WWE RAW’s big announcement made the road to WrestleMania 42 more exciting. Following his victory over Kofi Kingston in an Intercontinental Championship Open Challenge, Penta delivered big news. He said he will defend the Intercontinental Title in a ladder match at WrestleMania 42.
The decision immediately sparked buzz from WWE fans. Ladder matches are known for high risk, dramatic moments and unpredictable finishes. The championship hangs above the ring and each competitor will have to climb a ladder and grab the title to win. That makes the match one of the most exciting parts of the show.
It was said that several qualifying matches took place on episodes of WWE Main Event to help determine the final list of participants. But the lineup has already caused a stir. Some fans feel some of the bigger names could’ve been replaced with some of the current competitors.
Confirmed Wrestlers for WrestleMania 42 Ladder Match
Five WWE Superstars have been confirmed for the Intercontinental Championship ladder match so far. Alongside champion Penta, the confirmed names include Dragon Lee, JD McDonagh, Je’Von Evans, and Rusev.
The group provides a combination of speed, strength and high-flying action. Dragon Lee is known for his fast, aerial style. Rusev has the power and the know-how. JD McDonagh brings the technical skills and Je’Von Evans is the new generation of rising talent.
Even with this impressive group of players, fans are still questioning the final selection. There are plenty who think some of the rivalries and storylines happening now should be in the match. Throwing in those names could make for an even more dramatic and meaningful contest.
Chad Gable Could Have Continued His Feud on the Big Stage
One superstar many fans expected to see in the match is Chad Gable. Gable has never won the Intercontinental Championship despite many attempts over the years. That history alone makes him a natural title contender.
Recently, Gable has been working under the gimmick of El Grande Americano in WWE and Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide. During this time, he began a feud with another version of El Grande Americano, played by Ludwig Kaiser.
The attention-grabbing aspect of this cross-promotional feud is the link between two wrestling worlds. Putting that story line into the WrestleMania ladder match could have added some more drama and fan interest.” Instead, Gable remains outside the match for now, which many viewers see as a missed opportunity.
Finn Balor and Dominik Mysterio’s Story Fits The Match Perfectly
The other big talking point is Finn Balor vs. Dominik Mysterio. WWE officials have already announced a singles match between the two at WrestleMania 42. However, their rivalry is closely connected to the Intercontinental Championship.
Dominik shocked fans last year, defeating Finn Balor at WrestleMania 41 to win the title. That moment created a strain between the two superstars and their feud has raged ever since. This history is why many fans feel their feud would work better in the ladder match as opposed to a singles match.
Putting Balor and Dominik in the ladder match may also open up some room on the WrestleMania card as well. That extra time would allow other popular stars to compete in key matches.
Other WWE Stars Still Waiting for Their WrestleMania Moments
With only a certain number of matches available, some talented performers may struggle to find a place on the show. Names such as LA Knight and IYO SKY are often mentioned by fans as deserving big opportunities at WrestleMania.
That’s the case every year, since WrestleMania has plenty of top stars but only so many match slots. WWE officials have to balance storylines, fan reactions and championship matches when planning the final card.
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