With four title matches set to take place on night two, what wrestlers will leave Philadelphia victorious?
Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cody Rhodes – Undisputed WWE Universal Championship
Vincent: Cody Rhodes
In a rematch of last year’s night two main event, back-to-back Royal Rumble winner Cody Rhodes will look to “finish his story”, one he failed to do last year. With Bloodline Rules most likely going to be in effect, interference from “The Rock,”, “Solo Sikoa” and possibly Jimmy Uso seems inevitable, but the “American Nightmare” will overcome the Bloodline, finishing his story and ending the historic reign of the “Tribal Chief.”
Felix: Cody Rhodes
The main event of night two is something everyone has their eyes on. Reigns has held the title for over 1,300 days and Rhodes is trying to win his first WWE World Championship. The match is going to have close pin falls and loads of finishers. There is no question that Reigns is going to have help after winning the stipulation in the tag match. However, Rhodes is going to fight off any outside interference and stand on top. After falling short just one year ago, “The American Nightmare” completes his story and wins the Universal Championship.
Bernie: Cody Rhodes
This is the perfect time for WWE to fix their biggest mistake in the Triple H era. Rhodesosing to Reign last April put both men in awkward positions: Reigns had a journey that ended in August followed by predictable matches while Rhodes was stuck in random feuds and tag teams. The stipulation from the night prior will make for an awesome match, especially with “Bloodline” interference and the recent return of blood on WWE television. Even if it takes John Cena, “Stone Cold,” and Hulk Hogan assembling together to fend off “The Rock,” I don’t care as long as Rhodes finishes the story.
Seth Rollins (c) vs. Drew McIntyre – World Heavyweight Championship
Vincent: Drew McIntyre
Since returning to WWE, McIntyre has been electric. His only true Wrestlemania moment was during the pandemic, when no fans were in attendance. With Rollins having been primarily focused on taking down Roman Reigns and The Rock, he’s somewhat forgotten how dominant McIntyre is and he’ll make him pay for that, taking the title away from Rollins.
Felix: Drew McIntyre
McIntyre is on a roll as he won in the Elimination Chamber and destroyed anyone who came in his way. The Visionary has his handfuls this weekend as he has the tag team match and a title defense. On top of this, Rollins has been dealing with injuries and nowhere near 100%. McIntyre is going to take advantage of this and be crowned the new World Heavyweight Champion. Rollins is need of a break to recover and performing nearly every night.
Bernie: Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre deserves this win more than anyone else on the card. When he got his first ‘Mania moment at Wrestlemania 36, it was in an empty warehouse at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that he’ll be in a stadium full of people, not to mention that his new heel character is currently the best in the company, this is the best time to pull the trigger on his second world title reign.
Iyo Sky (c) vs. Bayley – WWE Women’s Championship
Vincent: Bayley
Bayley has a chance to get her former faction back, Damage CTRL. After winning the Women’s Royal Rumble, Damage CTRL turned on their former leader. Now, Bayley has the opportunity to knock off the new face of the faction with a championship opportunity. With Sky’s high flying abilities and the two’s in-ring chemistry, this match could steal the show.
Felix: Bayley
After winning the women’s Royal Rumble, Bayley has her eyes set on gold. In the process, Damage CTRL turned on her and now she faces her former friend at the grandest stage of them all. The build up to the fight has been perfect and the match should be even better. The two have great chemistry together and are able to create jaw dropping spots. The Genius of the Sky is going to showcase her high flying skills but the Role Model will add another title to her resume.
Bernie: Bayley
The 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble winner has the chance to get revenge on her former faction by taking the Women’s Championship from Iyo Sky. The subtle storytelling in the months leading to Bayley’s ejection from Damage CTRL is some of her best work from her post-pandemic era heel run. She won’t get the main event spot that she earned but at least she’ll have another Wrestlemania moment.
Logan Paul (c) vs. Kevin Owens vs. Randy Orton – United States Championship
Vincent: Logan Paul
Despite all the heat Paul gets as being a heel, he is exceptional in the ring. Again, he will be exceptional. I believe that Orton and Owens will take Paul out the match early, and we will see two of the best the company has seen put on a classic match. Paul will return back to the action and I believe his hydration drink partner, KSI, will get his revenge on Randy Orton, who hit him with an RKO a few weeks ago, helping Paul retain his championship.
Felix: Logan Paul
The champion is definitely at a disadvantage as he doesn’t have to be pinned or submitted to lose his belt. It also doesn’t help that Owens and Orton have been waiting months to get their hands on Paul. It wouldn’t be shocking if the two work together to destroy the internet sensation. In a match where everything is legal, anything can go. Paul is definitely going to find a way to use his brass knuckles and his friends to try to take the match. It doesn’t feel like the right time for Paul to lose the championship as he has a lot of momentum.
Bernie: Logan Paul
Logan Paul’s transition from hated Youtuber to hated wrestler is one that he executed perfectly. You can’t help but boo the guy and that’s why he’ll retain the US Championship. No other outcome makes sense storyline-wise since Randy is destined for a world title match and Kevin already lost to Paul. Despite the disadvantage he’s facing, I think Logan prevails in this one.
LA Knight vs. AJ Styles
Vincent: LA Knight
LA Knight has been one of the fan favorites in WWE over the last year or so. These two have had run-ins over the last year, most recently when the rivalry reached its boiling point as Knight attacked Styles at his house. Styles will put on another excellent showing, but Knight will reign supreme, continuing to build his character and proving once again that he is worthy of being in the main event picture.
Felix: LA Knight
This rivalry has been going on for quite some time and finally they will face off in the ring. There will no longer be surprise attacks or costing anyone title matches. Both wrestlers are in need of a win to build their character into championship conversations. The fan favorite, Knight has been making a name for himself during this past year and looks like a future world champion. Styles already had his Wrestlemania moment and time to shine. Knight is only beginning and a win would only help him.
Bernie: LA Knight
For the longest time I believed that Knight would be challenging Logan Paul for his US Championship on the grandest stage of them all, but Triple H decided to go this direction instead. These men have been feuding since LA took AJ’s spot at Crown Jewel to fight Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, so this match is a long time coming. Knight invading Styles’ house on the 3/22 episode of Smackdown shot the intensity of this rivalry through the roof and got me excited to hear thousands of people saying “L A Knight”. YEAH!!!
Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits vs. The Final Testament – Philadelphia Street Fight
Vincent: Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits
After the Final Testament cost the Street Profits a spot in the tag titles match, Lashley and the Street Profits will get the chance to get revenge, though with no championships on the line. The Street Profits need momentum to be back on their side, as Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford are too talented to not be in the tag titles mix.
Felix: Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits
There is no better way to settle a rivalry than a street fight. It was only right for the city of Philadelphia to have some type of extreme match type. The Final Testament has been a problem for the Street Profits before and now they have a chance to get even. With the help of the All Mighty, Dawkins and Ford will pick up the win.
Bernie: Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits
Although I’d like Karrion Kross and his new faction to pick up the win, I don’t think they will come out on top. Maybe the heels will pick up a crucial victory, but if not at least we’ll get a fun street fight regardless. Since it’s in the city of Philadelphia, they’re ready for these guys to get extreme and beat the living daylights out of each other.
Surprise Prediction
Vincent: Jason Kelce gets an impromptu match
With the event taking place at Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles, it wouldn’t be surprising for some Philadelphia celebrities to be in attendance. I believe there would be no bigger pop than if former Eagle Jason Kelce made an appearance and the stadium would go berzerk if he had a last minute match.
Felix: Legends return to help Cody Rhodes
Rhodes is going to have a tough battle in front of him if he loses the tag match from the night before. He is going to be at a numbers disadvantage and outside interference is bound to happen. In classic Wrestlemania fashion, huge former stars will return to save the day. It is predicted that some of The Rock’s biggest rivals could return in the likes of John Cena and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. One person I believe could make a surprise appearance is Cody’s brother Dustin. Of course he is still signed with AEW, but I think it would be nice for the two companies to allow a heartfelt family moment.
Bernie: Damien Priest cashes in Money in the Bank on Drew McIntyre
For only the second time in Wrestlemania history, Mr. Money in the Bank will cash-in on a champion. This fits well with Drew’s story of never getting what he thinks he deserves and it makes Damien an instant main-eventer. Plus, the Judgement Day will need to recuperate some of its lost gold from the tag team ladder match.
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