The weekend that wrestling fans wait all year for has arrived as WrestleMania 39’s two-night extravaganza starts on Saturday, April 1st, emanating from Los Angeles. Let’s dispense with the niceties and get right to it.
WrestleMania, as a concept, has changed over the years. Celebrities and gimmick matches have always been part of the event, and things haven’t really differed much in that regard lately. Logan Paul – a YouTube star – is an integral part of the WWE Universe at this point, legends like John Cena, Trish Stratus, Lita are around to help elevate the next generation, and elder statesmen like Edge and Brock Lesnar are on the card to do the same. But where the Showcase of the Immortals was once a blow-off for stories that had built up in recent months, or over the course of a year, it is less about that and more about the event itself. Having a ‘WrestleMania Moment©’ takes precedence over storytelling. That can work out incredibly well sometimes, like Zack Ryder winning the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania 32 or The Iiconics winning the women’s tag titles at WrestleMania 35. Those matches weren’t well-developed stories, but led to iconic moments, and that is certainly worth something.
So, let’s talk about what led to each match, what I’m looking forward to in each one, what I’m not, and a prediction. There are 13 matches booked for now so we will try to be as brief as we can.
Austin Theory (US Chamption) vs. John Cena
How We Got Here: Both in story – Theory has been taking shots at Cena for months – and in the real world – Theory has been hailed as the next Cena for WWE – there is a feel of Old Guard vs. Young Star to this one. Cena’s Hollywood schedule has kept him from really building this up face to face, but the root of why we’re here is very obvious: Theory is the next Cena, and Cena wants to be the only Cena.
What I’m Looking Forward To: This match is opening the weekend, and the crowd will be all-systems go. For the knocks against Cena’s wrestling ability, his in-ring storytelling is nearly impeccable. It might not be a 5-star technical classic, but the trash-talk alone should be worth the price of admission.
What I’m Not Looking Forward To: Personally, there aren’t many drawbacks for me in this match. I am not a Theory fan, personally, but he can really go bell-to-bell, Cena is a great story-teller, and that should mesh well with the undercurrent of this match. It might get too meta for the casual fan, is one concern, and that can bog down what should otherwise be a tremendous face-off.
Prediction: It would be great to have another Cena US Champion Open Challenge Run but with his full schedule outside of the ring, it’s hard to see Theory losing the title here. At best, Cena wins by disqualification, so the choice is Theory in a non-clean pin.
Seth Rollins vs. Logan Paul
How We Got Here: With the main event tied up, the IC/US titles with their own feuds, and Brock Lesnar otherwise occupied, credible opponents for Rollins at ‘Mania were sparse. Enter Logan Paul, who eliminated Seth at the Royal Rumble, cost him the US title at the Elimination Chamber, and has cold-cocked him a few times since.
What I’m Looking Forward To: Even Logan Paul detractors have to admit he has put on banger matches in his limited time in WWE. Rollins has never had a letdown match at ‘Mania before because of his ability to get great matches out of everyone. These two together? It is going to be a highlight reel.
What I’m Not Looking Forward To: This match seems primed for some fuckery, and that likely means Paul’s brother (or entourage, or brother’s entourage, or whatever) gets involved. Outside factors may influence the finish, but it doesn’t seem like we’re going to get a clean match. That makes sense in the story, but it really would be nice to see these two go for 17 minutes with no outside interference.
Prediction: This could depend a lot on what they decide to do with the main event because there’s a Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins main event story waiting to be told. Rollins doesn’t necessarily need to win here for that to feel more credible, but it would help (and Paul’s WWE contract is reportedly up for now), so Rollins wins despite chicanery.
Becky Lynch, Lita, and Trish Stratus vs. Damage CTRL (Bayley, Dakota Kai, Iyo Sky)
How We Got Here: Becky Lynch has been feuding on and off with Damage CTRL, namely Bayley, since SummerSlam. She got some backup in Hall of Famers Trish Stratus and Lita, the latter of whom teamed with Becky to win the Women’s Tag Team Titles (which they still hold). A couple of promos later, and we’re getting this blow-off match.
What I’m Looking Forward To: It is always great to see Trish and Lita in a high-profile match. It is, in my eyes, a way for them to enjoy the fruits of their labour 20-25 years ago. With the natural risk-taking nature of both Lita and Sky, and WWE’s general ability to book multi-person matches well, this could be the sneaky banger of the weekend.
What I’m Not Looking Forward To: The story here, even if it’s stretched to SummerSlam for Becky/Bayley, feels rushed for some of those involved. It took Becky’s promo on the go-home Raw to really give this matchup some juice, and if this goes sideways, it could look even worse in hindsight with the lack of real build.
Prediction: Everyone on Lynch’s team is getting along a bit too well considering one of them doesn’t have a title. This seems primed for a turn from either Lita or Trish – my guess is Trish – to set up more future matches featuring some combination of the Becky-Lita-Trish trio. Damage CTRL needs a big win to re-establish their prominence, so Bayley’s team goes over thanks to their opponents’ in-fighting.
Braun Strowman/Ricochet vs. The Street Profits vs. Alpha Academy vs. The Viking Raiders
How We Got Here: It used to be that the wrestlers that had done a lot of great work over the last year, but didn’t have a ‘Mania match, would get the Andre Battle Royale or an entry to some sort of 6-to-8-person ladder match. This year, we get a fatal four-way tag match for… pride? Honour? Not entirely sure.
What I’m Looking Forward To: Despite there being no build here, these are four incredibly entertaining tag teams. When we look back at Night One – if that is where this match ends up – it wouldn’t be a surprise to say this was the most entertaining bell-to-bell match.
What I’m Not Looking Forward To: This is one of those matches where the lack of build and stakes hurts excitement. How does this match differ from what we might see during the second hour of Raw in the middle of the summer? I feel torn because it’s good that the wrestlers are getting acknowledged for their work with a ‘Mania match, but there’s just nothing to make this feel special for the biggest event of the year.
Prediction: Braun/Ric are a temporary team, the split of the Street Profits might actually start here, and Alpha Academy’s fracture has already begun. Meanwhile, the Viking Raiders may have gotten more vignettes over the last six months than anyone but Cody Rhodes. Viking Raiders go over to establish them as the next top heel tag team.
Charlotte Flair (Smackdown Women’s Champion) vs. Rhea Ripley
How We Got Here: Ripley won the Royal Rumble, so she had her choice of either the Raw or Smackdown women’s champions for a WrestleMania match. Charlotte beat Ronda Rousey for the title just after Christmas. Ripley and Flair have history going back years, particularly to their WrestleMania 36 match, which was at the very start of the COVID Pandemic. Charlotte won then, Rhea wants payback, and feels she desperately needs the title.
What I’m Looking Forward To: For all the flack she gets as The Prodigal Child, Flair is one of the best between the ropes. She knows how to act like a superstar while pulling off incredible feats of athleticism. My personal opinion is that Ripley is still not close to that level – at least the wrestling part – but her power adds a fun dimension to this match. This might not be the most entertaining match, per se, but a clash of styles could turn it into a classic.
What I’m Not Looking Forward To: Ripley is one of the wrestlers I’m lower on than the consensus. In all fairness, she’s just 26 years old. At 26 years old, Flair still hadn’t had a televised singles match in NXT, let alone establish herself as a top star in the entire company. It took Flair a decade to get where she is and she’s a tremendous natural athlete. Ripley will get there, but she needs more time to truly ascend to elite bell-to-bell status, and that will likely make this match drag for me at times.
Prediction: Flair is chasing her father’s record of 16 world title reigns, and she has to lose a lot of title matches to get there. The way Ripley has been built over the last year makes it seem like this is the time to finally push her, and that means she takes Flair’s title.
Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Dominik Mysterio
How We Got Here: For months, Dominik, Rey’s son, has been goading him into a fight. He has attacked him, he has ruined multiple holidays, and generally ran down his dad in every promo. Rey finally reached his limit when Dominik started taking shots at his mom, Rey’s wife, and now here we are in a Father vs. Son match. Let’s hope it goes better than the Vince McMahon vs. Stephanie McMahon ‘I Quit’ match.
What I’m Looking Forward To: Outside of The Bloodline, this is probably the best story in WWE right now. Dominik has really grated the audience, making him a heat magnet rarely seen these days in pro wrestling, and a testament to his character work. Rey is one of my favourite wrestlers of all time, so it’s a treat for me whenever he steps into the squared circle.
What I’m Not Looking Forward To: There is no doubt of outside interference here, and that’s to be expected. Problems could arise if this gets stuffed with outside interference: first Damian Priest gets involved, then Legado shows up, then Finn shows up, then Rey’s family shows up etc. It could shift from “great family drama” to “silly sideshow” if they don’t walk that line.
Prediction: Rey’s career is winding down, Dominik’s is just starting, and he’s ascended as one of the top mid-card heels in the company. It would be criminal if Dominik isn’t walking out of SoFi Stadium mocking his injured, defeated father (isn’t wrestling fucking awesome?).
The Usos (Undisputed Men’s Tag Team Champs) vs. Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens
How We Got Here: For nearly a year now, Zayn has been either in The Bloodline, or on its periphery. (I wrote last month about the post-Chamber WWE main event scene so check that out for more in-depth thoughts.) The Underdog From The Underground was a broken man, started following a brutal mob boss-cosplaying Roman Reigns, and it led to one of the best WWE stories of my lifetime. The interplay between The Usos, the rest of The Bloodline, and long-time best friends Zayn/Owens led to this match.
What I’m Looking Forward To: Everything?
What I’m Not Looking Forward To: The news that Vince McMahon is involved in WWE creative is disconcerting. This match features four guys that are extensions of the main event scene and could comprise a big chunk of the main event scene once Reigns goes on his summer vacation. There are any numbers of ways produce this match in a very satisfying way, and I’m worried Vince will go for none of them.
Prediction: Zayn/Owens take the titles, foreshadowing the crumbling of this iteration of The Bloodline. Please just give Vince a heavy pasta meal at 6 PM on Saturday so he’s napping by 7 PM.
Gunther (Intercontinental Champ) vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus
How We Got Here: While the official reason for the match is some sort of double-pin/double count-out situation, this story has been brewing for a while. Sheamus/McIntyre have been kind of enemy-of-my-enemy friends for the last several months, Sheamus/Gunther had a banger match in Wales last September, and Gunther has established himself as the next top European men’s talent in the company, a spot once held by his opponents at various times of their own careers. Sometimes, the story writes itself.
What I’m Looking Forward To: Speaking of matches that could wind up stealing the show, this is absolutely one of them. Sheamus/Gunther at Clash was one of the best matches of 2022, and not just in WWE. Introduce McIntyre to this environment and it seems like we’re going to get an absolute car crash of a match. Can’t wait.
What I’m Not Looking Forward To: Sometimes, the best story to tell is the easy story. Sheamus needs an IC title win to finally complete his grand slam (Heavyweight title, US title, tag title). He was robbed of that in Wales, so making that right at this time is the easy (and best) story to tell, considering Sheamus’s contributions over the last 15 years. The concern is they do anything other than that.
Prediction: Sheamus completes his grand slam by pinning McIntyre, which leads to a longer feud with McIntyre turning into a bad dude, and this allows Gunther to move up to the main event scene.
Edge vs. ‘The Demon’ Finn Bálor – Hell In A Cell Match
How We Got Here: Edge started the group known as Judgment Day, which contained Priest, Ripley, and Bálor. They turned on him, ‘injuring’ him in the process, which kept him out of action. Bálor became the de facto leader (for now), brought in the aforementioned Dominik Mysterio, and really helped elevate the entire group. They injured Edge’s (real-life) wife Beth Phoenix in an I Quit match, leading to a tag match at the Elimination Chamber won by Edge and Phoenix. Now, it all comes to a close in Hell In A Cell.
What I’m Looking Forward To: Hell In A Cell is just a special match. The contained, violent nature lends itself to tremendous contests and you’d have to work at actually fucking this up (which they did with Rollins and Bray Wyatt back in 2019, so nothing is guaranteed). Add in the history between the two combatants, and their supernatural alter-egos, and this is a special brew.
What I’m Not Looking Forward To: This is more a general complaint, but WWE’s move to more PG programming over the last decade-plus has really hurt HIAC matches. These are supposed to be violent, brutal, almost barbaric encounters. They still have these elements sometimes – remember Randy Orton with the pliers? – but looking at Cell matches 15 years ago and Cell matches in the last five years, and it’s not the same. Just once I’d like a throwback, but that won’t happen at WrestleMania.
Prediction: Edge got his big win over the group in a tag match with his wife at Elimination Chamber. He is also rumoured to be nearing the very end of his career. Not putting over Bálor in what should be a huge weekend for Judgment Day would feel very weird, so The Demon gets the win.
Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez vs. Natalya and Shotzi vs. Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler vs. Chelsea Green and Sonya Deville
How We Got Here: This is the other fatal four-way tag match with no build, this time for the women instead of the men. Baszler/Rousey is the only true tag team in this match, and they have one televised match together in the last six months. There has been sparse interplay between individual components of the match, but it’s another ‘thanks for the last 12 months’ affair.
What I’m Looking Forward To: All eyes are on Rousey/Baszler to run over their opponents, and that seems to be the premise here. Regardless, Liv Morgan has shown the willingness for massive spots – like her sunset flip off the top of the ladder at Money In The Bank – so what she has cooked up is what is drawing me here.
What I’m Not Looking Forward To: Again, I’m glad that the wrestlers who put in work over the last year are getting rewarded. Personally, I have similarly low interest here as I do for the men’s four-way match. It’s just putting people together in a match that feels like it could easily slide in the middle of television programming during the summer.
Prediction: If this match happens without Rousey/Baszler beating the ever-loving fuck out of the six other participants and raising their hands in victory, what are we even doing this for?
Bianca Belair (Raw Women’s Champ) vs. Asuka
How We Got Here: Asuka won the women’s Elimination Chamber match back in February to get a shot at Belair’s title. That is… about it.
What I’m Looking Forward To: Once the bell rings, this is going to be a banger. Asuka’s striking and Belair’s speed/power combination should make for a great blend of styles. This is another match that, when the weekend is over, we could look back and say, “that was incredible”.
What I’m Not Looking Forward To: The matchup itself is appealing, everything else is not. This match might have the worst (read: non-existent) build of any on the weekend, and that’s really saying something considering the four-way tag matches already discussed. On paper, this contest should absolutely fuck, but the lack of care given to this story brings concern about the care the company will put into producing the match.
Prediction: This is going to be one of the shockers of the weekend: Asuka wins, and takes the title. Belair has been spinning her wheels since Survivor Series in November (at least) and needs a character tweak. Losing her title might be the spark needed to get her to another level, and it might be one of the last times we have a chance to see Asuka in a prime ‘Mania matchup.
Brock Lesnar vs. Omos
How We Got Here: Comically large men that can’t wrestle is a Vince McMahon hallmark, so here we are. Lesnar showed down with Gunther at the Rumble, and nothing came of it. After a lengthy feud with Bobby Lashley which somehow ended with Lesnar kicking Lashley in the dick (seriously), we just had Omos/MVP show up on Raw after the match and challenge Lesnar at WrestleMania. Lashley still isn’t on the card. Welcome back Vince, I guess.
What I’m Looking Forward To: Lesnar always pulls out something entertaining in a match, even if the match isn’t entertaining. There should be one spot that makes the audience laugh in incredulity, and that’s what we’re waiting for.
What I’m Not Looking Forward To: Everything else but that one spot.
Prediction: Who fucking cares. (There is a real chance this is used as an opportunity to bring back MVP, Lashley, and The Hurt Business, but if it’s a messy finish that requires 3-4 guys to overtake Lesnar, who does that help? If this is a Hurt Business reunion, which I’m very much in favour of, generally speaking, they have to be very careful about how it’s booked.)
Romain Reigns (Undisputed Men’s Champion) vs. Cody Rhodes
How We Got Here: Rhodes returned to WWE at WrestleMania in 2022 but was hurt not long after. He spent months on the shelf recovering from his torn pec, returned at the Royal Rumble, won the Royal Rumble, and challenged Roman Reigns. He has been integrated into overarching Bloodline story, so this isn’t just about Reigns and Rhodes.
What I’m Looking Forward To: Despite my personal misgivings about Rhodes (never was a fan, still not a fan), his ability to really go once the bell rings is undeniable. Even if Reigns isn’t on the same technical wrestling level, Reigns’s aura and big-spot ability will make for what should be a wildly entertaining match.
What I’m Not Looking Forward To: The tangled nature of the main event scene, stretching to The Usos, Zayn/Owens, Solo Sikoa, and Paul Heyman, could make this plane hard to land. I am not sold that Rhodes is for-sure winning the title, but regardless of the outcome, making this too complicated is a real concern.
Prediction: Though I’m not 100% on Cody Rhodes taking the title, that’s where the signs are pointing, especially with Reigns’s new (and considerably less busy) contract.
One thing I will say is that a good point was raised by Cain Knight at Cageside Seats: this feels too easy for Cody. Granted, this is being written the morning before the go-home Smackdown show and things can change over the next 12 hours, but Rhodes has had a cakewalk to this point. He is (apparently) a good guy who entered the Royal Rumble at number 30 – the in-story easiest spot from which to win – and eliminated Gunther (a bad guy) who was trying to go wire-to-wire after entering number 1, typically a babyface thing to do. Rhodes hasn’t suffered a beatdown at the hands of Reigns or The Bloodline, and even ended Solo Sikoa’s undefeated streak. He’s recruited backup, of sorts, in Zayn and Owens. This feels way, way too easy for Cody when we consider the way Reigns has been built over the last four years, and that makes it primed for a swerve. We shall see.
Those are my thoughts on the entire (announced) card. There is absolutely a handful of matches I can’t wait to see, but there are others that have an uphill climb in front of them because of the approaches taken over the last 2-3 months. Despite this, WrestleMania almost always ends up delivering in a big way from start to finish. My misgivings about some of the matchups could look real stupid in about five days. Enjoy the show, everyone.
Cliffy's hell-hole 