Well, it’s that time again. WRESTLEMANIA is upon us, and a year after THE story was finished, it takes a twist that I don’t think ANYONE could’ve predicted. It is not maybe a shock to have one of the all time greats in the main event of WrestleMania at his final ever Mania, not a shock to have him challenge for the WWE Championship… but to have the ultimate babyface turn HEEL on his retirement tour? Yes, indeed that is quite the shock. But we will talk more about that match in a little while. Before that, we have quite the card (or two cards really) to discuss.
But before that, I have to admit I am writing this on Thursday evening before WrestleMania weekend, so of course before SmackDown in Vegas tomorrow night. As it stands it appears the majority of the Mania card is finalised, but we of course don’t yet officially have an opponent or even a match for Randy Orton.
It is so heart-breaking that him and Kevin Owens couldn’t get their big match at Mania, and I wish nothing but the absolute best for KO with his recovery from neck surgery. But for Orton, we presume he will get a match. And it looks like it could be against Solo Sikoa, who yes has been one of the more featured acts on SmackDown since pretty much the show after Mania last year, so you can’t really have him miss WrestleMania, but I can’t help but feel slightly underwhelmed if it is indeed Solo who gets the Orton match. Especially given there are… a few… notable names who appear to be WWE bound… or I should say look to be RETURNING to WWE… Keep your eyes peeled over the next few days on that front…
But whilst the Orton match is in doubt, we do have the CONFIRMED matches to talk about, so let me know get on to my official preview and predictions for WRESLTEMANIA 41!
Night 1 (Saturday)
If you are one of those who isn’t for this push for Jey Uso, you should probably skip this match preview, because I absolutely AM! Jey has been one of the more intriguing characters in WWE to follow ever since he told Roman Reigns in 2020 that people ask him which Uso he is? Right hand man to record-breaking tag team champion, to WRESTLEMANIA MAIN EVENTER, to going out on his own as MAIN EVENT Jey Uso, to a brief run as IC Champ, to then rejoin his Bloodline, to then go and WIN THE ROYAL FUCKING RUMBLE! You only have to watch WWE since they went to Netflix and to see how the crowds have reacted to Jey. The YEET-ing has fully taken over, the merch sales, everything points to Jey being in this spot as a top babyface. I really don’t get the hate to be honest. And Gunther… well he’s one of the best wrestlers in the world, he’s a fantastic heel, and he has really driven home both of those points during the build to this match. It was just bubbling and plodding along at the start, with Gunther consistently getting the better of his WrestleMania challenger. But then it went up a notch, when Jey’s brother Jimmy hit a Stephanie McMahon worthy slap to the World Champion. And with that, signed his own death warrant. The image of Gunther rubbing Jimmy’s blood over his chest, as Jey looked on after being trapped to the ropes, was as vile as it was brilliant. And Jey’s follow up promo, with Gunther (for the first time) showing an element of fear, was excellent. I personally can’t wait for this match. As for a prediction, it has to be Jey’s time right? Else, what was the point of all this? Gunther is good enough to be fine after, but it’ll be interesting to see how Gunther and WWE follow up another Gunther very long title reign. If only there was another shiny gold belt he could go after… we shall see I guess, but I can only see WrestleMania 41 starting with a big YEET, and a NEW World Heavyweight Champion.
Of course not the biggest story of long-term babyface goes bad and gets the big Mania match, but for lovers of The New Day like me, it’s still a huge deal. This isn’t a match I PERSONALLY would think instantly has to be for WrestleMania, but it’ll bang I have no doubt. War Raiders are one of the top in-ring tag teams around, and Kofi & Woods are as reliable as you can get. In terms of storyline, it’s all about New Day for me. The group (and yes they’re still a group to me, we STAN Big E on this blog) really got their big break as heels many years ago, but have since become too good to hate. And their heel status was cemented with that incredible segment were they turned on their beloved brother Big E. I had the pleasure of seeing this very match at the WWE Live show in Nottingham recently, so I have no doubt it’ll be good… however, I see a different result this time. Heel New Day 2.0 to win the titles here… unless… there’s a distraction from a former friend… which would be a fun ‘WrestleMania moment’, but if he really isn’t able to come back, then what’s the payoff? So educated guess, I will go New Day for this one.
I really don’t know how to feel about this one. I love Rey (who doesn’t), but I am somewhat… uncomfortable… with this gimmick from Chad Gable (if it is indeed him of course….). The match no doubt will be great, I have no concerns at all about that, I just… surely there’s something else with Gable and his crew, and Rey and the LWO that could’ve made this Mania worthy? Could’ve maybe made it mask vs mask, but of course there’d be NO WAY Rey is losing then, so perhaps that’s why it isn’t? I presume ‘EL GRANDE’ is getting the win, followed by some form of unmasking of Americano afterwards maybe? So the crowd can be happy(?) after all.
Low key, I think this match has had among the best (if not the best) builds of any match for WrestleMania this year. A tale as old as time, the friend gets jealous of the two other friends leading to conflict, but they really have played it so well. Naomi has long been one of the more underrated women’s performers, so I am so glad she’s getting a new lease on life now with this heel run. And Jade is so naturally a megastar, so seeing her get to show her fiery and vengeful side has really given her character some backbone. The one odd element is how the feud solely exists because of Bianca Belair, and she’s been transported over to Raw for their Women’s title match, although maybe that’s a post-Mania story to tell? It was the number one choice of most thar Naomi was the one to take out Cargill all those months ago, but they made the obvious choice mean something right away, with the excellent promo segment where Naomi admitted to Bianca what she had done. And subsequently the actions of both Jade (being on SMOKE) and Naomi (with her borderline-SCARY promo videos) has been great. This is also quite the historic occasion, as it will be the first women’s singles match ever at a WrestleMania to be non-title and have no gimmick attached. Which I think is why there isn’t a stipulation attached, and also leaves it open for a gimmick-heavy match at the next PLE, presumably for the loser of this one to get their win back. But I think this is something to be celebrated; two black women getting this spot is certainly something to be happy about, and for women generally it’s a sign we have come a long way since pillow fights and bra and panties matches. I do hope this can become the norm now, which I admit can be tricky when you only do 5 matches at regular PLEs, but give the women more chances to shine please? I have Jade winning this one, and Naomi to get hers later down the line.
Just has to be Jacob here right? LA Knight continues to be supremely over, but this is Fatu’s time. A legitimate monster, who despite being a heel continues to wow crowds all over the world. It’s been fun to see him find his voice since Solo lost the Ula Fala, and whilst I am unsure how you would navigate what I presume will be a feud between the two post-Mania, I have no doubt it’ll be fun should it happen. Be interesting how the Vegas crowd are for this one with Jacob (the heel) being cool as fuck, against LA Knight (the babyface) being super-over, solid in-ring, but also the champion. People like to see new stuff, and with that in mind I predict Jacob to win the belt here, a huge crowd pop, and a dominant reign where he blitzes through the whole new Bloodline and many others… hopefully…
OK, let me start at the beginning and work forward when talking about this one, because there is A LOT to unpack. Initially when the match was made, it was a bit of ‘urgh, Charlotte in ANOTHER Mania title match’, but equally it was ‘well of course she’s in this spot, she’s CHARLOTTE’! And the story of the new star in Stratton looking to prove herself against the established star is an easy one to tell. But the build-up… oh BOY… Initially of course it was just kind of there, and maybe the two women felt that, because for better or worse it’s now gone into overdrive. The now infamous split screen interview segment where Charlotte buried Tiffany (that was my first reaction watching it, not based upon the online backlash that followed). She really did eat her up I felt, and I’m not sure if that was by design, but regardless I came out of that as a very worried Tiffany Stratton fan. This was THE spot for her to prove her worth, and she was sinking. But my word did she find her stroke the weeks since… the equally (somewhat) shoot promo segment where we had references to Charlotte’s marriage(s), Flair claiming Kaiser was in her DMs, and a whole lot more, really felt to me like that was Stratton getting her licks back. She was the equal to Charlotte now, and this feud has the needle that a WrestleMania championship requires, so I see it all as very much net-positive. I am going for Tiffy time to continue here, as much from hope as a prediction. I just think a win over Charlotte at WrestleMania would do so much more for Stratton than it would for Charlotte to win yet another title… we shall see…
Where to even begin with this one??? Well, let me start with my personal joy that CM Punk will be in the main event at WrestleMania. That alone makes me smile. As does the fact that Roman Reigns is facing Seth Rollins, those two for me are my eternal story in WWE. I have long thought WWE not doing The Shield triple threat for the WWE title in the main event of WrestleMania is one of their biggest booking-mishaps of modern times, but I guess this is the best second option we can get these days. I was one who thought the idea of a triple threat, non-title or stip match was odd, certainly didn’t feel worthy for three of the biggest names on the roster for WRESTLEMANIA… but when you look closer, it’s really the only match to do. Rollins hates Punk, Punk hates Roman, Roman hates Punk and Rollins, and then you throw in the outside factor of a certain Wiseman, and it all adds up to for me, the most unpredictable match result-wise on the whole Mania card. I have tried to use my logic and think of so many scenarios, and there’s two I have set up on the most… One where the love of Paul Heyman proves too much for both Reigns and Punk, and that allows for Rollins to take advantage and get the win. The other I have thought about is the one I’d like to see more personally, and it’s route one, but I just want it. Heyman turns on Roman, Roman is all alone for the first time since he became The Tribal Chief, and we get Heyman at the side of Punk once more. I really have no idea who will win this one, but I will be fully locked in watching on to find out!
Night 2 (Sunday)
I know some do, but I personally have no issue with Rhea being in this match. In a kayfabe sense, yes the justifications from Belair about how Ripley is undeserving make sense, she lost her title fair and square, as did Bianca earn her shot at the champion Io. But personally, these are three of the top women’s performers in WWE, so them being in the Women’s title match to open night 2, sounds pretty great to me. Predicting a winner is a little tricky; Ripley getting her belt back would certainly make her moaning and recent attacks worthwhile, but would likely lead to a heel turn (if she’s not heading there already), and it would certainly add fuel to the flames of an already furious Belair. As for the woman who earnt her spot (unlike Ripley), she is of course unbeaten at WrestleMania, and I could definitely see her being a champion and a former friend of hers using a certain briefcase to get some revenge… but that’s a lot of hypotheticals I suppose, nonetheless I would not rule out Belair from this one. And I also wouldn’t rule out Belair and Ripley to cancel one another out, and for the champion to take advantage. Sky is one of the best female wrestlers in the world, so I can never really be upset to see her as a champion and would not be saddened if she was to continue to be so coming out of WrestleMania. But ultimately, I will go with Bianca to win this one. I cannot though say my confidence levels in that prediction are high.
With a passion, I despise the fact the WOMEN’S INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION is in a tag title match instead of defending her own title at WrestleMania. I’m also very upset that the Women’s US Champion (the GREAT Chelsea Green) also doesn’t have a title match on the card, as so for the tag champions of SmackDown Street Profits… but anyway, lets talk this match. I can only really see the story of this match being the challengers, and if they can get along? Does Lyra turn? Does Bayley? Or do they just… win… and the story is them as champions, to slowly but surely turn on one another over Lyra’s IC title? Who knows? I guess its good the eternally underwhelming Women’s tag titles have a WrestleMania match, and no doubt the match will be fun, but I can’t say this is high on my excitement list. Educated guess tells me we get new champions here, else what really is the point?
I can’t say I want to talk too much or even care much about Logan Paul (great wrestler, annoyingly so, but deplorable human being). Equally though I care highly about the great AJ Styles, so I will be firmly locked in to this match. I have no doubt they will have many clips online from various wild spots, and as long as Styles gets the win I don’t mind. Down the line, given how over he was last year, I have Styles earmarked for a big match when WWE heads to France once again in a few months, and I wouldn’t mind that to be him running it back with a new champion that you cannot see… but lets wait and firstly find out if Styles can get the Mania win over the most controversial WWE roster member. I hope he does anyway…
First of all, can we just admire how fucking SICK this match graphic looks! I think this could well be the best match of all of WrestleMania this year. 4 great in-ring performers with different styles, but the pace that the match will run at can surely only mean we get a BANGER! Penta has shone so brightly since finally coming in to WWE, Bron Breakker continues to prove everyone right who pencilled him in as a future star from the very start, Finn Balor is one of the best all-rounders around, and Dom Mysterio… my word his development in pretty astonishing. How can a rookie GET wrestling and his character so well? His lineage probably helps… I am sure Eddie would be so proud… And it is Dom who I am going with to win this one. He’s the only one who hasn’t been on top of any of the build up segments to me, and I also would go with him pinning his fellow Judgment Day member to get the IC title for the first time. But regardless, I am so ready for this one, it’s going to be electric, and I cannot wait to see how Bron Breakker goes viral once more!
Many will overlook the fact that this is of course a rematch from WrestleMania last year, where Damian Priest had his career highlight, at the expense of the ultimate humiliation for McIntyre. And I also overlooked the fact that (as Drew has pointed out), seemingly every time Drew has had misfortunes in recent times, Damian Priest has been involved. Priest’s arguments that Drew deserved all he got, maybe can’t be argued against too much, but regardless it has led us to this point where a SIN CITY STREET FIGHT is the answer. I am sure future world title matches are around the corner for both of these guys, and given their history I can absolutely see Drew McIntyre as a first challenger for Jey Uso, should he overcome Gunther. Without the gimmicks, this match would be good, but with the rules out the window I can only see this one being great. Two great wrestlers with free reign to beat the shit out of one another… now THAT sounds fun! As I said, I see Drew getting the win here, I think after so many disappointments it is about time he came out on top in the big match.
I cannot believe it is finally time. When I first heard the plan was John Cena vs Cody Rhodes for WrestleMania, I can’t say I was overjoyed. But of course since then. they have more than made this a match we want to see! I have loved the build up personally, the segment between the two in London was an absolute ALL TIMER! And now it’s time to see if Cena will indeed make history with number 17, or will Cody remain as the top guy a year on from his story finally being finished? Rhodes has been simply an outstanding WWE Champion, and has remained as the absolute top babyface in that period also, and I don’t think it’s even close. This was not something I was sure WWE could sustain, so credit to them and Cody for that. As a huge Cody fan, I am just overjoyed at his successes. My guy for sure. As for Cena, as a kid of the ‘super Cena’ era, I feel like this heel run is FOR ME, so it’s been a dream to see it happen before my eyes. And… I think Cena wins. There has been a distinct lack of the man who was the mastermind behind this change of attitude from Cena, so I wonder if he will make his presence known on Sunday (he surely will… right…). With his in-ring timeline already stated ahead of time, I will be fascinated to see how WWE would navigate having a WWE Champion who we all know is retiring in a few months. I guess you could have Cena win here, run through a few foes both old and new (Orton in St Louis maybe, Styles in France as previously mentioned) and then inevitably drop it back to Cody after he’s told his own redemption story once more. As famous as he finished his story last year, Cody has also LOST the main event of WrestleMania twice at this point… Roman Reigns, The Rock… John Cena would be an obvious name to add to those who have the win over Rhodes on the biggest stage right? And maybe I am overlooking Cody a little too much here, but a bit like with Jey Uso and Gunther, I really can only see a title change here. How they do it, and if The Rock makes his presence known, will be the key factors. I wonder if Cody could have someone help him counteract any possible Rock interference… if only The Rock had a long term rival who lives nearby to the WrestleMania venue… someone who has more history at WrestleMania with The Rock than anyone else… if that sounds a good idea to you, give me a HELL YEAH… BUT… As much as I would LOVE to see that, I simply can’t see anything else other than John Cena making history, and leaving WresleMania and Las Vegas as the NEW WWE Champion, for a record-breaking SEVENTEENTH time!
There’s a lot of doubt about the results of most of the matches on both nights, but for me that’s what makes this WrestleMania one of the most fascinating in recent years. I for one can’t wait for Wrestling Christmas… NOW GIVE ME MY PRESENTS!
Josh.