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The WrestleMania 39 card isn't even set yet and here we are predicting more than a year later what Wrestlemania XL could look like. We couldn't have dreamed of what happened to Sami Zayn as we enter this year's mania. With that in mind, today's predictions take into consideration common sense, some surprises, and a little bit of wishful thinking.
Here we go...
Wrestlemania Hosts: ECW legends Mic Foley as Cactus Jack, Rhino, Rob Van Dam, Tommy Dreamer, Dudley Boyz (IMPACT Wrestling gives permission for some to appear)
Star spangled Banner: Boyz II Men
WRESTLEMANIA XL
NIGHT 1
Sami Zayn (C) Vs. Logan Paul
United States championship
Logan Paul continues a part-time role in the WWE throughout 2023 and starts phasing himself more into the business. Logan gets his first realistic shot at winning a single's title here against fan favorite Sami Zayn, who begins a program with Austin Theory at some point and takes the championship off of him in late 2023.
WINNER AND NEW UNITED STATES CHAMPION: LOGAN PAUL
Bron Breakker Vs. Bobby Lashley
Almighty, age 47 at this point, starts to put over the future more often than not.
WINNER: BRON BREAKKER
US Title Battle Royal
Winner gets championship shot against Logan Paul/Sami Zayn winner on RAW after Mania
Braun Stroman, Montez Ford, Kofi Kingston, Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio, LA Knight, Riccochet, Karrion Kross, Xavier Woods, Matt Riddle, Shelton Benjamin, Omos, Johnny Gargano, Bronson Reed, Grayson Waller
HHH has shown an emphasis on upping the prestige of this title. He gave the spotlight to it in this year's elimination chamber, and at Mania XL the battle royal happens.
WINNER: Montez Ford
Kevin Owens Vs. Bray Wyatt
Owens might be able to make Bray's silly rhetoric work here. I'm not in love with anything Bray Wyatt does, but Owens seems both intense and witty enough to make this entertaining. This is a rare Bray Wyatt feud I'd somewhat be invested in on the undercard.
WINNER: KEVIN OWENS
Rhea Ripley (C) Vs. Becky Lynch
Smackdown Women's championship
They met once in 2019 en route to the survivor series. This time, Lynch wins Elimination Chamber to earn her spot.
WINNER: RHEA RIPLEY
Sheamus (C) Vs. Pete Dunne
Intercontinental Championship
Dunne gets his name back and has a Sami Zayn lite 2023-24 to get the big match-up against the brawling brute, who goes back to his heel roots for this one.
WINNER AND NEW INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: PETE DUNNE
Seth Rollins (C) Vs. Drew Mcyntire
WWE championship
Drew gets his chance to capture the WWE championship in front of a live crowd, an opportunity he missed out on in 2020 due to the pandemic. At this point, let's say they've pulled the trigger on Mcyntire being a heel to spice things up. He wins the Elimination Chamber to get his shot.
WINNER AND NEW WWE CHAMPION: DREW MCYNTIRE
The Miz Vs. mystery opponent (Rusev/Miro returns to company)
Miro has multiple years left with AEW, but no creative direction. I'll take a leap and say he's granted a release and returns to the E. Miz bitches about not having a match, must see, yadi Yada yada.
WINNER: RUSEV
MAIN EVENT OF NIGHT 1
Charlotte Flair Vs. Bianca Belair (C)
"A Flair for the gold: Charlotte chases history"
RAW women's championship
Charlotte Flair, a 15x women's champion in this hypothetical scenario, wins the women's royal rumble and goes for history on this night to tie her father and John Cena at 16 championship reigns. She and Belair had some run ins during 2020 in the NXT crossover and fought in 2021, but this will be the first real match up while Belair is in her prime. Insert a heavy dose of Ric Flair in this storyline.
WINNER AND NEW RAW WOMEN'S CHAMPION: Charlotte Flair
WRESTLEMANIA XL
NIGHT 2
Brock Lesnar (C) Vs. Gunther
Universal Championship
The Beast finds his way back to the universal title when Cody Rhodes vacates it after his Wrestlemania victory. Gunther, 2024 Royal Rumble winner, chooses to go after Lesnar at the show of shows. Lesnar puts over Gunther here to cement the ring general as a top guy in a banger of an opener at Wrestlemania.
WINNER AND NEW UNIVERSAL CHAMPION: GUNTHER
Shinsuke Nakamura Vs. AJ Styles
A wrestlemania re-match with the stakes much lower, but a fun mid card bout.
WINNER: SHINSUKE NAKAMURA
Edge Vs. Austin Theory
If Edge loses, he must retire
WWE continues the build of Austin Theory, who has had another stellar year in the WWE. I predict he's almost ready to reach the mountaintop, but they continue to put him over against another legend. Edge gets his final Wrestlemania moment in a loss.
WINNER; AUSTIN THEORY
Jacob Fatu/Solo Sikoa Vs. Usos (C)
Undisputed Tag Team Championships
For all intents and purposes, we'll say the Bloodline is no longer a thing or at least not a cohesive thing. Jacob Fatu makes his way to the E to help out Solo Sikoa as they go for the tag straps.
WINNERS: THE USOS
John Cena Vs. Randy Orton
The final chapter of one of the more underrated rivalries of all time gets a final bow put on it as Orton's career is winding down and Cena has a few more good part-time matches in him.
WINNER: RANDY ORTON
Bayley/Sasha Banks Vs. Damage CTRL Vs. Toxic Attraction Vs. Ronda Rousey/Baezler (C) (W/ Paul Heyman)
Women's tag team championship: No disqualifications Fatal 4-way
The Boss returns after a hiatus and we get a Bayley babyface turn as she partners up with her old flame. Heyman is heavily involved in the ECW-inspired type match and is managing the Rousey/Baezler duo here.
WINNERS AND NEW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: BAYLEY/SASHA BANKS
Cody Rhodes Vs. MJF
Let's take the bait and assume the bidding war of 2024 ends up MJF signing with the WWE after AEW fails to grow further by January of 2024, even if I give that less than 25% chance of happening. They'll be able to at least reference their battles in 2024, Cody handicapping himself from being a world champ there, leaving because he was scared of MJF, etc. Lots of good narratives to play on with two of the best talkers going today.
WINNER: MJF
MAIN EVENT OF NIGHT 2
The Rock Vs. The Roman Reigns
I predict this is where we get the big match. Considering the significance of this show, this one makes all the sense in the world. The Rock makes his shocking return in the Royal rumble, eliminating Roman Reigns
WINNER: ROMAN REIGNS
YOUR TURN TO WEIGH IN
...as you ponder
* What did you like about this Mania card?
* What did you hate?
* What do you think will happen at Mania 40?
* What surprise returns could we see?
Here we go...
Wrestlemania Hosts: ECW legends Mic Foley as Cactus Jack, Rhino, Rob Van Dam, Tommy Dreamer, Dudley Boyz (IMPACT Wrestling gives permission for some to appear)
Star spangled Banner: Boyz II Men
WRESTLEMANIA XL
NIGHT 1
Sami Zayn (C) Vs. Logan Paul
United States championship
Logan Paul continues a part-time role in the WWE throughout 2023 and starts phasing himself more into the business. Logan gets his first realistic shot at winning a single's title here against fan favorite Sami Zayn, who begins a program with Austin Theory at some point and takes the championship off of him in late 2023.
WINNER AND NEW UNITED STATES CHAMPION: LOGAN PAUL
Bron Breakker Vs. Bobby Lashley
Almighty, age 47 at this point, starts to put over the future more often than not.
WINNER: BRON BREAKKER
US Title Battle Royal
Winner gets championship shot against Logan Paul/Sami Zayn winner on RAW after Mania
Braun Stroman, Montez Ford, Kofi Kingston, Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio, LA Knight, Riccochet, Karrion Kross, Xavier Woods, Matt Riddle, Shelton Benjamin, Omos, Johnny Gargano, Bronson Reed, Grayson Waller
HHH has shown an emphasis on upping the prestige of this title. He gave the spotlight to it in this year's elimination chamber, and at Mania XL the battle royal happens.
WINNER: Montez Ford
Kevin Owens Vs. Bray Wyatt
Owens might be able to make Bray's silly rhetoric work here. I'm not in love with anything Bray Wyatt does, but Owens seems both intense and witty enough to make this entertaining. This is a rare Bray Wyatt feud I'd somewhat be invested in on the undercard.
WINNER: KEVIN OWENS
Rhea Ripley (C) Vs. Becky Lynch
Smackdown Women's championship
They met once in 2019 en route to the survivor series. This time, Lynch wins Elimination Chamber to earn her spot.
WINNER: RHEA RIPLEY
Sheamus (C) Vs. Pete Dunne
Intercontinental Championship
Dunne gets his name back and has a Sami Zayn lite 2023-24 to get the big match-up against the brawling brute, who goes back to his heel roots for this one.
WINNER AND NEW INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: PETE DUNNE
Seth Rollins (C) Vs. Drew Mcyntire
WWE championship
Drew gets his chance to capture the WWE championship in front of a live crowd, an opportunity he missed out on in 2020 due to the pandemic. At this point, let's say they've pulled the trigger on Mcyntire being a heel to spice things up. He wins the Elimination Chamber to get his shot.
WINNER AND NEW WWE CHAMPION: DREW MCYNTIRE
The Miz Vs. mystery opponent (Rusev/Miro returns to company)
Miro has multiple years left with AEW, but no creative direction. I'll take a leap and say he's granted a release and returns to the E. Miz bitches about not having a match, must see, yadi Yada yada.
WINNER: RUSEV
MAIN EVENT OF NIGHT 1
Charlotte Flair Vs. Bianca Belair (C)
"A Flair for the gold: Charlotte chases history"
RAW women's championship
Charlotte Flair, a 15x women's champion in this hypothetical scenario, wins the women's royal rumble and goes for history on this night to tie her father and John Cena at 16 championship reigns. She and Belair had some run ins during 2020 in the NXT crossover and fought in 2021, but this will be the first real match up while Belair is in her prime. Insert a heavy dose of Ric Flair in this storyline.
WINNER AND NEW RAW WOMEN'S CHAMPION: Charlotte Flair
WRESTLEMANIA XL
NIGHT 2
Brock Lesnar (C) Vs. Gunther
Universal Championship
The Beast finds his way back to the universal title when Cody Rhodes vacates it after his Wrestlemania victory. Gunther, 2024 Royal Rumble winner, chooses to go after Lesnar at the show of shows. Lesnar puts over Gunther here to cement the ring general as a top guy in a banger of an opener at Wrestlemania.
WINNER AND NEW UNIVERSAL CHAMPION: GUNTHER
Shinsuke Nakamura Vs. AJ Styles
A wrestlemania re-match with the stakes much lower, but a fun mid card bout.
WINNER: SHINSUKE NAKAMURA
Edge Vs. Austin Theory
If Edge loses, he must retire
WWE continues the build of Austin Theory, who has had another stellar year in the WWE. I predict he's almost ready to reach the mountaintop, but they continue to put him over against another legend. Edge gets his final Wrestlemania moment in a loss.
WINNER; AUSTIN THEORY
Jacob Fatu/Solo Sikoa Vs. Usos (C)
Undisputed Tag Team Championships
For all intents and purposes, we'll say the Bloodline is no longer a thing or at least not a cohesive thing. Jacob Fatu makes his way to the E to help out Solo Sikoa as they go for the tag straps.
WINNERS: THE USOS
John Cena Vs. Randy Orton
The final chapter of one of the more underrated rivalries of all time gets a final bow put on it as Orton's career is winding down and Cena has a few more good part-time matches in him.
WINNER: RANDY ORTON
Bayley/Sasha Banks Vs. Damage CTRL Vs. Toxic Attraction Vs. Ronda Rousey/Baezler (C) (W/ Paul Heyman)
Women's tag team championship: No disqualifications Fatal 4-way
The Boss returns after a hiatus and we get a Bayley babyface turn as she partners up with her old flame. Heyman is heavily involved in the ECW-inspired type match and is managing the Rousey/Baezler duo here.
WINNERS AND NEW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: BAYLEY/SASHA BANKS
Cody Rhodes Vs. MJF
Let's take the bait and assume the bidding war of 2024 ends up MJF signing with the WWE after AEW fails to grow further by January of 2024, even if I give that less than 25% chance of happening. They'll be able to at least reference their battles in 2024, Cody handicapping himself from being a world champ there, leaving because he was scared of MJF, etc. Lots of good narratives to play on with two of the best talkers going today.
WINNER: MJF
MAIN EVENT OF NIGHT 2
The Rock Vs. The Roman Reigns
I predict this is where we get the big match. Considering the significance of this show, this one makes all the sense in the world. The Rock makes his shocking return in the Royal rumble, eliminating Roman Reigns
WINNER: ROMAN REIGNS
YOUR TURN TO WEIGH IN
...as you ponder
* What did you like about this Mania card?
* What did you hate?
* What do you think will happen at Mania 40?
* What surprise returns could we see?
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