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THE WWE WRESTLEMANIA 40 NIGHT TWO TIP SHEET

WWE will present Night Two of Wrestlemania XL today from Philadelphia, PA. Here are our takes on what will happen.

Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes

Dave: It's time.  Finish the story.  Last year it made sense to make us wait for Cody to get the win.  This year?  It does not.  It's time to crown Cody the champ.  If it's me, I have something happen between Rock and Roman to set up a match for them at SummerSlam (if Rock is available of course).

Mike: Cody has his back to the wall now that he's in a Bloodline Rules match and he's lost Night One.   It makes the most sense to have him win via the big comeback, but will he?  I think if he doesn't, WWE might as well license the theme song to The Neverending Story for Mania 41.

Richard: The stipulation for this match will be ‘determined’ in Saturday’s main event, but I think we know that regardless of who wins that match, we are going to see the entire Bloodline stick their noses into this match. Will Cody be able to finish his story by winning the title from Roman Reigns and end an extremely long title reign or will Roman continue to keep Cody from doing what he promised? While most people do not want a repeat of last year’s result with Roman retaining, as we get closer and closer to the bell ringing to start the match I think we might see a repeat. While I want this to be a one on one match with no interference, fool me once shame on you, fool me for 3 years, I know better. We will see a standard match for about 10 to 13 minute and then the switch will be turned to make this a Bloodline match with Jimmy and Solo coming to the ring followed by the ref bump and more interference. Unlike other Roman matches, Rock will make his way to the ring and get involved. At this point, I am about 55/45 that he will help Roman, but I can see him fed up with Roman, if they lose on Saturday and he attacks Roman and allows Cody to win so we can get Rock versus Roman later in the year or next year at Mania. At this point, I am going with Roman retaining, but by the time the show starts, you never know.

World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre

Dave: The table is set for Drew to win.  Seth has a match on night one so they can explain his loss away.  The question is do you put the Title on Drew if he hasn't signed an extension?  I would.  If he signs a new deal he can stay the champ and head home to Scotland a hero.  If he doesn't, they could have Priest cash in to take the belt.

Mike:  I sense a Damian Priest cash-in here at some point.  I think Drew certainly deserves the win but if he hasn't been signed (and he's one of several who have deals expiring in forthcoming months), I don't imagine WWE will want that belt on him for any period of time.  I am leaning on Seth winning and then Damian cashing in and walking out with the belt.

Richard: The build for this match for me has all been thanks to Drew McIntyre and his attitude since getting this match. Who would have thought that logic would be what could get things over in professional wrestling? Seth Rollins has done a good job to add credibility to the participation trophy title, but I think it is time to move on and let Seth heal up from his many injuries. Drew was the man who kept things sane during the COVID period and should be given his chance to have his moment in front of a sold out stadium. While Philadelphia is not Tampa, it would be nice for Drew to hear the ovation when his hand is raised at the end of the night. If Drew does win, does that mean he has signed an extension or will we see Damian Priest come out and try to cash in the briefcase? If Priest loses the tag titles like I suggested on the Night One Tip Sheet, I would put the odds of a cash in at 60 percent. I also think where on the show this match happens will determine the chance of a cash in. If the match is early in the show, I think the odds are greater.

WWE Women’s Champion Iyo Sky vs. Bayley

Dave: They really could go either way here.  Without knowing what they have planned down the road, I would flip the Title here.  Bayley deserves that moment.

Mike:  I am with Dave here in that Bayley deserves the moment.  This is a new regime and Wrestlemania is supposed to be about making the fans happy.  Bayley getting a much deserved title win will do that in spades.

Richard: I am glad that they went with this match because the cracks in Damage CTRL were showing long before the Royal Rumble when Bayley won. Even though the group was started by Bayley, she felt like the sixth wheel of a five person group. The break up was done so well because it wasn’t someone surprised it was happening, but someone who knew it was coming and they admit that they saw the progression to this point. As for the match, I hope that it will be a one-on-one match because we have seen so many matches where a faction gets on the apron and distracts someone long enough to cost them the match when it shouldn’t happen. I think an Iyo victory would be tainted if it was due to distractiference from Dakota, Kairi, or Asuka. I can see Damage CTRL trying to get involved, but in the end they will be neutralized by their opponents from Saturday night. I see a new champion crowned as Bayley gets her Wrestlemania moment . . . and is handed the title belt by Jade to set up their feud down the road.

United States Champion Logan Paul vs. Kevin Owens vs. Randy Orton

Dave: I see Paul coming out of this with the Title.  I never like the champ to lose in a three way, plus Paul brings so much exposure outside of WWE.  It makes sense to keep the belt on him.

Mike: I expect Owens and Orton to pinball Logan all over the place but then Orton hits Owens with an RKO out of nowhere and Logan picks the bones and gets the pin.  After all, since when does Randy play well with others?  I expect a lot of mayhem and Logan taking some crazy abuse, but Logan as champion lends prestige to the title.

Richard: While I am a huge Kevin Owens fan, I think this match would be better if it was a singles match between Logan and Randy. This match was set up so perfectly at Elimination Chamber with Randy pinning Logan (to earn a title match) and then Logan costs Randy the chance to face Seth Rollins at Wrestlemania. I hope Kevin is not added as the ‘designated pin eater’ because someone didn’t want to lose the match. While some would expect this to be a two on one match with Randy and Kevin working together, there have been enough times during the build where Randy almost does something to Kevin and Kevin avoids it just in time. I think all three men will come close to winning the match but we will see Logan retain when Orton hits an RKO on Owens and then Logan punches Randy with the brass knuckles to get the pinfall.

LA Knight vs. AJ Styles

Dave: Styles started all of this.  Knight needs to finish it tonight.

Mike: Styles doesn't need the win.  Knight is extremely over but has yet to get any major wins that put him over the top as much as rhe audience wants him to be.  This should be a big, gritty brawl with Styles failing with the Styles Clash and Knight pinning him with Blunt Force Trauma to ascennd to the next level. 

Richard: It is about time that everything they have done at AJ’s house and at public appearances gets into the ring so they can settle things. LA Knight will be one of the most over people in Philadelphia this weekend. AJ has given up on his friends but will we see Luke, Karl, or Michin in his corner at some point? If they want LA Knight to stay in the discussion for the Universal title, I think he needs to beat AJ. I just hope it doesn’t end with a low kick to AJ and Knight getting the win with BFT.

Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits vs. Final Testament in a Philadelphia Street Fight

Dave: Since the heels screwed the Profits out of a spot in the tag match, the faces should get the win here.

Mike: I hope they LET Final Testament actually do something of merit here.  Let's have a fun, gritty war before the heroes win.

Richard: This is another tag match that could have been turned into an eight person mixed tag match but B Fab and Scarlett are not on the same level in the ring as Elektra or Zelina. This is another feud that has developed on Smackdown over the last few months when they are given time to do so. I am happy that the Street Profits are getting a match at Wrestlemania, and while I would prefer to see them wrestle for the tag titles they are going to wrestle in front of more than sixty thousand people. We have seen The Final Testament have the upper hand over Bobby and the Street Profits, I see Bobby, Montez, and Angelo getting the victory.

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