WWE is halfway through WrestleMania 42 and tonight’s show will kick off with a true spectacle.
In a matter of hours, six wrestling daredevils will hit the ring in a high flying battle over the Intercontinental Championship in a Ladder Match, which is as real as it gets.
Speaking in Las Vegas days before the bout, Dragon Lee exclusively told Metro: ‘It’s not safe for anybody, it’s going to be risk for everybody.’
Despite the unpredictable and violent nature of the match and its props, the masked luchador is prepared.
‘I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I’m ready for everything that is coming, and I’m gonna do my 100% as I always do in the ring,’ he smiled.
He’ll be joined in the match by defending champ Penta, Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio, Irish veteran JD McDonagh, Bulgarian star Rusev and fan favourite rookie Je’Von Evans.
At just 21 years old, the so-called Young OG is excited to leave his mark as he makes his WrestleMania debut.
‘I’m just happy to be here,’ he beamed. ‘To be able to say my first WrestleMania match was for the IC Title in a ladder match at WrestleMania, at 21? it’s great!’
His gameplan isn’t going much further than ‘try to go crazy but be safe’, while NXT boss Shawn Michaels kept his advice short and sweet.
‘Well, I tried to [get some tips] and then whenever I talked to Papa Shawn, he’s like, “Oh, you know, it hurts!” Appreciate you,’ he laughed. ‘But at the same time, I kind of want to learn too, because sometimes the best way to learn is just really to experience it.’
One man who isn’t part of this weekend’s card but has history with ladder matches at WrestleMania is Matt Cardona, who recently returned to WWE after six years.
The former IC Champion, who will be joining WWE 2K26 as part of the third season of Ringside Pass in June, had a word of warning for anyone stepping into their first match involving ladders.
‘You’ve seen them, right? They’re involved in the match, but they don’t necessarily have to do what you want it to do,’ he quipped. ‘How many times have you seen someone try jump off a ladder, and the ladder tips, the guy falls right on his face?’
Cardona, who found out he will be rated 82 in the game, three less than his wife Chelsea Green, moments before our interview, recalled his own IC Title-winning Mania moment.
‘I remember climbing the ladder at WrestleMania 32 to drop a big elbow,’ he said. ‘And I’m like, “Please, please, please, ladder. Please do not fall. I want to land this move safely!” Luckily, I did, but they’re unpredictable.’
SmackDown tag team Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) have plenty of history in these kinds of matches, and they both agreed there is an added layer of risk and nerves involved.
‘I feel like ladder matches are akin to standing on a very, very tall building, just kind of like teetering over the edge, that sublime feeling, and you feel your guts kind of drop out,’ Shelley said.
His tag partner added: ‘But at the same time, you just gotta do what you gotta do. We’re here for a reason, you know?’
Like Je’Von, JD McDonagh is preparing for his first Ladder Match, and has found a unique way to prepare.
‘I’ve been going up into my attic. I’ve been hanging pictures on the wall,’ he joked. ‘Any excuse, really, to get on a ladder and feel that under me. I’ve been taking my training seriously.’
Everyone involved this year has a similar goal, but Penta described the bout as his ‘kingdom’.
‘I’m gonna bring the fire that night,’ Dragon Lee promised. ‘I’s gonna be unbelievable, my friend. I’m so excited I’m just gonna be in this Sunday.’
Je’Von added: ‘Y’all can expect me to get bouncy, and be the new IC Champion, and the youngest champion. Let’s make history. Come on now!’
WWE 2K26 is available now.
Netflix UK & Ireland subscribers can watch Raw, SmackDown, NXT and all WWE Premium Live events as part of their subscription, including WrestleMania live from Las Vegas on 18th and 19th April.
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