New Delhi: WWE fans were treated to a huge announcement during the February 21st episode of SmackDown, as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson confirmed that WrestleMania 42 will take place in New Orleans. The iconic event is scheduled for April 11-12, 2026, at the Caesars Superdome. The announcement came just a day after The Rock was confirmed for the show, marking a major moment for WWE and its fans.
Following the broadcast, The Rock shared some behind-the-scenes details during the post-show press conference. The plan to announce WrestleMania 42 on SmackDown was not WWE’s original idea. Instead, they had something much bigger in mind.
The original plan involved the Super Bowl
BREAKING NEWS:
As announced by @TheRock, #WrestleMania 42 will take place LIVE from the @CaesarsDome in New Orleans, Louisiana! pic.twitter.com/3OZxLWm7IV
— WWE (@WWE) February 22, 2025
According to The Rock, WWE had initially intended to make the announcement during Super Bowl LIX, which was held at the Caesars Superdome earlier this month. The ‘Final Boss’ Rock shared the intended plans of WWE for making the announcement, saying: “We were going to be part of the Super Bowl and make the announcement. We had a couple of hiccups and couldn’t make that happen. But we’re here now.”
The Super Bowl announcement would have made sense, considering the event’s massive viewership. Despite the change, WWE seized the opportunity to shine the spotlight on SmackDown, bringing the news directly to their fanbase.
The Rock also highlighted how the improvements made to the Superdome played a role in WWE’s decision. The renovated venue will now host the biggest spectacle in wrestling, adding to its legacy of hosting memorable events.
The SmackDown segment didn’t just stop at the announcement. The Rock had a captivating moment with WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, where he told Rhodes, “I want your soul.” This teased a potential showdown that could shake up WWE’s storylines leading to WrestleMania 42.
The Rock confirmed WrestleMania 42 will take place in New Orleans, revealing WWE originally planned to announce it at the Super Bowl but had to change plans due to unexpected issues. WWE Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
