The spectacle known as pro wrestling’s Super Bowl comes to the City of Brotherly Love this year, as Philadelphia will host WrestleMania 40 on April 6th and 7th at Lincoln Financial Field. The two-night bonanza will feature plenty of championship matches and long-building rivalries. Everything is on the line, as the superstars of the WWE look to have their “WrestleMania Moment” and cement their legacies.
Below, we will dive into each of the WrestleMania 40 matches for Night 1 and give our predictions for how they will play out. Who will come out on top and secure their place in the history books at “The Grandest Stage of Them All?”
Read our WrestleMania 40 Night 2 predictions!
When Does WrestleMania 40 Start?
Like past years, WrestleMania XL will be a two-night event, packed with matches you won’t want to miss. Night 1 of WrestleMania 40 will begin at 7 p.m. ET tonight on Peacock. WrestleMania is back for Night 2 tomorrow, same time and place.
WrestleMania 40: Predictions For Night 1 Matches
Rey Mysterio and Andrade vs. Santos Escobar and Dominik Mysterio
This is a payback spot for the legend Rey Mysterio, who has been fighting back and forth with his son Dominik and his former friend Santos after they betrayed him. When Rey brought in the rising lucha libre star Dragon Lee to be his partner, Santos and his faction took it a step further and attacked him, leaving Rey to look elsewhere for someone to tag with. In comes Andrade, who recently returned to the company. A WrestleMania match partnering with one of his idols feels like a good way to come back.
Prediction: Rey Mysterio and Andrade defeat Santos Escobar and Dominik Mysterio
Bianca Belair, Naomi and Jade Cargill vs. Damage CTRL
In a rivalry that’s been building for several weeks, WWE newcomer Jade Cargill entered the fold to team with Bianca and Naomi to take on the villainous faction of Damage CTRL, who has seen Dakota Kai step up as their leader after the departure of Bayley.
Prediction: Bianca Belair, Naomi and Jade Cargill defeat Damage CTRL
Six-pack tag team ladder match for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship
Damian Priest and Finn Balor vs R-Truth and The Miz vs. Tommaso Ciampi and Johnny Gargano vs. Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods vs. Austin Theory and Grayson Waller vs. Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate
Wow. This should be a wild, fun match as we get six tag teams squaring off in a ladder match for the gold. While the champions Priest and Balor of The Judgement Day are the heavy favorites, anything could happen in this type of match. With the deck stacked against them, I think their title reign comes to an end.
Prediction: R-Truth and The Miz (The Awesome Truth) win to become the new Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions
Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso
It’s brother vs brother in this one, and this sibling rivalry dates back to Jey leaving The Bloodline, something Jimmy can’t move on from. How will it culminate as they finally end this feud?
Prediction: Jey Uso defeats Jimmy Uso
Gunther vs. Sami Zayn for the Intercontinental Championship
Gunther has held the title for almost two years, as he’s dominated everyone in his path. However, WrestleMania always has a feel-good underdog story, and crowd-favorite Sammy Zayn feels like this year’s version. In the stadium of the Philadelphia Eagles, who won the Super Bowl in 2018 riding the “underdog” mantra, Zayn delivers the fans in Philly another improbable victory for WrestleMania 40.
Prediction: Sami Zayn defeats Gunther to become the new Intercontinental Champion
Becky Lynch vs. Rhea Ripley for the Women’s World Championship
Becky Lynch has made a big comeback since returning last year, and she wants to get back to the top of the mountain after dominating the women’s division in years past. However, Rhea Ripley has been on a roll and hasn’t really faced a true challenge during her dominant title run. Lynch gives her that and pulls off the upset.
Prediction: Becky Lynch defeats Rhea Ripley to become the new Women’s World Champion
The Rock and Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes and Seth “Freakin” Rollins
There is a lot on the line here, with the stipulation for Roman Reigns’ Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match with Cody Rhodes in Night 2 being decided in this tag match. If he and The Rock win, his match with Rhodes the following night will be contested under “Bloodline Rules,” meaning there are no disqualifications and essentially no rules, all but guaranteeing interference from Roman’s family to help him retain the championship. If Rhodes and Rollins win, The Bloodline would be banned from ringside. I think this match ends in drama and hooks fans in by casting some doubt and concern for the challenger in his quest to unseat Reigns for the title.
Prediction: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Roman Reigns defeat Cody Rhodes and Seth “Freakin” Rollins
Don’t Miss WrestleMania XL!
Let me tell you something, brother! WrestleMania 40 is sure to be quite the event, with two nights of absolutely loaded matches. You can also never count out a surprise appearance or two. Whatever happens, make sure you don’t miss any of the action by tuning in to Peacock at 7 p.m. ET this Saturday and Sunday for the year’s biggest event in sports entertainment. Dig it!
