For the first time in over 25 years, WrestleMania is coming back to the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection! The most colossal WrestleMania EVER will be invading Lincoln Financial Field in South Philadelphia for two incredible nights of action on April 6th and 7th.
This year’s ‘Mania is XL for many reasons: it’s WWE’s 40th (XL in Roman Numerals) “Showcase of the Immortals,” and it is also their biggest and most superstar-studded event card in history! The eyes of the professional wrestling world will be on Philadelphia for an entire week of events, which include Friday Night Smackdown Live which airs on FOX, the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony which airs on Peacock, NxT Stand & Deliver, Monday Night Raw which airs Live on the USA Network, and the massive WWE World at WrestleMania event that runs April 4th thru 8th at the PA Convention Center.
Being a lifelong wrestling fanatic myself, it is beyond exciting to have “The Grandest Stage of Them All” right here in our very own backyard. Here are my predictions for this year’s WrestleMania XL matches. Check back next week for updates as the WWE adds more matches to the card. Let us know what YOU think will happen on Instagram and Facebook.
AND: Join me at the WrestleMania pre-parties happening on both days across the street from Lincoln Financial Field at Live Casino and Hotel! I’d love to see you there. Get more info on those events here.
Brent Porche is spotlighting WrestleMania and WWE themed events happening in and around Philadelphia. See more of those here.
Brent’s WrestleMania XL Predictions
Iyo Sky (C) vs. Bayley - WWE Women’s Championship Match
At the height of their dominance, Damage CTRL, couldn’t be matched. Lead by the WWE’s first-ever women’s Grand Slam Champion Bayley, Iyo Sky holding the WWE Women’s Championship since August of last year and the Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane) holding the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, the stable was stronger than ever. Things for the group began to fall apart after Bayley won the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble match, and the alliance began to crack. Bayley has the odds against her in this match, but I feel that after a very hard-fought bout, she emerges victorious and becomes the new WWE Women’s Champion.
Winner – Bayley
LAS VEGAS, NV – SEPTEMBER 12: WWE Superstar Bayley appears on the red carpet of the WWE Mae Young Classic on September 12, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for WWE)
Rhea Ripley (C) vs. Becky Lynch – Women’s World Championship
Rhea Ripley and The Judgement Day have been running roughshod over the WWE for well over a year now. And though they’ve had their ups and downs throughout, they remain a very commanding force in both the men’s and women’s divisions with a Ripley leading the charge. I think “Mami” has an extremely formidable opponent in front of her in “The Man” Becky Lynch, but does Becky have what it takes to take down the reigning champ? I don’t think so. It will be a barnburner of a match with Rhea walking away… barely… as the Women’s World Champion.
Winner – Rhea Ripley
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 01: Rhea Ripley during WrestleMania Goes Hollywood at SoFi Stadium on April 01, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Gunther (C) vs. Sami Zayn – WWE Intercontinental Championship
Gunter’s record-breaking reign as Intercontinental Champion is closing in on close to 700 days! With Imperium by his side, Gunter has become the longest reigning IC Champ in the history of the WWE. And while many, including myself, thought that Alpha Academy’s Chad Gable was going to be Gunther’s opponent at Wrestlemania XL, Sami Zayn earned that spot away from Gable, upsetting much of the WWE Universe. I don’t think Zayn gets the job done this time around, and Gunther’s reign as Champ continues until at least Summer Slam where Chad Gable gets his due. Maybe even in a Triple Threat style match against Gunther and Zayn. Until then though… and STILL, WWE Intercontinental Champion – Gunther.
Winner – Gunther
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JANUARY 28: Gunther wrestles Brock Lesnar during the WWE Royal Rumble at the Alamodome on January 28, 2023 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)
Logan Paul (C) vs. Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens – Triple Threat Match for the WWE United States Championship
If there is anyone that deserves a whoopin’ at the hands of both “The Viper” Randy Orton and Kevin Owens, it’s Logan Paul. Over the past year and then some, Paul has showcased his talent as a professional wrestler and sports entertainer, which lead him to his current reign as US Champ. However, anytime there is more than 2 opponents in a match, the chances of retaining the Championship lessen by quite a bit. I see Orton & Owens teaming up on Paul quite a bit throughout the match, but they will eventually turn their focus on each other. And after a good back and forth between the two, Paul will underhandedly take advantage of the situation and barely squeak away with the win and the US Title. Though, I hope Logan gets the beatdown he deserves in the match!
Winner – Logan Paul
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JANUARY 28: Logan Paul reacts during the WWE Royal Rumble at the Alamodome on January 28, 2023 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)
Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso
It’s the battle of brothers! YEET vs. NO YEET! This fight between the Uso Brothers has been in the making for quite some time now. Uso’s cousin Roman Reign’s and the Bloodline have been THE faction in WWE for over 3 years now, and only until recently seemed impenetrable. Once Jey defected from the group, things began to change. The strength in numbers in the Bloodline benefits brother Jimmy however, and I think this will be the deciding factor in the match, with a little help from younger brother Solo Sikoa.
Winner – Jimmy Uso
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – AUGUST 15: WWE wrestler Jimmy Uso attends WWE & E! Entertainment’s “SuperStars For Hope” at the Beverly Hills Hotel on August 15, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for WWE)
Seth “Freakin” Rollins (C) vs. Drew McIntyre – World Heavyweight Championship
Seth Rollins won the newly minted World Heavyweight Title back in May of 2023, and has held the championship ever since. The title’s creation came as a result of former S.H.I.E.L.D. stablemate Roman Reigns’ dominance as the Undisputed WWE Universal Champ. Rollins has fought hard, and through many injuries, to keep this title around his waist, but challenger Drew McIntyre has a different plan for the title moving forward. If things go as I think they will, this match could be one of the most talked about from the entire ‘Mania weekend. Will Rollins injuries come into play? Will there be some sort of “outside interference” that causes “The Visionary” to come up short? Does McIntyre finally get his Wrestlemania moment in front of the WWE Universe? I think Rollins wins, but barely, and following his hard-fought victory, The Judgement Day’s Damien Priest cashes in his Señor Money in the Bank briefcase to become the NEW World Heavyweight Champion! Similar to how Rollins cashed in on Reigns at Wrestlemania years ago.
Winner – Seth “Freakin” Rollins – with Damien Priest cashing in the Money in the Bank contract and defeating Rollins to become the NEW World Heavyweight Champion.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 21: Professional Wrestler Damian Priest attends the WWE SummerSlam after party at Delano Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on August 21, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for WWE SummerSlam After Party)
The Bloodline (The Rock & Roman Reigns) vs. Cody Rhodes & Seth “Freakin” Rollins – Tag Team Match
There is a LOT riding on this Wrestlemania Night #1 match! If Rhodes & Rollins win, all members of The Bloodline will be prohibited from being present ringside during the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match on Night #2. If The Rock & Roman win, the championship match between Reigns & Rhodes on Night #2 will be a Bloodline Rules match. I believe WWE officials will make it as difficult as possible for Cody to dethrone the Tribal Chief on “The Grandest Stage of Them All” in Philadelphia. “The People’s Champ” & “The Head of the Table” will be victorious in this match, leading to a Bloodline Rules match between Rhodes and Reigns on Night #2.
Winners – The Bloodline (The Rock & Roman Reigns)
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JULY 13: Dwayne Johnson (L) and Roman Reigns arrive at the premiere of Universal Pictures’ “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw” at Dolby Theatre on July 13, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Roman Reigns (C) vs. Cody Rhodes – Undisputed WWE Universal Championship
With the Bloodline Rules in place, Cody Rhodes will be in the toughest fight of his career against Reigns. Rhodes will be the underdog throughout the match getting beatdown from pillar to post. And subsequently being outnumbered by The Bloodline, Cody’s chances of walking away as Champ will seemingly be slim to none. However, in true, dramatic WWE fashion, Cody Rhodes will pull himself up by his bootstraps and complete his story by beating the longest reigning champion in WWE in over 35 years, Roman Reigns to become the NEW Undisputed WWE Universal Champion in Philadelphia, with the entire wrestling world watching.
Winner – Cody Rhodes
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JANUARY 28: Cody Rhodes reacts during the WWE Royal Rumble at Alamodome on January 28, 2023 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)
