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PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 27: Nikki and Brie Bella await their opponent during SmackDown at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 27, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Craig Melvin/WWE via Getty Images)
WWE via Getty Images
Highlights:
- A former champion who hasn't competed in WWE in nearly a decade may be making her return this weekend.
- One half of a legendary tag team told a former WWE champion she was ready to compete — but the situation remains murky.
- The outcome of one title match could hinge entirely on what happens backstage before the show even starts.
One of the biggest surprises of the WWE WrestleMania 42 weekend appears to have leaked a bit early. Former WWE Divas champion Paige was reportedly set to return to WWE on a multi-year deal, and the rumors suggest she was going to replace an injured Nikki Bella in the women's tag-team title match that will also feature Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Bayley, Lyra Valkyria, Brie Bella (Paige's would-be partner) and the Irresistible Forces (Nia Jax and Lash Legend).
That news broke early on Friday via PWInsider. However, Nikki Bella was in Las Vegas just after SmackDown and for the WWE Hall of Fame inductions. She spoke with Big E and said she was ready to go. Here's a look at the segment.
What Are the Reports Saying About Paige's Return?
The reports are saying Paige, who may now be going by her real name Saraya, is still expected to be at WrestleMania 42 one way or another. It's possible Nikki was just trying to throw fans off the trail.
PWInsider’s Mike Johnson — one of the most reliable sources in the business — reports that Paige has signed a new multi-year WWE deal, has been flown to Las Vegas quietly, and has already participated in run-throughs for the Women's Tag Title Fatal 4-Way. Run-throughs are hard to fake, which is why so many fans are treating this as a when-not-if scenario heading into Saturday night.
What's Nikki Bella's Status?
Nikki says she's OK, but we won't know for sure until she shows up or misses the show. Perhaps she gets attacked backstage to justify the switch in the storylines.
Nikki suffered the ankle injury during a tag match on the March 27 SmackDown, and while her appearance at the Hall of Fame inductions looked encouraging, showing up at an event and being cleared for in-ring competition are two very different things. WWE has not officially updated the WrestleMania 42 card to reflect any change, which keeps the door open in both directions.
What Does This Mean for the Women's Tag Title Match?
If Paige shows, it feels like she wins the title. Then again, there's no reason to take the belts off the Irresistible Forces. This is Paige's first potential WWE match since neck issues forced her out in 2017–18 — a full-circle moment given her AEW run as Saraya, where she won that promotion's women's title before returning to WWE.
The women's tag division doesn't often get a WrestleMania spotlight this bright, and whether Paige wins gold or simply makes her return, Saturday night just got considerably more interesting.
WrestleMania 42 — Full Card
Night 1 — Saturday, April 19, 2026 | Allegiant Stadium, Las VegasHow to Watch: Peacock (US) | Netflix (International)
- Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Randy Orton
- Six-Man Tag Team Match: Logan Paul, Austin Theory & IShowSpeed vs. The Usos (Jimmy & Jey) & LA Knight
- Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre — Unsanctioned Match
- Women's World Championship: Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Liv Morgan
- Women's Intercontinental Championship: AJ Lee (c) vs. Becky Lynch
- Women's Tag Team Championship Fatal 4-Way: Nia Jax & Lash Legend (c) vs. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley & Lyra Valkyria vs. Nikki & Brie Bella
- Seth Rollins vs. Gunther
Night 2 — Sunday, April 20, 2026 | Allegiant Stadium, Las VegasHow to Watch: Peacock (US) | Netflix (International)
- World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk (c) vs. Roman Reigns
- WWE Women's Championship: Jade Cargill (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
- "The Demon" Finn Bálor vs. Dominik Mysterio
- United States Championship: Sami Zayn (c) vs. Trick Williams
- IC Title Ladder Match: Penta (c) vs. Je'Von Evans vs. Dragon Lee vs. JD McDonagh vs. Rusev vs. Rey Mysterio
- Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
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