WWE WrestleMania 40: Matches Most Likely to Steal The Show

WrestleMania 40 is drawing near and with Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins vs. The Rock and Roman Reigns headlining Saturday night, and Rhodes challenging Reigns in the main event of Sunday, expectations will be high.

Which matches, though, will have the opportunity to steal the show out from underneath the more prominently featured stars and matches?

More importantly, why?

Find out with this look at the matches most likely to steal the show in Philadelphia.

Intercontinental Championship Match: Sami Zayn vs. Gunther

It is probably a stretch to suggest that a match involving Sami Zayn and Gunther would be a stretch but the Intercontinental Championship showdown at WrestleMania feels like it is flying so under the radar in comparison to the star-studded main events of the show that it may very well steal the show out from underneath those match-ups.

Zayn is the consummate underdog whose ability to elicit emotion from the crowd has long been his greatest attribute. Putting him in the ring against an unforgiving striker like Gunther, who overwhelms opponents with his punishing offense, is a match made in heaven from an in-ring perspective.

The story they will be able to tell in the confines of a physical, hard-hitting match-up with championship gold at stake will captivate fans and have them living and breathing on every dramatic near-fall.

Regardless of the outcome, the match should be expected to be among the best on the card, if for no other reason than the instant classics they delivered a year ago on the same, grand stage.

Six-Pack Tag Team Ladder Match for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship

Six teams, a dozen ladders, unpredictable athleticism, and the chance at immortality fuel the most chaotic match on this year's show.

The Judgment Day's Finn Balor and Damian Priest have dominated tag team wrestling for the last six months, vanquishing every team put in front of them. They're ability to retain their titles on the grand stage becomes incrementally harder at WrestleMania with the introduction of five sets of challengers.

DIY's Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano, Awesome Truth's The Miz and R-Truth, and The New Day's Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods have already qualified for the match while two teams from SmackDown have yet to be determined.

Regardless of who joins the team from the blue brand, the contest is full of Superstars who know what it takes to awe the audience and have competed in ladder matches before. That bodes well for all involved, most of whom are chasing that elusive WrestleMania moment.

That it could potentially come in a match that sees the conclusion of the heels' title reign would only heighten the overall quality.

W

Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso

There is uncertainty as to what in-ring chemistry Jimmy and Jey have with each other but there is no denying the backstory to their sibling clash in Philadelphia.

Jimmy has cost Jey victories at every turn, interrupting matches and setting his brother up for failure on more than one occasion. Now, he will have the opportunity to stunt his younger brother's growth as a singles wrestler by defeating him in the biggest match of either of their careers.

If the story is represented, whether it is in the form of a brawl or through interference from The Bloodline, the match will excel. The heat will be off the charts and the intensity from the performers will be there.

Bringing it all together in a way that keeps fans invested and never allows them to get out of it will determine the overall quality. Given what they have accomplished to this point, and throughout their careers, do not be surprised if the twins have fans buzzing in the wake of their encounter.

Women's World Championship Match: Becky Lynch vs. Rhea Ripley

Rhea Ripley stole the show a year ago in Los Angeles, defeating Charlotte Flair in a match that would be recognized as the best of 2023 by Pro Wrestling Illustrated.

At this year's WrestleMania, the Eradicator will defend the Women's World Championship against Becky Lynch in a match that has the potential to be every bit as good.

Lynch is a great big-match performer, with classic encounters against Flair, Bianca Belair, Sasha Banks, and others while making history as the first woman to close out the biggest show of the year.

Ripley has risen to the occasion every time she has had the opportunity, including in her home country of Australia in February at Elimination Chamber.

Their encounters have been electric, with fan fervor at a high, and both competitors are as good between the ropes as there are in the industry. Add to that styles that should mesh well and you have all of the ingredients for a classic match.

Barring any injuries or unrecoverable botch, they will bring all of the intensity and physicality necessary to ensure there is no question that the match exceeds expectations.

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