B/R Wrestling Staff Predictions for WWE WrestleMania 40 Match Card

For wrestling fans, this weekend is our Super Bowl. The men and women of WWE will put on the 40th annual WrestleMania pay-per-view on Saturday and Sunday in Philadephia.

The card for both nights is stacked. Here is a look at the lineup as it currently stands for Night 1.

• Rhea Ripley vs. Becky Lynch (Women's World Championship)
• Gunther vs. Sami Zayn (Intercontinental Championship)
  
• Judgment Day vs. DIY vs. Awesome Truth vs. New Catch vs. New Day vs. A-Town Downunder (Tag Team Championships)
  
• Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso
  
• Bianca Belair Jade Cargill and Naomi vs. Asuka, Kairi Sane and Dakota Kai
  
• Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee vs. Santos Escobar and Dominik Mysterio
  
• The Rock and Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins
  

And here is the card for Night 2:

• Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre (World Heavyweight Championship)
• Iyo Sky vs. Bayley (WWE Women's Championship)
  
• LA Knight vs. AJ Styles
  
• Logan Paul vs. Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens (U.S. Championship)
  
• The Pride vs. The Final Testament
  
• Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes (Universal Championship)
  

As always, we have our panel of contributors here to answer questions and offer predictions.

• Chris Mueller (CM) (@BR_Doctor)
• Erik Beaston (EB) (@ErikBeaston)
• Graham Matthews (GM) (@WrestleRant)
• Donald Wood (DW) (@RingRustRadio) 
• Kevin Berge (KG) (@KevinBerge)
• Jeff J (JJ) (@JeffJSays)

Gunther vs. Sami Zayn

Is now the right time for Gunther to finally drop the IC title?

Gunther is one of this generation's greatest Intercontinental champions, but Sami Zayn needs the WrestleMania moment more right now. At the 2023 Elimination Chamber, Zayn fell short in his battle against Roman Reigns, killing much of the momentum he had created over the previous year.

Now, after toiling in the tag team division and venturing out on his own again, beating Gunther would generate a buzz around his character that could carry him through the rest of 2024.

Iyo Sky vs. Bayley

What has been your opinion of Bayley's babyface turn so far?

Bayley's win at the Royal Rumble was the highlight of the build to WrestleMania. While the storyline against Iyo Sky has been lackluster at best, Bayley has done well in her role and has embraced her newfound babyface persona.

Winning the WWE Women's Championship and celebrating with the fans would be a fresh start for her character as the heels look to use dirty tactics to steal her shine. At this point in her career, fans want to support Bayley, so leaning into it and booking her as a strong face who overcomes adversity is smart booking.

The Rock and Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins

What is the best possible outcome here? Who gets pinned and who pins them?

To set up Rhodes winning the championship on Night 2, The Rock and Reigns should walk out victorious, with The Final Boss damaging Rollins for McIntyre and allowing Bloodline Rules to be enforced during the following night's main event match. The odds would be completely stacked against Rhodes, who can overcome them all to finish his story.

Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill and Naomi vs. Asuka, Kairi Sane and Dakota Kai

Lay out how you would book the finish. Who gets the pin and who takes it?

This match should be a showcase for Cargill. Belair and Naomi could take out Asuka and Sane ahead of time to set up a future Women's Tag Team Championships match.

At the close though, Cargill should be the one in the lead, hitting Jaded on Kai for the big victory.

The Pride vs. The Final Testament

Both of these groups would benefit from a win, but which one do you think WWE will go with? Why them?

While Final Testament needs momentum, Lashley and The Street Profits are too important to WWE to lose at WrestleMania. This will be all about giving The Pride revenge against a group that has tried to make an example out of them.

The Rock and Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins

What is the best possible outcome here? Who gets pinned and who pins them?

The Rock has acknowledged Reigns as his Tribal Chief and should give the champion the pinfall at the end of this match. It makes sense for him to take out Rollins, protecting Rhodes for Night 2 while making The Visionary look especially vulnerable against McIntyre on Night 2.

Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee vs. Santos Escobar and Dominik Mysterio

Would this have been better with both stables fully involved?

I would've enjoyed a massive LWO vs LDF matchup. You rarely see 10-man tag matches at 'Mania, so for the sake of novelty, it would've been a great change of pace.

I see where they're going with the main focus on these four competitors. Plus, I expect both factions to get involved in some capacity. Either way, fans will get to see LWO vs LDF and Dom mix it up.

Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes

Do you think we will see anyone or anything unexpected in this match?

The slogan "Anything can happen in WWE" will never be more appropriate than in this match. I think you will see multiple superstars who have been involved in this entire Bloodline saga make an appearance, including the unexpected.

Do we hear the staccato of glass shattering in Philly? Do we instruct the orchestra to blare horns at the highest volume? Anyone can show up, and I wouldn't be surprised if everyone showed up.

The Rock and Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins

What is the best possible outcome here? Who gets pinned and who pins them?

The Rock pins Cody Rhodes. It will sow seeds of doubt around Cody finishing his story. The Final Boss looks indomitable, and fans will wonder whether Roman Reigns will continue his title dominance because of the Bloodline rules stipulation.

I can't wait for the Avengers: Endgame protocols to activate so we get to see everyone involved in this Bloodline story attempt to interfere in the undisputed world title match.

Rhea Ripley vs. Becky Lynch

What is the best possible outcome of this match?

Ripley has been a fantastic champion, but The Man has had plenty of big moments, too. Either woman could leave with the belt and most fans would be happy, but it makes more sense to give Ripley this win and establish her as the most dominant force in the division.

Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre

Who would you personally rather see leave as the world champion?

McIntyre has really found something special with this snarky version of his character. His social media work building this feud has been phenomenal, and he absolutely deserves to have his WrestleMania moment in front of fans after the pandemic robbed him of that when he beat Brock Lesnar.

The Rock and Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins

What is the best possible outcome here? Who gets pinned and who pins them?

The match is going to end with The Bloodline winning and stacking the odds against Rhodes even further. The Rock pinning The American Nightmare seems like a probable scenario due to the way WWE has been telling this story.

Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso

Do you think this match will end with The Usos settling their differences and reuniting? Why or why not?

An Uso reunion is obviously inevitable, but it's way too soon for it to be happening now. Not only is their feud bound to continue past WrestleMania, but Jey has become a total breakout star and shouldn't return to the tag team ranks anytime soon. He should have singles gold in his immediate future.

Logan Paul vs. Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens

Who would be a better choice to win the U.S. title, Orton or Owens?

Paul retaining would be the ideal outcome to set up LA Knight as the one to eventually beat him for the belt. But between Orton and Owens, Orton would be the better choice, if only because his last reign with it in 2018 was too short.

As a certified main-event player, he can ensure the title stays at a pretty prominent level.

The Rock and Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins

What is the best possible outcome here? Who gets pinned and who pins them?

If Rhodes is going to "finish his story" on Night 2, he must first fall to The Bloodline on Night 1. Think Empire Strikes Back. Put even more heat on the heels heading into the Night 2 main event and make Rhodes' title win mean that much more once he overcomes the odds.

Predictions were submitted before the women's tag title match was added to the card. B/R Wrestling writers' predictions are represented by their initials:

• Ripley (CM, JJ, KB, DW) vs. Lynch (GM)
• Gunther (JJ, KB) vs. Zayn (CM, DW, GM)
• Jey (KB) vs. Jimmy Uso (CM, JJ, GM, DW)
• Belair, Cargill and Naomi (CM, JJ, GM, DW, JJ) vs. Asuka, Sane and Kai
  
• Rey and Dragon Lee (CM, JJ, GM, DW) vs. Escobar and Dominik (JJ)
  
• The Rock and Reigns (CM, JJ, GM, DW, JJ) vs. Rhodes and Rollins
  

• Rollins (JJ) vs. McIntyre (CM, JJ, GM, DW)
• Sky vs. Bayley (CM, JJ, GM, DW, JJ)
  
• Knight (CM, JJ, DW, JJ) vs. Styles (GM)
  
• Paul (JJ, GM, DW, JJ) vs. Orton (CM) vs. Owens
  
• The Pride (CM, JJ, GM, DW) vs. The Final Testament (JJ)
• Reigns vs. Rhodes (CM, JJ, GM, DW, JJ)

For the tag title match, our writers all agree the tag titles will likely be split. Here is who each writer thinks will win:

• CM: Awesome Truth and New Catch Republic
• JJ: Awesome Trutth and New Day
• KB: DIY and New Catch Republic
• DW: Awesome Truth and A-Town Down Under
• GM: Awesome Truth and A-Town Down Under