WWE WrestleMania 41: Expert Predictions for Night 1 Matches
WrestleMania 41 is set to take place this weekend at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, with a star-studded lineup of matches featuring the biggest names in WWE. According to CBS Sports, the event promises to be an exciting one, with several high-profile matches and title clashes.
The night one card features a triple threat match between Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and CM Punk, which is expected to be a thrilling encounter. As reported by CBS Sports, tensions have been building between the three men, with Paul Heyman caught in the crossfire. The publication notes that Punk gets to live out a lifelong dream of headlining the biggest show of the year with Heyman, a legitimate friend, in his corner.
In addition to the main event, four titles will be on the line on Saturday night. CBS Sports reports that Gunther will defend his world heavyweight championship against Jey Uso, while LA Knight will put his United States title up against fast-rising star Jacob Fatu. The WWE women’s championship will also be on the line, as Tiffany Stratton takes on the legendary former titleholder Charlotte Flair.
CBS Sports experts have made their predictions for each match, and here are their picks:
Seth Rollins vs. CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns
According to CBS Sports, WWE loves to make a splash to end the first night of WrestleMania, and what bigger splash would there be than to have Paul Heyman help Rollins win rather than picking a side between Punk and Reigns? The publication quotes Brent Brookhouse as saying: "Everyone has been manipulating Heyman in one way or another, but Rollins is the most honest about his motivations. Punk finally gets his WrestleMania main event, Reigns is given fuel to move forward and Rollins is once again the architect of a genius plan."
Both Brookhouse and Shakiel Mahjouri predict that Seth Rollins will win the match.
World Heavyweight Championship — Gunther (c) vs. Jey Uso
CBS Sports notes that directly after Uso’s shocking Royal Rumble win, he was figured as a lock for a win and a great WrestleMania moment. However, the angle cooled off to a shocking degree. The publication quotes Brookhouse as saying: "In recent weeks, WWE got the fire going a bit with Gunther’s brutal attack on Jey’s twin brother Jimmy and Jey’s passionate response. All that said, it no longer feels like an Uso title win is in the cards since there needs to be a hotter challenger to take the title from him."
Both Brookhouse and Mahjouri predict that Gunther will retain the title.
WWE Women’s Championship — Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Charlotte Flair
According to CBS Sports, this WWE women’s title program has been messy, but Stratton should get the nod over the 14-time women’s world champion to really elevate her stock. Mahjouri is quoted as saying: "For whatever reason, the audience doesn’t seem to connect with Flair. Stratton should get the nod over the 14-time women’s world champion to really elevate her stock."
Both Mahjouri and Brookhouse predict that Tiffany Stratton will retain the title.
United States Championship — LA Knight (c) vs. Jacob Fatu
CBS Sports reports that Fatu might have the most potential of anyone on the roster, with an immense aura, remarkable athleticism, and rough, rugged, and raw mic skills. The publication quotes Mahjouri as saying: "Fatu is on the way up and nothing can or should stop him. It’s a shame Knight, who is worthy of a good U.S. title reign, must be sacrificed to ‘The Samoan Werewolf.’"
Both Mahjouri and Brookhouse predict that Jacob Fatu will win the title.
Jade Cargill vs. Naomi
According to CBS Sports, Cargill and Naomi are quietly cooking up one of WrestleMania’s more compelling storylines, which demands attention. The publication quotes Mahjouri as saying: "It’s the culmination of a long whodunnit mystery, which included Cargill’s explosive return at the Elimination Chamber and Naomi’s refreshing descent into madness."
Both Mahjouri and Brookhouse predict that Jade Cargill will win.
Rey Mysterio vs. El Grande Americano
CBS Sports notes that there are few modern angles as quintessentially "pro wrestling" as El Grande Americano, the masked wrestler who is very obviously the man claiming to not be under the mask. The publication quotes Brookhouse as saying: "There is only so far you can carry that kind of angle without burning it out, however. That means Mysterio should get the win here and Chad Gable should face the consequences of his actions."
Both Brookhouse and Mahjouri predict that Rey Mysterio will win.
World Tag Team Championship — The War Raiders (c) vs. The New Day
According to CBS Sports, New Day’s heel turn was brilliantly executed, but everything went completely flat. The publication quotes Brookhouse as saying: "Pushing New Day into a story with War Raiders, who are basically forgotten champions on Raw, hasn’t done anything to build momentum, but the most interesting thing you can do for New Day at this point is for them to not win the tag belts and have a reason to continue raging."
Both Brookhouse and Mahjouri predict that The War Raiders will retain the titles.
Night 1 of WrestleMania 41 takes place on April 19 and will stream live on Peacock beginning at 7 p.m. ET. Make sure to tune in to see how these matches play out and find out who will be crowned the winners.
Source: CBS Sports
