WWE WrestleMania 39: Best Finishes for Top Matches on the Card

At WrestleMania 39, like those before it, the best finishes for matches on the card will give fans a sense of satisfaction with earned endings built through strong storytelling.

Granted, there are some historical exceptions, like when Brock Lesnar ended The Undertaker's undefeated streak. But the key word there is historical, an almost all-timer moment fans will never forget.

But this weekend's two-night event feels like it has a bigger emphasis than usual on long-term storytelling, if not a passing-of-the-torch theme. That much is evident from the start with the confirmed opening match on the card.

WrestleMania 39 Match Card and Predictions

Night 1

• United States Championship: John Cena vs. Austin Theory (c)
• Seth Rollins vs. Logan Paul

• Rey Mysterio vs. Dominik Mysterio

• SmackDown Women's Championship: Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Rhea Ripley

• Trish Stratus, Lita, and Becky Lynch (c) vs. Damage CTRL

• Men's WrestleMania Showcase: Braun Strowman and Ricochet vs. The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) vs. Alpha Academy (Chad Gable and Otis) vs. The Viking Raiders (Erik and Ivar)

• Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship: Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn vs. The Usos (c)

Night 2

• Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns (c)
  

• Brock Lesnar vs. Omos

• Raw Women's Championship: Bianca Belair (c) vs. Asuka

• Finn Bálor vs. Edge

• Intercontinental Championship: Gunther (c) vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus

• Women's WrestleMania Showcase: Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez vs. Natalya and Shotzi vs. Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler vs. one team TBA

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That opener between U.S. champion Austin Theory and John Cena certainly fits the theme well and boasts one result that makes sense as the best possible finish: Theory pinning Cena clean.

Theory, still just 25 years old, is one of the best prospects in WWE and rightfully compared to Cena often. It's only fitting that he retains a championship belt Cena is very, very familiar with by getting the win and keeping his current run going. It would be a major boon for both him and the reputation of the title itself.

Keeping the focus on the theme and mid-card titles, look no further than Gunther defending the Intercontinental title in a triple threat against Drew McIntyre and Sheamus.

Clearly one of the next big things after the historic run in the Royal Rumble and with the company trusting him to hold its biggest men's title while both top titles were unified around the waist of Roman Reigns, it's only right for Gunther to pick up a clean win.

The best results featuring some of WWE's next top guys getting monumental wins is a theme that even extends to the Brock Lesnar vs. Omos match.

Sure, this has the feel of a typical Mania-styled spectacle. Seeing Lesnar look small compared to anyone on the planet classifies as such, but especially when he's getting rag-dolled around by the 7'3", 403-pound Omos.

Omos, by the way, is only 28 years old and still a prospect. He hasn't endeared himself to fans yet or done a ton, but that will change in a hurry if he takes down a GOAT contender like Lesnar, even if it is a non-title match. There are few Superstars who walk down a ramp, get in a ring and say they have bested Lesnar, so it's a star-making chance.

The theme even extends to two different stables over four different matches.

Look at The Judgment Day. Rhea Ripley besting Charlotte Flair for the SmackDown women's title is a no-brainer. So is Finn Bálor taking out the Demon alter ego for the first time in what feels like forever and taking down a modern great like Edge in a Hell in a Cell.

And then there is Dominik Mysterio, a 25-year-old Superstar with family ties suddenly exploding with potential given his recent run. He needs to beat his father, Rey Mysterio, during the event, of course. But it might be best for all if it's an incredibly dirty finish in which he lies, cheats and steals to make it happen, too, playing off some history there.

The other faction? Reigns' Bloodline.

The Usos will defend their unified tag titles against the finally reunited duo of Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. The latter's extensive history and on-off friendship over multiple promotions would have made for an amazing storyline in its own right.

But it's only fitting that Zayn's involvement with the Bloodline that helped the whole saga become one of the best storylines ever plays a role in the possible downfall of Reigns. It's not as simple as The Usos just losing, as some sort of heartfelt interaction between Zayn and Jey Uso plays a part. But either way, the tag titles need to change hands.

Notice we said possible downfall of Reigns, though. This is where that conversation of proper building vs. a historic swerve comes into play. There's plenty of merit to the idea that Rhodes and everything about him—from wanting to win the title his father never did to starting up All Elite Wrestling and more—is more than deserving of having the proverbial torch passed to him, too.

But the result almost feels too obvious, especially with Rhodes entering 30th in the Royal Rumble to win it and keep this whole thing going. Reigns winning would mean he surpasses the 1,000-day mark as champion, something that isn't exactly common in the modern era. It would also mean keeping the door wide open for him to potentially have matches against Jey, The Rock and whoever else is on the wishlist still.

The best outcome for at least some segment of fans is Roman pulling off the "upset" in the main event. But it's massively debatable—as is pretty much any match on the card. So too for the debate as to which night of the event will actually be better.

That's a testament to the strong buildup to this event and the matches on the card, as WrestleMania 39 has all the makings of a classic.

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