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Roman Reigns’ Televised Appearances Before WrestleMania 42 Revealed

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• Roman Reigns’ Televised Appearances Before WrestleMania 42 Revealed

2026 Men’s Royal Rumble winner Roman Reigns will face the winner of the CM Punk vs. Finn Balor match for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 42.

WWE has announced the following televised appearances of The OTC on the Road to WrestleMania 42:

March 2 – RAW in Indianapolis

March 16 – RAW in San Antonio

March 23 – RAW in Boston

March 30 – RAW at Madison Square Garden in New York City

April 13 – RAW before WrestleMania 42 in Sacramento

• Veteran WWE Employee Passes Away

WWE has lost a cornerstone of its production family. Jim Shank, a respected Technical Operations Manager who dedicated over 26 years to the company, passed away this past Friday following a long and courageous battle with colorectal cancer, according to PWInsider. He was 60 years old.

Shank’s journey with WWF/E began in November 1999, and he quickly became an essential part of the broadcast team. In recent years, he was the primary hand behind the company’s remote-controlled and robotic camera systems, a role that required immense technical skill.

However, his legacy behind the scenes wasn’t just built on his expertise; Shank was widely regarded as one of the kindest individuals in the industry, earning deep affection from everyone – from the crew members who worked beside him every day to the executives who routinely saw him at tapings.

The high regard for Shank was never more evident than during a massive GoFundMe campaign launched last year to help him access new therapy. The fundraiser saw an incredible outpouring of support, raising over $200,000. Notably, former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon personally contributed $122,000 to the cause, joining many other current and former employees who stepped up to support their colleague.

Though Shank fought until the end, celebrating his 60th birthday just last month, his passing leaves a significant void in the world of sports entertainment production.

WWE paid tribute to Jim at the end of tonight’s RAW by showing the following graphic:

Jim Shank WWE Tribute Graphic RAW February 9 2026

R.I.P Jim Shank

Also Read: Triple H Under Fire Backstage Over WrestleMania 42

• AJ Lee Returns On RAW, Match Set For Elimination Chamber

Tonight’s RAW kicked off with Becky Lynch storming to the ring, saying there’s a breaking point for anyone who keeps getting disrespected. She explained that she came out ready to address what she called corruption surrounding the Royal Rumble, but her focus shifted after spotting AJ Lee backstage with CM Punk.

AJ Lee’s music interrupted her. Lynch immediately challenges AJ’s presence, asking why Lee is on her show. Lee responded that she isn’t there because of Lynch at all, saying she came to support Maxxine Dupri ahead of her match with Nattie and planned to relax in catering afterward.

Lynch cut her off, mocking Lee’s persona and saying she won’t stop chirping like a chihuahua that’s been making her life miserable. Lee pushed back, questioning how exactly she’s done that – aside from beating Lynch at Wrestlepalooza, winning alongside her team in the 2025 Women’s WarGames match, and costing her the Women’s Intercontinental Championship.

Frustrated, Lynch asked what it will take to get Lee out of her way and floated the idea of embarrassing her in front of her hometown crowd of Chicago at Elimination Chamber. Lee fired back, suggesting Lynch is either unraveling or clearly wants a match. She said she’s flattered by the attention, joking that Lynch must like her.

AJ Lee then noted that she hasn’t wrestled a singles match in more than 10 years and said it would need to mean something. She praised Lynch as one of the greatest ever and wondered aloud what her wins over Becky represent, concluding that it would make her the #1 contender for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship.

Lynch shut that down, refusing to name Lee the #1 contender and arguing that Lee hasn’t earned a title shot. She pointed out that Lee isn’t even an active member of the RAW roster and suggests she head back to Chicago instead.

After continued back-and-forth, Becky Lynch finally agreed to put the Women’s Intercontinental Championship on the line against AJ Lee at Elimination Chamber.

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