With one of the most stacked Royal Rumble PLE’s ever in the rearview, there are so many potential future storylines and feuds that were teased during the PLE. The aftermath of Jey Uso and Charlotte Flair winning the men’s and women’s Rumble matches already sets up two title matches for WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas. But what else does WWE have in store for the next couple of months? What are some possible main events for WrestleMania?
For most of WWE’s history, the Royal Rumble winners were just guaranteed a title shot at WrestleMania, but there are instances where their match ends up being the main event. The most recent example of this is back-to-back Rumble match wins by Cody Rhodes that propelled him to main eventing two years in a row. Obviously, this was mostly due to a combination of him trying to “finish his story,” and ending Roman Reigns’ 1,000-plus day title reign.
Still, there are a lot of pieces in movement in WWE’s current landscape. Years-long storylines such as the Bloodline or Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns’ rivalry are crossing, while wildcards like Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn, and Kevin Owens can still play a role. Plus, the lingering issue of CM Punk needing a Mania main event in still in the air. What could be in store for this year’s WrestleMania 41?
Are We Getting a Jey Uso vs. Gunther Rematch at WrestleMania 41?
Jey Could Try to Beat Gunther For the First Time at WrestleMania
Uso has had three matches against the current World Heavyweight Champion, Gunther. He’s lost all three times. Now that he’s punched his ticket to Las Vegas, there is also the simple fact that Uso is a babyface and Gunther is a heel. On Smackdown, Rhodes is the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion and he is also babyface, and Jey’s friend both in front of the cameras and behind. It is thus more likely that Uso will challenge Gunther. He is the one guy he hasn’t been able to beat over the past year. If this is the choice, this is more likely to be the main event for Night 1 of WrestleMania 41.
Going into the Royal Rumble, the consensus prediction was that either CM Punk or John Cena would win the match. Instead, WWE brought unpredictability back and had Uso win. This occurred a week after losing a World title match to Gunther at Saturday Night Main Event. Would WWE decide to shock us all again and have Uso choose to face Rhodes instead?
At the moment, there is no scenario where this makes sense. Uso and Rhodes are two of the top three babyfaces in the entire company right now. Having them feud against each other would leave one vulnerable to losing their momentum. Ideally, this also would force one to go heel, which also makes no sense, unless it’s Cody, and what we saw during his match against Owens at the Rumble was a tease of that turn. At the moment, it is still more likely that Uso will choose Gunther to headline the first night in Vegas.
What Will Be the Ultimate Main Event of WrestleMania 41?
There Are So Many Great Choices for Night 2 WrestleMania Main Event
WWE.com
It’s tough to imagine John Cena not headlining and main-eventing his final WrestleMania. If he wins the Elimination Chamber, then whoever he decides to face at Mania will be the main event on Night 2. But what if he loses? If he fails to walk out of Toronto without a title opportunity, it’ll likely be because he was screwed by someone. This is where someone like Logan Paul would come in. Much like his performance at the Rumble, having him eliminate Cena or be the reason he was pinned in the Chamber would set up a great WrestleMania match and a quick distraction from his pursuit of the record-breaking 17th championship.
If not Cena, the ultimate main event at WrestleMania 41 could also be CM Punk or Seth Rollins against Roman Reigns. Reigns was not very happy that he was eliminated by Punk, who had just joined forces with him a little over a month ago at Survivor Series. After Rollins, Punk, and Reigns were all eliminated, Rollins snapped and curb stomped Reigns’ head on the steel steps. For now, this sets up all three of them to be in the Chamber match to determine who gets a title shot. This also potentially, sets up a Night 2 main event, since it will likely feature Reigns. A triple threat could also be in the cards, and the star power enough would make this a worthy night 2 main event.
The Undisputed WWE Universal Championship Could Be Vacated
Is Cody Rhodes Injured or Vacating the Title?
The ladder match between Rhodes and Kevin Owens at the Rumble ended very violently. Bodies were broken, there was bloodshed, and both men struggled to walk out of the stadium. Is there a possible storyline where Rhodes is injured and is forced to vacate the title? While this would be a terrible, uncanny way for The American Nightmare to lose the title he worked so hard to finally earn, it is a possibility. On the Royal Rumble Post Show, it was announced that he is dealing with multiple injuries after the match with Owens.
Until we hear from Cody on SmackDown, this is just speculation, but having the possibility that Rhodes could vacate the title and the Elimination Chamber match would then be used to crown a new champion adds so much more excitement to the event. More than likely, this is a storyline to milk the clock, so to speak, until Uso makes his decision and there is a winner declared in the chamber match. However, it still begs the question of what lies in store for Cody at Mania. Perhaps a match with Cena and a true “passing of the torch” moment?
The Women Could Main Event WrestleMania 41
Could We Get the First Women’s Main Event at Mania Since 2019?
The last time a women’s match was the main event at WrestleMania was back in 2019 in a triple threat winner-take-all match between Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and Ronda Rousey. While Flair could choose to face WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton, there’s the possibility she could choose Women’s World Champion Rhea “Bloody” Ripley as well. Let’s not forget Ripley defeated Flair two WrestleManias ago to become the champion after winning the Rumble. This could be the rubber match, and the star power would be surely worthy of the main event.
Then there are all the superstars who have proven to deserve a spot in the main event: Drew McIntyre, Damian Priest, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens. While at the moment it’s unlikely any of them will main event night 1 or 2, things can always turn around in a moment in the WWE, as proved by last year’s road to WrestleMania.
It’s WrestleMania season and there are endless possibilities. With so many storylines taking shape, a lot can happen from now until April. There is still another PLE in March. Once Elimination Chamber concludes, it will be clearer what to expect for WrestleMania 41, but it’s safe to say that the WWE has never felt so unpredictable in recent years.