WrestleMania XL is here! For the first time in over 25 years, WrestleMania is coming back to the City of Brotherly Love. The most colossal WrestleMania ever will be invading Lincoln Financial Field in South Philadelphia for two incredible nights of action on April 6 and 7.
This year’s WrestleMania 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 through 8 at the PA Convention Center.
Being a lifelong wrestling fanatic myself, it is beyond exciting to have “The Grandest Stage of Them All” in my hometown of Philadephia. 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.
And, if you’re going to be in town for the festivities, oin 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.
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
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
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
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 three 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.
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.
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)
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
