Tag: WWE WrestleMania 39

What should headline the first night of WrestleMania?: Wrestling Observer Radio

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Rhea Ripley vs. Charlotte is scheduled to headline night one of WrestleMania. But is is the right choice?

Dave Meltzer and Garrett Gonzales discussed the lead story in week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter on the Friday edition of Wrestling Observer Radio. When Gonzales asked Meltzer if the ‘political’ move to have Ripley and Charlotte headline the first night was so that a women’s match headlines one of the cards, Meltzer confirmed.

“You don’t have to have a women’s main event,” Meltzer said. “If it wasn’t for Steve Austin, Ronda Rousey was going to headline last year’s show.

It was pointed out that the hot acts in the company right now are Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, The Usos, Roman Reigns, and Cody Rhodes, so naturally both main events should feature those talents. Meltzer pointed out that they still could, as everything is decided upon at the last minute.

Gonzales thought that the Charlotte/Ripley match, as it stands now, is cold, particularly from the Charlotte side.

“I’m not feeling any fire from her,” Gonzales said.

Meltzer pointed out that one of the problems is that Ripley and Charlotte are on different brands, and Ripley currently is more involved in Dominik’s feud with his father, Rey Mysterio.

Triple threat IC title match official for WWE WrestleMania 39

Posted on by Ethan Renner

A triple threat match for the Intercontinental Championship is official for WWE WrestleMania 39. 

As announced during Friday’s SmackDown show, Gunther is set to defend the IC title against Drew McIntyre and Sheamus in a three-way at WrestleMania. 

McIntyre and Sheamus scored simultaneous pinfalls in a five-way match to determine Gunther’s WrestleMania contender on last week’s SmackDown, setting up a one-on-one contest on this week’s show. 

After simultaneously hitting each other with their finishers during this week’s bout, McIntyre and Sheamus were both down in the ring. Gunther got in and exhorted both to get to their feet, but it was a ruse to allow Imperium’s Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci to attack McIntyre and Sheamus. 

On-screen authority figure Adam Pearce then appeared on the video wall to announce the triple threat match for WrestleMania. 

Eleven bouts have been announced for WrestleMania, set for Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. 

Here is the updated card:

WWE WrestleMania 39, Saturday, April 1 & Sunday, April 2, 8 p.m. Eastern time on Peacock & WWE Network —

  • Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns defends against Cody Rhodes
  • SmackDown Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair defends against Rhea Ripley
  • Raw Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair defends against Asuka
  • United States Championship: Austin Theory defends against John Cena
  • Intercontinental Championship triple threat match: Gunther defends against Drew McIntyre & Sheamus
  • Hell in a Cell match: Edge vs. Finn Balor
  • Brock Lesnar vs. Omos
  • Seth Rollins vs. Logan Paul
  • Trish Stratus, Becky Lynch & Lita vs. Damage CTRL (Bayley, Dakota Kai & IYO SKY)
  • Women’s four-way tag team showcase match: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez vs. TBD vs. TBD vs. TBD
  • Men’s four-way tag team showcase match: Four teams TBD

First team qualifies for WWE WrestleMania 39 women’s four-way

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez are going to WrestleMania. 

Morgan & Rodriguez defeated the team of Tegan Nox & Emma on Friday’s WWE SmackDown show to qualify for a newly-announced four-way tag team bout at WrestleMania 39.

Wade Barrett announced on commentary during SmackDown that WrestleMania 39 would feature both women’s and men’s four-way tag team “showcase” bouts, with qualifying matches to take place on television between now and WrestleMania. 

WrestleMania 39 is set for Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. 

Here is the updated card: 

WWE WrestleMania 39, Saturday, April 1 & Sunday, April 2, 8 p.m. Eastern time on Peacock & WWE Network —

  • Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns defends against Cody Rhodes
  • SmackDown Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair defends against Rhea Ripley
  • Raw Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair defends against Asuka
  • United States Championship: Austin Theory defends against John Cena
  • Intercontinental Championship triple threat match: Gunther defends against Drew McIntyre & Sheamus
  • Hell in a Cell match: Edge vs. Finn Balor
  • Brock Lesnar vs. Omos
  • Seth Rollins vs. Logan Paul
  • Trish Stratus, Becky Lynch & Lita vs. Damage CTRL (Bayley, Dakota Kai & IYO SKY)
  • Women’s four-way tag team showcase match: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez vs. TBD vs. TBD vs. TBD
  • Men’s four-way tag team showcase match: Four teams TBD

Ronda Rousey still on for WWE WrestleMania 39, Women’s Tag Team title match off

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Ronda Rousey’s expected Women’s Tag Team title match at WrestleMania 39 is off, but she is still on the card.

Dave Meltzer is reporting that while the title match is off the show, Rousey is still on the show and is expected to be in a different match.

It had been reported earlier this month that Rousey had aggravated a previous arm injury, but was expected to be ready by WrestleMania. Despite the six-woman tag match between Damage CTRL and Becky Lynch, Lita, and Trish Stratus officially being announced for WrestleMania, another match featuring Rousey and Baszler wrestling for the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles had also been planned for the show.

Early in March, Rousey was set to team with Baszler on SmackDown against Tegan Nox and Natalya. However, an angle was shot where the two teams brawled backstage. The match was then turned into a singles bout between Baszler and Nox, with Rousey appearing at ringside with a sling in her arm selling the backstage attack.

March 20, 2023 Observer Newsletter: WWE WrestleMania 39 cards take shape, AEW Revolution buys

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

It appears to be official at this point that the two WrestleMania main events will be Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley on 4/1, which will also include Seth Rollins vs. Logan Paul, and Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes on 4/2.

We had reported weeks back that Reigns vs. Rhodes was the night two main event and that Flair vs. Ripley was favored to be the night one main event. When we had asked about Usos vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn headlining night one, since at the time Zayn was the company’s hottest babyface character, we were told that there were political reasons in play as to where Flair vs. Ripley would most likely get that spot. It is not clear that the Usos match will be on night one, but when the original idea was to create a second world title, with Rollins, Drew McIntyre or Rhodes (Rhodes would be in this if The Rock was facing Reigns) as the three people considered for it, that was to be the night one main event, but it became the women’s match when that idea fell by the wayside. At that point in time, the Usos title defense was scheduled for night one.

Subscribers can click here to read this week’s issue.

Bray Wyatt vs. Bobby Lashley still planned for WWE WrestleMania 39

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Despite a recent absence from WWE events, it looks like Bray Wyatt is still planned to face Bobby Lashley at WrestleMania.

Wyatt hasn’t been on WWE television in two weeks and missed WWE’s house show at Madison Square Garden this Sunday. Though neither Wyatt nor Lashley appeared on Raw last night, Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that — from what he understands — their match is still on for WrestleMania.

“From what I understand, the match is still on for WrestleMania,” Meltzer said. “And [Wyatt] should be back very soon, so we’ll see. That’s pretty much all I can say. There is something to it, but I’m not at liberty to discuss it. As far as I know, everything that I’ve been told is that it’s not a creative issue or anything like that.”

Amid rumors about Wyatt’s status, Lashley tweeted before Raw on Monday: “I’ve worked too hard to be denied. I will be ready to fight on the biggest stage of them all, #WrestleMania. I don’t care who it is, somebody will feel the wrath of the All-Mighty.”

A Firefly Fun House segment with Wyatt aired on SmackDown on February 24. The next Monday, there was an angle on Raw where a clip from Wyatt interrupted Lashley.

The March 3 episode of SmackDown included an angle where Lashley fought off an attack by Uncle Howdy.

Wyatt has had one televised match since returning to WWE last October. He defeated LA Knight in a Mtn Dew Pitch Black match at the Royal Rumble.

SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California is hosting WrestleMania 39 on Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2.

Dominik Mysterio challenges Rey Mysterio for WWE WrestleMania 39

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Dominik Mysterio has officially issued a challenge to his father for WrestleMania 39.

On Monday’s Raw, Rey came out to talk about the announcement of his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame last Friday. But just like last Friday, his son Dominik came out to confront him. Dominik said that Rey was never there for him while growing up and issued the challenge for WrestleMania. Rey reiterated that he would never fight him and exited the ring as Dominik continued to taunt him.

The feud between the Mysterios dates back to last September, when Dominik turned on his father to join The Judgment Day. Rey became distraught by Dominik’s betrayal and refused to fight him, going as far as to switch to the SmackDown brand to avoid him. Despite the move, in recent weeks Dominik has continued to provoke and even assault his father.

The Mysterio family were also part of several holiday vignettes in which Dominik attacked his father during Thanksgiving, almost assaulted his mother before being arrested on Christmas Eve, and ruined a dinner date between Rey and his wife on Valentine’s Day.

Edge vs. Finn Balor Hell in a Cell match set for  WWE WrestleMania 39

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Edge and Finn Balor are going to Hell in a Cell.

The two agreed to the match on Monday’s Raw. Edge told Balor that he had made his life a living hell in the past year, and therefore there was only one way to settle things at WrestleMania: Hell in a Cell. Balor agreed, but then had the rest of Judgment Day come to the ring to attack Edge. Dexter Lumis and Johnny Gargano then came to the ring to make the save.

Edge has been feuding with Judgment Day for most of the last year, dating back to Balor joining the group and immediately dumping Edge. In recent weeks, Balor cost Edge the United States title in a match against champion Austin Theory, while Edge cost Balor a match against Gargano. On last week’s Raw, Edge told Balor to meet him on next week’s show.

Here is the updated lineup for WrestleMania 39 on April 1 and 2:

  • Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Cody Rhodes
  • WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair defends against Rhea Ripley
  • WWE Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair defends against Asuka
  • WWE US Champion Austin Theory defends against John Cena
  • WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther defends against TBD
  • Hell in a Cell: Edge vs. Finn Balor
  • Brock Lesnar vs. Omos
  • Seth Rollins vs. Logan Paul
  • Trish Stratus, Becky Lynch & Lita vs. Damage CTRL (Bayley, Dakota Kai & IYO SKY)

Wrestling Observer Live: WBD bets on more AEW, WWE bets on gambling

Posted on by Andrew Zarian

On the Sunday edition of Wrestling Observer Live, I am back talking all the latest in the world of professional wrestling.

There have been rumblings as of late of another AEW wrestling show on a Warner Bros Discovery network. I talk about what I have heard, what that might look like, and what audience it might be trying to reach.

WWE has contacted several state gaming commissions including Michigan, Colorado, and Indiana about potentially having live betting on its matches. We talk about the pros and cons of and the likelihood that this process would not get corrupted.

Rey Mysterio is the first name announced for this year’s WWE Hall of Fame class. Will this play into the storyline with his son Dominik? Also, WrestleMania 39 is starting to really take shape as more matches were announced last week including John Cena vs. Austin Theory.

Plus, we preview this Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite, give thoughts on the Iron Match from AEW Revolution, and more!

Watch above on YouTube or click to stream below.

Click Here To Listen for free

Mat Men: AEW Revolution fallout, Jey Uso makes his choice

Posted on by Mat Men

This show was recorded on Saturday afternoon.

Andrew and Rich are back with another episode of Mat Men, discussing the latest in professional wrestling.

Andrew breaks some news about an impending agreement between AEW & Warner Bros. Discovery that will see a new hour-long show coming soon.

The guys give their thoughts on last Sunday’s AEW Revolution including the Iron Man match and who might be next to face AEW World Champion MJF.

On this past week’s Dynamite, Bryan Danielson hinted at taking time off and TBS Champion Jade Cargill challenged a Canadian. We give our thoughts on the Revolution fallout show.

WWE continues the build to WrestleMania 39. We discuss all the new matches that were made and the appearance of John Cena this past Monday. Also, The Bloodline story made a big advancement this week with Jey Uso choosing his side.

Plus, WWE wants to get into the gambling business, WWE announces new stadium shows, your questions, and more!

Click Here to Listen for free

Logan Paul reveals date of WWE WrestleMania 39 Seth Rollins match

Posted on by Josh Nason

According to Logan Paul, his match with Seth Rollins will take place on night one of WWE WrestleMania 39.

On the Impaulsive podcast, Paul said he got confirmation that the match will happen on Saturday, April 1st which also happens to be his 28th birthday.

The feud between the two began at the Royal Rumble when Paul eliminated Rollins from the men’s Rumble match and then continued at last month’s Elimination Chamber when he laid out Rollins in the U.S. title Chamber match.

On Monday’s Raw, Paul knocked Rollins out during an in-ring segment and the match was made the same night.

Paul made his debut at last year’s WrestleMania, teaming with The Miz in a win over the Mysterios. He picked up a win over The Miz at last year’s SummerSlam before unsuccessfully challenging WWE undisputed Universal Champion Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel.

Here’s the current lineup for both nights:

  • Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Cody Rhodes
  • WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair defends against Rhea Ripley
  • WWE Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair defends against Asuka
  • WWE US Champion Austin Theory defends against John Cena
  • WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther defends against TBD
  • Brock Lesnar vs. Omos
  • Seth Rollins vs. Logan Paul
  • Trish Stratus, Becky Lynch & Lita vs. Damage CTRL (Bayley, Dakota Kai & IYO SKY)

We’re Live, Pal: The road to WWE WrestleMania 39 heats up

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

It’s a brand new We’re Live, Pal! as Andrew Zarian and I talk the latest news in wrestling.

We kicked off the show giving our thoughts on Sunday’s AEW Revolution and the current AEW product.

We looked at the road to WrestleMania as it heats up with John Cena, Cody Rhodes, and Sami Zayn in prominent positions as babyfaces. 

We wrapped up by talking about the current streaming universe including the free ad-supported streaming (FAST) systems.

You can watch the show above or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts in addition to the link below.

Click Here To Listen for free

Daily Update: John Cena, Superstar Billy Graham, Becky G

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Daily Update

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

Latest Free YouTube Video:

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

  • A look back at the history of the Iron Man match
  • The set up of the first Iron Man match that we know of
  • All the WWE true 60:00 Iron Man matches as well as the worked marathon matches that happened earlier
  • Bryan Danielson talks about the challenge of doing such a match today
  • Thoughts on what the PPV numbers will tell
  • Key aspect of the number
  • Ticket sales for the show, city record, current demand
  • Notes on the full card
  • Update on WrestleMania and changes
  • Ticket demand and sales or WrestleMania
  • Shad Gaspard/Jonathan Huber Award winner for 2022 and previous winners
  • Update on the MLW television deal with REELZ
  • Update on MLW potential lawsuit with WWE
  • Thoughts on the 2022 awards
  • CMLL and New Japan combine for FantasticaMania and a look at the last two events
  • UFC coverage of the weekend show
  • The most detailed look at the television ratings for the past week, how segments did, and how shows are hitting each key demo
  • Woman wrestling vet announces retirement
  • Report that a network reached out to rival promotion from who they carry to get them
  • Notes on a unique match in Mexico
  • Match of the week and performer of the week
  • A look at the first TripleMania card
  • One of the iconic legends of the sport announces about the next wrestler with the gimmick
  • New Japan Cup notes
  • All-Star Junior Festival notes
  • Governor who wrestled on Jan. 1 gets heat for it and why
  • Jerry Jarrett’s farewell words to his family
  • Von Erich movie notes
  • Former WWE wrestler pleads guilty in nationally covered fraud investigation
  • Pentagon & Fenix promote super indie show in April
  • Super indie matches
  • A card that features matches from nine different promotions in nine different countries
  • 16 Carat Gold tournament update
  • Brett Lauderdale talks how they got Kota Ibushi
  • Updates on next several weeks of Impact television
  • Updates on next several weeks of ROH television
  • AEW injury updates
  • Kenny Omega, Dax Harwood Bryan Danielson, Matt Hardy , Chris Jericho, Britt Baker and others talk the current scene
  • AEW star owning a sports franchise
  • Upcoming ticket sales for AEW & WWE events
  • Streaming and international TV numbers
  • WWE & UFC financials and comparisons, how badly and why UFC talent is underpaid, what Dana White earns and why Endeavor passed on making an offer to WWE
  • Dana White talks Makhachev vs. Volkanovski rematch
  • Jon Jones and Bo Nickal talk about their wrestling skirmish
  • Bellator signs two-tie NCAA champion
  • Jake Paul PPV numbers
  • Former UFC champions sign for Bare Knuckle Boxing
  • Ticket sales for big shows and how adding John Cena, Logan Paul and Roman Reigns to shows moves tickets
  • Update on WWE Hall of Fame ceremony
  • Notes on new projects from Dwayne Johnson and John Cena
  • WWE unloads a Senior Vice President
  • Bayley talks about formation of Damage Ctrl
  • Notes on new WWE signings getting ready for television
  • Notes from the weekend WWE & NXT events

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter:

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Tuesday Update

WWE

  • John Cena on last night’s Raw appearance: “Last night was the first time I entered the arena and had the thought that it might be the last time. I’ll never be able to put into words how much I love the #WWEUniverse.”
  • It was announced on Raw Monday that Becky G will be performing America the Beautiful on WrestleMania Saturday.
  • The first trailer for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, where John Cena voices Rocksteady.
  • The Hudson Valley Post has an article on The Now, a tag team on the independent scene, filing a cease and desist order to prevent WWE from using that term to refer to Austin Theory.
  • Theory talked to CBS 58 about WrestleMania 39.
  • The New York Post has an article on the current storyline problems with Bray Wyatt.
  • Matches added to WWE’s YouTube page today include The Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar from WrestleMania 30, Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair from WrestleMania 38 Saturday, and Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles from the March 7, 2017 edition of SmackDown.

AEW

Other Wrestling

  • An update on Superstar Billy Graham’s health on Facebook via his wife Valerie: “He has acute renal failure and they will start dialysis tomorrow to support his kidneys… not sure of the cause at this point… too soon. Also pray for his lungs….no pneumonia but some kind of inflammation or something. They’ve just gotten him to his room, thank you.”
  • AAA announced that they have suspended Chessman after an incident at the AAA/NWA The World is a Vampire event where he slapped social media influencer Adrian Marcelo.
  • NJPW’s website has an article on Antonio Inoki’s public wake at Sumo Hall on March 7.
  • NJPW has changed several cards as a result of David Finlay joining the Bullet Club.
  • Jacob Fatu is celebrating a birthday today.
  • Sexy Star II vs. Dulce Tormenta has been added to The Wrld on Lucha on April 1.

Stratus, Lynch & Lita vs. Damage CTRL set for WWE WrestleMania 39

Posted on by Ethan Renner

A six-woman tag team match featuring two WWE Hall of Famers has been added to the WrestleMania 39 lineup.

Wrestling for the first time since SummerSlam in August 2019, Hall of Famer Trish Stratus will team with the Women’s Tag Team Champions Becky Lynch and fellow Hall of Famer Lita against Damage CTRL’s Bayley, Dakota Kai, and IYO SKY at WrestleMania 39. 

The groundwork for the match was laid on last week’s Raw when Stratus helped Lynch and Lita win the Tag titles from Kai and SKY. On this week’s Raw, Stratus issued a challenge to Damage CTRL on her team’s behalf, and Bayley accepted for her side. 

In her last match, Stratus faced Charlotte Flair at SummerSlam 2019 in Toronto. Stratus last wrestled on a WrestleMania in 2011, teaming with Snooki and John Morrison to defeat Dolph Ziggler, Michelle McCool, and Layla in a mixed tag match. 

WrestleMania will be held on Saturday, April 1, and Sunday, April 2 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. 

Here is the updated lineup: 

WWE WrestleMania, Saturday, April 1 & Sunday, April 2, 8 p.m. Eastern time on Peacock & WWE Network —

  • Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cody Rhodes
  • SmackDown Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
  • Raw Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair (c) vs. Asuka
  • United States Championship: Austin Theory (c) vs. John Cena
  • Intercontinental Championship: Gunther (c) vs. TBD
  • Brock Lesnar vs. Omos
  • Seth Rollins vs. Logan Paul
  • Trish Stratus, Becky Lynch & Lita vs. Damage CTRL (Bayley, Dakota Kai & IYO SKY)

Logan Paul vs. Seth Rollins official for WWE WrestleMania 39

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Logan Paul vs. Seth Rollins is on for WWE WrestleMania 39. 

After a face-to-face segment on Monday’s Raw, Paul vs. Rollins one-on-one was officially announced for WrestleMania, set for Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. 

The Miz, WrestleMania’s host, presided over the Rollins and Paul face-to-face on Raw, egging the two on. After Rollins suggested the match for Raw, Paul said that he is a “premium attraction” and would only wrestle on a bigger stage with a bigger payday. The Miz said that as host, he could pull strings to make the match happen at WrestleMania. 

The segment ended with Paul laying Rollins out with a stomp. 

Paul eliminated Rollins from the Royal Rumble match in January to set the stage for the singles match. Prior to Royal Rumble, Paul last wrestled for WWE at Crown Jewel in November 2022, challenging Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. 

Counting the Rumble, Paul has just four career matches, making his in-ring debut as Miz’s tag partner at last year’s WrestleMania in a winning effort against Rey and Dominik Mysterio. Paul then defeated Miz in a singles match last July at SummerSlam. 

The updated WrestleMania card: 

WWE WrestleMania, Saturday, April 1 & Sunday, April 2, 8 p.m. Eastern time on Peacock & WWE Network —

  • Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cody Rhodes
  • SmackDown Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
  • Raw Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair (c) vs. Asuka
  • United States Championship: Austin Theory (c) vs. John Cena
  • Intercontinental Championship: Gunther (c) vs. TBD
  • Brock Lesnar vs. Omos
  • Seth Rollins vs. Logan Paul
  • Trish Stratus, Becky Lynch & Lita vs. Damage CTRL (Bayley, Dakota Kai & IYO SKY)