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WrestleMania 41: Day 1 And Day 2's Confirmed And Rumored Matches

WrestleMania 41: Day 1 And Day 2's Confirmed And Rumored Matches

Forbes26-03-2025

WrestleMania 41 is less than a month away. The two-day extravaganza runs from April 19–20, and with two full events to fill, you can expect several matches over 48 hours, with an episode of Raw following Day 2 that is likely to be a heavy hitter as well.
Here is a look at the confirmed matches as we inch closer to WrestleMania 41.
Cena's heel turn has been the biggest storyline in professional wrestling over the past month, and he's done nothing but made the road to WrestleMania more amazing with his pair of appearances in Europe.
Cena and Rhodes' match figures to be epic, and I'm fully expecting a wealth of outside interference.
Of all the championship matches, this one is getting the least attention and fanfare. It could be a great match and another torch-passing moment. However, it is more likely Charlotte takes the title and puts Stratton through the paces the way she did with Rhea Ripley.
Jey is as hot as he's ever been, and this is a perfect time for him to win the title. A victory over Gunther seems improbable, and that's exactly why I believe he goes over.
The teasing of this match becoming a Triple Threat can only last for a few more weeks. At some point, Ripley is going to be officially added. There is potential for this to be a great match, as the two powerhouses should work really well with Iyo. My instincts say Jade Cargill or Naomi will cost Bianca the match, and Iyo will retain.
It feels like this match will be the main event of Day 1 or Day 2, even though it's not for a title. I wonder if Heyman would flip the script and screw Punk and Reigns and turn Rollins into a Heyman Guy.
I need something else with this feud. I need something else to care about. The tease of the return of the Punt Kick isn't really enough. Owens and Orton are both all-time greats, so they're capable of putting something amazing together. However, I'd like to care about this one a little more.
Here are the rumored matches.
We may as well book this one. McIntyre–Priest is going to be a thing. This is another match I'm struggling to care about. I'm also not overly optimistic about the two large guys putting together an excellent match. I hope I'm wrong.
Dom tried to recruit Penta into the Judgment Day, but that didn't work. However, Penta still wants to win the Intercontinental Championship. It wouldn't surprise me if Dom is added into this match and he wins the IC title, but it also triggers an all-out feud with Balor.
There's been some dissension between Fatu and Solo Sikoa. At some point, that will boil over. For now, I think Fatu winds up getting a match with LA Knight at WrestleMania and wins the title.
Valkyria successfully defended her title against Raquel Rodriguez on Raw, so it doesn't seem likely she'd run it back with her at WrestleMania. However, WrestleMania feels like an event where every title will be on the line. We'll see who Valkyria draws.
Green has been excellent as the US Champion. I think she keeps it, no matter who she faces. I don't believe they've built anyone up to dethrone her, and I'd like to believe they will give Green and the Secret Hervice a little more runway.
This feud needs to cook over the next few weeks. It could be one of the most anticipated non-title matches if the story is developed.
The War Raiders simply don't have it anymore. They are still solid in the ring, but the magic they had when they first came up and were stripped of their names killed the vibe. I believe this match happens, and there is a good chance American Made wins the titles.
If this goes off as I expect it to, it could be one of the more memorable matches of Day 1 or Day 2.
This is contingent on Fenix making his WWE debut as expected. If this happens, I couldn't think of a better way for Fenix to make his presence felt in WWE.
This seems like a good spot for Becky Lynch to return. Morgan has said she retired Lynch, and that mention is probably not an accident. The question is: who would Lynch's partner be?
Stay tuned for more confirmed information and rumors as we get closer to WrestleMania 41.

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WWE Night Of Champions 2025 Results As John Cena Plays Babyface, Beats CM Punk
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WWE Night Of Champions 2025 Results As John Cena Plays Babyface, Beats CM Punk

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How to Watch Countdown to Night of Champions: Live Stream WWE, TV Channel
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WWE Night of Champions 2025 predictions roundtable: Is Cena vs. Rhodes next inevitable?
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Her beating someone as decorated as Asuka and rolling into her first world title match in New York City is a can't-miss moment. That's how you make a star. Advertisement Expect Jade to win — and don't be surprised if Cardi B is part of her entrance at SummerSlam. Jackman: I mentioned in our latest power rankings (in which I take on the unenviable task of ranking the 10 most compelling men and women in pro wrestling) that the exciting thing about Jade Cargill is how WWE has presented her as fearsome while still maintaining a lot of mystique around her. We really don't know that much about Cargill given what a big deal she clearly is — and that gives her an edge over a lot of her peers. Of course, Cargill is already straddling two plotlines, given her ongoing drama with Naomi and Bianca Belair. My suspicion is that they're building toward some kind of big crescendo where she wins Queen of the Ring and then both of those storylines come together with a big bang. Perhaps Naomi tries to cash in during Jade Cargill vs. Tiffany Stratton at SummerSlam, but Bianca returns to thwart her and set up a grudge match later down the line? 3. Which King of the Ring finalist makes for a more compelling SummerSlam main event? Sulla-Heffinger: I think we all know we are going to see Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena for the Undisputed WWE Championship at least one more time before the retirement tour ends, but it shouldn't be at SummerSlam. Considering how Cena has threatened to 'ruin wrestling,' wouldn't it be excellent storytelling if Rhodes loses his clear path to a rematch in the King of the Ring tournament and is forced to just say 'screw it' and jump to the front of the line as we get closer to the end of 2025? Sounds a lot like what Cena did when he inserted himself into the Elimination Chamber match, doesn't it? Advertisement Wouldn't it be ironic if Rhodes — when the match finally does happen — gives in and uses the championship belt to beat Cena, showing he can be corrupted? Considering the parallels between Cena and Rhodes as top babyfaces, it would be brilliant if Cena leaves WWE and is able to say 'see what I did to your beloved champion? That's how I ruin wrestling.' All of that happens down the line if Orton defeats Rhodes on Saturday and sets up one more classic clash with Cena at SummerSlam, which we've already seen this year, but considering the momentum these renewed, iconic rivalries have had, it's the more immediately compelling of the two in my opinion. Dansby: Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena feels like the natural payoff. Cena got his win with help from Travis Scott, and now it's time for him to right that wrong. Having Rhodes win back the WWE title in the main event of SummerSlam Night 2 sets the stage for Cena's redemption arc — and lets him go out as the beloved babyface one last time. Are John Cena and Cody Rhodes on a collision course? (WWE via Getty Images) Jackman: Isn't this one a foregone conclusion given we've just seen Randy Orton vs. John Cena in a match that was billed as 'One Last Time'? My suspicion is that the main reason 'The Viper' is in this match in the first place is to sow the seeds for a title shot against Cody Rhodes further down the line. Advertisement The only thing that makes me hesitate slightly is that nagging feeling that Cody's whole path to the championship is looking a little too obvious right now. On the other hand, both of the last two Universal Championship title changes were flagged up massively in advance and there's no reason why this one would be different. I'm calling it now: Cody wins here and then at SummerSlam. Riggs: With how ridiculous the Backlash ending was, there's still legs to the Randy Orton legacy blood feud with John Cena. And out of pure nostalgia — and getting more time for a legendary program — I might prefer that. For the times, though, it's clearly Rhodes with the freshness of everything between him and Cena. As much as I'd like to see something different or even a big surprise like having Ron Killings dethrone Cena, it couldn't be clearer that it will be Rhodes. 4. Should Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross be on this card? Dansby: Kross just needs to be on TV more consistently, period. A few more weeks of buildup would've made more sense heading into SummerSlam, but WWE's going with Night of Champions to kick this off. Advertisement Kross has a strong cult following, so his push has to feel earned — not forced. Zayn's the perfect guy to bring the best out of him. This should be the first of a few matches between them, not a one-and-done. Sulla-Heffinger: No. And that isn't to say it doesn't deserve spotlight. It's because I believe the best version of this match happens in a "WWE Raw" main event where it can be given 20 to 25 minutes. I'm afraid we'll see this finish in less than 10 and a large portion of the internet wrestling community will walk away wildly unsatisfied. Is the Karrion Kross push finally upon us? (WWE via Getty Images) Jackman: I hate to do the whole demographics thing (bear with me), but we all know that Sami Zayn is incredibly popular in Saudi Arabia. Obviously, he's a fan favorite in any situation, but the way WWE has leaned into his Arabic heritage and his religious identity (when they filmed his pilgrimage in the leadup to Night of Champions 2023) has basically made him an ambassador for WWE in the wider Arabic-speaking world. Advertisement So what does that mean for the match? Well, one option would be to pursue the monster pop of giving Zayn a nice big win for the home crowd. That's great for the immediate sugar rush, but doesn't really help with the long-term storytelling on which Karrion Kross thrives. Alternatively, WWE could go the other way and get some turbo heat by giving Kross a dirty victory that builds to something bigger further down the line. Personally, I'd go with the latter. Saudi crowds are super smart these days and I think they'd enjoy some good old-fashioned villainy. Riggs: I'm surprised they added that match to this show rather than putting it on next week's "WWE Raw." But it's a good surprise. Put two over dudes together who have been teasing this collision for weeks, and give it a proper spotlight. It feels somewhat rare — and honestly, more appropriate than the next match we're talking about. 5. Is Raquel Rodriguez the centerpiece of Judgment Day now that Liv Morgan's injured? Jackman: Honestly, I have no idea right now. We know from reports around the Liv Morgan injury that WWE is hastily rewriting a lot of its plans on the women's side (particularly the buildup to Evolution), so we shouldn't discount the possibility that they don't really know what's going on and are playing for time right now. Advertisement I'm more optimistic about the Judgment Day storyline more broadly. Generally I'm a big fan of slow burn angles in wrestling and I really hope that's what we're seeing here. They've been teasing the combustion of the group for a while now and some of the tensions (both with Finn and Dom, but also Liv and Finn) are much smarter and more subtle than your average wrestling angle. Riggs: As much as Rodriguez deserves it and I'd love that, I highly doubt it. Dominick Mysterio and Finn Balor are definitely still that glue (that's loosening), and even Roxanne Perez has already become more featured. The Ripley match and feud revisit feels just like a placeholder scramble to kill time and readjust the fallout from Morgan's injury. Will Raquel Rodriguez sink or swim with Liv Morgan injured? (WWE via Getty Images) Sulla-Heffinger: I think Rodriguez is the centerpiece in the sense that she'll be the most conflicted when Morgan returns. If Rodriguez goes on a prolonged, successful run — either as a singles competitor or with Roxanne Perez as a tag-team champion — the picture is suddenly very murky when Morgan comes back. We know where Finn Balor stands and we know where Dominik Mysterio stands, but Rodriguez is in a spot where she can become a top heel on 'WWE Raw,' add a much-needed dangerous presence to the Judgment Day and even turn the Mysterio-Morgan pairing face down the line. That can all start with a win over Rhea Ripley in the street fight Saturday. Advertisement Dansby: Honestly, it's time to blow up Judgment Day. WWE has teased the breakup enough — now's the moment to pull the trigger. Between injuries to key members and Carlito's release, the timing's right. Let Finn finally break away and tap into the Demon again. That could be the storyline that breathes new life into him. BONUS: WWE had a huge presence at Fanatics Fest last weekend with the Superstar Entrance. If you HAD to recreate a current star's intro, who would it be and why? Dansby: Gotta go with the GOAT — HBK! The Heartbreak Kid had it all. The entrance music? Iconic. The gear? Flashy as hell. The pyro? On point every time. Nobody made an entrance like Shawn Michaels. Jackman: I've actually done this! They have the Superstar Entrance permanently installed at the massively under-appreciated (largely because of its location…) WWE Experience in Riyadh. I visited the Experience before last year's Crown Jewel event and got to recreate Rhea Ripley's entrance in a makeshift costume of Seth Rollins offshoots and some sort of Venetian mask. Advertisement Riggs: Well, I didn't see this one coming. The easy choice has to be your favorite wrestler ever, right? So, Jeff Hardy comes right to mind, but not with the Hardy Boyz theme. We're talking '08 world champion Jeff Hardy, baby. No More Words. That's the way to go. But if we don't count Hardy as a "current star," which he obviously isn't in WWE specifically, I think I have to go with Seth Rollins or Aleister Black. As a metal junkie, give me something heavy, fast and furious, or dark and in your face. Sulla-Heffinger: The answer's gotta be Triple H. If by some chance you could master the water spray, it's an instant 10/10. If you can't, the whole entrance falls flat. High risk, high reward. Predictions Undisputed WWE Championship Match: John Cena (Dansby, Jackman, Riggs, Sulla-Heffinger) vs. CM Punk King of the Ring final: Randy Orton (Sulla-Heffinger) vs. Cody Rhodes (Dansby, Jackman, Riggs) Queen of the Ring final: Asuka (Riggs, Sulla-Heffinger) vs. Jade Cargill (Dansby, Jackman) U.S. Championship match : Jacob Fatu (Dansby, Jackman, Riggs, Sulla-Heffinger) vs. Solo Sikoa Street Fight: Raquel Rodriguez (Jackman, Sulla-Heffinger) vs. Rhea Ripley (Dansby, Riggs) Sami Zayn (Riggs) vs. Karrion Kross (Dansby, Jackman, Sulla-Heffinger) 2025 standings

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