The Big Picture

WrestleMania week in Las Vegas is no longer just a one-company town. While WWE's flagship event remains the anchor, the days surrounding it have become a full-blown festival of professional wrestling. Promotions from across the globe descend on the desert to showcase their unique brands, creating a dizzying schedule of dream matches and title bouts. For fans on the ground, it's a marathon; for those watching from home, it's a buffet of the best the sport has to offer.

10. High Speed Championship: Saki Kashima (c) vs. AZM

Stardom American Dream — Friday, April 17

This is your espresso shot for the weekend. Stardom's High Speed title bouts are contested at a blistering pace, and Saki Kashima and AZM (short for Azumi) are two of the division's masters. This won't be a 30-minute epic; it will be a five-to-ten-minute sprint packed with more counters, flash pins, and breathtaking reversals than most entire shows. Kashima, the cunning and opportunistic champion, faces the prodigy AZM, whose fluid athleticism has made her a perennial contender. Don't blink.

9. Matt Cardona vs. Crowbar

Hybrid X PWU: Midnight Xpress — Wednesday, April 15

This match is all about the spectacle. Matt Cardona, the self-proclaimed “Indie God,” brings his sports-entertainment circus to The Collective to face off against Crowbar, a veteran whose eclectic and hard-hitting style was ahead of its time. Cardona has perfected the art of generating heat, while Crowbar remains a respected and unpredictable brawler. Taking place at a late-night show, this has all the ingredients for memorable chaos that lives outside the polished confines of mainstream wrestling.

8. PROGRESS World Championship: Kid Lykos (c) vs. Man Like DeReiss

PROGRESS Las Vegas II — Thursday, April 16

One of the UK's top prizes gets a showcase in Las Vegas. Kid Lykos, a brilliant and brash high-flyer, puts the PROGRESS World Championship on the line against the powerful and charismatic Man Like DeReiss. This is a classic clash of styles, pitting the champion's technical wizardry and aerial attacks against the challenger's raw strength. For fans unfamiliar with the British scene, this is a perfect introduction to two of its modern pillars.

7. Ben-K & BxB Hulk vs. The Motor City Machine Guns

Dragon Gate USA: The Gate Of Sin City — Wednesday, April 15

This is a purist's delight. The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) are arguably one of the greatest tag teams of the last two decades, and they face a formidable duo from Dragon Gate in Ben-K and BxB Hulk. This inter-promotional dream match pits the Guns' unparalleled tandem offense and ring IQ against the power of Ben-K and the acrobatic striking of Hulk. Expect a technical, fast-paced clinic on the art of tag team wrestling.

6. CM Punk's WrestleMania Moment

WrestleMania 41 — April 19-20

The opponent is almost secondary. After his shocking return to WWE and a devastating triceps injury that derailed his road to WrestleMania 40, all eyes are on what CM Punk does in Las Vegas. Whether he’s seeking revenge, chasing a title, or settling a grudge, his presence on the card is a main event in itself. The primary concern is his health; another serious injury could be catastrophic for this comeback run, adding a layer of genuine jeopardy to whatever he does.

5. Open The Dream Gate Championship: Shun Skywalker (c) vs. KC Navarro

Dragon Gate USA: The Gate Of Sin City — Wednesday, April 15

Dragon Gate's top championship is on the line in a match that promises pure innovation. Champion Shun Skywalker is one of the most creative and athletically gifted wrestlers on the planet, blending high-flying with a dark, villainous persona. He defends against KC Navarro, a rising star getting the biggest opportunity of his career. Dragon Gate USA returning for The Collective is a huge deal, and its main event will showcase the state-of-the-art style the promotion is famous for.

4. Wonder of Stardom Championship: Saya Kamitani (c) vs. Tam Nakano

Stardom American Dream — Friday, April 17

In any other promotion, this would be the main event. The “White Belt” is one of the most prestigious titles in Japan, and this match features two of Stardom’s biggest stars. Saya Kamitani, “The Golden Phoenix,” is a world-class athlete whose grace and explosive power have defined her title reigns. She faces the fiery and passionate Tam Nakano, whose dramatic, story-driven matches have made her a fan favorite. This will be an emotional war with impeccable in-ring work.

3. World of Stardom Championship: Mayu Iwatani (c) vs. Starlight Kid

Stardom American Dream — Friday, April 17

This is the match with the highest ceiling for pure, five-star quality. Mayu Iwatani, “The Icon of Stardom,” is widely considered one of the best wrestlers in the world, period. She defends her coveted “Red Belt” against her former protégé, the masked prodigy Starlight Kid. Their history adds a rich narrative layer to the jaw-dropping athletic display you can expect. It's a battle between the established ace and the high-speed genius ready to take the throne, and it could steal the entire weekend.

2. John Cena's Farewell Match

WrestleMania 41 — April 19-20

An era comes to an end. For the first time, John Cena has a publicly announced farewell match at the biggest show of the year. This isn't a typical bout; it's a historical moment. While his opponent has yet to be named, the story is Cena's final chapter on the grandest stage. Regardless of the outcome, this will be one of the most-watched and emotionally resonant moments of the year, celebrating a career that defined WWE for more than a decade.

1. Cody Rhodes' WWE Championship Defense

WrestleMania 41 — April 19-20

After finally finishing his story, Cody Rhodes walks into WrestleMania as the defending WWE Champion. This is the main event of the weekend, the anchor for the entire industry. His opponent will determine the narrative, but the central conflict remains: can Rhodes sustain the momentum that carried him to the top? With Roman Reigns and The Bloodline still a powerful force and a line of contenders eager for a shot, Rhodes' defense is the most consequential match of 2026 so far.

Honorable Mentions

The week is too packed to fit everything into a top 10. Also keep an eye on the Goddesses of Stardom Championship match at American Dream, the hard-hitting TLC match between Mance Warner and Brandon Kirk at Midnight Xpress, and whatever Thunder Rosa, a former AEW Women's World Champion, is doing at Ladies Night Out 16.