Wrestling is in its Renaissance era, and at the head of its revival is the WWE. A plethora of stars in their prime, promising young talent, and legends who have made their way back have been bringing the excitement wrestling used to have back into the public eye. It all comes to culmination at the grandest stage this weekend. WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia.
This year’s Showcase of the Immortals is filled with high stakes. Historical title reigns on the line, the return of The Rock, brother fighting brother, backstabber vs backstabbed. WrestleMania 40 will shape a major landscape of the WWE moving forward.
The two-night event will take place April 6th and 7th at 7 p.m. ET. Streaming is on Peacock. Below is the match card as well as predictions on each winner.
Day 1
The Rock and Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes and Seth “Freakin” Rollins: In the buildup to the biggest tag team match in WWE history, cousins Roman Reigns and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson have made life a bad dream for the “American Nightmare”, Cody Rhodes. After realizing he could not take down the Bloodline alone, Cody teamed up with a longtime rival. The World Heavyweight Champion, Seth “Freakin” Rollins. If Rhodes and Rollins win, Cody will have a clean match on the main event of Day 2 against Reigns. If Roman and the Rock win, the match will be Bloodline rules, where all interferences are legal.
Prediction: The Rock has not wrestled a match in 8 years. Roman has not wrestled since January. But the rust of the cousins so far has seemed not to be a factor against the two blue-collar superstars in Cody and Seth. Don’t be surprised if the Bloodline shows up and shows out. The Rock and Roman Reigns win.
Women’s World Championship – Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Becky Lynch: Rhea Ripley is the paradigm of a new era superstar in the WWE. She has captivated viewers with her charm and fierce personality. The declining number of challengers she has left is why she’s called The Eradicator. But fresh off an Elimination Chamber victory comes “The Man,” Becky Lynch. Lynch has defeated almost every woman on the Raw roster, expect for Mami. This is an opportunity for the Irish superstar to win the world title and prove herself to be at the top of her division.
Prediction: Lynch has occupied the main-event scene for 8 years now, but it has been 2 years since she last held the women’s title. Meanwhile, Ripley’s onset on the roster has been undeniable. Both competitors will have to go the extra mile for a victory. Rhea Ripley wins.
Intercontinental Championship – Gunther (c) vs. Sami Zayn: “The Ring General,” Gunther is the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion ever (665 days). In his 6 years in the WWE, he has already put on the most Dave Meltzer 5-star matches in the company. Leading up to this match Sami Zayn took training from wrestling master Chad Gable, the only opponent to beat Gunther during his title reign. Most believe Zayn doesn’t stand a chance against Gunther. But being doubted is when Sami is at his best.
Prediction: Sami Zayn is beloved for his resilience. And because of that, there just might be another Rocky story in Philadelphia. But slaying the greatest Intercontinental Champion is a task too tall for most. Gunther wins.
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship – Judgement Day (c) vs. #DIY vs. The New Day vs. Awesome Truth vs. A-Town Down Under vs. New Catch Republic (Ladder Match): Coming into this match, the Judgement Day has been on a dominant run. Damien Priest stills holds the Money-in-the-Bank briefcase, which he can use to cash-in on any title match at WrestleMania. But before any of that, the main priority for him and Finn Balor will be climbing the ladder, and holding onto both their tag titles. Another favorite that has emerged since reuniting is R-Truth and the Miz, The Awesome Truth. Michael Cole (WWE commentator and journalist) reported that this match will not end until both pair of titles are grabbed. Therefore, it is a possibility two of the six teams leave as winners.
Prediction: Assuming only one winner is crowned, Priest and Balor retaining their titles is a foreseeable sight. The Judgement Day wins.
Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso: A 37-year-old relationship shattered at last year’s SummerSlam when Jimmy Uso prevented his twin Jay from winning the WWE Championship. Since then, the brothers have gone separate ways for the first time in their lives. Jey went on to win the tag team titles and become the highest merch seller in the business. While Jimmy has been cast in the background of the Bloodline’s success. The twins seek to settle their hostility with one another in the city of Brotherly Love. And at the end of the match, people want to see just that, for the brothers to embrace one another and rekindle their relationship.
Prediction: Jimmy may boast about how always he’s always been superior to his little bro (by nine minutes). But when comparing the work they’ve done in the past months, Jey has been far more electric. Jey Uso wins.
Damage CTRL vs. Bianca Belair, Naomi and Jade Cargill: Bianca Belair has been a main target of Damage CTRL’s onslaught since taking over SmackDown. And while she is resistant, the numbers game has always proved to be a disadvantage for the EST. Even with a returning Naomi by her side, Auska, Dakota Kai, and Kairi Sane out-number the two. But to even things out arrives “The Storm,” Jade Cargill. In her WrestleMania debut, she looks to put an end to the attacks by Damage CTRL.
Prediction: The Avengers like combination of Bianca, Naomi, and Jade might prove to be something that the star-studded Damage CTRL has never seen before. Bianca Belair, Naomi and Jade Cargill win.
Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee vs. Santos Escobar and Dominick Mysterio: Last year at WrestleMania, Rey Mysterio had given his son Dominick a final beating after he betrayed him. In the following year Rey was once more betrayed, but this time by his mentee, Santos Escobar. At WrestleMania, Santos and Dominick will unite behind their common hatred for the Lucha Libre legend. As they are set to face off in tag team match against Rey and the newest member of his LWO faction, Dragon Lee.
Prediction: It is time for Dominck and Santos to completely move out of Rey Mysterio’s shadow. And only a win against the Hall of Famer and Lee will allow them to do that. Santos Escobar and Dominick Mysterio win.
Day 2
Undisputed WWE Universal Championship – Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cody Rhodes: Roman Reigns has held the Universal Championship for 1,314 days (fourth longest title reign in history). In his time as champion, Reigns has ravaged every superstar in his path. Including Cody Rhodes at last year’s WrestleMania. But after winning the Royal Rumble back-to-back (a feat that has only been done by the likes of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Hulk Hogan and Shawn Michaels), Rhodes has earned his rematch against the Tribal Chief. He will have one final chance to finish his story and hold the championship belt that his father -Dusty Rhodes- never held.
Prediction: No one has gone through greater obstacles than the American Nightmare since last year. Reigns will be facing a battle tested Rhodes that has clawed his way to a championship opportunity. The winner of this match will either crown a new face of the company or force everyone to acknowledge its current regime. Cody Rhodes wins.
WWE Women’s Championship – Iyo Sky (c) vs. Bayley: Damage CTRL is one of the most decorated factions in WWE. Iyo holds the Women’s Title, while Kairi Sane and Auska are the Women’s Tag Team Champions. Everything that Bayley, a founder of the group, planned out for Damage CTRL had come to fruition. That was until, the group of friends she thought she could trust, abandoned her. As the winner of the Royal Rumble, Bayley turns her focus to get revenge by facing her former faction mate, Iyo Sky, for the Women’s Championship.
Prediction: Being stabbed in the back should only add momentum to the head of steam Bayley has been on since winning the rumble. Although she will have to maneuver past the “Genius of the Sky” in Iyo. A return to the main-event scene feels destined for Bayley. Bayley wins.
World Heavyweight Championship – Seth “Freakin” Rollins (c) vs. Drew McIntyre: During Seth Rollins’ outstanding world title reign his most persistent challenger has been Drew McIntyre. The Scottish Warrior won his first world championship during the pandemic in a stadium with no fans. Since losing it, McIntyre has been gnawing for every chance to take back the title and have his celebratory moment in front of a live audience. He earned himself the opportunity by coming out victorious at the Elimination Chamber.
Prediction: Not only is Seth Rollins coming off of an injury, but he is also pre-occupied by his tag team match on the night before. If this title is not the priority for Rollins, then it’s likely he’ll lose it to an eager McIntyre. Drew McIntyre wins.
United States Championship – Logan Paul (c) vs. Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens: Logan Paul and WWE United States Champion are two things you never would have thought to hear in a sentence. But the Maverick has proved in his time with the business that he is capable of being a champion. Unfortunately, he is in a position where he must defend his title in a triple threat match against two revered superstars in Randy Orton and Kevin Owens.
Prediction: Considering that fact that Paul could lose his title without being pinned, he might take a more subtle approach in this match. Which would be wise because The Maverick still has plenty of business to do with the US title. Logan Paul wins.
LA Knight vs. AJ Styles: At Crown Jewel last year, LA Knight was one second away from becoming universal champion until Roman Reigns cheated his way to a victory. But the only reason that match happened was because AJ Styles was taken out of action by the Bloodline. Seeing how Knight swiftly took advantage of his injury was where The Phenomenal One’s despise for him began. Styles retaliated by breaking into the Elimination Chamber match and causing Knight’s removal. Since then, the two have been beyond eager to settle their frustrations with a match at the Show of Shows.
Prediction: The Megastar, LA Knight is the fastest rising wrestler in the business. And a win against an established veteran in AJ Styles would help take him further up the ladder. LA Knight wins.
The Pride vs. The Final Testament (Philadelphia Street Fight): No one knows why Karrion Kross and The Authors of Pain first attacked Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits. But it has resulted in a drawn-out feud where Kross’ Final Testament has been defeated each time they challenge The Pride. They will have a chance to put the past behind them when the two factions face off in a Philadelphia Street Fight.
Prediction: Lashley, Montez Ford, and Angelo Dawkins are also looking to put the Final Testament in their rear view. And judging off their history with one another, they seem more probable of a victory. The Pride wins.
