WWE WrestleMania 40 Predictions for Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns and Top Matches
WWE WrestleMania 40 Predictions for Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns and Top Matches0 of 4
Credit: WWE.com
WrestleMania 40 rolls into Philadelphia on Saturday and Sunday night, with two jam-packed cards brimming with intensely personal stories, marquee stars, and top championship matches.
Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, and Seth Rollins will pull double duty at the event, each wrestling two matches as they seek to pay off epic storytelling.
Who will emerge from their respective matches and why?
Find out with these predictions for the broadcast’s top bouts.
Women’s World Championship Match: Becky Lynch vs. Rhea Ripley1 of 4
Credit: WWE.com
This past January, Becky Lynch took the ring and admitted that she was not sure that she was better than Rhea Ripley, then vowed to enter the Royal Rumble, win it, and challenge The Eradicator for the Women’s World Championship at WrestleMania.
She did not win her second Rumble match, but she did rebound and earn her title opportunity by way of her victory inside the Elimination Chamber in February.
What started as a personal goal to prove that she was every bit as good as the dominant champion took a sharp turn in the final weeks before it, with Ripley referencing The Man’s daughter, Roux, and intensifying the hatred between them.
A pull-apart brawl on the go-home episode of Raw did not tip creative’s hand as to which competitor would leave Philadelphia with the championship, a welcome change given some of the 50-50 booking trends that sometimes foreshadow the outcome.
Lynch could easily win here to pay off her story, prove she is still as great as she always has been, and help promote her new autobiography at the same time.
Even a year into it, Ripley feels as though she is in the intro of her women’s championship reign. She is fresh off a defining night in her home country of Australia at Elimination Chamber, in which she was the top star and the focal point of the marketing efforts, and delivered one of the best performances of her career against Nia Jax.
Ripley has grown into the star management believed she was the moment she joined the company and now does not feel like the time to take the title off of her, especially without obvious opponents set up for Lynch coming out of the show.
An issue she faced coming out of WrestleMania in 2019.
Prediction: Ripley retains her title
Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins vs. The Rock and Roman Reigns2 of 4
Credit: WWE.com
The main event of Saturday’s WrestleMania festivities will see The Rock and undisputed WWE universal champion Roman Reigns battle Cody Rhodes and world heavyweight champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins in the highest-stakes tag team match in the event’s four-decade history.
A win for Rhodes and Rollins will result in The Bloodline being barred from ringside when The American Nightmare challenges The Tribal Chief Sunday night. A loss and it will be Bloodline Rules for Sunday’s championship clash.
Rhodes’ story has been defined by his overcoming obstacles and hurdles en route to challenging Reigns Sunday night.
Why change what has worked to this point?
Rock and Reigns win here to set up a scenario where Rhodes has to overcome potential interference from The Final Boss, Solo Sikoa, Jimmy Uso, and Paul Heyman if he hopes to finish his story.
Prediction: The Bloodline triumphs on night one
World Heavyweight Championship Match: Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre3 of 4
Credit: WWE.com
Will Rolins compete in two marquee bouts and lose both?
It is certainly possible.
McIntyre is as hot as he has ever been and is one of the best characters on the show. An expert troller, he has repeatedly targeted both his WrestleMania opponent and CM Punk, who he injured at the Royal Rumble and ensured would not compete on the grand stage.
Punk and his role on commentary for this match is of the utmost interest regarding the championship and who will leave Philly with it.
Does he interfere and if so, does he cost The Scottish Warrior the title?
It is entirely possible.
Has McIntyre earned the right to win the title in front of a live audience? Absolutely.
Does it have to be at WrestleMania?
Not even a little, especially considering WWE’s revelation that Clash at the Castle will take place on June 15 from Glasgow, Scotland. A hometown victory would be even sweeter for the veteran competitor.
As much as that scenario would play out in favor of McIntyre, it feels like WWE Creative is trending toward putting him over in Philly and paying off his hard work and dedication to get back to this point.
Prediction: McIntyre wins the title
Undisputed WWE Universal Championship Match: Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns4 of 4
Credit: WWE.com
Cody Rhodes must beat Roman Reigns to win the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
Sure, there are other avenues the overarching Bloodline story can take but for the sake of the most beloved babyface on the roster and his credibility with the audience, The American Nightmare absolutely must put an end to Reigns’ championship run and give fans the happy ending that WrestleMania has not had since 2019.
Any other outcome will rightfully earn the scorn of the internet wrestling community and create questions about whether or not there really is an endgame in place for the Bloodline story or if the goalposts are constantly moved to excuse keeping the title on Reigns.
The Tribal Chief is great. There is no doubt whatsoever, but it is 100 percent time to wrap this chapter up and move forward, perhaps with a babyface turn and feud with The Rock.
For the sake of Rhodes, his fans, and the audience as a whole, the time is not to make the switch.
Prediction: Rhodes wins the title
Listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot wrestling topics. Catch the latest episode in the player below.
