With Brock Lesnar returning to WWE Raw and reuniting on-screen with Paul Heyman, The Beast’s plans for WWE WrestleMania 42 were revealed.
Paul Heyman announced that Lesnar is issuing an open challenge for WrestleMania 42, and there could be any number of potential stars that answer the call.
Here are eight WWE stars that could answer Brock Lesnar’s WrestleMania 42 open challenge.
8. LA Knight
Recent reports stated that LA Knight was planned to face Brock Lesnar at WWE WrestleMania as of the end of January.
With Paul Heyman linking Lesnar and The Vision, it could be that Knight’s issues with the faction end up setting up that match.
With an open challenge announced by Heyman to determine Lesnar’s WrestleMania 42 opponent, there were also five appearances for The Beast announced in the lead-up to the big event.
Over five different opportunities to build to a legendary moment at WrestleMania 42, it could be that the Mega Star ends up staking his claim on the open challenge spot.
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7. Joe Hendry
After answering an open challenge at WrestleMania 41 from Randy Orton, perhaps Joe Hendry would consider trying his luck again.
Making the surprise open challenge answer an annual event with a repeat this year, Hendry could end up facing off against Lesnar in Las Vegas this year.
While the current NXT Champion may have to pull double duty on Saturday with WWE Stand & Deliver occurring before the main roster festivities kick off, it would be a fun way to incorporate NXT.
Certainly losing nothing in defeat as his charisma and positivity could never be dimmed by Lesnar, Joe Hendry could be the perfect opponent to answer the open challenge.
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6. Royce Keys
While he has yet to make another appearance since his Royal Rumble debut, Royce Keys has already had some dark matches on the WWE main roster.
Keys has already tangled with and defeated Chris Sabin and Nathan Frazer off TV, suggesting that he’s soon to be officially introduced as a brand new monster heel.
Possibly testing things out in front of Friday night audiences in advance of a WWE Raw debut, Keys and Lesnar could end up having a build to the open challenge bout.
With five announced appearances coming up for Lesnar on Raw, there could be a series of enjoyable run-ins with multiple big men in anticipation of who might emerge in Las Vegas.
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5. Chris Jericho
Until there is any decisive news on what might be next for Chris Jericho, it seems anything is possible for the longtime professional wrestling legend.
While a mystery crate bounces between WWE Raw and SmackDown – ultimately directed to Elimination Chamber where Adam Pearce noted that he and Nick Aldis will open it together – perhaps a Jericho related artifact could be revealed.
With a number of possibilities, it could also be that any appearance from the inaugural AEW World Champion waits until WrestleMania 42.
Making for a historic surprise return to answer Brock Lesnar’s Open Challenge, there could be a major moment that takes fans by complete surprise.
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4. Oba Femi
Another behemoth that could potentially tangle with Brock Lesnar might be recent WWE call-up, Oba Femi.
With Femi having had a number of dominant performances so far, it would seem he may be close to settling down on one brand rather than continuing free agency.
Teasing a growing feud with Rusev, it could be that Femi is first occupied by the Bulgarian before tangling with Brock Lesnar later.
Able to have a few face-offs during Lesnar’s announced appearances on Netflix ahead of WrestleMania 42, Femi could be an exciting surprise to emerge in Las Vegas.
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3. Jeff Hardy
In what could be a fun full circle moment, the one to answer Brock Lesnar’s open challenge at WrestleMania 42 could end up being his first opponent in WWE, Jeff Hardy.
With Lesnar making a thunderous in-ring debut at Backlash 2002 in a decisive victory over Hardy, it could be poetic to see not only the Hardy Boyz appear at WrestleMania 42, but for them to actually compete.
While the pair of legends are currently working with TNA Wrestling, it hasn’t stopped them from making a few appearances in NXT thus far as a part of the continued crossover.
Certainly making for a fun surprise for fans and to shine some additional light on the partner promotion in a major way, it could be time to see Jeff Hardy vs Brock Lesnar one more time.
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2. Rusev
One WWE Raw star that continues to find his footing and actively push back on screen against Adam Pearce regarding his booking is Rusev.
While he recently had a backstage face-to-face with Oba Femi, it is clear that Rusev is not backing down to any fight.
Possibly the perfect relaunch for him to test himself against The Beast, Rusev could certainly come across as a babyface in the bout.
Even if he lost, there could certainly be a shift in his character after going up against the heel of all heels in Las Vegas which endears the audience to him even more.
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1. GUNTHER
One long term storyline that could be launched at WrestleMania 42 with the Brock Lesnar Open Challenge could be up against the Career Killer, GUNTHER.
Potentially answering his open challenge at Mania rather than have a specific build between just the two of them, there could be more coming from the pair.
If GUNTHER were to take the loss at WrestleMania 42 against Lesnar, the stage would be set for them to have a rematch with Lesnar’s career on the line at SummerSlam 2026 in the state he competed in collegiate wrestling at the University of Minnesota.
Potentially ending his career in professional wrestling in Minneapolis – the home city of the Minnesota Vikings in 2004 after he departed WWE to pursue a career in the NFL – there could be a Lesnar retirement tour incoming.
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