For the 41st time, Wresltemania is upon us. The grandest stage of the wrestling year. This weekend in Las Vegas, history will be made. Careers will be defined. Hearts will be broken. Jaws will drop. Wrestling fans, lets look at the card and see what will go down at the “Showcase of the Immortals.”
Wrestlemania 41 Predictions
Night One
World Heavyweight Championship: Gunther (Champion) vs. Jey Uso
Jey shocked everyone by winning the Royal Rumble in January. In some ways, it was an odd choice by the WWE, not just because Jey won by eliminating John Cena in the latter’s last Rumble, but Jey has gotten his title shots before. In fact, he fought Gunther for the title just before the Royal Rumble.
With that being said, Jey is deserving of this moment. He is not due for a long title run. He is unlikely to walk into next year’s Wrestlemania as champion; in fact, it may be a stretch to suggest he goes into Summerslam as the champion. Regardless, this is Jey’s moment. He will pin Gunther and become the new World Heavyweight Champion. Yeet!
Jey Uso beats Gunther by pinfall.Â
Jade Cargill vs. Naomi
I was hoping we would see Jade vs. Bianca Belair. Evidently, WWE did not agree. Regardless, this should be a fun match, for both are tremendous athletes. Naomi in a heel role is something we have not seen from her, even during her first stint in the WWE.
This is a hard one to predict. I want to see Bianca interfere in some way, but with her being in a title match, that does not seem likely. I am going to say Jade gets her revenge and beats Naomi.
Jade Cargill beats Naomi by pinfall.Â
United States Championship: L.A. Knight (Champion) vs. Jacob Fatu
Fatu is a rising star in the WWE. The smart thing for the industry to do would be to put a title on him now while he is hot. Fatu has what it takes to be a great heel champion. On other hand, having L.A. Knight retain would not be an incorrect move either.
What makes things interesting, however, is the role Solo Sikoa plays in the match. It seems a split between Solo and Fatu is coming; however, I do not think we see that this weekend. I do think we see Fatu win the title, and maybe Solo even interferes to help him, but we do not see one turn on the other.
Jacob Fatu beats L.A. Knight by pinfall.
El Grande Americano vs. Rey Mysterio
El Grande Americano, who is clearly not Chad Gable (wink wink), is looking for a statement victory against another luchador. For Rey, the Hall of Famer will look to rack up another victory at Wrestlemania and extend his small winning streak at the event.
However, we need to keep in mind that El Grande Americano IS Chad Gable. Gable has taken this feud to another level. He has now gone to the point of impersonating a luchador in order to gain supremacy over Rey. I do not think Gable simply beats Rey in this match. I think he embarrasses Rey with the ultimate sign of disrespect that be done to a luchador.
As my first bold prediction of Wresltemania 41, I am predicting an El Grande Americano victory followed by Rey’s mask being ripped off in the middle of the ring. It would not be the first time we have seen Rey without his mask. However, this one will hurt.
El Grande Americano beats Rey Mysterio by pinfall.Â
World Tag Team Championship: The War Raiders (Erik and Ivar; Champions) vs. The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods)
The War Raiders and New Day have had some pretty good matches over the last few years. This is the biggest one yet. However, it is clear the heel New Day are walking out with the titles.
However, I think we see an additional twist. We will see Big E make an appearance in an attempt to reconcile with Kofi and Woods. After the latter pair ignore him, Big E turns and hits the “Big Ending” on either Erik or Ivar (with the referee distracted to avoid a disqualification). The New Day then pin the War Raiders for the titles. Big E rejoins the New Day, but as a heel.
The New Day beat the War Raiders by pinfall.Â
WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton (Champion) vs. Charlotte Flair
The promos leading into this match have been a little odd to say the least. Regardless, this is going to be a great match. Tiffany was a great choice to win Money in the Bank last summer and her story has been well done. I think picking Charlotte to come back and win her second Royal Rumble (the first woman to do so) and challenge Tiffany is smart. This is the legend vs. the future. Tiffany is on top of her game right now, but Charlotte is the Queen. As Ric Flair would say, to be the man, you have to beat the man. Or, in this case, woman.
Does Tiffany beat the Queen? I do not think so. This feud can be extended for a few months. This is Tiffany’s “coming of age” story. In order for that story to happen, she needs to drop the title to the Queen. In typical Queen fashion, she makes Tiffany tap out.
Charlotte Flair beats Tiffany Stratton by submission.Â
Main Event: Roman Reigns vs. C.M. Punk vs. Seth Rollins
Paul Heyman is the most interesting man in this match. After being the “Wise Man” for Roman, Heyman will be Punk’s corner at Wresltemania to fulfill a promise made to Punk years ago. Many wonder how Heyman will impact this match. Will he double-cross Punk and help Roman? Will he align with Rollins? There is even some speculation that Heyman’s former client, Brock Lesnar, will return in a shocking twist.
I think the Heyman angle ends up being minimal in the grand scheme of the match. That is not to say that it will not be part of the match, because it will. However, I do not think we are going to see some major event happening. We have all summer for that. I think this main event is going to be focused on the three men in the ring. Who needs this win more? Rollins in the Wrestlemania main event for the first time since the “Heist of the Century.” Roman continues his streak of appearing in a Wresltemania main event. For Punk, he finally reaches the main event stage.
Here is how I think Saturday’s main event unfolds. Throughout the match, all three plead with Heyman to help them. Heyman responds by saying he agreed to be in Punk’s corner, but that was all he would be doing. The match ends cleanly, with Punk pinning Roman to earn his long-awaited Wresltemania moment. Heyman embraces Punk. Roman looks at both for a minute. Then, Roman embraces Punk and Heyman as well. The crowd erupts at this display of unity and sportsmanship.
Meanwhile, leaning against the ropes, Seth Rollins will be staring angrily at the trio.
C.M. Punk beats Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins by pinfall.Â
Night Two
Women’s World Championship: Iyo Sky (Champion) vs. Bianca Belair vs. Rhea Ripley
When Belair won the Elimination Chamber match, I was not happy. I did not want to see Belair vs. Ripley for the title at Wresltemania. I did not, nor do I now, think either needs to take a loss at Wrestlemania. Belair has a small but impressive undefeated streak at Wrestlemania. I also do not think it makes sense for Ripley to lose, even though she has before at Wresltemania. The inclusion of Iyo was a great idea. She was a great champion last year and has been great in the triple-threat feud.
Iyo’s inclusion allows for either Belair or Ripley to win without one or the other suffering the pin. Sure, it will still count as a loss, but losing while not taking the pin sets up for future matches. Iyo will be pinned in this match. Who walks away with the title? I say the “E.S.T.” keeps her Wresltemania undefeated streak alive.
Bianca Belair beats Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley by pinfall.Â
A.J. Styles vs. Logan Paul
Many think the outcome of this match is obvious: Styles beats Paul. Styles is a baby face again and Paul is being the same annoying (but great) heel he always is.
It is not going to be that simple. Karrion Kross has been butting heads with Styles lately. I think Kross interferes in this match and allows Paul to pin Styles. A post-match beatdown then occurs, ending with Kross and Paul putting Styles through the announce table. Kross then betrays Paul by attacking him and putting him through another table. Kross stands tall over both Paul and Styles. A triple threat match is on the horizon.
Logan Paul beats A.J. Styles by pinfall.Â
Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker (Champion) vs. Penta vs. Finn Balor vs. Dominik Mysterio
This match has more to do with Balor vs. Dom than it does Breakker vs. Penta. The Judgement Day is showing cracks once again. Now, two members are involved in a championship match. The match will begin with Balor and Dom seemingly on the same page. They will have the idea that as long as the championship comes to the Judgement Day, it does not matter who holds the belt.
At the climax of the match, Dom helps set up Balor for the “Coup de Grace” on Breakker for the title. As Balor goes for the pin, Dom pulls Balor off Beakker and pins him to win the title for himself.
Dominik Mysterio beats Bron Breakker, Finn Balor, and Penta by pinfall.Â
“Sin City” Street Fight: Drew McIntyre vs. Damian Priest
Priest ruined McIntyre’s Wresltemania moment in front of a live crowd last year by cashing in his Money in the Bank contract. Priest, with some help from C.M. Punk, retained in two matches over the summer before dropping the title at Summserslam. The pair face off in a match that is going to be incredible. McIntyre wants to punish Priest, but Priest wants to show he should be in the title picture still.
McIntyre is likely to be involved in the championship picture this summer, in order to build up his stock, he needs a win over Priest.
Drew McIntyre beats Damian Priest by pinfall.Â
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez (Champion) vs. Bayley and Lyra Valkyria
I think the whole point of this match is to actually set up a Bayley vs. Lyra match down the road for Lyra’s Intercontinental Championship. For the cracks to form between the two, they need to lose at Wresltemania.
It also feels like Liv and Raquel need to retain due to so many title matches seemingly set to change hands. Liv and Raquel can keep the titles relevant for a little longer.
Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez beat Bayley and Lyra Valkyria via submission.Â
Bold Prediction: Impromptu Match Between Randy Orton and Nick Aldis
Orton was supposed to face Kevin Owens, but Owens is out due a legitimate injury. That is a shame, as that match would have been great. I hope we see that later this year. It could even be a “Last Man Standing” or a “Hell in a Cell” match.
Anyway, WWE has teased the possibility of Nick Aldis switching his suit for boots. Aldis steps into the ring with Orton. The bell rings and the two begin to fight…only for Solo Sikoa to interfere and end the match as a “no contest.” Solo vs. Orton has been teased previously. Solo vs. Orton would be a great way to keep Orton in a storyline while he waits for Owens to heal. As for Aldis, this opens the door for him to participate in a match later. Maybe Aldis vs. Adam Pearce at Wresltemania 42?
Randy Orton vs. Nick Aldis ends in no contest.Â
Main Event: Undisputed Championship between Cody Rhodes (Champion) and John Cena
The “American Nightmare” faces the 16-time world champion in a historic main event. Will Cena grab a record 17th championship? Will Cody continue the story? How does the Rock and Travis Scott get involved? Do we have any surprises?
The climax of this match will see Cena deliver a low blow to Cody with the referee incapacitated from a prior hit. As Cena prepares for a “Five Knuckle Shuffle,” we hear that iconic smashed glass sound. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin makes his return to Wresltemania. Austin hits Cena with a “Stone Cold Stunner.” Austin then gets the referee in position and Cody looks for a “Cross Rhodes” to win the match. Travis Scott sneaks up behind Cody, however, to disrupt the attack. The Rock then appears and hits Austin with a “Rock Bottom,” then does the same to Cody. While the ref attempts to call for the bell, the Rock stops him. He then grabs a microphone and announces that, as a TKO board member, he has the authority to change the stipulation of the match to “no holds barred.”
Cody looks up in disbelief. The Rock looks at Cody and says, “The Rock does what is best for business. And, the Rock always has a Plan B.” The Rock then makes the same signal he gave to Cena at the Elimination Chamber. Emerging from behind Cody, in his full Shield gear with a steel chair in hand, is Seth Rollins. Rollins hits Cody in the back with the chair, the performs the “Stomp.” Rock follows with another “Rock Bottom.” Finally, Cena performs an “Attitude Adjustment” for his 17th world championship. Ric Flair’s record is finally broken.
The show goes off air with Rock, Cena, and Rollins posing in the middle of the ring over a dejected Cody. Rock holds up the “L” gesture, the same one he held up prior to last year’s Wrestlemania.
