Tag: Wwe Wrestlemania 40

Triple H: WWE is ‘up against ourselves’ for competition

Posted on by Josh Nason

WWE chief content officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque has pivoted his answer when asked about what the competition is for his company in addition to sharing views on lost free agents that could be taken as a subtle dig at their work ethic.

Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show on Friday prior to this weekend’s WrestleMania 40, Levesque was asked by Michael Cole about the differences he sees between the Attitude Era and today. 

Levesque said they were fighting for their lives and talked about WCW “kicking their ass” without mentioning them by name.

“We were building up against something. Right now, we’re up against ourselves. We’re up against the Attitude Era, we’re up against the Ruthless Aggression era, whatever you want to call it. The best of the absolute best of WWE…that’s what we’re working against,” he stated, adding that his job now in order to make everyone successful is to make sure no one gets complacent.

Without saying AEW, McAfee attempted to allude to how Levesque’s competition comments might be taken. Levesque said he wasn’t trying to cause any controversy and that facts are facts.

In past interviews, and especially when asked about AEW, Levesque has answered that “everything is competition.”

He did throw a subtle dig toward AEW when asked about WWE’s free agent recruiting process and signing talent. He said he has people like William Regal that help him keep track of those in the business, saying he knows everyone who is out there, what their potential is, and how good they are.

He said just because someone succeeds somewhere else “doesn’t meant they will succeed in the big time,” using an NFL/college football analogy. 

He then said WWE is “a different game, a different world,” followed by this quote:

“When I see people that come out of trying to make it and then they pick the job where they go, “Well, they work less, the schedule is lighter…alright, then I’m glad I didn’t get you because if you’re not in it for the grind at that point early in your your career, you have no business being here.”

AJ Styles-LA Knight angle takes place at WWE WrestleMania 40 media day

Posted on by Joseph Currier

An angle building up one of the matches for WrestleMania 40 went down on Friday morning.

At WrestleMania media day, AJ Styles and LA Knight got into a brawl ahead of their WrestleMania match. Styles had a bloody nose from the brawl, which was broken up by security.

“I’m going to f*ck you up,” Styles told Knight. “Sunday.”

“Sunday? Tonight,” Knight responded. “Are you going to be at SmackDown, p*ssy? Are you going to be there?”

Styles and Knight have been feuding with each other for months. The story has escalated in recent weeks, including a segment that aired on SmackDown two weeks ago where Knight showed up at Styles’ house and fought with him. It was said that Styles declined to press charges after Knight was “arrested.”

Styles then threatened that he wouldn’t show up to SmackDown last Friday if Knight was there. Knight disguised himself as a staff member and attacked Styles.

Tonight’s SmackDown is being held at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Styles vs. Knight is part of the lineup for WrestleMania 40 night two this Sunday.

April 8, 2024 Observer Newsletter: WWE WrestleMania 40 preview, CM Punk talks, Janel Grant lawsuit updates

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

A pair of WWE WrestleMania shows that were planned months ago and reconstructed based on a series of things that went wrong ended up being positive from an interest standpoint.

It will end up being the biggest WrestleMania, as far as revenue and viewership, in history, although that would have been the case under almost any circumstance.

The first night’s main event with Rock & Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins has been pushed as the biggest tag team match in WrestleMania history. Normally such a hyperbolic tagline when it comes to wrestling should be taken with a grain of salt and the first WrestleMania had Hulk Hogan & Mr. T vs. Roddy Piper & Paul Orndorff, which I’d call the biggest.

I do think the first Mania, in a different time and place, captured the general public more than this one, but WrestleMania itself is so much bigger and more established as is WWE itself. Plus, from a financial standpoint, they are night and day. While Hogan was a rising celebrity and Mr. T was a huge star on television, The Rock was far beyond where they were at the time. Hogan did get bigger to the point where almost everyone in culture knew who he was, like The Rock today, but in 1985, he was not nearly at that level.

The two-night affair is set to climax with what is expected to be the culmination of a two-year build, where Rhodes, playing on the legend of his father, ends the longest so-called World title reign of Reigns.

Subscribers can read the entire newsletter here.

VIDEO: WWE reveals the set for WrestleMania 40

Posted on by Ethan Renner

WWE has continued an annual tradition with the set reveal for WrestleMania 40. 

In a video posted Thursday night to its YouTube channel and social media platforms, WWE unveiled the set and stage for Saturday and Sunday’s WrestleMania 40 event taking place in Philadelphia at Lincoln Financial Field. 

This year’s reveal video was hosted by Jackie Redmond and Kayla Braxton, and featured an appearance from media personalities Ninja Kidz.

With Philadelphia serving as this year’s WrestleMania host city, the set features a color scheme similar to that of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles, who play their home games at Lincoln Financial Field. 

WrestleMania 40 takes place over two nights, with kickoff shows streaming on Peacock/WWE Network beginning at 5 p.m. Eastern time on Saturday, April 6 & Sunday April 7, with the main cards kicking off each night at 7 p.m. Eastern time. 

This year’s set reveal is in the embedded video below:

WWE reveals national anthem singer for WrestleMania 40 night one

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Singer and actress Coco Jones is set to open night one of WrestleMania 40 with a musical performance.

Paul “Triple H” Levesque revealed today that Jones will perform the national anthem to kick off night one of WrestleMania 40 this Saturday. The event has a start time of 7 p.m. Eastern.

Levesque wrote:

Excited to welcome Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter @TheRealCocoJ to #WrestleMania XL this weekend, where she’ll perform our country’s National Anthem to kick off @WrestleMania Saturday.

Jones was nominated for five awards at this year’s Grammys. She won the award for Best R&B Performance and was also nominated for Best New Artist, Best R&B Song, Best R&B Album, and Best Traditional R&B Performance.

As an actress, Jones stars on the Peacock series Bel-Air. It’s a reimagined version of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

America the Beautiful has traditionally been performed at the start of WrestleMania. This is the first time in WrestleMania history that Vince McMahon has had no involvement with the event.

WWE hasn’t announced who will be singing the national anthem on night two.

Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia is hosting WrestleMania 40 this Saturday and Sunday. Both nights are airing live on Peacock/WWE Network. Leading into the action, there will be a pre-show from 5-7 p.m. Eastern each night.

WWE WrestleMania 40:

Night one (Saturday, April 6) —

  • Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley defends against Becky Lynch
  • Six-pack 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)
  • Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee vs. Santos Escobar & Dominik Mysterio
  • Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso
  • Jade Cargill, Bianca Belair & Naomi vs. Damage CTRL (Asuka, Kairi Sane & Dakota Kai)
  • Intercontinental Champion Gunther defends against Sami Zayn
  • The Rock & Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins

Night two (Sunday, April 7) —

  • World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins defends against Drew McIntyre
  • Philadelphia street fight: Bobby Lashley & The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) vs. The Final Testament (Karrion Kross, Akam & Rezar)
  • LA Knight vs. AJ Styles
  • Triple threat match: United States Champion Logan Paul defends against Randy Orton and Kevin Owens
  • WWE Women’s Champion IYO SKY defends against Bayley
  • Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Cody Rhodes

Seth Rollins at ‘full strength’ for WWE WrestleMania 40

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Though an injury provided a brief scare, Seth Rollins is at full strength for WrestleMania 40.

Rollins is set for two big matches this weekend. He’s teaming with Cody Rhodes against The Rock & Roman Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania 40 night one this Saturday. On the second night, Rollins will defend his World Heavyweight Championship against Drew McIntyre.

A knee injury that Rollins suffered on the road to WrestleMania threatened to prevent this all from happening. Rollins hurt his knee while facing Jinder Mahal on the January 15 episode of Raw. But the injury wasn’t as bad as Rollins initially feared. He suffered a torn MCL and partially torn meniscus but did not tear his ACL. Rollins was cleared to return to the ring this March.

In a new interview with Sports Illustrated, Rollins discussed the injury:

It was not as serious as it could have been. My biggest fear when I felt my knee go in the direction it wasn’t supposed to go was that it was going to be a repeat of 2015 [when he tore the ACL, MCL, and medial meniscus in his knee during a match]. I’d have had to vacate the title, miss WrestleMania, all the hard work from the past few years was going up in smoke, and I’d have to start all over. That wasn’t the case. I was able to continue to work on the injury, continue to tell stories and continue to build rivalries. I always looked at it from a glass half full situation.

The fact that we missed out on a few Seth Rollins matches on Raw breaks my heart as much as it does yours, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s all working out in the way it was intended to. I’m happy at full strength and ready to go for not one but two nights of WrestleMania.

This Monday, Rollins wrestled on WWE television for the first time since his knee injury. He had been working house show matches since being cleared to return.

Rollins faced Solo Sikoa in a Bloodline Rules match on Raw. It ended without a finish after The Bloodline got involved. Following the match, there was an angle where The Rock and Reigns beat down Rhodes and Rollins and whipped them with a weight belt.

WWE announces C4 as first-ever energy drink partner

Posted on by Ian Carey

WWE has announced its first-ever official energy drink partner. 

Nutrabolt, the parent company of C4 Energy, and TKO Group Holdings revealed an expansion to their multi-year partnership on Wednesday. As the company’s new energy drink partner, C4 Energy’s branding is set to appear across a wide range of upcoming WWE events, including this weekend’s WrestleMania.

C4 will also be the first-ever sponsor of the WWE WrestleMania Skycam. The brand will also be the presenting partner of the night two press conference as well as the talent tryouts scheduled throughout the weekend. 

“C4 has been an innovative partner through the years which has enabled us to unlock the power of WWE to create unique integrations and branding opportunities across all touchpoints, including premium live events, on-site activations, social and digital content, and more,” said Michael DiNuzzo, VP of U.S. Business Development, Global Partnerships, WWE. “We are excited to introduce C4 Ultimate Energy as the Official Energy Drink Partner of WWE ahead of our biggest event of the year, WrestleMania XL.”

“When it comes to next-level energy, nothing beats the WWE and its fans,” says Robert Zajac, Chief Marketing Officer at Nutrabolt. “We are thrilled to expand our partnership with the WWE as its Official Energy Drink and to offer fans nationwide the same Ultimate Undisputed Energy their favorite Superstars bring to the ring.”

This news follows C4 releasing two WWE-themed flavors, Ruthless Rasberry and Berry Powerbomb. Other flavors, such as Nectarine Guava Knockout are set to be released soon. 

Today’s press release reads:

C4 Energy to Serve As First-Ever Sponsor of WrestleMania Skycam

STAMFORD, Conn., April 3, 2024 – Nutrabolt, owner of C4 Energy, and WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), today announced an expansion to their multi-year partnership that will see C4 Ultimate Energy, one of the fastest-growing energy drink brands in the United States, become the first-ever Official Energy Drink Partner of WWE.

As the first-ever Official Energy Drink Partner of WWE, C4 will receive prominent branding and exposure across a wide range of WWE properties and premium live events, including WrestleMania XL on Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7 where it will serve as the first-ever sponsor of the WrestleMania Skycam which returns to offer the WWE Universe a unique viewing experience. In addition, C4 will be the presenting partner of the WrestleMania XL Night 2 press conference and WWE’s multi-day talent tryout as part of WrestleMania Week. C4 and WWE will also continue to collaborate across WWE, WWE Superstar and C4-branded social and digital channels to create exclusive and original content.

The expanded partnership follows a nationwide launch of WWE and C4 Energy’s first-ever co-branded, WWE-inspired flavors of C4 Ultimate Energy Drinks. The collaboration is currently available nationwide in two delicious flavors, Ruthless Raspberry and Berry Powerbomb, and will expand this month with the launch of a brand-new flavor, Nectarine Guava Knockout, a powerful punch of sweet nectarine and tropical guava crashing together to create a knockout flavor that rules supreme, available exclusively at Circle K. Without sugar or artificial colors, C4 Ultimate Energy allows fans to work hard and play hard without ever missing a beat.

C4 will employ a citywide takeover throughout Philadelphia for WrestleMania XL, sampling C4 Ultimate throughout the weekend including at WWE World and Lincoln Financial Field.

WWE and C4 first partnered in 2021, when WWE Superstars Montez Ford and Bianca Belair joined the company’s growing roster of celebrities, trainers, and athletes to help expand C4’s mission of inspiring and maximizing human performance beyond the ring to everyday life through media, retail, and digital content. C4 has since been a key presenting sponsor at WWE’s biggest premium live events, including SummerSlam 2023 where it presented the Women’s Triple Threat Match featuring Belair. In addition, C4 is the presenting partner of WWE’s “Next In Line” program which has signed 60 college athletes since its inception in December 2021.

C4 Ultimate Energy is available at 7-11, Speedway, Circle K, Wawa and QuikTrip stores nationwide and online on Amazon and C4Energy.com.

Giulia travels to United States ahead of WWE WrestleMania weekend

Posted on by Ian Carey

Giulia is reportedly headed to the United States. 

Tokyo Sports is reporting she was spotted at an airport on Wednesday but when confronted by a reporter, Giulia allegedly claimed she was traveling to the Himalayas and planned to shave off her eyebrows. 

Despite her comments, Giulia is said to have boarded a plane headed to the United States, and Tokyo Sports writes there is a “high possibility” she will attend WWE WrestleMania in Philadelphia. 

The 30-year-old’s contract with Stardom expired at the end of March. She made a surprise appearance at NOAH Magic Monday on her first official day of free agency and revealed she will compete at Wrestle Magic on May 4.

Our own Dave Meltzer wrote in the April 1 Daily Update that Giulia wrestling in NOAH is part of a strategy to launch Rossy Ogawa’s new promotion. 

“This is not just her doing a date on a big show but is part of the strategy for the launch of Rossy Ogawa’s new company,” Meltzer wrote. “Regarding that company, there will be a big announcement planned right now for later in the month on it.”

Giulia is expected to land in WWE eventually, but will first help Ogawa kickstart his new company. 

Potential match order for WWE WrestleMania 40

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The match order for WWE WrestleMania 40 may have been revealed.

On Monday, WWE confirmed the full cards for both nights of this weekend’s event. WrestleMania is being held at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia this Saturday (April 6) and Sunday (April 7).

Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that, while things could change, this is the order that the matches were listed internally when he received the WrestleMania lineup last week (listed from opening match to main event):

Night one —

  • Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley defends against Becky Lynch
  • Six-pack 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)
  • Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee vs. Santos Escobar & Dominik Mysterio
  • Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso
  • Jade Cargill, Bianca Belair & Naomi vs. Damage CTRL (Asuka, Kairi Sane & Dakota Kai)
  • Intercontinental Champion Gunther defends against Sami Zayn
  • The Rock & Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins

Night two —

  • World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins defends against Drew McIntyre
  • Philadelphia street fight: Bobby Lashley & The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) vs. The Final Testament (Karrion Kross, Akam & Rezar)
  • LA Knight vs. AJ Styles
  • Triple threat match: United States Champion Logan Paul defends against Randy Orton and Kevin Owens
  • WWE Women’s Champion IYO SKY defends against Bayley
  • Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Cody Rhodes

Lynch had said in an interview last week that she was hoping her match against Ripley would open night one of WrestleMania. As it stands now, she’s getting her wish.

Airing live on Peacock/WWE Network, both nights of WrestleMania have a 7 p.m. Eastern start time. There will be a pre-show airing from 5-7 p.m. Eastern each night.

Rapper Lil Wayne will be at WWE WrestleMania 40

Posted on by Joseph Currier

One of the most popular rap artists of all time will be at WWE WrestleMania 40.

During Raw’s WrestleMania 40 go-home show, it was revealed that Lil Wayne will be in attendance at this weekend’s event in Philadelphia. WrestleMania is being held at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday (April 6) and Sunday (April 7).

Wayne was also at Monday’s Raw in Brooklyn, appearing in a backstage segment with Jey Uso. Wayne confirmed that he’ll be at WrestleMania and said he has a new single that will be making its world premiere at the event.

The 41-year-old Wayne is a five-time Grammy Award winner. Four of those wins were in 2009, including his acclaimed album “Tha Carter III” winning Best Rap Album.

Rapper Meek Mill, who is from Philadelphia, is also will also be involved with WrestleMania. Mill’s song “Dreams and Nightmares” has become a Philly anthem.

Mill is voicing the opening video for WrestleMania 40.

The full cards for WrestleMania 40 have now been announced. Each night has a start time of 7 p.m. Eastern. There will also be pre-shows airing from 5-7 p.m. Eastern on both nights.

WWE reveals cards for WrestleMania 40 nights one and two

Posted on by Ethan Renner

WWE has revealed the match lineups for WrestleMania 40 nights one and two.

Chief content officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque unveiled the matches for this weekend’s two-night WrestleMania event in a series of social media posts on Monday night. The shows will take place at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. 

Seven matches will take place on night one on Saturday, April 6, with six matches official for Sunday, April 7. 

Each night will include four championship matches. 

Both shows will stream live on Peacock/WWE Network starting at 7 p.m. Eastern time on their respective nights.

Night one (Saturday, April 6) —

  • The Rock & Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins
  • WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley defends against Becky Lynch
  • WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther defends against Sami Zayn
  • Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso
  • Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship six-pack ladder match: Finn Balor & Damian Priest defend against Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa, The Miz & R-Truth, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods, Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate, Grayson Waller & Austin Theory
  • Jade Cargill, Bianca Belair, & Naomi vs. Asuka, Kairi Sane, & Dakota Kai
  • Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee vs. Dominik Mysterio & Santos Escobar

Night two (Sunday, April 7) —

  • Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Cody Rhodes
  • WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins defends against Drew McIntyre
  • WWE Women’s Champion IYO SKY defends against Bayley
  • WWE United States Champion Logan Paul defends against Kevin Owens & Randy Orton in a triple threat
  • LA Knight vs. AJ Styles
  • Philadelphia street fight: Bobby Lashley, Montez Ford, & Angelo Dawkins vs. Karrion Kross, Akam, & Rezar

Philadelphia street fight official for WWE WrestleMania 40

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A stipulation match has been made official for WWE WrestleMania 40.

WWE confirmed today that Bobby Lashley & The Street Profits will clash with The Final Testament’s Karrion Kross & AOP in a Philadelphia street fight at WrestleMania 40. Dave Meltzer first reported over the weekend that the match was planned to take place at WrestleMania.

SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis said the street fight will take place at night two of WrestleMania 40 this Sunday.

The Final Testament was formed when The Authors of Pain and Paul Ellering returned to WWE this January. Since Kross & AOP attacked Lashley & The Street Profits that night, the two factions have been at war.

On SmackDown last Friday, The Street Profits lost to Grayson Waller & Austin Theory after being distracted by The Final Testament. It was revealed on the video screen that Kross and Scarlett had attacked Lashley and B-Fab backstage during the match. The Final Testament then beat down The Street Profits as well.

Lashley cut a post-SmackDown promo where he promised to destroy The Final Testament.

Lincoln Financial Field is hosting WrestleMania 40 this weekend. Here are the 13 matches scheduled to take place over the two-night event:

WWE WrestleMania 40 —

Night one (Saturday, April 6):

  • The Rock & Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins

Night two (Sunday, April 7):

  • Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Cody Rhodes
  • World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins defends against Drew McIntyre
  • Philadelphia street fight: Bobby Lashley & The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) vs. Karrion Kross & AOP (Akam & Rezar)

Night to be announced:

  • WWE Women’s Champion IYO SKY defends against Bayley
  • Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley defends against Becky Lynch
  • Intercontinental Champion Gunther defends against Sami Zayn
  • Triple threat match: United States Champion Logan Paul defends against Randy Orton and Kevin Owens
  • Six-pack 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), The Miz & R-Truth, Grayson Waller & Austin Theory, and Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate
  • Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso
  • LA Knight vs. AJ Styles
  • Jade Cargill, Bianca Belair & Naomi vs. Damage CTRL (Asuka, Kairi Sane & Dakota Kai)
  • Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee vs. Santos Escobar & Dominik Mysterio

LWO vs. Santos Escobar & Dominik official for WWE WrestleMania 40

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A tag team match has been added to WrestleMania 40.

WWE made official on SmackDown Lowdown that Rey Mysterio will team with the newest member of the LWO Dragon Lee against Santos Escobar and Dominik Mysterio. The match comes after the events of Friday’s SmackDown which saw Mysterio challenge Dominik & Escobar after a confrontation between members of LWO and Legado del Fantasma turned into a brawl.

Mysterio recently made his return to WWE after Escobar put Mysterio out of action by attacking his knee. The two faced off on SmackDown last week which ended when Dominik interfered on behalf of Escobar, allowing him to score the victory.

Here is the updated card for WWE WrestleMania 40:

WWE WrestleMania 40 —

Night one:

  • The Rock & Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins

Night two:

  • Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Cody Rhodes
  • World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins defends against Drew McIntyre

Night to be announced:

  • WWE Women’s Champion IYO SKY defends against Bayley
  • Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley defends against Becky Lynch
  • Intercontinental Champion Gunther defends against Sami Zayn
  • Triple threat match: United States Champion Logan Paul defends against Randy Orton and Kevin Owens
  • Six-pack 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), The Miz & R-Truth, Grayson Waller & Austin Theory, and Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate
  • Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso
  • LA Knight vs. AJ Styles
  • Jade Cargill, Bianca Belair & Naomi vs. Damage CTRL (Asuka, Kairi Sane & Dakota Kai)
  • Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee vs. Santos Escobar & Dominik Mysterio

WWE announces WrestleMania 40 kickoff event

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Before WrestleMania, WWE is holding a kickoff event in Philadelphia.

It was announced during SmackDown last night that a WrestleMania 40 kickoff fan event will take place next Friday (April 5). The event will feature wrestlers speaking in advance of their WrestleMania matches.

Paul “Triple H” Levesque, Michael Cole, Pat McAfee, Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Rhea Ripley, Becky Lynch, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, Gunther, and Sami Zayn are advertised to appear.

The kickoff event is being held outside of the Wells Fargo Center and is free for fans to attend. It begins at 5 p.m. Eastern time and will stream live on Peacock and on WWE’s social media platforms.

Cole and McAfee are hosting the kickoff event.

SmackDown and the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony are both taking place at the Wells Fargo Center on April 5. Lincoln Financial Field will then host WrestleMania 40 on Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7.

It was also announced last night that Cole, McAfee, CM Punk, Big E, Jackie Redmond, and Wade Barrett will be hosting WWE’s Countdown to WrestleMania pre-shows leading into both nights of WrestleMania 40. The pre-show broadcasts will air from 5-7 p.m. Eastern time on April 6 and April 7.

7 p.m. Eastern is the start time for each night of WrestleMania.