WWE’s biggest event of the year, WrestleMania 40, takes place this weekend at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. There are 13 matches slated for the two-night extravaganza, with all seven of WWE’s championships on the line.
Here’s a look at the full card, and how we see each match playing out.
(Note: Matches are not listed in televised order)
Night 1
Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee vs. Dominik Mysterio and Santos Escobar
We should see some very entertaining action between these four very early on in the show. Expect several jaw-dropping moments from Dragon Lee, who is among the most talented Luchadors in WWE today and charged moments between Rey and Dominik Mysterio. The Judgment Day could be in line for a huge weekend (more on this later) and the outcome of this match likely determines where Mysterio fits in all of it. Prediction: Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee win
Jade Cargill, Bianca Belair and Naomi vs. Damage CTRL
This will be our first extended look at Jade Cargill, who is being built up like no other women’s wrestler in recent memory. After three consecutive title matches at WrestleMania, we know the level of talent Belair is bringing into this match and Naomi is still riding a high from her return at the Royal Rumble. Damage CTRL is the predominant women’s faction and doesn’t appear to be going anywhere anytime soon. Look for Cargill to shine and possibly turn on Belair and Naomi, coming in as a heel potentially joining Damage CTRL in the process. Prediction: Damage CTRL wins
Jimmy Uso vs Jey Uso ‘Brother vs. Brother’
A match that we have been building to for roughly a year, Jimmy and Jey will finally give fans a payoff at WrestleMania. You could argue that — outside of the two main events — that no match on the entire WrestleMania 40 card has more significant emotional stakes than this one. Both Uso brothers have remarkable ability from a physical and storytelling perspective those will be on full display on Saturday night. The best outcome here is for Jey Uso to come out with the win, extending the story between the brothers and, to an extent, the Bloodline as well. Prediction: Jey Uso wins
Six-Pack Challenge Ladder Match for Tag Team Championships: DIY vs. Awesome Truth vs. New Day vs. New Catch Republic vs. Grayson Waller and Austin Theory vs. The Judgment Day (c.)
WWE ladder matches have a rich history at WrestleMania, and there’s a very good chance that this one joins that group by stealing the show on Saturday. Again, there’s always the possibility that WWE goes all-in on The Judgment Day, having them hold three major championships before all is said and done in Philadelphia — but I don’t think this is the ultimate outcome. You could realistically make a case for any of the six teams involved here to come out as champs, but if we’re going for the “WrestleMania moment,” Awesome Truth climbing the ladder and winning is the way to go. Prediction: Awesome Truth wins the WWE Tag Team Championships
Intercontinental Championship Match: Sami Zayn vs. Gunther (c.)
Despite a relatively sudden build, Zayn and Gunther have the ability to put on an excellent match on Night 1. The contrasting styles between these two should mesh nicely, but I don’t see any reason to believe that Gunther’s record-setting reign will end at WrestleMania. Prediction: Gunther retains the Intercontinental Championship
Women’s World Championship Match: Becky Lynch vs. Rhea Ripley (c.)
Lynch and Ripley are no strangers to WrestleMania, with each of them having won championships at the “Showcase of the Immortals.” Since the match was set after Lynch’s Elimination Chamber win, these two have done a great job in building this feud both on and off WWE programming. Would Lynch be a strong champion (as she always has been in the past)? Sure, but Ripley is doing everything at such an elevated level right now, putting her on the type of run that you ride until the wheels fall off. Where the rest of the Judgment Day failed on Night 1, Ripley succeeds, potentially creating a power vacuum in the organization. Prediction: Rhea Ripley retains her Women’s World Championship
Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins vs. The Rock and Roman Reigns
More of a chapter in the story than the end of it for Rhodes, I don’t expect the babyfaces to prevail in the main event of Night 1. With the stipulation being if Rhodes/Rollins win The Bloodline is barred from ringside on Night 2 and if Rock/Reigns win the Night 2 match happens under “Bloodline Rules,” it makes for a better Night 2 main event if the deck is stacked against Rhodes. The Philadelphia crowd should make this one of the most memorable main events in recent memory as we’re bound to get showdowns between Rhodes and The Rock as well as between Rollins and Reigns. Fans have been theorizing The Rock turning on Reigns, and with them sharing the ring there’s a chance for it here, but the real culmination of this incredible build will come Sunday, not Saturday. Prediction: The Rock and Roman Reigns win.
Night 2
Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits vs. The Final Testament in a Philadelphia Street Fight
Sometimes, in pro wrestling, it comes down to which wrestler/faction needs the win more to establish credibility moving forward. Lashley’s a future Hall of Famer and no matter what the Street Profits do, their charisma and ability as a team will always have them over with WWE fans. If Karrion Kross and Authors of Pain are going to sniff the runs they had during their time with NXT a dominant win needs to happen here at WrestleMania. Prediction: The Final Testament wins
LA Knight vs. AJ Styles
If we’re looking at a potential dark horse, weekend-stealing match, this is it. The feud leading into the showdown between Knight and Styles has been solid and this will be Knight’s first-ever WrestleMania match. Knight was the hottest star in WWE just a few months ago, and certainly has the fans’ support. Styles, who missed significant time last year with injury and a hiatus, will always be in or near the main-event picture, simply based off his ability and reputation. A WrestleMania victory for Knight would jolt the Philadelphia crowd and continue the momentum for Knight through the next portion of 2024. Prediction: LA Knight wins
Triple-Threat Match for the United States Championship: Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens vs. Logan Paul (c.)
Orton, Owens and Paul were all involved in the Elimination Chamber match in February, setting the stage for his WrestleMania 40 match. Orton and Owens are the established veterans in this match, but Paul is no slouch either. At WrestleMania 39, there was a triple-threat match between Sheamus, Gunther and Drew McIntyre that was among the best of the year. I would expect Owens, Orton and Paul to put together something special that matches — or exceeds — what we saw then. Prediction: Logan Paul retains the United States Championship (c.)
World Heavyweight Championship Match: Drew McIntyre vs. Seth Rollins (c.) – with CM Punk as special guest commentator
It was believed that this spot was supposed to be Punk’s before a triceps injury shelved him, forcing McIntyre into the WrestleMania 40 match. That said, McIntyre has taken the ball and run with it, tapping into a heel character that has been a refreshing change of pace. Rollins is pulling double duty this weekend — should expect nothing less than the heart and soul of this generation of WWE — and could be (storyline) significantly banged up after Night 1. Common sense would suggest that Punk gets involved somehow, but I actually think it adds to the depth of his character and this feud if he stays neutral. Of course, there’s always the “Money in the Bank” winner Damian Priest lurking as well. All of this is to say, I don’t see how Rollins leaves Philadelphia as champion. Prediction: Drew McIntyre wins the World Heavyweight Championship
WWE Women’s Championship Match: Bayley vs. Iyo Sky (c.)
Despite being one of the biggest female stars of this generation, this is going to be Bayley’s first one-on-one match at WrestleMania. After winning the Royal Rumble and having her faction, Damage CTRL, turn on her, Bayley opted to take on Iyo Sky in Philadelphia. Sky and Bayley are two of the best in the industry right now, so this match could go down as one of the all-time greats — especially with the champion’s high-flying ability. More than anything, though, this feels like a necessary step in acknowledging Bayley as one of the pillars of women’s wrestling. Prediction: Bayley wins the WWE Women’s Championship
Undisputed WWE Universal Championship Match: Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns (c.) (Stipulation TBD after Night 1 main event)
As mentioned above, the way this match works best is if the deck is stacked against Rhodes — meaning it will take place under “Bloodline Rules.” After last year’s shocking finish, it’s very hard to see Rhodes not coming out on top, paying off a rivalry with Reigns that has gone on for more than a year now. The biggest question for the match is who will get involved. Will The Rock turn on Reigns? How much outside interference will we get? Are there surprise run-ins that will neutralize The Bloodline? All of this is on the table in one of the most anticipated WrestleMania main events in history. Championship changes, especially those at WrestleMania, should be memorable and/or represent a passing of the torch. WWE has the ability to create and all-time moment — eclipsing Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XII, Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania XXX and Kofi Kingston at WrestleMania 35. Prediction: Cody Rhodes wins the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
Source Agencies
