WWE celebrates the 40th anniversary of WrestleMania!
The two-night event takes place on Saturday, April 6th and Sunday, April 7th, 2024. It will be held at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
As per usual the show is stacked with marquee matches, epic title bouts and big-time outings. The opening night will be headlined by The Rock’s return to the ring for the first time in 8 years.
The Great One teams with Roman Reigns to take on the duo of Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins. For the second year running, Night 2 will be headlined by Rhodes challenging Reigns for the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship.
Of course the ‘Show of Shows’ features a whole lot more – the full card is as follows:
- Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cody Rhodes– Undisputed Universal Championship
- Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson & Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes & Seth “Freakin” Rollins
- Iyo Sky (c) vs. Bayley– Women’s Championship
- Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Becky Lynch – Women’s World Championship
- Seth “Freakin” Rollins (c) vs. Drew McIntyre – World Heavyweight Championship
- Gunther (c) vs. Sami Zayn – International Championship
- Logan Paul (c) vs. Kevin Owens vs. Randy Orton – United States Championship
- The Judgment Day vs. #DIY vs. The New Day vs. Awesome Truth vs. A-Town Down Under vs. New Catch Republic – Six-Pack Ladder match for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship
- Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill, and Naomi vs. Damage CTRL
- Bobby Lashley & The Street Profits vs. Final Testament – Philadelphia Street Fight
- Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso
- AJ Styles vs. LA Knight
- Rey Mysterio and Andrade vs. Dominik Mysterio and Santos Escobar
With all these exciting matches going down in Philidelphia, let’s see who we think leaves ‘The Showcase of the Immortals’ in victory…
Rey Mysterio and Andrade vs. Dominik Mysterio and Santos Escobar
The Mysterio family feud rolls into another WrestleMania after Dominik inserted himself into his father’s business and cost him his return match against Escobar. Following the reignition of their feud, Rey revealed Dragon Lee as the newest member of the LWO before issuing his son and former stablemate a challenge. However, Andrade was revealed as Lee’s replacement after turning on Legado del Fantasma and siding with the elder Mysterio.
Prediction: The two factions have been rivals ever since Escobar turned on Mysterio and took him out of action, so this is the perfect opportunity to get revenge on the big stage. Rey Mysterio and Andrade win.
AJ Styles vs. LA Knight
AJ Styles took out his frustrations on LA Knight and attacked him when he returned from injury. Styles blamed the Megastar for stealing his opportunity to get ahead. Their feud then ran into the Universal Championship Fatal Four Way at Royal Rumble but went up a level when Styles travelled all the way to Perth, Australia to take out Knight during the Elimination Chamber.
Prediction: Both of these guys are looking for a victory to boost their momentum and status within the company. While Styles is clearly the best wrestler it seems Knight has a lot more to offer moving forward. LA Knight wins.
Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso
This family feud started when the brothers broke away from the Bloodline and entered a civil war with Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa. But things took a turn for the worse when Jimmy double crossed Jey during his Universal Championship challenge at SummerSlam. Following the screwjob, Jey attacked Jimmy and left the company.
Jey returned to Raw some months later and the twins stayed apart until Jimmy began interfering in Jey’s matches and costing him a chance at Intercontinental Championship gold.
Predictions: There is no doubt the brothers will go all out to put on the best sibling vs sibling match since Bret and Owen Hart thirty years ago. Since the breakup, Jey has gone on a hugely successful run while Jimmy has remained in the Bloodline background thus giving the former all the momentum to pick up an emotional win. Jey Uso wins.
Bobby Lashley & The Street Profits vs. Final Testament – Philadelphia Street Fight
The Final Testament have made it their mission to ruin the lives of Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits. The dark faction repeatedly attacked and beat down their enemies resulting in the two groups clashing at WrestleMania in a Philadelphia Street Fight.
Prediction: The stipulation attached to the match pays homage to the city’s connection with ECW and allows both groups to pick up some much-needed momentum. Since their arrival, The Final Testament has failed to portray the fear they need to be a dominant faction and a victory here could accomplish that. The Final Testament wins.
Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill, and Naomi vs. Damage CTRL
After making her impressive debut at the Royal Rumble, Jade Cargill officially arrived on SmackDown after signing for the blue brand on March 29th. The former AEW Star made a big impact when she took out Damage CTRL to stop them from attacking Belair and Naomi, who have had trouble with the trio for a long time. Following the altercation, it was announced that Cargill will make her WrestleMania debut when she teams with Belair and Naomi to face Damage CTRL.
Prediction: Simply put this match is to showcase Cargill. Placing her with Belair and Naomi raises her stock while keeping her looked after when in action. Her opponents will do the same with Kai and Sane especially taking some powerful offence. Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill, and Naomi win.
Logan Paul (c) vs. Kevin Owens vs. Randy Orton – United States Championship
Logan Paul got more than he bargained for when he crossed off two of WWE’s most dangerous men. At Royal Rumble, the YouTuber’s trusty brass knuckles played a huge part in the finish of his title defence against Kevin Owens. Then at Elimination Chamber, he used his favourite weapon to attack and take out Randy Orton costing him the match. Now both Owens and The Viper will get their revenge on the United States Champion in Philidelphia.
Prediction: The social media sensation certainly has his work cut out for him with both Owens and Orton gunning for him. But the Triple Threat stipulation allows for Paul both cheat, no doubt with his brass knuckles, and secure a sneaky win as there is no way he’s losing the title with SummerSlam announced for his hometown in August. Logan Paul retains.
The Judgment Day vs. #DIY vs. The New Day vs. Awesome Truth vs. A-Town Down Under vs. New Catch Republic – Six-Pack Ladder match for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship
The Judgment Day were told by Raw and SmackDown General Managers Adam Pierce and Nick Aldis that they would be defending the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships in a Six-Pack Tag Team Ladder match.
Following the announcement #DIY, Awesome Truth, The New Day and TBC qualified for the match in several tournament matches thus setting up what promises to be a wild match.
Prediction: The stipulation attached means that anyone could get the win. So, expect a thrilling, chaotic spectacle and because of his popularity R-Truth and The Miz will pick up the titles. Awesome Truth wins – New Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships.
Gunther (c) vs. Sami Zayn – International Championship
The dominant Gunther comes up against a reinvigorated Sami Zayn in Philidelphia. The Canadian star competed in a gruelling Gauntlet match and defeated five other men to get a shot at the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time.
Prediction: Although Zayn is a great candidate to dethrone the Austrian from his record setting reign, it still feels as though the Ring General shouldn’t lose the title any time soon. Gunther retains.
Seth “Freakin” Rollins (c) vs. Drew McIntyre – World Heavyweight Championship
Rollins and McIntyre have met many times before, but this time things are different. The Big Scot enters WrestleMania after winning Elimination Chamber, with a mega chip on his shoulder and a huge point to prove while Rollins is banged up and preoccupied with helping out Cody Rhodes in his fight against the Bloodline.
Prediction: Entering this match, McIntyre is on fire while Rollins has fallen by the wayside both as champion and as Rhodes’ partner. The Visionary has been a great first champion and elevated it as the workhorse title, but has done all he can do during this current run. Plus Rollins would greatly benefit from a break to refresh and reinvent himself. Drew McIntyre wins – New World Heavyweight Champion.
Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Becky Lynch – Women’s World Championship
Rhea Ripley and Becky Lynch have been on a collision course ever since they crossed paths in the lead up to the Royal Rumble, which left the Man questioning her ability to defeat the dominant champion.
It was clear they would face each other at the Philadelphia spectacular before Lynch won the Elimination Chamber to make the match official, but upon doing so The Eradicator made sure that seed of doubt remained growing in the thoughts of the Irish Superstar.
Prediction: Mami vs. The Man is the biggest women’s match over the two-day event and therefore, has quite a lot of hype to live up to. Both women carry a tonne momentum heading into the bout. Ripley has been a dominant force since winning the title at WrestleMania 39. Her reign has been characterised by her power and ruthlessness, which has given her the psychological edge over Lynch in their recent heated exchanges. But with that being said Lynch has shown she beat bigger and stronger opponents while thriving in the underdog role. However, Ripley is significantly over and on the verge of a mega run as a face, which starts here. Rhea Ripley retains.
Iyo Sky (c) vs. Bayley – Women’s Championship
When Bayley won the Women’s Royal Rumble, she had a tough choice to make. It was clear Rhea Ripley and Becky Lynch had their sights set on each other, leaving her fellow stablemate Iyo Sky as her potential WrestleMania opponent. But her decision was made for her when her faction turned and expelled her from the group she started. Since then the Role Model has found herself battling her former teammates leaving
Prediction: It’s surprising that a tenured member of the roster, such as Bayley has never had a singles match at WrestleMania and much as Sky is a deserving champion, Bayley deserves so much much more. Bayley wins – New Women’s Champion.
The Rock & Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes & Seth “Freakin” Rollins
The biggest Tag Team match in WrestleMania history has major ramifications on not one but two matches. The stipulation attached is twofold – if Rhodes and Rollins win, The Bloodline is barred from the Undisputed WWE Universal Title match, but if The Rock and Reigns win the title match will be Bloodline Rules.
The four became involved after the heated exchange at the WrestleMania Kick Off press, which saw The Rock side with Roman Reigns and slap Cody Rhodes across the face. The Great One then joined the Bloodline and challenged Rhodes and Rollins to the tag match, which the babyface duo accepted. Since then the insults have flown from both sides, but mainly between The Rock and Rhodes, resulting in a heated but unbalanced rivalry.
Prediction: A highly anticipated match that doesn’t really need to happen will shape the company for years to come. The bout features all of WWE’s top stars in a top position while overshadowing what they should actually be doing, but creates the perfect storm for the Night 2 main event. The Rock and Roman Reigns win.
Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cody Rhodes – Undisputed Universal Championship
For the second year in a row, Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes will headline WrestleMania in a match for the Undisputed Universal Championship – most likely in the Bloodline Rules stipulation attached.
The journey to get here was not as simple as it should’ve been. After winning the Royal Rumble, Rhodes pointed to the WrestleMania sign and then directly to Reigns suggesting they were ‘Mania bound. But, then enter The Rock. Rhodes seemed to give up his title shot to allow The Great One to face the Tribal Chief. However, the fan reaction was massively negative and the angle was switched, The Rock turned heel and the aforementioned Tag Team match was set all the while Reigns and Rhodes were heading for their second clash.
Prediction: Despite being overshadowed by the tag match somewhat the importance of this match has remained prevalent. Basically, the future of the company rests on this match. If Reigns retains then it is clear WWE is looking to position Reigns’ title run above the legends of old. But if they do at the cost of Rhodes’ genuine babyface connection with fans. Cody Rhodes wins – New Universal Champion.
WrestleMania 40 goes down on Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7, at 7 ET/4 PT, streaming LIVE on Peacock in the United States and on WWE Network everywhere else.