WrestleMania 40 is shaping up to be the biggest Premium Live Event in
WWE history – and no, that's not hyperbole.
Thanks to some of the most intense drama ever seen on WWE television with returning WWE Superstars like
The Rock, the main event scene is as crowded as it's ever been. On April 6 and 7 in Philadelphia, the mayhem will finally come to a head.
While
WrestleMania's main event is seemingly set in stone, the rest of the card is beginning to take shape. Unless you've been living under a rock, you're well aware that
Cody Rhodes will be challenging
Roman Reigns for the second year in a row for the prestigious Undisputed WWE Universal Title. If the following hype video doesn't get you, well,
hyped, you shouldn't call yourself a wrestling fan:
Let's take a look at the officially announced WrestleMania 40 matches – as well as rumored matches that fans are speculating about.
Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes
Split of Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes and The Rock
WrestleMania 40's main event has been locked in.
Photo: WWE
How's this for a main event?
Despite the mayhem of the recent
WrestleMania press event from Las Vegas, it looks like The American Nightmare will get one more chance at dethroning the seemingly insurmountable Roman Reigns in Philadelphia. Despite
Seth Rollins and
The Rock throwing monkey wrenches into WWE's plans, Cody will have one more opportunity to finish his story.
Reigns has enjoyed an unheard-of-in-the-modern-era 1,000+ day title reign while being the most unstoppable WWE Superstar in decades. Cody Rhodes seemingly has the unwavering support of the entire WWE Universe that arguably hasn't been seen since the glory days of Hulkamania. Expect this main event to overwhelmingly receive the most mainstream media attention in the weeks and months leading up to WrestleMania – and for good reason: the match will be historic and awe-inspiring.
WWE Women's Championship: IYO SKY vs. Bayley
Bayley walks to the ring.
Bayley walks to the ring.
Photo: WWE
At
SummerSlam 2022, Bayley returned with two allies in tow: Dakota Kai and IYO SKY. Collectively, three women were known as Damage CTRL and ran through the WWE women's division for over a year.
But 2022 might as well be decades ago.
In 2024, a lot has changed. Damage CTRL as we know it is no more, as Bayley
parlayed her Royal Rumble victory – and leveraged the increasing discontent within Damage CTRL – into a WWE Women's Title match against reigning champion IYO SKY at WrestleMania 40.
As
we've covered before, Bayley has quietly earned the distinction of being one of the most accomplished WWE Superstars ever – and the last thing she has to check off her bucket list is a genuine WrestleMania moment. She'll get that chance in Philadelphia. Although she's been one of the most villainous women in the locker room for a long time, we have a feeling she'll be riding a groundswell of fan support. Bayley will look to move past her Damage CTRL era and enter into a new, positive career arc – if IYO SKY allows it, of course.
Rumored WrestleMania 40 Matches
Seth Rollins posing outside the ring
Seth Rollins poses in the WWE ring with his championship belt Photo: WWE
When the dust clears from
Elimination Chamber 2024, more matches for WrestleMania should come into focus.
Both the men's and women's Elimination Chamber matches have significant stakes attached to them. The winner of the men's Chamber match will challenge
Monday Night Raw's Seth Rollins for his World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania, while the women's Chamber winner will go on to challenge
Rhea Ripley for her Women's World Title.
It seems like the entire locker room is gunning for Seth lately – and he's drawn even more attention to himself due to his proximity to the feud between The Bloodline and Cody Rhodes lately. As the workhorse champion of WWE, the WWE Universe should expect Seth to face his toughest competition yet in Philadelphia.
Becky Lynch looks to be the favorite to leave Perth as the women's Elimination Chamber winner, setting up a highly-anticipated match with Mami at WrestleMania. We don't know if Becky has been counting her chickens before they've hatched, but it sure seems like The Man considers herself the uncrowned number one contender to Rhea's title:
In addition to those world title matches, conventional wisdom says the WWE Universe will see Gunther defend his Intercontinental Title,
Logan Paul defend his United States Championship, and
The Judgment Day put their Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles up for grabs at WrestleMania.
It will be a historic two nights in Philadelphia, that's for sure.