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Cody Rhodes and John Cena are barreling toward a blockbuster match at WrestleMania 41. But is it building as well as it should be? (Photo via WWE)
With a month before WWE's biggest showcase of the year, the premier quartet of world championship matches slated for WrestleMania 41 have featured an uneven mix of strong plot points and winding, bumpy roads along the way. Here are what's working and what's not in the four builds, as well as what may need some additional fine tuning before WrestleMania weekend.
Gunther vs. Jey Uso: World Heavyweight Championship
What’s working
Sometimes, wrestling can and should be very simple. Since Roman Reigns returned as “The Head of the Table,” he’s made it his goal to elevate his cousins, starting with Jey Uso.
As time passed, Uso developed his own look, cadence, and most importantly, an emotional attachment with the crowd. The agony he felt in Hell in a Cell, the record run as tag champions with his twin brother Jimmy, and the myriad of migraines he went through with Reigns, Sami Zayn and his baby brother Solo Sikoa all contributed to his breakout as a singles star. Add in the most interactive entrance in wrestling and an easy-to-market catchphrase, and you have the biggest babyface on "WWE Raw."
After eliminating John Cena and shockingly emerging victorious in a Royal Rumble match packed with former world champions, Uso put an emotional stamp on his journey with a heartfelt promo on the next "WWE Raw," expressing both disbelief and appreciation for who he’s become. It was the beginning of a perfect buildup for a brand new star who had the live audience behind him in a way very few others have.
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Is the Gunther vs. Jey Uso program floundering following a hot start? (Photo via WWE)
What’s lacking
Despite all of that backstory, littered with highlights and milestones, the story that's been told has decided not to reflect very much of it.
Gunther, to his credit, makes it a point to downplay and cast aside most of his opponents, so he isn’t treating Uso any differently than Zayn, Damien Priest, or the many challengers he faced during his record-setting Intercontinental Title run. But WWE commentary should be boosting all of the wins and near-wins Uso's had since the pandemic Thunderdome, his Intercontinental Title stunner, and how close he came to defeating Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event. In-ring, he should be defeating former singles champions and contenders convincingly, as he’s the show’s top contender and most popular act.
This idea that he “doesn’t belong,” even with the strong emoting both he and Jimmy showcase throughout the twists and turns, isn’t what your fight-from-under babyface should do, let alone the guy on a crazy, year-and-a-half trajectory. Hopefully, Uso is able to string along a few quality victories between now and the time he enters the ring in Las Vegas on April 19-20 weekend.
Iyo Sky vs. Bianca Belair vs. Rhea Ripley: Women’s World Championship
What’s working
In terms of star power, influence, talent and the ability to perform in big match settings, Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair, as a tandem, draw the closest parallels WWE has to Steve Austin and The Rock. They’ve shared a similar “final two” Royal Rumble moment, and have curated their own distinct fan bases with their signature styles and striking personalities. Both already own signature WrestleMania matches, between Ripley's slugfest with Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 39 and Belair's hyper-athletic, history-making main event with Sasha Banks at WrestleMania 37, respectively.
With Belair returning to singles action after winning the Elimination Chamber and the big-three fallout (Naomi and Jade Cargill) that came with it, this year presents the perfect opportunity to have Belair and Ripley finally go one-on-one on the biggest stage. Both have sang the praises of Iyo Sky as a talent and foe, so adding her into the mix may have changed their battle, but her athleticism combined with Ripley and Belair's next-level power has the potential to be the standout match of the two-night event.
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Iyo Sky, Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley are three of WWE's most exciting in-ring athletes. (Photo via Abigail Ekue, Native Creative Photography)
Abigail Ekue
What’s lacking
While the match itself should be great, there’s a level of bickering present across recent weeks that isn’t really serving any of these three parties.
There’s clearly an emotional hangover from Ripley's dealings with the Judgement Day, as well as losing her Terror Twin Damien Priest and her title in quick succession. Similarly, Belair has to tune in on Friday nights and see social media spats highlighting the issues between Naomi and Cargill. But trying to stretch that out, while also not making Sky feel like a third wheel, takes away from what the focus should be — and that’s which one of these three, who have owned the women’s singles division, is the very best right now.
WWE's European tour seems to be skewing cheers and boos a bit, but in a triple threat match, it’s less about alignment and more about who can survive the unpredictability. Hopefully the upcoming Sky vs. Ripley rematch with Belair as guest referee raises tensions between this trio, but doesn’t move away from the idea that all three of these women are aiming for in-ring supremacy.
Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena: WWE Championship
What’s working
Cody Rhodes has stated that he’s modeled his career, and the space he occupies as the top champion in professional wrestling's biggest company, after John Cena.
After building himself up on the independent circuit, finding his voice in New Japan, and helping establish AEW as a viable American television brand, Rhodes returned in 2022 to become WWE’s best choice to dethrone Roman Reigns. Charming, articulate and willing to put it all on the line to make a big match feel huge, Rhodes is easily WWE’s best babyface since Cena stepped down from full-time competition. There’s no one better fit to fight evil, whether it be the jealousy of an AJ Styles, the misplaced passion of a Kevin Owens, or the selfish overtures of a newly indoctrinated John Cena.
For his part, Cena leaned all the way in on the bad guy shtick: A fake hug, a low blow, then a three-on-one attack, followed by the verbal demolition of an emotional estate built on hustle, loyalty and respect. There’s no half-steppin', as he’s very clearly established in his pursuit of a 17th worth title that he’s to be despised the entire way. It’s the biggest singles match WWE can do outside of a Reigns-Cena matchup.
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John Cena and Cody Rhodes continue to face off during weekly "WWE Raw" segments. (Andrew Timms/WWE via Getty Images)
WWE via Getty Images
What’s Lacking
Where’s The Rock?
For the second year in a row, his involvement absolutely makes the big event more intriguing, but seems to skip a few steps in nailing exactly what’s being presented. What exactly did he offer Cena that Cena didn’t already earn, and what are his ultimate plans surrounding the WWE Championship? With this year’s WrestleMania slated for a few weeks later than normal, WWE is likely stretching out the “why” here, but with two of the main players having schedules that pull them away from weekly television, a clear-cut plan early on would go a long way in establishing hierarchy and motivations.
Sure, Cena has been clear about breaking Ric Flair’s championship record, but Flair, to this audience, isn’t revered as “The Greatest Ever,” so evil for evil’s sake in his second promo takes some of the steam out of Cena’s initial volley.
With Rhodes and Cena at the controls, it’s very likely they’ll work to create very specific reasoning and logic, but it needs to happen soon — before Cena plunges too deep into the world of nefarious notions and dastardly deeds.
Tiffany Stratton vs. Charlotte Flair: WWE Women’s Championship
What’s Working
This is the match Tiffany Stratton has wanted since her NXT days. Athlete to athlete, she’s long held Charlotte Flair in high regard, so it's understandable if she’s more than motivated to prove herself against the division’s longtime measuring stick.
Outside of Belair and Sky, Stratton is likely the most gifted wrestler Flair has faced, possessing both the power and speed to keep up with her. One thing that’s been different here from a lot of women’s feuds is that the two have been BRAWLING. Theirs has been presented as bigger than a match or title — it’s about establishing supremacy, with pummeling punches and post-match top-rope dives through referees and management.
Stratton, who spent her NXT days more likely to manipulate conflict than directly engage in it, has been willing to scrap it out with the tenacious Flair, much to the delight of the live crowds. Their title match has the chance to not only reestablish Flair as a top act, but to organically create the division’s next big star.
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Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte Flair clearly do not see eye-to-eye. (Photo via WWE)
What’s Lacking
In her first real “sink or swim” moment, Flair took Stratton to the deepest of waters, mocking and speaking over her in their split-screen segment on "WWE Smackdown."
After Flair viciously devalued Stratton's Money in the Bank victory and cash-in, a definitive loss could come to define Stratton longterm. Physically, they’ve made sure Stratton looks on par with Flair, but looking a bit lost in their back-and-forths, without having really nailed down her babyface persona, spells trouble.
Flair's longevity depends on viable opponents — outside of competing for a title, she doesn’t have many notable feuds or moments. So it’s important for both women to go into WrestleMania 41 as strong as possible, regardless of who leaves as champion.
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