Predicting WWE WrestleMania 40 Match Results That Will Anger Fans

Predicting WWE WrestleMania 40 Match Results That Will Anger Fans
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Like those that came before it, WrestleMania 40 will register as one of the biggest events in pro wrestling history.
Also like those preceding it, the spectacle could end up as one of the most controversial.
Look no further than last year’s event for proof that actual WrestleMania results often end up polarizing. There, fans weren’t unanimously thrilled about, for example, Edge taking down Finn Bálor’s “The Demon” persona.
Of course, there was also that whole matter of Roman Reigns defeating Cody Rhodes in the main event on Night 2.
It just so happens that Reigns and Rhodes will lock up in the main event again this weekend, with a splash of The Rock, the Bloodline and all sorts of other potentially controversial results that could cause anger—think, the fact there is a Money in the Bank briefcase still floating around, etc.
Here’s a look at a handful of results that could come to fruition and would serve as examples that angered fans one year from now.
Gunther Loses to Sami Zayn
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Yes, Sami Zayn is a beloved member of the WWE roster by pretty much all segments of the fanbase.
But Gunther’s historic Intercontinental reign coming to an end would have a bittersweet feel.
Gunther has been so good in his role that it’s almost impossible to see him leaving it now. Fans had long speculated that his opponent at this event would have been Brock Lesnar, a match he undoubtedly wasn’t going to lose, dropping his title to a part-timer.
There’s a blurred-line dynamic going on here that extends beyond that, too. Gunther losing at this point in time could risk putting him into a bit of a purgatory state because WWE would want to wait until much bigger events to have him challenge top title holders such as Drew McIntyre (if he wins at ‘Mania and they even want to do heel vs. heel) and Cody Rhodes (if he wins this time at ‘Mania).
And yet, WWE might just take this risk anyway, opting to have the good guy pick up a win and special moment, ending a historic reign.
Jimmy Uso Beats Jey Uso
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Looking at the Night 1 card, there’s a whole lot of “good guys going over” seemingly about to occur.
The two major tag matches project to have good guys as winners (Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill, and Naomi and maybe The New Day or #DIY), Rhea Ripley-Becky Lynch is a wash, Zayn should beat Gunther and Rhodes and Seth Rollins should triumph over The Bloodline to set up the Night 2 main event.
But what about the showdown between Jey and Jimmy Uso?
Maybe this is the card balancing act spot. Yes, Jimmy has been costing Jey matches left and right to set up this feud, but surely the entire Bloodline isn’t going to go out as losers at ‘Mania. And this feels like WWE could be setting the table for a series of matches between these two, not a one-off.
Not that fans would like the result, of course. The story between these two and their solo booking has been on the backburner and hit-or-miss for the better part of a year now, so perhaps this is WWE’s attempt at righting the ship and really kicking off a rebound.
Rhea Ripley Retains over Becky Lynch
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Two things work against Rhea Ripley in this scenario—she’s going against an all-time favorite in the women’s division and fans have a little super-long-title-reigns fatigue.
Lynch’s path here has been tailor-made to look like she’s finishing her own story, too. She failed to win the Royal Rumble like she said she would, then turned around and won the Elimination Chamber. Ripley has brought her daughter’s name, Roux, into the personal feud, and to top it all off, Lynch has an autobiography coming out that could use a little promotional boost.
And yet. All this could merely be table setting for Ripley to exit ‘Mania looking stronger than ever, not long after being the centerpiece star of the show at Elimination Chamber on her home turf of Australia.
There are still untapped feuds for Ripley to hit and stories to tell during a historic reign, no matter how much fans might want to see a shakeup at the very top.
Logan Paul Keeps His Own Title Reign Going
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Logan Paul is the definition of polarizing.
Most onlookers don’t need a lot of details in that regard, but the fact his energy drink appears on wrestling ring mats now only ups the ante, right?
Now, toss Paul in a match with two fan favorites like Randy Orton and Kevin Owens and well, there’s a recipe for anger.
Because frankly, from a business standpoint, having the United States Championship on Paul’s waist and promoted globally out of the ring is better than throwing it on a full-time star, legends or not.
On paper, Orton seems destined to challenge for bigger titles soon enough, and Owens remains that Swiss Army knife guy who can slot into any role the company needs—and it isn’t as U.S. champion right now.
That means Paul, perhaps with an energy drink in the hand not holding his title, is the guy walking out the winner on Night 2.
Roman Reigns Defeats Cody Rhodes (again)
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Have fans fully convinced themselves WWE won’t have Reigns retain over Rhodes again?
Because the setup is right there. That Night 1 stipulation that determines whether interference from the Bloodline is permitted or not in the Night 2 main event is, well, a little silly. Bad guys are going to do whatever it takes, stipulations or not.
And now that a heel version of The Rock is here, helping put up massive live-audience and viewership numbers and earning the company all sorts of attention, is WWE really going to be able to ignore the allure of keeping him around by having Reigns win?
Rhodes’ story is important too and the path here has suggested he’s winning, yes. But it felt the same last year. Truthfully, fans won’t stop loving him if he takes another loss anyway and WWE knows it. They’ll get more proof when the company sets higher viewership records for this year’s ‘Mania to see if Reigns finally loses, anyway.
With a Reigns win, one of the best pro wrestling storylines ever can continue—with The Rock added to the fray. The Tribal Chief can keep marching toward Hulk Hogan’s third all-time title reign and his run can be the big-event-feeling counterpart to the more traditional WWE title reign of the top men’s title on Raw.
Right now, WWE isn’t going to pass up on the can’t-miss attraction that is Reigns’ title run, nor further possibilities with The Rock. It will “anger” fans as much as it did last year, yet the numbers will still pop and fans will be back next year to see if an all-timer of a saga finally concludes.