Early Predictions for WWE WrestleMania 40 Match Card Before 2024 Royal Rumble
The road to WrestleMania 40 has begun. Royal Rumble 2024 will jump-start the build to Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
This may be the last time in 2024 where the card for The Show of Shows is completely uncertain. Two challengers will be crowned in the Royal Rumble matches, and multiple titles could change hands.
There are some big stories that are building toward The Show of Shows. Roman Reigns is ducking Cody Rhodes and The Rock as the biggest challengers to his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
CM Punk and Seth "Freakin" Rollins look poised to come to blows soon. Rhea Ripley has already accepted a future challenge from Becky Lynch if she can earn the No. 1 contendership.
Other angles are less clear. What will Gunther, Logan Paul, Brock Lesnar, Randy Orton and more do at The Show of Shows?
The following is a prediction of the entire WrestleMania 40 card, speculating on what will come in these next months to make the best show possible.
Night 1 Undercard Matches
1 of 6The Rock will be the WrestleMania 40 host, helping Kevin Owens with Grayson Waller and Austin Theory
If The Brahma Bull does not main event WrestleMania, he is the best option to host WrestleMania, his second time in the role. He could have a fun interaction in Night 1 with KO, hitting finishers on Waller and Theory.
Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso
WWE has waited long enough to deliver brother against brother. The Usos have gone on opposite paths, and especially if Jimmy were to cost Jey another title, it would set up a necessary clash to hopefully push the brothers back together again.
Rey Mysterio vs. Santos Escobar
The Greatest Luchador of All Time has built a long rivalry that can culminate at WrestleMania for the second year in a row. Mysterio against Escobar is a perfect opportunity to solidify a top heel for years to come.
Women's WrestleMania Showcase: Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark vs. Natalya and Tegan Nox vs. Chelsea Green and Pipe Niven vs. Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell
With the number of wrestlers that should not miss this card, it would be best to continue the WrestleMania Showcase tradition. This can highlight a women's tag team division still rebuilding.
Night 2 Undercard Matches
2 of 6The Rock vs. Solo Sikoa in an impromptu match
While Night 1 would focus on The Great One as host, the second could shift to his future as a Superstar. He has a future match with Roman Reigns that can begin to develop by defeating The Tribal Heir.
LA Knight vs. AJ Styles
The seeds have been slowly planted that The Phenomenal One could turn heel, and he has already begun to clash with The Million Dollar Megastar. This would be a major show-stealer that can continue Knight's rise.
Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn
The Scottish Warrior has made many enemies, but his story with The Ultimate Underdog is the most layered. The two can settled together who is right in their argument about what holds McIntyre back from success.
Men's WrestleMania Showcase: Imperium vs. New Day vs. Street Profits vs. Authors of Pain
The men's tag team division is stacked with talent that deserve a spotlight. Imperium and New Day continue to build an exciting feud while the rivalry of Bobby Lashley's group against The Final Testament is growing. Bring it all together in a wild tag match.
Night 1 Title Matches
3 of 6Women's World Championship: Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Becky Lynch
Mami and The Man are the top stars in the women's division. It is inevitable that they must clash. While only one match can be the main event, this could very feel like the true main event by the time it reaches its dramatic conclusion.
Intercontinental Championship: Gunther (c) vs. Brock Lesnar
The Ring General has faced every great challenger in his way. However, there is one monster that could be his better. Gunther vs. The Beast Incarnate is a slobber-knocker that could be the most exciting ten minutes of the night.
Undisputed Tag Team Championships: Judgment Day (c) vs. Creed Brothers vs. DIY vs. Awesome Truth
Judgment Day has made many enemies. There is not one clear answer for the tag team that should take them down, so it would be best to pit them against all of their major rivals. This would also likely not be the end of Damian Priest's night.
Night 2 Title Matches
4 of 6WWE Women's Championship: Iyo Sky (c) vs. Bayley
The Damage CTRL story has almost reached its next dramatic twist. The Role Model is the favorite to win the women's Royal Rumble, and once she does, the stage will be set for her own group to turn on her and building perhaps the most personal battle of 'Mania.
United States Championship: Logan Paul (c) vs. Randy Orton
The Maverick has set himself up as a potential dominant United States champion, but his challenges will grow only more serious in the future. The Viper lacks a clear path to 'Mania, but that can change quickly if he sets his sights on Paul.
Women's Tag Championships: Katana Chance and Kayden Carter (c) vs. Damage CTRL
The women's tag team division is in full rebuild, but the clearest feud for WrestleMania is the challenge of Asuka and Kairi Sane against Chance and Carter. This could be a chance for Damage CTRL to completely take over WWE.
Night 1 Main Event - CM Punk (c) vs. Seth "Freakin" Rollins
5 of 6The immediate future of Seth "Freakin" Rollins is unclear. According to Fightful Select, during his latest World Heavyweight Championship defense, he suffered a torn MCL and partially torn meniscus.
Until the full information is released to confirm The Visionary's injury and recovery time, no one knows what will happen with him and the World Heavyweight Championship.
Even if he can make WrestleMania 40, it is very possible he will have to vacate the championship to allow the title to be actively defended in the coming couple month.
The goal has always been Rollins vs. CM Punk, so if the title needs to be vacated, The Best in the World can win it. This would set up for a dramatic return from injury just in time to challenge Punk.
Drew McIntyre is a good back-up in case Rollins cannot make WrestleMania 40 as he already has established history with Punk.
Still, the best option for WrestleMania is Punk vs. Rollins. This is a personal rivalry that feels worthy of the 'Mania main event.
This match could be even more dramatic if Damian Priest were to finally cash in, pulling off a cash-in very similar to what Rollins did at WrestleMania 31.
Night 2 Main Event - Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cody Rhodes
6 of 6Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes was the main event of WrestleMania 39, and everyone is clambering to see the second round.
This is because The American Nightmare has fully established himself as the top babyface in the company. It is time for him to get his crowning moment and become the Undisputed WWE universal champion.
The Tribal Chief rules WWE as the longest reigning world champion of the modern era. However, the time has come for him to drop the gold.
This would be the most dramatic story of The Show of Shows. Rhodes would be battling for redemption and the legacy of his family that he carries on his back.
While WrestleMania 40 can have a stacked card, hopefully standing up against the best of all time, Reigns vs. Rhodes will be the match that defines the show's quality no matter what.
The match at WrestleMania 39 was very good until its ending. A clean finish for the sequel will help the entire show surpass its predecessor.
