Roman Reigns enters the ring to face Brock Lesnar during WrestleMania 38 in Arlington Texas, April 3, 2022. Reigns and Cody Rhodes will be in the main event of WrestleMania 39 on April 2, 2023, in Los Angeles. (WWE via AP)
WrestleMania 40 takes place this weekend and the excitement around Philadelphia is reaching all-time highs. With that in mind, it’s time to make some bold predictions for night one’s card.
Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee vs Santos Escobar & Dominik Mysterio
Dragon Lee is really heating up up momentum in WWE following a strong stint in NXT. Teaming with Rey Mysterio is the stuff of dreams and nothing says a WrestleMania kickoff like a wholesome win for one of the all-time greats.
Rey has been feuding with son Dominik for a long time now and while the Judgement Day star has certainly proven himself inside a WWE ring, this feels like a prime opportunity to elevate Dragon Lee (who could also be used on the new WWE speed show on X) and give Rey his flowers on the biggest stage of them all.
Winners: Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee
Bianca Belair, Naomi & Jade Cargill vs Dakota Kai, Kairi Sane & Asuka (Damage CTRL)
Damage CTRL might be one of the best factions in the WWE today, but Jade Cargill teaming with some of the best in the Women’s division is another perfect opportunity to elevate a young talent. She was incredible in AEW and this is a platform where she can showcase her ability in a tag match and turn some heads in WWE. Damage CTRL won’t lose steam taking a sneaky loss.
Winners: Bianca Belair, Naomi & Jade Cargill
Sami Zayn vs Gunther (c) Intercontinental Championship
I love everything about this match. Gunther is the perfect villainous force to combat baby face Sami Zayn, who is a three-time holder of this belt and has been involved in some of the best storytelling in WWE history over the last two years.
This could go either way, but after two positive wins to start the show, this feels like a great spot to remind the world how powerful Gunther is and allow him to continue etching himself into the WWE record books.
Winner: Gunther
Six-way ladder match for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships
Judgement Day vs Awesome Truth vs New Catch Republic vs New Day, DIY vs A-Town Down under
This could be another barn burner of a match and it could really go in any direction. DIY have a soft spot in my heart as someone who loved that era of WWE NXT, however, I feel like the Judgement Day will retain in order to further their story…more on that coming in the night 2 predictions.
Winners: Judgement Day
Jey Uso vs Jimmy Uso
Former Tag Team champions and twin brothers, the Uso’s will lock horns in the final chapter of a story that has featured every twist and turn imaginable. If the bloodline is truly going to be dismantled with a Roman Reigns defeat on Night 2, then a Jey Uso win makes the most sense here, especially as someone who is trying to establish himself as a singles competitor.
Winner: Jey Uso
Rhea Ripley (c) vs Becky Lynch: Women’s World Championship
After a really strong build that saw the two almost scrap during Ariel Helwani’s MMA Hour this week, it’s hard to say which way this one goes. However, Rhea Ripley’s run has lacked big title defenses, and they don’t come much bigger than this.
Winner: Rhea Ripley
The Rock & Roman Reigns vs Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins
The stipulation for this match is the gamechanger. A Reigns & Rock win will see a ‘Bloodline rules’ setting for Sunday’s main event, but if Cody and Seth can pull off an upset, the Bloodline will be banned from ringside in that WWE title match.
The build for this main event has been sensational, and it feels like everything is pointing towards Cody Rhodes needing to pull off a win on night 2 against all odds to complete his heroic story.
Expect chaos, and plenty of it.
Winners: The Rock & Roman Reigns
WWE via AP
