Bleacherreport
WWE WrestleMania 41 Match Card Predictions Including Cody Rhodes vs. The Rock
R.Campbell28 min ago
- Credit: WWE.com. The road to WrestleMania 41 is approaching. While it does not truly start until after the holidays, WWE is already starting to chart the course to the biggest wrestling show of the year. It is far too soon to know the full scope of the card for The Show of Shows at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, but that won't stop fans speculating and perhaps even wishing some stories into existence. WrestleMania 40 was one of the biggest shows WWE has delivered in a long time, and the goal will be to make this year's iteration on April 19-20 feel even bigger. This means bringing in the biggest stars from The Rock and Logan Paul to Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns. It also means putting together must-see matches between marquee talent who can chart a better course for the future of the business. The following are early predictions for WrestleMania 41's match card, limited to 14 matches over two nights, featuring the top names in the business.
- Steel Cage: Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens (Owens wins) Will Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens extend to WrestleMania 41? It's certainly possible, especially if the two continue to involve Cody Rhodes in their drama. If it makes it to The Show of Shows, they will need a big stipulation. A steel cage match would add some fun variety to the night and keep what has been a wild brawl so far contained to the ring. Owens can pick a definitive win over The Viper and set up for a title run post-'Mania.Sin City Street Fight: Wyatt Sicks vs. The Final Testament and The Miz (Wyatt Sicks win) The Wyatt Sicks' motivations are shrouded in mystery, and Uncle Howdy stated that he was not interested in The Final Testament yet, just The Miz. However, that is certain to change. This may not be the most exciting match on paper but could be a chaotic brawl that maximizes the talent involved, especially with a Street Fight stipulation. Wyatt Sicks must and will win this. United States Championship: LA Knight (c) vs. Solo Sikoa (Sikoa wins) While fans have not universally accepted Solo Sikoa as a top name in WWE, that hasn't stopped the company from pushing him up the card. The next step would be to give him gold. Since his aspirations for the world title were hampered, the United States Championship would serve as a strong alternative. LA Knight going this long as champion would give him serious credibility even in a tough loss.
- WWE Women's Championship: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Charlotte Flair (Flair wins) Tiffany Stratton vs. Charlotte Flair makes no sense at the moment as The Queen hasn't returned to active competition and The Center of the Universe isn't a champion. However, a Stratton cash-in on Nia Jax appears to be nearing, and a feud with The Irresistible Force is not the WrestleMania money match WWE needs. Instead, it is more likely Flair would step up to challenge once she's healthy. This is a battle of similar talent and would serve as a passing of the torch where Stratton could make a statement at The Queen's expense. However, it is more likely Flair would win the first match. Women's Tag Team Championships: Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez (c) vs. Iyo Sky and Kairi Sane (Morgan and Rodriguez win) Liv Morgan may be women's world champion, but she has made her aspirations for the Women's Tag Team Championship clear. If she lost her singles title, she and Raquel Rodriguez would perfect step up as a top heel team. If they dethrone Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill, a leading tandem would need to step up to confront them. That story is already forming as Damage CTRL is slowly becoming a thorn in Morgan's side. This would be a great match that can continue to elevate the women's tag team division. WWE World Tag Team Championships: Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee (c) vs. Dominik Mysterio and Logan Paul (Mysterio and Paul win) The World Tag Team Championships currently reside with The Judgment Day, but the gold is not a priority for Finn Bálor and JD McDonagh. The better tag team to take over Raw would be LWO. Rey Mysterio can help Dragon Lee take the next step and set the stage for The Master of the 619's third WrestleMania match against his son. Logan Paul has made clear that he wants to work with Dirty Dom, and the two would be the most hated heel team in WWE. This is a perfect scenario to keep the division interesting.
- Next year will be the final one for John Cena in WWE, and the year-long retirement tour is certain to focus on solidifying his legacy as The GOAT while also putting over the next generation. That will likely begin with the men's Royal Rumble match. While a few names stand out as potential winners, the easiest favorite bet this early would be Cena. This would allow him to tie "Stone Cold" Steve Austin for the most Rumble victories in WWE history and set him up to challenge for his potential record-breaking 17th world title. Gunther is the perfect man for Cena to challenge as The Ring General has not shied away from stepping up to legends of the business. After berating Bret Hart, he stepped up to Goldberg, who may be retired by the Austrian in 2025. This would set up the question of whether Gunther could also retire Cena. However, it is more likely the veteran will win and begin his final reign as world champion. Result: Cena wins to capture his 17th world championship.
- Bloodline Rules: Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu (Fatu wins) If Roman Reigns does not factor into the main event of WrestleMania, which is a rare sight in modern WWE, there is only one man he can face at The Show of Shows. While Solo Sikoa has been built up as The Tribal Chief for Reigns to conquer, Fatu has been the only man to truly overpower The Head of the Table. This would be a monumental moment for one of WWE's fastest rising stars, and he could shock the world by defeating Reigns at The Show of Shows for "his" Tribal Chief. I Quit: Finn Bálor vs. Damian Priest (Priest wins) The Judgment Day drama has defined WWE for years and always found a spot on the 'Mania card. This year should be no different, but it should be the definitive end of this story. The Prince vs. The Punishment needs to establish a clear victor in this rivalry. Priest can finally put Bálor behind him and go back after goldCM Punk vs. Seth Rollins (Punk wins) At one time, Rollins vs. Punk looked set to be the main event of Night 1 at WrestleMania 40. But much changed in 2024 after The Best in the World's injury at the Royal Rumble. This has put off one of WWE's biggest money matches and allowed both men to sell this match as must-see. No title will be needed. It will be about proving who is the best. Punk can win the first round in a rivalry that will likely define 2025.
- Women's World Championship: Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Bianca Belair (Belair wins) Rhea Ripley recently fractured her right orbital socket, and any story involving her is on hold indefinitely. However, there is still hope for Mami to return on the Road to WrestleMania. While Ripley vs. Liv Morgan would be the easy answer, the two have struggled to work together in multiple matches. Instead, WWE would be best served delivering the rivalry ender before The Showcase of the Immortals. This would set the stage for a more exciting fresh battle of powerhouses. Ripley vs. a possible heel Belair (after losing the Women's Tag Championships) is a money match that can redefine the women's division. Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker (c) vs. Bronson Reed vs. Drew McIntyre (Breakker wins) After an oddly short first reign as intercontinental champion, Bron Breakker should not lose his gold any time soon. The best way to keep him relevant is to pair him with dominant opponents he can go over. The date of Drew McIntyre's return to WWE is unclear, but he cannot miss WrestleMania if he's healthy. And Bronson Reed has made a lasting statement in his rivalry with Seth Rollins. Pair these destructive men together, and the Intercontinental Championship match could steal the show even on a stacked card. While The Usos will be tag champions again eventually, this would be a great time to continue padding the resumes of the "new" Bloodline.
- Who does The Rock care most about fighting right now? His original plan was to fight Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40, but the popularity of Cody Rhodes stood in his way. It all turned out perfectly as The Final Boss embraced a heel persona that delivered the best moments on the Road to WrestleMania. That same dynamic is the best option for WrestleMania 41 as well. The Rock vs. Reigns can wait as The Final Boss challenging his newest rival is a perfect cap to the show. Rock can make anything work, but from his post-'Mania warning to Rhodes to his reminder at Bad Blood that he pinned him on Night 1 of The Show of Shows, this is an easy story to sell. Both outcomes are possible, but Rock is not going to be around enough to be WWE champion. The American Nightmare should continue to look unstoppable, even against The Final Boss. Prediction: Rhodes defeats The Rock to retain the WWE Championship and push The Final Boss back into the family drama for the rest of 2025.
Read the full article:https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10142697-wwe-wrestlemania-41-match-card-predictions-including-cody-rhodes-vs-the-rock
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