the plan. That was the match that was scheduled.”

At one point, LA Knight was not speculation — he was the scheduled opponent. Meltzer also admitted that from a creative standpoint, he personally believed WWE would use Lesnar to elevate Oba Femi on the biggest stage.

“I had thought it would be Oba Femi, because if you’re looking at it from a booking standpoint, nothing makes more sense than Oba Femi beating Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania. That would be the move if you’re trying to make a new monster.”

That quote explains the contrast between what seemed logical creatively and what was actually planned internally. As of now, here’s where things stand:

• Lesnar’s WrestleMania opponent is not officially announced.
• The Royal Rumble tease suggests WWE is considering Femi seriously.
• Internal paperwork in late January listed LA Knight. Meltzer confirms the original scheduled direction has already changed once.

WrestleMania 42 takes place April 18 and 19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, and while Roman Reigns has already selected CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship match, Lesnar’s slot on the card remains fluid.

Ringside News will continue to provide updates on Lesnar’s status as infomation becomes available.

Do you think WWE should follow through on the Oba Femi tease, or pivot back to the original LA Knight plan? Sound off in the comments and let us know where you stand.

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