Predicting the Winners and Losers on Road to WWE WrestleMania 42

The Road to WrestleMania 42 is long and winding, with plenty of time for story developments and high-stakes matchups to divert expectations and keep fans guessing over who will emerge victorious en route to Las Vegas in April.

Some of the answers will not be particularly surprising, while others will.

Who has momentum on their side entering the most important stretch of the WWE calendar, and who could miss out on a 'Mania appearance? Let's take a look.

Winner: Liv Morgan

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It is easy to predict the Royal Rumble winners will benefit on the road to WrestleMania 42, but not necessarily why.

Not only will Liv Morgan be a winner because she is poised for a high-profile Women's World Championship match but also because of the storyline potential that exists on the way there.

We have already seen some tension between her and former tag team partner Raquel Rodriguez, and Morgan has jockeyed for positioning as Roxanne Perez's friend and teammate.

As the drama unfolds within The Judgment Day and Morgan continues to manipulate the moving parts, do not be surprised to see the women's Rumble winner take on an even greater role on WWE TV as the centerpiece of multiple ongoing stories.

Loser: Carmelo Hayes

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There are only so many Superstars who can make a WrestleMania card. In years past, we have seen many notable competitors left off the card due to timing or spacing issues.

Look no further than 2023, when Bobby Lashley made a cameo with his Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal trophy, and when Bayley was written out of the script last year to allow for Becky Lynch's return.

Those Superstars deserved better, and some will feel the same dejection this year.

Early on, one man who may be left on the outside is United States champion Carmelo Hayes.

Until the open-challenge gimmick is halted and he is given an actual storyline, leaving Hayes to defend his U.S. title on the SmackDown before 'Mania appears to be the more likely option, regardless of how great he has been during this current run.

Winner: Oba Femi

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Oba Femi has already left his mark on the main roster, beginning with a dominant performance in the men's Rumble match and continuing on to Raw and SmackDown, where he laid waste to The War Raiders and Kit Wilson.

The former NXT champion had a tense staredown with Brock Lesnar during their time in the Rumble, and while there has been no indication of a matchup between them at WrestleMania, it should be on the WWE radar following the reaction that showdown received.

Regardless of who he faces, The Ruler is a clear priority for the creative team and his first WrestleMania will only confirm what many of us already know: He is the future of WWE.

Loser: Damian Priest

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Damian Priest is a former world heavyweight champion and one of the top babyfaces on SmackDown, but as WrestleMania 42 begins to take shape, it is difficult to pinpoint a role for him on the show that reflects his stature within the company.

A year ago, he battled Drew McIntyre in a Sin City Street Fight. This year, there is no obvious direction for The Archer of Infamy, outside of a potential match with newcomer Royce Keys, who eliminated him from the Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia.

Once one of the five or six stars around whom top stories were built, it is disappointing to see former world champion Priest appear directionless as the road to WrestleMania gets underway.