Inside WWE WrestleMania 42's Most Dangerous Match: 'It's Not Safe for Anybody'
As WWE reaches the midpoint of WrestleMania 42, tonight's spectacle promises to deliver one of the most perilous contests in professional wrestling history. In just a few hours, six wrestling daredevils will collide in a high-flying battle for the Intercontinental Championship within the unforgiving structure of a Ladder Match.
The Unpredictable Nature of Ladder Warfare
Speaking exclusively from Las Vegas days before the monumental bout, Dragon Lee offered a stark warning about the match's inherent dangers. 'It's not safe for anybody,' he revealed. 'It's going to be risk for everybody.' Despite acknowledging the violent and unpredictable nature of the match and its props, the masked luchador remains undaunted. 'I don't know what's going to happen, but I'm ready for everything that is coming, and I'm gonna do my 100% as I always do in the ring,' he declared with a confident smile.
A Diverse Field of Competitors
Lee will be joined in this treacherous contest by defending champion Penta, Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio, Irish veteran JD McDonagh, Bulgarian star Rusev, and fan-favorite rookie Je'Von Evans. At just 21 years old, the so-called Young OG is particularly excited to make his WrestleMania debut in such a high-stakes environment. 'I'm just happy to be here,' he beamed. 'To be able to say my first WrestleMania match was for the IC Title in a ladder match at WrestleMania, at 21? It's great!'
Evans' gameplan reflects the delicate balance required in such matches: 'try to go crazy but be safe.' When seeking advice from NXT boss Shawn Michaels, he received characteristically brief counsel. 'Well, I tried to [get some tips] and then whenever I talked to Papa Shawn, he's like, "Oh, you know, it hurts!" Appreciate you,' Evans laughed. 'But at the same time, I kind of want to learn too, because sometimes the best way to learn is just really to experience it.'
Veteran Perspectives on Ladder Match Dangers
Matt Cardona, who recently returned to WWE after six years and has significant history with WrestleMania ladder matches, offered crucial warnings for first-time participants. The former Intercontinental Champion, who will join WWE 2K26 as part of the third season of Ringside Pass in June, emphasized the unpredictable nature of the match's central prop. 'You've seen them, right? They're involved in the match, but they don't necessarily have to do what you want it to do,' he quipped. 'How many times have you seen someone try jump off a ladder, and the ladder tips, the guy falls right on his face?'
Cardona, who discovered moments before our interview that he will be rated 82 in the game (three points below his wife Chelsea Green), recalled his own championship-winning moment at WrestleMania 32. 'I remember climbing the ladder at WrestleMania 32 to drop a big elbow,' he said. 'And I'm like, "Please, please, please, ladder. Please do not fall. I want to land this move safely!" Luckily, I did, but they're unpredictable.'
The Psychology of High-Risk Competition
SmackDown tag team Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin), who possess extensive experience in these specialized matches, both acknowledged the unique psychological challenges involved. 'I feel like ladder matches are akin to standing on a very, very tall building, just kind of like teetering over the edge, that sublime feeling, and you feel your guts kind of drop out,' Shelley described vividly.
His tag partner Sabin added a pragmatic perspective: 'But at the same time, you just gotta do what you gotta do. We're here for a reason, you know?'
Unconventional Preparation Methods
Like Je'Von Evans, JD McDonagh is preparing for his first-ever Ladder Match and has developed a particularly unique training regimen. 'I've been going up into my attic. I've been hanging pictures on the wall,' he joked. 'Any excuse, really, to get on a ladder and feel that under me. I've been taking my training seriously.'
Championship Aspirations and Historic Potential
While all participants share the common goal of capturing the Intercontinental Championship, Penta described the bout with particular intensity as his 'kingdom.' Dragon Lee promised explosive action: 'I'm gonna bring the fire that night. It's gonna be unbelievable, my friend. I'm so excited I'm just gonna be in this Sunday.'
Je'Von Evans outlined his ambitious objectives with characteristic enthusiasm: 'Y'all can expect me to get bouncy, and be the new IC Champion, and the youngest champion. Let's make history. Come on now!'
WWE 2K26 is currently available for gaming enthusiasts. Netflix UK & Ireland subscribers can access Raw, SmackDown, NXT, and all WWE Premium Live Events as part of their subscription package, including the complete WrestleMania 42 experience live from Las Vegas on April 18th and 19th.
