By: CHASE GOODMAN / STAFF WRITER
This weekend, WWE and Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field will host the biggest wrestling event of all time, WrestleMania 40. WrestleMania is an annual event hosted by the WWE dating back to March 31, 1985. Madison Square Garden hosted 19,121 attendees as they watched Andre The Giant bodyslam Big John Studd for $15,000 and Hulk Hogan teamed up with Mr. T to beat Paul Orndoff and “Rowdy” Roddy Piper in the first main event in the show’s history.
Since 1985, WWE fans have had the pleasure of 39 more WrestleMania events, all of which showcasing some of the most memorable moments in the company’s history. Moments such as “Stone Cold” Steve Austin taking on Bret “The Hitman” Hart in the legendary submission match at WrestleMania 13, to John Cena beating JBL at WrestleMania 21 for his first ever world championship reign or Shawn Michaels taking on The Undertaker at WrestleMania 25 and 26, with the latter being his final match of his career, fans of the brand have witnessed it all.
With this match card set to be one of the most action packed events in wrestling history, here are some predictions for how the matches will play out.
NIGHT 1
Latino World Order (Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee) vs. Santos Escobar and "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio
Expect many aerial feats from each competitor. Whether it's from Lucha Underground talent Santos Escobar and former New Japan Pro Wrestling star Dragon Lee showcasing their talents at the Showcase of the Immortals for the first time or the storied history between Rey Mysterio and his son Dominik, this match has the potential to be a real sleeper for a stacked card.
There has been slight tension between Dominik and his current stable “The Judgement Day.” With a potential breakup on the horizon, expect the LWO to come out on top.
Prediction: Latino World Order win
Jade Cargill, Bianca Belair and Naomi vs. Damage CTRL (Dakota Kai, Asuka and Kairi Sane)
The long anticipated WWE debut of Jade Cargill occurred at the 2024 Royal Rumble where she secured three eliminations on Nia Jax, Becky Lynch and Naomi. After saving Bianca Belair and Naomi from an assault by Damage CTRL on the March 29 episode of Smackdown, she was inserted into this 6 man tag team match. With all the hype behind Cargill, plus Belair’s 3-0 record at WrestleMania, it would be a surprise to see them lose.
Prediction: Jade Cargill, Bianca Belair and Naomi win
Six Pack Tag Team Ladder Match For The Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship: The Judgment Day (Finn Bálor and Damian Priest) [C] vs. #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) vs. The Awesome Truth (The Miz and R-Truth) vs. The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) vs. A-Town Down Under (Austin Theory and Grayson Waller) vs. New Catch Republic (Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate)
It wouldn’t be WrestleMania without a ladder match. In this match, Finn Bálor and Damian Priest will represent The Judgement Day as they take on five other tag teams for the Undisputed Tag Team Titles.
The added stipulation is that, in order for the match to be over, both titles must be taken. This sets up a title split for Raw and Smackdown to each have their exclusive championships again.
Each team has a strong case for why they should win but in the end, with the opportunity to split both championships open, it's hard to see WWE not take that chance. A true WrestleMania moment would see Awesome Truth win one set of the titles, alongside a potential upset victory with A-Town Down Under possibly winning. Despite that, it's hard to see The Judgement Day losing entirely.
Prediction: The Judgement Day and Awesome Truth win
Intercontinental Championship Match: Gunther [C] vs Sami Zayn
Gunther and Sami Zayn were both victorious at last year’s WrestleMania. Gunther retained his championship against Sheamus and Drew McIntrye, while Sami Zayn teamed with Kevin Owens to defeat the Usos for the Undisputed Tag Team Championships. Both matches were widely praised for their match spots, storytelling and quality that wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer gave both matches 5 stars.
Fast forward one year later and both are competing for the Intercontinental Championship. A sudden push propelled a slowly built Sami Zayn straight into the spotlight and in a prime position to end Gunther’s historic reign. Even with Gunther spending the majority of his main roster and WWE career as champion, this seems like the best opportunity for him to lose in order to challenge for the world championship this Summer.
Prediction: Sami Zayn wins the Intercontinental Championship
Women's World Championship Match: Rhea Ripley [C] vs Becky Lynch
At WrestleMania 39, Rhea Ripley defeated Charlotte for the Women's World Championship. One year later, she looks to defend it again against a familiar foe in Becky Lynch. Lynch earned her opportunity to face Ripley by winning the Elimination Chamber match in Perth, Australia. She now looks to defeat Ripley and capture her 8th Women’s Championship in WWE.
With Ripley leading The Judgement Day and there being little to no reason for her to lose, she will defeat Becky Lynch. This also adds tension between other members of Judgement Day and Dominik Mysterio, as he will be the only member to lose.
Prediction: Rhea Ripley retains the Women’s World Championship
Jey Uso vs Jimmy Uso: Brother vs Brother
This fight has potential to be match of the night and even match of the year. This match has been building since Summerslam of last year where Jimmy cost his brother a chance at finally dethroning Roman Reigns for the Undisputed World Championship.
Nobody was able to make sense of Jimmy’s actions and for the first time in their respective careers, the duo would split. With Jimmy siding with The Bloodline and Jey siding with Cody Rhodes, the two brothers fighting at WrestleMania was destined. With the storyline dating back to their WWE debuts to their numerous title reigns to the heavy implications of the outcome, expect to see an all time classic.
Prediction: Jey Uso wins
The Bloodline (The Rock and Roman Reigns) vs. Cody Rhodes and Seth "Freakin" Rollins
This is only the beginning for this action packed weekend for these four superstars. The Rock made his surprise return on the February 2 episode of Smackdown and aimed to face his cousin Roman Reigns for the World Championship.
Cody Rhodes, who had won the Royal Rumble in back to back years, had his decision on which champion he’d fight. At the WrestleMania 40 Kickoff Show in Las Vegas, he let the world know that he’d be taking on Roman Reigns for the second time.
After making off-color remarks about how Reigns’ family would feel about his inability to show up to defend his title on a consistent basis, The Rock took offense to that by slapping Rhodes and claiming they are allowed to do whatever they want. This set up Rhodes and Reigns fighting in the main event at WrestleMania again. On the March 8th episode of Smackdown, The Rock challenged Rhodes and his newfound ally Seth Rollins to a tag team match at WrestleMania, where the winner decides the stipulation to the main event on night two.
If Rhodes and Rollins win, The Bloodline are banned from ringside. However, if The Bloodline wins, Rhodes vs Reigns will be contested under ‘Bloodline Rules,’ meaning anything goes. Rhodes and Rollins accepted the challenge, giving night one of WrestleMania its main event. Many fans have predicted that The Rock will turn on Roman Reigns and a tribal chief civil war will occur but with this being just night one, the true story will unfold the following night.
Prediction: The Bloodline wins
NIGHT TWO
LA Knight vs. AJ Styles
This is a sleeper match if there ever was one. LA Knight in the past few months has transformed into a fan favorite. Whether it's his ‘YEAH’ chants or his high energy driven promos, LA Knight looks to steal the show in his first WrestleMania match. On the other side, there is the phenomenal AJ Styles. Styles was off television for some time as he was recovering from injuries but was able to come back in the main event picture based on talent and popularity. Despite that, Styles comes into WrestleMania with a fairly underwhelming history at the Grandest Stage of Them All. This match can either elevate AJ Styles or LA Knight into the title scene with a victory.
Prediction: LA Knight wins
Six Man Philly Street Fight: The Pride (Bobby Lashley, Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) (with B-Fab) vs. The Final Testament (Karrion Kross, Akam and Rezar) (with Scarlett and Paul Ellering)
Who doesn’t love a street fight? The Pride, featuring former World Champion Bobby Lashley and Tag Team Triple Crown Winners, The Street Profits, take on Karrion Kross and the returning Authors of Pain in The Final Testament. The Authors of Pain were responsible for costing The Street Profits a chance to be in the Six Pack Ladder match for the Tag Team Championships. A match with a stipulation like this plus superstars with strength and agility as these competitors is bound to create some memorable moments.
Prediction: The Pride Wins
United States Championship Match: Logan Paul [C] vs Kevin Owens vs Randy Orton
Logan Paul originally was thought of as a joke and a comedic routine that WWE planned on using. Paul, however, surprised fans by showcasing his impressive in-ring skills both on the mic and in the ring.
Orton, Owens and Paul were all involved in the Elimination Chamber match in February, setting the stage for this WrestleMania 40 match. In the match, Orton pinned Paul and Owens. In turn, Paul knocked out Orton with brass knuckles to cost him the match.
Last year’s triple threat match at WrestleMania 39 was a Match of the Year candidate. With the veteran leadership in the ring plus strength and skill, this match could potentially be the match of the night.
Prediction: Logan Paul Retains the United States Championship
WWE Women’s Championship Match: Iyo Sky [C] vs Bayley
Bayley was the leader of the women’s stable Damage CTRL. After her faction turned on her, Bayley chose Iyo Sky as her WrestleMania opponent.
Sky’s high flying ability looks to be on complete display in her defense and Bayley, riding the momentum of her Royal Rumble win, looks to finally win it all and have her WrestleMania moment.
Even with all of Damage CTRL now against her, Bayley looks to finally have fans acknowledge and respect her presence among the biggest female stars in the company's history. Sky’s reign has been considered by some to be relatively dull and lacking quality. This match could either kick off a comeback or be her and Damage CTRL’s last stand.
Prediction: Bayley wins the WWE Women’s Championship
World Heavyweight Championship Match: Seth Rollins [C] vs Drew McIntyre
The Scottish Psychopath Drew McIntyre has been waiting for this moment. At WrestleMania 36, he easily beat Brock Lesnar and captured the WWE Championship. His moment was unfortunately ruined by the COVID-19 pandemic which took fans away from the action.
Four years later, nothing's standing in the way of McIntryre taking the championship off Rollins and becoming the new World Heavyweight Champion. Rollins has been dealing with injuries but has powered through and fought on a regular basis. Original plans had CM Punk facing Seth Rollins but due to a legitimate injury, plans were scrapped.
With Punk on the sidelines till at least Summer and Rollins likely needing time off to recover from injury, all the signs point to McIntrye having his WrestleMania moment.
Prediction: Drew McIntyre wins the World Heavyweight Championship
Undisputed WWE Universal Championship Match: Roman Reigns [C] vs Cody Rhodes
It all comes down to this — the main event of WrestleMania 40. Will Cody Rhodes finally write the last page of an entertaining chapter to his book and finish the story for both him and his family, once and for all?
The most exciting aspect of this match is all the implications and potential outcomes. Does The Rock turn on Roman? Does Jey Uso rejoin The Bloodline? Does Rhodes enlist the help from past foes of Roman Reigns to take him down once and for all? What happens after this match?
World Championship matches have been used as ceremonial passing of the torches throughout WWE history. All the signs point to Rhodes winning but they said that last year and he lost. Will Rhodes rewrite history or will history just repeat itself?
Prediction: Cody Rhodes wins the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship
WrestleMania 40 will be live on Peacock on April 6 and April 7 at 7PM EST/4PM PST.