Tag: WWE WrestleMania 39

John Cena vs. Austin Theory set for WWE WrestleMania 39

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Austin Theory and John Cena are set to square off at WrestleMania.

Theory confronted Cena on Monday’s show, issuing the challenge for the United States Championship. Cena initally rejected the offer, saying that Theory wasn’t ready. Cena told Theory that he had been given opportunity after opportunity, yet no one cares about him because Theory doesn’t believe in himself. Theory accused Cena of “giving up”, referencing his t-shirt. Cena said he’d never give up on the fans, saying he said no because Theory would lose everything if he lost at WrestleMania. Cena then asked the crowd if they wanted to see the match, and after the positive reaction, he agreed to the match for April.

The segment ended with Cena telling Theory he wished him luck because Theory doesn’t have the brains, the guts, or the balls, smacking him low before leaving.

Cena’s return on Monday marked the first time he appeared on WWE television since December, when he teamed with Kevin Owens to take on Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn on the final SmackDown of 2022.

Here is the updated lineup for WrestleMania 39:

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
  • Raw Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair (c) vs. Asuka
  • SmackDown Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
  • WWE United States Championship: Austin Theory (c) vs. John Cena
  • WWE Intercontinental title: Gunther vs. TBD
  • Brock Lesnar vs. Omos
  • Logan Paul vs. Seth Rollins
  • Trish Stratus, Lita, and Becky Lynch vs. Damage CTRL

Daniel Cormier to lead WWE WrestleMania 39 coverage for ESPN

Posted on by Joseph Currier

UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier will be in Los Angeles for WWE WrestleMania 39 — but he won’t be involved in the ring.

Cormier told Sports Illustrated that he’s going to WrestleMania 39 to lead ESPN’s coverage of the event. Cormier works for ESPN as a mixed martial arts analyst.

“I’m going to WrestleMania,” Cormier told SI. “The first week of April for ESPN, I’ll be leading the coverage for WrestleMania. I’m so excited about it.”

Cormier appeared for WWE as the special guest referee for Matt Riddle and Seth Rollins’ Fight Pit match at Extreme Rules last October. In his interview with SI, Cormier said that — while he’s open to wrestling — his priority right now is his media job.

“I’m getting more opportunities for ESPN, and I’m so thankful for that,” Cormier said. “So I’ll be at WrestleMania, just in a different capacity, and we’ll see what the future holds down the line.”

SI noted that interviews with WWE talent may be part of Cormier’s WrestleMania media role. Cormier joked about smacking Brock Lesnar if Lesnar tries to step up to him.

“If Brock steps in my way?” Cormier said with a laugh. “I’ll smack him upside his head.”

WrestleMania 39 is taking place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2. Both nights will stream live on Peacock/WWE Network.

March 6, 2023 Observer Newsletter: MJF vs. Bryan Danielson preview, WWE WrestleMania 39 updates

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Literally since the days after the Full Gear PPV show, where MJF went heel after being cheered wildly against the once most popular wrestler in the company, Jon Moxley, they’ve built up MJF vs. Bryan Danielson.

MJF immediately turned back heel and turned on Regal, who then left the company. Danielson protected Regal from Moxley trying to get revenge but still was the babyface as he had to score five wins in a row to get his shot at the title in a 60:00 Iron Man match on 3/5 at the Chase Center in San Francisco.

The ability to entertain a crowd for 60:00 was considered a badge of honor in another generation and made people like Lou Thesz, Jack Brisco, The Funk Brothers, Ric Flair, and others into legendary performers.

But those were organic 60-minute matches, which actually were very frequent for world title matches in the NWA and Japan during the 50s, 60s, 70s, and into the 80s.

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

Finn Balor challenges Edge for WWE WrestleMania 39

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Finn Balor has thrown out the challenge to Edge ahead of WrestleMania 39.

On Monday’s Raw, Balor issued a challenge to Edge for WrestleMania in Los Angeles on April 1 and 2, telling him that he and he only will decide when it’s over between the two. Announcers wondered how Edge would respond to the challenge.

Later in the show, Balor challenged Johnny Gargano to a match for next week’s Raw. Gargano accepted.

Balor interfered in last week’s United States title match between Edge and Austin Theory on Raw. Balor got involved in the finish, costing Edge the championship. After the match, Balor gave Edge multiple coup de gras off the top rope.

Edge and Balor have been feuding for most of the last year, dating back to the group turning on Edge immediately after Balor joined the group. Edge and his wife, Beth Phoenix, met Balor and Rhea Ripley at Elimination Chamber earlier this month, with Edge and Phoenix emerging victorious.

The Miz to host WWE WrestleMania 39

Posted on by Ethan Renner

WrestleMania 39 will have a host. 

WWE announced on Monday’s Raw that The Miz will serve as the host of the two-night WrestleMania 39 event. The shows are set for Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. 

Miz is a two-time former WWE Champion, eight-time Intercontinental Champion, two-time United States Champion, has held eight different Tag Team titles in the WWE, and is also a former Money in the Bank winner. 

Miz hosting was revealed during a Miz TV segment on Raw. Seth Rollins interrupted the segment and used it to call Logan Paul from Miz’s phone, challenging Paul to show up at Raw next Monday in Boston. Paul vs. Rollins has been teased as a WrestleMania 39 bout, but has yet to be made official. 

Both nights of WrestleMania will air live on Peacock in the United States, and on WWE Network in the rest of the world.

Brock Lesnar vs. Omos official for WWE WrestleMania 39

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Brock Lesnar vs. Omos is official for WWE WrestleMania 39. 

After Omos and MVP issued a challenge to Lesnar on last week’s episode, Lesnar accepted the challenge as a guest on MVP’s VIP Lounge segment on Monday’s Raw. 

Lesnar asked MVP to sell him on why he should face Omos, and MVP responded with a promo explaining how Lesnar would not be able to F5 Omos. Lesnar enthusiastically responded to the promo and accepted the challenge, then proposed a toast with MVP from a flask. MVP spat the contents of the flask on Lesnar, who then left MVP laying with an F5. 

Four matches are now official for WrestleMania on April 1 and April 2 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. 

The lineup so far: 

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
  • Raw Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair (c) vs. Asuka
  • SmackDown Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
  • Brock Lesnar vs. Omos

VIDEO: Dave Meltzer & Bryan Alvarez discuss recent WWE WrestleMania 39 card changes

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez brought up recent changes to the WrestleMania 39 card on Wrestling Observer Radio. 

On Saturday night’s show, Meltzer asked Alvarez if he thought the Brock Lesnar/Omos match proposed on Monday’s Raw was a sign that Vince McMahon had influence in WWE creative. Alvarez thought it may be a sign that McMahon may be giving suggestions, that match being one of them.

“I can’t say that was due to Vince,” Meltzer said. “But I can say…that was a change. They actually planned out most of this card further in advance than usual, which is to Paul Levesque’s credit probably. “

“There’s been many changes since October also,” Meltzer added. “I can’t say the day the Lesnar match changed, and it may change on Monday too, I’m not sure if it’s a swerve. I know there were changes in the card in the last week or so.”

On Monday’s Raw, MVP said that Omos was issuing a challenge to Lesnar, and invited Lesnar to this coming Monday’s show to accept Omos’ challenge for WrestleMania 39. 

WrestleMania’s booking has changed recently. Is that a sign?: Wrestling Observer Radio

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez brought up recent changes to the WrestleMania 39 card on Wrestling Observer Radio.

On Saturday night’s show, Meltzer asked Alvarez if he thought the Brock Lesnar/Omos match proposed on Monday’s Raw was a sign that Vince McMahon had influence in WWE creative again. Alvarez thought it may be a sign that McMahon may be giving suggestions, that match being one of them.

“I can’t say that was due to Vince,” Meltzer said. “But I can say…that was a change. They actually planned out most of this card further in advance than usual, which is to Paul Levesque’s credit probably. “

“There’s been many changes since October also,” Meltzer added. “I can’t say the day the Lesnar match changed, and it may change on Monday too, I’m not sure if it’s a swerve. I know there were changes in the card in the last week or so.”

On Monday’s Raw, MVP said that Omos was issuing a challenge to Lesnar, and invited Lesnar to this coming Monday’s show to accept Omos’ challenge for WrestleMania 39. 

Mars & 2K returning as co-presenting sponsors for WWE WrestleMania 39

Posted on by Ian Carey

WrestleMania will once again be sponsored by Snickers and Take-Two Interactive (2K). 

A joint statement released on Wednesday announced that for the second year in a row, Snickers and 2K will be the co-presenting sponsors for WWE’s biggest event of the year. 

“The SNICKERS brand is thrilled to be back as one of the presenting sponsors of WrestleMania 39,” said Ray Amati, Director of Media, Mars Wrigley. “Over the years we have seen the passion of WWE fans and know they are always hungry for high quality entertainment, which we look forward to delivering alongside our partners. SNICKERS will continue to be a solution for fans when they feel out of sorts before, during or after WrestleMania.”

“We’re excited to come back even stronger and co-present WrestleMania 39 with SNICKERS as we tag team for WWE’s biggest event of the year,” said Alfie Brody, Vice President of Global Marketing Strategy at 2K. “Like our WWE 2K23 cover Superstar, John Cena, we’ll ‘Never Give Up’ as we take on SNICKERS head-to-head and provide fans with engaging content leading up to the main event matches.”

“Last year we brought together two of our most-tenured brand partners for WrestleMania and it’s exciting to continue the partnership as WrestleMania goes Hollywood in April,” said Craig Stimmel, WWE Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Partnerships.

Both brands will be featured on WWE programming in the lead-up to WrestleMania 39. Snickers and 2K will also be promoting the event through a “multi-platform campaign.”

2K will release WWE 2K23 on March 17, 2023, a little over two weeks ahead of WrestleMania 39 in Los Angeles. The game will be available on March 14, 2023, for those who pre-order it. 

WrestleMania 39 will take place on Saturday, April 1, 2023, and Sunday, April 2, 2023, from SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Confirmed matches for the show include Rhea Ripley challenging Charlotte Flair for the SmackDown Women’s Championship, Asuka challenging Bianca Belair for the Raw Women’s Championship, and Cody Rhodes challenging Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. 

Omos challenges Brock Lesnar for WWE WrestleMania 39

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Omos has challenged Brock Lesnar to a match for WrestleMania.

On Monday’s Raw, MVP called Brock Lesnar a coward for getting himself DQ’d at Elimination Chamber, saying he knew that he couldn’t escape Bobby Lashley’s Hurt Lock. MVP said that Omos was issuing a challenge to face Lesnar at WrestleMania, and invited Lesnar to show up on next week’s Raw in Grand Rapids, Michigan to accept.

After the disqualification on Saturday’s show, Lesnar continued to assault Lashley, eventually putting him through a table. The two first started their feud last fall, facing off at Crown Jewel with Lesnar winning. After Lashley eliminated Lesnar at the Royal Rumble, a second match was eventually agreed to for Elimination Chamber.

On Friday’s SmackDown, Bray Wyatt and Uncle Howdy appeared in the ring and took out Hit Row, who were performing a song. Wyatt used the segment to challenge the winner of the Lashley-Lesnar match at Elimination Chamber.

WrestleMania 39 will take place in Los Angeles on April 1 and 2.

Asuka to challenge Bianca Belair at WWE WrestleMania 39

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Bianca Belair now knows who her WrestleMania opponent will be.

Asuka will challenge Belair for the Raw Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 39. That was confirmed when Asuka defeated Raquel Rodriguez, Liv Morgan, Nikki Cross, Natalya, and Carmella in an Elimination Chamber match on Saturday night.

Asuka was the last woman to enter the Elimination Chamber. She eliminated Carmella to win the match and was also involved in eliminating Rodriguez and Morgan.

The final three wrestlers left at the end were Asuka, Carmella, and Rodriguez. Asuka and Carmella worked together to eliminate Rodriguez, then Asuka submitted Carmella with an armbar.

A more aggressive version of Asuka returned to WWE in last month’s women’s Royal Rumble match. Asuka made it to the final three of the Rumble before being eliminated by Rhea Ripley.

WrestleMania 39 is taking place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2. Three matches have already been confirmed for the event:

  • Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Cody Rhodes
  • SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair defends against Rhea Ripley
  • Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair defends against Asuka

VIDEO: Dave Meltzer and Garrett Gonzales talk WWE Wrestlemana 39 plans

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Dave Meltzer and Garrett Gonzales discussed the latest in WrestleMania 39 plans.

On Friday afternoon’s Wrestling Observer Radio, Meltzer and Gonzales discussed current plans for the likes of Sami Zayn, Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, and more. You can watch the clip below.

Meltzer said that Paul Heyman is involved in the creative for both the Sami Zayn and Cody Rhodes programs heading into WrestleMania. Gonzales asked Meltzer if he thought that the Rhodes/Reigns program peaked too soon with the promo that took place on Monday’s Raw. Meltzer did not think so, saying that there was plenty left in the storyline heading into WrestleMania.

Plans regarding Becky Lynch and Bayley were also discussed, though there is no clear path for either. With the return of Lita to WWE programming on Monday, it was suggested that a tag match involving Damage Control taking on Lita and Becky Lynch could happen, but the question was who the third partner would be.

WrestleMania 39 will take place on April 1 and 2 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

Rhea Ripley challenges Charlotte Flair for WWE WrestleMania 39

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Rhea Ripley has made her choice for WrestleMania 39.

On Monday’s Raw, Ripley challenged Charlotte Flair for the SmackDown Women’s title at WrestleMania 39 on April 1 and 2 in Los Angeles. This comes following her Royal Rumble win this past Saturday.

During Monday’s promo, Ripley mentioned challenging Charlotte in the past at WrestleMania, and she came up short, citing only being 24 at the time and her career just getting started. She said that she had to give credit to Charlotte, as she keeps getting better every year. She said that the normal flow of WWE has Charlotte on top, but she is the disruptor, and she will put Charlotte in her place at WrestleMania.

The two previously had a match at WrestleMania 36 back in 2020. It was there that Charlotte defeated Ripley to win the NXT Women’s Championship.

It has already been confirmed that Cody Rhodes, the men’s Royal Rumble winner, will challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania.

Triple H on The Rock at WWE WrestleMania: ‘I just don’t think it’s in the cards’

Posted on by Ethan Renner

WWE chief creative officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque said “I just don’t think it’s in the cards” with regard to a possible WrestleMania 39 appearance by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

Speaking at the Royal Rumble press conference following Saturday’s event, Triple H was asked about whether or not The Rock would be appearing at WrestleMania 39 on April 1 and April 2 at SoFi Stadium. 

“He can’t get in shape in time, that’s what you all tell me,” Levesque joked, before answering the question in earnest. 

“”He’s incredibly busy…”

“…There’s a part of him that if he could be here for this WrestleMania in Hollywood, he would turn over every stone and walk through fire to be able to do it. I just don’t think it’s in the cards.”

Levesque said that due to a mutual respect between The Rock and the company, he would not expect an appearance unless The Rock could devote himself fully to the experience.

“That respect factor both ways, he wouldn’t want to do it unless he could absolutely do it, you know? There’s no way he would show up here and half-ass it, there’s no way he would show up here and not come in and put every single thing into it to make it the best it could possibly be. So unless he could do that, it won’t happen.”

Triple H said that the door remains open for appearances by The Rock in the future, and that the company has an open door policy for Johnson. 

“We always have conversations with him because he loves it so much, and we’d love for him to be part of it. He’s the biggest star in Hollywood, maybe the most recognizable person in the planet. This is his home. He has an open invitation. We don’t lock the door… but he’s incredibly busy.” 

“But he knows the door’s open and when he has the time to walk through it he can come in and electrify everybody.”

Other notes from the presser:

  • Triple H stated that Saturday’s Royal Rumble event was the highest-grossing Rumble in history, with the most advertising revenue in the event’s history. 
  • Levesque also said that more than 100 media members were on hand for the Rumble, a number more akin to a WrestleMania.
  • Triple H noted that WrestleMania 39 has already set the all-time gate record for WrestleMania without a single match announced for the card. 

Full video of the press conference including comments from Rhea Ripley, Bray Wyatt, and Cody Rhodes: 

Steve Austin vs. Brock Lesnar match was pitched for WWE WrestleMania 39

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Steve Austin had been pitched a match against Brock Lesnar for this year’s WrestleMania.

On Tuesday morning’s Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer said the match pitched to  Austin was a match against Lesnar. Fightful reported on Monday afternoon that a match with Roman Reigns had been pitched to Austin for this year’s WrestleMania in Los Angeles.

“The match that was pitched was not Roman Reigns,” Meltzer said. “It was Brock Lesnar. It’s not on, something can happen now. It’s been talked about probably for months.”

Meltzer said that earlier when he had asked about a rumored match between Lesnar and Gunther, it was rejected, saying that wasn’t the idea, but the idea was a secret, with Austin was that secret.

Lesnar made his return to WWE on Monday, appearing during the main event between Austin Theory and Bobby Lashley for the United States title. Lesnar cost Lashley the match, reigniting their feud from last fall. Meltzer noted that it’s likely both will be in the Royal Rumble match this weekend and will feud, though it isn’t known if that feud will lead to a match at WrestleMania.