Picture: WWE
Wrestling’s biggest show of the year will be taking place on Sunday and Monday, as the downfall of WWE’s most dominant faction over the past two years seems incredibly likely.
WrestleMania 39 is scheduled for April 2 and 3 at Sofi Stadium in Los Angeles, streaming live on BINGE at 10:00am AEST on both days and headlined by Roman Reigns vs Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed Universal Championship.
The event has broken WWE’s all-time gate record for a WrestleMania, with the company embarking on a new era under the creative leadership of Triple H.
While multiple rivalries should reach their culmination, all eyes are on The Bloodline and whether they will finally capitulate or continue to reign supreme.
Below is The Inner Sanctum‘s preview and predictions for each match at WrestleMania 39.
Strowman & Ricochet vs Street Profits vs Alpha Academy vs Viking Raiders
In the men’s WrestleMania showcase match, Braun Strowman and Ricochet, The Street Profits, Alpha Academy and The Viking Raiders will all compete in a fatal-four way tag team bout.
The contest was constructed purely to get all of these competitors on the card, as there should be stakes on the line to add importance.
It should be an interesting match, as a preview was provided on the March 28 edition of Raw with an eight-man tag team collision composed of these four duos.
Strowman and Ricochet look to be in the box seat for a WrestleMania win, although Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins are also a strong chance to emerge victorious.
Further tension may be displayed between Chad Gable and Otis, due to the latter aligning himself with the Maximum Male Models.
Prediction: Braun Strowman & Ricochet
Rousey & Baszler vs Morgan & Rodriguez vs Natalya & Shotzi vs Green & Deville
The women’s WrestleMania showcase match will also be a fatal-four way tag team contest, consisting of Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler, Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez, Natalya and Shotzi, and Chelsea Green teaming with Sonya Deville.
Just like the men, this was the only way to get these eight females on the show and there also does not appear to be a Women’s Tag Team Championship match up for grabs.
The Baddest Woman on the Planet and Queen of Spades are likely to score a victory and still put themselves in the hunt for a title opportunity against Becky Lynch and Lita post-WrestleMania, as they are the only legitimate team who could defeat the two.
Prediction: Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler
Becky Lynch, Lita & Trish Stratus vs Damage CTRL
To conclude Becky Lynch and Bayley’s rivalry, Damage CTRL will take on the Man, Lita and Trish Stratus in a six-woman tag team match.
The contest eventuated after Stratus assisted Lynch and Lita capture the Women’s Tag Team Championships from IYO SKY and Dakota Kai on the February 28 edition of Raw.
The Canadian then made the challenge for the WrestleMania match one week later, confirming that the gold would not be defended at the show.
It was also assumed that the duo of Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler were going to add themselves to the fray, but that did not happen and it leaves the floor to these two teams to battle.
The six-woman tag team match may be the scene where Damage CTRL split after forming at SummerSlam last year, with Kai and SKY turning on Bayley. The pair have been frustrated with some of their leader’s choices recently, as WrestleMania could be where it all implodes.
Prediction: Becky Lynch, Lita & Trish Stratus
Brock Lesnar vs Omos
When Omos challenged Brock Lesnar to a match at WrestleMania on the February 21 edition of Raw, many were hoping for it to be a swerve. However, the Beast accepted a week later and the two behemoths will lock horns at Sofi Stadium.
The circumstance disappointed many fans, who expected a better proposition for Lesnar, like Bray Wyatt or Gunther. Omos was never the opponent people had envisioned for the Beast, as the Nigerian Giant only competed in one match during the three months prior to making the challenge.
Seeing Lesnar deliver a German suplex and F-5 will still be a quality spectacle and visual, as he should secure the win at WrestleMania despite Omos having the momentum.
The direction for both the Beast and Nigerian Giant after the show remains unknown, but Lesnar could return for a SummerSlam match against Gunther. However, it is difficult to see WWE having any other plans for Omos.
Prediction: Brock Lesnar
Rey Mysterio vs Dominik Mysterio
After months of internal conflict and frustration, Rey Mysterio will finally meet his son in a one-on-one match at WrestleMania.
This bout has been teased since Clash at the Castle in September, where Dominik Mysterio betrayed his father in an act that was always inevitable. From that point, the youngster had constantly been antagonising Rey by attacking him from behind and costing him matches.
Dominik’s desire for a match at WrestleMania kept increasing leading up to the show and it was unknown what the tipping point would be for Rey to finally accept. However, the legendary Luchador agreed on the March 25 edition of Smackdown.
The Mysterio family was in attendance and Dominik scolded his mother, forcing an incensed Rey to strike his son with a right hand and leaving him with no choice but to fight at WrestleMania.
Although it is going to be a special week for Rey with his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame, a win for Dominik is crucial to further expand his heel heat and would compliment The Judgment Day with potential victories for Finn Balor and Rhea Ripley.
It would also be a huge accomplishment for the youngster, as he would ride this achievement for a significant amount of time and use it as momentum.
Prediction: Dominik Mysterio
Seth Rollins vs Logan Paul
After going back and fourth since the Royal Rumble, Seth Rollins and Logan Paul will encounter each other in a singles match at WrestleMania.
The feud kickstarted in January, after it was unclear who the Visionary would compete against at the Showcase of Immortals. However, it became transparent that these two were going to collide when Paul eliminated Rollins from the men’s Royal Rumble match.
It struck a nerve in the Visionary, who constantly said that the Maverick does not belong in the business of professional wrestling. Paul then made Rollins regret his words by costing him the United States Championship at Elimination Chamber.
Ever since, the social media sensation has continued to have the advantage over his rival and has repetitively knocked out the Visionary on episodes of Raw.
It will be a fantastic contest that has the potential to steal the entire show, as the two have similar in-ring styles. The rivalry has also allowed Paul to transition back to being a heel, after turning face for his feud with Roman Reigns last year.
Despite the Maverick constantly having the upper hand in the build to WrestleMania, Rollins should be able to capture a solid win at Sofi Stadium and possibly add himself to the Undisputed Universal Championship picture after.
Prediction: Seth Rollins
Edge vs Finn Balor
Edge and Finn Balor’s prolonged rivalry will finally reach it’s conclusion at WrestleMania, as the two have feuded since June and will meet in the most appropriate setting: Hell in a Cell.
The Rated-R Superstar challenged to face Balor inside the structure on the March 14 edition of Raw, after the latter cost him in a United States Championship match three weeks prior. Edge also said that The Judgment Day have wasted his whole year, as the end of his career is on the horizon.
The former Universal Champion confirmed on the final Raw before WrestleMania that he will bring back his demon persona, while Edge has also alluded to using his brood gimmick for their match.
Since Edge secured the victory with Beth Phoenix over Balor and Rhea Ripley at Elimination Chamber, Finn should win at WrestleMania and finish this long-term program by sending the Rated-R Superstar out of action for the foreseeable future.
While The Judgment Day should move to Smackdown following a probable Ripley triumph, Edge could take a break and gear up for his final months before officially retiring.
The announcement of Smackdown taking place in Toronto on August 19 has indicated to fans that the Rated-R Superstar will hang up his boots after an illustrious career, where some are praying for one last match against John Cena.
Prediction: Finn Balor
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Bianca Belair (c) vs Asuka – Raw Women’s Championship
As a result of emerging victorious in the women’s Elimination Chamber match, Asuka will face Bianca Belair at WrestleMania for the Raw Women’s Championship.
The build for this clash has been lackluster and their previous relationship of being good friends last year has surprisingly been a non-factor. It was only on the March 21 edition of Raw when some level of substance was added to the match, as Asuka attacked Belair following a tag team victory.
While the feud has not lived up to expectations and consisted of any story, their match at WrestleMania should compensate for it and see the Empress of Tomorrow become the new Raw Women’s Champion.
Asuka has been starved of singles gold for two years and a championship reign is long overdue, while Belair has held the title since WrestleMania 38 and has become rather stale.
The E.S.T needs a freshener and a loss could mean a move to Smackdown is on the cards, while Asuka being on top of the Raw women’s division poses a relatively new dynamic and opens the possibility of different feuds.
Prediction: Asuka
Gunther (c) vs Drew McIntyre vs Sheamus – Intercontinental Championship
In what is going to be a physical and hard-hitting affair, Gunther will defend his Intercontinental Championship against Drew McIntyre and Sheamus in a triple-threat match.
A fatal-five way took place on the March 11 edition of Smackdown to determine the Ring General’s number one contender, but the Scottish and Celtic Warriors pinned LA Knight and Xavier Woods respectively at the same time to create a unique situation.
McIntyre and Sheamus collided the next week for the right to challenge Gunther and as both were on the verge of being counted out, the Intercontinental Champion stopped the referee before Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci strangely attacked the two to cause a disqualification.
Adam Pearce was then forced to make a triple threat match, leading to a negative reaction from the Ring General who only wanted to compete against one person.
This contest is the most difficult to predict on WrestleMania’s card, but McIntyre can be ruled out as a potential winner and it leaves WWE with one of two options; a championship retention from Gunther or Sheamus finally capturing the title that has illuded him his whole career.
It depends on which avenue WWE want to take, as they may have the Ring General break the record as the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion in history or if they want to move him towards the main event scene.
The latter seems more likely, leading to a Celtic Warrior triumph and true WrestleMania moment. McIntyre may also be there to take the pinfall from Sheamus, further protecting Gunther for his push up the pecking order.
Prediction: Sheamus
Austin Theory (c) vs John Cena – United States Championship
In a match that has been in the pipeline since SummerSlam last year, Austin Theory will defend his United States Title against John Cena.
The champion made the challenge to his childhood hero on the March 7 edition of Raw, but Cena initially declined and said that no-one cares about Theory. However, the 25-year-old fought back and told the 16-time world champion that he would be going against his values by rejecting the offer.
Cena finally accepted after Theory brought the crowd into the equation by saying they want to see the match, as the former told his opponent that he is not ready and will lose the United States Championship.
The promo stunned Theory and sent fans into a frenzy, but the champion should still rise to the occasion at WrestleMania and retain his gold.
A victory would further propel him as a future megastar of WWE, while also presenting him with a moment he will never forget; defeating his idol at the Grandest Stage of Them All.
Prediction: Austin Theory
Charlotte Flair (c) vs Rhea Ripley – Smackdown Women’s Championship
Three years after she lost to Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 36, Rhea Ripley will look to seek revenge and capture the Smackdown Women’s Championship from the Queen.
The Eradicator had a highly impressive performance in the women’s Royal Rumble match, entering at number one and still punching her ticket to Sofi Stadium with a win. She then elected to challenge Flair two nights later on Raw, when it was widely assumed she was going to face Bianca Belair.
There has also been hot debate over whether this contest or the Undisputed Tag Team Title match should main event night one, as the build has been subpar apart from a wild brawl on the March 18 edition of Smackdown.
Regardless, Ripley should score her win back from 2020 and become the new Smackdown Women’s Champion. Her transformation over the past year has been tremendous and deserves to be rewarded, as a win should also move The Judgment Day to the blue brand after spending one year on Raw.
If The Bloodline is going to fall at WrestleMania, The Judgment Day would be primed to become Smackdown’s top faction and it would start with the Eradicator reigning supreme over the Queen.
Prediction: Rhea Ripley
The Usos (c) vs Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn – Undisputed Tag Team Championships
WWE’s best story looks set to add another chapter at WrestleMania, as The Usos will defend their Undisputed Tag Team Championships against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.
This matchup has always been predicted to happen since last year, as the Prizefighter and former Honorary Uce finally reunited after weeks of tension on the March 18 edition of Smackdown.
Beforehand, Zayn wanted Owens’ help in taking down The Bloodline together where they did not need to be friends. However, the latter was offended and Zayn quickly told the former Universal Champion he loved him before the two challenged the champions on the March 21 edition of Raw.
For the rich story that has been told leading up to this match, it should main event night one of WrestleMania and would compliment Roman Reigns vs Cody Rhodes the following evening.
This rivalry has been the best program WWE have produced in years and is the embodiment of long-term booking, from Zayn proving his loyalty to The Bloodline at Survivor Series to being betrayed at the Royal Rumble, Jey realigning with his brother and the hug between best friends heard all around the world.
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn are almost certain to capture the Undisputed Tag Team Championships and conclude The Usos’ recording breaking reign of 600+ days. The match should then have a flow-on effect, where Reigns could follow suit and drop his title.
Prediction: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
Roman Reigns (c) vs Cody Rhodes – Undisputed Universal Championship
Main eventing WrestleMania for the seventh time, Roman Reigns will put his Undisputed Universal Championship and 940+ day reign on the line against Cody Rhodes.
The American Nightmare won the men’s Royal Rumble match and was always projected to challenge the Tribal Chief at the Showcase of Immortals, as he plans to finish his story and capture the world title in honour of his late father.
Although Reigns and Rhodes have only had two promos together, they have perfectly set the foundations for what will be a memorable main event. The challenger has said that he will rise above adversity like he always has in his career, while the champion declared that Rhodes has failed in the past and will continue to do so.
The challenger seems to be the favourite heading into the match, but Reigns reaching 1000 days as Undisputed Universal Champion is a milestone WWE may want to explore. However, the grander story is the animosity growing within The Bloodline and the potential of The Usos betraying their Tribal Chief.
With Jimmy and Jey bound to drop their Undisputed Tag Team Titles, it seems possible that Reigns would berate them to the point where the latter could cost the champion in the main event to set up a match at SummerSlam.
The two have not been on the same page since the Royal Rumble and could revisit their hellacious rivalry from 2021, while a Cody Rhodes victory will ensure that the world titles are split which is what fans have desired for since last year.
Not only would Jey turning on Roman become a WrestleMania moment, but Owens and Zayn as newly-crowned tag team champions celebrating with Rhodes to close the show would be a special sight after destroying the one group that has plagued WWE for two years.
Prediction: Cody Rhodes
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