Rhea Ripley made her return to WWE on Monday’s Raw in the main event segment, confronting Dominik Mysterio & Liv Morgan.
Ripley, who has been out of action since April due to a shoulder injury, made her surprise return following Raw’s main event match where Dominik & Morgan defeated Rey Mysterio & Zelina Vega in a mixed tag team bout.
Dominik & Morgan were caught in a number of compromising positions throughout Monday’s Raw, with Dominik still playing off Morgan’s advances as though he is less than interested.
Still, Dominik and Morgan were celebrating their win with Morgan laying on the mat with Dominik on top of her when Ripley’s music hit.
Morgan ran off selling as though she were scared of Ripley, while Dominik offered Ripley a hug. Ripley pushed Dominik away as Raw went off the air.
Ripley vacated the Women’s World Championship in the midst of a feud with Morgan in April. Morgan eventually captured the Women’s World title from Becky Lynch in Ripley’s absence.
It remains unclear as to whether Ripley is cleared for in-ring action. Our last report in June indicated that Ripley had opted to rehab her shoulder rather than undergo surgery, but that surgery remained on the table should the rehab not be successful, and that Ripley was not expected to be cleared in time for SummerSlam.
WWE’s Rhea Ripley & AEW’s Buddy Matthews have announced their marriage.
Ripley posted a photo of the couple on her Instagram page late Wednesday with the caption “Til death. đ¤ 23.06.24,” indicating that the two were wed this past Sunday.
Ripley, 27, and Matthews, 35, went public with their relationship in 2022. The couple announced their engagement last August.
Matthews (real name Matthew Adams) and Ripley (real name Demi Bennett) are both Australian natives.
Ripley is currently out of action with an unspecified injury that forced her to vacate the WWE Women’s World Championship on the April 15 edition of Raw with her right arm in a sling.
Matthews is a former AEW World Trios Champion who last wrestled on the June 15 AEW Collision episode, where Matthews, Brody King, and Malakai Black of House of Black defeated the AEW Unified Trios Champions Austin Gunn, Colten Gunn, and Juice Robinson in a non-title six-man tag.
A shoulder injury forced Ripley to vacate the Women’s World Championship this April. Ripley stated at the time that she would be out of action for “quite a few months.” She cut a promo vowing that, when she returned, she would be out for blood and would be coming back for the Women’s World title.
Meltzer reports that Ripley has chosen to rehab her injury instead of having surgery. She isn’t expected to be back in time for SummerSlam this August but could possibly make an appearance if the storyline calls for it.
Ripley is rehabbing her shoulder rather than having surgery. Right now sheâs not scheduled back for SummerSlam but we were also told if she heals up faster than expected or if the storyline changes to where they need her for an appearance itâs still possible. If rehab canât mend the shoulder enough, she could need surgery.
SummerSlam is being held in Cleveland on Saturday, August 3.
Ripley was feuding with Liv Morgan when she hurt her shoulder. In Ripley’s absence, Morgan has won the Women’s World Championship. There’s an ongoing story where Morgan is attempting to take Dominik Mysterio away from Ripley. Inadvertent interference by Dominik helped Morgan become champion. Morgan then planted a kiss on Dominik last week.
John LaRocca and I are back with another episode of The Fight Game Podcast.
We kicked things off with our discussion on this week’s Dark Side of the Ring episode on Chris Adams, looking at a major unanswered question as well as going through some of the finer details of Adams’ death through Dave Meltzer’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter bio from 2001.
We then got to the rest of our topics which included:
The end of any connection with Vince McMahon, the most powerful and influential figure in the history of pro wrestling, is now imminent.
McMahon has been completely out of power since resigning under pressure just prior to the Royal Rumble after the Janel Grant lawsuit and the threat of sponsor pullouts. But his last connection to the business, being the largest individual shareholder in TKO, is about to become a thing of the past.
McMahon has registered to sell his remaining 8,021,405 shares in TKO.
In something unrelated, WWE President Nick Khan has registered to sell 234,424 shares. The remaining shares McMahon is looking to sell would be worth about $781 million, while the shares Khan is looking to sell are worth about $23 million.
While my belief is that McMahon is done in wrestling, given heâs 78 years old, from a legal standpoint he does have a one-year non-compete. This would end in late January 2025. He can, at that point, start up a new promotion.
Other stories this week include:
An inside look at Rossy Ogawa’s Marigold and its WWE relationship
Why this weekend’s AEW Dynasty is so important
A criminal complaint against Dos Caras
A recap of all the week’s TV shows, events, and UFC 300
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including Rhea Ripley’s injury and how it may end up a blessing in disguise for her character, NXT and Dynamite line-ups, RAW notes, Motor City Machine Guns to AEW, Dynasty, and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
An AC joint injury is what forced Rhea Ripley to vacate the Women’s World Championship.
With her arm in a sling, Ripley appeared on Monday’s Raw and announced that she had to vacate the title due to a shoulder injury. She had been champion for 380 days before being forced to relinquish the title.
Ripley said she’ll be out of action for “quite a few months.”
On Wrestling Observer Radio, Bryan Alvarez said that Ripley’s injury is a sprained AC joint. It happened during Ripley and Liv Morgan’s brawl on the post-WrestleMania episode of Raw.
She suffered a sprained AC joint in the brawl with Liv Morgan last week. Liv threw her into the wall and she hurt it, a total fluke. Usually takes 4-6 weeks to regain mobility and up to three months to be back ready to go.
A new Women’s World Champion will be crowned on Raw next Monday (April 22), but further details on who will be competing for the vacant title have not been provided.
Last night, Ripley issued a warning to whoever becomes champion.
“This is a warning to whoever wins my Women’s World Championship,” she said on Raw. “When I come back, I’m coming back for blood.”
In an interview on Raw, Morgan called Ripley’s injury karma at its finest. Morgan said her revenge tour will only end when she’s Women’s World Champion.
Nia Jax also cut a promo on Raw about wanting to win the Women’s World title.
Ripley had retained against Becky Lynch at WrestleMania 40 just nine days before having to vacate the championship.
Rhea Ripley’s dominant Women’s World Championship reign came to an unfortunate end last night.
After more than a year as champion, Ripley was forced to vacate the Women’s title due to a shoulder injury. She appeared with her arm in a sling on Raw last night and announced the news. A frustrated Ripley blamed her injury on Liv Morgan’s attack from the Raw after WrestleMania.
“After the attack last week from Liv Morgan, I’ve now been told that I’m stuck on the bench for quite a few months,” Ripley said. “I’ve been told that I need to vacate the one thing that means the most to me – my Women’s World Championship.”
The Montreal crowd was disappointed about Ripley having to vacate the title but showed their appreciation for her by chanting “Thank You Mami.”
A new Women’s World Champion will be crowned on Raw next Monday. Ripley said having to relinquish the title is painful, but she issued a warning to whoever becomes champion.
“This is a warning to whoever wins my Women’s World Championship,” Ripley said. “When I come back, I’m coming back for blood.”
Ripley threatened that she was going to go find Morgan backstage. Smiling at Ripley’s misfortune, Morgan attempted to come out and confront her. But security kept them from getting at each other. Ripley responded by dropping one of the security guards with a headbutt.
Once backstage, Ripley shared a group hug with her Judgment Day stablemates. She thanked them for their encouragement and told them to keep Judgment Day on top.
Morgan later did an interview saying that Ripley’s injury is karma at its finest.
Paul “Triple H” Levesque posted the following tweet thanking Ripley for her title reign and saying he knows she’ll come back stronger than ever:
Absolutely no doubt in my mind that @RheaRipley_WWE will come back tougher, stronger and more dominant than ever. Thank you, Rhea, for a reign that the entire @WWEUniverse can be proud of. pic.twitter.com/oea07IlAUl
Ripley had been champion since defeating Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 39 in 2023. Just nine days before having to vacate the title, Ripley retained against Becky Lynch at WrestleMania 40.
Rhea Ripley vacates the Women’s World Championship due to injury
Rhea Ripley, enfadada, anuncia que tiene que dejar vacante el Women's World Championship por su lesiĂłn tras el ataque de Liv Morgan. MIERDA. #WWERAWpic.twitter.com/vshxts7dSZ
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including Rhea Ripley and the WWE Women’s Title, WrestleMania viewership sky-high, AEW attendance, Arena Mexico this Friday, ratings, RAW, Collision and Battle of the Betls, upcoming line-ups and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps:
Start: Rhea Ripley vacates Women’s World Championship
04:39: WrestleMania 40 viewership
10:00: This Friday at Arena Mexico, AEW Collision & Battle of the Belts attendance, Dave’s thoughts on the two shows
Rhea Ripley is no longer WWE Womenâs World Champion.
Ripley vacated the title at the start of WWE Raw, her arm in a sling as she entered the ring. She said that following Liv Morgan’s attack on last weekâs show, she would be on the shelf for âquite a few months.” After she laid the title in the ring, Ripley had a warning for whoever holds the title when she comes back, saying she’ll be coming back for blood.
Liv Morgan came out after the promo but was held back by security. Ripley dared her to attack and left the ring to confront Morgan. Both were kept away from one another as the segment ended.
Last weekâs show saw Morgan attack Ripley in a backstage segment. Earlier on Monday, it was reported that Ripley was legit injured during the segment and it was serious enough that she may have to vacate the title. She held the Women’s World Championship for 380 days, defeating Charlotte Flair back at WrestleMania 39.
After her promo, she met with the Judgment Day backstage as they all hugged. Priest wished her well as Ripley told the group to look after Dominik.
One of the biggest issues of the Observer is out this week. Tons of interesting information on current news and lots of historical figures. It’s full coverage of a weekend of major events.
Poll results on all the major shows
Historical nature of WrestleMania 40 including business notes in depth, gate, PPV, attendance, merch, it’s all there.
Ticket demand
Historical nature of Rhodes’ win
How WWE has changed due to Dwayne Johnson
A look at the booking of both nights
Internal talk on Rock vs. Rhodes
More changes from WWE to TKO
How many WWE PPV buyers watched Revolution and Hard to Kill
How the WWE/AEW dynamic has changed
Future WWE direction
A look at Dynamite with the Jack Perry/CM Punk footage and Will Ospreay interview
Whose ideas these were and what the background was
Different lines and why they were said
Full Stand & Deliver coverage
The life and times of Akebono, a Japanese cultural figure
The early 90s heyday of sumo
The Bob Sapp fight and doing kickboxing and MMA
The long pro wrestling career and his various roles
His brief WWE run
UFC 300 looked at
AEW 2024 PPV plans
New Japan Sakura Genesis coverage and next major shows
Bryan Danielson vs. Blue Panther singles match looked at
ROH Supercard of Honor coverage
Gary Shaw, a controversial figure in MMA and his role in promoting Kimbo Slice and putting women’s MMA on the map against major opposition
Jon Jones’ latest incident
A look back at Al Zinck and the heyday of pro wrestling in the Maritimes
The most detailed look at the ratings of the past week, weekly standings, placings for the night and time slot, major competition for each show, segment-by-segment numbers and more.
Rey de Parejas tournament from Dragon Gate
One of the greatest U.S. amateur wrestlers in history may retire in a few weeks, or this summer
A look at the Olympic trials
Wrestling TV show headed to Netflix
Indie Hall of Fame
The Boys answer back at charges they were fired for no-showing
International TV ratings
Ticket sales for all the upcoming WWE & AEW shows
Update on lawsuit filed by former MMA superstar against Disney, backed by Elon Musk
Vince McMahon’s stock sales, how much cash he’s made, value of current shares and how much does he still own
How much Dwayne Johnson has made for his being on the TKO Board thus far
Changes in WWE management
Why so many wrestlers today as compared to the past get busted mouths
Bryan and I will be back tonight covering Raw, as well as the latest news in wrestling with Wrestling Observer Radio tonight.
An update on Rhea Ripley is that the injury that is significant is to her right shoulder. We don’t have details as to the severity of it past it is a significant story backstage in Montreal tonight.
Raw tonight is from Montreal with Sami Zayn vs. Chad Gable for the IC title being the showcase match. They were promoting it very hard because while it should sell out, it was not sold out as of this morning and not a lock. They were at 11,679 the last time I checked and even with the big stage a real sellout should be 14,000. Dominik Mysterio vs. Andrade, Jey Uso vs. Finn Balor and Chelsea Green & Piper Niven vs. Kayden Carter & Katana Chance is scheduled, plus the return of Sheamus and Cody Rhodes is there.
Pat McAfee mentioned that he had forgotten where he put his passport and if he hadn’t found it he wouldn’t have been able to come to tonight’s show, but he did find it.
Smackdown doing an 0.76 on Friday night was the highest rated network show between Monday and Friday. Only once in history has a pro wrestling show been No. 1 for the week. The Saturday and Sunday numbers aren’t in yet. The only show as of Friday higher was the Friday afternoon coverage of The Masters on ESPN that did 0.78. The Saturday and Sunday Masters coverage (golf) will be much higher. But nobody expects Smackdown to beat a sports event of that level.
The Friday Rampage number of 0.08 tied its all-time low. The main event was Jay White vs. Matt Sydal, and that’s not a television main event no matter how good an actual wrestler both area. Rampage still beat Major League Baseball, NASCAR Trucks racing and PFL head-to-head. I guess that tells you more about those shows.
While nobody expected them to compete, with the seedings announced for the Olympic trials this weekend, Gable Steveson and Tamyra Mensah-Stock of WWE are not listed as competing. Both had qualified. Mensah-Stock has been wrestling on some NXT shows while Steveson hasn’t wrestled in the past few weeks that I’m aware of. Almost all the best American wrestlers, men and women, are competing for spots on the three Olympic teams in tournaments on Friday and Saturday at Penn State. The USA Network will be airing prime time both nights, and Peacock will be airing all the matches throughout both days. The only wrestlers we’re aware of under a WWE deal are Mason Parris, who has been seeded into the finals by winning the nationals, and Greg Kerkvliet, who seeded No. 3 in that tournament where the winner faces Parris in 2/3 bouts.
Jeff Jarrett and Satnam Singh were at today’s AAA press conference in Monterrey to promote the 4/27 TripleMania show at the baseball stadium. Jarrett’s role isn’t clear but Singh will team with Parker Boudreaux & QT Marshall & Sam Adonis as evil foreigners against Psycho Clown & Laredo Kid & Octagon Jr. & mystery partner.
The Chris Adams episode of Dark Side of the Ring airs tomorrow night. I’ve heard about this one for more than a year as an amazing episode. The guy who killed Adams in self-defense was talked with for the show..
The CCW 20th anniversary show is Friday night in Port St. Lucie, FL a the the MIDFLORIDA Events Center with Matt Riddle, QT Marshall, Gangrel, Brian Cage and Bill Alfonso scheduled
Randy Orton vs. Solo Sikoa is scheduled as the main event for the house shows this coming weekend. Jade Cargill will also be wrestling on the shows and Bayley vs. Iyo Sky is scheduled.
Michael Elgin wrestled on yesterday’s CIW show in Toledo, OH. Elgin & Kaden Monahan & Calvin Coco beat Malice & Great Akuma & Jun Hado in the main event (thanks to Leonard Brand)
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Filthy Tom Lawlor is back with tons to talk about including the injury to Rhea Ripley and what we know in advance of RAW, a look at all the major TV shows this past weekend, what is Vince McMahon doing with all of his money, and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Rhea Ripley may need to vacate her world championship.
Ripley sustained an injury on WWE Raw last week. PWInsider was the first to report the news and our own Dave Meltzer has since confirmed it.
The injury is considered serious enough that there is concern she could vacate the title as soon as tonight’s Raw.
Although it’s not clear how she suffered the injury, Ripley was involved in a backstage segment on last week’s show that saw Liv Morgan hit her in the head with a steel chair.
— V. â¨âĽď¸âĽď¸đˇď¸đ (@HaangEmHiigh) April 9, 2024
Ripley is scheduled to “address Liv Morgan’s surprise attack” on tonight’s Raw. She hasn’t wrestled since defeating Becky Lynch at WrestleMania 40. Following last week’s show, Ripley has been off the road as WWE did not hold any house shows this weekend.
Ripley had been dealing with a wrist injury of late as well, although it’s not clear if her most recent injury is related. She was sporting a cast on The MMA Hour in the days leading up to WrestleMania and said she had been dealing with the injury for a few months.
Considering everything the company has gone through over the last year, the fact that WWE is heading into one of the most anticipated WrestleManias of all-time with this weekend’s 40th edition is nothing short of amazing.
Since WrestleMania 39, we’ve seen the merger with UFC and subsequent creation of TKO; the revelation that Vince McMahon was no longer in charge of creative; the announced deal with Netflix; the Janel Grant lawsuit; McMahon’s resignation; The Rock returning, the #WeWantCody movement, and now, WrestleMania.
It’s been a wild ride.
Despite all the twists and turns the company has gone through over the last year, WrestleMania 40 has the chance to go down as one of the most memorable events in WWE history.
Let’s get to previews and predictions for each and every announced match for Philadelphia:
WWE Women’s World Heavyweight Champion Rhea Ripley defends against Becky Lynch
Ripley is listed as a -450 favorite, but I consider her winning almost a certainty. She is getting more popular every day and it doesnât feel like the right time to take the belt off her. Lynch can take a big loss at Mania and not be hurt, but I wonder what path it will lead her character down. I doubt she is going heel again, so Iâm wondering if Lynch might have some time off planned.
Prediction: Ripley retains
Six-pack championship ladder match: Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Judgment Day (Damian Priest & Finn Balor) defend against DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa), The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods), Awesome Truth (The Miz & R-Truth), New Catch Republic (Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate), and A-Town Down Under (Grayson Waller & Austin Theory)
Of the six teams, The Awesome Truth has the best odds of winning at +100 followed by DIY (+250), A-Town Down Under and Judgment Day (both +400), New Day (+700), and New Catch Republic (+800). Iâm inclined to agree with the oddsmakers that Awesome Truth are the top favorites. I feel like R-Truth being given a “WrestleMania moment” to celebrate with a title is a feel-good moment fans will enjoy seeing after a very entertaining last few months with Truth interacting with Judgment Day.
Speaking of Judgment Day, WWE might want to get the tag titles off Balor and Priest in time for Priest to cash in his MITB briefcase, which I believe will happen on night two. I wouldnât rule out New Day winning either, however. Considering Big E would be on hand to help them celebrate, that could also be a feel-good WrestleMania moment.
There is some confusion as to the rules of the match. On Raw, Michael Cole said both sets of title belts will have to be pulled down separately, but WWE has yet to formalize that on their website. That means we could, or could not, see two new sets of champions.
Prediction: The Awesome Truth are new champions (if the titles are not split) and Awesome Truth and DIY (if they are split)
Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee vs. Santos Escobar & Dominik Mysterio
Something is building with Dominik Mysterio and bad guy luchadores like Santos Escobar and Andrade, although I think Andrade is technically a babyface right now. WWE fans need to prepare for the inevitable breakup of Mami and Dom because that on-screen duo is not going to last much longer than this weekend. Ripley is moving into a full babyface role, which just isnât going to work for Dom. Heâs now moving into something with Escobar, LDF, and Andrade against the LWO — a storyline that should become more solidified at Mania.
Dominik and Escobar are listed as -150 favorites, but I think their winning is much more of a certainty.
Prediction: Dominik Mysterio & Santos Escobar
Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso
Iâm expecting this to be the first of many matches between the two brothers so either could win and it wouldnât impact the story too much. Before looking at the odds, I had assumed Jimmy would be listed as the favorite but I was wrong as Jey as a -250 favorite. To me, it doesnât seem like Jey needs the win whereas Jimmyâs singles run could use a little boost at the start of their rivalry. I donât recommend betting on wrestling but if I did, Jimmy is an underdog Iâd put some money on.
This will be a chance to show off what Cargill does well and hide what she does not. The only way the babyfaces donât win is if someone, namely Cargill, turns heel midway through and attacks either Naomi or Belair. Otherwise, Iâd expect this match to end with Cargill pinning Kai.
The team of Cargill, Belair, and Kai are listed as a whopping -2000 favorite. Damage CTRL would be approaching Buster Douglas over Mike Tyson, Holly Holm over Ronda Rousey, or Roman Reigns over Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 39 territory if they won this. A heel turn could cause exactly that to happen but I think a clean babyface win is far more likely.
Prediction: Jade Cargill, Bianca Belair and Naomi
WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther defends against Sami Zayn
They have been doing a dramatic storyline in recent weeks involving Chad Gable helping Zayn take his game to the next level so that he can finally win the big one. I just donât think itâs going to happen at WrestleMania. I also think there is a chance that Gable turns heel on Zayn and starts a feud between the two. That seems the most logical direction for them to go.
Gunther is listed as a -150 favorite, but I think he’s a lock to win at Mania.
Prediction: Gunther retains
The Rock & Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins
The stipulation that a Rock and Reigns win means Bloodline rules on night two leads me to believe them winning is the most likely outcome of the night one main event. With it being Bloodline rules between Rhodes and Reigns, it opens the door for interference from Rock, other members of The Bloodline, as well as Rollins and Jey Uso. That seems fitting given the way the storyline has gone and opens the door for more post-WrestleMania storylines.
Rock and Reigns are listed as -1000 favorites and I have to agree with the oddsmakers.
Prediction: Rock and Reigns
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins defends against Drew McIntyre
McIntyre should win this match, but I donât think he walks out of WrestleMania with the World Heavyweight Championship. CM Punk on commentary and Damian Priestâs MITB briefcase will loom large over what happens here.
McIntyre winning the World title, but then having his moment ripped away from him again just like when he was robbed of his WrestleMania 36 moment by the pandemic, seems the most likely result. Heâll get the win over Rollins but Priest will cash in immediately after to win the belt.
Punk will play some role in how this all plays out. Then, McIntyre can continue complaining of being unfairly robbed of his moment as we move closer to Juneâs Clash at the Castle in Glasgow, Scotland. Heâs listed as a -450 favorite but I think heâs a bigger favorite than that even.
Prediction: Drew McIntyre wins the title…briefly
Philadelphia street fight: Bobby Lashley & The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) vs. The Final Testament (Karrion Kross, Akam & Rezar)
This match feels like something of an afterthought and I donât imagine we will get a conclusive finish to the rivalry as they probably wonât be given enough time. The blowoff will probably happen on television at some point. The oddsmakers have Lashley and The Street Profits as -200 favorites, but I think The Final Testament will be put over here as it feels as though they could use the win more.
Prediction: Karrion Kross and The Authors of Pain
LA Knight vs. AJ Styles
I donât know why, but this rivalry doesnât seem to have clicked. It could just be that with all the hullabaloo around The Rock and the other big matches on the show, this just fell down the list of priorities. Knight is the rising star who I imagine is going to get a big push in the coming months, so he’ll likely come out on top.
Knight is listed as a -600 favorite which seems about right.
Prediction: LA Knight
WWE United States Champion Logan Paul defends against Randy Orton and Kevin Owens in a triple threat match
This match also feels like such an afterthought which is strange considering the star power involved. Paul is listed as a -375 favorite and I agree with the oddsmakers. Either Owens or Orton will have the match won, but then be screwed out of the title by the other. They will then move into their own feud and Paul will continue bringing the US title onto episodes of Impaulsive.
Prediction: Logan Paul retains
WWE Women’s Champion IYO SKY defends against Bayley
This has been a great story that has flown under most people’s radars. Bayley’s entire arc with Damage CTRL has been very well done. On the February 2, 2024, episode of SmackDown, Bayley revealed that she had learned to speak Japanese and knew the other members of Damage CTRL were talking bad about her behind her back.
Bayley’s dream of creating a dominant stable that began at 2022’s SummerSlam was over. While they had betrayed her, she was ready for them. It was a fantastic segment that nobody talks about because less than an hour later, The Rock showed up and appeared to be taking Cody Rhodes’ spot in the WrestleMania main event.
At first, I thought Bayley winning was a forgone conclusion, but then the potential match order leaked. According to what is believed to be the order of matches, this one going on right before Rhodes vs. Reigns II leads me to believe the Bayley vs. Damage CTRL rivalry will not have a definitive ending at Mania. Perhaps Damage CTRL debuts a new member or they do something else dastardly to cost Bayley the title.
Bayley is listed as a -400 favorite, but my gut says Sky retains.
Prediction: IYO SKY retains
Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Cody Rhodes
The match result is not in question here.
When the stipulation was added that this will be Rhodesâ last attempt to dethrone Reigns, that was WWE telling fans there will be a title change on Sunday. The real question is how they get there and what matches they set up for Rhodes, Reigns and The Rock next.
The Rock will be involved at some point, but it might just be to come out at the end for a staredown with Rhodes. Of course, this depends on Rockâs film schedule as well as the scheduling of WWEâs next big Saudi Arabia show or just how big of a deal they are going to make Backlash France in May.
It feels as though WWE has to do Rock vs. Rhodes before Rock vs. Reigns at this point, but there are a lot of variables at play.
One certain thing is that this WrestleMania 40 is going to end with a triumphant Cody Rhodes celebrating winning the title that his father never did and taking his rightful spot as WWEâs top guy. It’ll be downright touching.
Prediction: Cody Rhodes finishes the story and wins the title
