For pro wrestling fans, there’s no better time of year than WrestleMania. Even people who wouldn’t call WWE their favorite variety of the art form get excited for the company’s biggest show of the year, descending on whatever city is hosting.
In this case of WrestleMania 39, it’s Los Angeles, where SoFi Stadium will play host to two nights of the best WWE has to offer. Historically, that’s often meant a number of older stars who may only wrestle once or twice a year.
Not so much this time, where with the exception of John Cena (and yes, including him in that category makes you wonder where time has gone) and a couple of all-time women’s division greats, the focus is very much on the talent and stories WWE has around on a regular basis.
The headlining attraction will see Cody Rhodes attempt to knock Roman Reigns off his perch atop WWE. The emotional high point of the event may come when Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens take on The Usos for their tag team titles in the culmination of one of wrestling’s grandest longform narratives. And there are plenty of other title bouts and matches with compelling hooks up and down the card.
Will that be enough to make it feel special if WWE plays it pretty straightforward throughout? The guess is that the answer will be yes, as the venue and crowd will ensure the event feels larger than life. Here’s a rundown on everything you need to know as WrestleMania Goes Hollywood.
WWE WrestleMania 39
- Date: April 1-2, 2023
- Location: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
- Start time: 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT both nights
- How to watch: On Peacock in the U.S., and on WWE Network in the rest of the world
- Matches announced: 13
Additional WrestleMania 39 resources
- WrestleMania 39 week events list
- WrestleMania 39 guide for lapsed WWE fans
- WrestleMania 39 betting odds
- WrestleMania results throughout history
- WWE Hall of Fame 2023 information
- Is there a WrestleMania Axxess this year?
Please scroll down for a look at each match, including our predictions.
Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cody Rhodes - Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match
Image credit: WWE.com
The story so far: You almost certainly know all about Roman Reigns and how long he’s held the WWE and Universal Championships. When a much rumored meeting with his kind of real life relative The Rock didn’t come to pass, WWE went with a more traditional challenger’s journey with Cody Rhodes. He won the Royal Rumble and did everything humanly possible to sell this match while Reigns was at the tail end of the larger Bloodline/Sami Zayn saga that gripped fans for months. Cody has looked every bit the part of the massive babyface this spot requires, with his prodigal son tale mixing well with his desire to win the world championship his legendary father never did. The question is whether he can be the face of the company — and if WWE is ready to let him find out.
What should happen: Rhodes wins to finish his story and send the fans home happy, right? Yes. Maybe. There’s a school of thought that WWE might let Reigns hold onto his titles a little longer. But that seems silly, because where else would mean as much to the person who finally beats him than WrestleMania? If there were doubts about Rhodes, they should have been resolved before this, and he needs the victory to set the company up for the next year’s worth of stories.
What will (probably) happen: WWE will resist the urge to get too cute here. Rhodes wins, Reigns takes a bit of time off to hang out with his family, and WWE boldly moves forward to whatever it has planned with a new person holding its two biggest titles.
Austin Theory (c) vs. John Cena - WWE United States Championship match
Image credit: WWE.com
The story so far: No one has had a wilder last 15 months or so than Austin Theory. After going from Vince McMahon’s selfie-loving favorite to down on his luck, he was rebuilt as a more serious, vicious heel. Yet despite his talent and looks, the jury remains out on him, something that Cena managed to expose in one blistering promo a few weeks ago. When you have an all-time great as part of the program, you only need a few moments to make it feel special, and Cena did that admirably. Now Theory will look to turn in a memorable performance in a match that’s already been announced as opening WrestleMania 39 on night 1.
What should happen: Cena is strictly a part-timer at this point, so there’s no logic in putting the United States Championship on him other than maybe a dose of nostalgia. Plus, after he decimated Theory on the microphone, the champ needs this victory to make him seem credible going forward. This is either a classic passing of the torch match or a waste of everyone’s time.
What will (probably) happen: Cena gets all his famous spots in, but Theory wins — using underhanded tactics if necessary — to give him a signature victory and his insufferable character something else to brag about.
Seth Rollins vs. Logan Paul
Image credit: WWE.com
The story so far: It remains funny that while WWE undoubtedly wanted to start working with Logan Paul in the first place due to his millions of social media followers, he remains divisive enough that he pretty much has to be positioned as a heel. Fortunately, he’s got one of the best in the business to work with here, as Seth Rollins can go with anyone and the fans are backing him to the hilt thanks to his eminently singable entrance theme. Paul has proven he has exceptional physical ability and feel for in-ring work for someone so new to the craft, so this could be a potential show-stealer.
What should happen: Considering Paul has already cost Rollins big opportunities twice (at Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber), it would only be right to have Seth get a victory here. The caveat would be if WWE sees this as a program that could extend beyond WrestleMania, but given Paul’s other commitments, it would be a surprise if that’s the case.
What will (probably) happen: Paul will do things that make you grudgingly go “man that guy’s pretty good.” But he never lands the knockout shot he’s planted on Rollins a couple of times leading up to this match, and the fans get to sing Seth’s song in victory, not just on his way to the ring. And that’s going to be something to see. Or hear, rather.
Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Rhea Ripley - WWE SmackDown Women's Championship match
Image credit: WWE.com
The story so far: Though these two met a few years ago at WrestleMania, much has changed since then: Their status as champion and challenger, for starters, and the profile of Rhea Ripley. WWE has presented her as a dominant force, one who has really made The Judgment Day a presence, and she feels like she’s on the verge of becoming a huge star. Charlotte Flair already is one, of course, and she’s fighting to hold onto her place at the top. They had one of the wildest pull-apart brawls in recent memory leading up to WrestleMania, and they should have a great match.
What should happen: Flair isn’t at the point of her career where she needs to be passing the torch, but it’s definitely best for business to certify Ripley’s rise. She’s one of the heaviest betting favorites on the whole show for a reason. No need to overthink this one.
What will (probably) happen: WrestleMania always has a few swerves, but this shouldn’t be among them. Ripley wins and either awaits a rematch or challenges from any number of up and coming fan favorites over the next few months.
The Usos (c) vs. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn - Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship match
Image credit: WWE.com
The story so far: If you’ve missed the tale of Sami Zayn over the past 10 months, you’ve deprived yourself of one of the most consistently entertaining angles in pro wrestling this century. Suffice it to say that his longing to join the Bloodline was very real, but when push came to shove, he simply couldn’t turn his back on longtime friend Kevin Owens. The same was true for Jey Uso, who had his own loyalties tested but eventually chose to stick with brother Jimmy in the service of their cousin and Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. The other important part of this one is that The Usos are still in the midst of the longest tag team title reign in WWE history, meaning whoever beats them is getting a real honor.
What should happen: While many fans wanted Zayn to be the one to take on Reigns, this has proven to be a satisfying option as well … but only if Sami and KO win. There’s no real reason to think they won’t, barring some truly out of left field twist.
What will (probably) happen: You want your feel good moments at WrestleMania? You got it, as Zayn and Owens win gold and knock the Bloodline down a peg all at once.
Bianca Belair (c) vs. Asuka - WWE Raw Women's Championship match
Image credit: WWE.com
The story so far: Once upon a time, Bianca Belair had allies. But one by one, they fell aside as they became rivals for her Raw championship. Asuka is no different in that respect, though she herself has had a bit of a personality change. Though she didn’t make the traditional heel turn, she is mixing playfulness and spooky horror in offsetting ways. Still, she’s protected Belair from other threats in the build to this match, so she’s shown some honor. Bianca has been a tremendous champion, but the feeling is that maybe she finally is running into someone who has her number.
What should happen: WWE has done a nice job building Asuka back up into a top level, main event-caliber attraction after she drifted for a bit. Because of that, Belair can lose to her on the biggest stage without losing much face, so … why not do it?
What will (probably) happen: Between Belair’s ridiculous athleticism and Asuka’s overall skills, don’t sleep on this match as a “Did that just happen”” candidate even though we’ve seen them in the ring together before. But Asuka should win, perhaps turning full heel to do so.
Becky Lynch, Lita and Trish Stratus vs. Damage CTRL (Bayley, Dakota Kai and IYO SKY)
Image credit: WWE.com
The story so far: Like Becky Lynch herself said during a recent confrontation, when WarGames isn’t enough to settle a feud, that’s really saying something. Damage CTRL just keeps coming, however, so The Man has allied herself with some legends even though she typically doesn’t play well with others. Dakota Kai and IYO SKY have been a bit purposeless since losing the tag team titles, so this at least keeps them in a high profile match. But overall this bout feels strangely inconsequential despite the huge names involved.
What should happen: Rumors of an upcoming turn by Stratus give some pause. It doesn’t feel like she’s been back long enough to have it really mean as much as it could, so let’s assume that’s not happening in L.A. If that logic holds up, a Damage CTRL win would only extend their beef with Lynch even more, so the heroes really should triumph here.
What will (probably) happen: Everything stays harmonious on the good guy side for now, and two legends have their hands raised at WrestleMania again. Becky and Lita move on to a title defense on Raw or soon after … and then Trish turns on them.
Brock Lesnar vs. Omos
Image credit: WWE.com
The story so far: Since John Cena says he does the programs that he’s told to do, that makes Brock Lesnar the talent most likely to have some say over what he does and doesn’t do. Reports suggest he favored a match with Omos over some other options presented to him, and if so, Omos owes him a debt of gratitude as WWE was hardly even using him prior to being named as Lesnar’s L.A. opponent. WWE has framed this mostly as the spectacle of seeing Brock face someone so much bigger, and it’s effective for what it is.
What should happen: Does it really matter who wins as long as we get to see Lesnar suplex a much larger human being? If that doesn’t happen, this was a bad idea.
What will (probably) happen: No one really knows what’s next for Brock except Brock. He’s likely to win here whether he’s sticking around for a bit or going away until SummerSlam, but his next plans might dictate a surprise instead.
Edge vs. "The Demon" Finn Balor - Hell in a Cell match
Image credit: WWE.com
The story so far: The narrative around Edge trying to destroy the group he created, The Judgment Day, has been going almost as long as the Bloodline story. It hasn’t reached the same level of acclaim because it’s been in fits and starts based on Edge’s availability and due to its decidedly more one-note nature. That has led to more feelings of relief that this match is finally happening than excitement, but that may change once the cage door closes. There are rumors that Edge may revert to his Brood presentation to counter Balor’s Demon persona, which would be cool and a treat for longtime WWE fans.
What should happen: The Judgment Day version of Balor has been the strongest he’s been booked in eons, and a loss here would derail that a bit. But more than that, the Demon is a special attraction and really should be winning if he’s making an appearance.
What will (probably) happen: Everyone will be psyched to see Gangrel walk Edge to the ring, and maybe some “red liquid” will be involved. Balor wins in the end, however.
Gunther (c) vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus - WWE Intercontinental Championship match
Image credit: WWE.com
The story so far: Triple threat matches at WrestleMania are something of a tradition, and the amount of thought that goes into them varies. This is an example from the higher end of the scale, as Sheamus and Drew McIntyre have a long history as both friends and rivals. They’re back on the latter track since Sheamus believes Drew stabbed him in the back by going after the one WWE title he really wants — because it’s the only one he’s never held. Gunther, meanwhile, has been a dominant IC champ and it rightfully upset he could lose without being pinned or submitted. Makes you think that’s exactly what will happen.
What should happen: Yes, it’s very by the numbers, but Sheamus pinning McIntyre makes a lot of sense. It settles things between them for now, and gives Gunther justification to demand a rematch from Adam Pearce. You may remember that Sheamus-Gunther matches are pretty awesome, so that wouldn’t be a bad thing at all.
What will (probably) happen: There’s a very strong chance of hijinks in this bout since everyone but McIntyre has a stable to back them up. Still, it feels like Sheamus will win and Gunther will stay in the picture, unless he’s moving up to be the heel that challenges the new undisputed champ. Just saying …
Rey Mysterio vs. Dominik Mysterio
Image credit: WWE.com
The story so far: Another prime example of longform WWE storytelling, Rey and Dominik Mysterio were tag team partners, even champions, together. Then The Judgment Day lured Dom to the dark side, he found a strong mami, went to jail (for a few hours) and everything went sideways for Rey. Dominik has improved a lot as an overall performer throughout, but his efforts to get his dad to fight him were very repetitive and took way too long. In real life, Rey always wanted to keep wrestling long enough to work with his son, so the chance to compete against him at WrestleMania has to have the masked legend ecstatic.
What should happen: Rey is already getting his moment at the Hall of Fame (though Dom will likely crash that too) and doesn’t need a victory here, as satisfying as it would be. There figure to be a lot of feel good moments on this show already, so Dominik winning and drawing even more heat is the way to go.
What will (probably) happen: Mysterio wins, guaranteed! Jokes aside, Dominik gets his hand raised, even if he has to lie, cheat and steal like his Uncle Eddie once said.
More predictions: Men's and Women's Tag Team Showcase matches
Image credit: WWE.com
Men’s WrestleMania Showcase prediction: Braun Strowman and Ricochet
Women’s WrestleMania Showcase prediction: Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler
