Predicting The Quality Of All 13 WWE WrestleMania 39 Matches

1. Cody Rhodes Vs. Roman Reigns - Undisputed WWE Universal Title Match

Cody Rhodes Roman Reigns five stars
WWE.com

The only anticipated problem here - and it might not even be a problem - is the extent to which this descends into cliché.

A procession of tropes won't undermine the drama, even if it's phenomenally likely that the fans will be able to tell when the mandatory, contrived ref bumps are imminent. It will prevent the match from entering Match Of The Year conversations, but WWE won't care much about that. The idea is to create as much noise and drama as possible, and WWE will rely upon the usual devices to get there. It's a Roman Reigns main event. The formula has elevated WWE business. It's naive not to expect a dramatic monologue or five.

If the content will feel worn, the emotion will carry it. That's all but guaranteed; having witnessed WWE Clash At The Castle live, Roman Reigns is at this point a master at pacing a big match and exerting total control over the crowd. Cody Rhodes is one of the best if not the best pure babyfaces of his generation. He also knows when to do everything: sell, fire-up, defy a hurting body with sheer spirit.

The stakes are so high - this is the biggest 'Mania match between two full-time acts in f*ck knows how long - and every single near-fall will create an eruption of a pop.

You know exactly what you're gong to get, but you're going to want it.

Predicted Star Rating: ★★★★½

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!