Backstage Frustration Growing in WWE as WrestleMania 42 Plans Remain Unclear
WWE is no stranger to creative shake-ups, especially in the post-Vince McMahon era under Triple H. While the company initially saw a wave of positive momentum when Paul “Triple H” Levesque took over creative, the honeymoon period may be fading — and not just among fans.
Recent reports suggest that some WWE talent are feeling uneasy as WrestleMania 42 approaches, with several top stars reportedly unsure of their direction heading into the biggest show of the year.
Talent Reportedly in the Dark
According to claims made on the Self-Made Pro podcast — which, to be clear, remain unconfirmed — multiple main event-level WWE stars allegedly do not know what their WrestleMania plans are at this stage.
That uncertainty is said to be creating frustration internally. Several talents are reportedly “annoyed” about the constant shifting of creative direction and the lack of clarity regarding long-term plans.
One particularly interesting note making the rounds involves the perceived creative divide between RAW and SmackDown. There’s reportedly a growing sentiment among talent that being assigned to one brand over the other carries different creative implications. Some performers are said to be fully aware of what being on Friday nights might mean for their positioning compared to Mondays.
If accurate, that speaks to a broader internal perception issue — not just about creative instability, but about brand hierarchy.
WrestleMania 42 Advance Sales Causing Concern?
Dave Meltzer has echoed similar concerns regarding WWE’s current state of flux. According to Meltzer, WrestleMania 42 ticket sales are reportedly down around 18% compared to this time last year.
To put things into perspective, roughly 36,000 tickets have reportedly been distributed so far. That’s hardly a disaster by most standards. However, WWE has grown accustomed to WrestleMania being an instant sell-out-level attraction in recent years. By comparison, this year’s advance may feel underwhelming internally.
Meltzer noted that there’s disappointment within the company regarding the current pace, even though the event is still expected to fill the venue. One complicating factor is that early ticket numbers can include complimentary tickets, making it difficult to get a fully accurate picture of true demand at this stage.
Still, the perception of softer sales appears to be influencing decision-making.
Creative Changes Under Scrutiny
Perhaps more concerning is the reported internal criticism directed at Triple H. Meltzer claims there has been frustration over constant creative changes, with plans being adjusted repeatedly rather than sticking to a set course.
Some within WWE reportedly feel the frequent pivoting resembles the old Vince McMahon-style last-minute rewrites — something many believed would be a thing of the past under Levesque’s leadership.
The logic behind the changes? According to reports, there’s a belief that altering the WrestleMania card could boost interest. However, critics internally have pointed out that fans don’t even fully know what the card looks like yet. With only one match — CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns — reportedly locked in, there isn’t a finalized lineup for fans to react to in the first place.
Even heavily speculated matches, including a potential Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre bout, are said to be far from guaranteed.
At this stage, everything outside of Punk vs. Reigns is reportedly fluid.
A Pivotal Road to WrestleMania
It’s important to note that WrestleMania is still expected to be a major success. By most industry standards, the ticket numbers are strong — especially given modern pricing structures. However, WWE’s recent run of red-hot WrestleManias has likely raised internal expectations to historic levels.
The bigger concern may not be ticket sales at all, but perception. If talent feel directionless and creative plans remain in flux, morale can take a hit during what should be the most focused and cohesive stretch of the year.
As the Road to WrestleMania 42 continues, all eyes will be on how WWE solidifies its biggest matches — and whether stability returns behind the scenes.
For now, it appears the only certainty on the Grandest Stage of Them All is CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns. Everything else? Still up in the air.