With the 2023 Royal Rumble now in the books, WWE is officially on the road to WrestleMania 39, and it’s setting up to be one of the most exciting shows ever.
The Rumble matches and that ending set the wheels in motion for some mega storylines and matches at the two-night “WrestleMania goes Hollywood” on April 1st and 2nd.
With that in mind, GiveMeSport takes you through its predicted card for WrestleMania 39…
Roman Reigns vs Cody Rhodes – Undisputed WWE Universal title match
Cody Rhodes will challenge Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39
Judging from the reaction of live crowds since his return, the concern that Cody Rhodes might be booed like Batista in 2014 has been unfounded. Rightfully so, given the American Nightmare’s contribution to the industry, character work and incredible performance with a torn pec at Hell in a Cell last year.
How this storyline develops will be interesting but given both are multigenerational superstars and Cody’s looking to do what his father could never do in WWE, history and lore will be on the cards here. The two also fought several times prior to Rhodes leaving WWE in 2016.
The irony here is Rhodes helped set up AEW to rival WWE and is now the one looking to save it from Reigns and The Bloodline, in what should be a brilliant second night main event.
The Usos vs Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens – Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles match
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn could face the Usos at WrestleMania 39
The other side of the story will take place here, and should see one of the closing chapters in the epic Sami Zayn & Bloodline storyline, which has gripped fans like few others since the Attitude Era.
Expect a conflicted Jey Uso to turn on Zayn at Elimination Chamber, once again doing the bidding of his manipulative mob boss and cousin, Reigns. KO should make the save for Sami at the pay per view, which just so happens to be being held in their hometown of Montreal – just imagine the pop.
It’s brothers/twins vs wrestling soulmates here, and it should main event on the first night of the show.
Charlotte Flair vs Rhea Ripley – Smackdown Women’s title match
This match has already been confirmed, with Ripley choosing to challenge Flair at ‘Mania on the Raw after the Rumble. This will be the second time the two women meet, with Charlotte taking Ripley’s NXT title three years ago after winning the Rumble match herself.
With the roles now reversed, as well as the heel/face dynamic (even though Ripley will probably be cheered more), again expect history to be at the crux of this rivalry.
The Queen is likely to fall at the hands of “Mami”, leading to a lengthy reign for Ripley and positioning as the top woman in WWE.
Bianca Belair vs Asuka – Raw Women’s title match
Asuka could be the challenger to Bianca Belair at WrestleMania 39
Belair has held the Raw Women’s title since last year’s WrestleMania, meaning she will be the champion for a full year heading into her title match with presumed challenger, Asuka.
Returning at the Rumble donning the face paint of her former New Japan Pro-Wrestling character “Kana”, Asuka and her character seemed to have a new lease of life, one which saw her largely dominate the match until her late elimination.
She seems the logical challenger now, and the two women will likely tear the house down in a match of the night contender.
GUNTHER vs Sheamus vs Drew McIntyre – Intercontinental title match
A battle of the bruisers should take place for the IC belt. GUNTHER and Sheamus already have lengthy history from their battles over the last six months, which included being no. 1 and 2 starting the Rumble match.
Drew came to blows with GUNTHER in the match also, exchanging several chops and slaps that would make most other men on the roster squeal. The Intercontinental champ eliminated both the Scottish and Celtic Warriors, which should set the scene for an unbelievable triple threat match.
Austin Theory vs John Cena – United States title match
John Cena and Austin Theory are rumoured for WrestleMania 39
This has been long rumoured, with the two meeting in a backstage segment on the night of Cena’s 20-year WWE anniversary. It also helps that Theory has said he modelled himself off the 16-time World champion.
The US title will be on the line here, another title that Cena has made famous in modern-day WWE. The young, cocky upstart vs one of the all-time icons, the story writes itself. No doubt Cena will do his very best to put Theory over, which should be the aim here.
Dakota Kai & IYO SKY vs Liv Morgan & AN Other – Women’s Tag Team titles match
This match is harder to predict with WWE’s women’s tag teams scene one of the few failings of Triple H’s run as Head of Creative thus far. Kai and SKY have been one of the few solid teams as part of Damage CTRL, and will likely enter ‘Mania still as champions.
Liv has earned a prominent spot on the card, given her efforts over the last year as Smackdown Women’s champion and her incredible showing in the Rumble, entering at No.2, going over an hour and only finishing runner-up to Rhea. Her tag partner could be anyone from Ronda Rousey to a returning Naomi.
Brock Lesnar vs Bobby Lashley
Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley are set for WrestleMania 39
It was suggested that Brock could face GUNTHER at ‘Mania with their Rumble showdown a teaser of what could come down the line. That will have to wait however as the rubber match between Lesnar and Lashley will come first at ‘Mania.
The score is 1-1, with Lashley winning at last year’s Royal Rumble and Brock at Crown Jewel. Bobby dumped Brock from the Rumble this year following two attacks from The Beast in the week prior, fanning the flames for an already heated rivalry.
Seth Rollins vs Logan Paul
Another match that seems certain after the Rumble match, with Paul eliminating Rollins in sneak fashion after re-entering the match late on. This further rubberstamped his heel turn, which suits his persona more and his connection with the audience.
Rollins has also recently turned babyface and is one of the most popular wrestlers on the roster – expect the LA crowd to be 100% behind him. He is also arguably the best in-ring performer in the company and given Logan’s incredible adaptation so far, this should be a stomper.
Edge vs Finn Balor
Edge and Finn Balor look set to battle again at WrestleMania 39
Edge’s issues with Balor go all the way back to him booting him from the Judgement Day, usurping him as its leader in the process. Balor alongside Damien Priest, Rhea Ripley and Dominik Mysterio put the WWE Hall of Famer out of action for several months following an “I Quit” match at Extreme Rules.
His return came at the Rumble, where he eliminated both Balor and Priest, only for them to return the favour. A tag match between him and his wife Beth Phoenix and Balor and Ripley seems likely for Elimination Chamber, which should set the stage for a blow-off singles match at ‘Mania, possibly even inside Hell in a Cell.
Bray Wyatt vs Uncle Howdy
The road to WrestleMania should shed further light on the "Unce Howdy" character and his relationship with Bray Wyatt. It is heavily rumoured to be Bo Dallas, his real-life brother.
His appearance at the Royal Rumble was strange, to say the least, as was the Pitch Black with LA Knight. It feels like this storyline needs to have a proper payoff to avoid Wyatt's second WWE run having the same issues as his first. Expect Alexa Bliss to be involved here also.
Bayley vs Becky Lynch
Bayley and Becky Lynch's issues could take them all the way to WrestleMania 39
Another long-running feud and one that perhaps has not gone as well as most expected, given the level of talent involved. It continued at the Royal Rumble, with Bayley eliminating “The Man” before being thrown out herself by Liv Morgan.
A steel cage for Raw is XXX was scrapped at the last minute but don’t be surprised if two of the original “Four Horsewomen” end their feud inside one at WrestleMania.
Rey Mysterio vs Dominik Mysterio
Dominik’s betrayal of Raw and subsequent actions with the Judgement Day have seen him become one of the most detested wrestlers on the roster, which was only amplified at the Rumble where he came out in his father’s legendary mask and then tore it up.
This follows on from several comical home invasion videos, the last of which saw Dom “jailed”. Expect more of these shenanigans before Rey eventually decides to fight his son, in what should be a career highlight for both men and a genuine “WrestleMania moment.”
Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
An easy way to get everyone else on the card and get that WrestleMania payday. Braun Strowman is the logical winner here but don’t be surprised if Triple H uses it as an opportunity to give a new star the rub on the grandest stage of them all. Could this be Montez Ford’s breakout as a singles star?
Stone Cold Steve Austin – match or appearance
Image Copyright: WWE
It doesn’t seem clear what Stone Cold will be doing at WrestleMania but given his performance last year and his workout videos across social media, one would expect him to be in the building.
Whether it’s a match or just a series of stunners, fans will absolutely lap it up.