AJ Styles is set to lead the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame class, a fact confirmed by The Undertaker on a recent episode of Monday Night Raw. As anticipation builds for the ceremony during WrestleMania 42 weekend, reports have emerged suggesting that John Cena could be the one to induct Styles into the Hall of Fame. This potential pairing highlights a significant chapter in WWE history.
According to Bodyslam+, WWE is considering John Cena to perform the induction. Cena and Styles have a storied rivalry, which began when Styles joined WWE in 2016. Their series of matches, including the seminal bout at Money in the Bank 2016 and continuing through to the 2017 Royal Rumble, are frequently hailed as some of the finest in WWE history and across professional wrestling globally.
Their final matches also stood out during Cena’s retirement tour, with Styles delivering one of Cena’s career’s most memorable performances, strengthening the case for Cena’s involvement in the Hall of Fame ceremony. While nothing has been officially confirmed, Cena’s presence would bring both star power and emotional weight to the event, appealing to longtime fans and drawing broader attention to the celebration.
Rhea Ripley’s Position in WrestleMania 42
As WrestleMania 42 approaches, Rhea Ripley’s exact role remains uncertain, leaving her opportunities at the event in question. Sources from Self Made Pro have indicated the possibility of a championship match between Ripley and Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s Championship, scheduled for the Las Vegas event on April 18-19.
This potential matchup was first hinted at during Survivor Series: WarGames last November. Originally, Cargill’s title defense was expected to be against Bianca Belair, who remains sidelined due to surgery for a broken finger sustained at last year’s WrestleMania. However, the women’s matches on the card continue to evolve, with changes still being implemented as recently as the previous week.
The Ripley versus Cargill pairing would be a fresh and unexpected rivalry, since their paths have not crossed meaningfully in WWE storylines or creative planning before. It presents an opportunity for Ripley, often referred to as “The Eradicator,” to headline a major title defense, potentially adding another highlight to her string of outstanding performances on WWE’s grandest stages.
Although Ripley has shown remarkable consistency in high-profile bouts, the main question is whether she and Cargill can develop the chemistry needed to present a memorable match in a short time. As Ripley enters the upcoming women’s Elimination Chamber match, she is regarded as the favorite due to her experience and proven track record against strong competitors.
Bronson Reed Faces Injury Setback
Bronson Reed sustained a torn biceps injury during Monday Night Raw while competing in an Elimination Chamber qualifier against Jey Uso and Original El Grande Americano. This injury requires surgery, as reported by Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com, and no return date has been announced yet.
This injury is a significant blow for Reed, who has been enjoying a career resurgence since joining The Vision faction and securing a main event spot on Raw. He had been scheduled to win the qualifying match, earning a place in the men’s Elimination Chamber event on Saturday, as well as playing a role at WrestleMania 42—plans that will now have to be scrapped or altered.
At 37 years old, Reed is recognized as one of WWE’s most talented larger competitors. While the timing is unfortunate, it is expected that he will recover and return as a prominent figure on WWE’s flagship show. His future role could include continuing with The Vision, aligning with Paul Heyman, or pursuing new storylines yet to be revealed.
Overview of Tommaso Ciampa’s Impactful Debut in AEW
Tommaso Ciampa quickly made a mark after entering All Elite Wrestling by confronting Mark Briscoe and capturing the TNT Championship. Although he later dropped the title to Kyle Fletcher, Ciampa’s arrival in AEW was highly anticipated and nearly occurred earlier if not for unforeseen weather disruptions.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select explained that heavy weather forced AEW to reorganize its January 24 episode of Collision, delaying Ciampa’s debut, which was originally planned for that night. Additionally, Ciampa’s name was not removed from WWE’s active roster until January 28, several days after he had already agreed to terms with AEW, signaling a smooth transition upon his WWE departure.
Ciampa’s WWE career was puzzling to many fans and insiders, especially considering his brilliance under Triple H’s leadership in NXT, where he became one of the most reviled heels in wrestling. Despite his potential, his main roster storylines were underwhelming, including an unfulfilled reunion with Johnny Gargano as part of the DIY tag team.
With AEW, Ciampa now has a fresh opportunity to demonstrate his considerable skill and potentially reach main event status amid a crowded top-tier scene that includes stars like Hangman Page, Kenny Omega, and Swerve Strickland, all eyeing the world championship held by MJF.
