Sami Zayn finally won his world championship. After more than a decade of consistently being one of the best side characters on WWE programming, Triple H and the writers unexpectedly gave him his moment. The former indie darling turned NXT favorite turned midcard standout turned Bloodline comedic relief turned last real good guy pinned Cody Rhodes last night in Saudi Arabia to become the WWE Champion. The moment received a raucous ovation from the Night Of Champions crowd, but if fans on social are to be believed, his reign probably isn’t going to last long.

To be clear, that’s not to say fans weren’t celebrating loudly. They were. Those of us who have followed his career for a long time were hammering the like button on so many celebratory tweets and fun career montages, as well as tribute posts from current and former wrestlers. It was a triumphant night for someone who deserved his flowers, but at the same time, people were also fantasy casting his demise.

It’s both a problem of timing and circumstance. We’re a little more than a month away from SummerSlam, which is (arguably) WWE’s second most important premium live event of the year after WrestleMania. Typically, whoever holds the WWE Championship wrestles in the main event of one of the two nights of the show, but fans are skeptical that WWE has enough confidence in Zayn to have him main event. He’s very popular amongst hardcore wrestling fans, but he’s not historically been someone the company has put on billboards to try and sell tickets, at least apart from his Elimination Chamber match against Roman Reigns when he left the Bloodline.

Consequently, one of two things is happening. Either WWE has reevaluated and decided they want to push Zayn as a proper main event guy heading into one of their biggest shows of the year, or there’s a larger plan that’s going to see him lose the belt before SummerSlam. I could honestly see either scenario playing out, but many fans are convinced it’s going to be option two, which will likely involve Brock Lesnar.

This is about to get really complicated, but I promise this theory makes logical sense. Oba Femi, who WWE is treating like the company’s next big star, just won the King Of The Ring tournament. That gives him the right to face a world champion of his choice at SummerSlam. Right now, his options are World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns or the recently anointed WWE Champion Sami Zayn. He’s been talking a little smack about Roman Reigns in recent weeks, but he’s been talking a lot more smack about Brock Lesnar, who he has been locked into a separate feud with for months.

Most fans wanted to see Femi win the King Of The Ring tournament, but many were skeptical he actually would because rumors have been swirling that WWE’s plan was to have him wrestle Lesnar at SummerSlam to finally put an end to their feud. If he were to face one of the World Champions and Lesnar, that would mean he would need to wrestle twice, unless, of course, Lesnar was one of those World Champions. That didn’t seem like a real possibility when the title holders were Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns, but now that the belt is on Sami Zayn, some fans think it’s likely. Here’s an example of what I’m seeing on social media…

It’s definitely not just the above tweet either. Many plugged-in fans are being pretty vocal about the same exact theory. WWE has a Saturday Night’s Main Event coming up at Madison Square Garden, and the prevailing theory going around is that Lesnar will likely end up wrestling Zayn for the WWE Championship at that event. None of that has been announced, of course, but no one loves predicting the future like wrestling fans.

So, is it going to happen like that? I don’t know. I think there’s definitely a strong chance it will. If this were another time of the year, I’d expect Zayn to get a few months of run with the WWE Championship so he could properly celebrate, but I’m not convinced they’re going to let him carry it into SummerSlam for the same reason I didn't think he had a realistic chance of winning last night. He would be a huge underdog against Oba Femi if that’s the route they went, and I’m not sure fans are really clamoring to see him wrestle another match against Cody Rhodes, given we’ve been down that road plenty over the past few months.

Regardless, winning the WWE Championship is a huge deal, whether you hold the belt for five years or five minutes. Hall of Famers like Kane and Rey Mysterio only had one run each with the WWE Championship, and neither one even last two days. I’m sure they would have preferred longer runs, but what’s more important is they got a chance to be part of that exclusive club of WWE Champions. Now Sami Zayn is forever a member, and I couldn’t be happier for him, whether he’s about to lose the belt to Lesnar or not.

WWE is giving us six matches this weekend at Night Of Champions, and upon first glance, the card seems pretty good. Roman Reigns isn’t working the event, nor is CM Punk or Rhea Ripley, but plenty of other big names are involved including Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker, Gunther, Oba Femi, Liv Morgan, Iyo Sky, Jade Cargill and Yeet Man Jey Uso. There’s enough here for a really fun second tier premium live event. That being said, something feels off.

If six matches sounds like a lot, it’s probably because it is, at least for Triple H. Vince McMahon loved getting a high volume of wrestlers on the card. He’d think nothing of booking seven or eight matches at a random Backlash. Thanks to an increase in commercials and changes in booking philosophy, however, we almost always get five matches now. In fact, you have to go all the way back to Evolution in July of 2025 to find a non-Mania, non-SummerSlam card with more than five matches, and the Evolution thing was clearly because Triple H wanted to get as many women on the card as possible since it was a special event.

So, what does that mean from a practical standpoint? There are a few options. It could mean one of these matches is going to be a squash or some kind of double DQ or goofy ending that’s over quickly. It could mean a couple of these matches are just going to have a few minutes shaved off to accommodate adding another one. Or it could mean we’re going to get a longer premium live event that we’re normally used to seeing. I’m not really sure, but it’s something to look out for.

Regardless, there’s a lot to talk about here. I expect we’ll see at least one title change, maybe two, and I have some big thoughts about what WWE should do with rising mega-star Oba Femi, who is in the King Of The Ring finals. Before we get to that though, here’s a quick look at how my predictions have been going. I’ve made guesses for every PLE since WrestleMania 38, and let’s just say my winning percentage is a little higher than Bayley and Lyra Valkyria as a tag team…

Jey Uso vs Oba Femi In The Finals Of The King Of The Ring Tournament

Oba Femi is not going to lose a straight up match to Jey Uso. As hard as WWE might want to push the Yeet Man, he’s not beating Oba straight up. They let him kick out of about six Brock Lesnar finishing moves and a sneak attack before his last defeat. He’s not losing clean to Jey Uso, but it’s unclear whether we’re actually going to get a clean match here.

WWE is being really obvious that we’re going to get Brock Lesnar vs Oba Femi III at some point, probably as Lesnar’s retirement match, and rumors have been claiming for months that it’s going to happen at SummerSlam. The winner of the King Of The Ring tournament is going to face one of the WWE World Champions at SummerSlam. So, if Oba wins, that means the Lesnar match either isn’t happening at SummerSlam or he’s wrestling twice.

I don’t know. If it were me, I’d push Oba to the moon. He has the potential to be the biggest new WWE star in a long time, but I just have this feeling that Lesnar is going to show up and cost Oba, paving the way for Uso and Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam. This could really go either way, but because I’m so confident that the right storyline move here is to push Oba as hard as possible, I’m going to choose him. And not only am I going to choose him, I’m going to make a bold prediction. I think he wins King Of The Ring, retires Brock Lesnar and beats Roman Reigns to win the World Heavyweight Championship.

Predicted Winner: Oba Femi

Iyo Sky vs Liv Morgan In The Finals Of The Queen Of The Ring Tournament

What is WWE doing here? They’ve left themselves with two bad options. If Liv Morgan wins, it’ll set up a match to unify the Women’s World Championships at SummerSlam, presumably with Rhea Ripley if she’s not hurt. That sounds appealing, but I don’t really get why WWE would want to unify the championships when there’s a ton of main event level women right now who need big prizes to wrestle for. Besides, as much as I love Liv Morgan, she’s not exactly the sort of Roman Reigns or Hulk Hogan-type generational talent who would ordinarily do something so massive. Maybe Rhea Ripley is, but if she was going to be the one to unify the belts, it should probably be her quest, not something Liv does all the work to set up.

Then again, if Iyo Sky wins, we’re probably just going to turn around and run Liv and Iyo back at SummerSlam. That’s a great match, but it’s odd to make one of your marquee matchups at SummerSlam a rematch we just saw. Iyo could, of course, always win Queen Of The Ring and then challenge Rhea Ripley, but it feels like the breakdown of their friendship would warrant a much longer storybuild than that.

I don’t know. It’s been kind of fun watching Morgan brag about how she’s going to unify the belts, but I still don’t understand how this entire pitch got approved to start with.

Predicted Winner: Iyo Sky

Trick Williams (Champ) Vs Ricky Saints For The United States Championship

Unlike those first two matches, this one is really simple. Ricky Saints has a ton of potential and his crowd reactions are improving. He’s not, however, particularly over with the crowd. He’s certainly not over enough to be winning championships, and he’s nowhere even close to over enough to be beating Trick Williams, who is one of the most popular superstars in the company.

The goal here for Saints is to work a good match and continue to endear himself to the fans. The more he shines in the ring and perfects his character work, the more likely it is that he’ll become over enough to be a real threat to Trick Williams or whoever else down the road. Until then, he can, to paraphrase Trick, step aside while grown folks are talking.

Predicted Winner: Trick Williams

Seth Rollins vs Bron Breakker In A Steel Cage

I was kind of leaning toward Seth Rollins winning this match until Monday Night Raw this week. During the episode, Rollins interfered in Breakker and Austin Theory’s tag team title match against the Street Profits and cost the team their belts. Since I think this collective feud is going to continue long-term, that makes it more likely Breakker is going to win this match so the score stays relatively close.

I also think there’s a chance we’re finally going to see the return of Bronson Reed, who has been out for months with an injury. He could tip the scales back in the Vision’s favor after Logan Paul’s unfortunate injury and maybe set up a six man tag between Rollins and the Street Profits and Breakker, Theory and Reed.

Predicted Winner: Bron Breakker

Cody Rhodes (Champion) vs Gunther vs Sami Zayn for the WWE Championship

After Gunther retired AJ Styles and John Cena, I thought there was a legitimate chance he might not lose a single match in 2026. I thought he would just mow down every single person put in front of him. Instead, he just keeps losing. He lost to Cody Rhodes. Then he lost to Cody Rhodes again. Most people think he’s about to lose to Rhodes and Zayn for the third time at Night Of Champions.

Personally, I just can’t believe that. I can’t believe WWE would take the dude who has been the most unstoppable monster for the last several years and give him three straight Ls to Cody Rhodes (even if each one has been heavily protected). The long-term damage to Gunther’s aura would take way too long to recover.

Unfortunately, WWE isn’t making the most logical choices right now. I’m confident Sami Zayn is not going to win so he can continue his heel turn, but Cody Rhodes is certainly in play here. He’s already beaten Gunther twice, and WWE has repeatedly shown that it prefers to keep its main belts on its biggest stars. They may just keep the belt on Cody again and make us all wonder what the entire point of this feud with Gunther was.

Whenever I'm stuck between two outcomes, I always go with the one I think helps the characters most in the long run. For me, that's Gunther winning here.

Predicted Winner: Gunther

Tiffany Stratton (Champ) vs Jade Cargill For The Women’s United States Championship

I’m a big believer that more often than not, if you want to keep someone’s momentum going, you need to support that progress with wins. I’d argue Jade Cargill is doing the best work of her WWE career right now. Her faction with B-Fab and Michin allows a bit of the mic pressure to be taken off her, and the visual of the three together just fits. It lets Jade focus on being a monster.

With questions lingering about Rhea Ripley’s injury status, I think Triple H and company need to pull the trigger here and just let Jade run with the United States Championship for awhile. I’d like to see her stack up victories for awhile and remind everyone that she’s Jade Cargill. Sometimes it’s better to see someone dominate the midcard than continually take losses in the main event. Just ask LA Knight.

I wouldn’t write off Stratton off though. She’s been stuck in the mud for awhile, but she’s still pretty over with the crowd. She won’t beat Cargill clean, but there’s definitely a chance that Charlotte Flair could get involved, as she’s been feuding with Cargill’s faction. That might set up a match between the two at SummerSlam, but if it were me, I’d just have that match be for the United States Championship.

Predicted Winner: Jade Cargill

Earlier this month, I did my predictions for Backlash and got every single match correct. Ordinarily, that’s the sort of thing I’d jump on here and brag about Ethan Page style, but to be honest, it didn’t exactly take a Paul Heyman spoiler alert to make that happen. The Backlash card featured five matches with pretty obvious outcomes. There was no world in which red hot characters like Trick Williams and Danhausen were losing. The same cannot be said for Clash In Italy.

There is not a single match on the Clash In Italy card that I’m one hundred percent certain on, and four of the five feel like they could legitimately go either way. There’s real intrigue here, and that’s particularly exciting because it’s not exactly like we’re getting a bunch of midcard clashes. We’ve got three World Championships on the line, and the other two matches are Brock Lesnar vs Oba Femi and Becky Lynch vs Sol Ruca. We’re all gonna need to use the bathroom during those prolonged ESPN commercials because it’ll be a risk missing any of the in-ring action.

I also think there’s a chance we see at least one of those World Championships change hands, which is not something we often see outside of the major PLEs. From where I’m sitting, you could make a strong case that both Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns are in big danger, and I’m actually going to predict one of them is going to lose the title. I also think we’re going to see a big return. It should be an epic night.

Before I get into specifics though, you can take a look at my predictions record. My big 5-0 at Backlash helped push my win total even higher, but I’m a little nervous about how this is going to go. I’ve done predictions for every PLE since WrestleMania 38, and I can’t remember many with this many outcomes in doubt.

Rhea Ripley (Champion) Vs Jade Cargill For The WWE Women’s Championship

This is definitely the match I’m the most confident about. I think Rhea Ripley is going to retain here, but I want to shoutout Jade Cargill for a minute. She gave us her best match in WWE at WrestleMania, and the six woman tag she was a part of at Saturday Night’s Main Event was also terrific. She’s really coming into her own, and I really like the pairing with Michin and B Fab. For the first time in a long time, her character is really making sense to me. I’m back in and buying as much Jade Cargill stock as I can.

The problem for her right now is WWE is clearly working toward Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair. They’ve been giving us a lot of story around their shaky friendship, and it feels like the two are going to finally settle things at SummerSlam. That inevitable match makes a lot more sense if Rhea has the title and Charlotte is chasing after it. So, I think it’s very likely Rhea is going to retain.

If and when that happens, however, WWE needs to figure out something compelling for Jade to do. Maybe it’s worth moving her to Raw and having her go after Liv Morgan and her title. Jade and her backup dancers (positive comment) would be a perfect foil for Judgment Day

Predicted Winner: Rhea Ripley

Becky Lynch (Champion) vs Sol Ruca For The Intercontinental Championship

I don’t really think Sol Ruca is ready to win The Intercontinental Championship. Her in-ring potential is enormous. She’s put together some dynamic matches and appearances on the main roster, but she’s also still only middling on the mic and has had a few shaky moves in big moments. It seems odd to put a midcard belt on her already. I would definitely wait if I was booking the show.

But then again, I’m also not really sure I’d have her lose her first big program on the main roster.

I’m not saying Triple H and company have every new call-up immediately go undefeated en route to championships, but they normally slow build them using wins over lower card performers. Instead, Ruca was very quickly thrust into this program with Lynch where she’s looked, at times, like a future World Champion and, at times, like someone who has only been on the main roster for a month.

I think Lynch is probably going to retain in a way that continues their feud, but it’s also possible WWE gives Ruca a shock win and then tries to make her an immediate star.

Predicted Winner: Becky Lynch

Oba Femi vs Brock Lesnar

I’m definitely on team Brock Lesnar should have stayed retired. I thought his send-off at WrestleMania was absolutely perfect, both as a goodbye and as an announcement that Oba Femi has arrived and is the future of the entire business. Unfortunately, that alleged retirement didn’t last a month and here we are.

From where I’m sitting in the crowd, I don’t really get how bringing Lesnar back to lose again helps anyone. He already put Femi over. Putting him over a second time doesn’t multiply the impact of what happened at ‘Mania. So, to me, none of this makes sense unless Lesnar wins. I think he’s going to give Femi his first major loss on the main roster and then he’s going to officially retire Lesnar at SummerSlam. That’s the path that makes the most logical sense to me.

To be clear, I was hoping Femi was going to be an unstoppable juggernaut for years, sorta like Lesnar was decades ago when he first made the main roster. That's how I would have booked this, but now that Lesnar is back in the picture, I think it makes the most sense to give this match to the Beast and give Femi his first bit of adversity.

Predicted Winner: Brock Lesnar

Cody Rhodes (Champion) vs Gunther for The WWE Championship

Randy Orton hasn’t been seen since WrestleMania, which is weird because it certainly felt like this feud with Cody Rhodes was going to continue. So, what’s going on? There are really only three possibilities. Maybe WWE got spooked after all the backlash to the Pat McAfee stuff and decided to just pretend like this storyline never happened. Maybe the back injury Orton is dealing with really is significant enough that WWE decided to just move on without him. Or maybe they’re just biding their time so the inevitable rematch can come at SummerSlam.

The thing is, if that rematch is going to happen anytime soon, specifically at SummerSlam, it needs to be for the WWE Championship. Orton’s entire motivation for trying to beat Rhodes was to win another Championship. He was very specifically chasing number fifteen; so, if Cody no longer has the belt, it would make sense he’d return and go after that person, which would be a less intriguing story.

Whether Orton comes back at Clash In Italy or not, I think WWE is going to keep the belt on Rhodes because sooner rather than later, they’re going to get back to Orton and Rhodes. I’d love to see Gunther win The WWE Championship for the first time, but I think the higher upside possibility is to keep the belt on Cody, at least for now. I say WWE does that, and I predict we get a surprise appearance from Orton who is instrumental to the finish.

Predicted Winner: Cody Rhodes

Roman Reigns (Champion) vs Jacob Fatu For The World Heavyweight Championship

It’s not exactly a hot take to say fan excitement is down right now in WWE. There are some fun storylines and hot characters here or there, but the product feels a little safe and gasp, maybe even a bit boring. It could use an injection of surprise momentum… like say Jacob Fatu beating Roman Reigns’ ass and taking the Bloodline away from him.

We’ve already watched an all powerful Reigns build up his family, win every championship, get too cocky and get turned on by his own allies. We’ve also watched him feud with Solo’s rival Bloodline and put them down. I’d love to see Triple H and company take the story in another direction by having Reigns lose to Fatu and then disappear from television for a bit.

Fatu can play out weekly stories with Jimmy and Jey Uso, as well as Solo, Tama Tonga and company, and take everyone in a more unhinged and dangerous direction. Reigns could then return later in the summer to try and win everyone back.

I have no idea if WWE is going to let Reigns lose. He hasn’t taken many Ls in the last half decade, and WWE tends to prefer its major champions to have long title reigns. A loss here would go against pretty much everything we’ve seen Triple H do, but I really feel like it’s the right move for fans. We’ll see.

Predicted Winner: Jacob Fatu

WrestleMania 42 really delivered in its second night, and part of that was thanks to what seemed to be a surprise retirement by WWE legend Brock Lesnar. "The Beast Incarnate" laid his gloves down in the ring and said his goodbyes, flying in the face of prior rumors stating he'd retire at SummerSlam in Minnesota.

It felt like a full-circle moment to have Lesnar retire in the city, given he was a successful collegiate wrestler at the University of Minnesota. While recent t-shirt releases had me thinking his retirement is legit, I'm now a bit wary after seeing Oba Femi, the up-and-comer who retired him, in the latest poster for SummerSlam. Take a look:

Oba Femi is positioned right alongside a lot of WWE's biggest names, but there's no obvious indication of who his opponent could be. Obviously, we could get that answer in the coming months as we watch his new "open challenge" segment, but is it possible Brock Lesnar is still planning a surprise return for a send-off in Minnesota? I'm pretty sure he's retired, but to play devil's advocate, here's what I'm theorizing.

Was Brock Lesnar's Retirement At WrestleMania 42 A Fake Out?

The line is always blurred when it comes to what's real and what's scripted in the WWE, and the company is not afraid to outright lie to people if it sells a better story. We saw this with Seth Rollins' recent "injury" and surprise return, with WWE: Unreal showing Triple H and company even bragging about how they sold it as an authentic incident.

There are also instances in the WWE's past where wrestlers faked their retirements. Mark Henry's iconic promo comes to mind, and more recent examples include AJ Styles faking his retirement in 2024. The narrative so far is that Brock Lesnar made a spontaneous decision in the ring to retire, and that went against the WWE's plans, but what if that's just what the company wants us to believe?

I find it strange that a week and a half after this supposed retirement, we haven't seen Lesnar break character and make some sort of public statement to the fans, or even make another appearance on The Pat McAfee Show to discuss it. We've learned over the years that he's a guy who likes his privacy, and he generally avoids the spotlight, but I'm sure he also likes to honor contractual obligations that get him paid. While we don't know the specifics of that, I just have to wonder if the WWE was really so willing to let one of its biggest stars walk and potentially derail a fresh star like Oba Femi and his planned storyline if there was more to come at SummerSlam.

It's all feasible, but still feels suspicious and leaves me wondering if we won't see Lesnar return at SummerSlam later this year after all.

Who Might Oba Femi Face At SummerSlam 2026 If Not Brock Lesnar?

If Brock Lesnar isn't returning for SummerSlam, which I think is more likely than not, I'm left to think about who Oba Femi may take on at the event. With Lesnar gone, the WWE has a shortage of big men to stand up to his massive frame.

An obvious option is Gunther, who also seems to be someone creeping around the main event scene as of late, with a big match vs. Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 42. Oba Femi vs. Gunther is a marquee match, but is that something the WWE wants to pull the trigger on with WrestleMania season only months away?

Drew McIntyre is another big guy who could throw down with Oba Femi, but presents the same downside I would guess you'd have with putting Gunther up against Femi. I'm sure the WWE does not want to feed either of those men to Femi to boost his profile, but maybe a quality match that sets up a trilogy is a possibility.

The third option I see is Oba Femi squashing some smaller superstar, but I think with Monday Night Raw already kicking off weekly open challenges, fans may be burnt out on that gimmick come SummerSlam. At some point, he'll have to face some adversity, and I think there's a chance Brock Lesnar returns for that reason.

I think back to John Cena and Brock Lesnar's feud back in 2014, which started with Lesnar absolutely destroying Cena at SummerSlam. "The Champ" bounced back and had much more competitive showings in successive matches, and if Lesnar is coming back, I think there's a chance that story can be told. Again, no guarantees we'll see Lesnar again, but don't count him out just because Femi handled him easily the first time.

We'll have a clearer picture of what's ahead for Oba Femi when SummerSlam arrives on August 1st and 2nd. As for The Beast, who knows when we'll hear from him next, but I'm not ruling out that it won't happen in the WWE just yet.

WrestleMania 42 is over, and while there's still a lot of discussion about the WWE's problems regarding match times and ads, it wasn't all bad. Many agree that Night 2 was a good deal better than Saturday's output, and Brock Lesnar's supposed retirement was certainly an unexpected highlight.

I say supposed retirement, because all signs prior to that moment pointed toward Lesnar leaning into retirement mode later this year. It also didn't seem like WWE execs were prepared for the legend to walk away, though the org seems to have caught up. Fans noticed "Thank You Lesnar" t-shirts popping up on the official shop, in reference to the chants fans shouted in Lesnar's honor as he exited the ring. Here's what the description reads on one of the shirts being sold:

The shirts don't mean much to me as far as "official" confirmations go, seeing as it's entirely possible the marketing team already had Lesnar's farewell merchandise on standby for later this year. What does grab my attention is the description, which seems to stop just short of saying he retired in the ring. I guess avoiding the use of the word leaves the door open if he changes his mind, but then why make a big deal about it at the live event if there's a chance he might waffle on it?

While there was never any confirmation that Brock Lesnar intended to retire at this year's SummerSlam, which is being held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, there's a tangible connection. A South Dakota native, Lesnar transferred from Bismarck State College to the University of Minnesota, where he competed and won out in wrestling competitions. (He also briefly signed with the Vikings in 2004, but to no avail.)

Also, his match with Oba Femi seemed like a stepping stone on his way to ultimately being retired by the WWE's new "legend killer," Gunther. It seems those plans changed, or maybe never existed, but it doesn't appear likely we'll see Brock Lesnar again in the company until he's nominated to the Hall of Fame.

Of course, this is the WWE, and it'll probably be months or years before fans get the real story of what happened. Right now, there's a working theory that Brock Lesnar's retirement in the ring was an unplanned event, but I have trouble believing that, considering the PLE is a timed show. His prolonged time saying farewell could've impacted someone else's match time, or impacted the number of commercials that could be run. Perhaps it wasn't the plan for Lesnar to retire, but someone on the production team had to have some sort of heads-up not to cut the cameras before he exited the ring.

I'm still not 100% sure that Brock Lesnar is done performing in the WWE, though I'd say the recent shirt sales have me 90% sure. I can't imagine him wanting to return to lose to Gunther after already having the perfect sendoff in the ring following a loss to rising star Oba Femi. Sorry, Gunther, it looks like Femi will always be known as the person who slayed The Beast Incarnate.

Monday Night Raw airs live on Netflix on Mondays at 8:00 p.m. ET. We'll see how this fresh cycle of WWE programming kicks off, and how things may change now that The Beast is gone, and other superstars are on top.

The first night of WrestleMania 42 did not go as planned. The show was widely criticized on social media for how short the matches were, how long the commercials were and how prominently the celebrities were featured. Fortunately for WWE, the response to night two has been significantly more positive. That tracked with my own personal viewing experience too. I was disappointed with Saturday, and I absolutely loved Sunday.

Here’s the thing though. All those main criticisms of night one, in theory, could have applied to night two also. Most of the matches weren’t exactly forty-five minute masterclasses. There were, once again, too many commercials, and a celebrity played a very prominent role in one of the finishes. On paper, it has the same problems, but thanks to some key tweaks and strong individual performances, the second night felt so much better. Let’s talk about why.

The Matches Got The Right Length Of Time, Which Made A Big Difference

Night one featured seven matches, and four of them ended in less than nine minutes. Not every match needs twenty minutes, but each one needs to be long enough to tell a coherent story and build up anticipation and momentum. The problem with those four matches on night one is that they all felt like they could have been more with a little additional breathing room. Liv Morgan and Stephanie Vaquer especially seemed like they were just getting warmed up when it ended.

Night two featured six matches, and two of them went less than ten minutes. The first, Brock Lesnar and Oba Femi, was a car crash, big man style match that went just under five minutes and was exactly the length it should have been to make Oba look like the next big thing. The second short match, Trick Williams and Sami Zayn, maybe could have been better with a little more time, but it told a character-building story that elevated Williams and will allow Zayn to fully turn heel. It was right for what it was.

That’s the difference. There’s not some one size fits all formula to spreading out the WrestleMania time. It’s about treating each match as an individual entity and figuring out how long it needs to tell the story you’re trying to tell. Morgan and Vaquer got seven minutes, and it felt like something we would have seen on Raw. Rhea Ripley and Jade Cargill got ten minutes, and it felt like they delivered in a really meaningful way. The first match didn't get enough time. The second match got just the right amount of time.

The Celebrity Involvement Was An Enhancement, Not A Distraction

I want to be clear about something. Every celebrity that appeared at WrestleMania took their job seriously and performed as well as can be expected. IShowSpeed, Jelly Roll, Pat McAfee and Lil Yachty all hit their spots and delivered. Because of factors outside of their control, however, their involvements hit very differently with fans.

The first night featured IShowSpeed, Pat McAfee and Jelly Roll. Speed pulled off a wild ringpost frog splash onto the announcer’s table and had some clean in-ring moves, but his actual match, which was part of a six man tag, only went seven minutes. It also featured some sloppy in-ring work from the actual wrestlers and had a screwy finish that felt disjointed and overly goofy. I was impressed with him, but that match itself was poorly executed and awkward.

McAfee and Jelly Roll did their jobs too, but they faced an unhill battle because everyone was already frustrated with the Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes storyline they were a part of heading into ‘Mania. The two wrestlers have decades of history together, and fans wanted to see that explored in the lead-up. Instead, the build was mostly about McAfee’s return to wrestling, which would have been great as a midcard angle but felt desperate and off-tone for a WrestleMania main event. WWE smartly used Jelly Roll and McAfee to (mostly) cancel each other out at the beginning of the match, but there was just too much negative momentum.

On the other hand, Lil Yachty appeared on the second night, and he was a definite value add. He’s been coming out as Trick Williams’ hype man, and his presence feels very natural for a wrestler that’s positioning himself as a pop culture star. Yachty added something to the entrance, and he had a few confrontations outside the ring with Zayn that will help the latter continue his journey to being a full-blown heel.

The Midcard Got A Few Great Moments

Night one technically featured the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, but let’s be honest, Becky Lynch and AJ Lee are not mid-carders. The Women’s Tag Team Championship was also fought for, but once again, most of the women in the match (Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Brie Bella, Paige, Bayley, Nia Jax) don’t feel like mid-carders. They’re current or former main eventers who are currently in the tag team division.

Night two, however, gave moments to people who aren’t exactly in the main event scene, and they delivered the tone changes the show needed. First, we got an insane ladder match for the Intercontinental Championship that featured some of the craziest and most dangerous spots we’ll see on the main roster this year. Penta, JD McDonagh, Rusev, Dragon Lee, Je’Von Evans and even Rey Mysterio all bumped their asses off and got crazy in one of the best high spot matches I’ve ever seen. They all knew the assignment and delivered.

Second, we got a ridiculous segment between The Miz, Kit Wilson, Danhausen and John Cena that included little people, nut pouches and a cloud of smoke that didn’t work as intended. It was a mess in a really fun way and a good reminder that professional wrestling is supposed to hit different emotional beats. When WWE is at its best, it’s not just delivering great matches. It’s delivering comedy and weirdness too.

To Sum Up

The two nights of WrestleMania 42 sound a lot alike on paper. One will be remembered pretty negatively and one will be remembered very positively. It’s not because the talent on one night was better or because the basic structure was meaningfully different. It’s because the second night was put together much more thoughtfully. Matches were given the amount of time they needed to tell the story, which for many was just an extra two or three minutes. The celebrity that was used was integrated thoughtfully in a way that didn’t overshadow what happened. There was real balance with a midcard presence that included both goofy comedy and high-flying acrobatics.

In retrospect, this could have been a two night banger. If Liv and Stephanie had gotten a few more minutes... If the Usos and LA Knight vs The Vision and IShowSpeed was put together like a real match and not an excuse to generate a big moment… If some of the great midcard characters left off the card had been. included… If Jelly Roll and Pat McAfee had been incorporated more thoughtfully into a midcard program and Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes were allowed to tell the story we wanted to see… If only everything would have been treated a little more thoughtfully like it was on night 2, we could just be celebrating a fantastic ‘Mania instead of talking about the stark contrast.

Let’s just be honest. The Road To WrestleMania 42 hasn’t been as well-paved as planned this year. Injuries have piled up. There’s been a few questionable booking decisions, and fans are really in their feelings about the Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton and Pat McAfee situation. With the exception of Oba Femi and Brock Lesnar, you could make a case that not a single storyline has had a home run build, and yet, despite all that, there’s a chance WrestleMania 42 could still be a banger.

The dirty little secret about WrestleManias is that pre-show hype doesn’t necessarily translate to a well-reviewed show. Yes, you need hot characters paying off hot builds to get to that all-time great WrestleMania 17 level. I don’t think there’s anything WrestleMania 42 could be to get on that level at this point, but to please fans and be fondly remembered, you just need most of your matches to be fun to watch. Three or four bangers, a half dozen or so really good matches and most of the rest being pretty fun puts you in the top half pretty easily.

The good news for WWE is that there’s enough talent on this card to do that. In fact, if everyone performs even close to the level they’re capable of, this ‘Mania should be good. Problems with the build aside, a lot of wrestlers have been put in matches that, in theory, showcase their strengths, and I have a hard time believing Gunther and Seth Rollins or Stephanie Vaquer and Liv Morgan won’t over-deliver, whether I personally would have built them differently. Plus, throw in John Cena as host, and there's a lot to work with.

Before we get into the specifics though, let’s take a quick look at my track record on predictions from the most recent Big 4 PPVs, as well as my overall record dating back to WrestleMania 38...

Logan Paul, Austin Theory and IShowSpeed vs The Usos and LA Knight

Six man tag team matches with basically no stakes are notoriously hard to predict. I felt strongly that Paul and Theory needed to win the tag team titles to keep The Vision relevant, but now that they’ve done that, all possible outcomes are in play here. On the one hand, it’s appealing to pick IShowSpeed because, despite recent history, celebrities have a strong track record of winning at WrestleMania. On the other hand, it’s appealing to pick The Usos and LA Knight because the whole story here is how IShowSpeed doesn’t really seem to want to be aligned with Paul and Theory, who have kinda sorta forced him into this.

I think the most likely scenario is probably IShowSpeed turning on Theory and Paul and helping the babyfaces to a win, but you could tell me pretty much anything about this match and I’d believe it. You could tell me iShowSpeed is gonna stick around WWE and feud with Logan Paul, and I’d believe it. You could tell me Bron Breakker is going to return and help his stablemates win, and I’d believe it. You could tell me Danhausen is going to get involved and double down on his IShowSpeed curse to help the babyfaces win. No scenario is too outlandish here.

Predicted Winner: The Usos and LA Knight

Jacob Fatu vs Drew McIntyre

What a weird run it has been for Drew McIntyre. He’s the only person not named Cody Rhodes, John Cena or Roman Reigns in the last four years to hold the WWE Championship. His work with CM Punk is probably the best non-Bloodline feud WWE has given us in at least a half decade. He’s been a constant presence in key storylines, and yet, you could make the case that he really deserved more. In my opinion, he was the hottest character on the roster for almost a year, and many fans still have a sour taste in their mouth that he’s not walking into this ‘Mania as champion.

That being said, I think he’s probably going to lose here. Rumors are swirling that he’s going to take a break from programming for a bit to film the new Highlander movie, but even if he wasn’t, I’d have a hard time predicting him because of how mean he’s been to Jacob Fatu during this story. He’s repeatedly talked about Fatu’s past run-ins with the law in a way that’s felt demeaning and mean-spirited. That may not have mattered under Vince McMahon, but I think Triple H and company want to tell uplifting stories with broad messages like you can overcome your past.

Plus, WWE needs to heat Jacob Fatu back up again. I’m not saying he’s cold, but he’s been hotter and has more potential. I think fans would get behind him if WWE truly pushed him to the top of the card. This could be the time when that starts.

Predicted Winner: Jacob Fatu

Stephanie Vaquer (Champion) vs Liv Morgan For The Women’s World Championship

I really wish WWE would have devoted more time to this build because what we have gotten has been really good. Vaquer and Morgan have exchanged some fiery promos and gone at each other backstage in a way that’s felt personal and a little dangerous. Fans like both of the characters, and it sucks that one of them is going to lose and take a step back momentum wise.

To me, this all comes down to what Triple H and the writers want to do with Judgment Day. I love Vaquer and think she has an incredibly bright future in WWE, but to me, the most exciting long-term storyline WWE can tell involves Morgan and her Judgment Day stablemate Raquel Rodriguez. Putting the belt on Morgan and giving us an extended storyline of teases and an eventual turn on each other would be a fantastic program leading into SummerSlam.

The other possibility, of course, is that Rodriguez or her stablemate Roxanne Perez accidentally cost Morgan her chance at the title here and that leads into a storyline about Judgment Day fully imploding. That’s definitely on the table and would keep the belt on Vaquer, but that’s not the route I would take.

Predicted Winner: Liv Morgan

AJ Lee (Champion) vs Becky Lynch For The Women’s Intercontinental Championship

WWE has shown an openness to part-time champions in the past. Much has been made about Roman Reigns and his inconsistent schedule over the last few years, but even before him, the company has also gone down that same road with Brock Lesnar. AJ Lee, as beloved as she may be, however, doesn’t have that same level of cultural relevance or ability to move tickets.

I also think the Intercontinental Championship is fundamentally different than the World Titles. The whole point of the championship is it’s supposed to be defended on a regular basis, both on television and on premium live events. I don’t think having a part-time champion serves the division, and given what we’ve seen since her big return, there’s no reason to think AJ Lee is going to be around on a weekly basis post-Mania.

Because of that, I think this has to be Becky Lynch. She’s one of the biggest stars in the women’s division and has really helped elevate the Intercontinental Championship to a different level after it was introduced. I think there are a lot of fun stories she can tell if she gets the belt back, and I think giving her a second loss to AJ after she dropped the title to her initially does long-term damage to her character.

Predicted Winner: Becky Lynch

The Irresistible Forces (Nia Jax And Lash Legend) vs Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss vs Bayley and Lyra Valkyria vs The Bella Twins

I think there’s a title run at some point in the Bella Twins’ future, but I’m going to rule them out here because of how little they’ve been on TV in recent weeks. Nikki is rehabbing an injury that left her ‘Mania status in question for awhile, and it just feels like they haven’t been built enough to get their big moment. If I were WWE, I’d definitely save that for later.

I’m also less high on Bayley and Lyra Valkyria than most of the more vocal fans on social media. Yes, Bayley got a nice reaction in San Jose recently where she’s from, but Alexa and Charlotte are significantly more over with the average fan. I think their storyline needs to take priority. If WWE is going to keep them in the tag team division, they should put the belts on them. If they’re going to break them up and implode their relationship, they should put the belts on them first and give them another run of success so they can tease a will they or won’t they for awhile.

That being said, it’s also possible WWE could just be planning to move Charlotte and Alexa back to the singles division without breaking them up, saving that plotline for later. If that’s the case, then I would just keep the titles on Nia and Lash. They work well together as a pair of monster heels, and I think you could tell a fun story by turning them into an unbeatable duo with an extended title run.

Predicted Winner: Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss

Seth Rollins vs Gunther

This has match of the night written all over it. Rollins and Gunther are probably the two best in-ring performers WWE has, at least amongst those at the very top of the card, and the lack of a storyline here shouldn’t stop them from cooking in the ring. I expect a twenty minute war that plays into their size difference and allows both men to show off why they’re among the best in the world.

The original plan was reportedly for Gunther to retire Rey Mysterio and Rollins to feud with Bron Breakker, but injury concerns forced the last minute switch to working with each other. I don’t think WWE is going to want either of these guys to take a clean loss; so, my guess is we’re going to get a Gunther victory that’s related to some kind of interference from Bron Breakker. That would allow Rollins to move into an extended feud with the new leader of The Vision, and it would allow Gunther to continue looking like an unstoppable monster.

Predicted Winner: Gunther

Cody Rhodes (Champion) vs Randy Orton For The WWE Championship

No WrestleMania match has been talked about more than this one. Unfortunately, it’s mostly been for pretty negative reasons. The early build to the story was very underwhelming and suffered from a serious lack of depth and creativity. Seemingly in a panic, Pat McAfee (possibly on the orders of WWE’s parent company TKO) was introduced into the story, and his inclusion has not gone over well with wrestling fans, particularly those on social media. He’s felt to many like a distraction, given Rhodes and Orton have decades of shared storylines and personal history, and McAfee has none of that.

I don’t really know how WWE can get out of this cleanly. McAfee announced he would never participate in WWE programming again if Orton loses. I’m not sure that’s a promise WWE wants to make, given he’s got a long history of working commentary and TKO really wants to push WWE’s partnership with ESPN, a network McAfee has a morning show on. Then again, I’m also not sure WWE wants to double down on a storyline that’s clearly not working with a huge segment of fans. If Orton wins, it’s going to be weird if McAfee just disappears from television immediately, though I suppose that’s exactly what happened last year with Travis Scott.

This whole thing is a mess. There was a way to do this, with better planning and a more coherent storyline, that could have worked. That didn’t happen; so, now, WWE needs to choose the less bad of the options in front of them. I think that’s keeping the belt on Cody, but I think WWE is just gonna keep digging the whole deeper.

Predicted Winner: Randy Orton

Oba Femi vs Brock Lesnar

This has been the best build by a gigantic margin, and the story is as straight ahead as can be. Brock is the biggest, baddest dude on the playground and has been for decades. He called out everyone in the locker room, and Oba Femi stepped up and answered the call. In the time since, we’ve gotten a few brief physical exchanges, but in general, it’s just been two dudes using their natural charisma and connection with the fans to create hype.

Lesnar is widely expected to retire later this year, probably at SummerSlam in August. I hear the argument that you should keep him strong before his final match, which will probably be against Gunther, but personally, I think he needs to put Oba Femi over. WWE desperately needs to make some new stars. All four of the WrestleMania main eventers this year are 40 or older. Femi is 27 and looks to have near unlimited potential. In just a few short months, he’s gotten over with both hardcore and casual fans, and it’s not unreasonable to think he may be the favorite to win The Royal Rumble next year. Sometimes you need to do things for the future of the business.

Predicted Winner: Oba Femi

Penta (Champion) vs Je’Von Evans, Rey Mysterio, Dragon Lee, JD McDonagh and Rusev for The Intercontinental Championship in a Ladder Match

Just like Gunther and Seth Rollins from night one, this match is the odds on favorite to be the standout of night two. There’s so much in-ring talent here, and when you throw in the ladder match stipulation, there’s the potential for some truly insane high spots and choreographed sequences. Evans, Lee and McDonagh are also likely going to go all-out, as this’ll be the first time each has made the ‘Mania card.

Matches with this many people are always panic attack city for predictions, but I actually feel pretty good about Penta. There’s some buzz around Je’Von Evans online, but he’s still really nice to the roster and could use some more seasoning on his promos. Penta has maintained his white hot popularity for more than a year, and to me, there’s just no reason why you’d want to take the title off him. Plus, TKO is invested in growing AAA, and Penta is a legend over there, as well.

Predicted Winner: Penta

Jade Cargill (Champion) vs Rhea Ripley for The WWE Women’s Championship

This match is clearly the product of the original creative not working out. Cargill was almost certainly being positioned to work with Bianca Belair, but unfortunately, she’s had setbacks in her recovery from a severely broken finger. Ripley was likely going to work with Iyo Sky, either as a tag team or against each other, but at some point, the decision was made to put Cargill and Ripley together to essentially make the biggest available title match possible amongst the women who didn’t have a locked in match.

I think who wins, once again, likely comes down to Bianca Belair. If WWE is confident Belair is going to be back shortly, I think they’re going to keep the title on Cargill so we can finally get that long-anticipated program with as high of stakes as possible. If her future is uncertain, at least in the short-term, I think WWE is going to pivot and put the belt on Rhea Ripley. She’s the biggest star in the entire business, and while Cargill has been coming along in both her promos and in-ring work, I think the company is not going to want to keep its biggest female star title-less for much longer.

Predicted Winner: Rhea Ripley

Sami Zayn (Champion) vs Trick Williams for The United States Championship

This might be the easiest match to predict on the entire card. Trick Williams is a rising star. He’s getting main event level reactions from the crowd, and it feels like apart from The Miz, he’s doing more media appearances than anyone on the roster. Sami Zayn, on the other hand, seems to be in the middle of a slow heel turn. He’s getting booed out of the building and borderline cheating to win matches.

A win here would push Trick to the next level, and it would allow Zayn to disappear and return as the full-fledged heel many fans have been wanting for the better part of a year. It just makes so much business sense, and also, it would suck all of the energy out of WrestleMania if Zayn held onto the title. This would be such an easy way to give the crowd a win they’re clamoring for, which is desperately needed right now given how sour fans have been on creative lately.

Predicted Winner: Trick Williams

The Demon Finn Bálor vs Dominik Mysterio

A lot of predictors have gone broke over the last few years betting on Finn Bálor to win matches. Every time it feels like the fans are ready and the storyline is there for him to have a big moment, he somehow finds a way to lose again. It’s obvious the creatives just don’t see as much potential in him as the rest of us do. That being said, Finn has to win this match, right?

I feel like a broken record continuing to ride for him, but if he gets kicked out of Judgment Day, brings back his Demon persona and loses as the babyface to a Dominik Mysterio who has been crushed on screen by Danhausen, we probably need to have some hard conversations about his future at that point.

So, yeah, I’m going to ride with Finn Bálor one more time. It makes me really nervous given everything we’ve seen recently, but that right play is obviously for him to win this match. That gives WWE maximum options. He can continue to work against Judgment Day and try to dismantle the group from the outside. He can go out on his own and chase a midcard title. The path is there for something fun. Besides, a loss is not going to hurt Mysterio long-term.

Predicted Winner: Finn Bálor

CM Punk (Champion) Vs Roman Reigns For The World Heavyweight Championship

WWE is in a bit of a slump right now. Even the fans who aren’t vocally complaining about the product are definitely not at a passionate high point in their fandom. Something needs to change, and my guess is those involved are going to rewind the clock to try and do that. The high point during the TKO era has definitely been WrestleMania 40, which is the last moment Reigns was champion. I’m not saying it was all downhill from there, but clearly, the run up to that ‘Mania is what fans look back at the most fondly.

Reigns is the biggest star in the business, and while he’s definitely a part-timer these days, he certainly ramped up his appearances in the lead-up to this ‘Mania. My guess is WWE puts the title back on him, and he agrees to increase the number of times a month he’s on the show. I’m not saying he’s going to be around every week, but he might do 2/3rds of the time in exchange for another title run, which is enough for WWE to create stories around.

Plus, as much as I love CM Punk, he’s better when he’s fired up and chasing something. He’s been a fine champion, but it might give him a little extra jolt of something to lose the belt and be able to reposition himself in the coming months.

Predicted Winner: Roman Reigns

There have certainly been WarGames matches with better builds than what we’re getting this year, but I’m not sure we have ever had more star power in a single match than what we’re getting on the men’s side this year. With all due respect to The Road Warriors, The Four Horsemen, Dusty Rhodes, Hulk Hogan and other legends who fought in the cage many times, the shared starpower here is extraordinary.

Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, CM Punk and Brock Lesnar are all at least in the conversation to be on a list of the 10 biggest stars in the history of the wrestling business. Jimmy and Jey Uso are one of the greatest tag teams in the history of the business, and Drew McIntyre is a slam dunk future first ballot WWE Hall of Famer.

Logan Paul has clearly fallen in love with the business and if he stays on his current trajectory, he’s also going to be and should be a Hall of Famer someday. Bron Breakker is widely considered the most promising wrestling prospect in the entire business and Bronson Reed likely has at least one reign in his future with a World Championship. There’s an outside chance every single person in this match could be in the WWE Hall of Fame some day.

Now, whether the story comes together in a meaningful way is unclear. There's a reason Survivor Series has slipped compared to the other Big 4 PLEs. We’ll have to see whether the match is written like a glorified greatest hits house show or proves to be a big character building step toward whatever we get at WrestleMania. Fingers crossed it’s the latter.

Regardless, the other matches should pay off some storylines with a bit more simmer. Stephanie Vaquer and Nikki Bella are going to pay off their friendship turned rivals storyline. John Cena and Dominik Mysterio are going to have their long-awaited rematch, which should feature a really hot crowd in Dom’s hometown of San Diego, and there’s a lot of swirling tension and long-building storylines intersecting in the women’s WarGames match.

Before I get into what’s probably going to happen though, here’s a look back at my track record in WWE predictions, which I’ve done for every PLE since WrestleMania 38. I've highlighted the bigger events this year, plus my overall tally...

Men's WarGames Match: Brock Lesnar, Drew McIntyre, Logan Paul, Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed vs Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Jey Uso And Big Jim Uso

It’s hard picking a winner in a match like this when it’s unclear what story WWE is trying to tell. Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed vs all the babyfaces on the Raw roster has a been a recurring theme over the last several months. Their manager Paul Heyman has lingering bad blood with Roman Reigns and CM Punk. Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre have already had multiple world championship matches over the past few months and are still actively feuding. There are definitely story beats here and threads the writers can use, but they’re all pulling in a lot of different directions.

I’ve been saying for months that WWE needs to make The Vision stronger. They need to make Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker legitimate main event threats in the absence of former stable leader Seth Rollins. They’ve flirted with doing that a bit, as Reed picked up a huge win over Roman Reigns and Breakker seems likely to win The World Heavyweight Championship at some point, but they need to do more to get them there. They still feel a step behind the true main eventers in this match.

I’d like to think this will be their big breakout moment, but sometimes Triple H, Bruce Prichard and company have a hard time pulling the trigger. Drew McIntyre has felt ready to break out and be a World Champion again since his epic feud with CM Punk, but he just keeps losing in every big moment. LA Knight has been main event levels of over for literally years, and he’s still never won a World Championship. So, I don’t know. I want to say this is the moment the villains assert control and push WWE in an exciting new direction, but I’ll believe it when I see it.

Predicted Winner: The Good Guys

The Women’s WarGames Match: Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky and AJ Lee Vs Becky Lynch, Kairi Sane, Asuka, Nia Jax and Lash Legend

Becky Lynch has been on one of the best runs of her entire career. I’m personally enjoying her more in this very moment than I ever have, and that’s saying a lot, given I think she’s one of the best female wrestlers ever. Asuka and Kairi Sane also have a nice little abusive plotline going that’ll probably end with the two of them having a WrestleMania match. I also like seeing Lash Legend on the main roster and think she’s a great fit working alongside Nia Jax, who has been mostly terrific since her re-hiring. I like this villains team.

But come’on. Whatever happens in this match will have to do with advancing the plot for the superstars on the faces. We’ve seen a lot of tension between Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair. Everyone is kinda expecting that, at some point, we’ll see a breakdown in the relationships of Charlotte and Alexa Bliss and Rhea and Iyo Sky. It’s entirely possible those will literally be WrestleMania matches too. I think it’s a little too early to see them turn on each other though; so, I’m going to be really basic here and say babyfaces stand tall.

Predicted Winner: The Faces

Stephanie Vaquer (Champion) Vs Nikki Bella For The Women’s World Championship

Nikki Bella is only three years older than Charlotte Flair and is two years younger than Asuka, but she rose to prominence during a time when women’s wrestling was transitioning from an era that was mostly about personality and showmanship to an era that demands high level in-ring work. Bella is capable between the ropes and is partly responsible for the much higher expectations fans now have for women’s matches, but there are times in which she still feels more like a legend returning than a current WWE superstar.

That’s not a bad thing. I’ve loved all the recent runs we’ve gotten from Trish Stratus, as an example, but I never expected Trish to beat Tiffany Stratton when they fought for the title. Similarly, I don’t expect Nikki Bella to beat Stephanie Vaquer for the title. That doesn’t mean I can’t visualize a scenario in the future in which she’s World Champion again, but she needs to get the audience to buy in a little more and get just a hair faster and more aggressive in the ring to be on that main event level.

Once again to be clear, I absolutely love Nikki. I’m glad she’s back in WWE. I want to see her on my screen every week, but I think she’s going to need to get a storyline a little more over with the audience to pick up the momentum she needs to be seen on that top tier.

Predicted Winner: Stephanie Vaquer

John Cena (Champion) Vs Dominik Mysterio For The Intercontinental Championship

I think it’s easier to think about this match by working backwards. This will be, most likely, Cena’s second to last match in WWE. So, do we think he’ll defend the Intercontinental Championship during his last match? Do we think he’ll lose his last match? If so, do we think WWE would have him lose two consecutive matches to end his career?

I think that last question is the most important one. I know Sting won his retirement match and there are a lot of wrestling fans clamoring to see Cena go out on top, but I think he’s an old school guy and is going to want to go out on his back. I think he’ll probably lose to Gunther in one final send-off, which means, I think, he really needs to win here.

A loss is not going to hurt Dominik Mysterio, and in some ways, it might actually help elevate him. He’s emerged as one of the biggest stars in the entire wrestling business, and there’s no reason to think his cheat-to-win, heelish tactics will be forever limited to the midcard. He could absolutely be a world champion. At this point, he could even win the Royal Rumble. So, yeah, I think Cena is going to retain here in a wild match the crowd will be super hot for.

Predicted Winner: John Cena

WrestlePalooza is the first PLE under the ESPN banner, and unfortunately, all the subscription issues have not been figured out yet. ESPN still hasn’t made a deal with Comcast, YouTube TV and other major cable companies to provide their customers, who already pay for ESPN, access to the new streaming service. That mess has led to a lot of understandable complaining on social media.

It’s also probably led to cable subscribers buying a lot of VPNs (which are heavily discounted right now) in order to watch the international Netflix feed or getting short-term subscriptions to ESPN’s new app (which is also running promo deals) in order to watch directly. What this will mean for WrestlePalooza’s viewership numbers is unclear, but regardless, those who do watch are going to be getting a really good card, at least on paper.

I say on paper because the build hasn’t necessarily been the best for all these matches. Brock Lesnar and John Cena’s feud hasn’t been the most well-developed of either of their careers, and Cody Rhodes hasn’t been as present as usual for his build with Drew McIntyre, given his current filming schedule. Fortunately, the crowd will still be hot for both of those matches, and they’ll certainly be hot for Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch vs CM Punk and AJ Styles, which has been given time for several promos and pre-match shenanigans.

Before I get into what I think is going to happen though, let’s review my historical performance. I’ve told ya’ll who I think is going to win in every PLE match since WrestleMania 38, and while I’m not exactly The Undertaker at WrestleMania or even Earthquake at WrestleMania, I’m still doing pretty well for myself. Here's my overall record, as well as breakouts for the bigger PLEs this year.

CM Punk And AJ Lee Vs Seth Rollins And Becky Lynch

This is not going to be the main event at WrestlePalooza, but if you’ve watched WWE’s weekly shows recently, it wouldn't be unreasonable to think it would be. Lee’s long-awaited un-retirement to partner with her husband CM Punk got one of the loudest pops we’ll hear this year, and the crowd has been very invested in all the promos and skirmishes we’ve gotten. There’s some real buzz here, and there’s a good chance it’ll be the match of the night, given fan investment and the in-ring skills of everyone involved.

One story beat we’ve consistently been getting has been both AJ and Becky getting physical with the men under the assumption that they won’t hit back. It’s been so pronounced that it’s entirely possible we’re actually going to see one of the men snap and deliver their finisher to the opposing lady. WWE very rarely does inter-gender matches, but we do occasional see physicality. Seth Rollins stomping AJ Lee, as an example, would produce nuclear heat with the crowd and put even more juice into the feud.

I’m not 100% confident that’s going to happen, but I am very confident that Punk and AJ are going to win here. She’s been going for a decade, and I would have to imagine WWE would want to establish her as an immediate threat to Becky’s Intercontinental Championship. The best way to do that would be with a win, and since Becky got in a cheap Manhandle Slam on her the other night, it feels like she’s going to pay her back here.

Predicted Winner: AJ Lee And CM Punk

The Usos Vs Bron Breakker And Bronson Reed

This is a tough match to predict, and you could make really reasonable cases for both sides. Even as I’m writing this, I’m not entirely sure who I’m going to pick. So, let’s just present the reason why each should win and then we can decide which is more compelling.

The Usos should win because they’re one of the best and most acclaimed tag teams in the history of the business, and when they get back together to fight people, it should mean something. Assumedly, the two of them are going to make a real run to the tag titles at some point again in the future, and we should all be invested in protecting their aura for when that happens. If Jimmy and Jey eat pins on their own, that’s fine, but as a tag team, I want to see them win in key spots.

But do we really want The Vision losing everything at WrestlePalooza? Paul Heyman is in the hospital and written off TV. I think Becky and Seth are going to lose to CM Punk and AJ Lee. Does it really make sense for the Brons to take an L here? I don’t think so, especially after Bronson Reed took an L to Roman Reigns at the last PLE. If we’re going to build these two into dominant forces on their own, that can inspire fear outside of Seth Rollins, then they need to actually win matches.

We’ve been getting a lot of teases from The Usos lately that they might not be on the same page. They got into an argument backstage this week on Raw, and Jimmy seems to be moving in a more face direction, while Jey seems to be moving more in a heel direction. Given there are compelling cases for why both teams should win, I’m going to use these teases to say The Usos are probably going to lose because of miscommunication or dissension within their partnership.

Predicted Winner: The Brons

Iyo Sky Vs Stephanie Vaquer For The Vacant Women’s World Championship

Triple H, Bruce Prichard and the other writers are clearly very high on Stephanie Vaquer. This is a huge position to put her in, given she’s only been on the main roster for a few months. Typically, that’s way too soon to even talk about fighting for world championships, let alone winning world championships, but you can’t argue with the crowd reactions she’s getting, nor can you argue with her in-ring skill. Her English is also getting better at a rapid rate, and I think it’s within the realm of possibilities that she wins here.

Obviously, Iyo is more than capable of being a world champion. She’s been there before and is arguably the third or fourth most popular woman on the roster behind Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair (and maybe Liv Morgan). It would make a lot of sense for WWE to put the belt back on her, and that’s probably the most likely outcome. It’s hard for me to imagine the two world champions on the women’s side being Vaquer and Tiffany Stratton, given their collective lack of main roster experience.

This story WWE is telling with Asuka, however, is giving me pause. We’re getting weekly signs of friction between Iyo Sky, Asuka and Kairi Sane, and it seems like we’re walking toward some kind of feud involving the longtime friends. I suspect we’ll probably even get a tag team match between Iyo and Rhea and Asuka and Kairi at some point in the near future. Does that storyline need the belt? I’m not so sure.

I’m picking Iyo because she’s Iyo freakin’ Sky and Stephanie Vaquer hasn’t even won a middle card title before, but I don’t feel super confident.

Predicted Winner: Iyo Sky

John Cena Vs Brock Lesnar

I’m done picking against John Cena. Sure, Brock Lesnar has been gone for an extended period of time, and you’d like to remind people of why he’s so terrifying with a dominant win, but I think there’s a real chance Cena doesn’t lose again for his entire retirement tour. In fact, I'm predicting it here. After his run as a heel, which had some great moments but ultimately didn’t work out, I think fans really just want to celebrate with him. He did a lot of winning throughout his career, and I think his supporters would like to see him go out the same way.

We also don’t know if there are long-term plans for Lesnar. Did he return simply to put in a few appearances and do some work with Cena, who he shares a lot of history with? Maybe. Did he return because he’s going to be a WWE superstar for the next several years and will be trying to win championships? Maybe. It’s really unclear what’s actually going on. I could easily believe either of those possibilities.

Cena and Lesnar are the same age. I can’t imagine Brock has that many runs left in him, but since this is Cena’s announced last year, I think he’s going to get a big win here. Expect this match to be a car crash with a ton of finishers and surprise kickouts in a short timeframe or for us to get some kind of outside interference to give these two some breathing room to beyond fifteen minutes.

Predicted Winner: John Cena

Cody Rhodes (Champion) Vs Drew McIntyre For The WWE Championship

Drew McIntyre is arguably my favorite superstar on WWE’s entire roster. I think he’s been spectacular over the past few years, and to me, his feud with CM Punk is the best storyline WWE has given us since the OG Bloodline disbanded. He’s had some big moments and won some big championships semi-recently, but a signature win over Cody Rhodes during the first PLE of ESPN’s contract would go a long way toward showing the audience he should be seen as one of the biggest stars in the company.

I would love to see it, but it’s really hard to bet against Cody Rhodes. Apart from high profile losses to the likes of Roman Reigns and John Cena, he’s basically done nothing but win. Do we think WWE is really going to want him to lose during the first event on ESPN? I don’t think so, nor do I think whenever he does lose it’ll come on the back of a feud with this little of a build. Yes, we’ve gotten some back and forths and a vicious attack from McIntyre on Rhodes, but we haven’t gotten some epic promo battle every week.

I want to see McIntyre win The WWE Championship again. I want him to be seen on that Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, CM Punk and Seth Rollins level, but I don’t think this is the moment he gets there. We’ll need to wait a little longer.

Predicted Winner: Cody Rhodes

The WWE is gearing up for Wrestlepalooza later this month, but not before what might be the most packed SmackDown of the year. In fairness, the company always makes a point to pull out all the stops for its big shows in major cities, especially Chicago. That said, this may be a night fans will remember for a long time, and it has me considering canceling my plans to stay in and watch it live.

After Clash In Paris was light on the returns we predicted, it seems as though at least two major superstars are slated to show up on SmackDown. It's not enough that this could be the last Friday night John Cena is in pro wrestling. Apparently, we're in for what could be a very entertaining night.

AJ Lee Is Expected To Return

People have asked for AJ Lee's return since CM Punk officially came back to the WWE, and it feels like there couldn't be a better setup for her to arrive than right now. Becky Lynch has officially joined her husband, Seth Rollins, in his growing faction of superstars and has no qualms with attempting to goad Punk into hitting her.

This isn't the Attitude Era, so the WWE typically doesn't allow male attacking female violence on its programming. That said, Lee is a legend in the WWE, and someone in the old guard whom Becky never got to square off against in the company. Better she take out her frustrations on them than Ozzy Osbourne fans, I suppose.

The rumor of Lee's return comes from the WWE Shop X account, which mistakenly spoiled the return in advance (via Cagesideseats.com). While it's not the best way to learn about a surprise return, it does give me the confidence in feeling relatively sure we're going to see her on tonight's episode.

Brock Lesnar Will Apparently Confront John Cena

Fightful Select reported that Brock Lesnar is also planned to show up in Chicago, though that's less of a surprise. Lesnar made his shocking return at SummerSlam, and presumably, it was to set up a match with John Cena.

With so few upcoming WWE events left on the calendar and John Cena retiring at the end of the year, there aren't many Premium Live Events left to book that matchup. Right now, the popular speculation is that they'll be one of the major matches booked for Wrestlepalooza later on in September. If that's the case, then it'd make sense for Lesnar to arrive at one of Cena's final televised appearances.

While neither rumor is confirmed, there is reason for SmackDown to hype Wrestlepalooza as much as possible. The PLE will be on the 2025 TV schedule as the first major WWE event to air on ESPN's service as part of their new deal. I can imagine the company wants that event to get as many eyes as possible, and there's no better way to do that than with a lot of big returns ahead of the PLE.

Gear up for SmackDown on USA on Friday at 8:00 p.m. ET. These returns are exciting, especially with some news that big superstars like Roman Reigns may already be looking at their own exit from wrestling.

Last year’s Backlash following WrestleMania took place in Lyon, France, and given how hot the crowd was, it’s no surprise to see WWE return for another premium live event. This time, it’s taking place in Paris, and I’m expecting the French fans to deliver again, even if the matches on the card don’t exactly forecast to be Bret Hart and British Bulldog at SummerSlam ‘92.

It’s not a question of star power. Clash In Paris has a ton of big names with matches, from CM Punk to John Cena to Roman Reigns to Becky Lynch to Seth Rollins to Logan Paul to Nikki Bella. The problem is that most of those big names either aren’t facing each other or with a few exceptions, seem to be in a match with a seemingly obvious outcome. Because of that, some fans are comparing it to a Raw or SmackDown card.

I think that’s harsh. This card might not rival WrestleMania, but it’s a lot better than what we see on a weekly basis. It also has the potential to deliver a few huge upsets that casual fans won’t see coming. Throw in a hot crowd and a Brock Lesnar return, and I think this could be one of those PLEs that we remember fondly for years to come.

Before I get into what I think is going to happen, let’s reflect real quick on my predictions record. As a reminder, I’ve been doing this for every premium live event since WrestleMania 38, and while no one would accuse me of being Super Cena, I’ve still got the record of a lower main eventer or the type of guy who’d win a midcard title. Think of me like a prime MVP.

Sheamus Vs Rusev In A Good ‘Ol Fashioned Donnybrook Match

WWE needs to normalize putting non-title matches featuring mid-carders in hot programs onto premium live events. That might sound obvious, but that’s not actually how WWE operates anymore. If you look at most PPV cards, they’re almost exclusively filled with title matches and random bouts that include at least one main eventer (like Roman Reigns and Bronson Reed). Since Triple H took over, a ton of fun programs like Chad Gable vs Otis and Braun Strowman Vs Jacob Fatu never got a PLE match, at least if you don't count Saturday Night’s Main Event.

I love seeing Sheamus and Rusev in this spot. They deserve it, and they’re going to be really hungry to put on a great bout, given neither of them regularly appears on PLEs at this point in their careers. Expect a brutal, hard-hitting mess with an outcome that likely sees these two continue to work together for at least another month or so.

I’m going to pick Rusev given he just returned to WWE, but Sheamus hasn’t won on a PLE since Extreme Rules in 2022. He could really benefit from a chance to remind people that he’s a former world champion and remains extremely over with fans.

Predicted Winner: Rusev

John Cena Vs Logan Paul

I think most fans would like to see John Cena win here, given he’s finally back to being a babyface and doesn’t have that many appearances left before his retirement, but I just can’t see it. WWE has already laid out what’s next for the Peacemaker star. He’s going to face Brock Lesnar, probably during the first PLE WWE is doing with ESPN next month. The Beast showing up here and attacking Cena again feels like the logical way to set that up.

Now, there’s certainly a chance Triple H, Bruce Prichard and the writing staff will have Cena win the match and then get attacked afterwards, but he got attacked after the match by Lesnar at the end of SummerSlam. It feels like they’re going to do something different here, and if you’re going to have the Never Seen Seventeen end up on his back after the match, to me, you might as well give Logan Paul the win and let him get some shine off that.

Besides, I think we should all acknowledge that Paul is really good at this. I’m not saying he’s a prime Shawn Michaels, but he’s already doing better work than eighty percent of the roster. His promos are getting more natural and continue to improve (as evidenced by him looking comfortable with John Cena), and he’s putting in more frequent appearances than some of the biggest names on the roster. It would be good for him to win here.

Predicted Winner: Logan Paul

Becky Lynch (Champion) Vs Nikki Bella For The Women’s Intercontinental Championship

I’ve heard some people complaining about Becky Lynch’s current heel character. Certainly Kelly Osbourne doesn’t seem to be a fan, but personally, I think she’s doing the best work of her entire career. Yeah, she might not be as buzzy as she was during her days as The Man, but as a personal preference, I like this better.

That promo she gave in Dublin where she got the crowd hyped up as the returning daughter and then turned on them was fantastic. It was every bit as good as something you’d see from CM Punk, Paul Heyman or The Miz, and while I really loved her program with Lyra Valkyria and Bayley, I’m glad to see her working with different superstars on the roster and continuing to make the Intercontinental Championship feel relevant.

I suspect she’s going to hold the belt for a long time, which means Nikki Bella is going to lose here. That doesn’t mean it’s necessarily bad news for her though. To me, this match is a chance for Bella to prove she should be taken seriously. Obviously she’s a WWE Hall of Famer and someone the crowd likes to see, but the jury is out as to whether her current run is going to be a fun bit of nostalgia or an exciting chapter filled with new character work and new in-ring moves that build on her legacy. A great match here would go a long way to making the latter a reality.

Predicted Winner: Becky Lynch

Roman Reigns Vs Bronson Reed

I love Roman Reigns. With all due respect to Cody Rhodes and Triple H, I think he’s the single person most responsible for WWE’s resurgence in popularity the last several years. Keeping the belt around his waist for years was the right decision to build his aura. Even now, I don’t really want to see him taking losses, except in rare circumstances, but to me, this is one of those circumstances.

I know what you’re thinking. Really, he should lose to Bronson Reed? Yes. Wrestling factions tend to take on one of two forms. Either they’re a vehicle for one person to establish dominance, in this case Seth Rollins, or they’re a way for a bunch of characters to grow at the same time, each having their own paths and storylines. Long-term, Reed can be one of Rollins’ henchmen who gets beaten up by whoever he’s feuding with on a weekly basis or he and Bron Breakker can build their own compelling characters outside Rollins. To do that, they need signature victories.

Beating Roman Reigns would be the biggest win of Bronson Reed’s career. It would extend his current Tribal Thief gimmick, and it would immediately establish him as a threat to go after a singles championship, which he’s yet to win in WWE. He needs this in a way that Roman does not, especially since he’s reportedly about to leave and go film Street Fighter for awhile.

I don’t like betting against Reigns because he’s won way way way more often than he’s lost. In fact, I’m still not entirely sure WWE will be willing to let him eat a pin here, but in a perfect world, Reed should win this match.

Predicted Winner: Bronson Reed

Seth Rollins (Champion) Vs LA Knight Vs CM Punk Vs Jey Uso For The World Heavyweight Championship

Barring an injury, a real injury this time, Seth Rollins is winning this match. WWE has way too much invested in him right now to lose the title this quickly. Typically, predicting the outcome of four way matches is extremely difficult, but it doesn’t make any sense whatsoever for anyone but Seth to win here.

If CM Punk is going to win the belt back, it should be in a straight up singles match with Rollins. As much as I cling to the belief that LA Knight will be a world champion someday, nothing about his booking in recent months suggests he’s a real candidate to win this match, and while Jey Uso is still the type of over most wrestlers dream about, he’s not as over as he once was, nor did his recent title reign go particularly well.

I’m so confident about the outcome of this match that I’m not even sure if it’s going to main event the show, which is wild given it’s the only world championship on the card. More often than not, WWE ends the night with the match fans want to see the most, and this, unfortunately, is not that match. Still, I think it could be a really compelling twenty minutes if done correctly, and it could help build the storyline for Survivor Series War Games, which will probably involve a lot of these people.

Predicted Winner: Seth Freakin’ Rollins

John Cena stood toe-to-toe with Randy Orton in the ring on the latest SmackDown, and for those wondering what he'll do on Monday Night Raw on Netflix, the answer is nothing. It turns out that while we'll still stream the new Undisputed WWE Champion's title defense with a Peacock subscription, he's not due back to appear on television until the day before the big PLE.

CinemaBlend has written extensively about our expectations for John Cena's retirement tour and the people we wish to see him take on in the ring. We're not even a month into his title reign, and I'm already sensing a major complaint I'll have about this run when I look back on it. For someone who was so consistently the face of WWE over the years, John Cena's shocking heel turn doesn't hit as hard when he's only showing up occasionally.

John Cena's Limited Availability Reminds Me How Much I Dislike Absent Champions

After watching Cody Rhodes show up in the WWE most every week of his title reign, we're now back to the days where a champion only shows up part of the time. It happened during Roman Reigns long title reign, and for Brock Lesnar before he was seemingly blacklisted from the company for his ties to Vince McMahon's ongoing legal issues. Point being, John Cena isn't the first to be a "part-time champion," and he likely won't be the last.

I think what makes it more noticeable is that Cena was historically never an absent champion during his time in the WWE. He was the face of the brand, and while his taking the title away is on brand for his promise to "ruin pro wrestling," It also runs the risk of resulting in some underwhelming feuds with superstars.

This Being John Cena's Final Year In Wrestling Makes It Sting More Than It Did With Roman Reigns Or Brock Lesnar

We've seen instances where one superstar is absent and underwhelms time and time again, and the latest example is in what should have been John Cena's biggest match in years. The main event suffered from Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's absence, and even with rapper Travis Scott willing to step in and fill his shoes, it just doesn't substitute for the actual person being there.

John Cena is no exception to this, and while the WWE can sell it all as being part of a storyline in which he's ruining wrestling, we know the truth. Cena is a busy individual, and between his acting career and other commitments, he can only dedicate a limited amount of time to professional wrestling at this stage in his career.

Unfortunately, I think there's a possibility that because Cena can only dedicate so much time to the WWE, there will be a few instances in this final year where people feel that his heel run was incomplete or lacked the fire we've seen in his previous storylines. Would more appearances fix this? It's impossible to say, though I can state that I loved his run during the SAG-AFTRA strike, where he could appear on television pretty consistently. We'll see how this final run goes.

John Cena is scheduled to return to SmackDown on Friday, May 9th, one day before Backlash. Will Randy Orton be able to RKO his way to another world title in his home state? I'd love to see it happen, but I think Cena has his number this time.

The Royal Rumble is just a few weeks away, and I am fired up. With all due respect to WrestleMania, the Rumble is the most exciting night of the year for me as a wrestling fan, and it’s particularly exciting this year because I have no idea what is going to happen. Both the men’s and women’s Rumbles are wide open, and you could make a compelling case for why a bunch of big names should win. I have some theories about what’s going to happen with the ladies, but the more I think about the gentlemen, the more confused I get. CM Punk, John Cena and Roman Reigns are at the top of many people’s predictions, but there are also really obvious reasons why they each should lose.

Now, to be clear, CM Punk, John Cena and Roman Reigns are all more than deserving of winning this year’s Rumble for various reasons. Each one of them is famous enough and over with the crowd enough to main event WrestleMania, and there’s actually a good chance all three of them could end up main eventing ‘Mania this year. But each one has a glaring red flag that makes it uniquely problematic for them to win the Rumble. So, let’s talk them out.

John Cena is the pick for a lot of people this year, as fans really want to see him win big. He’s already announced it’s going to be his last Rumble, and whatever he does at his final WrestleMania is going to be a huge deal. He also cut a promo during the first Raw on Netflix saying he’s entering the Rumble, and most fans, myself included, are of the opinion that he’ll be in some kind of title match at ‘Mania. All of that points to him winning the Rumble, and that's certainly how the betting market feels. I’m not so sure about that though.

Most of WWE’s advertisements for Elimination Chamber have been very John Cena forward. He’s in the most prominent spot in the main poster, and there’s a variant poster saying it’s his last time in Toronto. That all points to him being in the Elimination Chamber, which he wouldn’t need to do if he wins the Rumble. In addition, while winning the Rumble would be a really fun moment, the better story would be him losing the Rumble and then spending the next month ahead of Elimination Chamber talking about how he has to win Elimination Chamber to get one more shot at a championship. He’s done nothing but take losses each time he’s returned from Hollywood, and many of his promos have been about self-doubt. The better story here is he loses again but gets close enough to start believing in himself.

A lot of other people are all-in on CM Punk winning the Rumble. He’s made no secret about wanting to main event WrestleMania. It’s been brought up numerous times on WWE television, and given he got injured and finished second at the Rumble last year, the story practically writes itself. He can win, challenge Cody Rhodes and finally walk to the main event. Sounds great, right? Well, I’m not so sure about that one either because of a loose end WWE hasn’t tied up yet.

Back when CM Punk joined the OG Bloodline Team at Survivor Series, WWE made several references to the fact that Roman Reigns’ manager Paul Heyman now owes CM Punk a big favor down the road. It wasn’t said off-handedly. It was very clearly a major thing that was hammered into the audience that’s meant to come up later. The thing is, if CM Punk wins the Rumble and challenges Gunther or Cody Rhodes at ‘Mania, there’s no point in Paul Heyman or Roman being involved. I suppose we could get back to that after ‘Mania season, but that’s a really long time to sit on something, even for Triple H. Instead, what I think is more likely is Punk loses the Rumble and then ends up fighting Roman at ‘Mania with this favor thing looming over everyone’s heads.

That brings us to Roman. With all due respect to Cody Rhodes, he’s clearly the biggest attraction in WWE that’s not a returning movie star. He’s already declared for the Rumble, and it seems likely Triple H, Bruce Prichard and company are going to want to stick a belt on him sooner rather than later. Having him win the Rumble would also likely be particularly meaningful to Roman himself, as he was booed loudly and without mercy by disappointed fans unhappy with his Rumble victory in ‘15. He would get a much better reception this time around, as he’s currently getting the loudest babyface pops of his career.

But his manager Paul Heyman has already implied he’ll be challenging Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania if he wins the Rumble, and while the dynamic between the two would feel very different than it did at the last two ‘Manias, I’m not sure people are really clamoring for those two to main event three consecutive WrestleManias. That’s way too much of the same, even if the promos and the story would likely be different this time around. So, as white hot as Roman is right now, I just don’t see a victory here as the outcome fans really want.

All three of these superstars could still win the Rumble. I’m definitely not trying to say they should be eliminated from consideration, but these obvious issues I’ve outlined are why this could potentially be a good year for someone less obvious to step up.

Drew McIntyre is doing the best work of his entire career, and there have been a lot of rumors about WWE wanting to give him a huge push this year. Most people think The Rock isn’t going to work ‘Mania this year, but if he were to enter the Rumble, there’s a very strong chance he could win. He’ll certainly main event ‘Mania if he works it. Seth Rollins has arguably been WWE’s most consistent performer over the last several years, and after taking losses in a bunch of key spots, it might be time for WWE to reward him on a really big stage. Jey Uso has been selling more merchandise than anyone else in the company, and his ring entrances are the hottest in the game. Brock Lesnar is probably going to come back at some point, and when he does, he’ll be an immediate threat to win everything. All of these alternate options are possibilities.

Maybe, despite the red flags, one of the favorites still wins. Maybe WWE surprises us and goes with a less conventional choice. I have no idea what’s going to happen, and it’s why I’m more excited for this Rumble than I’ve been in a long time.

Everyone loves a good heel, right? You know those wrestlers who just have a certain way of sending crowds into a frenzy with some truly heinous, violent, and dastardly acts. In the past, we’ve talked about the most shocking turns and betrayals, but today, let’s turn our attention to some of the most despicable actions by a heel, both in and out of the ring.

From The Rock viciously beating a grown man in front of his crying children to JBL making an opponent’s mom have a heart attack to a certain prison guard from Cobb County, Georgia doing all kinds of bad deeds, there were quite a few to choose from.

Vince McMahon Revealing Himself As The 'Higher Power'

There was a lot going on in the peak of the Attitude Era, and one of the craziest angles was the Ministry of Darkness storyline involving The Undertaker doing everything from kidnapping Stephanie McMahon to attempting to embalm Stone Cold Steve Austin in his quest to take over WWE. But behind it all was Vince McMahon, who was revealed to be the “Higher Power” pulling all the strings.

Bobby Heenan, John Studd, And Ken Patera Cutting Andre The Giant's Hair

Before the late Bobby Heenan became one of the best WWE commentators of all time, he made a name for himself as the premier heel manager in wrestling. One of his most dastardly actions (of which there are a lot) has to be the time he, Big John Studd, and Ken Patera held down Andre the Giant and cut his hair. “The Brain” seemed to relish in humiliating the “Eighth Wonder of the World.”

CM Punk Stealing Paul Bearer's Urn

Shortly after William Moody, aka Paul Bearer, died in March 2013, CM Punk did something irredeemable when stole the Undertaker’s late manager’s iconic urn in the leadup to his WrestleMania 29 match against the “Phenom.” Not only that, but he poured out the contents of the urn all over himself to dramatic effect. No wonder Taker didn’t hold back in their co-main event match.

The Rock Viciously Beating Mick Foley In Front Of His Kids

The 1999 Royal Rumble is mostly remembered for The Rock and Mankind’s “I Quit” match for the WWE Championship. In the match, which was famously included in the controversial Beyond the Mat documentary, Mick Foley is viciously beaten in front of his young children, who cry the entire time. Seriously, it’s a rough watch.

Big Boss Man Dragging Big Show's Dad's Casket Through A Cemetery

Big Boss Man, one of the greatest and most athletic big men in wrestling, took being a heel to the next level. For example, there’s the time he crashed Big Show’s dad’s funeral by dragging his casket through the cemetery (with Paul Wight) hanging on for dear life. Seriously, it doesn’t get more despicable than that.

Chris Jericho's 'Man Of 1,004 Holds' Promo

Chris Jericho has proven time and time again that he’s one of the best heels in the business, including the time he gave what has been called the “Man of 1,004 Holds” promo. Poking fun at Dean Malenko and his 1,000 holds, Jericho pulled out a ridiculously long scroll going over all the holds he knew. It was perfection.

Shawn Michaels' Fake Bret Hart Return

Nearly a decade after Bret Hart’s WWE run came to an unceremonious end during the Montreal Screwjob, Shawn Michaels brought the “Hitman” back to the scene of the crime. Or so the fans thought when Hart’s iconic entrance song started playing over the speakers. But there was no Bret, as it was all a ploy by the dastardly heel.

Roddy Piper Hitting Jimmy Snuka With A Coconut

Roddy Piper hitting Jimmy Snuka over the head with a coconut may be one of the most iconic clips in WWE history, but it’s also one of the lowest, most ruthless, and unnecessary moments in the history of “Piper’s Pit.”

JBL Made Eddie Guerrero's Mom Have A Heart Attack

They don’t make heels like JBL these days. This guy would do anything to get heat with the crowd, even if that meant making Eddie Guerrero’s mom have a heart attack in the middle of the ring. Legend has it JBL required a police escort to make it out of El Paso that night.

The New Age Outlaws Putting Cactus Jack And Chainsaw Charlie In A Dumpster

Oh, you didn’t know that the New Age Outlaws once put Cactus Jack and Chainsaw Charlie (Mick Foley and Terry Funk, respectively) into a dumpster and then pushed it off the side of the stage? Well, that happened during a February 1998 episode of Raw. Don’t worry, Road Dogg and Billy Gunn got their comeuppance at WrestleMania 14.

Shawn Michaels Throwing Marty Jannetty Through The Barber Shop Window

The Rockers’ time together came to a sudden and shocking end in early 1992 when Shawn Michaels turned on his longtime partner Marty Jannetty by giving him some “sweet chin music” and throwing him through the Barber Shop window.

The Katie Vick Incident

The Katie Vick incident, in which Triple H dressed up like Kane and acted like he was making love to his dead girlfriend, is one of the lowest moments of the Ruthless Aggression era. It’s amazing WWE and Triple H recovered from this.

Randy Orton Punt-Kicking John Cena's Dad

Randy Orton’s punt kick is the stuff of wonder and a tool he would use to take many legends out of action during the early to mid-2000s. Another addition to that list was John Cena’s dad, who tried to protect his son against the “Legend Killer.” It was just so brutal, so violent, so despicable.

The Four Horsemen Breaking Dusty Rhodes' Leg

The Four Horsemen, arguably the greatest stable in wrestling history, were about as ruthless and dastardly as it got, especially when dealing with Dusty Rhodes. Look no further than September 1985 when they trapped the American Dream in a steel cage and viciously attacked him before breaking his leg.

Rick Rude Painting Jake Roberts' Wife's Face On His Ring Gear

Rick Rude knew how to get people going, both men and women. One of the best examples is the time the ravishing wrestler unveiled a special pair of tights with Jake Roberts’ wife’s face painted on them.

Hulk Hogan Turning His Back On Randy Savage And WCW

Hulk Hogan finally became a heel at WCW’s Bash at the Beach 1996 when he joined up with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash to form the NWO. And how did he go about pulling off the biggest heel turn of all time? Well, he attacked longtime friend and former tag team partner Randy Savage with a series of leg drops.

The Rock Channeling Maui To Taunt Mama Rhodes

The Rock’s “Final Boss” gimmick was one of the most absurd, and absurdly awesome, things about wrestling in 2024, and it made WWE must-see TV. This was especially true whenever Dwayne Johnson messed with Cody Rhodes and his mom, “Mama Rhodes,” on the mic by channeling his Maui character from Moana and singing “You’re Welcome.” Menacing, to say the least.

Kevin Nash Throwing Rey Mysterio Into A Production Truck Like A Lawn Dart

The NWO’s takeover of WCW was absolutely wild and saw Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and Hulk Hogan pull off some dastardly and destructive feats. One of the funniest (and most extreme) came in July 1996 when Nash threw Rey Mysterio into the side of a production truck like a lawn dart.

Eddie Guerrero Claiming To Be Dominik Mysterio's Biological Father

Way back before Dominik Mysterio was a heel himself, he was caught in the middle of a paternity battle between Rey Mysterio and his former best friend Eddie Guerrero, who said he was the young boy’s biological father. This psychological warfare, which led to a ladder match to settle the case, would have long-lasting ramifications.

The McMahon Family Embarrassing Then Firing Jim Ross

The McMahon family would often take pleasure in the misery of others, like the time they unceremoniously fired and embarrassed Jim Ross in the middle of the ring. To make matters worse, Linda McMahon gave the longtime WWE commentator a kick below the belt.

Scott Hall Tasing Goldberg

Maybe a good thing looking back, Scott Hall cost Goldberg his WCW Championship and his undefeated streak at Starrcade 1998 by tasing the red-hot superstar in the main event match. Dressed up like a security guard, Hall snuck up and incapacitated Goldberg, allowing Kevin Nash to steal the pin and title.

Dominik Mysterio Crashing Thanksgiving

Back when Dominik Mysterio was feuding with his dad, he and Rhea Ripley did everything they could to make life miserable for his family. This included crashing Thanksgiving and ruining the holiday for everyone. It’s so cheesy, so despicable, so awesome.

The Dudley Boyz Putting Mae Young Through A Table

WWE in the Attitude Era was a completely different place and saw folks like the Dudley Boyz be a menace to everyone, both male and female, both young and old. Just look at the time Bubba Ray and D-Von threw Mae Young off the stage and through a table on Monday Night Raw.

The Ted DiBiase Basketball Segment

Back when Ted DiBiase was building up his “Million Dollar Man” heel gimmick, he found some unique ways to generate heat with the crowd. Back in 1987, he told a young boy he’d give him $500 if he could dribble a basketball 15 times. A simple task, right? Well, just before the kid reached the 15th dribble, DiBiase kicked the ball off the stage.

Big Boss Man Feeds Al Snow His Dog, Pepper

During his feud with Al Snow, Big Boss Man came up with some terrifying ways of messing with his opponent, like making him eat a dog. But not just any dog. Instead, it was Snow’s cherished pet chihuahua, Pepper. The way Boss Man said “100 % Grade-A Pepper” after serving up the dish in a hotel room was just so ridiculous.

Brock Lesnar Pushing Zach Gowen Down The Stairs

Zach Gowen was the first and only one-legged wrestler to step foot into a WWE ring, and his journey made for quite a great story. But Brock Lesnar, in the middle of his great heel run at the time, wanted none of it and pushed an injured Gowen down a flight of stairs after the underdog got a victory over him.

Shane McMahon Attacks The Miz's Dad

Though Fastlane 2019 is mostly remembered for the final PLE featuring The Shield before Dean Ambrose left WWE, it should also be remembered for the night Shane McMahon turned heel and attacked The Miz in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. If the beatdown on The Miz wasn’t bad enough, Shane O’Mac turned his attention to the middle-aged man sitting ringside.

Jake Roberts Slapping Miss Elizabeth

When he wanted, Jake “The Snake” Roberts could be one of the most unrelenting and devastating heels in the business. This is no more true than it was the night Roberts slapped Miss Elizabeth in the middle of the ring to get heat with the crowd (and make Randy Savage pay).

Papa Shango Putting A Curse On The Ultimate Warrior

Remember when Papa Shango put a curse on the Ultimate Warrior in the early 1990s? The incident from May 1992 was one of the most cartoonish things to happen in the era, but it made the voodoo doctor look like a major threat.

Gene Snitsky Punting A Baby Into The Crowd

Gene Snitksy is a wrestler who doesn’t get talked about all too much a couple of decades after his run in WWE, and maybe that’s because he kicked a (fake) baby into the crowd during a program with Lita. He straight-up punted that little thing high above the crowd, and it was absurd.

Vince McMahon Taunting Linda McMahon While She's In A Vegetative State

In the early 2000s, in the final stretch of the Attitude Era, Vince McMahon was firing on all cylinders when it came to being a Grade-A scumbag (in storyline). One of the most insane angles he ran was the one in which his wife, Linda McMahon, was in a vegetative state and he did all sorts of unscrupulous acts in front of her. But she did get her revenge at WrestleMania 17.

Bronson Reed's Six Tsunamis On Seth Rollins

Bronson Reed has made quite a name for himself over the years because of his dynamic personality, massive stature, and ability to pull off some heinous acts. Look at the time he performed six tsunamis (his finishing move) on a hurt Seth Rollins. One after another they came down on the fan-favorite.

The WWE's main roster is so stacked that there are plenty of legends right now who aren't getting enough time to shine. It's possible the WWE doesn't believe that, however, as there's speculation that yet another absent superstar is headed back to Monday Night Raw and other shows. Brock Lesnar might be coming back to the WWE, and after hearing the latest explanations on why people think that, I think there's a real chance he'll be back.

Lesnar hasn't been in the WWE since the conclusion of his feud with Cody Rhodes during SummerSlam 2023. Now, it's looking like we may see him pop back up in upcoming WWE events or when Monday Night Raw comes to Netflix.

A Recent Monday Night Raw Mentioned Brock Lesnar Indirectly Twice

When an absent wrestler's return to the ring is on the way, it's common to see hints for their arrival on Monday Night Raw or SmackDown. Some incredibly subtle references to Brock Lesnar were made on the latest Monday Night Raw, to the point that I was watching and it went completely over my head.

For those that missed it, check out the clips below, in which both Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes made mention of "The Beast" by his nickname:

I wouldn't have been so suspicious if it was just one mention. Brock Lesnar has been one of the biggest stars in the WWE over the past decade. So, it's inevitable that other stars will make mention of him. To have two top stars bring him up, however, is just too much of a coincidence. Now, it has me thinking we could even see him make an unexpected appearance on a PLE that will be available to watch with a Peacock Premium subscription before the end of 2024.

Why Some Believed Lesnar Was Finished With The WWE

Between Brock Lesnar's exit following SummerSlam 2023 and now, a lot of big news in the WWE world happened. Namely, former WWE employee Janel Grant filed a lawsuit against Vince McMahon, and the claims alleged some pretty horrific actions taken by the former CEO. One of those actions included McMahon demanding Grant make sexualized content for Brock Lesnar to sway him to sign with the WWE when he wasn't with the company.

Before that report, Lesnar was believed to be returning for the 2024 Royal Rumble. That never happened, and as we mentioned previously, we have not seen the former champion in the ring since 2023. The WWE has never confirmed anything, but Sports Illustrated and others confirmed the company took measures to distance itself from him by quietly removing his image from the cover of the popular video game WWE 2K24.

If Brock Lesnar is returning, there's an interesting question about why the WWE is more comfortable bringing him back now than previously. Again, we have no idea if he's actually coming back, but I would say the people who think the company is openly hinting about it on shows aren't just making things up.

When Might Brock Lesnar Return?

If Brock Lesnar returns, it's worth stating that the Royal Rumble is coming up in February. That's still a long way away, however, and I could also see an earlier return like Survivor Series being in the cards. That said, we talked about how loaded the WWE roster is, so if he did return, there would have to be a plan in place to justify his arrival.

Between everything happening in the WWE, I see two clear opportunities for Brock Lesnar to slide into the stories being told organically.

The first possibility lies in the story that Gunther is on a dominant run as the Heavyweight champion, and Cody Rhodes is in the same boat. How do you keep two over superstars from losing at Crown Jewel when they face off? You feature another competitor run-in during the match that forces a disqualification, and I think Lesnar would be the right guy for that. This is especially true if he kept Gunther from beating Cody, as it would set them on a collision course for WrestleMania.

I also see an opportunity to use Bronson Reed, who has established himself as a massive beast of WWE in his own regard. He can only dominate so many other big men before he ultimately has to take on the biggest of them all and have a big showdown with The Beast Incarnate. We'll see if it ultimately pans out and if the WWE pulls the trigger on bringing back one of its biggest stars.

To see if these rumors prove to be true, Monday Night Raw airs on USA on Mondays at 8:00 p.m. ET.

Is there anything in wrestling better than The Royal Rumble? The annual WWE premium live event not only offers the best gimmick match of the year, it also tells fans very directly which stars the company is going to push into key spots at WrestleMania. Sometimes the winners are very obvious, like last year when we got Cody Rhodes and Rhea Ripley. Sometimes the winners aren’t obvious at all, like when we got Shinsuke Nakamura, Alberto Del Rio and Yokozuna. Even if you think you know what WWE is going to do, you can never truly be sure until it happens. Luckily, half the fun of being a wrestling fan is speculating wildly about what might happen at upcoming premium live events; so, let’s talk out the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble. 

WWE is hotter right now than it has been in a long time. There are a ton of dudes over with the crowd and at least a half dozen that feel like they could believably fight in a world title match at WrestleMania 40. There are a few relatively obvious, high upside crossover options like Cody Rhodes and CM Punk, a few really intriguing storyline options like Drew McIntyre and Gunther, some fan favorites like LA Knight and of course, there’s always The Rock who has teased possibly fighting his cousin Roman Reigns at ‘Mania. I can’t remember a year with this many possible choices. Here’s my list of the 15 most likely…

15. MJF

I don’t think MJF is going to WWE. Conflicting rumors have been swirling about whether or not he's resigned with AEW. I think he has and it won’t be announced publicly until a key storyline moment. I’d be shocked to see him at The Rumble. That being said, I didn’t think CM Punk was showing up at Survivor Series, and if MJF did show up at The Royal Rumble, would he be a real threat to win? Absolutely.  

14. Damian Priest

Damian Priest would be higher on this list if winning The Royal Rumble made more logical sense for his character, but his Money In The Bank briefcase allows him to have a title shot whenever he wants. He doesn’t need to win The Rumble to get it. That being said, if he were to screw up his cash-in either on Monday Night Raw or at The Rumble, he would become a major threat to enter and win. That seems like a huge rigamarole, but that’s still more likely than a random mid-card guy winning. 

13. Sami Zayn

You might be asking yourself… Sami Zayn? Well, I think there’s a believable case to be made, if a few really unfortunate things happened. Let’s say Cody Rhodes gets, Dusty forbid, hurt and won’t be available for WrestleMania. Then let’s say The Rock is unavailable, despite all his maybes. Roman Reigns needs someone to wrestle. I’d prefer it be Gunther, but Triple H and company will probably want him to defend the Intercontinental Title at ‘Mania. So, in that case, who would be the best person to wrestle Roman? The biggest match he’s had over the last year in terms of fan interest, outside of Cody, has been Sami Zayn. The build for and their match at Elimination Chamber were among the loudest we’ve heard WWE fans in decades, and if need be, I think WWE would trust Zayn to find greatness with Roman one more time.

12. Seth Freakin' Rollins

Seth Rollins is scheduled to wrestle Drew McIntyre at Day 1. The assumption is Rollins will win that match and go into WrestleMania as the World Heavyweight Champion. But given the good work McIntyre has been doing, there is a very real chance he could lose, and if he does lose, Rollins will enter The Royal Rumble and be a major threat to win. I still think the plan is to get to CM Punk and Rollins at 'Mania, but rule out Seth Rollins at your own peril. 

11. Brock Lesnar

Lensar is only one of nine people to win The Royal Rumble twice. He’s also the biggest draw on the entire roster to casual wrestling fans, and he’s done some of the best work of his career over the last few years, especially on the microphone after his split with Paul Heyman. I would never rule him completely out to win The Rumble, especially when he’ll almost certainly be in a key spot at WrestleMania 40. But since we did the Roman Reigns thing at ‘Mania 38 and he’s been off television for awhile, I don’t think a win this time is likely.

10. Finn Bálor

No one has been riding harder for Judgment Day than me. I think they’re a fantastic stable and have everything they need to run Monday Night Raw, except a prominent men’s singles belt. I thought we’d see Finn get there at SummerSlam. Then I thought we’d see Damian Priest get there via a Money In The Bank cash-in at some point. Now I’m not so sure, and the fact that I don’t have any Judgment Day members higher than tenth here is odd considering they consistently open and/ or close Monday Night Raw. Regardless, Finn has another world title run in him. I’m almost positive of that, and while I don’t think that’ll start by winning The Rumble, I don’t hate the idea.

9. Solo Sikoa

We’re still in super longshot territory here, but don’t let that distract from the fact that Solo Sikoa winning The Royal Rumble and challenging his cousin Roman Reigns would be a fantastic story to tell. In fact, I think we’re almost certainly going to see some version of that story in the future when The Bloodline officially breaks up for good. Solo vs Roman Reigns could Main Event any premium live event and have fans buzzing, but we need some more character work in order to get there. So, hold this idea in your back pocket for the 2025 Rumble, particularly if Roman beats Cody and still has the WWE Universal Championship. 

8. Bobby Lashley

Fans are just not going to boo Bobby Lashley. WWE can have him and The Street Profits attack whoever they want, but short of ending Rey Mysterio’s career via some kind of cheapshot, I don’t think there’s much he can do to get the heel reaction he’s going for. So, maybe the play here is to turn him into some kind of anti-hero and give him a big push forward. He still looks fantastic, and the fans clearly love him. After missing last year’s Mania under unfortunate circumstances that later proved tragic, it would be really exciting to see him in a high profile title match this year, which would need to start with a Royal Rumble win.

7. AJ Styles

AJ Styles just returned last week after a few months off television, and in a move most people didn’t see coming, turned heel. I’m very excited for whatever comes next for his character. It would be fantastic if WWE was able to build him back up to the main event level, and if they’re going to, now is the time. He’s forty-six years old and looks to be in fantastic shape. Over the last few years, he sorta got lost in the shuffle and felt like a low main eventer/ higher mid-carder, to the point where almost no one gave him a chance to beat Seth Rollins at Clash Of The Champions. Now is the time for him to prove he can still be at the top of the industry. I don’t see him winning The Rumble, but there is definitely a great story to tell here if WWE wants it.

6. The Rock

If The Rock was going to show up at a Royal Rumble and win, it should have been the 2023 version. He could have entered The Bloodline story when it was at its absolute hottest, and the ensuing few months of build would have been some of the highest rated wrestling episodes in decades. That didn’t happen. But Dwayne Johnson is still one of the biggest movie stars in the entire world. His presence is guaranteed to generate significant casual fan interest, and if he agrees to come back and work WWE for a few months, you almost certainly have to say yes. Given his comments, it’s certainly possible, though I’d put it in the unlikely camp, especially with Hollywood back at work.

5. LA Knight

Triple H, Bruce Prichard and the other writers have clearly listened to the fans and elevated LA Knight over the last several months. He tagged with John Cena at Fastlane, worked a premium live event with Roman Reigns, has a heavy merchandising presence at WWE live events and is almost always featured prominently on SmackDown. Along the way, he’s gotten plenty of small payoffs and nice little moments, but he’s yet to get one that would be anything close to career-defining. Winning The Royal Rumble is the sorta thing that people mention near the top of any wrestler’s accomplishments. I think he’ll probably lose and face Logan Paul at WrestleMania for The United States Championship, but I certainly wouldn’t rule him out as a possible winner here.

4. Drew McIntyre

I love this new heel work from Drew McIntyre. This is exactly what he needed to start getting some momentum again. Contract rumors and other alleged frustrations aside, this current version of the character is an obvious main event star, and I’d love to see him win a world championship sooner rather than later. But he needs to start picking up some wins and doing so quickly. Victories over Sami Zayn and Jey Uso on TV aren’t enough. He hasn’t won a match at a premium live event since he beat Karrion Kross in November of 2022. The Rumble could be the start of his return to glory. 

3. Gunther

Right now, the assumption from pretty much everyone who watches wrestling on the regular is that we’ll get CM Punk and Seth Rollins in one WrestleMania Main Event and Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes in the other. But how fantastic of a swerve would it be if Gunther eliminated Cody to win The Royal Rumble, then called out Roman Reigns in a post-match promo for not respecting the mat enough to show up for work? I love Cody. I’d love to see him win the WWE Championship at some point, but the single story I want to watch most right now is a heel versus heel Gunther vs Roman Reigns program. That’s my WrestleMania Main Event, and I do think it’s within the realm of possibilities.

2. Cody Rhodes

Before CM Punk made his surprise appearance at Survivor Series, I thought there was a good chance we’d see Cody win the Rumble two years in a row, joining Hulk Hogan, Shawn Michaels and Steve Austin as only the fourth person to win in consecutive years. Now, the general consensus seems to be that he’ll probably lose The Rumble and guarantee his rematch with Roman Reigns by winning Elimination Chamber in February. That certainly works, but the fact that so many people are predicting it gives me pause. Imagine Cody winning his second consecutive Rumble, then grabbing the mic and giving a fantastic promo about finishing the story this year. Fans would love it, and it’s way more likely than people are pretending.

1. CM Punk

The overwhelming consensus among WWE fans is that CM Punk and Seth Rollins are going to face each other in the main event of WrestleMania Night 1. Sign me up. I’m here for that too. But exactly how we get there is a much more complicated question. The easiest path would be by CM Punk winning The Royal Rumble and challenging Rollins at WrestleMania. I think that’s probably what’s going to happen, but given there are some very good alternate candidates and WWE may not want to pick the very obvious and logical choice two years in a row, I think there’s still like a fifty percent chance this doesn’t happen. 

What was originally going to be King Of The Ring 2023 turned into Night Of Champions, and now, instead of the winner getting a crown, we’re getting a battle between Seth Freakin’ Rollins and AJ Styles to be crowned the new World Heavyweight Championship. I’m really excited to see where WWE goes with that match, and I’m also excited for the rest of the card.

The Saudi fans, as well as those of us watching at home, are getting five title matches, as well as Brock Lesnar and Cody Rhodes and Trish Stratus and Becky Lynch. That’s a strong card for a non-Big 4 premium live event, but unfortunately, most of the matches, at least on paper, seem to have pretty obvious winners. I went 6-1 in my Backlash predictions, and I’d be disappointed if I didn’t do at least that well this time around. Here’s a look back at how I’ve done so far this year, as well as my overall record…

There’s a sense on wrestling Twitter that for a show to be good, it needs some surprising results. Maybe. I love a good upset, but I’d rather have predictable results than giving out wins that don't make sense storywise. Plus, just because a certain person wins doesn't mean we can't get a good amount of character development, and I suspect we'll see some of that this weekend. Here's what I think will happen...

AJ Styles Vs Seth Freakin' Rollins For The World Heavyweight Championship

Seth Freakin’ Rollins is really hot right now, and AJ Styles is, well, that’s complicated. AJ Styles is AJ Freakin’ Styles, and he’ll always be some level of over. But he also recently returned from a serious injury and hasn’t really had a compelling storyline in awhile. So, from a purely what we’ve seen on television over the last six months standpoint, this should be a squash match.

But I’m never going to write off AJ Styles because he could get going again in a hurry if WWE would give him a little momentum. Plus, there are a lot of rumors around Seth Rollins’ role in Captain America 4, with some wondering if his movie star aspirations will cause WWE to second guess any potential plans to put this newly created title on him. Because of that, it’s not a guarantee Rollins wins here. But I still think it’s very likely. Fans have been screaming his theme song, and he’s unquestionably on a heater right now. Throw in the fact that AJ Styles and The OC would have to switch brands if he won and I think there’s at least an 80% chance Rollins takes the gold and then plays out one of the many fun possible scenarios.

I think the better questions are whether this will main event and how much time it’ll get. I think WWE should give it the hammer because it'll help fight the perception this title is less important than the ones Roman Reigns carries around, but I suspect it won’t main event because it’s not on par, at least not yet. I do think these two will get a lot of time to cook though, and there are few people in WWE I trust more to put on a good match than these two.

Predicted Winner: Seth Freakin’ Rollins

Roman Reigns And Solo Sikoa Vs Sami Zayn And Kevin Owens For The Tag Titles

Roman Reigns has won basically everything put in front of him for the last three years, and WWE has been very invested in making him seem like an unstoppable force. Even his loss to Seth Rollins at The 2022 Royal Rumble was by disqualification for essentially beating him up too much. So, you’d think he’d be a strong candidate to win here and become, to my knowledge, the first man to simultaneously hold four belts in WWE.

But I think giving him the Raw and Smackdown Tag Team Championships, in a time in which he’s working less than ever, is a bridge too far. He’s not going to defend these belts on a regular basis; so, if he won, he’d have to quickly drop them and if he was just quickly dropping them, what’s the point of even having him win them? The only scenario I could see would be if he won them, then immediately made a big show of forfeiting them and told The Usos he was just proving he could.

That’s more complicated than necessary though. So, I think, in order for the disintegration of The Bloodline plotline to continue, we’ll see Roman and Solo lose because of something The Usos did or did not do. That’ll create a bigger rift that can be explored in coming weeks, and Sami and Kevin will hold onto the tag titles.

Predicted Winner: Sami Zayn And Kevin Owens

Gunther Vs Mustafa Ali For The Intercontinental Championship

Gunther is going to win this match. If he doesn’t, it will make even less sense than Goldberg beating The Fiend in Saudi Arabia. The Ring General is on his way to being the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all-time and Mustafa Ali, while fantastic inside the ring, isn’t even remotely close to over. He’s getting almost zero crowd reaction when he comes out, probably because his current gimmick is trash. That's why he broke character to at least start a heartfelt promo on Raw before Brock Lesnar interrupted him. 

Because he’s really good in the ring, however, I expect Mustafa Ali to get some hope spots and put on a really good match. I don’t want it to be too competitive, as that wouldn’t make sense for Gunther, but seven minutes of high energy spots with one near fall sounds about right. Expect it to look something like Zelina Vega and Rhea Ripley at Backlash, though I don’t think we’ll see anywhere close to the same crowd reaction. Still, if Ali performs well and can get some crowd support, this could be a launching pad for some more screentime. That worked for Bronson Reed at Elimination Chamber. 

Predicted Winner: Gunther

Bianca Belair Vs Asuka For The Raw Women’s Championship

WWE needs to do something long-term with Bianca Belair. She has now been booed at two consecutive premium live events between WrestleMania and Backlash, and while I think she’ll get cheered here, I wouldn’t bet large amounts of money on it. And that’s the thing. If someone is supposed to be a yearlong babyface champion, you’d think huge rounds of applause would be a given. They’re not right now, not because she’s not great but because her character hasn’t seen any worthwhile storylines or real development in months. 

Because of that, I expect Belair to lose her title at some point soon. Maybe we’ll see a heel turn or Charlotte Flair will show up, embarrass her and take her title? Something has to change, but even so, it’s hard for me to imagine Belair losing the title after more than a year to a build that has no momentum whatsoever. What are Asuka and Belair even feuding over? She’s just the next challenger, and the crowd isn’t exactly hot for it, which sucks because Asuka is fantastic and there’s an alternate universe filled out with thoughtful character development in which this is a headliner of a major show. That's why I think there's a small chance she still could win but not nearly enough of a chance to pick her.

Predicted Winner: Bianca Belair

Cody Rhodes Vs Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar is one of the most dominant forces in WWE history, but that shine has started to come off a little bit over the last year or so. He’s lost a lot of big matches, and while it’s worth a shoutout to him for putting people over, the end result of all those losses has been a reduction of his character. You can’t just keep losing and remain The Beast forever, which is why I think he’ll score a win here off Cody Rhodes, probably by working the arm he injured on Raw earlier this week.

The American Nightmare got the best of him at Backlash. If Lesnar wins here, they can fight for a third time at SummerSlam or Money In The Bank before Brock heads back to his farm to take a few months off. He’d leave in a way that would allow fans to be hyped when he came back, and Rhodes would get the biggest wins of his WWE career against an all-time legend. 

Predicted Winner: Brock Lesnar

Rhea Ripley Vs Natalya For The Smackdown Women’s Championship

With all due respect to the newly promoted Cameron Grimes, Rhea Ripley is the one headed to the moon, and it wouldn’t shock me at all if ten years from now, we were talking about her being the greatest female wrestler in the history of the business. She’s got everything you’d hope for in a WWE superstar, and The Judgment Day, which has always had tremendous potential, feels like it’s getting even hotter, given Finn took out the rising Shinsuke Nakamura this week, Damian Priest is at an all-time high after his terrific performance at Backlash and Dominik Mysterio is still getting booed every time he tries to talk. 

So, no, Rhea Ripley will not be losing at Night Of Champions for about a thousand reasons including the fact that this match with Natalya has been given very little screentime to build. I do think they’ll get a nice little chunk of time though, and they should be able to put on a good match. I thought Natalya looked really good at Elimination Chamber earlier this year, and historically, she’s performed well when given someone talented to work opposite. So, look for a nice little back and forth, maybe around ten to twelve minutes, before Rhea takes over and wins cleanly.

Predicted Winner: Rhea Ripley

Trish Stratus Vs Becky Lynch

I’ve really enjoyed seeing Trish back on television every week. She’s a really good promo, and I like the angle of her wanting appreciation for pushing the women’s division forward. It’s a nice story that’s surpassed any of my expectations, but Becky Lynch is the future and shouldn’t be taking a loss from a woman getting close to 50, even if she’s an all-time legend who looks spectacular for her age.

My guess is this is the shortest match on the card. I think they’ll get around five minutes or so. Trish will get a hope spot. I think they’ll put it together in a fun way that engages the crowd, but ultimately, Becky is going to go over clean and looking like a top contender for one of the women’s championships. Assumedly, that’s where she’s going to end up long-term. The bigger question for me is whether Trish sticks around. I’d love to see her transition into an authority figure role opposite Adam Pearce, but we’ll see what happens. Either way, thanks for the past few months, Trish. It's felt both nostalgic and modern in the best ways. 

Predicted Winner: Becky Lynch

WWE is heading to Puerto Rico this weekend for Backlash, and Triple H and company are bringing a really exciting card with them. Barring any last minute changes, we’ll see seven matches on the slate, and not a single one is a repeat from WrestleMania. Even without Roman Reigns, the lineup of superstars is impressive too, as we’ll get appearances from Cody Rhodes, Brock Lesnar, Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, The Usos, Seth Rollins and more. Throw in host/ competitor Bad Bunny, and suddenly, this premium live event feels way more important than Backlash often does.

On a personal level, I’m also excited to get back on the prediction train. My WrestleMania 39 predictions were barely over .500, and I expect a whole lot more from myself. I need to put some wins on the board so I don't lose confidence and end up like Baron Corbin (at least before all of France cheered him like a prime Stone Cold). You can check out my record on predictions for some of the bigger and more recent premium live events, as well as my overall results below...

The takeaway there is you can kinda sorta trust my judgment. I'm right a lot more often than I'm wrong, but I'm still wrong a lot. So, if WWE ever convinces politicians to allow gambling, you probably shouldn't wager your mail-away Hulk Hogan Hasbro on any of my theories. 

Fortunately, this card seems a whole lot easier to predict than 'Mania. We don't have any last minute four tag team showcase matches, and some of the offerings here have (in my opinion) pretty obvious results. I like Zelina Vega, for example, but it would be insane for WWE to take the title off Rhea Ripley right now as she's rapidly ascending in popularity. Several other matches have the same sort of vibe. I explain that all and more in my takes below...

Matt Riddle, Kevin Owens And Sami Zayn vs Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso And Solo Sikoa

Six man tag matches are notoriously hard to predict because the storyline coming out of the match is ultimately more important than the result. So, for example, I think the storyline we’re going to see emerge here is Jimmy and Jey being a continued disappointment to Roman Reigns, furthering the friction in The Bloodline. So, that means either one of them will get pinned or they’ll get saved in a particularly obvious way by Solo Sikoa, thus furthering the narrative that Solo is Roman’s preferred relative and The Usos are black sheep. Ultimately, I think WWE will go a bit more pronounced and we’ll see The Usos straight up lose, probably after a dominating performance by Solo. 

The only variable I’ll throw in here is that WWE has been rather overtly teasing tension between Kevin Owens and Riddle. I think that will come into play long-term and possibly lead to Owens and Zayn losing their tag titles, but I don’t think it’ll factor into the outcome here. Maybe we’ll get a tease or two during the match itself, but that'll probably be a plotline explored more fully in upcoming TV episodes.

Predicted Winner: Matt Riddle, Kevin Owens And Sami Zayn

Rhea Ripley (Champion) Vs Zelina Vega For The Smackdown Women’s Championship

I like Zelina Vega. She’s extremely athletic. She can talk. She puts a ton of attention into her fun outfits, and I think she’s worked out really well with the L.W.O. I’d like to see more of her. That being said, come’on. She should get run over here at Backlash. I’m sure she’ll get a hope spot or two during the match, but if this isn’t a dominating victory for Rhea Ripley, that’s a mistake on WWE’s part.

The Judgment Day star is quickly ascending in popularity, and Ripley should be at the start of a long and spectacular reign after winning the title at WrestleMania. The only question for me is whether her brothers in The Judgment Day are beside her during that run. The crowd loves Rhea. She’s getting a ton of support while her main squeeze Dominik Mysterio is getting booed like he’s got a whole bag of candy is refusing to share. A grandma at a live event even told me recently she'd beat his ass herself. I think there are some fun ways the writers can creatively use that, but there’s also a distinct possibility they might just decide to split them up. It wasn’t lost on me that Zelina was grouped with The L.W.O. in the draft while Rhea was picked separately from everyone else in Judgment Day.

Predicted Winner: Rhea Ripley

Seth Freakin’ Rollins Vs Omos

I still believe in Omos long-term. He’s got a tremendous look, and there are some things he does very well in the ring for a man of his size, particularly kicking people in the face. But Seth Rollins is having a moment right now that only seems to be building. He’s in prime position to win the newly announced WWE World Heavyweight Championship, and Omos, well, Omos hasn’t won a match at a premium live event since Backlash 2022. That’s a year. He’s gone a whole ass year without winning on PPV.

To me, the real question here is whether this is going to be a squash. Omos very notably was not drafted and instead made a free agent. My guess is that means we’re going to see him take some time off and then return to wherever he’s most needed down the road. I’d love to see him join a tag team again, where he really excelled, but we’ll just have to wait and see. In the short-term, it’s gonna be nothing but sadness and heartbreak again as Rollins should go over quickly and cleanly.

Predicted Winner: Seth Freakin’ Rollins

Austin Theory (Champion) Vs Bobby Lashley For Bronson Reed For The United States Championship

I think this is one of the toughest matches on the card to predict. Triple H brought Austin Theory down in pretty embarrassing fashion when he first took over, but he used the opportunity to relaunch the character as a more serious and less gimmicky heel. In the time since, his booking has been strong, but in my opinion, his crowd reactions have only been pretty good. He’s generating heat and interest in what he’s doing. That’s all you ask of someone on the mid-card, but once you get closer to the top, how much heat and interest you’re drawing is the real question. Some level is expected, and for Theory, I don’t think his current level quite strong enough, which is why I think he’s vulnerable.

I could see this match going in any of the three possible directions. Bobby Lashley was screwed out of a match at WrestleMania and is certainly very well-liked by fans. I could see WWE throwing him a makegood here and letting him pick up a big premium live event win and another title run. Then again, I could also see Bronson Reed having a moment. Over the last several months, he’s gone from zero crowd interest to some notable buzz online to generating some real excitement in live crowds when he heads for the top ropes. I think he could be built into a really scary monster-heel if WWE would let him stack wins for a few months. Or they could just stick with Austin Theory, which is what I suspect they’ll do.

Predicted Winner: Austin Theory

Bianca Belair (Champion) Vs Iyo Sky For The Raw Women’s Championship

I think Bianca is probably going to lose her championship sooner rather than later. Her crowd reactions have been only somewhat positive at times and were straight up bad at WrestleMania 39. She hasn’t had any real character development in a long time. She needs an injection of something fresh and different, but I don’t think it’s going to be during this match at Backlash. There just hasn’t been enough of a real build. 

Iyo Sky is a tremendous wrestler, and there have been a lot of hints about Damage CTRL’s future being uncertain. I think most fans expect them to break up at some point, but if WWE was going to do something big here, with maybe a break-up and Bianca Belair losing the title, you would think they would have been given real time to build this match. Instead, we got one interview segment during the third hour the week of the PPV. That’s just not enough, and frankly, the women's division needs a whole lot more.

Predicted Winner: Bianca Belair

Bad Bunny Vs Damian Priest

I have a hard time believing Bad Bunny is going to lose a San Juan Street Fight at a premium live event he’s also hosting in Puerto Rico. Unless he’s committing to another premium live event in the very near future (SummerSlam?) where we’ll get a rematch, I think he’s definitely going to win, but I suspect WWE added the San Juan Street Fight stipulation to protect Damian Priest. I think we’ll get interference or some kind of unusual weapon that will explain away how the Judgment Day star could lose to a professional singer.

That being said, as celebrities go, Bad Bunny is tremendous in the ring, and I can’t wait to see more of him this weekend. He’s extremely athletic and has a great appreciation for the business. I expect we’ll see at least one really sophisticated move and some really fluid and well-practiced in-ring work. I also think Damian Priest’s overall profile will ultimately be elevated by being in such a prime PPV spot with one of the world’s most popular singers. It’ll be a great way for him to show off what he can do, which is fantastic since I love Damian Priest and will rise to buy all the long-term stock. I think he’s capable of, at minimum, being a mid-card champion again and potentially even capable of being a more top tier guy.

Predicted Winner: Bad Bunny

Cody Rhodes Vs Brock Lesnar

I suspect Bad Bunny and Damian Priest will close the show, but in spirit and in spite of this not being for a championship, this is the main event of Backlash. I think we’ll see this match go off first, and I have to think this’ll end with a big victory for Cody Rhodes. It’s one thing to lose to Roman Reigns after interference at ‘Mania. It’s quite another to lose at two consecutive premium live events to the champion and then the perennial number one contender. You have to win matches to stay on top, and Cody needs to stay on top, unless Triple H, Bruce Prichard and everyone else in creative is planning to play a really long game with Cody. 

Plus, Brock Lesnar doesn’t need this. He beat up Omos at WrestleMania, and I suspect there’s a chance he steps away for awhile after this match. We were told during the draft that he has the right to appear on either brand moving forward, and WWE will likely use that flexibility to plug him in down the line wherever he makes the most sense whenever he returns. 

Predicted Winner: Cody Rhodes

2023 is rolling along, and there are plenty of upcoming WWE events on the horizon. For example, with WrestleMania 39 in the rearview, we're all looking ahead to SummerSlam 2023, which is generally regarded as the second most important premium live event of the year. Fists will fly in Detroit as Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns and many others step into the ring, and the new poster gives us an idea of what matches we might see. 

The WWE has a slick logo for SummerSlam 2023, clearly inspired by "The Motor City" nickname for Detroit. Below you'll find the poster, which features Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, Bianca Belair, Brock Lesnar and Rey Mysterio:

Everyone is staring straight ahead in this poster, perhaps as not to give away who might be squaring off against who on the big night. With that said, the superstars featured are usually given a big role in the premium live event. With that in mind, here are some of the potential matchups I can see happening based on what's shown above.

Roman Rhodes Vs. Cody Rhodes Vs. Brock Lesnar For The Undisputed Championship

It didn't take long at all for the WWE to interject Brock Lesnar into Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes' feud, though in fairness, Brock and Roman have more history together. Whatever the case, it seems like Brock is very much in the main event picture again, and with Rhodes challenging him at Backlash, this feud could bleed into both men challenging Roman for his Undisputed Championship. A triple-threat match between them would be an epic match and one that would undoubtedly be Roman's greatest challenge yet. 

I've seen it proposed that in a triple-threat match, and each pinfall could count for each individual title. This would allow the WWE an opportunity to separate the championship titles but still potentially give Roman Reigns a chance to hold onto his Universal title. One would also think it'd be very hard for the Bloodline to take out both Brock Lesnar and Cody Rhodes throughout the match, so this could be a great nullifier to their constant aid in his title defenses. If ever there was a way for Roman to lose while still looking strong, this is it. 

Bianca Belair Vs. Rhea Ripley For Unified Women's Championship Match

The WWE has done something special with Roman Reigns' undisputed title run, and it's hard to imagine they aren't at least considering it for the women's division. If ever there was a time to do it, Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair have the history and in-ring chemistry to put on a match that will be remembered for a long time. 

Of course, one would have to ask, is this a match that's too big for SummerSlam? I know I'm asking because a match with that high of stakes seems destined for WrestleMania 40. That said, SummerSlam has to maintain its reputation as one of the WWE's biggest events of the year, so maybe this will happen, and then something even bigger will be set up for WrestleMania, if that's possible. 

LWO Vs. Judgment Day

Rey Mysterio's resurrection of the Latino World Order has been an instant hit with the WWE audience, so it's hard to imagine that won't be a major part of his storyline for the next year. Of course, fans were also really into his ongoing feud with his son Dominik Mysterio and Judgment Day, so it's only natural that we'll eventually get a big PLE showdown between the two factions. 

SummerSlam seems like the right time for this showdown to happen, as the crowd is always down for a faction vs. faction tag match. I can't imagine anything substantial would be on the line for this match beyond honor, but so far, that's all that's needed to get the crowd rowdy when Rey and Dom are in the ring. 

Bianca Belair With Montez Ford Vs. Charlotte Flair And Andrade Intergender Tag Match

Bianca Belair and Charlotte Flair don't really need a story beyond the fact that they're two of the WWE's most talented in-ring performers. Any match between these two is guaranteed to be a classic. With that said, I think there's a unique opportunity for the WWE to do an awesome intergender tag match with both women, which would include bringing in their husbands, Montez Ford and Andrade El Idolo. 

Andrade is currently in AEW, but he's stated recently his contract is up very soon (via WrestlingInc.com). If he's looking to return to the WWE, there's an opportunity to position himself alongside his wife and be a part of some awesome intergender matchups like this, in addition to others. Of course, Andrade might like his position over at AEW more than what could be available for him as a singles competitor in WWE, so I can understand why he may ultimately re-sign with AEW. 

Rhea Ripley Vs. Rey Mysterio

Rhea Ripley gets a lot of comparisons to WWE legend Chyna, and while times have changed a lot since then, the WWE has still dipped its toes in the water of putting her in intergender matches. So far, she's only taken on smaller performers like Akira Tozawa, but now that she's champion, perhaps she's up for a greater challenge. Someone with more experience, and more accolades, like Rey Mysterio, would be an intergender challenge fitting for a champion like Ripley. 

It would also make sense for Rhea Ripley to target Rey Mysterio and attempt to restore Dom's lost honor as his "Mami." Truthfully, I think this could be the most random co-main event caliber match SummerSlam could do, but a big one nonetheless. It would definitely be one of the most high-profile intergender singles matches in a long time, and one for the ages. 

Cody Rhodes Vs. Roman Reigns For Undisputed Championship

It's entirely possible that Brock Lesnar is left out of the main event completely, and that Cody Rhodes will finally be granted his proper rematch opportunity against Roman Reigns. I don't think it's a stretch to believe considering his current path, and that the WWE will eventually have these two face off against each other again. Rhodes has to "complete the story" at some point, even if the WWE is a place where the story never ends. 

I think there's a good chance that Rhodes will get some sort of rematch against Roman at SummerSlam rather than them saving it for WrestleMania 40. After all, maybe Dwayne Johnson will finally be ready to commit to a match, or something else will be lined up for Roman by then. If that's the case, then it's best to get this feud out of the way, whatever that means for either wrestler. 

SummerSlam is set to stream for anyone with a Peacock Premium subscription on Saturday, August 5th. No doubt we will learn more about the actual matches planned for the PLE closer to the event, and I'm desperately hoping at least one of these matches is on the card. 

Are you one of those people who is constantly scheming and coming up with wild wrestling theories? Well, I am. The majority of them I never share with the public because they’re too detached from reality and would make me sound mentally unstable, but every once in awhile, I need to say a few out loud, mostly because I think there’s a tiny sliver of a chance they might happen and I’m gonna need credit for guessing them on the off chance they do. I should probably go to therapy about that, but we'll leave that to another day.

Anyway, to be absolutely clear and cover my ass from any negative feedback, these are not my WrestleMania 39 predictions, which I published in a separate article. Those are, for the most part, very business-like and sober. These are more mom had one too many glasses of wine theories. There's some minor evidence here, though, and I'm gonna spend the rest of this article presenting it and trying to convince myself.

Alpha Academy Will Win The Fatal 4-Way Tag Team Match, Setting Off A Run That Will End With Chad Gable As Mid-Card Champion

Chad Gable is one of the best losers in the history of WWE. He’s had some tag team championship glory, sure, but over the last year, he’s almost exclusively been used to put over other guys. He’s looked great doing it, and given how consistently he works with top talent, it’s obvious Triple H loves him. There’s also been some not so shy teases that Otis is about to leave Gable to join up with The Maximum Male Models.

So… my wild theory is in the middle of the Fatal 4-way match, Otis is going to get distracted and leave with The Maximum Male Models, which will leave Chad Gable by himself. Something inside him will snap, and he’ll go on an epic run by himself, beating the other 3 teams. Then afterwards, he’ll give a promo in which he vows never to lose again. This will set off a multiple month run through the mid-card that will end in him beating whoever eventually takes the title from Gunther. I love this theory because Chad Gable is great, and if you disagree, stick your finger to your lips and shoooooooooosh, 

Brock Lesnar Will Lose To Omos After The Hurt Business Reunites

Breaking up The Hurt Business was one of the worst creative decisions WWE has ever made. Bobby Lashley has done pretty well on his own. He’s really improved on the microphone, but there was something so intimidating about him with MVP, Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander. Everyone is expecting this match to end with Lesnar F5ing Omos. It probably will, but what if Lashley shows up to help Omos and reunite with his former stablemates?

It would make sense given how their match ended at Elimination Chamber, and if Brock is going to take some time off, Lashley, with the backing of The Hurt Business and Omos, could step in as the SummerSlam challenger if Cody Rhodes wins at WrestleMania. I’d love to see The Hurt Business back together, and if Cody wins at ‘Mania but his run isn’t going as well as expected, Lashley could provide the perfect exit ramp at SummerSlam. But he needs a jolt to do that. Bringing back The Hurt Business would be a lightning bolt. Plus, for the thousandth time, they never should have broken up in the first place.

Alexa Bliss Will Order The Fiend To Attack Someone At WrestleMania

Alexa Bliss confirmed to CinemaBlend in an interview following her Masked Singer performance that she’ll be in the building at WrestleMania. The big question is what that means. WWE could inexplicably decide, for the second year in a row, not to use her. Or they could suddenly give us a ton of forward momentum in the staling Bray Wyatt plot. We haven’t seen Wyatt since he inexplicably disappeared from TV earlier this month. Rumors have been everywhere, but no one really knows what’s going on. Some claim there’s tension between The Eater Of Worlds and WWE over creative differences.

If they want to reset his character, the best way to do that may be through circling back to a plot WWE seemed to be setting up at the end of that poorly received WrestleMania 37 match with Randy Orton. Yes, it would be a little weird to circle back to that, but I don’t think fans hated it because it was a bad idea. I think they hated it because of how it was executed. Putting Alexa and Bray back together might be the best way to jumpstart both their careers and set up whatever the next chapter is. It wouldn’t explain why the match with Bobby Lashley was bailed on, but it would at least provide direction.

The Rock Will Cost Roman Reigns The Title And Set Up A Match At WrestleMania 40

Everyone was fixated on The Rock headlining WrestleMania this year since it was taking place in Hollywood and also because it made so much sense with The Bloodline story. But you know what also makes sense? Having one of the biggest movie stars in the world headline the 40th anniversary of WrestleMania? WWE has used the closing moments of WrestleMania to set up the following year’s match before, and with something like Roman and The Rock, which wouldn’t need the belts, that might actually make some sense.

A finish like this would also allow Roman Reigns to take some time off, and it would explain why, when he came back, he wouldn’t immediately seek a rematch with Cody Rhodes. He would be fixated on establishing dominance in his own family, and his story could exclusively focus on the disintegration of The Bloodline as he deals with The Usos, Solo and maybe some other family members that might pop up and have to choose sides. WWE ended night one of WrestleMania 38 on an incredible high with Stone Cold Steve Austin’s way better than it should have been match with Kevin Owens last year. Maybe this year will end night two on a high with The Rock. 

John Cena Will Beat Austin Theory, Then Hold An Open Challenge On Night 2 That’ll Be Answered By A New Signing

I’m pretty sure John Cena is coming back to give Austin Theory his stamp of approval and try to push him forward in his career. The twenty-five-year-old superstar has had his character reset by Triple H a little bit, but over the last few months, he’s been winning matches and looking good doing it. He’s back to holding The United States Championship, and while most fans really seem to recognize his potential and how good he is, he hasn’t found that connection yet that would take him to main event status. I think Cena is here to help that— but if he’s not, he could be here to facilitate a big moment.

Whether you like it or not, a lot of wrestling fans expect big surprises at major premium live events. Sometimes it feels like their perception of a show can be dramatically influenced by whether they got a surprise rush of adrenaline from seeing someone unexpected. There aren’t many places on the card where WWE could conceivably debut someone new, except maybe here. Cena is almost certainly not going to stick around to defend a title. So, if he wins, he needs to lose it quickly— and what better way to do that and give someone debuting a big first moment than by having Cena put him over?

To Sum Up

I don’t really believe any of these things are going to happen, and by really believe, I mean I wouldn't bet money on them without sizeable odds. But also, part of me believes they just might happen, and that’s why I needed to say something out loud. 

You can fact check me this weekend when the biggest show of the year airs. If you’re in The United States, you can check it out with a Peacock subscription or if you’re abroad, you can look into other ways to watch WrestleMania 39.

WrestleMania 39 is just about here, and the card is absolutely stacked. I’m so fired up about so many different matches. Of course there’s the possible end to The Bloodline story with Roman Reigns, The Usos, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens and late addition Cody Rhodes, but even beyond those months-in-the-making matches, WWE has given fans an assortment of things to really be excited about.

I’m personally pumped for Austin Theory and John Cena, Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair and Rey and Dominik Mysterio to name a few, but it feels like I talk to five different people, and they all have different things they’re excited about, which is perfect. WrestleMania is meant to draw as many eyeballs as possible from casual and hardcore fans. It should be a celebration of all things wrestling: different styles, different emotional beats and different personalities.

I’ll do my best here to predict what’s going to happen. Not to brag, but last year, I went 11 and 4 in my WrestleMania 38 predictions (and have gone 56 and 21 since I started), and I’m hoping to do even better this year. I’ll outline who I think is going to win but also talk about the larger plotlines and what might be going through the minds of Triple H and the writers…

Austin Theory Vs John Cena For The United States Championship

The thing about wrestling for a championship belt is that if you win, you need to defend it, and at this point, there’s no reason to believe John Cena is sticking around in WWE to defend this belt. So, if he wins, it probably means he’s going to 1) wrestle for a surprise second time and lose during WrestleMania weekend or 2) drop it on an upcoming episode of Raw or Smackdown. Or more likely, it means he’s going to lose this long-rumored match. I’d love it if he won during the first match of night one, then held an open challenge and dropped it to a surprise person on night two (like LA Knight), but that seems a whole lot more complicated than just losing.

So, I think John Cena is going to lose. Being the great company man he is, I think he’s coming back to signal to fans that Austin Theory is a future star in the business (despite his post Money In The Bank booking), and there’s no better way to signal that than by losing a match for a belt he has a long history with at WrestleMania 39. I expect a fun, high energy match. I think Cena will get a lot of hope spots, but ultimately, I think he’s going to put Austin Theory over cleanly with his back on the mat. 

Predicted Winner: Austin Theory

Seth Freakin’ Rollins Vs Logan Paul

Logan Paul has full-on embraced his heelish inner-self, and it feels so right. He was never going to work, at least in the short-term, as a baby face, but now that he’s embraced the boos, he’s starting to feel more like a real part of the picture and not just a celebrity dropping by. The in-ring talent is there. The mic work is smooth and natural. He’s got the look. He’s got the charisma. The pieces are there to be WWE Champion someday, but in order to get there, he needs a ton of reps. He needs to expand his arsenal of moves, figure out how to sell promos with a less receptive crowd and improve the little things he hasn’t had time to develop yet. Whether or not he’s going to put in the time and make the commitment to wrestling in order to do that is anyone’s guess.

As for Seth Rollins, he’s getting a great crowd response. The fans are screaming his music, and he’s fully over as a baby face, which is wild given he was injuring Cody Rhodes with a sledgehammer less than a year ago. But it’s not really clear that he’s building toward anything. He’s doing fun work each week, but there’s not a sense of drive or long-term progression to his character. Add that to the fact that Logan Paul took a loss to Roman Reigns in Saudi Arabia last year, and I think WWE is gonna wanna put the social media star over here. You can’t pop up now and again and lose each time you pop up.

Predicted Winner: Logan Paul

Trish Stratus, Lita And Becky Lynch Vs Damage CTRL (Bayley, Iyo Sky And Dakota Kai)

I have a lot of mixed thoughts about this match; so, let me talk out both sides. On the one hand, wouldn’t it be nice to give Trish and Lita an awesome WrestleMania moment? Fans would absolutely love to see those two, along with favorite Becky Lynch, raise their arms in the air in victory. Given this match doesn’t really have like larger title implications, it could just exist as a fun one-off memory for everyone involved.

On the other hand, how many times can we watch Bayley lose? I love Bayley. I consider her to be one of the top women, but she hasn’t won a singles match at a premium live event since she beat Asuka at SummerSlam in 2020. When Damage CTRL formed last year, it looked positioned to dominate the women’s division, but with Iyo and Dakota losing the tag team belts and Bayley taking Ls all the time (including on TV recently to Rhea Ripley), this match almost feels like a referendum to whether they should stay near the top of the card. 

Predicted Winner: Damage CTRL

Bianca Belair Vs Asuka For The Raw Women’s Championship

I like both Bianca and Asuka a lot. I’ve enjoyed a ton of feuds both of these women have been in, but to be honest, the build to this match has been a little flat. Their shared in-ring segments have been kinda awkward at times, and I’m not sure anyone is really following the story they’re trying to tell. Of the title matches at WrestleMania 39, I would say this one has the least buzz around it.

And I just can’t see Bianca Belair, after this incredible title run, losing the belt in a match that doesn’t have much buzz around it. Champions shouldn’t lose the belt because it’s time for change. They should lose it because someone else is gaining more momentum than they have. Asuka is great, but I just don’t see her gaining momentum with fans right now, especially because she’s in this weird middle ground where she’s trying to become a heel but people aren’t really accepting the change and booing her (outside of when she does overtly heelish things). In another timeline with a different build, I could easily see Asuka winning here, but not right now and not with this very bland lead-in. 

Predicted Winner: Bianca Belair

Brock Lesnar Vs Omos

Some rumors have swirled about Brock Lesnar maybe taking a break after WrestleMania 39. That’s entirely possible given he feels outside the main event picture, which is unusual for his character, but even if he does step away, I have to think WWE is gonna want to keep him strong for a possible return down the road. Omos doesn’t seem like he’s building toward anything specific right now, and Brock Lesnar needs to stay a main event style attraction. Think of it this way: could you conceive a scenario in which Brock Lesnar could main event a future WrestleMania? Yes. Could you conceive the same for Omos? No. That’s why Brock Lesnar should win this match.

I think there’s a legit chance here we might see an Earthquake Vs Adam Bomb at WrestleMania X style squash match. Lesnar picking Omos up over his head and F5ing him is the moment we all want to see. I don’t think WWE needs to waste time getting there. I’d gladly take an action packed two or three minutes, ending in a viral moment than eight or nine minutes that could be a little awkward since neither guy is the most fluid in the ring.

Predicted Winner: Brock Lesnar

Showcase Match: Braun Strowman & Ricochet Vs The Viking Raiders Vs The Street Profits Vs Alpha Academy

Did WWE set this match up to get some talented and popular wrestlers on the ‘Mania card or are we going to get some long-term plot development out of this? I think the answer is a bit of both, and I think that long-term plot development is going to come in the form of friction between The Street Profits. I’m not saying they’re going to break up at WrestleMania, but I think the seeds of long-term issues are going to be planted here. We’ve already seen the longtime pair wrestle a lot more separately in recent months. Now feels like the time for a Shawn Michaels/ Marty Jannety style story that plays out over the course of a few months and ends with a singles match, maybe at SummerSlam?

As for who will win the match, I’m going to rule out The Street Profits because of the above theory, and I’m also going to rule out Alpha Academy, since they’ve mostly been used to put other teams over and also seem like they’re in the middle of a slow motion break up. So, that leaves The Viking Raiders and Strowman & Ricochet. I like both teams a lot. Triple H and the writing staff have kept The Viking Raiders looking particularly strong, but Strowman and Ricochet are very over with the crowd. I saw them at a live event recently, and they were getting huge pops from the crowd. I think they’re potential future tag team champions.

Predicted Winner: Braun Strowman & Ricochet

Showcase Match: Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler Vs Natalya & Shotzi Vs Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez Vs Chelsea Green & Sonya Deville

First of all, I have no idea what happened to Carmella. WWE was clearly setting up a Carmella & Chelsea Green partnership and for them to take the last spot in this match. Now we're getting Chelsea Green & Sonya Deville. I'll miss Carmella, but I'm glad to see Sonya get a WrestleMania moment. She was great at placing the authority figure and was a really nice foil for Adam Pearce. They need to give her more opportunities to talk on TV.

That being said, this match has to be all about Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler, right? Ronda has obviously had some troubles over the last year getting over with the crowd, but she's still Ronda Rousey. I don't know what WWE is paying her, but it's too much to be on the undercard. So, they need to figure out how to make this experiment work and give her an angle fans will buy. I think they're going to keep trying and that'll start with a win here, but I wouldn't be shocked to see Liv & Raquel pick up the W either.

Predicted Winner: Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler

Edge Vs Finn Bálor In A Hell In A Cell Match

It looks like we’re going to get Bálor’s Demon vs Brood-style Edge here, and I’m all for it. Between that and the Hell In A Cell stipulation, it’s a fun way to make this match feel WrestleMania levels of important. Expect a strong match with a really high workrate and some fun spots. I don’t think we’ll get any crazy cage jumps, but I do think we’ll get a really tight and well put together 20 minutes in which both of these superstars show how talented they are.

I’ve heard a lot of people say they think Edge will go over since he’s probably nearing retirement, but I just don’t think this win does as much for him as it does for Bálor. The goal of wrestling is to set up what is next. The Judgment Day is hot right now. All four performers are at the top of their games, and there’s a strong chance Rhea Ripley will emerge from ‘Mania as The Smackdown Women’s Champion. To me, the most important thing here is The Judgment Day looking as strong as possible because that stable could be incredible with a few minor tweaks.

Predicted Winner: Finn Bálor

Dominik Mysterio vs Rey Mysterio

If you would have told me a year ago that we would get Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio at WrestleMania, I would not have been very excited. I know because a year ago, there were persistent rumors Vince McMahon wanted to break up the father son duo and push them into a feud, and I could not bring myself to care. Well, here we are, and I am absolutely hyped for this match. It’s one of my most anticipated showdowns on the entire card. Dominik Mysterio is on an epic heel run right now. He’s getting booed like a prime Ted Dibiase, and he’s a perfect for for The Judgment Day.

The expectation here from many is that Rey will finally teach his son a lesson and show him the meaning of respect, but I think a Rey Mysterio win would suck all the energy out of the feud. I’d like to see Dom go over here (obviously via some outrageous cheating) and these two could continue their back-and-forth for awhile. I don’t think Dom needs the feud anymore to stay relevant given how over he is as a heel, but if you have a ready made storyline fans want to see, you may as well use it.

Predicted Winner: Dominik Mysterio

Gunther Vs Sheamus Vs Drew McIntyre For The Intercontinental Championship

There are some fans who think Sheamus and Drew McIntyre were both put into this match to liven it up a little bit. Maybe. But personally, I think this is a triple threat because it gives WWE the opportunity to take the belt off Gunther without him actually losing. They referenced this on Smackdown during the contract signing, and it feels like that’s where this is going to go. Then, after Gunther loses, he can start working his way up to the main event scene, given he’s the best young unstoppable monster heel WWE has had since Yokozuna.

If Gunther is going to lose, I think the more likely candidate to win is Sheamus. He’s never held The Intercontinental Championship before, and this would give him a really nice moment, especially after he’s revitalized his career over the last year. Look for him to pin Drew McIntyre and then for the two of them to probably wrestle each other at WrestleMania Backlash with Gunther bowing out because he has his eyes on a bigger prize.

Predicted Winner: Sheamus

Charlotte Flair Vs Rhea Ripley For The Smackdown Women’s Championship

I love Charlotte Flair, but come’on. Rhea Ripley is on a rocketship right now. The fans are behind her. Charlotte already beat her once at WrestleMania. It is her time to carry the women’s division in WWE forward, and that starts at WrestleMania. I am confident in a fair number of these predictions, but there is none I’m more confident in than Rhea winning (with the exception of maybe Brock squashing Omos). 

Plus. I still think Charlotte Flair works better as a heel. She’s a talented enough wrestler and showman that she can technically do either. She’s probably better at being a top babyface than 90% of the roster as an example, but she really shines as a heel. That’s what she needs to get back to. I’d love to see her take a loss to Rhea and then turn heel to be the next challenger to Bianca maybe at SummerSlam. Expect a really strong match but for Rhea to ultimately prevail. I think she’ll do it cleanly too without Judgment Day interference.

Predicted Winner: Rhea Ripley

The Usos vs Sami Zayn And Kevin Owens For The Undisputed Tag Team Championships

With all due respect to Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes and everything else on the card, this has been the A-plot storyline over the last year. More often than not, The Usos and Sami Zayn in particular have been driving the weekly shows fans have been watching, and there will likely be more emotional investment from fans in this match than any other across either night. The payoff here was built one fantastic segment at a time, to the point where many fans are openly talking about how sad they are it may be ending.

Pretty much everyone I’ve talked to expects Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens to win here. We’ve watched them (in particular Sami) try to climb up the mountain for months. He got really close to the top in that fantastic match at Elimination Chamber in Montreal. This is the moment where he finally gets a happy ending, or at least an unapologetically happy plot point if the storyline continues. Ordinarily, I’d be worried about a potential swerve since so many people think they know where this is going, but sometimes you just need to give fans what they want. Shoutout to The Usos though who have been tremendous during this championship run. They’re no doubt first ballot Hall of Famers with a lot of career left.

Predicted Winner: Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens

Roman Reigns Vs Cody Rhodes For The Undisputed WWE Universal Championship

Everyone acts like it’s such a sure thing that Cody is going to be the one to finally beat Roman Reigns and take his titles, but I’m not so sure about that. Roman and Cody have done a nice enough job of building a story over the past few months, but I personally think Cody’s story would be a lot more compelling if he lost and had to climb the ladder again. Yes, he went through a ton of hardships when he was in WWE originally, then switched to AEW and then switched back, but for those who might be newer to wrestling, he’s just a guy who has done nothing but win since he got back. I think Cody’s story is one of perseverance and overcoming challenges. Yes, he got injured last year and came back, but I’d like to see him experience some real losses.

I’m also just not ready for Roman Reigns’ time on top to be finished. He’s been the best heel champion WWE has ever had, and three years in, he’s still the biggest attraction. You can feel it on TV and you can feel it in the building during live events. He’s still got tremendous heat, and there are so many additional matches I’d like to see him have with the title: starting with Jey Uso. How fun would it be to watch Roman, still champion, absolutely lay into Jey and Jimmy about losing their titles and being weak? In a perfect world, I’d love to see Cody lose, fight his way back up the card, win The Royal Rumble again and try to finally get over the hill next year. Meanwhile, Roman can slowly lose member after member of The Bloodline until he’s completely on his own next year. Cody can take the titles then, but not now. Not yet. 

Predicted Winner: Roman Reigns

Other Predictions About Bray Wyatt, Bobby Lashley, The Miz, LA Knight And More

I have no idea what's going on with Bray Wyatt, but as of right now, I have to believe he's off the WrestleMania 39 card. It feels like something strange is going on behind the scenes or an injury (both of which have been rumored). I'd love to think this is a storyline swerve leading to a big surprise, but if this is all a work, I can't imagine you'd tease a Bray vs Bobby Lashley match, do a few promos and then say nothing about it for weeks. 

But I still think WWE will find a way to work Bobby Lashley into the WrestleMania card. Fans have been freaking out about how he was added to the Andre The Giant Battle Royal on SmackDown with a lot of talent that isn't going to be on the big show. Yes, that's a little worrying, but I don't see how you have Bobby Lashley available and don't use him at WrestleMania. That just doesn't make sense to me. So, I expect we'll see him issue an open challenge or something. 

The other person not on the card right now who I think will make a WrestleMania impact is LA Knight. He's been saying for weeks you can't have an LA WrestleMania without LA Knight, and given how much he's getting over with fans, I agree. Maybe that means doing something with Bobby Lashley. Maybe that means getting a quick segment on the microphone. I don't know how it'll happen, but he needs to do something. Good work that fans like should be rewarded.

And finally, I fully expect The Miz, who is hosting WrestleMania, to have at least one segment that ends in tragedy for The A-Lister. That's in keeping with his character, and it'll provide a little bit of levity at some point between matches. Maybe that beatdown come via a surprise celebrity or legend appearance or maybe that'll come from LA Knight or Bobby Lashley if they're not worked into the card another way. It could also be a cheap way to introduce a new character or a surprise hire and get them over with fans. Regardless, expect The Miz to eat someone's finisher at some point. 

WrestleMania 39 is on the way, and with not that long left before WWE's biggest nights of the year, we're finding out who will face who in the ring. There have also been a number of rumors and hints on Monday Night Raw and SmackDown about who else may have a match. 

Anyone looking for a rundown of who will and will likely square off on one of WrestleMania 39's two nights has come to the right place. Check out this updated list confirming who will take on who, as well a list of some of the most heavily speculated matches. 

Matches Confirmed To Be Happening

Roman Reigns (c) Vs. Cody Rhodes For The Undisputed WWE Universal Championship

"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes returned and won the 2023 Royal Rumble, giving him the right to challenge Roman Reigns for the Universal Undisputed WWE Championship. WrestleMania 39's main event will see the Tribal Chief put his impressive streak on the line against a challenger who returned to the WWE after traveling the world and changing pro wrestling forever. Make no mistake, this will be an epic match, no matter who wins. 

Charlotte Flair (c) Vs. Rhea Ripley For The SmackDown Women's Championship

Rhea Ripley became the first woman in WWE history to win the Royal Rumble in the number one spot, and now she's coming for the queen of WWE: Charlotte Flair. Rhea is on a hot streak and looking like the strongest woman on the roster, but she's going up against one of the most successful women's champions the brand has ever known. Can the up-and-comer take down the established champion, or will Flair's experience prove too much for Ripley?

Bianca Belair (c) Vs. Asuka For The Raw Women's Championship

Bianca Belair has had an impressive year as champion, but she's in for her biggest challenge yet with Asuka. The veteran has been on a hot streak since she adopted a new clown persona and could use a green mist to bring The EST's major reign to an end. Belair hasn't been champ for a year for no reason, however, so I think Asuka has her work cut out for her.  

Brock Lesnar Vs. Omos

WWE is literally saying "Bobby Who" by instead booking Brock Lesnar with someone he hasn't squared off against in a long time: Omos. MVP managed to goad The Beast into agreeing to a match at WrestleMania 39, and it should be an absolute brawl. Omos has racked up a number of wins on smaller competitors on the roster, but taking on a similarly sized opponent like Lesnar should prove a challenge for him. He'll have to get creative to win, and knowing MVP, I'd be shocked if there wasn't some plan.  

Austin Theory (c) Vs. John Cena For The United States Championship

Austin Theory had a tough 2022 after winning the Money In The Bank briefcase, but his fortune turned around when he won the United States Championship. Since that moment, he's done a lot to show that he's someone who deserves a spot near the top of the WWE, but he's still not quite there yet. Beating someone like John Cena would go a long way to prove his legitimacy, but as Cena suggested in their face-to-face at the Monday Night Raw in Boston, it could also set him back quite a bit. 

Damage CTRL Vs. Becky Lynch, Lita, And Trish Stratus

Damage CTRL's Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai dominated the Women's tag-team scene in the WWE, but all that came grinding to a halt when Becky Lynch and Lita took the titles off of them on Monday Night Raw. Now, the entirety of Damage CTRL is out for revenge, and Trish Stratus threw herself into the mix to even the odds and make this a superstar throwdown for the ages. 

Finn Balor Vs. Edge

Finn Balor became the de facto leader of Judgment Day after they turned on Edge, and it has been a helluva run for the faction since. With that said, Edge and Finn definitely have some unsettled beef ahead of WrestleMania 39, and Edge gave a thrilling challenge Balor couldn't pass up. The two will settle this feud in a Hell in a Cell match, and I can't wait to see how this plays out. 

Gunther (c) Vs. Sheamus Vs. Drew McIntyre For The Intercontinental Championship

Gunther's run as Intercontinental Champion has been quite a ride, but now the Ring General will face his toughest challenge since being called up to the WWE's main roster. Sheamus and Drew McIntyre will take on the champion in a triple threat match, which will put the star at a major disadvantage. Can the up-and-coming champion escape with his title against these two proven champions? 

Seth Rollins Vs. Logan Paul

Logan Paul has had an impressive run in the WWE thus far, but he might've poked the bear one too many times. Sure, Logan Paul gave Roman Reigns a helluva match, but it's fair to say Reigns underestimated Paul's abilities. Seth Rollins won't make the same mistake when they meet in the ring, and will likely give Paul his most memorable WrestleMania moment to date. 

Rey Mysterio Vs. Dominik Mysterio

Rey and Dominik Mysterio's feud started way back when they were targeted by Judgment Day, and Dom was smitten by Rhea Ripley. Ever since then, he and his "Mami" have terrorized Rey and his family, and it even escalated to the point where Dom was arrested for causing a ruckus in their house. Dom has goaded his old man for a fight this whole time, and while it took a while, Rey finally accepted. 

Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens Vs. The Usos (c) For The Undisputed Tag Titles

The Bloodline has been targeting Sami Zayn ever since he protected Kevin Owens from Roman Reigns. For a while, it seemed possible Zayn could get a major WrestleMania moment against the Tribal Chief, but with that firmly in the rearview, the WWE will re-align Zayn and Owens against the Usos. Under normal circumstances, I'd say the longtime friends aren't in a good place to take on the tag-team champs, but the Uso's recent tiff does make it feel like they'll be out of sync for this massive showdown. 

Matches Rumored Or Teased To Be Happening

Bobby Lashley Vs. Bray Wyatt

Bray Wyatt promised he'd target the winner of Bobby Lashley and Brock Lesnar's match at Elimination Chamber, and he's seemingly decided he's going after "Bobby Who" as of late. Wyatt had a strong showing against L.A. Knight earlier this year, but taking on Lashley, even with all of his supernatural tricks, feels like a tall order for Wyatt. Could Lashley be the person who puts an end to Wyatt and his mysterious cohort Uncle Howdy? 

Those with a Peacock Premium subscription can stream WWE's WrestleMania 39 on Saturday, April 1st, and on Sunday, April 2nd. Hopefully, there are some more surprises the organization is keeping under wraps. We'll update as they get confirmed.

Daniel Cormier was one of the UFC's greatest fighters, although he's more known for his work in combat sports as a commentator and media personality these days. As such, he's headed to WrestleMania 39 to cover the WWE event for ESPN, but is that all he's up to? Cormier's recent comments about superstar Brock Lesnar have us thinking no, and it seems like Cormier might be trying to reignite their past feud.

With weeks to go until WrestleMania 39, Daniel Cormier spoke to Sports Illustrated about covering the event for ESPN. Cormier denied that he'd be participating in any performance-related capacity for the WWE but had the following to say when asked what he might do should former UFC champion and WWE superstar Brock Lesnar try to get rough with him:

It may seem like a harmless comment meant in jest, and it could be, but there's a whole lot to consider here. WrestleMania is often a loaded event that is jam-packed with celebrity appearances, and Daniel Cormier just publicly dropped a mild threat toward Brock Lesnar, one of the WWE's top superstars. 

UFC fans might also remember that Brock Lesnar and Daniel Cormier had beef years ago when Lesnar shoved Cormier in the Octagon at UFC 226 shortly after Cormier defeated Stipe Miocic and won the Heavyweight Championship. For those who missed the moment or need a refresher, check it out below: 

At the time, it was speculated that Daniel Cormier and Brock Lesnar would hash this out in the UFC. That moment never happened, but there's a chance for something between them at the upcoming WWE event WrestleMania 39. Even if Cormier has denied he's involved in the event, doesn't it seem a little strange he'd make that statement about Lesnar, given their past history? 

Let's also remember that it wasn't that long ago Daniel Cormier partnered with the WWE at a pay-per-view. Cormier served as a special guest referee at Extreme Rules in a match between Seth Rollins and Matt Riddle. There's a possibility that the WWE talked about arranging something for him at WrestleMania 39 when he signed on for that, or they've spoken since about a planned confrontation with Brock Lesnar. 

Brock Lesnar's current plan for WrestleMania 39 is a match against Omos, which many speculate will result in a win for the Beast Incarnate. Perhaps Daniel Cormier could be involved in the match, by taunting Brock from the crowd or even rushing the ring in a way that's similar to what Lesnar did to him years ago. 

Daniel Cormier would be a welcome addition to WrestleMania 39, especially since this year is relatively light on non-wrestling celebrities. Most of the big names competing are former WWE talent, and while that's not necessarily a bad thing, it is strange to see so few celebrities involved this year. Perhaps we'll be surprised and see Cormier, as well as others, get involved in the two-night event, even if they're denying it right now. 

The WWE's WrestleMania 39 will stream live for those with a Peacock Premium subscription on Saturday, April 1st, and on Sunday, April 2nd. With only weeks to go, now would be the perfect time to review some of the past WrestleManias, and the most iconic matches of wrestling's biggest night. 

Brock Lesnar and Omos will have a match at the WWE's WrestleMania 39, and many in the wrestling world are confused by the booking. It seemed like Lesnar was on a collision course with Bobby Lashley, but after their Elimination Chamber match came to a controversial end, Lashley is likely taking on Bray Wyatt. Many were scratching their heads and wondering how this storyline derailed just before WrestleMania until a rumor surfaced that Vince McMahon was involved. Whether or not the rumors are true remains to be seen, but the internet already has thoughts.

There have been light hints by the WWE's top brass that Vince McMahon might inject himself into the creative side of the wrestling organization after returning to help negotiate a sale, and reliable wrestling insider WrestleVotes now reports it apparently happened. The insider stated that McMahon is the driving force behind the match and "pushed it through": 

There's a bit of sarcasm in that tweet that echoes a lot of the thoughts of wrestling fans. No one was really asking for Omos and Brock Lesnar to face each other at WrestleMania 39, and nothing about this past year has suggested they'd feud to close out the season. It seems like the match was done just to put two big guys against each other in the ring, which could be the same way to describe similar match bookings that Vince McMahon had a hand in when he was running the creative side of WWE. 

The randomness of the match-up, paired with the general lack of fan interest, has people wondering why the WWE would highlight it. Some suggested it's something McMahon personally wanted to see and nothing more: 

The frustration that some are feeling is understandable, especially considering Omos hasn't been as prominent as he was on the WWE roster when Vince McMahon was still around. WrestleMania 39 will be his first pay-per-view match since he was involved in Cody Rhodes' big win at the 2023 Royal Rumble. Omos was eliminated by Braun Strowman after roughly two and a half minutes in the ring. 

Other WWE loyalists aren't focusing so much on the match itself but on the reports that Vince McMahon is booking major matches again for the WWE. For some, it was something they'd seen coming ever since he reportedly voiced his interest in returning to the company: 

It has been stated in the past that current head of creative Triple H has run most of his ideas by his father-in-law Vince McMahon since taking over and that he's welcomed suggestions from the chairman. In short, there are some who think that while McMahon might have suggested the match, Triple H pushed it through for him, and the status quo hasn't changed in the way the rumor might suggest:

While this rumor came from a credible source and feels plausible, it's always important to remember that rumors aren't confirmed information. Just like the allegation that Vince McMahon sold the WWE to a Saudi Arabian interest group, perhaps it's best to reserve judgment until the full facts are out. Some are choosing to do that and countering with their own thoughts on who McMahon would book if he was back in full power of the WWE:

I'd like to dispute that above tweet, but after all the Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar matches I've seen over the years, I can't. At the end of the day, however, we have no idea if Vince McMahon is secretly running the bookings for upcoming WWE events, so we'll just have to sit back and wait for more information as the weeks wind down to WrestleMania. 

WrestleMania 39 will stream live on Peacock on Saturday, April 1st, and Sunday, April 2nd. Snag a Peacock Premium subscription ahead of wrestling's biggest nights, and maybe revisit some other classic WrestleMania events while waiting.  

Last night was the most I’ve been excited for a non-WrestleMania, non-Royal Rumble premium live event in I don’t know how long. A ton of WWE’s biggest stars weren’t even there, and it didn’t matter. The card didn’t need Cody Rhodes or Becky Lynch or Gunther or Charlotte Flair or Drew McIntyre or Sheamus or The Miz or Bianca Belair or AJ Styles or whoever else. It had five really solid and exciting matches, all of which were trying to do very different things. And of course it was the headlined by Sami Zayn and Roman Reigns, offering us the next chapter in the most emotionally complicated and interesting story in the history of wrestling.

For the most part, I think WWE pulled it off. A ton of what Triple H and company did really worked, and we now have even more pieces moved in place for a really exciting WrestleMania. So, overall, I’m really happy with how things went, but that doesn’t mean everything was perfect. So, let’s celebrate the best of the best, and let’s complain about the worst of the worst. Here are 3 things I think Elimination Chamber got right and 2 things I think it got wrong.

Got Right: Made Everyone Look Good In The Men’s Elimination Chamber

Going into The Elimination Chamber, I had a lot of mixed feelings about this match. I was really pumped about The United States Championship being elevated to the point of being defended inside The Chamber, but I wasn’t overly thrilled with the participants. I rarely watch NXT so the appeal of Johnny Gargano has been basically lost on me since he made his main roster debut. He got no reaction at The Royal Rumble, and I was confused why he was getting put into this spot. The same could be said about Bronson Reed, who has been getting zero crowd reaction since his return. 

Well, after watching Elimination Chamber, I am pretty in on Bronson Reed as an angry superheel, and while I still think Johnny Gargano needs a character that isn’t mugging for the camera and being cocky for zero reason, I’m way more on board than I was before yesterday. They both had some spectacular moments inside The Chamber, and the same could be said for every other dude in there. Montez Ford had a few standout moments too, and we may look back on this as the launching pad for him to start a singles career. 

Damian Priest, who I love in Judgment Day, had an elimination and looked dominant for several stretches, and Austin Theory and Seth Rollins had quite a few really fun and impressive moments too. I think you could easily make the case that Bronson Reed, Johnny Gargano and Montez Ford all left The Chamber looking better and stronger than when they came in, and Priest, Rollins and Theory, who have all been much higher on the card than the first three, left without any hit to their position. Throw in the fact that the match worked and paved the way for both Seth Rollins and Logan Paul and Austin Theory and John Cena at WrestleMania, and that has to be considered a huge win.

Got Wrong: The Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley Finish

Listen: I’m not too cool for a DQ finish. I know a lot of wrestling fans want a clean pin or submission every single time, but the occasional DQ or finish with heavy outside interference can help move along a story. There’s a time and a place for shenanigans, but that time and a place is after building a feud people actually want to see. I’m not saying I wasn’t marginally hyped for Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley, but there are a lot more interesting things you could be doing with either guy. 

If the point was to get to Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley at WrestleMania, they could have just done that and spent an extra six weeks building the feud up in a way that was more emotionally compelling. You didn’t need Elimination Chamber. But given Bray Wyatt publicly changed the winner of the Lashley and Lesnar match last Friday on Smackdown, I’m not even sure we’re going to get Brock and Bobby at ‘Mania. If that was the case, then why not give us a real finish? 

And if this was all done because you didn’t want to have either guy take a real loss, then why put them in a feud together? If you wanted Brock on the card, you could have put him with anyone and reestablished his dominance. Imagine they just said Brock Lesnar is going to spin a wheel with everyone’s name on it at Elimination Chamber and whoever it lands on has to fight Brock. The Miz could have done 3 segments trying to get Adam Pierce to rig the wheel. This premium live event didn’t need either of these two. If we would have gotten a real match, that would have been great, but since we didn’t, they should have done anything else. 

Got Right: Kept The Titles On Roman Reigns

I was emotionally rooting for Sami Zayn with everything I had last night. After his incredible Smackdown reaction and promo, part of me even wondered if he could win. But the more reasoned, long-term focused parts of my brain were always quietly confident in Roman Reigns, which is why I picked him to win in my Elimination Chamber predictions. I’m not against putting the big belt on someone to reward them for being super over with fans and having an incredible run. In normal circumstances, they should have put the belt on Sami Zayn, but in this specific case, that would have required moving around a ton of pieces for WrestleMania. It almost certainly would have also required Roman Reigns to wrestle twice. 

My colleague here at CinemaBlend Mick Joest was all about a Sami Zayn and Cody Rhodes Main Event, but I just think the likelihood of Cody winning that match is too overwhelming. Roman needs to be in there to add more doubt. Plus, it wouldn’t make any sense for him to have a run of more than 900 days and then not get a rematch. I know it’s wrestling, but the plot still needs to make sense. 

So, he would need to be in the main event, which would have left The Usos with nothing productive to do for WrestleMania other than manufacture a feud in six weeks. That makes no sense; so, you would have needed Jey and Jimmy to turn on Roman to help Sami win the belt at Elimination Chamber, which would have given us Roman and Solo vs The Usos, and I’m just not sure WWE was going to break up The Bloodline like that. Ultimately, I think WWE made the right move, but there are plenty of others who vehemently disagree with me.  

Got Wrong: Didn’t Push Rhea Ripley (Or Judgment Day) Hard Enough

I absolutely love Judgment Day. I think they have all the pieces to be a historically great stable. Rhea Ripley has the tools to be one of the best women ever. She should be the leader. Then Finn Bálor should be competing and sometimes holding mid-card titles, and after The Usos lose and the belts get split up, Damian Priest and Dominik Mysterio should be tag team champions. Imagine Dominik looking like absolute trash during every match. He could get saved by Priest who almost single-handedly wins every match, and then Dom could get on the mic and brag about all his accomplishments every week. People would hate it. The boos would be deafening. 

Anyway, all of the pieces are here. A potential all-time great (Rhea), two really strong in-ring workers who are decent on the mic and have completely different styles (Priest and Finn) and a side character who is one of the most hated dudes in recent memory. That’s the formula. I want to see WWE start pushing them really hard and that means giving them more time for character development and having them pick up more Ws. 

Now, to be clear, this match (despite one egregious botch) was a ton of fun. Both Beth Phoenix and Edge still look really good in the ring, and it was a fun way to spend fifteen minutes. I enjoyed all of it, but if the long-term plans are to push Judgment Day (and they should be given Rhea winning The Rumble), then they should be looking dominant— not losing to two Hall of Famers who aren’t part of the main event scene. Once again, good match though. I just think it hurts the long-term story, or at least the long-term story I’d tell.

Got Right: Pushed Asuka (And Delivered A Good Women’s Elimination Chamber)

I like the decision to reinvent Asuka’s character a little bit with different make-up and a different attitude. She was being wasted standing behind Bianca Belair last year, but when she finished third at The Rumble behind Rhea and Liv Morgan, I started to have some doubts. Was WWE going to fully push her back to the main event scene? Well, now we know the answer is yes. Asuka needed a dominant performance to re-establish her place in the hierarchy, and we got that.

We also got an exciting and fun Elimination Chamber match. Asuka, Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez all looked great. Natalya got really strong support from the crowd back in her home country of Canada and reminded everyone what she's capable of. Camella had some fun interactions and was pushed harder than I expected, and even Nikki Cross, despite her gimmick not working at all right now, had a few good spots inside The Chamber. It was a really thoughtful, well-put together match that highlighted all the strengths of the different performers. And the end result was right. That’s a huge win.

P.S. Special Shoutout To The Crowd

I don’t really want to credit WWE for how hot the crowd was, but everyone in the crowd both for Smackdown and Elimination Chamber should be applauding themselves. This was a perfect big atmosphere crowd. They engaged with the storyline. They participated when it made sense, not in an annoying Raw after WrestleMania way that’s trying to get themselves over. They were everything you’d hope to see from a PPV audience. So, huge thumbs up. It made what would have been a very good event into something special people will remember for years to come.

WWE premium live events stream for free with a Peacock subscription. The next upcoming WWE PPV will be WrestleMania, which happens on Saturday and Sunday over the first weekend of April. Expect a tremendous show that carries on a lot of the plots we saw here. 

I have a lot of feelings about Elimination Chamber, and this year's version is a good reminder of how mixed they can be. On the one hand, I absolutely, positively love the gimmick of the match. I love that superstars emerge from the pod one at a time and you don't know the order. I love how many unusual and creative things you can do inside the cage. I love the whole thing. I'm not saying it's The Royal Rumble, but I look forward to it every single year.

On the other hand, there's always something weird about the premium live event before WrestleMania. Because they're already advertising the biggest of the shows, it can sometimes feel like the appetizer for the main event. It's the last chance for WWE's writers to move some of the pieces around on a big stage; so, if it's not done right, it can feel like the first half of a performance.

That being said, there is a lot to be excited about here. Sami Zayn is the hottest character in wrestling in a long time, and he'll be trying to win the belts off Roman Reigns in front of his own home crowd, which is going to be LOUD. In addition, instead of getting the Elimination Chamber matches for the major titles, the men's is for the United States Championship and the women's is for a title shot at 'Mania, which means the results are harder to predict.

Fortunately, I'm on a hot streak. I successfully predicted every match at The 2023 Royal Rumble, and since that's the only premium live event so far this year, I'm undefeated in 2023! Here's a look at my results...

I can't promise I'll go undefeated here, but here are my best guesses as to what is about to happen at Elimination Chamber, which airs free in The United States with a Peacock subscription. 

Elimination Chamber Match For The United States Championship Featuring Austin Theory (Champion), Seth Freakin’ Rollins, Johnny Gargano, Damian Priest, Bronson Reed And Montez Ford

First of all, I love The United States Championship being defended in The Elimination Chamber. Triple H has done a fantastic job of elevating The US Championship and The Intercontinental Championship, and this is just the latest example. Plus, this allows for so many more options to put in there. There are only so many guys on the roster who could believably make sense for a Chamber match with one or both of the big belts on the line, but by making it a US Championship match, suddenly everyone in the mid-card is available. 

And as you can see, WWE took full advantage of their options and picked some very unexpected participants. Let’s start by eliminating the ones I don’t think have any chance starting with Montez Ford. I love The Street Profits, and this has the potential to be a showcase for Ford’s almost unlimited potential. I expect to see him do a frog splash off the top of the cage. I expect a handful of other wild spots. If he does well, it could be the catalyst for WWE breaking up The Street Profits and taking him solo, but that would almost certainly be done through an extended tag team break-up story, not an immediate jump to a WrestleMania solo match, which would come with winning this match. 

Plus, I still think he needs a little seasoning. He has all the talent in the world, but in my opinion, he sells in a mid-to-late-90s Shawn Michaels type way that looks obnoxious and is designed to get himself over. Add in his tendency, in my opinion, to make too many faces and go too big in every promo, and I think he needs a little more work before he’s main event material. Huge upside though. Still love the dude.

We can probably eliminate Bronson Reed and Johnny Gargano too. Neither one of these guys is over on the main roster. With all due respect to what Gargano did in NXT, his crowd reactions on the main roster are terrible. He may have gotten the single worst response when his music hit of anyone in The Men’s Rumble. And Bronson Reed has gotten even less during his handful of appearances. Triple H clearly likes both guys and is going to use Elimination Chamber to try and show fans their potential. I hope it works, but having either win would be way too much way too soon. Big results need to follow positive fan response. Not the other way around.

So, that leaves us Theory, Rollins and Damian Priest. Rollins is clearly the biggest star, but I think he’s almost certainly going to battle Logan Paul at WrestleMania, which shouldn’t be for the title since Logan Paul is still part-time. I’m really high on Damian Priest and Judgment Day. I’d love to see him get another run with a mid-card title, and it certainly seems like Triple H sees a lot of potential, given he went way over thirty minutes in that semi-recent multi-team tag match on Raw, but Austin Theory vs John Cena for the US Championship, given Cena’s long history with the belt and all the rumors last year about these two fighting, just makes so much sense. I think he’ll walk out the winner.

Predicted Winner: Austin Theory

Elimination Chamber Match For A Shot At Bianca Belair’s Raw Women’s Championship At WrestleMania Featuring Asuka, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Natalya, Carmella And Nikki Cross

There’s going to be a ton to take away from this match, but to me, the most important one is what Triple H really thinks of Asuka. She’s been stuck in the mud a bit since she was injured at Money In The Bank back in 2021. She was put in a key spot at Hell In The Cell after her return in 2022 and briefly won the tag titles with Alexa Bliss, but there have also been periods where she wasn’t really used or was simply used as back-up for Bianca Belair. She returned at The Rumble to great fanfare and a new look. If Triple H wants to push her, now is the time by having her win this match and get a prime singles championship opportunity at ‘Mania, which would further solidify her as one of the top female stars in WWE. So, if the writers consider Asuka one of the top three or four women in the company, she really needs to win here.

But that’s a big question mark. They clearly value Asuka, but if they valued her so highly, why did Liv Morgan last longer than her at The Rumble? I think it’s an open question as to whether they want her to return to the absolute top of the division, and if they do not, there are plenty of other options here, most prominently Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez. Morgan obviously had her big moment last year when she took the belt off Ronda at Money In The Bank. Fans still seem pretty behind her, but she hasn’t really been used in a main event way recently (see her submitting to Asuka on Raw). Raquel Rodriguez is clearly very talented and has tremendous potential, but she’s only over-ish with the fans. She needs a wrinkle to her personality or a compelling storyline to get to the next level.

A case could be made that maybe there’s potential to put Carmella in a prime WrestleMania spot, but I just don’t see it. The crowd reaction since her return has been nice enough. People still enjoy booing her, but I don’t think there’s enough buzz there for a singles match at ‘Mania, especially not one for the title. And with all due respect to Natalya and Nikki Cross, nothing about their presentations over the last year point to them winning an Elimination Chamber match. So, I gotta go with Asuka, though I think Morgan and Rodriguez are still in play.

Predicted Winner: Asuka

Edge And Beth Phoenix Vs Finn Bálor And Rhea Ripley

The history of wrestling tells us Edge and Beth Phoenix should win this match, just based on how this storyline has played out. Edge, an absolute legend who probably doesn’t have much time left, lost to Finn Bálor at Extreme Rules thanks to interference from The Judgment Day attacking his wife, Beth Phoenix, who is a legend in her own right. Obviously Edge should swoop in and get his vengeance, right? The person whose wife got attacked needs to win the feud, right? Well, maybe, but it’s actually more complicated than that.

I think The Judgment Day has all the potential to be wrestling’s next big stable. Rhea Ripley is fantastic and should beat Charlotte Flair and win The Smackdown Women’s Championship at ‘Mania. Finn Bálor and Damian Priest both have fantastic looks, are excellent workers in the ring and can handle themselves reasonably well on the microphone. And Dominik Mysterio is maybe the most hateable character on television today (and I say that as a compliment). Everything is there if WWE wants to start pushing really, really hard, and I think they should. I’d be stoked to see a future in which Rhea has one of the women’s big belts, Priest and Bálor have the tag titles and Dominik Mysterio is interfering in all their matches. 

So, no offense to Edge and Beth Phoenix, who are, to reiterate, legends, but the better long-term move, at least to me, is for them to put The Judgment Day over. That’s what I would like to see happen, but I’m really torn because I’m not sure that’s going to happen. It’s also hard to predict because there’s a real possibility Edge and Finn Bálor end up finishing this feud at WrestleMania, in which case it doesn’t really matter who wins here. I think the safer bet is to choose Edge and Beth Phoenix, but I think Triple H sees something in The Judgment Day and is gonna continue their push.

Predicted Winner: The Judgment Day

Bobby Lashley Vs Brock Lesnar

Can someone explain to me why this isn’t happening at WrestleMania? You’d certainly think these two are going to be on the ‘Mania card, but if they’re not fighting each other, that means there’s only about six weeks to set up another feud for each person. Is that really enough time to do something more compelling than giving us Brock and Lashley round three? I doubt it. That’s why some online are convinced they’ll just run this back at ‘Mania, but as much as I love these dudes, I’m not really sure I’m that hyped about seeing them fight at a premium live event for a fourth time in a year and a half. 

Whatever. Let’s put that aside and talk it out, as if we’re just picking a winner of the rubber match here. Lashley is quite popular with the crowd, who have still been mostly cheering him despite his attempts to turn heel, but he’s not Brock Lesnar popular. The Beast might only be part-time, but he’s still among the most over guys on the entire roster. To keep him that way, it’s important WWE protect him against everyone but the absolute top top guys. So, it was okay for him to lose to Roman Reigns at ‘Mania, but it should still be assumed he’s gonna win almost every time he steps into the ring.

Back at the ‘22 Royal Rumble, Lashley defeated Brock Lesnar, but that was a screwy thing where Paul Heyman turned on him. They wrestled again at Crown Jewel back in November, and Lesnar won, though he looked really weak doing it. More recently, Lashley eliminated Brock Lesnar from The Rumble, and they’ve traded various attacks on each other in the time since. I’d like to see Lesnar come out on top here. I think he needs the victory a bit more, but we may get some MVP/ reunion of The Hurt Business shenanigans. I hope it comes after the match and leads into a slightly repackaged Lashley at ‘Mania, but it could happen mid-match and give him the victory.

Predicted Winner: Brock Lesnar

Roman Reigns Vs Sami Zayn For The Undisputed WWE Universal Championship

Sami Zayn has been on a heater for the last six months, to the point where he’s probably the most popular wrestler on the entire roster right now, at least among hardcore fans. The build has happened very organically and one great promo at a time. Throw in the fact that Elimination Chamber is happening in his hometown of Montreal, and the fans are going to be rabid. In fact, there’s a strong chance this could be the single loudest crowd of the entire year. And they’re overwhelmingly going to be rooting for Sami.

But is Sami Zayn really going to be the one to knock off Roman Reigns? Is someone with a career losing record in WWE really gonna break this multi-year winning streak? The same dude who lost to Johnny Knoxville at WrestleMania last year?  Well, Sami asked himself that very same thing in his terrific promo opposite Cody Rhodes on Raw this week, and I think a lot of fans are asking themselves the same thing. 

The truth is I don’t think so. I love Sami Zayn. I would cheer my head off if he beat Roman Reigns, but to me, a victory doesn’t make sense in the storyline. Cody Rhodes vs Sami Zayn would feel so random at WrestleMania, given they’ve interacted all of one time so far, and it would also leave the Sami and Roman storyline hanging for awhile when it’s been the clear number one plot for almost a year. So, no. I think it’ll be an incredible match. I think we’ll get some great hope spots. I think whatever happens will push us toward either Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn vs The Usos or Sami Zayn & Jey Uso vs Jimmy Uso and Solo at WrestleMania. But regardless, I think Roman is walking out of there with the belt.

Predicted Winner: Roman Reigns 

In a few short days, 60 WWE Superstars will enter the Men’s and Women’s Royal Rumble matches and compete for the opportunity to challenge for a championship of their choosing at WrestleMania 39. Over the course of the past few weeks, a growing list of wrestlers have announced plans to enter the two over-the-top battle royals, but only one male and one female superstar will stand atop the turnbuckle, point to the massive sign hanging from the rafters of the AlamoDome, and earn a spot at the upcoming two-day event.

Before we look to what the future holds for Cody Rhodes, Liv Morgan, Seth “Freakin” Rollins, Rhea Ripley, and other superstars who will be in the match, it wouldn’t hurt to take a step back and see how winning the Royal Rumble affected the last 10 winners (going back to 2018). We’re here to answer questions about championship matches, title reigns, and others dealing with the immediate and long term impact of winning the Rumble.

Shinsuke Nakamura (2018)

In January 2018, Shinsuke Nakamura, the “King of Strong Style,” won the Royal Rumble match in his first attempt, earning a title match against WWE Champion (and former NJPW foe) AJ Styles at WrestleMania 34.

Following a losing effort in an otherwise outstanding match that played on his history with Styles, the fan-favorite Nakamura turned heel with a low blow, which resulted in a drawn-out feud between the two. The two-time NXT Champion would go on to find success in WWE’s midcard, winning the US and Intercontinental Championships two times apiece, yet never reaching the levels of his first year on the SmackDown brand.

Asuka (2018)

Asuka, who was unbeaten in WWE at the time of her Royal Rumble debut (which happened to be the first women’s version of the event), outperformed the likes of Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks, and Trish Stratus to earn a title match against SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair at in 2018.

Though she came up short in her match against Flair, Asuka would ride a wave of success throughout 2018, a year that was capped by winning the SmackDown Women’s Championship that December. Since then, Asuka has remained one of WWE’s biggest stars, winning the Raw Women’s Championship on two occasions, the 2020 Money in the Bank, and other accolades.

Becky Lynch (2019)

After adopting the moniker “The Man” in late 2018, Becky Lynch went on a run on the same level as Daniel Bryan’s 2013-2014, the “Summer of Punk,” and Attitude Era “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, which continued on into 2019 by winning the Women’s Royal Rumble match.

Lynch would go on to face SmackDown Women’s Champion and Raw Women’s Champion, Ronda Rousey, in a historic WrestleMania 35 triple threat match, the first all-female match to headline the “Showcase of the Immortals,” and win in decisive fashion. ”Becky Two Belts” would go on to break multiple records throughout her title reign, which would only come to an end after announcing her pregnancy in 2020, per ESPN.

Seth Rollins (2019)

Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch’s real-life husband, also had an incredible showing at the 2019 Royal Rumble, winning the Men’s contest and a title opportunity against Brock Lesnar with the Universal Championship on the line.

After defeating him in the WrestleMania 35 opener, Rollins would go on to play back-and-forth for the Universal Championship with Lesnar that summer before losing it for good to The Fiend later that year. Though he hasn’t held the top title since, Rollins has remained a hot commodity, especially with his 2022 feud with Cody Rhodes.

Charlotte Flair (2020)

In January 2020, Charlotte Flair added another achievement to her resume: Royal Rumble winner. But instead of challenging longtime rivals Becky Lynch (Raw Women’s Champion) and Bayley (SmackDown Women’s Champion), Flair turned her attention to NXT Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 36.

Night Two of the 2020 event opened with the second-generation WWE superstar winning and claiming the NXT title for the first time since leaving the brand nearly five years earlier. Since then, Flair has continued to be one of the most successful wrestlers in the world, winning multiple championships and high-profile feuds.

Drew McIntyre (2020)

Drew McIntyre, who was once viewed as “The Chosen One” in Vince McMahon’s eyes, made an incredible comeback in the years after first being let go by the company, culminating in a career-defining performance at the 2020 Royal Rumble.

McIntyre would go on to successfully challenge WWE Champion Brock Lesnar to a headlining match at WrestleMania 36, but what was supposed to be a big match ended up being the start of a muted title reign in which he never defended the title in front of a live crowd. Things would turn around for McIntyre down the line, including a great showing against WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns at Clash at the Castle 2022, and it could keep getting better with a dominant performance at Royal Rumble 2023.

Bianca Belair (2021)

One year after eliminating eight other wrestlers, Bianca Belair won the 2021 Women’s Royal Rumble, proving to the world that she was the “EST of WWE” and was here to stay. A little more than two months later, Belair proved herself once again by defeating Sasha Banks to capture the SmackDown Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 37.

Despite a quick loss to a returning Becky Lynch at SummerSlam later that year, Belair had a banner year, which was capped off by being named the top-ranked wrestler on the Pro Wrestling Illustrated “Women’s 150” list. And, she hasn’t stopped since.

Edge (2021)

One year after returning at the 2020 Royal Rumble, Edge capped off one of the most remarkable career turnarounds in modern history (he was out for 10 years with a neck injury) by winning the 2021 Men’s match. 

Though he wasn’t successful in his triple threat match against Daniel Bryan and Universal Champion Roman Reigns, Edge did help the “Tribal Chief” put on one of the best matches of his career.

Ronda Rousey (2022)

Following a nearly three-year absence from WWE, Ronda Rousey returned at the explosive (literally) 2022 Royal Rumble, which she won to earn a shot against SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 38.

Though her attempt at defeating Flair was unsuccessful, she would go on to defeat her longtime foe at WrestleMania Backlash the following month. Rousey would go on to lose, win, and lose the SmackDown Women’s Championship in the second half of 2022, with the most recent and final loss being against a returning Flair on the final SmackDown of the year.

Brock Lesnar (2022)

Despite only being in the 2022 Royal Rumble for a little more than two minutes, Brock Lesnar eliminated five superstars on his path to victory, which earned him another crack at Roman Reigns in a WrestleMania 38 main event match.

Lesnar would go on to win the WWE Championship at Elimination Chamber 2022, which made his third WrestleMania contest against Reigns “Winner Takes All.” The “Beast Incarnate” would end up losing the bout, but the pair would meet again in a “Last Man Standing” match to conclude their feud at SummerSlam 2022, with Reigns ultimately winning.

Only time will tell what the future holds for upcoming winners of the 2023 Royal Rumble, but the only way to know for sure is by watching the big show, and other upcoming WWE events, on Peacock Premium.

The Royal Rumble is just around the corner, and it feels like a redemption year for the annual WWE event. 2022’s pay-per-view was underwhelming in the eyes of fans, which includes yours truly, and allegedly involved so many behind-the-scenes issues that it led to Shane McMahon’s firing. Suffice it to say, the WWE might want to have a better showing this year, especially with a potential sale on the way. 

Thankfully for the WWE, the Royal Rumble has a history of greatness, with 2022 being one of the more rare off years, so it’s not like spinning gold out of 2023's event is an unattainable goal. All the organization has to do is keep in mind some of the mistakes that were made last year, and steer clear of them going forward. 

Too Many Athletes With No Chance Of Winning Were Involved At The End Of The Men's Match

One of the downsides of the Royal Rumble match itself dis that once the number of remaining Superstars gets down to three or four, it starts to feel obvious who is going to win. Of course, not everyone scours the dirt sheets and online rumor mills for speculation purposes, but even the most spoiler-weary fans can generally pick up on the storytelling direction if they’re dedicated to watching Monday Night Raw and SmackDown. 

The best way to mitigate such presumptions is to give only legitimate title contenders slots in the final stages, which would help keep the mystery alive for as long as possible. Having someone like Shane McMahon or Bad Bunny in the mix late in the Royal Rumble, which has definitely happened before, isn’t really keeping the mystery alive of who will win. Hopefully 2023 can do a better job of keeping fans interested until the end, and that’s totally possible given past Rumbles.

Some Major Superstars Spent A Long Time In The Ring Without Really Doing A Lot

If you look back at the times clocked in the ring in both Royal Rumble matches, you’ll see a number of superstars spent quite a while in the ring without doing anything so memorable. This is especially a problem with the women’s match, in which competitors like Bianca Belair and Liv Morgan both spent an illogical amount of wasted time in the ring. Belair at least made it nearly to the end of the match after 40 minutes in and one elimination, but Morgan was in there for 37 minutes only to be dumped unceremoniously by Brie Bella midway through. 

For the men’s match, I think the most egregious exit was AJ Styles. The Phenomenal One, who won’t compete at this year’s Royal Rumble due to injury, spent nearly 30 minutes in the ring before being sent out midway through by Madcap Moss. Of course, Styles was in no serious position to win that match, but being eliminated by Moss was certainly random, and didn’t amount to any meaningful feud between the two. Much of the Rumble's hype is about creating storylines for the midcarders to carry into WrestleMania, so hopefully WWE creatives remember that going into 2023’s Royal Rumble. 

The Winners Of Both Royal Rumble Matches Were Painfully Obvious Beforehand 

While the outcome of a pay-per-view is never 100% known to fans, it was hard to envision any other winners for the 2022 Royal Rumble matches beyond Brock Lesnar and Ronda Rousey. Sure, there were hopes from some that Big E might get a chance to get a major WrestleMania moment, but the feud between Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar was well-documented. Fans might not have predicted that he’d lose the WWE championship to Bobby Lashley ahead of winning the Rumble, but the Rumble win happened all the same. 

The same inevitable nature largely held true for Ronda Rousey, and both wins were indicative of a larger problem. Both Royal Rumble winners were “free agents” and part-time talents (with UFC pasts), but also physically imposing figures with reasons to be included in WrestleMania. With the rumor of another legend like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson now rumored to appear at this year's Royal Rumble, as well as a rumored match at WrestleMania, I can’t help but feel a little worried his win is already being telegraphed, but we’ll see.

The Best Match Of The Night Shouldn’t Have Kicked Off The PPV

Not to sound like a fan complaining about a good thing, but the biggest issue I had with the 2022 Royal Rumble in hindsight was that the event as a whole really struggled to overcome its stellar opening match: Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns for the Universal championship. And I think anyone who's watched wrestling for the past decade could’ve predicted it would set the crowd on fire. Rollins had the crowd rolling from the start by donning his classic ring gear from The Shield and even walking to the ring from the audience with their old entrance music, so it was a good move to kick things off with that kind of energy.

It’s not Seth Rollins or Roman Reigns’ fault the match was the highlight of the night, either, since that lands on the WWE for setting the bar so high for the night with such a major match. Obviously, the scheduling was always going to be tough, since the Men’s Royal Rumble is always meant to close out the night. But there were probably better slots for this match, and other ways to make the opening exciting as well. Hopefully the creative team does a better job at pacing the 2023 event, or at least ensures that its final match can be just as good, if not better, than anything else on the card that night.

There Weren’t Enough Surprises 

In the age of the internet, where wrestling insiders are lurking around every corner, and it’s become harder than ever to legitimately surprise hardcore fans. With that said, in the rare instances in that the fandom has been shocked in recent years, those surprises have stood the test of time as some of the best moments of the decade. Brock Lesnar breaking the streak, the Hardys returning, AJ Styles’ debut? These are the types of highlights that stick with fans for a long time. The Royal Rumble is arguably the easiest time of the year to shock fans, so hopefully 2023 can deliver some expectation-bucking moments on that kind of level. One would think with all the rumors of The Rock returning, they can pull it off. 

The WWE’s Royal Rumble is streaming for anyone with a Peacock Premium subscription on Saturday, January 28th. Now would be a great time to revisit past Royal Rumble matches, though I’d suggest watching anything prior to 2022.

WrestleMania might generate most of the mainstream crossover headlines, but to me and a great many wrestling fans, there is no better or more exciting premium live event each year than WWE’s Royal Rumble. The battle royal variation has been held every year since 1988, and during those thirty-five years, it has launched countless storylines and helped to propel numerous wrestlers into the main event scene. For the winners, it also often becomes one of the biggest moments of their careers.

If you were writing about all-time legend Ric Flair’s career accomplishments, how long would it take you to get to winning the 92 Rumble? My guess is not very long, and the same could be said for so many others. In fact, the winner’s list is a murderers' row of historical greats like Flair, Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, The Rock and Bret Hart. So, who will add their name to those ranks?

Well, much to the delight of WWE fans, there are actually a lot of options this year. There are a handful of people with spectacular cases to win the Rumble. There are a handful more with pretty solid cases, and there are a few more that would be a super fun swerve. But which will Triple H and WWE’s writing staff actually pick? 

Will it be the (probably) returning Cody Rhodes? Will it be a celebrity like The Rock? Will it be someone from Roman Reigns’ own bloodline like Sami Zayn or Jey Uso? What about a rising star like Gunther? I’ve picked who I think are the 20 most likely possibilities and ranked them. Now SHOOOOOOOSSSSHHHH and let me get to my picks...

20. The Miz

You’d have to give me a thousand to one odds on The Miz winning The Royal Rumble to put any money down, but I’m putting him on this list because he’s one of the few people on the entire roster that consistently generates heat from the crowd. Always has and probably always will. That means something. The fact that we can all visualize The Miz winning The Rumble and spending the next two months on television bragging about how awesome he is, only to get heckled and screamed at by the crowd means something. He’s just capable of playing out any storyline, whether it’s a Money In The Bank briefcase, a feud with a new celebrity or a ridiculous, borderline stupid midcard plot.

I’d love to see The Miz have one more run with the big belt. I’m not saying he needs to have some epic year long reign, but he could do a lot with two or three months on top of the ticket. I think he might get his chance at some point too, but it’ll be after Roman Reigns drops at least one of the belts and the creative possibilities open up a bit more. 

19. John Cena

Rumor has it WWE wants Roman Reigns and Dwayne Johnson to potentially face off at WrestleMania 39 given it’s in Los Angeles. That sounds like a great plan, but if The Rock isn’t ready to drop the People’s Elbow for whatever reason, do you know who else is a big star in Hollywood? The Face of WWE John Cena. He got in the ring on the last Smackdown of 2022 and delivered WWE its best ratings in years. That dude loves wrestling, and you know he’d be down to play a key role in WrestleMania if his schedule allows it. 

Cena has won 2 Royal Rumbles in the past, and it would certainly go over with some fans to see him surprise everyone and deliver some five knuckle shuffles. But, to me, it’s not smart to give a storyline as important as the Royal Rumble winner to someone who isn’t going to be around long-term. Even if Cena were to agree to stay for the Road To WrestleMania between late January and April, he’d almost certainly be leaving after ‘Mania to go back to Hollywood. Plus, even though it’s always a joy to see him come back, it’s not quite as special as some of the other former guys, given he’s done plenty of appearances and runs since he first left. As such, I'd rather see WWE pay off the rumors and have him fight Austin Theory. 

18. Austin Theory

A lot of people predicted Austin Theory would fall on hard times after Vince McMahon left. For a little while, that fall from grace seemed like it was happening too. He lost quite a few matches and dropped his Money In The Bank briefcase trying to cash it in on the United States Championship. His follow-up explanation promo was excellent, however, and he’s been feuding with Bobby Lashley and Seth Rollins in the time since, which is great news. 

Whether you think McMahon was pushing Theory too hard or not, the dude has so much natural talent. He’s terrific inside the ring, and his microphone work is already better than 2/3rds of the people in the company. He’s one of the biggest long-term assets WWE has, and I’m really glad Triple H is recognizing that and keeping him involved in key storylines, as well as letting him hold the United States Championship. I think it’s far too soon to give him a Rumble victory, but the fact that he’s even on this list is a credit to where he’s at.

17. Bobby Lashley

Bobby Lashley and a handful of other guys like Drew McIntyre and Sheamus are victims of Roman Reigns’ over the top success. Were he only holding one of the belts, the other one would undoubtedly be held by one of the other main eventers and another would likely be actively feuding for the title. Since Roman holds both belts, however, there are less total people involved in the title picture.

Lashley still gets a terrific pop when he comes out though, and he’s one of the few guys on the roster who feels like he could beat anyone on any given day. I’d personally like to see him back with MVP and The Hurt Business, which they've been teasing. That would give his character a bit more direction and maybe lead to another title push down the road. I don't think he'll win The Rumble, but it could be a chance for him to take a bit step forward and get some character development. 

16. CM Punk

I don’t know what I’m doing here. CM Punk probably shouldn’t be on this list. I don’t even know if his well-documented issues with AEW have been resolved to the point where he could make an appearance even if he wanted to. But part of the goal of The Royal Rumble is to generate buzz for WrestleMania, and I can’t imagine anything else that would generate more buzz than a surprise appearance by CM Punk. Wrestling Twitter would be unstoppable for weeks. 

Even if you set aside all the possible legal issues, though, I wouldn’t put CM Punk much higher than this because I don’t think having him win the Rumble necessarily makes sense. CM Punk back in WWE is the story. He doesn’t need to win the Rumble to generate buzz, and I don’t think you’d go from 0 to 60 and book him with Roman Reigns at ‘Mania. He could wrestle a mid-carder who is over like The Miz and get a gigantic fan response. Stone Cold Steve Austin and Kevin Owens didn’t need a championship match to create a moment last year.

15. Roman Reigns

Wait, is Roman Reigns going to enter the Royal Rumble? Probably not. The champion rarely participates in the Rumble, but it happens on occasion and a Roman Reigns win would solve a lot of problems regarding his WrestleMania opponent. Rumors have swirled for awhile that WWE’s preference would be to have him face The Rock, but as champion, he is going to need to face whoever wins the Rumble, unless there’s some shenanigans later on that might piss off fans. If Reigns were to win himself, however, he could pick his own opponent and choose his cousin The Rock. 

The only reason I don’t have this higher, however, is that WWE needs to be careful about how dominant they make the Tribal Chief. Yes, Reigns is the biggest story in wrestling right now and for good reason. He’s a freakin’ star, and it’s obvious how over he still is every single time he shows up. Every bit of his extended title run has been deserved, but he’s not a prime Stone Cold Steve Austin and he hasn’t proven popular enough to change the overall fortunes of the wrestling business. He’s simply a huge star in the middle of a brilliant run, and in my opinion, putting both belts on him and having him win the Rumble is just asking fans to start turning on him. Wrestling is bigger than any one performer.

14. Jey Uso

Jey Uso has done some of the best work of his entire career over the past few years. His character, with a scared deference to Roman Reigns and at first a mistrust and later an embrace of Sami Zayn, is so complicated and well-developed. Wrestling stories don’t normally dig this deep emotionally, and other wrestlers should take a lesson from him on how to do character work. It’s been excellent.

Now, is that going to translate into a Rumble victory? Probably not. The Usos have their own storylines with the Undisputed Tag Team Championships, and I’m sure there are other stories Triple H would rather tell. That being said, the fact that you could so easily course out a compelling narrative here is a testament to everyone involved in the Bloodline. Imagine if Jey won. What would Jimmy’s reaction be? What would Sami’s reaction be? How about Roman? I would love to watch it.

13. Logan Paul 

I’m not sure what to do with Logan Paul or how highly I should be rating him on a list like this, but given the timeframe on his injury, he should be coming back somewhere around The Royal Rumble. And given how spectacularly he has overperformed in his three matches and how much star power he brings with him, he always has to be considered a contender for something bigger. Such a huge push like this would likely involve him having to make a commitment to do wrestling full-time. That seems unlikely, but he reportedly did redo his contract to make a bigger commitment and work more dates. So, we’ll see.

I think what’s more likely going to happen, if he comes back from injury at The Rumble, is we’ll see him go on a nice little run, eliminate a few people and then start a feud with either one of the people who eliminated him or someone he eliminated. I’d expect a high mid-carder like Damian Priest, who would seem more physically imposing than The Miz but is also someone WWE would conceivably let him beat at WrestleMania. 

12. Sheamus

Talk about a career renaissance. Sheamus seemed destined to keep sliding down the mid-card until he found new life alongside Ridge Holland and Butch over the last year as the Brawling Brutes. They went from getting like two and a half minutes against The New Day at ‘Mania 38 to main eventing Survivor Series War Games against The Bloodline. That tremendous run also included a match of the year candidate for Sheamus against Gunther at Clash At The Castle, as well as an incredible 3 v 3 match at Extreme Rules with Imperium. 

Absent any clear stories to tell, Sheamus would be an excellent candidate to win his second Royal Rumble this year. And some years there aren’t any clear stories to tell. But that’s not this year. WWE is overflowing with possible directions to go in, and I think a Sheamus arc just isn’t going to look as appealing. That being said, I fully expect The Celtic Warrior to do some damage and get some nice little moments. He’s earned it.

11. Braun Strowman

I don’t know what to make of Braun Strowman since he returned to WWE. He’s getting really good pops and engagement with the crowd, but he feels quite detached from the main event scene and the storylines going on there. He’s currently feuding with Gunther, but it’s hard for me to imagine Gunther losing the Intercontinental Championship anytime soon. So, if he comes out on the wrong end of that feud, can he really progress to the main event? That doesn’t seem to logically track. So, he’ll probably end up with a feud with a higher end performer outside the main event scene like Bobby Lashley, Drew McIntyre or Sheamus.

That being said, I’m not going to write him off on The Rumble. He, of course, won the unofficial Greatest Rumble in Saudi Arabia and should always be viewed as a threat to win anytime he’s in the ring, no matter who it’s against. I suspect we’ll probably see him come in like a house of fire, only to get gang eliminated Omos-style by 5 or 6 people working together. That’ll keep him looking strong.

10. Randy Orton

We don’t know exactly when Randy Orton might return from his back injury. I tend to think he won’t be around for The Rumble, but if “Voices” hits over the loud speaker, people will lose their freakin’ minds in the crowd. He was white hot over when he got injured and had to step away back in May, and if you want to know how over he still is, watch how much bigger of a reaction his tag team partner Riddle was getting when he did one of Orton’s moves versus one of his own.

There are lots of fans who probably have different preferences for who they’d like to see win The Rumble. We’ll get to most of these candidates in a minute, but I think it’s a testament to Orton that I think pretty much everyone would be happy with him winning. They might prefer Cody Rhodes or The Rock or Sami Zayn or some of these contenders later, but I think an Orton return and win would bring a smile to every single person’s face.

9. Drew McIntyre

I’m still a bit shocked WWE didn’t put Drew McIntyre over at Clash At The Castle. So much seemed to be lining up in his favor. Roman Reigns was stepping back and doing less appearances. He was in front of a ravenous home crowd that wanted to give him his British Bulldog at SummerSlam '92 moment. Given how he essentially carried WWE during lockdown, many felt he deserved a big thank you moment in front of a live audience. But it wasn’t to be. He lost, which begs an obvious question: then why would he win the Royal Rumble?

Wrestling is about creating moments and then paying them off. You put in months of prep work to create a match the crowd is invested in. The winner of The Rumble will face Roman Reigns at WrestleMania in the main event, and it’s impossible to imagine that moment could possibly be bigger than the Clash At The Castle one. So, it just doesn’t seem like a good option. That being said, he’s Drew McIntyre, one of the biggest stars the company has, and he’s going to be a threat to win any Rumble he’s in.

8. Brock Lesnar

I have no reason to think Brock Lesnar is going to show up at The Rumble, except that he’s either the biggest or second biggest star WWE has and The Rumble is the second biggest event of the year. He, of course, won the last installment to set up the main event of WrestleMania 38, but it’s hard to imagine Triple H and company will want to tell the same main event story again this year. I love both, but WWE has only run back the same main event a few times in ‘Mania’s history, mostly recently with The Rock vs John Cena back in 2013.

But Brock Lesnar is Brock Lesnar. Every single person employed by the company wishes they had his resume and pop culture crossover appeal, and he’s always going to be a threat to main event any single card he agrees to participate in. I assume he’s going to be at WrestleMania, which means he’ll need something very important to do. I don’t think it’ll be main eventing again with Roman Reigns, but I’m not going to write the possibility off, especially after how awesome SummerSlam '22 was.

7. Bray Wyatt

Bray Wyatt has a separate match at The Royal Rumble against LA Knight, who, by the way, is terrific and should keep getting pushed. I don’t expect to see Wyatt in the actual Rumble because I think they want to take a lot more time with the Uncle Howdy storyline. Figuring out what’s going on with him and where his character is headed long-term feels a lot more important than The Rumble. But you can’t ever count out guys who are extremely buzzy and over with the crowd. Apart from dudes returning, is there anyone else who would get a bigger reaction if their music hit during The Rumble? I don’t think so.

Wrestling is about a lot more than just the main event though. You need to fill the rest of the card, and in that way, Wyatt figuring out what the hell is going on with him since his return is a huge asset. It seemingly exists outside the standard hierarchy and doesn’t need other A-list performers to matter. It’s not the main event, but the fans care deeply about what’s going on. WWE is going to want to extend that as long as it can, because if and when it combines with the main event/Roman Reigns, then there are less total things on the show fans are interested in.

6. Kevin Owens

Kevin Owens is due to wrestle Roman Reigns in a big spot. The two have been feuding as part of the ongoing Sami Zayn Bloodline story for awhile, and it feels like their confrontation is coming to a head… which is why they’re booked to wrestle each other at The Royal Rumble. Were it not for that match, Owens would be even higher on this list. He did a spectacular job during his main event match with Stone Cold during night one of WrestleMania 38, and WWE could certainly trust him if he was put into a big spot again this year. Here’s the case for it.

Kevin Owens loses during the first match at The Royal Rumble, probably via Bloodline interference. Then he shocks everyone by returning during The Rumble, shouting about how he’s going to get vengeance and another crack at Roman Reigns. He wins The Rumble and then spends the next few months on TV assembling his own backing support to keep The Bloodline away during ‘Mania. It’s a pretty worthwhile story. It’s just not as good as the next ones (and also probably too close to what WWE did last year with Lesnar at The Rumble).

5. Seth Rollins

Seth Freakin' Rollins is getting huge reactions from the crowd in the middle of a feud for the United States Championship. Imagine how much more magnified those reactions would be if the Visionary was on the road to the main event at WrestleMania. Fans would be screaming his theme song and cheering every little thing he was doing in the ring. And he’s doing so much right in the ring. That’s the best thing about Seth Rollins. He’s spectacular on the microphone. He’s very fundamentally sound in the ring. He can do all the flippy flops, as Braun Strowman would say, but he also choreographs his match out in such a way that it allows him to be a spectacular troll and create tons of little winks to the audience.

Seth Rollins is, for me, the absolute best wrestler on the planet. He does so many things well, and I’d love to see him rewarded with another big moment like winning The Rumble and main eventing WrestleMania. It’s probably not going to happen because it doesn’t play into a current storyline, but it would be so cool to see him and Roman Reigns work ‘Mania given their long Shield past and Rollins’ beloved Money In The Bank cash-in at WrestleMania 31.

4. Gunther

Gunther is the monster heel to end all monster heels. He’s a throwback from another era that somehow fits perfectly into this one too. He’s must watch television every single time he’s on, and his entire presentation with Imperium works so freakin’ well. I think he’s going to have multiple extended reigns with one of the big belts during his time in WWE, and I think if all goes well, he could go down as an all-time legend of the sport.

Plus, with the prestige of the Intercontinental Championship restored thanks to tons of great matches from Gunther, it would be a delight to see ‘Mania main evented by another WWE Champion vs Intercontinental Championship match like at WrestleMania 6 with Ultimate Warrior vs Hulk Hogan. I can just imagine the promos where Roman Reigns talks about how he’s going to win every belt the company has before he’s done, and I can imagine Gunther staring right back at him. 

3. The Rock

We’ve all heard the rumors. WWE and The Rock apparently have a shared interest in him main eventing WrestleMania 39 which just so happens to take place in Los Angeles. The obvious match would have him wrestling his cousin Roman Reigns to see who the real Head Of The Table is. Unfortunately, that’s currently complicated for logistical reasons. Roman Reigns holds both of the major WWE titles, which means, barring a change in circumstance, he will be facing the Rumble winner at ‘Mania. That leaves WWE with three choices if they want Reigns and The Rock to happen: Reigns can lose one or both of the belts, he can wrestle once on each night or The Rock can win The Royal Rumble.

The Rock won the Royal Rumble all the way back in 2000. I don’t necessarily love the idea of having him win The Rumble again this year, given he’s not likely to be around after ‘Mania, but if The Rock is willing to come back and work for a few months to set up a truly epic main event to remember at Hollywood WrestleMania, I think most fans would sign up for that in a second. Besides, it’s not like everyone loved The Rock because he did all the moves perfectly in the ring. No one is expecting him to look like a prime Mr. Perfect. The People’s Elbow is maybe the dumbest signature move ever, but it all works because of his charisma, which he’s only improved since becoming a movie star. So, I have full confidence he can still put on a hell of a match in his own way.

2. Sami Zayn

What was Sami Zayn doing last year at the Royal Rumble? Oh, that’s right. He was in a feud with Johnny Knoxville from Jackass. I loved it, by the way. It was a lot of fun and later led to one of WrestleMania 38’s most memorable matches (and an epic Wee Man bodyslam), but we both know damn well that was the most mid-card storyline ever to exist on the mid-card. It was fabulous and I wouldn’t change a thing, but it didn’t even have a vague relationship to anything at the top of the card.

You know what’s not mid-card city? Winning the freakin’ Royal Rumble. And we are all sitting ringside in a world in which Sami Zayn could possibly win The Royal Rumble. He’s easily one of the most over guys on the entire roster, and he’s spent the last few months slowly proving his loyalty to Roman Reigns. Him winning The Royal Rumble would be a pretty natural extension of that storyline. Imagine he wins and Roman laughs in his face and is super dismissive. Or maybe he tells him he needs to lay down and lose on purpose or give up his title shot? There are so many options. All of them good.

1. Cody Rhodes

Since practically the moment Cody Rhodes got hurt around Hell In A Cell, more long-term focused wrestling fans were pointing to a possible return at The Royal Rumble. The storyline seemed to write itself. The prodigal son returned home to WWE with a goal of capturing the title that eluded both him and his father. He got over with the crowd, rattled off wins and seemed destined for his chance at Roman Reigns. Then he got hurt and was out for months. What could possibly be more perfect than having him return at Royal Rumble, win and get a title shot at WrestleMania? How could anything top that? 

If Dwayne Johnson wasn’t possibly coming back with an eye to Main Event WrestleMania 39. If the Sami Zayn/ Jey Uso/ Roman Reigns Ucey storyline wasn’t the hottest thing in wrestling right now. If the entire world wasn’t looking at this event and thinking damn, Cody makes a lot of sense to win here, possibly creating pressure on the writing team to swerve. If people weren’t singing Seth Rollins’ theme song. If Gunther wasn’t engineered in a lab to be an all-time talented monster heel. If. If. If. If all of those options weren’t options, it would for sure be him. But they are options and really good ones.

I think Cody Rhodes is the right man to win the Rumble, and all signs point to him returning. I want that for him and his career, and I think it makes the most sense given the story told over the last year. I think he’s the most likely of every one of these possibilities outlined above. He belongs in this spot. But would I risk large amounts of money on it? No. Because there are just so many good choices this year. 

Some things you might be wondering before we wrap this up...

Where's Riddle? 

The original version of this list included Riddle. He might technically be out of rehab and available for The Royal Rumble, but I refuse to believe WWE would reward him for an alleged failed drug test by putting him over in The Rumble. That doesn’t make any sense at all. Had that not happened, however, he would have been somewhere in the 10-15 range. 

And what about AJ Styles?

I also removed AJ Styles given his recent ankle injury. I remain convinced he has one more big push left, but given he’s been stuck around the mid-card, he would have been near the bottom of the list but still on it because he's AJ Styles. 

Also... about some other people who didn't make the list:

I am high on some other people who didn’t make the final list like Finn Bálor, Montez Ford, Bron Breakker and Karrion Kross, but it was just too difficult to mentally make a case for why they were better candidates than the others on the list. I'll also shout out Chad Gable who is an absolute delight and deserves better than putting people over every week.

The Royal Rumble is the next upcoming premium live event in WWE's calendar. It'll take place on January 28th, 2023, and it can be watched with a Peacock subscription. Premium starts at only $4.99 a month, which, as anyone who ever ordered a pay per view from WWE can tell you, is a spectacular price. 

Whether you’re excited about Logan Paul and Roman Reigns or not, there is a lot to look forward to on the Crown Jewel card. WWE is returning to Saudi Arabia this weekend, and they’re bringing 8 matches, most of which have the potential to be really good, really fun or both. 

In the lead-up, there were some nervous moments about whether the event would happen, given some recent threats in the Middle East, but as of Friday morning, it looks like everyone is ready to get in the ring and put on a show.

As per usual, I feel really good about the likely outcome for some matches, and i’ve spent all week going back-and-forth on a few others. I went 4 and 2 on my Extreme Rules guesses, and I feel like I’m starting to understand what new headman Triple H is trying to do. That being said, even if the long-term story is pretty clear, that doesn’t mean there aren’t multiple ways to get there. So, I’ll cross my fingers and do the best I can.

Alexa Bliss & Asuka (Champions) Vs Dakota Kai And Iyo Sky For The Women’s Tag Team Championships

Why did Alexa Bliss and Asuka win the titles on Raw, less than a week ahead of Crown Jewel? What was the motivation behind that decision? If there’s going to be a match during a premium live event, it’s a really weird move to have the exact same match on free TV the week before. So, what the hell is going on here? That’s ultimately the key to figuring out what’s likely to happen in Saudi Arabia.. 

My guess is long-term WWE wants the belts to be on Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky, but they don’t want this feud to seem so one-sided. If Dakota and Iyo won the belts initially in the tag tournament, then won the three way match at Clash At The Castle and then won again at Crown Jewel, it would all be so lopsided. Giving Alexa Bliss and Asuka another loss to Damage CTRL would have made them look really weak. Having them win on Monday and drop the belts back at the premium live event, however, is going to come off as more of a back-and-forth, anyone could win type thing. So, I think that’s going to happen.

Prediction: Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky.

AJ Styles, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson Vs Finn Bálor, Damian Priest and Dominik Mysterio (With Rhea Ripley)

AJ Styles hasn’t won a match at a premium live event since July of 2021. I mean come’on. He’s AJ freaking Styles. I know he’s not at the top of his prime anymore, but he’s still over with fans and still damn good in the ring. No one is technically owed anything in WWE, as certain people’s WrestleMania records indicate, but the more someone loses in big moments, the less fans are going to take them as a serious threat. That’s already happening with AJ. He needs to start building some momentum.

I don’t love seeing another loss her for The Judgment Day, but given Finn was able to take home a victory in an I Quit match over Edge at Extreme Rules, I think that stable is doing just fine. It should take another big step forward too whenever we start seeing Rhea in singles action in the women’s division, as she should be an immediate threat for one of the major titles. So, yeah, even though six person tag matches are notoriously hard to predict, I’m going to go with Styles, Gallows and Anderson. 

Prediction: Styles, Gallows and Anderson.

Braun Strowman Vs Omos (With MVP)

Is Braun Strowman going to use Omos to take a step forward in his career or is Omos going to use Braun Strowman to take a step forward? Well, given Strowman recently returned to some pretty big crowd pops and Omos has been largely stuck in the mud, doing a whole lot of nothing, since his losses to Bobby Lashley, it seems like Braun Strowman is the pretty clear answer here. A victory over another monster would make him look even stronger, and it would likely vault him back into the title picture.

As for Omos, I’d like to see him return to the tag division. He’s still really imposing physically. Some of his work in the ring, especially his big boots, are compelling enough. He just doesn’t have the move set at this point in his career to be able to make longer matches interesting. Paired with the right person, he could start to rebuild a mystique. That’s a project for another day. First he needs to get his ass kicked to help out Braun Strowman.

Prediction: Braun Strowman.

Drew McIntyre Vs Karrion Kross (With Scarlett)

We’re about to find out exactly how much Triple H likes Karrion Kross. We all know he’s a favorite of the new head of creative. He was quick to bring him back once he was in charge, and he gave him the win over Drew McIntyre at Extreme Rules, albeit with some interference via mace in the eyes from Scarlett. Now Kross is going at it with McIntyre again in a steel cage at Crown Jewel, and what happens will likely tell us a lot about Kross’ short-term future.

If he’s able to beat McIntyre, he’s going to enter the absolute top of WWE’s card. Two consecutive victories over someone of Drew’s caliber, even if they’re a bit sketchy, means you’re a threat to Roman Reigns and a title shot is probably coming at some point. I think it’s more likely, however, that we’re going to see a McIntyre win, which would just continue the feud and likely set up a match at Survivor Series or another upcoming WWE premium live event.

Prediction: Drew McIntyre

Bianca Belair (Champion) Vs Bayley For The Raw Women’s Championship

I like Bayley a lot, but I have not connected with this version of her quite as much since she’s come back. That seems to be a common refrain I’ve heard from other fans too. That’s not to say she’s not doing good work, but there’s a difference between doing good work and doing work that’s good enough that it should be rewarded with major championships. I just don’t think anything she’s doing right now is over enough to support that.

I don’t think Triple H is ready to stop pushing Damage CTRL though. That’s why I think he’s going to have Dakota and Iyo win the tag titles back. Then, when Bayley loses here, it’s not going to seem like such an indictment of the entire faction. They’ll just end up one and one on the night. Another loss here would also allow Bayley a way out of this feud. Bianca could move on to other things, and Bayley could work with someone else in a feud to try and refine this character a bit. Plus, even outside of Bayley, Bianca is freaking awesome, and she deserves to keep the title.

Prediction: Bianca Belair

The Usos (Champions) Vs The Brawling Brutes (Butch And Ridge) For The Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship

Are the Brawling Brutes over as a tag team or are they simply over when they’re wrestling alongside Sheamus? The six man tag match with Imperium at Extreme Rules was an absolute banger, and the crowd seemed to respond really well to everything to everything Butch and Ridge were doing. This’ll be a really interesting test to see how much fans view them as legitimate outside of Sheamus, who I suspect probably won’t be in attendance given we haven’t seen him since The Usos injured his arm.

I think The Usos are going to retain here because I think however their run ends is going to involve Sami Zayn, who is white hot right now. He’s been steadily working promos with The Usos for months, but he won’t be in attendance at Crown Jewel given the political situation. That being said, a really good match the crowd is into could go a long way to helping the Brawling Brutes stay in meaningful storylines, perhaps even one that does eventually see them claim the Tag Titles.

Prediction: The Usos

Brock Lesnar Vs Bobby Lashley

Hell yes. These two giants are going to unload on each other, and it should be a vicious good time. It should also be a good reminder that with the right match-up, it makes no difference whatsoever if there’s a title on the line. Some fights need that extra boost a belt gives to amp up the legitimacy, but Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley need no such help. 

They had a good match at Royal Rumble, which was overshadowed by Roman Reigns’ interference. Lashley ultimately took home the victory, and he’s looking for a second win here. I don’t think that’s going to happen. Lesnar has lost too many high profile matches in a row for my taste. It’s important he remains strong, and a loss for Lashley wouldn’t be a huge deal since that would just even the score this year with Lesnar. I feel pretty good about this, unless there’s a heel turn swerve and Lashley reunites with MVP. That’s always a possibility, which would tip the balance.

Prediction: Brock Lesnar.

Roman Reigns (Champion) Vs Logan Paul For The Undisputed WWE Universal Championship

WWE has been working hard to sell the one big right hand narrative. They’ve been telling anyone and everyone who will listen that Logan Paul has metal pins in his hand, which amplifies his punches. They also let him knock out poor Jey Uso with a right hand to remind fans of how dangerous he can be. I appreciate they have to sell an angle here, but it would be absolutely ridiculous to have Logan Paul end Roman’s epic run. I’ll take it a step further and say it would be infuriating, and I say that as someone who thinks Logan Paul has a ton of promise. 

I don’t care about whose turn it is. The wrestling business isn’t about whose turn it is. Time spent doesn’t mean you should win titles, and a lack of time doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be eligible. But Paul is simply not over enough with the fans who actually watch wrestling to support a win of this magnitude. That being said, if he puts in a really strong losing effort, likely one that involves a hope spot where he lands a huge right hand and gets a 2+ count, this match could go a long way to legitimizing him as a wrestling threat down the road.

Prediction: Roman Reigns

At this point in his career, Roman Reigns is not only in the discussion of the best WWE superstars of his era, but also in conversation of the greatest of all time. Since first winning the Universal Championship back in late 2020, the Tribal Chief has been on a title reign that is up there with names like Hulk Hogan, Bob Backlund, and the late Bruno Samartino. Add in his year-plus run as WWE Champion after beating Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 38, and it becomes even more clear.

But, eventually, Reigns is going to need to lose. WWE can’t keep -- in my opinion -- both the WWE Championship and the Universal Championship on someone who has publicly said he’s taking a step back. Besides that, there are just too many other good guys who are ready to step into the role. Part of being a champion is being on television most weeks. So, let’s go over the contenders and talk out the 25 people most likely to take one, or both titles, off Roman Reigns…

25. Shinsuke Nakamura

You could make a case for Shinsuke Nakamura having a better spot on this list, but the “King of Strong Style” only just returned from an extended absence back in April 2023. Over the course of his seven-year WWE career, Nakamura has won the NXT, Intercontinental, and United States Championship titles multiple times, and a victory over Reigns could put the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion in the same camp as Kurt Angle, Brock Lesnar, and Hulk Hogan, which is saying something.

24. Bray Wyatt

In an ideal world, Bray Wyatt would be in the Top 10, but there’s so much mystery surrounding the status of the former WWE and Universal Champion, and not just because of his spooky and kooky in-ring character. After making his long-awaited return in late 2022, “The Fiend” hasn’t done all too much and was even pulled from the WrestleMania 39 card for unspecified reasons. Again, though, don’t count the enigmatic star out just yet.

23. Bronson Reed 

Bronson Reed is another star in the making following his stellar performance at Elimination Chamber 2023, which capped off a remarkable return to form after being let go by WWE in 2021. The former NJPW wrestler has continued that path ever since. After a great performance in the United States Championship triple threat match at Backlash in early May 2023, it seems like the sky's the limit for this WWE big man.

22. Matt Riddle 

I think Matt Riddle is in an extremely interesting situation. The “King of Bros'' appeared to be on top of the world throughout the early parts of 2022, but things kind of fell apart for the former MMA fighter in the second half of the year (his longtime RK-Bro partner, Randy Orton, was taken out of action and then Riddle was suspended), but he’s been in a marquee spot since his return post-WrestleMania. The continuation of his feud with The Bloodline could put him in a prime spot against the Tribal Chief.

21. LA Knight 

Sure, LA Knight isn’t being featured as heavily as he was earlier in 2023, but the clear fan-favorite is still one of the best things on WWE TV week-in and week-out. When given the chance to shine in the ring, the wrestling journeyman consistently proves he’s one of the most exciting wrestlers on the planet. If WWE lets him run with it, LA Knight could be a future world champion, and a contender for Roman Reigns’ belts.

20. The Miz 

Some of you are going to flame me for putting The Miz on this list, but the dude makes the most of every single storyline put in front of him. The writers toss him in with celebrities like Bad Bunny and Logan Paul, and he does a great job. They ask him to do comedy stuff, and he does a great job. They want him to use Miz TV to get other people over? He does a great job. He just gets it. I think he’s one of the greatest mid-card heels ever, right up there with Ted Dibiase and Bobby Heenan, and over the last decade, he’s bounced back up to the top of the card now and again when the right storyline calls for it.

19. Dominik Mysterio

Do I think Dominik Mysterio will be champion by the end of 2023? No. Do I think the son of Rey Mysterio will be WWE Champion at some point in his career? Totally. There are few WWE superstars who generate as much heat as Dominik, and it’s not just “go away” heat. I’m talking NUCLEAR heat. The boos raining down on him are so loud, Dom can barely get in a word. That just doesn’t happen all the time.

18. Finn Bálor 

I wasn't super high on Bálor's long-term prospects after he replaced Edge in Judgment Day, but the stable, like its individual members, has made a lot of improvements since the Bullet Club founder took over the reins. There’s no denying Bálor’s in-ring abilities, and his mic work is some of the best in all of wrestling, which is the perfect combination for a world champion. Before he gets there, Bálor just has to find a way to win the “Big” matches and finally secure a world title after having to give up his Universal Championship the night after he won it back in 2016.

17. Karrion Kross

“Then all-time WWE legend Roman Reigns’ two-year title run was ended by Karrion Kross.” Does that sound like a sentence that should exist? I like Kross. His black and white creepy presentation with Scarlett is already one of the better visual looks in WWE. He’s quite imposing in the ring, and I think his ceiling is really high. Let this dude pay his dues for a while on the main roster and then we can talk about him being a credible threat for a career-defining moment like that.

16. Logan Paul

Logan Paul was never going to win his match against Reigns at Crown Jewel 2022. There was just no way someone with his third career match was going to end the Tribal Chief's amazing run. The best case scenario for him was always going to be to lose in a contested match, while putting in a good performance. Well, mission accomplished. Logan Paul was excellent and looked like he belonged in the main event, which is a tremendous compliment given his limited experience. Then he proved it again with his stellar match against Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 39, which allowed the YouTube star to show his natural talent and charisma on the biggest stage

15. Drew McIntyre 

Shocked! I’m still shocked Clash At The Castle 2022 didn’t end up with Drew McIntyre raising the belts over Reigns. The back-and-forth in that match and all the near falls had me even more convinced, but Triple H and company had other plans. That doesn’t mean McIntyre is done. He’s clearly still one of the biggest names in the company, and can pull off some impressive feats in the ring. Hell, even when he’s losing – like his show-stealing WrestleMania 39 match against IC Champion Gunther and Sheamus – the former WWE Champion looks like an absolute star. Finally coming back to the main event picture and beating Reigns would put the bow on an amazing story.

14. Sheamus 

I’d love to see it. Sheamus has been putting on banger after banger for nearly a decade-and-a-half now in WWE, and while he’s been well-appreciated by many during that run, not nearly enough have recognized the Hall of Fame career he’s having. The crowd is going to need to play a big part here, but if they keep up the energy and appreciation, Sheamus will beat his way through better and better competition. He is more than due for a nice run at the belts, considering it’s been more than seven years since he captured the WWE Championship (by defeating Reigns).

13. Kevin Owens 

Year-in and year-out, Kevin Owens continues to prove he’s not only one of the best WWE superstars today, he’s one of the greatest of all time. In-ring work? He’s got it. The ability to tell a great story? He can cut a promo like nobody’s business. Longevity? Just look at this guy’s career and it speaks for itself. So, why is he so far back? Well, KO and Sami Zayn are the current Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions, and it doesn’t look like their run with the belts is going to be ending anytime soon. However, Owens does have some unfinished business with Reigns.

12. Sami Zayn

Sami Zayn is a perfect example of no one ever being locked into a specific role. He's been one of the most reliable mid-carders on WWE's roster for years, right alongside The Miz. Over the past few years, however, he's reached new heights thanks to the remarkable Bloodline angle, which netted him the Tag Team Championships (and a five-star match) at WrestleMania 39. While Zayn will face Reigns with the Tag Titles on the line at Night of Champions in May 2023, this will probably be the end of his involvement with the Tribal Chief for the time being, as that story begins its next chapter.

11. Damian Priest 

To say Damian Priest is having a good year would be selling the Judgment Day big man extremely short. Ever since joining the group in its earliest days back in 2022, Priest has become one of the most entertaining stars in the company, and it just keeps getting better. Priest looked like an absolute unit in his San Juan Street Fight against Bad Bunny at Backlash 2023. And this could very well be a sign of things to come, especially after the way he performed in the WWE World Heavyweight Championship tournament shortly after.

10. Edge

I’ve enjoyed Edge’s comeback a lot. He’s still sharp in the ring and as good as ever on the microphone. I’m so happy younger fans have gotten to see the Hall of Famer work, but if he was going to win the title, it feels like it already would have happened. The opportunity was certainly there after he won the 2021 Royal Rumble. But, with Edge making it sound like his career will be ending sooner rather than later, the Rated-R Superstar should get one more run at the title, and give Roman Reigns a taste of his own medicine with a mean spear.

9. Austin Theory 

Austin Theory was on a pretty terrible run after Triple H took over, but once he was sufficiently humbled and knocked off the successor pedestal Vince McMahon put him on, he has regained his footing in a big way. He currently holds the United States Championship, and he's been regularly working with top stars like Seth Rollins, Bobby Lashley, and John Cena. It probably won’t be for a while, but there’s no doubting the fact that Theory will soon be in the main event picture.

8. Solo Sikoa 

This one sounds like a wild card, but Solo Sikoa is another WWE superstar who could take the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship off Roman Reigns. I’m not talking short-term, as Reigns’ real-life cousin seems to be his most trusted ally at this point, but it’s only a matter of time, right? This guy has been built up as the next great Samoan wrestler, and it’s not like they’re going to make Solo languish in the lower rungs of the WWE ladder anytime soon. This could be a way to get the belt off Roman and build up the next great champ at the same time.

7. Bobby Lashley 

Bobby Lashley may have lost his United States Championship, but he beat the holy hell out of Brock Lesnar at Crown Jewel 2022, which ultimately led to an remarkable series of matches between the two wrestlers-turned-cagefighters-turned-wrestlers. Ever since then, Lashley has looked better than ever, especially during his triple threat match against Bronson Reed and Austin Theory at Backlash 2023. After being drafted to SmackDown earlier this year, the former WWE Champion could come back for his gold.

6. Jey Uso

The ongoing drama surrounding the Bloodline could go any number of different directions, and one that could provide one of the best examples of long-term storytelling would be Jey Uso taking on and dethroning Roman Reigns. The cousins are currently on the outs after Jey and his brother lost the Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania 39, and it could only get more personal as the faction continues to be torn apart from the inside out. With the Tribal Chief and Solo Sikoa’s big match against Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens at Night of Champions, we could see the next chapter in this ongoing saga unfold.

5. Brock Lesnar

I know what you’re about to say. But Brock Lesnar just lost to Roman twice. How is he ahead of Drew McIntyre (and so many others)? Because if Brock Lesnar had told WWE that he would stick around for six months after SummerSlam and defend the belt at least once a month, I think he would have won. He’s either the biggest or the second biggest attraction in the entire sport, and even though he’s lost a bunch the past year, this is honestly the most I have ever enjoyed him. His mic work -- which was a concern for some without Paul Heyman -- has been spectacular.

4. AJ Styles

AJ Styles is currently set to face Seth Rollins in the finals for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Night of Champions, but he could go after Roman if that match doesn’t go his way. After coming back from injury, the former WWE Champion is looking better than ever, and a program with the Tribal Chief would be a fun one to watch. 

3. Seth Rollins

Seth Freakin’ Rollins is, for my money, the best wrestler in the entire world. He does everything well, and he’s really put in the work over the last year. He’s taken so many stupid losses against people he never should have lost to, and more often not, his match is the best of the night anytime he’s wrestling. The crowd would love to just unapologetically root for him in a match. Rollins is in the finals for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship tournament, but he could always lose and then challenge his former Shield member for the two belts.

2. Gunther

It’s a matter of “when” instead of “if” Gunther will be the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, especially after the year he’s had. His record-breaking Royal Rumble performance was followed by the match of the weekend at WrestleMania 39, and he hasn’t really slowed down since. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Gunther is the best wrestler in WWE and one of the best in the world right now. 

1. Cody Rhodes

After Cody came back to WWE to enormous fanfare and gave us a spectacular match with Seth Rollins, his path to the title seemed so clear. He gave that excellent promo where he talked about his dad and winning the title for him, and it all seemed destined. Every pop from the crowd and every match win just felt like further evidence of what was obviously coming… and then he got hurt. He came back, won the 2023 Royal Rumble, challenged Roman Reigns to a main event match at WrestleMania 39… and then he lost in one of the most controversial endings in the event’s history.

Rhodes didn’t finish his story at WrestleMania, but he did start the next act with a feud with Brock Lesnar, and more to come that will see the “son of a son of a plumber” finally capture the belt that has eluded him like it did his father all those years ago.

Is there anyone else on this list that could make more of that moment? I don’t think so, and until a better candidate presents itself, he’s going to remain at number one.

Kevin Hart and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson are an iconic pairing in and out of Hollywood (even if some believe their friendship is a hoax), but they obviously don’t do everything together. For example, The Rock had a massive wrestling career in the WWE long before he and Hart ever shared scenes together. That could change though, as a recent interview between the two featured Hart calling out WWE giant Brock Lesnar in a way that makes me wonder if they could eventually face off in a ring, as wild an idea as that might be. 

The world knows Kevin Hart for many things, but pro wrestling isn’t one of them, so it was a bit weird to hear him calling out one of the baddest men in sports entertainment all of a sudden. While this could obviously just be two actors riffing and having a good time during an interview, I’m definitely wondering (and more than a little hopeful) about the potential to eventually see Hart and Lesnar squaring off in a WWE wrestling ring.

How Kevin Hart Humorously Called Out Brock Lesnar

Kevin Hart’s bold comments about “The Beast Incarnate” came during an interview with LAD Bible, in which Hart was asked about how he’d fair in the WWE. After Hart gave some humorous answers about a food-based gimmick he’d take on, and having a finger poke for a finishing move of a finger poke, Dwayne Johnson asked him how he’d face someone like Brock Lesnar. The Hart to Heart host kept the big energy rolling in regards to Lesnar, and made some bold and humorous claims about how he’d fair against the legendary wrestler, saying:

I get we’re talking about the WWE, but anybody calling Brock Lesnar a “bitch” in any context never seems like a wise decision. In any case, Kevin Hart is officially on the record with that comment, and thanks to some other rumors floating around, I think this could be the start of an eventual showdown between them.

Could Kevin Hart And Brock Lesnar Really Face Off During A WWE Event?

Kevin Hart in a wrestling ring against Brock Lesnar sounds like straight-up fantasy at first, considering the size difference, but there’s a lot to consider to believe this is a real thing that could happen. The Royal Rumble is typically held in January, and a time when many celebrities from outside of the WWE make an appearance in the massive Men’s and Women’s matches and compete against guys like Lesnar. Given the fact that Kevin Hart once hosted Monday Night Raw, and anyone with a Peacock premium subscription can stream his series Hart To Hart in addition to upcoming WWE pay-per-views, I think there’s a real chance for cross-promotional purposes bringing the comic actor to the organization in a bigger capacity.

Let’s also not forget that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson reportedly took some time off towards the start of 2023, which coincides with the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania season. It’s still rumored that the WWE plans to have The Rock square off against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39, so Kevin Hart might show up within the wrestling organization at that time as well. 

The WWE (and really any organization in the entertainment world) would kill to have Hart and Johnson under the same roof due to their endlessly watchable chemistry, so I think there’s definitely a possibility of it happening, even if it doesn't turn into one of the company's all-time great rivalries. We’ll definitely know something is up if Hart’s comments about Brock Lesnar start making rounds on WWE programming, but for now, we’ll just have to wait to see if there are more updates. 

Monday Night Raw airs on USA on Mondays at 8:00 p.m. ET, and SmackDown is over on Fox on Fridays at the same time. Tune in to each show for lots of wrestling action, and hopefully, some clues that Kevin Hart could be headed back to the WWE.

SummerSlam drove a tractor through Nashville last night and gave WWE fans our first premium live event without Vince McMahon calling the shots. We’re officially living in a Triple H era now. I am here for it, and if the live crowd and Twitter’s reactions are any indication, most fans are here for it too. After all, it’s easy to be invested when the product is good, and more often than not last night, the product was very good.

At its most basic, wrestling is always about telling a story. Sometimes that story is self-contained within the match, but more often than not, the match is simply a portion of a larger story being told. We saw that quite a bit last night at SummerSlam, and we now have a better idea where some characters and storylines may be going from here.

So, on that note, let’s talk about the biggest takeaways from SummerSlam. Let’s talk about where WWE seems to be heading with some of these personalities, and let’s give a few people their flowers for putting on some incredible performances.

Becky Lynch Is A Face Now

I loved Becky’s time as a heel. She was an unhinged mess, and she played the role without any reservations. I’ll fondly remember everything she’s done this year, but I’m ready to root for her again. I think a lot of fans are in the same place too. During the post-match showdown where she joined Bianca Belair against Bayley, Dakota Kai and Io Shirai, she was already getting Becky chants from people sitting ringside.

Last night seemed to be implying we’ll be getting Becky and Bianca working together against this new heel stable, but I’m not entirely convinced that’ll happen over the long haul. Maybe we’ll see Becky move to Smackdown to work with Ronda. Speaking of which…

Ronda Rousey Is A Heel Now

I have no idea if this has been planned for weeks or if Triple H forced this after he took over, but this has been the obvious direction for Ronda’s character for like two months. She was not getting over as a face. Her microphone work was leaving a lot to be desired, and she was having trouble shifting between intensity and positive interactions with the fans. After she got booed as a face at Money In The Bank when it seemed like Liz Morgan’s cash-in was going to fail, we officially passed the point of no return.

But now I’m excited again and I think you should be too! The wrestling world has collectively focused on some of Ronda’s issues over the past few months, but we can’t forget how many incredible positives she brings into the ring too! She works a very believable and rough-looking style. She’s naturally athletic and unlike a lot of other famous faces on WWE’s roster, is willing to work as a regular performer showing up on TV most weeks. As a merciless aggressor who just attacks everyone in her path, she could be the most feared woman on the roster again. This is a fresh start, and I’m here for it!

Logan Paul Is A Potential Future WWE Champion

I really liked everything Logan Paul did at WrestleMania. I loved everything he did here. And that’s coming from a total hater. I wrote an entire article earlier this week about how stupid it was to make him a face in this match against The Miz. I thought it made no sense and couldn’t see any way the crowd would cheer for the social media influencer turned superstar. Well, I was wrong. The match ended with the crowd giving him a huge pop thanks in part to a giant frog splash from the top ropes to the announcer’s table.

I don’t know what Logan Paul’s future is in WWE. We know he signed an extended contract, but it’s an open question as to whether that means he’s scheduled to do an extended run where he’s on television every week. He would need that level of repetition to improve enough in the ring and get over with fans enough to be a possible world champion, but the ceiling is so high with this dude. I mean… that was his second real match. It’s unbelievable. I’m not saying he’s going to be WWE Champion, but if he decides this is something he wants to do and commits, he’ll get there.

The Miz Is Really Freaking Good And People Need To Put Respect On His Name

How many times does this dude need to over-deliver before we admit how good he is? Logan Paul was only taking part in his second real WWE match ever. The crowd was very skittish and almost apprehensive going into it because they weren’t sure whether to root for or boo the YouTuber, as he’s a heelish baby face. Plus, because of Paul’s busy schedule, the two have only shared the screen to try and build the match a few times total since WrestleMania. And yet, these dudes went over fourteen minutes. And even more impressively, Logan Paul got an eruption of cheers after the match ended 

Most people are going to point to Logan Paul’s frog splash from the top rope to the announcer’s table and rightfully so. That was a thing of beauty. But this match doesn’t work without a great story being told in the ring. This match doesn’t work without The Miz very quickly establishing a great rhythm and chemistry with a dude who has almost no WWE wrestling experience. This match doesn’t work without The Miz being one of the few performers in all of wrestling with a strong enough heel background to get boos against Logan Paul. This guy is a first ballot Hall of Famer, and he does a great job with whatever material he has to work with. Also, I’d like to give a quick shoutout to Maryse, who always helps elevate The Miz to another level.

Brock Lesnar Can Come Back Anytime He Wants

Brock Freaking Lesnar, man. Because of all the injuries on WWE’s roster, Brock Lesnar was one of the few people who could have main evented SummerSlam with Roman Reigns and gotten fans excited. Obviously that excitement was muted because they just faced each other at WrestleMania, but people love Brock and were excited for this main event, even if they complained on Twitter. I was excited too, but I was also worried. I was pretty sure Brock was going to lose so Roman had the belt at Clash At The Castle, but I didn’t want any part of seeing Brock lose again. If you’re positioned to be an unstoppable force, you can’t keep getting stopped.

But I somehow left this man event after another Brock Lesnar loss even more excited to see Brock Lesnar again. The dude is just an electric factory. He knows exactly how long he should talk on the microphone. He has so much freaking fun in the ring, and because there were so many shenanigans going on at ringside and he ended up buried under a pile of rubble, I didn’t really think that loss hurt him so much. I think most people will just remember that absurd tractor lift. That’s not to say I want him to take another L against Roman, but if WWE announced he was going to be around for the next six months, I’d be ecstatic. He's awesome, and I would watch him feud with anyone on the roster. 

The Future Of The Women’s Division Is So Exciting

I have no idea if WWE will be able to fix its issues with Sasha Banks and Naomi. I really hope they do, but I don’t think any of us know the full story of what’s going on behind the scenes there. But whether they come back or not, I am all-in on the women’s division right now. It is absolutely stacked. Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, Asuka, Alexa Bliss, Ronda Rousey and Liv Morgan is collectively the most exciting crop of performers in the history of wrestling, and that’s not even including a half dozen or more extremely capable mid-card women who play their roles well. Now we can throw in Bayley, Io Shirai and Dakota Kai, who all returned at SummerSlam, and there is not enough time on weekly programming to tell all the stories I want to see.

I hope Triple H brings back the women’s tag team belts. I hope he mixes up the deck enough to give all these women chances to work with each other. I hope a ton of other things, but mostly, I’m going to shut my mouth and trust Triple H to do this division justice. The future has never been brighter, and I cannot freaking wait to see what it’s going to deliver.

SummerSlam 2022 is coming up, and once again, we’re talking about a major match between two of the WWE’s biggest superstars: Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar. This rivalry was cemented long before this latest match, but with Roman Reigns’ Undisputed Championship titles and streak on the line, there’s no denying there’s some added weight to this showdown compared to some of their past battles. Either man winning on Saturday is likely “best for business” when it comes to the WWE, but which is the best outcome for fans? 

It’s a loaded question to consider, but there are a few things to think about ahead of using that Peacock premium subscription to watch the throwdown go down. Here are some of the pros and cons to either superstar winning and some things we’ll have to accept after the finish. 

Brock Lesnar Pro: Ending Roman Reigns Tremendous Streak Adds To His Legacy

In terms of legendary icons in the wrestling industry like John Cena, Brock Lesnar’s accolades aren't quite as lofty. And yet, Lesnar is viewed and booked as someone almost as highly regarded, and a big part of that is built around the mythos that he’s an unstoppable beast that will take even the most successful wrestlers to their absolute limit. We saw this when he toppled The Undertaker’s legendary streak at WrestleMania 30 in 2014, but he could use another major achievement to keep that reputation alive. 

Roman Reigns hasn’t taken a pin in a match since December of 2019, and if there’s one person capable of breaking that tremendous streak, it’s Brock Lesnar. It’s an impressive feat that adds to some already astonishing accolades in Lesnar’s WWE career and one that greatly strengthens the argument he’s one of the best to ever work in the company.

Brock Lesnar Con: Winning Feels Risky For The WWE Considering Recent Rumors

There are some part-time superstars that the WWE works with where it seems the the company needs them much more than the superstar needs the WWE. Brock Lesnar is one of those wrestlers, and after he allegedly walked out of SmackDown (and later returned) following Vince McMahon’s retirement (via New York Post), I’d wager there’s some hesitation in booking him to beat Roman Reigns at SummerSlam 2022. I think fans might feel uneasy about the decision as well, especially if Lesnar does end up leaving with the belts. 

It's unlikely Lesnar would literally walk with the titles, though it's certainly happened in wrestling before, but who knows what upcoming WWE events like Clash at the Castle he's even scheduled to work. Who knows if he would agree to take on a larger schedule? And yeah, who knows what would happen if he ran into some kind of creative conflict with Triple H now that McMahon is gone? The Undisputed Titles are a little too important to the ecosystem of the WWE to hand off to a part-timer with so many question marks, though that’s just my opinion as a fan. 

Brock Lesnar Pro: Beating Reigns Would Better Set Up Roman For A Potential Match Against The Rock At WrestleMania

It’s still not officially confirmed, but there is reason to believe due to his scheduling that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will return to the WWE to square off against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39. It’s worth noting that The Rock is a legendary figure in the WWE, but the idea of him coming out of retirement and being a credible opponent for Roman is a little far-fetched. Realistically, wouldn't we expect the Undisputed WWE Champion to make short work of a superstar that hasn't wrestled a lengthy match in almost a decade?

Roman Reigns needs a fall from grace to at least sell the storyline of a match versus The Rock. Also, removing major titles from the match removes the immediate expectation Reigns will win, as Dwayne Johnson is far too busy in Hollywood to win a WWE title and stick around. Losing to Brock Lesnar, I think, puts Reigns on a path for the rest of the year that further justifies a feud with The Rock and a subsequent match with appropriate stakes and an unpredictable outcome. 

Roman Reigns Pro: Winning Would Be A Great Definitive End To The Brock Lesnar Rivalry

The WWE has a tendency to run popular wrestling rivalries into the ground, and I think we’re at that point with Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns. With both men tied at 3-3 after seven major matches (due to Seth Rollins’ electrifying cash-in victory at WrestleMania 31), SummerSlam 2022 presents an opportunity to serve as a capstone to this rivalry. 

If that’s the case, I think it’s fitting that Roman Reigns definitively ends it with a win. After all, he’s shouldered the legwork of the feud as the full-timer performer between the two over the years, and we just never know for sure just how much longer Brock Lesnar will perform in the WWE. If Lesnar wins, there’s that obligation for Reigns to demand a rematch, which means another match down the line. Lesnar losing twice in a row feels like he’s lost the right to just openly challenge Reigns in the future, but this is the WWE. Anything can happen, especially if the numbers justify it happening again. 

Roman Reigns Con: Winning Makes It Feel Like No One Has A Shot Against Him

I previously mentioned Roman Reigns' impressive no-pin streak, which is really astonishing given some of the opponents he beat in the past two years. Reigns retaining the Undisputed titles against Brock Lesnar twice in one year really makes him feel like an unstoppable force, and I think it’d be silly to see him, for example, immediately drop the titles to Drew McIntyre at Clash at the Castle a month later. 

Part of a problem with booking a wrestler to be an unstoppable champion is the challenge of booking another person to be the one who finally beats them. Part of the reason we keep seeing Lesnar and Reigns is that there are few wrestlers on the roster who are canonically capable of convincingly beating Reigns. Lesnar, on the other hand, feels more beatable with his match record in 2022 so far (which includes a loss, albeit with interference, to Bobby Lashley), so perhaps giving the titles to him makes it easier to believe he’d drop it the very next month if that was in the cards.

Roman Reigns Pro: A Win Would Likely Continue His Incredible Run

It’s not often that a WWE champion goes years without being pinned and is still wildly over. Roman Reigns wasn’t always the beloved heel of the WWE, but the cheers during the recent Monday Night Raw at Madison Square Garden show that there are still way more people who love Roman than not these days. If his streak continued after SummerSlam 2022, would that really be all that bad? 

Roman Reigns’ Tribal Chief era is some of the best work he’s done in the WWE, and it’s still popular, so why stop now? Outside of the fact he’s holding two of the biggest championships in the brand right now, I don’t have a problem with the gimmick. That said, I would like to see him drop the titles eventually, though maybe it doesn’t have to happen at SummerSlam 2022. 

What About Theory’s Cash In? 

Theory’s threat of a cash-in at SummerSlam 2022 doesn’t really feel like a pro or con at this stage. Personally, I’d love to see it happen, but with Dolph Ziggler’s latest return and sudden feud against Theory, I’m not sure I see it happening. We’ll wait and see what happens, though, and who knows? Maybe Theory will be the unexpected Undisputed Champion when it’s all said and done on Saturday. 

WWE’s SummerSlam PPV streams on Peacock on Saturday, July 30th. Tune in for a night of exciting matches. One major one may have gotten gotten scratched, but there's still a ton on the card. Check out our full SummerSlam predictions.

This is normally the part of the article where I’d excitedly talk about how you should be pumped for SummerSlam because it’s one of the biggest upcoming events on WWE’s calendar. In all honesty, though, the biggest reason I’m excited for SummerSlam this year is because it’s the first premium live event without Vince McMahon. Regardless of how you feel about the departed WWE founder, that’s exciting because none of us have any idea what’s about to happen. He’s had the final say on which performers to push and which performers to bury for the entirety of WWE’s historic run. Now Triple H is in charge of where things are going, and he’s going to see the same ring from a different perspective.

As a fan, I’m incredibly fired up. Setting aside the upsetting sexual misconduct allegations and purely looking at the in-ring product, I tend to come down in the middle on Vince McMahon. He’s been involved in or responsible for booking many of the greatest moments in the history of this business, but he also very clearly has a specific style and prefers certain wrestlers, even if better storylines could have been told elsewhere. Now we have someone new in charge who is going to see things in an entirely different way, which means the expected outcomes are out the window.

As a premium live event prediction writer, I’m terrified. Since I started doing these every month with WrestleMania 38, I’ve successfully picked 26 matches and only missed 8. That’s pretty damn good, especially considering two of my misses were Theory being added to the Money In The Bank match right before it happened and that New Day vs Sheamus and Ridge match which lasted about 90 seconds because of time issues at ‘Mania. But that was me trying to think like Vince and Bruce Prichard. I’m not really sure how to think like Triple H, especially since I’m only an occasional NXT viewer. But there’s no point in whining, complaining or making excuses. I’ve got more forecaster hat on, and I’m ready to get to it…

The Usos (Champions) Vs The Street Profits For The Undisputed Tag Team Titles

There’s nothing people love more than talking about how Montez Ford is a rising star. Even Angelo Dawkins said the other day that he’ll be a world champion at some point, but in order for that to happen, he needs to have some forward momentum. It’s great to see The Street Profits in prominent positions on TV every week, but some sort of forward progress needs to be made here. They can’t just be tag team contenders for another year.

So, in my opinion, the logical thing to do is either have The Street Profits win the belts and extend the feud with The Usos or they should lose and break up. One of them should blame the other, and they should move on to singles careers. It would be a nightmare if they fell down the card and were having dance-offs with Jinder Mahal and Shanky (no offense to them). 

Given, if they were going to break up, I would think WWE would tease it a bit more, I’m going to go with them winning the title here, with The Usos finally dropping the belts. If that does happen, though, huge shoutout to The Usos. They've been tremendous during this entire run and need to remain in prominent positions regardless.

Predicted Winner: The Street Profits

Pat McAfee Vs Happy Corbin

A lot of these matches are hard to predict. This one is not. Pat McAfee is all kinds of over with the crowd. I’m not saying he’s mid-80s Hulk Hogan or prime Stone Cold, but he’s the most over full-time announcer I can ever remember. Add that to the fact that people love booing Happy Corbin, and it seems pretty obvious what WWE needs to do.

Putting McAfee over here, especially in a fun way, would be a huge injection of momentum into the crowd. It would give them a reason to cheer (and sing along if he comes out to “Seven Nation Army”), and a loss would be very deflating, especially since Vince McMahon booked himself to beat McAfee at ‘Mania as a way to set up the Austin surprise. 

That’s not to say I advocate making every booking decision based on the crowd. Sometimes you need to swerve, but swerves are best when they help achieve a long-term goal. Happy Corbin just lost to Madcap Moss. He seems destined to stick around the mid-card. A win here does nothing for him. So, expect McAfee in a fun match the crowd is really into.

Predicted Winner: Pat McAfee

Bobby Lashley (Champion) Vs Theory For The United States Championship

I have no idea who will be most affected by Triple H running the show. What I do know, however, is that on paper, no character should be more affected by Vince McMahon’s departure than Theory. For months, he’s been painted as Vince’s henchman and the next golden child. Roman Reigns referenced this on Monday Night Raw when he said Theory’s “daddy” is gone. Whether Triple H sees the same thing in the incredibly talented twenty-four year old is an open question.

As it pertains to this particular match, however, I think there’s a pretty obvious outcome, whether McMahon is here or not. Theory has signaled very directly for weeks that he’s going to cash in his Money In The Bank contract after the Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar match against whoever wins, which will be at the end of SummerSlam. When he does that, I don’t think it makes sense for him to have the United States Championship. I know WWE has been consolidating a lot of the belts, but it would be wild to put the United States Championship, the WWE Championship and the Universal Championship all on Theory. He’s not 1998 Goldberg.

So, I think, for purely storyline purposes, it makes the most sense for Theory to charge to the ring with his contract without the United States Championship. Plus, I just really don’t see WWE wanting Lashley to take a clean loss to Austin Theory. I see how talented he is. I believe in him long-term, but he’s like a hundred pounds lighter and way too much of a sniveling heel at this point.

Predicted Winner: Bobby Lashley

Liv Morgan (Champion) Vs Ronda Rousey For The Smackdown Women’s Championship

Were all the cheers when Liv Morgan ran down to the ring at Money In The Bank because people wanted to see her finally become champion or were they because people were ready to see Ronda Rousey lose? I think it was a little of both, and that presents a big problem for Triple H and the writers to solve moving forward. Something needs to change about Ronda Rousey’s presentation. She can’t be a main event face and be getting openly rooted against, even in a face versus face match-up. It’s okay for the crowd to be split, but from the sound of it, they weren’t very split at all at Money In The Bank. 90% or more of the crowd was rooting for Liv.

But that shouldn’t come as a shock given how indifferent fans have been to most of her promos. 

Let’s just be honest. Ronda hasn’t connected in the way anyone hoped since she returned at the Royal Rumble in January, but there is still time to fix this. It takes most people a few tries to really connect with the crowd. Just ask Roman Reigns or John Cena. She needs a manager. Or she needs a different visual presentation, or, in my opinion, she needs to turn heel, possibly with a manager. I predict that’s going to happen here. I think Liv Morgan makes it a better than expected match. I think she starts getting the crowd on her side. I think she starts getting the upper hand and Ronda cheats in some kind of meaningful way to win. Maybe she cuts a promo afterwards telling the fans off and saying she’s gonna do whatever she wants? That’s my hope anyway.

Predicted Winner: Ronda Rousey

Logan Paul Vs The Miz

Logan Paul is going to beat The Miz because this win does nothing for The Miz and it does everything to establish Logan Paul as a serious player in WWE over the next few years. The Miz has moved up and down the card for a decade and a half. He’ll be fine losing here, especially considering how famous Logan Paul is.

What I’m far more interested in is whether Logan Paul leaves his match as a heel or a face. Right now, he’s supposed to be a baby face, which makes about as much sense as trying to make a late 80s Bobby Heenan a baby face. Some guys are born to wear the black hat. To me, he’s the cheating, smirking embodiment of a heel. It’s just so obvious. Look at this insane motion graphic he made earlier this week. Heel. Heel. Heel. It’s hard to imagine WWE fans fully embracing him with cheers anytime in the near future.

Maybe Triple H gets that. Maybe he’ll use this opportunity to solidify Logan Paul as a heel and give him some real jerk store momentum coming out of it. Or maybe they’re determined to power through and try to eventually get him over. I don’t know. Regardless, I feel confident he’ll walk out as a winner hopefully in a fun match.

Predicted Winner: Logan Paul

The Mysterios Vs The Judgment Day

This all comes down to what the future of Judgment Day is going to look like. Two months ago, they were an incredibly hot stable that seemed destined for big things. Then Edge got thrown out and replaced by Finn Balor in a move that’s confusing from both a real and kayfabe perspective. Then Rhea Ripley was off television for what felt like a month, and suddenly, Damian Priest and Balor were feuding with the Mysterios in lower card action. Life comes at you fast.

I still think The Judgment Day can and should be a kick-ass stable. All three of the performers can wrestle really well. They’ve got a pretty cool look. I want WWE to keep fighting through, but there seem to be plenty of others on the internet who think the writers should wash their hands with it and let all three performers go back to doing their own things. How Triple H feels is anyone’s guess. If he wants to wash his hands of it, the best thing to do would be for the team to lose clean to the Mysterios.

I don’t think that’s going to happen. My guess is either Rhea Ripley will interfere and win the match for Judgment Day or Edge will make a surprise return and screw over Judgment Day, as their inevitable confrontation is coming at some point. Without a ton of confidence, I’ll go with Edge showing up, which would launch a feud between him and probably Balor moving forward.

Predicted Winner: The Mysterios

Bianca Belair (Champion) vs Becky Lynch For The Raw Women’s Championship

I’m so freaking excited for this match. Both of these women are generational talents and somehow still improving every month. Their chemistry together is really fluid and natural, and with all due respect to Cody Rhodes and Seth Freakin Rollins, their match at WrestleMania was the best of the entire event for my money. We’re so lucky to be able to watch them slug it out again. 

Now, what’s going to happen is anyone’s guess. They’re without question the top two women in the entire division. Either could go on a two year long run with the belt and totally deserve it. So, the question is really which of the two spectacular options does Triple H want to take. If he keeps the belt on Bianca, I think he needs to move Lynch to Smackdown and let her grab the title from Ronda or Liv or push her into some sort of other compelling feud worthy of her talent. 

If she wins, then Bianca is obviously going to need a rematch, and this feud is just going to continue. On the one hand, I would love that. On the other hand, it would be nice to see them do other things, especially since Charlotte and Bayley are going to return at some point, Alexa Bliss seems to ready to jump back into the main event picture and with Vince McMahon gone, it’s possible we could get Sasha and/ or Naomi back. For those reasons, I think Bianca is going to win, and we’re going to move on from this feud for a bit.

Predicted Winner: Bianca Belair

Roman Reigns (Champion) Vs Brock Lesnar For The Undisputed WWE Universal Championship

I have mixed feelings on doing Roman and Brock again. I don’t mind it so much from a purely watching the match standpoint. In fact, I’m kind of excited. It’s not going to be Kurt Angle and Bret Hart, but it’s always compelling in an Andre The Giant and Hulk Hogan kind of way. Plus, I’d rather have an opponent for Roman that could actually win. If he was wrestling Riddle or Kevin Owens or whoever, there wouldn’t be much doubt about the match’s outcome. No offense to those dudes, who are great, but WWE isn’t going to put two belts on them. 

The reason I’m not more excited, however, at least beyond we just saw this at WrestleMania 38, is that I don’t want either one of these guys taking a loss. It undermines Brock’s character to have him take a second consecutive L to Roman Reigns on a big stage, and it’s kind of stupid, in my opinion, to keep the belt on Roman for two years and then drop it to a part-timer like Lesnar. This should have been Cody’s moment or maybe Randy Orton or maybe Bray Wyatt in a surprise return.

So, who is going to win? Well, considering both Roman and Brock are essentially part-timers right now, let me reframe this question. Who does WWE want to face Drew McIntyre (or Sheamus but really, Drew McIntyre) in the main event at Clash At The Castle? It’s hard for me not to think that answer is Roman Reigns, and while I don’t love Drew being the one to end Roman’s run, him winning the belt in Europe would be such a great callback moment to British Bulldog in 1992. So, I’m going to say Roman retrains, but I’m not confident.

Predicted Winner: Roman Reigns

Whoever Wins (Champion) Vs Theory For The Undisputed WWE Universal Championship

It’s not just that WWE has been teasing this cash-in for weeks. They’ve been outright saying it. Theory has made it very clear he’s going to cash in as soon as this match is over, assumedly on a winner that’s just gotten the hell beaten out of them. As we know, Money In The Bank cash-ins succeed an overwhelming majority of the time. 

This one is going to fail. I know Theory is a rising star. He’s done a great job of generating heat with this contract. His future is really bright, but Clash At The Castle needs a main event of either Roman Reigns vs Drew McIntyre or Brock Lesnar vs Drew McIntyre. Theory is just not at that point in his career. Besides, the audience loves to hate him, and watching him try to cash-in and lose would be such a great way to end SummerSlam.

Predicted Winner: Cash-In Fails And Either Roman Reigns Or Brock Lesnar Retains.

WWE’s SummerSlam is just around the corner, and there’s reason to be excited. A lot of major matches are happening in the big show, including Roman Reigns putting his Undisputed titles on the line in another epic showdown with Brock Lesnar (which not everyone is happy about). With just days to go before it starts, the main event may have already been spoiled in a truly forehead-smacking way. 

San Diego Comic-Con is underway, and Mattel has some of its upcoming WWE action figures on display. Multiple sources report a very interesting figure in particular, which seems like a big spoiler to the upcoming main event. Here’s what we know and how it might signal a major shift in the organization.

Mattel Is Reportedly Releasing A New Brock Lesnar Figure

CinemaBlend is on the scene at San Diego Comic-Con to check out all the cool toys on display at San Diego Comic-Con, and it seems like Mattel might’ve introduced its Brock Lesnar figure a bit too early. Take a look:

That’s Brock Lesnar, holding both the WWE and Universal titles in his hands. Now, wrestling fans might wonder if this is a guarantee that Lesnar is walking out of SummerSlam victorious over the increasingly absent Roman Reigns, and while we can't say that for sure, there is some compelling evidence to consider. 

Brock Lesnar Has Both Belts

Brock Lesnar has held the Universal and WWE titles in his career, but there’s something interesting about this figure in particular. The Universal title changed colors from red to blue after Bray Wyatt defeated Seth Rollins for the title in 2019 (via WWE). Since then, only Wyatt, Goldberg, Braun Strowman, and Roman Reigns have held the blue variant Universal Championship. 

In short, Lesnar’s action figure is holding a title he’s technically never had before, and it presumably will be packaged in a future release with the figure. It’s possible that Mattel just wanted to include it so that fans can create scenarios for Lesnar to win during their play, but the timing is very suspicious with SummerSlam only a little over a week away. 

Brock Lesnar Has His Samurai Knot

Another thing worth mentioning is that this Ultimate Series Brock Lesnar is more in-line with the modern look that Brock Lesnar is showcasing these days. This figure is rocking a samurai knot, and I’m guessing this might be his in-ring look at SummerSlam on the big day. Based on all this, it’s possible that Roman Reigns’ impressive title run is coming to an end very soon. It also could tease that Theory won’t cash in during the main event after all, or he will be unsuccessful (which would be a shame because I’m for the Theory chaos). 

Of course, many wrestling fans know the outcome of a match can change on a dime. It’s possible that the mere reporting of this could inspire Vince McMahon and other decision-makers to flip the ending just to keep fans on their toes. Then again, if the Brock Lesnar toy is shipping out to the masses with both belts, would it be a good business move to sell it even if he doesn’t have the titles? Reigns losing feels like the end of an era, which might be fitting considering the big rating change coming to Monday Night Raw. 

It’s all a lot to think about as Peacock Premium subscribers prepare to stream SummerSlam on Saturday, July 30. Wrestling fans can tune in, and stay up to date on what else is happening with our list of upcoming WWE events. 

Theory is in possession of the WWE’s Money in the Bank briefcase, which means there's a good chance he'll be winning the WWE’s top titles sometime in the next year. It’s even possible he could win big as early as SummerSlam, if not one of the other upcoming major events where Roman Reigns will defend his undisputed titles. There are many fans who feel a certain kind of way about that, but I personally believe this cash-in could be the best one the WWE’s had in a long time. 

Money in the Bank cash-ins are always memorable, but it feels as though the WWE really has something special on the way for Theory. It might just be what he needs to launch himself as a bonafide main event superstar, and ultimately inject some more life into the WWE. Let’s talk things out below, and get into the reasons why Theory’s eventual cash-in might be one that fans remember for a long time.

Theory Is The Most Polarizing Star The WWE Has Right Now

I don’t think it’s any secret at this point that some of the wrestling world is pretty lukewarm on Theory. While there’s no denying he has skills as an in-ring talent, and he’s pretty handy on the mic, he’s still pretty green to the WWE world at large. And yet, it would appear as if the top brass handed him the keys to the kingdom and an easy road to the championship with his latest Money in the Bank win, which tends to create problems for athletes. 

Wrestling fans might have a short memory on occasion, but there was definitely a time when Roman Reigns was given the same stamp of approval by the WWE long-before audiencea were ready to accept him as “Head of the Table.” Peacock Premium subscribers may or may not find tons of evidence for it in past matches due to post-event editing, but live crowds weren’t all that hyped about Reigns in the early days. He got almost nuclear heat from fans when he first ascended to the main event scene, and it took a long time for that to change. 

In the end, though, Roman Reigns won over the crowd, and it’s hard to argue against the WWE's choice to thrust him into the spotlight when they did. I think the fact that Theory is still so polarizing gives him the opportunity to rise in the same way Reigns did, and launch what could ultimately become a very marquee-worthy career. In fairness, I personally believe Theory is ready for a major title run, even if that’s an opinion other wrestling fans don’t share.

A Cash-in On Roman Reigns’ Undisputed Championship Would Be Absolute Insanity

When Austin Theory appeared on Monday Night Raw and SmackDown to tease a cash-in following Brock Lesnar’s match against Roman Reigns at SummerSlam, he even mentioned during the Raw appearance it’d be bigger than Seth Rollins' cash-in during WrestleMania 31, and he’s not necessarily wrong in stating that. Seth Rollins’ WrestleMania victory will go down in WWE history as an all-time great moment for pro wrestling, but on paper, a Theory win would be much more epic. 

After all, Rollins only defeated Reigns and Lesnar for one title. It only makes sense that defeating the same two men for both the WWE and Universal titles would technically be better, even if he does it at SummerSlam and not WrestleMania. The crowd went absolutely nuts for Rollins' cash-in, and I think they’d do the same for Theory, even those who are more on the fence about him. 

The thing I like about Theory is that he has this type of heat similar to what The Miz had in his early years. It's been a while since we've had a run where someone deemed "undeserving" held the title (outside of Reigns' naysayers) and I think a return to that would reinvigorate some passion in the fandom. That'd be especially true if he ends up holding the two biggest titles and then somehow would also defeat Bobby Lashley for the United States championship in one night. It's a big prediction, and would be a bold move for the WWE if it happened, but I’m not against it in the slightest. 

Would Theory winning the undisputed title signal the start of a whole new era of the WWE? I'm not sure, but in an era that’s seen giant bruisers like Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns battling time and time again, we’re past due for some chaos even if fans like the matchup. By giving Theory the title win through some undeserved heel fashion, it could make the title more vulnerable in that the most protected superstars in the company aren’t holding it indefinitely for another year. 

Pushing Theory Provides A Shake Up The WWE Desperately Needs

Roman Reigns captured the Universal Championship back in August of 2020, and if he retains it through SummerSlam, he’d likely be holding the title without dropping it for more than two full years. That’s a long time for any champion to hang onto one of the WWE’s most prestigious titles, especially since Reigns is spending more and more time away from televised shows. Things feel even worse for the main title picture now that he has the WWE Championship as well, since two of the WWE’s biggest titles are off-limits more often than not. Reigns has even been removed from events he was originally scheduled to compete at, which is disappointing. 

Should Roman Reigns lose his title to Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam, it'd only create an incrementally better scenario. Lesnar holding the titles as a part-timer could presumably lead to the same situation as Reigns, which would mean the championships would be kept out of play until another major pay-per-view. Lesnar and Reigns have both dominated the major title scene for some time, so it’s understandable that not everyone in the fan community is thrilled at the prospect of either keeping possession of either title. 

Theory might be the new “chosen one’ by WWE, but he’s also the freshest face we’ve seen get a shot at main event status in some time. Most everyone in the upper echelon is a well-established icon at this point who will ultimately end up in the WWE Hall of Fame, generally speaking. So with its Theory experiment, the WWE may turn things enjoyably on their head. On the flip side, it could backfire completely, causing the company to move on after sweeping things under the metaphorical rug. At this stage, I’m ready to see them roll the dice and let an up-and-coming superstar achieve the highest honors. Of course, I’m wholly assuming his cash-in will be successful, while ignoring the very real possibility that he’ll cash-in and lose the match. Even so, I’d prefer to see him take that kinda risk and throw fate to the wind in order to mix things up in the WWE. 

SummerSlam will stream on PPV and Peacock on Saturday, July 30th. If Theory doesn’t cash in his briefcase there, it’s possible we’ll see it at one of the other upcoming events, so be sure to keep that streaming subscription active. 

WWE has decided to run back the main event of WrestleMania 38 at SummerSlam. To the surprise of many, Vince McMahon and company have chosen Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar to main event what’s arguably the company’s second biggest premium live event of the year. Fan reactions have been, from my perspective, a bit mixed with a lot of excitement over seeing Lesnar again to a lot of frustration over not giving each a new program. Former WCW headman Eric Bischoff is among those fans who weighed in, and his perspective is quite intesting to consider.

The longtime booker, who even ran Smackdown for awhile, was on the Strictly Business podcast, and he’s digging the Reigns/ Lesnar storyline and the quick build. He admitted it’s obviously a “plan B” but said there are risks that come with grabbing someone else off the roster and trying to get the program over in just five weeks. If it fails, it would be a huge long-term set back to someone else, especially if they were younger. Here’s a portion of his quote via Wrestling Inc…

I’d love to tell you he’s absolutely right or scream about how he’s absolutely wrong, but I honestly just don’t know. What the hell to do here is such a complicated problem. My guess is they were going to go to Riddle at Money In The Bank and Randy Orton at SummerSlam as like a little brother, big brother escalating stakes situation. The match at SummerSlam would have been so hot with the crowd, and while I think Roman would have kept the title, Orton could won and created a really memorable moment. That was a great plan, but injuries are injuries, and Orton’s injury poured cold water on that.

So, if you’re WWE here, what do you do? Your options are you grab someone from the current roster or you bring back Brock Lesnar (or Bray Wyatt!). Now, who are the realistic candidates on the current roster that could build a program in five weeks and you could at least squint at thinking maybe, maybe they could win? Drew McIntyre is off the table because he’s going to be the headline challenger at the UK-based event Clash At The Castle in September. Cody Rhodes is hurt. So, that leaves Riddle, Bobby Lashley, Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, AJ Styles and Sheamus? Edge maybe?

I agree with Bischoff completely in the case of Riddle. Yes, I know they had a banger of a match on Smackdown, but that’s not the same thing as main eventing SummerSlam. How many promos would they have even been able to do together before a hypothetical SummerSlam match? I get there’s some built in history there from the Usos programs, but at no point in any of that did Riddle seem like a believable candidate to beat Roman Reigns. That’s why watching him perform better than expected but losing at Money In The Bank to set up Randy Orton would have been perfect. I think WWE was right to stay away from that program. Just as they’re right to stay away from Gunther, who needs time to keep building.

Seth Rollins is an unhinged madman in the best ways right now, but he just wrestled Roman Reigns at Royal Rumble. I love everything Kevin Owens is doing right now with Elias/ Ezekiel/ Elrod way too much to abandon that storyline. AJ Styles is an all-time great. I’d love to give him anther title run, but his character has way too many recent losses. I think the best option probably would have been Bobby Lashley, whose current program with Austin Theory feels like it’s missing the likes of Ravishing Rick Rude and Dino Bravo and is probably just a speedbump before Theory and John Cena at SummerSlam anyway. But would they really take the belt off Reigns and put it on Lashley right now? No way.

Someone needs to wrestle Roman Reigns, and WWE does not want SummerSlam to feel like a blow-off premium live event. Most of these options would have felt like blow-offs. Brock Lesnar makes it feel like a legitimate main event, even if it’s not the most exciting rematch. So, am I as fired up for this as I was for WrestleMania? No. Do I wish we were getting a different outcome? Yes. But to Eric Bischoff’s point, it makes a lot of sense for WWE to choose this path; so, I’m just going to take the F5 and enjoy the ride.

WWE turned some heads when it first announced it would be holding three stadium shows this summer. The plan was to put Money In The Bank at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, SummerSlam at Nissan Stadium in Nashville and Clash At The Castle at Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Well, upon further review, that’s not actually happening. WWE reportedly sent out emails to everyone who bought tickets to Money In The Bank, informing them the location was being changed to the MGM Grand Garden Arena, which is also located in Vegas but has a much smaller capacity.

Now, we don’t know exactly what happened here. Most people on Twitter are obviously jumping to the conclusion that WWE could not move enough tickets and didn’t want the stadium to have a lot of empty seats. That would make sense given Allegiant Stadium likely would have been set up to hold 35,000 to 45,000 and the MGM Grand Garden Arena will likely be set up to hold more in the 15,000 range. I assume WWE will comment at some point, but until then and probably even after then, wrestling fans are going to speculate away.

Also worth speculating on is a pretty big change to the event’s marketing materials. Earlier today, wrestling writer Sean Ross Sapp tweeted out the email fans got informing them of the change and how to buy tickets for the new venue. This is the picture that was included in the email…

Now, you’re probably looking at it and noticing a few key people who are missing. Well, there are actually more than a few key people missing. Most of the people on the original marketing materials are now gone. Some of that may be a creative choice of who to feature, but a lot of it is likely because many of these big names are no longer scheduled to be on the show. I’m talking, of course, about Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar and Ronda Rousey. 

Not surprisingly, Sasha Banks is also gone, along with Charlotte Flair who is taking some time off this summer. Becky Lynch and Bobby Lashley have also been removed, though given their prominence in current storylines and seeming commitment to WWE, I’m not going to read too much into that. I'd also hold off with Ronda, as I think a lot of stuff still needs to be figured out with her in WWE.

You can check out the original poster below…

Changes were always going to be made to the poster. Cody Rhodes was always going to be added. It makes way more sense to put Bianca Belair in a more prominent role. Riddle is really hot right now. It’s nice to see him get some shine. I’m the biggest Miz fan in the world; so, I’m happy to see him on the poster too, as well as The Street Profits who deserve way more shine than they usually get. They’re terrific. But from an objective standpoint, is this lineup more appealing to the average fan than one that has Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns? It’s clearly not. 

WWE has been trying to push Money In The Bank as the fifth key premium live event on the yearly schedule alongside WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, SummerSlam and Survivor Series. It’s certainly a big deal with a key role to play in plotlines, but this may be a sign that the event doesn’t hold quite the same ticket-drawing appeal as the other major ones. Or maybe it’s a sign that Las Vegas isn’t the best venue for this size of a wrestling show. WrestleMania 9 was in Las Vegas at Caesars Palace, but that was in a smaller venue of around 16,000. Or maybe it’s a thoughtful WWE retreat after they realized announcing Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar, maybe Ronda and more being gone would reduce the demand for further tickets. The first two shouldn't come as a shock given the rumors around Reigns and Brock's absence since WrestleMania, but that doesn't mean fans weren't still hoping.

I don’t know what’s going on, and I’m not in the WWE marketing department. That being said, if it were me, I’d take a look at my entire strategy right now. Clash At The Castle, WWE’s first premium live event in the UK since SummerSlam ‘92 seemed like it would be the easiest slam dunk sellout of all time. More than 85,000 people pre-registered for tickets, but the prices ended up being so high that only 30,000 people allegedly bought during the pre-sale. 

More have since gotten on board, and I’m sure it’ll eventually sell out or get close, but those prices cost them the PR win of an immediate sellout. Now they’re moving a huge live event to a significantly smaller stadium. Maybe that level of aggressiveness is worth looking into, especially when live gates are only a fraction of the total money WWE is bringing in. 

Expect to hear way more about what happened here but also who to expect on the Money In The Bank card when the specifics start getting ironed out over the next month. The event will take place in Las Vegas on July 2nd. I'd certainly expect the smaller venue to be a sellout.

WrestleMania 38, aka “The Most Stupendous Two-Night Event in WrestleMania History” is in the books, closing the chapter on WWE’s biggest and busiest stretch of the year. But now that the dust has settled, new champions have been crowned, and the world is done reacting to Wee Man body-slamming Sami Zayn and Stone Cold Steve Austin wrestling his first match in 19 years, now seems about the right time to look at some of the most consequential stars of the night and speculate on what’s next for them.

With Roman Reigns defeating Brock Lesnar to become the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, Cody Rhodes making his long-awaited return, and several members of the Women’s roster at a crossroads, there are a lot of different directions we could take as we start the slow march to WrestleMania 39 next year.

Roman Reigns

Roman Reigns continued the most dominant run in modern WWE history at WrestleMania 38 when he defeated longtime rival Brock Lesnar become the first Unified WWE Universal Champion in a grueling, albeit brief, Night Two main event. But the future remains uncertain for “Top Dog” and “Tribal Chief” of WWE, especially if those rumors, like the one from Wrestling Inc. about Reigns reportedly sustaining a tricep injury during the fight, prove to be true.

But this could be a blessing in disguise, as it would give Reigns an opportunity to drop both titles without losing a match and set up some kind of big return down the road, perhaps that long-speculated match against The Rock. I mean, WrestleMania 39 is in Los Angeles next year, and there will need to be a massive main event of this magnitude. 

Cody Rhodes

After several months of speculation, Cody Rhodes finally returned to WWE during Night One of WrestleMania 38 where he was revealed to be Seth Rollins’ mystery opponent. For the first time in six years, “The American Nightmare” stepped into a WWE ring and gave one of the best performances of the night. And following his decisive victory on the “Grandest Stage of Them All,” the future looks bright for the son of a “son of a plumber.”

Having built up a nice brand for himself in AEW (as well as other promotions around the world), Rhodes could be inserted into the WWE Universal Championship picture immediately. But if a title shot isn’t in the cards for him, Rhodes could turn his match against Rollins into a nice program.

Bianca Belair

Nearly eight months after losing the SmackDown Women’s Championship to a returning Becky Lynch at SummerSlam 2021, Bianca Belair got her revenge and beat “Big Time Becks” to win the Raw Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 38. If we go off wrestling logic then we should expect to see Belair defending her title against Lynch (via the rematch clause) at WrestleMania Backlash in May, but you never know.

If Belair and Lynch do meet up again at WWE’s next big show, hopefully it ends with a decisive victory for the newly minted Women’s Champion and is nothing more than the first stop on a reign that should last until next year’s WrestleMania, especially considering how her Raw Women’s Championship was cut short after a few months in 2021.

Ronda Rousey

It seemed like Ronda Rousey, who returned and earned a title shot at Royal Rumble 2022, was going to defeat SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 38. But as we found out in the co-main event of Night One, that didn’t happen and the former UFC Champion’s future is a little unclear, especially with word that she wasn’t happy about her place on the card, a rumor that she has since denied on Twitter.

If that is all just internet wrestling dirt sheet hearsay and Rousey sticks around for the long-haul, it would be fun to see her challenge for one of the two titles or set up a feud with Asuka, who will hopefully be returning to WWE TV post-WrestleMania. If not that, then maybe Rousey could reform the Four Horsewomen with Shayna Baszler and dominate the midcard for a while.

Edge

The singles match between Edge and AJ Styles at Night Two of WrestleMania 38 was the longest match on the card and featured an ending that could potentially have the biggest impact moving forward. In the final moments of the hard-fought battle, Damian Priest appeared at ringside to distract AJ Styles, which allowed Edge to counter the Phenomenal Forearm with a spear and a 1-2-3 victory.

Following the match, Priest knelt down in a show of respect to Edge before both started laughing menacingly. This looks like, at minimum, the formation of a new heel tag team (Edge has a great deal of experience with this), or potentially a new faction. Could this be The Brood 2.0? 

Becky Lynch

Not including the 18 months she was away from WWE to give birth to her first child, Becky Lynch was a champion of some form every day she was on the active roster. That all changed when “Big Time Becks” was defeated by Bianca Belair at WrestleMania 38. But even though Lynch doesn’t have the gold around her waist for the first time in three years, this doesn’t mean we’ve seen the last of one of the most entertaining WWE superstars. 

Once we get the rematch situation out of the way, there are plenty of directions Lynch could take in the future, perhaps even a program with Alexa Bliss or Bayley, both of whom should be returning soon. We probably won’t get a match between “The Man” and Charlotte Flair for quite some time, if at all, but could very well be the next big WrestleMania match between the two.

Brock Lesnar

With Brock Lesnar having lost the WWE Championship to Roman Reigns in their title unification match at WrestleMania 38, there’s a good chance the “Beast Incarnate” hangs up his boots for a few months and goes back to his life of seclusion on his remote farm in Saskatchewan. Unless something changes, we probably won’t see Lesnar in action until SummerSlam in July and won’t see him on TV until a few weeks before the big show, if he’s on the card.

In the event Lesnar does return for the summer, we’ll probably see him continue his feud with Roman Reigns if the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion isn’t actually injured or is back by then. But who knows, maybe Lesnar will come out of his self-imposed isolation and take out his revenge on whomever Paul Heyman (who betrayed him at Royal Rumble 2022) takes under his wing next.

Only time will tell what happens to these WWE superstars and the dozens of others who participated in WrestleMania 38. One thing that is for certain is that you can watch them in action with a Peacock Premium subscription.

WrestleMania 38’s two-night event featured many memorable moments that will ultimately cement it as one of the best Manias in years, but not even Stone Cold’s impromptu retirement match nor Logan Paul’s surprising performance could overshadow some of the shortcomings that plagued Sunday night's matches. In particular, audiences felt underwhelmed by the main event between Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar, despite many being all-in on the match. Things ended rather immediately and anticlimatically via pinfall (an outcome we predicted) with time to spare during the pay-per-view and Peacock event, and now rampant speculation has surfaced suggesting that the wrestlers necessarily expedited the finish after Reigns suffered a potentially legitimate injury to his arm.

Not long after the match, photos and screenshots began to spread online which appeared to indicate why arguably the biggest billed match of WrestleMania 38 ended on a whimper instead of a bang. A compilation of photos from Wrestling News pointed out what looked to be some heavy swelling on Roman Reigns’ arm, and something does seem off about the champion’s tricep, though it's hard to tell how much the lights play into it.

Another indication of something being wrong came after the pin, as Roman Reigns quickly tugged on the rope in a way that made it look like he was popping a dislocated shoulder back into place. Michael Cole called the moment as it happened, and it does appear as though Reigns winced mightily when performing the action, while trying not to make it obvious to the in-house crowd or those watching at home.

The WWE has yet to reveal whether or not Roman Reigns suffered an injury of note. If he did, it's unclear if it’ll impact his status as the undisputed champion of WWE following the title-unification match. While the footage circulating so far seems like an injury is obvious in the moment, there are others who question whether anything is wrong at all. Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful noted that Reigns lifted both titles not long after all this and that the wrestler looked fine. 

There’s always the possibility that the WWE has some unknown storyline in the works that this could play into, and it’s definitely suspicious that Michael Cole was so quick to point out Roman Reigns’ injury during the match. At the same time, it seems odd that a scripted injury and not an actual one would lead to the abrupt end of a WrestleMania main event with time to spare. Reigns and Brock Lesnar’s match was supposed to be the biggest match of the two nights, so an abrupt and sudden end doesn’t feel like something that anyone on the creative side deliberately planned. 

If Roman Reigns was legitimately hurt and is unable to perform, the WWE will have to figure out what to do with its unified championship titles. There’s no shortage of superstars hoping for a title shot, and with Cody Rhodes’ recent return, now might be as good a time as any to cycle in some fresh blood while Reigns takes time away to heal and shy away from the spotlight. We’ll have to wait and see, though, if the “Head of the Table” needs to be excused, or this is all fans worrying over nothing. 

Monday Night Raw airs on USA on Mondays at 8:00 p.m. ET. WrestleMania 38 is over, but it’ll live on forever for those able to access it with a Peacock premium subscription. Sign up for that, and maybe rewatch the match to see if you think Roman Reigns might’ve forced the main event to end early due to an injury. 

It’s been a chaotic build to WrestleMania 38. We’re now just days away from the biggest wrestling show of the year, and the majority of the card is locked into place like a figure-four from a prime Ric Flair . The big match is, of course, Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns who will be going title v title in a unification match. I'm still skeptical of WWE's decision here to give the winner one unified belt. I'd rather they be defended separately on each show, but alas, no one answers my emails.

Putting that insult aside, there’s a lot of intrigue up and down the card in both the men’s and women’s divisions. Right now there are fourteen matches scheduled for WrestleMania 38, as well as a Stone Cold Steve Austin appearance, which may be a real match or may just be a guy opening a can of whoopass during a talk show segment. I’m going to go through my predictions for all of it, which I would like to point out is what I think is going to happen, not what I want to happen. If it were what I wanted, we'd have a more positive outcome for Happy Corbin, who I inexplicably love for reasons I can't really explain.

WrestleMania 38 Night 1 Predictions

Becky Lynch (Champion) vs Bianca Belair for the Raw Women’s Championship

Big Time Becks made a surprise return at SummerSlam last year and squashed Bianca in 26 seconds. I still have no idea why this seemed like a good idea, as Belair is a rising star, was over with fans and had so much momentum at the time. Whatever. Someone thought it was a good idea, and it certainly elevated Lynch. I’ve moved on and can’t argue about this more. Anyway, she’s held a major belt ever since, and while she’s had matches with Belair, this is surely the biggest stage.

I like Bianca here. I think a showcase win would help her character move on from looking like Adam Bomb at WrestleMania X, and I think it’s time to give Becky something else to do besides defend this title and get whipped with hair. I don’t think it’ll be a squash, but I expect to see a clean pinfall and a title change.

Predicted Winner: Bianca Belair via pinfall.

Rey Mysterio And Dominik Mysterio vs The Miz and Logan Paul

The obvious pick here is Mysterio & Mysterio. Once The Miz stole Rey’s mask, there was a sense of like… Rey can’t lose this now. He’s got to defend his honor, right? But I’m not so sure anymore. The Miz lost clean on Monday, and I just feel like this story is a lot more interesting if he comes out on top. Plus, there are persistent rumors that Logan Paul may join the WWE Creative Team if this goes well. I’m not sure most wrestling fans are with me here, but I actually think, at least on paper, he’s a terrific fit for WWE long-term. 

Crowd reaction was skeptical during his recent segment where he gushed about Cleveland in Cleveland (at least compared to The Miz who still has it, by the way), but his mic work is quite good for someone who hasn’t interacted with a live wrestling crowd that many times. He’s a terrific athlete. He’s also a very natural heel given some fans already have negative feeling about him due to his pop culture image. I don’t know. This might be the stupidest guess of this entire predictions article, but I’ve talked myself into The Miz and Logan Paul. Maybe it'll spark some kind of Mysterio v Mysterio feud or maybe a story about Dominik earning his mask, which Moonsaulted around a little on Twitter.

Predicted Winners: The Miz and Logan Paul via pinfall (The Miz on Dominik).

Drew McIntyre vs Happy Corbin (With Madcap Moss)

This has to be McIntyre, right? It feels like he’s about to be built again. He finished second in the Rumble. He’s been winning pretty convincingly for the most part on TV. It feels like they talk about his sword more than some of the mid-tier guys on the roster. Its name is Angela by the way, in case the repeated reminders haven't stuck yet. I also have no real data for this, but it just feels like many of his intros are getting longer. Plus, we’ve been getting teases of a fracture in the dynamic between Moss and Corbin. There’s a real possibility Madcap could turn on Happy at ‘Mania.

That being said, I need to take a few seconds to gush about Happy Corbin. Love this dude. I get excited every time he comes on my TV. Something just works, and I need him to stick around the midcard. Just give him 10 to 15 minutes each week to brag about himself, beat up on a jobber or act like a coward against bigger opponents. I’ll also take some travel montages or some vignettes of him being an out of place rube. I suspect he’ll roll into a feud with Madcap Moss after he takes an L here, which I feel fine enough about. 

Predicted Winners: Drew McIntrye via pinfall. 

The Usos (Champions) vs Shinsuke Nakamura and Rick Boogs For The Smackdown Tag Team Championship

I like The Usos. I’ve enjoyed their extended reign, even if it involves some standing around behind Roman Reigns, but you can just feel WWE pushing Rick Boogs. He’s looked really strong lately and delivered some particularly aggressive Boogs Cruises. They’ve also been giving him a lot of pre-match time to interact with the crowd and do his call and response thing. Also, to lift people. He has lifted so many people. But the crowd keeps counting; so, I’ve got no problem with him doing it. We'd all lift people over our heads if we were capable and everyone around us chanted to 10 each time. Plus, Shinsuke is great. Pushing Shinsuke is a good idea basically every time. 

So, no offense to The Usos here, who I think should stay in the title picture, but the times they are a-changin. Boogs is over with most fans. His dynamic plays well with Shinsuke. I think we'll see some new champions. Also, from a storyline perspective, The Usos losing the belts is going to create interesting television with Roman, whether he wins or not. All of them down big together could be fun. Then again, him roasting them and stirring up resentment because he now has both belts and they have zero would also be fun.

Predicted Winners: Shinsuke Nakamura and Rick Boogs via pinfall (Boogs on Jey).

The New Day vs Sheamus And Ridge Holland (With Butch)

This feels like it has to be a New Day victory. Given Big E’s injury and the less than stellar record the team has historically had at WrestleMania, I think the obvious right move is giving them the victory. Butch is going to interfere. If this were a random TV episode, I'd assume his henchman-like ways would be the difference, but at a huge show like this, I think his interference will backfire, allowing The New Day to come out on top. Maybe there will be a quick interview where they dedicate the victory to Big E and tell him to get well soon.

I’m also interested in what’s going to happen with Sheamus, Ridge and Butch after they lose this match. Are they going to continue as a threesome? Are they going to start their own little mini-feud? Will we get a Sheamus, Ridge and Butch triple threat match? That could be a premium live event undercard. But nah. I don't think so. I think Sheamus will keep bringing in talent and form a stable. He’s still really good in the ring, but his strong mic work means he could be a fit to manage, as well. I'd love to see him as the leader of a gang that gets mad and does the job himself every once in awhile.

Predicted Winners: The New Day via pinfall (Kofi on Ridge).

Seth Freakin Rollins vs A Mystery Opponent

Everybody thinks this is going to be Cody Rhodes. I think it’s going to be Cody Rhodes, and if it is Cody Rhodes, he’s going to win a really close and exciting match. WWE is going to want to immediately introduce him at the main event or near main event level, and to do that, he both needs to look very good and he needs to win. So, I suspect we’ll see a really exciting match with lots of fun spots. Rollins will do fun Seth Rollins things, but Rhodes will prevail in the end.

Of course there’s always the chance this isn’t Cody Rhodes, and if it’s not, then who the hell knows what is going to happen here. The internet has been buzzing about it being Shane McMahon as the ultimate swerve/ middle finger to fans. Just imagine the chorus of boos. That would be an all-time troll job, but I don’t think WWE is going to willingly take that heat or give McMahon a prime ‘Mania match, especially after his appearance at the Royal Rumble allegedly caused backstage heat. I could see it being a surprise return like Bray Wyatt or someone on that level, but I’ll stick with Rhodes.

Predicted Winner: Cody Rhodes via pinfall.

Charlotte Flair (Champion) vs Ronda Rousey for the Smackdown Women's Championship

Rousey isn’t quite there on the microphone yet, but I think she’s improving and is definitely still over with fans. It’s hard to imagine she’d return to WWE, get this much screentime and not wind up with the belt. Plus, with the WWE women’s division deeper and better than it’s ever been (especially if/ when Bayley and Asuka return), it’s going to need shake-ups and changes. Putting the belt on Ronda would shuffle the deck, and it would allow Charlotte Flair to transition into a different storyline, hopefully one with an opponent that can more easily push back on the mic. 

I really hope they give this match time to breathe and really tell a story. I don’t want to see a squash. I want a good wrestling match that tells a story worthy of the extended build-up we’ve gotten and Ronda’s return. I think we’ll get it, and I think it’ll end in an ankle lock given how much that’s been directly discussed on the air. That should push Ronda's character into a more compelling direction post-Mania, and fingers crossed, it allows her to keep developing because she could be great.

Predicted Winner: Ronda Rousey via submission.

The KO Show With Stone Cold Steve Austin

Kevin Owens has been crushing it during this entire build-up to WrestleMania. His mic work has been stupendous (points to WM sign…), and his recent trolling of the crowd when he came out to Stone Cold’s music made the heel part of my soul happy. KO is one of the best wrestlers working today, and I can’t wait to see him interact with the Rattlesnake. He’s earned this moment. 

That being said, I have no idea what to expect out of this segment and/ or possible match. It's either going to be a few minutes of chit-chat, followed by a Stunner, middle fingers and cans of whoopass, all of which KO will oversell in the best way like a prime Mr. Perfect, or it'll turn into a real match. If that happens, fans will lose their minds, and one of the all-time greats will get a chance to give us one more all-time great match. I hope that happens, but anything Stone Cold wants to give us is a welcome surprise in my book. So, no predictions here.

Predicted Winner: I lied. I think it'll be a real match and Stone Cold will give us about 4 to 6 A- minutes, which will feel like an A+. 

WrestleMania 38 Night 2 Predictions

Queen Zelina & Carmella (Champions) vs Rhea Ripley & Liv Morgan vs Sasha Banks & Naomi vs Natlya & Shayna Baszler For The Women’s Tag Team Championship

I don’t know when the last time I was fired up about the women’s tag team division was, but I’m ecstatic at the amount of talent that’s been injected in lately. More than half of these women could be competing for the top belts, and we’re already starting to see some real chemistry develop, especially between Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley, who are a delight and already have a banger hybrid entrance theme. How cool would it be if we had a really fun, high energy women’s tag match on most episodes of WWE programming? The talent is there, especially after Bayley and Asuka return. Just stick with it… and maybe give at least a few of these teams fun names.

It feels like this has to be either Rhea and Liv or Sasha and Naomi. No offense to the other teams here who are perfectly fine, but there's real upside for the entire division if it's the right twosome. I don't want the women's tag division to dissolve into nothing again! My money is on Sasha and Naomi, but that’s mostly because they were the initial surprise team that jumped into the division. Plus, Sasha Banks is Sasha Banks, and giving her a belt is almost always a good decision.

Predicted Winners: Sasha Banks and Naomi via submission.

Johnny Knoxville vs Sami Zayn

I was at the Royal Rumble earlier this year, and the pop Johnny Knoxville got from the crowd was very real and very loud, easily one of the biggest of the night. Throw in the fact that celebrities normally win WrestleMania matches, plus how tremendous Sami Zayn is at expressing shock and outrage, and this feels like a pretty definite Knoxville victory. Key qualifier here though: they need to keep Zayn semi-credible. That dude is a treasure. He should stay in the Intercontinental Championship picture moving forward. So, I suspect the win will involve outside interference from the Jackass guys or some other type of tomfoolery. 

The Anything Goes wrinkle certainly opens up a lot of possibilities. Given the celebrity involvement, I wouldn’t expect to see a terribly long match, but it should be goofy and fun. Plus we all know Knoxville has taken gnarlier bumps than anyone on the roster. That WTF is he going to do element adds a little more drama than we normally see from celeb matches too.

Predicted Winner: Johnny Knoxville via pinfall.

Pat McAfee vs Austin Theory

Boy this match really got dropped on us like a Vader Bomb, huh? It feels like it was put together to have another attraction that'll generate some steam. Pat McAfee is terrific on commentary and a damn good athlete. He's also very over right now. Austin Theory is a rising star, who is doing segments with Vince McMahon. He was put in the Elimination Chamber and picked to face Brock Lesnar at MSG. They're obviously higher than a Montez Ford frog splash on both. So, they thought let's feature 'em at 'Mania.

That's not the worst plan I've ever heard. I'm a little worried for Austin Theory long-term though. I know McAfee is a more agile than say Michael Cole, but it still feels weak for Theory to lose straight-up to an announcer with little in-ring experience. But is there really a scenario where they're gonna have a character like Theory beat Pat McAfee? The crowd would boo into the next match. They'd be throwing things on stage like when Hulk Hogan went heel. So, I think something untoward is going to happen here. I predict Shane McMahon interferences setting up some kind of mentor vs real son storyline. 

Predicted Winner: Pat McAfee via pinfall.

RK-Bro (Champions) vs Alpha Academy vs The Street Profits For The Raw Tag Team Championship

I don’t really think there’s a wrong answer here in terms of where WWE wants to go. All three of these teams are both very talented and over with the crowd. I also love each on a personal level. The weekly RK-Bro and Alpha Academy challenges were all kind of goofy fun, and the long-term potential of The Street Profits is enormous. All three of these teams have the talent and look to be on major premium live event cards for years to come. I probably like Alpha Academy the best because I can’t get enough of Chad Gable, but I’m truly fine with any outcome.

My gut tells me the WWE writers are going to use the end of this match to break-up RK-Bro. I know Randy Orton has talked about how happy he is and how much fun he’s having, but someone at WWE, whether it’s Vince McMahon or Bruce Prichard, loves breaking up a good tag team. So, I think RK-Bro breaks up after the match or we at least see major cracks form, which they’ve sorta been teasing.

Predicted Winner: The Alpha Academy via pinfall (Otis on Riddle).

Edge vs AJ Styles

I think the more important wrestler in the equation here is Edge. What is WWE’s long-term plans with Edge (and that blue light)? Do they want him on the mid-card or are they hoping to elevate him back to main event status? If they want him to be a major player and compete for the soon-to-be Unified Title, then I think he needs to win. He needs to establish himself as a mega-heel and come off looking really crazy and powerful. If they’re content with him leaving at the mid-card level, then what’s probably more important is just that this is a great wrestling match that fans enjoy.

I personally think they’ve still got big plans for Edge. He may not have fully capitalized off his 2021 Royal Rumble win, but that doesn’t mean he can’t still make it back to the top of the card. He’s in good shape. His mic work lately has been unhinged in a good, in-character way. I think they'll push him again.

Predicted Winner: Edge via pinfall.

Bobby Lashley vs Omos

I think most people are expecting Bobby Lashley to put an end to Omos’ dominance. That makes the most sense on paper. I mean… what’s the alternative? You rushed Bobby Lashley, a former champion who technically beat Brock Lesnar, back to lose to an inexperienced wrestler that’s been fighting handicapped matches on Raw? Why would you do that? You could have gotten Omos to the next level by turning in a dominant ‘Mania performance against someone like Damian Priest (who by the way, should be fighting Finn Balor this weekend but whatever).

But let’s say that is happening. Let’s say WWE brought Lashley back to get viciously punished by Omos. I mean… how scary would Omos look? You would immediately think he’s in line for a shot at the Unified Title at an upcoming premium live event, right? I don’t buy it, but maybe…

Predicted Winner: Bobby Lashley via pinfall.

Brock Lesnar (Champion) vs Roman Reigns (Champion) For Both Belts

Until recently, I was convinced Roman Reigns was going to win. I’ve been so convinced that I’ve been really dismissive of Brock Lesnar’s chances every single time I’ve referenced the match. But Lesnar has been tremendous the past few weeks. His mic work last Monday on Raw was so freakin’ good. I mean no one likes Paul Heyman more than I do. That dude is one of my favorite managers ever (shoutout Bobby Heenan), but Lesnar has been so smooth on the mic lately, I’m honestly starting to wish he would have ditched Heyman sooner. Cowboy Brock is all kinds of over, and his interaction with the crowd lately has felt effortless. It’s like he’s suddenly figured it all out. I don’t know how anyone wants to stop that momentum right now.

Roman Reigns, however, is also great. He’s been the best thing going in all of wrestling for the past few years. Unifying the belts and beating a legend like Lesnar while doing it would propel him into another tier of all-time greats. I really want that for him. I thought for sure he was going to get it, but I don’t know anymore. How long is Lesnar sticking around for? What’s the plan after the titles are unified? All of this would help provide clarity. Absent that, I’m going to stick with Reigns, but my confidence here is very low.

Predicted Winner: Roman Reigns via pinfall. 

Other Random Predictions:

I think we're going to see Alexa Bliss do something. I mean, what the hell is going on here? She's one of the best wrestlers on the entire roster. She doesn't seem to be injured. She needs to be at WrestleMania doing something productive.

I think a former WWE star other than Cody Rhodes is going to return. I don't know who it'll be, but I think someone shows up and sets Twitter on fire.

I think Steve Austin looks damn good and falls right back into the Stone Cold character like nothing changed.

Brock Lesnar is known as one of the toughest professional wrestlers in the business. Considering that he’s found success in both the WWE and UFC, not too many people (sans his former rival Alistair Overeem) want to try to mess with him. Of course, the Jackass crew aren’t like other people. So when viral video footage surfaced of Lesnar putting Wee Man through a table in a restaurant in St. Louis, folks were amused but not entirely surprised. Lesnar recently shared the story of how the moment came to be, and it's pretty hilarious.

Wrestling fans might’ve assumed Brock Lesnar threw Wee Man through the table as a publicity stunt ahead of WWE’s Royal Rumble, especially considering they were all present at the event. Lesnar recently confirmed on The Pat McAfee Show , however, that that wasn’t the case:

The wrestler maintained that the moment, which did feel like an intentional promotion of sorts, was not at all intended for that. What’s hilarious is that he decided to put Wee Man through the table just because he flexed on him and that he had no idea the Jackass crew was already doing rowdy stuff in the restaurant. He simply wanted to slam someone on a table, before going home to rest. You can see the wild stunt for yourself in the post down below:

Brock Lesnar’s story serves as just one example of why he’s such a one-of-a-kind WWE superstar and perhaps why he’s held in such high regard by the company. Even when he’s not in character, he’s still doing the types of things fans might expect from his in-ring persona. (Granted, I think he probably should’ve put Johnny Knoxville through the table, especially after the actor destroyed a door in a restaurant.) I wonder if that eatery billed everyone for what went down or just took the free publicity that comes with having a UFC and WWE champion throw a Hollywood icon on a table. 

Brock Lesnar is appearing quite frequently on WWE these days, so one might catch him by watching Monday Night Raw on USA Monday at 8:00 p.m. ET. Folks can also catch his past matches (especially the ones with Roman Reigns) with a Peacock premium subscription, which are also worth checking out.

Well, he did it. During one of the strangest men’s Elimination Chamber matches I’ve ever seen, Brock Lesnar claimed victory in pretty dominating fashion. The Beast’s upcoming WrestleMania 38 match with Roman Reigns will now be title for title, which means there are two gigantic decisions Vince McMahon and company will need to make. First, WWE obviously needs to figure out who is going to win the actual match, which is complicated for reasons we’ll get into later. Second, the company is going to need to decide what to do about the belts. Let’s talk this out.

Before we start though, a quick recap in case you missed out on Elimination Chamber. The main topic of conversation, at least on the men’s side, heading into the Chamber was whether Bobby Lashley would retain his title or whether Brock Lesnar was going to be built up even further ahead of his match with Roman Reigns. Well, we got our answer almost immediately when Austin Theory was thrown through Lashley’s unopened pod, causing him to get injured before his portion of the match started. Lashley was removed from the ring and Michael Cole later told us he wouldn’t return because he was in concussion protocol. It turns out he apparently has a real life shoulder injury that will require surgery, which likely explains why he hasn't been building anything toward 'Mania.

Should Roman Reigns Or Brock Lesnar Win At WrestleMania?

So, it seems like the decision of whether to keep building up Bobby Lashley was made for WWE. He’ll probably miss WrestleMania and be out for months, which means having Lesnar win the Elimination Chamber was the clear and obvious decision given the other storylines going on. I’m on board with all of this so far, but now, WWE needs to decide whether to bet big on Lesnar long-term or have him be the latest in a long series of foes to acknowledge Roman Reigns, who has now held the Universal Title since August of 2020.

Reigns is, in my opinion, the single best thing going in wrestling right now. His character is terrific. He’s really good in the ring. He has a nice stable of personalities around him including the always delightful Paul Heyman and the villainous tag team champions The Usos. I would be perfectly happy to let him continue his run for another year and a half, but there’s a reason why this is the longest major title reign in the WWE in 35 years. McMahon and company like to change things up and move in different directions. The WWE title changed hands 11 times (!!) in 1999, as a particularly obnoxious example. At some point, they’re going to have Roman drop the belt.

And who better to drop the belt to than Brock Lesnar? WWE typically books Lesnar to look really strong. That should be pretty obvious given his title runs and multiple Royal Rumble wins, but it’s been over more true lately. He not only won the Rumble last month, he did so in pretty dominating fashion, almost as dominating as his win yesterday at The Elimination Chamber. I mean, say what you will about Austin Theory who I actually quite like, but Riddle, Seth Rollins and AJ Styles are legitimate WWE superstars who pick up big wins on a regular basis. The company is typically invested in them looking strong, and he went through them like it was nothing.

If you’re going to have Roman drop the belt to someone, you’d ideally like it to be someone who will keep him looking strong. A loss to Brock Lesnar doesn’t tarnish in the same way as a loss to The Honky Tonk Man. And if it’s not going to be Lesnar, I mean who is it going to be? Seth Rollins maybe? They could pick up their feud again after ‘Mania. I guess you could do Cody Rhodes or further build up someone like Riddle, but in my opinion, any of these options are going to take time. So, if you’re going to stick with Roman, you’re likely sticking wit him for several more months at minimum. Once again, I’m fine with this. I would love to see Roman pin Brock clean and add another huge win to this tremendous run he’s on, but if he’s going to lose anytime soon, Lesnar is the right option – at least if scheduling wasn’t an issue.

To add one more complicated variable to this equation: I’m not entirely sure what The Beast's schedule is going to look like moving forward. He’s been making pretty regular appearances on WWE TV, which is great, but he’s not someone who is typically known as a week-to-week grinder. I don’t expect him to be doing house shows in Springfield, Illinois. So, having him hold both Raw and Smackdown’s titles at the same time doesn’t necessarily seem like a good decision on a practical level. And there’s a strong chance he’s going to leave again at some point. He’s been built enough to credibly end Reigns’ strike, but he doesn’t need that win to elevate his status, whereas that win could transform someone else’s career. 

What Will WWE Do With The Belts After The Match?

All of the Roman vs Lesnar stuff is fun to think about. I'm really excited for the match and so is my co-worker who gushed about it here There are a lot of ins and outs and complexities. I’m honestly not sure what WWE is going to decide to do there, but that’s all within the bounds of typical storytelling. What to do about both of the belts, however, is another matter entirely. Unless there’s some kind of curveball or weird match stipulation, someone is going to leave WrestleMania 38 with the two biggest belts in WWE. That means WWE is going to need to decide whether to merge the two belts into one single unified championship, keep them split and have the winner defend the belts separately on both Smackdown and Raw or have the winner keep one of the titles and forfeit the other.

My mind is going crazy just thinking about all these possibilities. It looks like a Kane-style entrance explosion in there right now. There are just so many different paths to take here. I’m not going to talk all of them out here because you probably have a real life with real things to do and aren’t interested in 18,000 word WWE ramblings, but I will explore a few if you don’t mind. 

I absolutely love the idea of Roman Reigns appearing on both Raw and Smackdown to defend those titles separately on each show. If he did that, even over the period of just a few months, it would cement this current year and a half run as among the most dominant in recent history alongside Goldberg’s undefeated WCW streak and Hulk Hogan’s four year plus run at the top of the card in the late 80s. This might be too much of a burden for one person to carry, but if anyone can do it right now it’s Roman. 

That being said, the idea of unifying the titles is an interesting creative wrinkle. Randy Orton previously unified the WWE Title and the Heavyweight Title back in 2013. The Heavyweight Title was promptly decommissioned and for three years or so, the WWE just ran with one title until the Universal Championship was introduced following the brand split. That’s, in some ways, appealing because it allows the company to have one clear person at the top of the card. It would be fitting, especially for Roman to have that honor. That being said, the whole point of having more belts is so more people can fight matches with clear stakes. Eliminating one of the top two belts means there are going to be less title matches at each premium live event. I would be fine with that, but I’m not sure WWE will be.

What Do I Think Is Going To Happen?

I don’t know. I’m struggling to see into the future and figure out where WWE is going. I’d like to think they are going to acknowledge Roman Reigns and his current greatness by letting him stick at the apex of the card for longer. Lesnar is a star and an absolute force of nature, but he’s more of a one speed kind of guy. Roman can believably work with a lot more people, and he can wrestle matches in more styles. He’s also likely to be around a lot longer. Given all that, I think the Tribal Chief is going to beat Lesnar at WrestleMania, though maybe with some interference or distractions that'll keep Brock looking strong.

Then, as much as I’d like to see Roman defend both of the belts separately on Raw and Smackdown (and maybe even a premium live event where he fights twice), I think WWE will vacate one of the titles and hold a WrestleMania IV-style tournament. They’ll probably piece if out on Raw over several weeks, with the finale at an upcoming weekend event, but I’d love to see them do it all in one night in an upcoming event. That would be so much fun and allow the company to go in some really interesting directions creatively. 

Or maybe I'm 100% wrong about all of this. After all, I was pretty sure Lashley would win the Elimination Chamber, and he didn't even wrestle so don't listen to me.

We’re just a day away from WWE Elimination Chamber. I’m hyped as it’s one of my favorite pay per views, excuse me premium live events, of the year, but also, I’m very confused about a lot of things. Ordinarily, I feel like I have a sense of where WWE may be going with a plotline (CC: 2022 Royal Rumble), but heading into Elimination Chamber, I have no idea what the hell Vince McMahon and company will choose to do in the title men’s match. To be honest, I don’t even know what they should do. I keep going back and forth. So, let’s talk this out, specifically as it relates to Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley.

Yes, I realize other people are in the Elimination Chamber, but in my opinion, there are only two possible outcomes here that make sense. One, WWE can keep the belt on Bobby Lashley and let him continue to develop as one of the key players in the company. Two, WWE could let Brock Lesnar win the Elimination Chamber and make the WrestleMania main event a title versus title match with Roman Reigns. There are serious pros and cons to both of these approaches. So, let’s break it down…

Will Bobby Lashley Win?

Let’s put aside the Lesnar stuff and talk about Lashley here for a minute. In my opinion, he has developed a ton over the past few years. His general aura is very intimidating and champion-like. He has a confidence and swagger about his work both inside and outside the ring. That’s huge because his promos used to be a little stiff, which is why he relied so much on MVP. Not anymore. I’m not saying he’s The Miz or even Chad Gable, but he more than holds his own now.

I think he could be a star with many long, extended title reigns in his future. The idea of knee-capping his momentum right now does not sit well with me. I want to see him keep developing and stay at the top of the card. If he’s improving on a monthly basis, maybe he can keep going to the point where you develop another long-term star. And besides, why would you give him back the belt only to have him drop it a month later?

That being said, Lashley doesn’t really have an obvious opponent for WrestleMania. There’s not a ton of time here to set up a meaningful title match. That doesn’t mean it can’t be done. There are other great wrestlers who will need something to do at ‘Mania, but it’s not ideal for your WWE Champion to defend his title at the biggest event of the year in a match that doesn’t have a ton of heat. Maybe they can set something up in the time between Elimination Chamber and ‘Mania that will be compelling. Maybe they can use the Elimination Chamber match itself to launch something – maybe with Seth Freakin’ Rollins? I’d say Riddle, but we need to see Alpha Academy and RKBro at ‘Mania.

Will Brock Lesnar Win?

Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar are, I think pretty clearly, the top two draws in WWE right now. With all due respect to Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair, this is going to be the match WWE sells WrestleMania on, and there’s nothing Vince McMahon loves more than turning the dial up as much as possible on WRESTLEMANIA (said in that over-the-top way Vince prefers). Having a champion versus champion main event would be a great way to hype this already big match up even further.

Plus, even if you set aside the champion versus champion part of it, WWE wants to make Lesnar look as strong as possible heading into ‘Mania. Roman Reigns is going to roll over Bill Goldberg at Elimination Chamber (or at least he better…), and there would be no better way to make Lesnar look strong than by having him win the Chamber match. And conversely, you don’t want to make him look weak by losing. He can’t get pinned cleanly after a heads up fight with Austin Theory as a precursor to ‘Mania. 

All that being said, I don’t really think Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar need the title versus title angle to make it interesting. There’s already the Paul Heyman angle, and there’s already the fact that both of these superstars have a good buzz around them. People are already hyped (like my co-worker). Plus, it’s hard to imagine Lesnar holding both titles at once. I mean how often is he even going to wrestle post-’Mania? I can see him holding one belt, but he’s not going to carry the torch for both Raw and Smackdown. So, in a way, the title versus title thing, I think, makes him even less likely to win at WrestleMania. So, really, the whole purpose would be to make Roman look even stronger (which I don’t hate because he’s amazing).

Final Prediction

WWE, for some strange reason, does not allow me to book the matches. I’ve also been wrong more times than I can count about WWE’s creative choices; so, the short answer is I don’t know. The long answer is I think Bobby Lashley is going to win the Elimination Chamber. I think he deserves to extend his run at the top of the card, and I think WWE is going to resist the urge to unify the titles because of the long-term complications it would cause (though I’d take an upcoming WrestleMania IV style tournament for the vacated title). 

I expect Lesnar to look really strong in this match. I think he’ll pick up several clean pinfalls, but the confrontation between Lesnar and Lashley will be cut short thanks to interference from Roman Reigns. That’ll escalate the tensions between the two ahead of ‘Mania. It’ll keep Lashley as WWE Champion, and it’ll give WWE an excuse to revisit Lashley vs Lesnar down the road since their last two matches ended with interference. 

One of the biggest stories to come out of the Royal Rumble this year had nothing to do with the Royal Rumble at all. At least, not really. In fact it had to do with WWE giant Brock Lesnar throwing Wee Man through a table while out to dinner before the big event. A video of this went viral, but Steve-O got the actual scoop from Wee Man about what that was like.  

As it turns out, many of the major members of the Jackass Forever cast (and not just Johnny Knoxville, who did appear in the Royal Rumble) traveled to St. Louis to be a part of the WWE event festivities. They actually took the same plane as Ronda Rousey, which we now know thanks to some footage from Steve-O (though I'm glad the video didn't come out before, as it would have ruined the Rousey speculation). As part of that very same footage on his YouTube page, Steve-O also recounted that viral video featuring Wee Man getting thrown through a table by Brock Lesnar, which has rolled around the Internet at this point:

Steve- O, of course, narrated what happened when they were all hanging out on the actual night, noting. 

Of course, being the good friend that he is, the very next day, Steve-O connected with Wee Man while the Jackass team was traveling and asked him, “How much did it hurt when Brock Lesnar slammed you like that?” One would think the natural answer would be a lot, but Wee Man was way more blasé about this than I would have expected. He replied: 

Well, there you have it. I know the Jackass cast is used to getting up to wild shenanigans, but honestly, that throw looked intense. Even whilst drunk, I’m a little surprised Wee Man didn’t seem to be feeling it the next day, but perhaps the whole thing looked worse than it was. I actually attended the Royal Rumble. A few of the Jackass guys came out with Johnny Knoxville while he was walking to the ring, but Steve-O was nowhere to be seen. So what happened?

Well, we've already heard plenty of rumors that the Men’s Rumble was supposed to play out pretty differently (two other former stars reportedly also wanted to make a return but were told no). In terms of what Steve-O was supposed to originally do, he doesn’t get into specifics, here, but he does say that the team had been tested daily for COVID-19 through all of the stuff they had been filming and appearances they had been making during the pandemic. It sounds as if Steve-O wasn't expecting what happened with the Rumble to happen, but what happened was a positive test. 

While we saw some of the other members of the Jackass cast outside the ring, overall what we got was Knoxville came out, got a pop, did his thing, hung around in the ring for a while, and then got eliminated by Sami Zayn. Steve-O apparently was on his tour bus at this point and getting the hell out of dodge, or in this case, St. Louis, Missouri. 

A lot of things were pretty wild at the Royal Rumble, from Kofi Kingston surprise elimination/ botched spot to the sign catching fire and the poor experience with the lights. I have no idea if much would have changed if Steve-O had shown up with the Jackass Forever cast, but it is interesting to learn more about what was going on behind the scenes. 

Before Brock Lesnar won WWE’s 2022 Royal Rumble, the writing was on the wall that the “Beast Incarnate” would some way, somehow be facing off against long-running Universal Champion, Roman Reigns at the two-night WrestleMania 38 in Dallas this April. Despite the two squaring off at the Showcase of the Immortals twice before, it wasn't all that difficult to get excited to see the two longtime rivals stand toe-to-toe a third time in the Heart of Texas.

Why shouldn’t I be excited? I mean, Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar’s previous WrestleMania matches have actually been quite good, and were both two of the most brutal matches on their respective cards. And, that’s just the start of it… 

WWE Did A Tremendous Job Of Establishing The WrestleMania Match at Royal Rumble 2022

There was a lot to love about the most recent Royal Rumble, but my favorite aspect of the first “Big Four” of 2022 was the way WWE worked Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar’s story into the entire event. At three different points throughout the show, the two stood at the spotlight, which added a ton of weight to their upcoming showdown. The show started with Reigns retaining his Universal Championship after being disqualified in his match against Seth Rollins, and ended with Lesnar winning the Men’s Royal Rumble after coming in as the 30th and final entrant. 

But, the middle section, when Reigns came down and cost Lesnar his WWE Championship, was what really made the storyline feel special. Reigns slowly walking to the ring, forcing Paul Heyman to hand him Lesnar’s title and effectively turn on his longtime client was a powerful moment that showed that Reigns was the “Top Dog” of the company, and made the feud actually feel more personal than ever before.

Having The Roles Reversed Makes The Roman Reigns/Brock Lesnar Feud Feel Fresh

Both times Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar have faced off at WrestleMania, Lesnar was the dominant champion holding onto the gold and Reigns was the up-and-coming superstar trying to make a name for himself. But a lot has changed since then, and Reigns is now fully established as not only the top heel of the entire WWE roster but its biggest star (at least in terms of full-time wrestlers). For the first time in their shared history, Reigns is on top of the mountain and Lesnar is trying to claw his way to not only take the title, but also take out Reigns once and for all.

This change in the dynamic shared by the two competitors makes the rivalry feel fresh, while also making it seem more personal (especially after how Reigns broke Lesnar at Royal Rumble). Their matches have always been brutal (more on that later), but now it seems all the more personal and has become a full-on blood feud.

But There’s A Chance Their WrestleMania 38 Match Could Be Champion Vs. Champion

Depending on the circumstances, former champions are supposed to get an automatic rematch after losing their title, and it looks like Brock Lesnar will try to take back his WWE Championship at the upcoming Elimination Chamber event. I’m not saying this is going to happen, but there’s a chance Lesnar is able to outlast current champion Bobby Lashley and the other four competitors — Seth Rollins, Austin Theory, Riddle, and AJ Styles — to take the WWE title once again. 

If this were to happen, WWE could make Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar’s WrestleMania match a “Champion vs. Champion” contest, which would add even more stakes to the story. And, I mean, wrestling is only better with higher stakes. But again, this isn’t guaranteed, and for all we know, WWE could put the belt on Riddle, who was reportedly supposed to win the Royal Rumble before Lesnar became involved. 

Roman Reigns And Brock Lesnar’s Previous WrestleMania Matches Have Been Absolutely Brutal, And I Want More

I will be the first to admit, I was originally not on board with the Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar match for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 31, but the bout has since gone down as one of the most electrifying main events in the show’s history. That’s even before Seth Rollins cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase to make it a triple-threat match.

I could watch Reigns and Lesnar beat the crap out of one another until the cows come home, and luckily, that’s what they did in 2015 (Reigns busted open Lesnar’s face and blood went everywhere), and then again three years later at WrestleMania 34. Their second match, which was as hard-hitting as their previous meeting, was just as brutal, with Reigns ending up wearing a crimson mask from all the blood pouring down his face. Because WWE doesn’t show as much blood as it once did, seeing it in both of these matches makes them that much more special.

Love It Or Hate It, A Brock Lesnar Vs. Roman Reigns Match Gives WrestleMania That Big-Time Feel It Needs

One of my favorite aspects about WrestleMania is that WWE has held the annual event in massive football stadiums for most of its history at this point, which turns a normal wrestling show into a massive spectacle (the company has even started doing this with the Royal Rumble, and more recently, SummerSlam). When you have a football stadium filled with nearly 100,000 boisterous fans, you need an even bigger spectacle in the ring. Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar’s previous matches have been just that. 

Just like with The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin at WrestleMania 17, or the “Once in a Lifetime” match between John Cena and The Rock at WrestleMania 28 (and again the following year), Reigns and Lesnar are two of the best at filling that spot. Are they my favorite wrestlers? No. Are there other people who could shine in that spotlight? Yes. But the fact remains that both carry enough weight to get the most out of a marquee match. Hell, even when 80,000+ fans are yelling “We Hate Roman,” it adds to the excitement. And it looks like we’re getting that again…

A lot can happen before WrestleMania 38 takes place on April 2 and 3 in Dallas, so make sure to check back for all the latest. Also, now wouldn’t be the worst time to sign up for or renew your Peacock Premium subscription if you want to watch all the action.

The WWE’s 2022 Royal Rumble crowned its winners, and while it may feel like a given that Brock Lesnar was slated to win the event from the start (especially considering his Day 1 match with Roman Reigns was derailed), rumor have surfaced claiming that isn’t the case. In fact, it’s said creatives considered many ideas for the Royal Rumble before the decision was made at the last minute to have Lesnar as the last man standing. This included an absolutely wild booking to win the match that I don’t think anyone would’ve seen coming, and there’s an alternate reality where Riddle could’ve punched his ticket to WrestleMania. 

That’s right, the scooter-riding half of RK-Bro was, at one point, considered a backstage frontrunner to win the 2022 Royal Rumble. PWInsider.com reported that Riddle was originally booked as the winner of the match until it was finalized that Brock Lesnar would lose the WWE championship and enter the Royal Rumble, presumably to guarantee a revenge rematch against Roman Reigns. Unfortunately, his win came at the cost of a victory for Riddle, who was about as left-field of a Rumble winner pick as anyone else could have been.

At least, for those not working behind the scenes at the WWE. PWInsider’s report received support from WrestleVotes, who noted on Twitter that some company execs allegedly wanted Riddle to win out in order to begin a feud with his tag-team partner and WWE legend, Randy Orton. The insider said thoughts about a match between the two (who seem to get along quite well in real life) have gone as far back as SummerSlam, and offered an update on what the current feelings are on it.

While the full original plans for the Royal Rumble aren’t known, it’s possible that the WWE planned to also break up RK-Bro (who collaborated with the Jackass crew in December) in the process of getting Riddle the Men’s Royal Rumble win. Randy Orton is from St. Louis, where this year's even was held, so Riddle turning on his tag team partner would’ve been a moment that generated a massive negative response from the audience in attendance. Of course, we can only speculate on such plans, and I can also see a reality where Orton played a vital role in setting up his tag-team partner for a career-making moment. 

What’s most interesting about this news is that it seems like the WWE feels positive enough about Riddle to give him a legitimate title shot. I guess we could’ve seen that happening when he got to ride a camel at Crown Jewel, and Randy Orton didn’t, but in all seriousness, it’s looking like Riddle might eventually become a main event-level talent in the WWE. We’ll have to wait and see where his storyline heads the rest of this year and if there’s a chance of him getting a WWE or Universal title run in the next year or so. 

Monday Night Raw airs over on the USA Network Mondays at 8:00 p.m. ET. With the “road to WrestleMania” officially underway, now is the perfect time to jump in and get caught up on all the action, and perhaps pick up a Peacock subscription in order to watch WrestleMania 38 on April 2nd and 3rd. 

The WWE’s Royal Rumble 2022 is right around the corner, which means we’re well on the road to WrestleMania 38. The upcoming pay-per-view event has a huge impact on WrestleMania, as many of the matches that occur there solidify storylines in the months leading to the big event. The case seems to be the same this year, as Superstars head to St. Louis for what could be a career-changing opportunity. 

The Royal Rumbles are, of course, the premier event of the pay-per-view, but there are plenty of other things happening that should keep one of the biggest nights in WWE just as big as ever. Here’s what those who tune in or attend the big event should expect from the evening, and a breakdown of the big matches happening.

WWE Title Match: Brock Lesnar vs. Bobby Lashley

Brock Lesnar winning the WWE Championship as a last-minute entrant during the Day 1 pay-per-view wasn’t expected, but it gave fans a match they’ve wanted for some time now. Bobby Lashley put up some big hits on Lesnar and, in the process, earned himself a title shot. Lesnar doesn’t seem the least bit concerned about Lashley in terms of competition, and has continually disrespected the wrestler on Monday Night Raw. For that, Lashley promised he’d hand Lesnar the shortest title reign of his career at the WWE’s Royal Rumble and become a champion once again. 

Men’s Royal Rumble

The thirty-man Royal Rumble event is a career achievement for the winner and a real opportunity to better their standing in the main roster. The winner of the Royal Rumble gets a world title shot at WrestleMania, which is not an opportunity easily obtained for some talent. It’s also an event where surprise entrants and celebrities often appear, such as this year’s known celebrity entrant Johnny Knoxville. At the moment, there are twenty-two men declared for the 2022 Royal Rumble:

• Omos
• Randy Orton
• Riddle
• Otis
• Chad Gable
• Dolph Ziggler
• Robert Roode
• Kevin Owens
• Big E
• AJ Styles
• Damian Priest
• Johnny Knoxville
• Sami Zayn 
• Kofi Kingston 
• Happy Corbin
• Madcap Moss
• Sheamus
• Angelo Dawkins
• Montez Ford
• Rey Mysterio
• Dominik Mysterio
• Austin Theory

All of these men will vie for a chance to win the Royal Rumble, as well as eight other entrants whose identities we don't know yet. Granted, there are rumblings of NXT superstars and even a former wrestling legend attending, but nothing confirmed so far. There’s even talk that the WWE may open the “forbidden door” and invite wrestlers from other promotions to compete, though we’ve yet to see that happen in the men’s lineup. 

Women’s Royal Rumble 

The 30-woman Women’s Royal Rumble goes down in the same way the men’s event does, though things are a bit different this time around. The big change in 2022 is that SmackDown champion Charlotte Flair is in the event and hopes to win, so that she can choose her opponent for WrestleMania. Flair and twenty other women are confirmed for the event so far: 

• Bianca Belair
• Liv Morgan
• Charlotte Flair
• Naomi
• Rhea Ripley
• Nikki A.S.H.
• Brie Bella
• Nikki Bella
• Carmella
• Queen Zelina
• Lita
• Michelle McCool
• Kelly Kelly
• Dana Brooke
• Natalya
• Mickie James
• Tamina
• Shayna Baszler
• Summer Rae
• Aliyah
• Shotzi

The Women’s Royal Rumble match already has a few surprising entrants announced, like the Bella Twins and former superstar Michelle McCool. One especially interesting entrant is Mickie James (who was released from WWE in 2021 along with many others), who currently works for another promotion and publicly spoke out against the company after receiving her belongings in a trash bag following her release. 

As far as unnamed participants, it seems like Alexa Bliss might return during the women’s match with an old identity, and there are strong rumblings that Ronda Rousey could make an appearance, as well. Whether that happens, we’ll just need to wait and see and learn which superstar will change their fate and get an opportunity at WrestleMania. 

WWE Universal Title Match: Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins

Roman Reigns’ missed out on his Day 1 pay-per-view match with Brock Lesnar due to a COVID diagnosis, and some may say he dodged a bullet in the process. Others might argue he’s in just as bad of a position now, as he needs to defeat Seth Rollins to retain his Universal title. Rollins might not have the strength and power of Lesnar, but he’s shown over the years he’s about as skilled in the ring as he is skilled at fixing matches in his favor. Rollins already managed to get Reigns’ cousins, The Usos, banned from ringside, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he can tip the scales further in his favor. This could be Reigns’ biggest challenge as champion yet. 

WWE Raw Women's Title Match: Becky Lynch vs. Doudrop

Doudrop started her run in the WWE playing second banana to Eva Marie, but now Eva Marie is out of WWE, and Doudrop is rapidly rising through the ranks of the main roster. It’s all led to a title shot against “The Man” Becky Lynch, which will be a true test of Doudrop’s abilities. Both women seem confident, though it’s worth noting that Lynch has the accolades to back up most of her smack talk. Doudrop hasn’t taken the taunts lying down, however, and she’s already proven herself as a dominant force in the ring. Perhaps the Royal Rumble 2022 will be her shot to prove she’s one of the brand’s top talents, and will give Lynch a humbling fall from grace after her controversial rise as champion. 

Edge/Beth Phoenix vs. The Miz/Maryse

Beth Phoenix stepped away from the NXT commentary team, and it didn’t take long at all to understand why. Fast forward to now, and she’s appearing in the ring alongside her husband Edge, and they’re set to take on another WWE wrestling power couple, The Miz and Maryse. No titles are on the line for this match, but it’s beyond fair to say the stakes are high, as the tension between the two built for weeks ahead of the 2022 Royal Rumble. This one feels like an easy win for Edge and Beth Phoenix, but Miz didn’t gain a reputation as one of WWE’s greatest heels for no reason. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if he and Maryse have something up their sleeves that will drastically even the odds in the big match. 

WWE’s Royal Rumble streams on Peacock, Saturday, January 29th at 8:00 p.m. ET, provided you have a Peacock premium subscription. Tune in for what should be an awesome night of wrestling and possibly a few unbelievable surprises. 

Wrestling fans had quite the shock when Brock Lesnar emerged victorious from the multi-man match for the Universal title at Day 1, especially considering he was a last-minute addition to the card following Roman Reigns’ positive COVID diagnosis. Now, Lesnar’s will take on Bobby Lashley for the title at the upcoming Royal Rumble, which has likely caused some fans to wonder what's happened to his feud with Reigns. And, perhaps more importantly, will the WWE’s clutch audible call impact the presumed plan of Lesnar and Reigns facing off in the main event of WrestleMania 38?

It seems like things are up in the air right now, though Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio (via Wrestletalk) recently shared how much Brock Lesnar’s WWE title win will reportedly impact WrestleMania 38. He also talked about the months ahead and how the original plans may not be changing up as much as fans may think.

Even though Brock Lesnar win the title in a match he wasn’t involved in mere hours beforehand, the main plans for WrestleMania 38 are still basically on. As far as what might happen beyond that, though, we can only speculate. Brock Lesnar holding the WWE Championship to start off 2022 apparently didn’t cause a massive shakeup in creative plans, and presumably won’t be a major issue when WrestleMania rolls around. (Barring any future positive COVID tests, of course.)  

The real question is, though, if Brock Lesnar is set to face Roman Reigns like many believe, will he do so as the WWE champion? The decision could presumably set up an undisputed title match, assuming Roman Reigns still has the Universal title at the time of WrestleMania 38. A match with two belts on the line would create high stakes, but would also remove a key headline event and rob some of the audience of the two-night event of a match featuring one of the biggest titles. Meltzer didn’t know any specifics on what’s happening with the upcoming WWE Championship match.

Based on the combination of Meltzer's above comment, the presumed change in plans for Day 1, and the fact that WrestleMania 38 is a two-night affair, I think that Brock Lesnar will lose the WWE Championship before WrestleMania. After all, he’s the biggest draw aside from Roman Reigns in the WWE right now, and the company didn’t spend months building this feud just to let it casually go away right before their biggest PPV event. 

Dave Meltzer also wrote in Sports Illustrated that Big E was originally booked to lose the championship title anyway. Seth Rollins was originally set to get the win, though, and not Brock Lesnar. If true, this leads me to believe Lesnar may drop the title ahead of WrestleMania, and whoever was originally booked for that WWE title match will proceed to get that planned match. 

Of course, there then comes the question of who will hold the WWE Championship going into WrestleMania, presuming it's not Lesnar, and who they may face in one of the biggest matches of the night. Truthfully, it may not even be worth speculating at this stage, especially if Roman Reigns’ isn’t the last wrestler on the roster to miss a match due to a COVID diagnosis. As Day 1 showed, anything can change in an instant, so don’t be surprised if plans change once more in the coming weeks. 

WrestleMania 38 will stream on Peacock on Saturday, April 2nd, and Sunday, April 3rd. It will be interesting to watch Brock Lesnar’s title reign in the coming weeks and how the WWE may handle his title loss should that be the go-ahead plan before WrestleMania.