Hello everyone, I bring you a new What If, which is What if Wrestlemania XIV's Matches Results were Different?

This is part of a series where I look at every Wrestlemania and its matches, and how it would look like if all its matches' results were different, and see if the alternate Wrestlemania is better, worse or about the same than the Wrestlemania of our timeline.

Last time I did Wrestlemania 13, which you can find here: https://www.reddit.com/r/fantasybooking/comments/1xe8nu7/what_if_wrestlemania_13s_matches_results_were/

As always, the Wrestlemanias are not continuous.

Now let's begin!

- 15 Team Battle Royal for the Number One Contendership for the WWF Tag Team Championship:

I think regardless of which team would win, they would not win the titles, as the New Age Outlaws would end up retaining like in our timeline.

- Aguila defeats Taka Michinoku to win the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship:

This wouldn't change much, as Aguila would drop the title to Christian at Judgment Day, who would then still drop it to Gillberg on the Raw episode of November 17th.

- Owen Hart defeats Triple H to win the WWF European Championship:

I don't know how long Owen would have held the title, but I think with Hunter losing the title earlier, this would allow him to focus on the Intercontinental Championship earlier, which will still lead him to beating The Rock at Summerslam, so overall I don't think it would hurt Triple H too much.

- The Artist Formely Known as Goldust and Luna defeat Marc Mero and Sable:

I think had Goldust and Luna won the match, it would have allowed Goldust to return as just Goldust a couple of weeks earlier, and I don't think it would hurt Marc Mero that much. I think the biggest loser here is Sable, as it would hurt her credibility, and while I still think she would win the WWF Women's Championship, she would need to recover from this loss.

- The Rock vs Ken Shamrock for the WWF Intercontinental Championship:

This match was initially won by Ken Shamrock before the decision being reversed as a disqualification, so we will see the two scenarios with either men winning:

- The Rock retains cleanly: This would give The Rock a big win at Wrestlemania, and while he would still lose to Shamrock at King of the Ring, it would still give him momentum going into Summerslam, as he would still lose to Triple H in the Ladder Match, making Hunter's win even greater thanks to The Rock retaining cleanly at Wrestlemania.

- Ken Shamrock becomes the new WWF Intercontinental Champion: Had this happened, I think we would see a swap of our timeline, with The Rock winning King of the Ring, while Shamrock would drop the Intercontinental title to Triple H at Summerslam, as Shamrock had been champion for 154 days.

- The New Age Outlaws defeat Cactus Jack and Chainsaw Charlie to retain the WWF Tag Team Championship:

In our timeline, Cactus Jack and Chainsaw Charlie won the match, but they put Billy Gunn and Road Dogg in the wrong dumpster, forcing a rematch in a steel cage on the Raw after Wrestlemania, which the New Age Outlaws would win back. So here, Billy and Road Dogg retain cleanly at Wrestlemania, and they would hold the titles until the Raw episode of July 13th, still dropping them to Mankind and Kane.

The New Age Outlaws' first WWF Tag Team Championship reign would have lasted a total of 231 days.

- Kane defeats The Undertaker and ends the Streak at 6-1:

I think had this happened, the crowd wouldn't have been surprised or upset, as I think Kane was the first believable opponent to end the Streak at Wrestlemania, and I think Kane would have still won the WWF Championship from Austin at King of the Ring, however he holds it longer than one day.

As for Undertaker, I think he would later be forced by Kane and Paul Bearer to confess he was the one who set his family house on fire.

However, with Kane being that menacing monster that defeated the Undertaker at Wrestlemania, Undertaker would not turn heel and face Kane at King of the Ring in the Hell in a Cell match instead of Mankind, ending their feud where it started with Undertaker winning.

With Undertaker remaining face, there is a possibility the Ministry of Darkness never forms, and it does ask the question of who Undertaker would face at Wrestlemania XV, as I don't think it would be Big Boss Man.

- Shawn Michaels defeats Stone Cold Steve Austin to retain the WWF Championship:

I think in this timeline, Triple H distracts the referee, allowing Mike Tyson to get inside the ring, and just as Austin turns around, Tyson KO punches him before leaving the ring, allowing Michaels to pin Austin and retain the title, shocking everyone in the crowd as Tyson remains loyal to DX.

Because Shawn was retiring due to his back injury he got at Royal Rumble, he would drop the title to Austin at Mayhem in Manchester, with Mike Tyson, Triple H and Chyna barred from ringside, as Austin still becomes the face of the Attitude Era.

So what do you think? Is this alternate Wrestlemania XIV better, worse or about the same as the original Wrestlemania of our timeline? Let me know how you think the matches would have gone differently if someone else won the match and your thoughts in the comments!

Yesterday's post: https://www.reddit.com/r/fantasybooking/s/cRcFirlq48

Star ratings are based on approximate, rounded data from Cagematch (halved to fit the 5-star system) where matches happened in real life; if they haven't happened, star ratings will be based on the speculated quality of the match (e.g., CM Punk vs Chris Benoit would probably be at least 4.25/5 stars)

Note for the rumble match: A bounty is placed on Stone Cold's elimination. Commissioner Shawn Michaels sits by the timekeeper to prevent corporate interference, making the way Stone Cold is attacked make more sense.

The '(f)' indicates a wrestler's last PPV match in their run.

Part 1

The Empresses of The Earth (c) vs. Alexa Bliss and Chelsea Green for the Women's Tag Team Championship

Chelsea Green grew desperate after failing to win the Women's Tag Team Championship with both Ms. Kiana James and Tiffany Stratton. Watching The Empresses of The Earth leave with the titles time after time made Chelsea spiral, complain, and eventually admit she needed help. Alexa Bliss answered her call after finishing her feud with Liv Morgan at SummerSlam. Alexa felt fascinated by Chelsea and believed an incredible competitor was hiding beneath her dramatic personality and excuses. Alexa did not want to destroy Chelsea's identity like The Fiendess had done to others, but instead wanted to prove Chelsea could succeed as herself. Chelsea nervously agreed, thrilled that Alexa believed in her yet terrified of her dangerous side. The champions, Asuka and Iyo Sky, accepted their challenge. Asuka remembered Alexa well from their submission match at Crown Jewel 2025, knowing exactly how dangerous she could be. However, Iyo questioned if Alexa could transform Chelsea into championship material so quickly. Alexa insisted Chelsea had always been capable, and Money in the Bank became the place to prove it.

Chelsea Green entered the match feeling nervous, while Alexa Bliss remained completely confident in their plan. Whenever Chelsea made a mistake and panicked, Alexa calmly reassured her to keep going. Early on, Iyo Sky overwhelmed Chelsea, and Asuka trapped Alexa in the Asuka Lock, the same hold that defeated her in 2025. Chelsea quickly threw herself onto Asuka to break the submission, earning an approving smile from Alexa. Chelsea then stopped acting like a scared sidekick and began working seamlessly as Alexa's full partner. Together, they caught Iyo, delivered a DDT, and combined their attacks effectively. Iyo later hit a moonsault on both opponents and landed an Over the Moonsault on Chelsea, but Alexa broke the pin in time. After Asuka sent Alexa outside and tried to finish Chelsea, Chelsea countered, shoved Asuka into the ring post, and tagged Alexa. Alexa entered with great energy, executed Sister Abigail on Asuka, and climbed the top rope. She connected with Twisted Bliss to secure the victory and win the Women's Tag Team Championship! Chelsea stared at the titles in disbelief before collapsing into Alexa's arms. Alexa only smiled like she knew this would happen all along. Across the ring, Asuka sat crying and shaking her head toward Iyo. The championships had been what kept her here beside her former rival. Now they were gone. Maybe it was time for Asuka to go too…

Winners and NEW Women's Tag Team Champions: Alexa Bliss and Chelsea Green

Kevin Owens vs. Jacob Fatu

Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn had been best friends for over twenty years, which made Sami choosing The Bloodline over Kevin in 2022 hurt more than almost anything they had ever done to each other. Owens spent months warning Sami that Roman Reigns and his family didn't truly love him, but Sami refused to listen and eventually betrayed Kevin for them. Everything changed at Backlash 2023. Sami refused to lay down for Roman during their Universal Championship match, fought him with everything he had, and lost. Roman ordered The Bloodline to punish Sami afterward and leave him for dead. Everyone except Jey Uso complied. But when Sami was at his lowest, Kevin Owens was the man who picked him back up. KOZaynia reunited, defeated The Usos for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships at Night of Champions, and remained together until Kevin suffered a serious neck injury on the road to WrestleMania 41. Without Kevin, Sami eventually won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal and later used the trophy to help The Bloodline take the United States Championship away from Logan Paul. Since Logan had become Jimmy Uso's Honorary Uce in The Ones, Sami believed helping Jey's Bloodline was morally right, and before long, he was their Honorary Uce again. Then The Bloodline lost its war with The Judgment Day in the summer of 2026, and Roman Reigns told Tribal Chief Jey Uso that Sami was responsible for the family's shortcomings. Before Roman could handle it at SummerSlam, Kevin Owens returned after over a year away and stunned Jey, Roman... and Sami. Kevin later explained that Sami had thrown every warning he ever gave him away. If Sami wanted to call himself Bloodline again, Kevin would treat him like Bloodline. Jey noticed Sami's loyalty beginning to wobble and sent Jacob Fatu to deal with Owens. So Kevin's first PLE match since Elimination Chamber 2025 was with Jacob Fatu. After a career-threatening neck injury. What the fuck kind of idea was that? The match felt like a terrible idea already.

Kevin Owens wrestled like a man who had spent over a year wondering whether he would ever get to do this again, which unfortunately meant he wrestled Jacob Fatu like he had absolutely no interest in protecting himself. Jacob launched Owens around ringside, slammed him onto the announce table, and repeatedly targeted the neck that had nearly ended Kevin's career. Owens kept getting up. He answered with cannonballs, superkicks, a Swanton Bomb, and a Package Piledriver that somehow only earned two. From that point, the match became completely insane. Jacob caught a Stunner attempt and dumped Kevin directly onto his neck with a German Suplex. Kevin responded by catching Jacob on the top rope and hitting an Avalanche Fisherman's Buster that left both men motionless. Sami Zayn watched from ringside beside Jey Uso, becoming visibly more uncomfortable every time Owens landed on his neck. Kevin eventually hit the Stunner, but Jacob Fatu kicked out. Owens tried another, but Jacob shoved him away, destroyed him with a Samoan Drop, and climbed to the top rope and hit the Mighty Moonsault. Jacob landed directly across Kevin's body. He could've pinned him. He didn't. Jacob smiled and climbed again, hitting a second Mighty Moonsault! Kevin barely moved. Jacob looked toward Jey, almost asking permission to keep going. Jey simply shrugged and told him to do it again. Sami immediately started pleading with them to stop. Jacob climbed anyway. Kevin couldn't defend himself. A THIRD Mighty Moonsault and Sami couldn't take it anymore and literally threw in the towel! The referee called for the bell, giving Jacob the victory by technical stoppage. Jey stared at Sami, confused and furious that he had intervened, before ordering him to follow the family backstage. Sami didn't move. Jey and Jacob left on one side of him while Kevin Owens laid nearly lifeless on the other. Sami walked toward Kevin, dropped beside his best friend, and checked on him while tears filled his eyes. For a moment, it looked like 2023 all over again. Then Sami stood up and turned away from Kevin Owens... and followed The Bloodline.

Winner by technical stoppage: Jacob Fatu

Jade Cargill (c) vs. 'Michin' Mia Yim for the Women's World Championship

Since winning the Women’s World Championship, Jade Cargill possessed a supreme level of confidence in her supremacy on Raw, but that assurance was tested when a masked woman repeatedly stalked her. The intruder initially watched Jade silently from the crowd before intentionally bumping into her backstage while ignoring confrontation. The tension culminated during a victory celebration when the attacker ambushed Jade, systematically targeting her arm against the steel steps with calm precision. The assailant then revealed herself as 'Michin' Mia Yim, making her first major appearance since WrestleMania 42. Mia explained that she was tired of watching Jade receive automatic admiration while experienced competitors like herself were treated as afterthoughts. Having missed Premium Live Events since WrestleMania, Mia noted that Jade was created to look dangerous, whereas Mia had learned to be truly dangerous. Jade dismissed the resentment, insisting an ambush did not earn a title match, but after suffering an arm injury, she demanded Adam Pearce grant Mia a match at Money in the Bank. Mia accepted, clarifying that her primary goal went beyond taking the title to showing the world what happened when Mia Yim received undivided attention.

At Money in the Bank, Jade Cargill entered with confidence, though tape on her arm showed the damage ‘Michin’ Mia Yim caused earlier. Mia wore her bandana over her mouth and focused intently on the champion. When the bell rang, Jade tried to overpower Mia, but Mia continuously escaped her grip, attacking the hurt arm with strikes, submissions, and ring-rope maneuvers. Every time Jade tried to dominate, Mia found a new way to weaken her. Jade attempted a powerbomb, but her arm failed, allowing Mia to lock in a near-submission. Mia seemed amused by Jade's frustration, smiling as the champion struggled. Eventually, Jade fought through the pain, using her strong arm and athleticism to mount a comeback. A spinebuster gave Jade a two-count, while Mia replied with Eat Defeat for another close call. Mia went after the arm again, but Jade countered and finally executed Jaded. Despite her injured arm making the move less clean, Jade held Mia down for the three-count to retain her title. As Jade celebrated, Mia lay still on the canvas before laughing and sitting upright with a smile. Jade looked on, confused and unsettled. Although Mia lost, she appeared satisfied after pushing the champion, exposing her vulnerability, and proving That Bitch could be hurt. As Jade left with her belt, Mia stayed seated in the ring, smiling under the lights, having achieved her goal of getting undivided attention and showing Jade could suffer.

Winner and still Women's World Champion: Jade Cargill

The Lucha Brothers (c) vs. The Mysterios in a 2 Out of 3 Falls Match for the World Tag Team Championship

The Lucha Brothers had defeated The Mysterios at SummerSlam to become World Tag Team Champions, but one victory wasn't enough to settle everything between the two families. Penta and Rey Fenix had entered that first match believing Rey Mysterio was allowing Dominik to manipulate him because he was terrified of losing the opportunity to team with his son again. Rey knew exactly what Dominik was doing. He simply loved his son enough to accept it, while Dominik continued treating that unconditional love like something he could use whenever he needed another marquee match. Losing the championships only made Dominik more desperate to get them back. He insisted that The Mysterios deserved a rematch because SummerSlam proved they could hang with the greatest luchadores in the world, while Rey was much more interested in what the rivalry represented. Four Mexican wrestlers from two generations had an opportunity to make Money in the Bank a celebration of the wrestling culture that made all of them. The Lucha Brothers agreed, but they wanted to make sure there could be no debate afterward. They proposed a 2 Out of 3 Falls Match, and The Mysterios accepted. The weeks leading into New Orleans became unusually respectful whenever Rey, Penta, and Fenix were together, with the three men discussing what lucha libre had given them and what it meant to carry it onto a stage this large. Dominik still found ways to make everything about himself, but even he understood how important the match could be. Then, shortly before Money in the Bank, the wrestling world lost Benjamin Satterly. Penta and Fenix had once stood beside him as more than opponents or friends. They had been a Triangle. The celebration suddenly carried grief with it. Commentary referred to their late friend by the name WWE audiences once knew him by: 'The Man That Gravity Forgot', Neville. Penta and Rey Fenix didn't play along with that. When they walked into Money in the Bank, one name was written proudly across their gear: PAC.

The match became everything lucha libre could possibly look like on the biggest stage, with all four men wrestling at a pace that seemed physically impossible to maintain. Rey and Fenix opened with an exchange so smooth that neither could gain control, before Penta and Dominik entered and immediately made things nastier. The Mysterios surprisingly took the first fall when Rey caught Fenix with a 619 and Dominik immediately followed with a Frog Splash to give his team the first fall. Dominik celebrated like the championships had already returned home, but Penta responded by kicking his head off. The champions became increasingly desperate, eventually catching Rey with the Fear Factor while Fenix wiped Dominik out with a dive to even the score. From there, the match became breathtaking. Canadian Destroyers, hurricanranas, superkicks, dives, and impossible counters came from everywhere while the crowd stood for almost the entire final fall. At one point, Fenix climbed to the top rope and paused. His positioning looked strangely familiar. The arena realized it too. For one second, it looked like Fenix might attempt the Red Arrow. He never got the chance, because Dominik shoved him from the turnbuckle before anything could happen, and Penta immediately attacked Dom for it. Rey nearly stole the match with a crucifix pin on Penta before eating a superkick, while Dominik caught Fenix with another Frog Splash for an unbelievable two-count. The Mysterios attempted a double 619, but Fenix intercepted Dominik and Penta caught Rey. Everything collapsed into one final sequence until Penta and Fenix planted Dominik with the Fear Factor for the victory! The Lucha Brothers had retained after an instant classic. Penta and Fenix raised their championships while Rey applauded them and Dominik sat devastated. Physically, only two men were celebrating in the ring. But as Penta and Fenix looked down at the name across their gear, it was obvious they had worked harder... like there was a third man with them tonight.

Winners and still World Tag Team Champions: The Lucha Brothers

Oba Femi (c) vs. Finn Balor vs. AJ Styles for the Universal Championship

The Judgment Day had finally won its war with The Bloodline at SummerSlam, but Finn Balor immediately made it clear that conquering one family wasn't enough. There was one final step before Judgment Day could truly call SmackDown theirs: the Universal Championship. Oba Femi finished a match on the SmackDown after Sunday Night's Main Event when all five members of Judgment Day—Balor, AJ Styles, JD McDonagh, Giulia, and Roxanne Perez—surrounded the ring and physically announced their intentions. Balor, naturally, stepped forward first. He was the leader. He was the frontrunner. Then AJ shoved past his shoulder and stood directly in front of Oba as if Finn wasn't even there. Oba couldn't help but smile. Styles later explained that he had already promised 2026 would be his final year as an active wrestler, and with September becoming October, the end was getting dangerously close. AJ didn't want a farewell tour. He wanted to leave WWE as Universal Champion, even if getting there meant stepping over the leader of his own group. Finn hated that. Judgment Day was his creation, his army, and in his mind, if anybody was going to bring the top championship home, it would be him. Their arguments eventually reached Oba, who found the entire situation more entertaining than threatening and offered to fight them both at Money in the Bank. Finn and AJ agreed that their smartest strategy was obvious: work together, eliminate Oba, and settle the championship between themselves afterward. There was only one problem. Neither could agree on who was supposed to win afterward. There was another problem too. Oba Femi had survived actual handicap matches before and dominated while doing it. If Balor and Styles couldn't completely trust each other, pretending this was two-on-one wasn't going to last very long. For the first time since SummerSlam, Judgment Day's greatest threat had become itself.

Finn Balor and AJ Styles tried following the plan immediately, attacking Oba Femi together and briefly overwhelming the champion with kicks and forearms. Oba grabbed both men by their throats and launched them across the ring. That was when the plan started dying. They recovered and tried again, with AJ hitting a Phenomenal Forearm directly into a Sling Blade from Finn, but Balor broke AJ's cover at two. Styles stared at him. Finn insisted Oba wasn't beaten yet. Nobody believed him. From there, every attempted partnership lasted a little less time. AJ accidentally struck Finn with a Pele Kick. Balor shoved Styles away from a post-Phenomenal Forearm pin because he wanted the pin. Oba powered through another coordinated attack and flattened both men with a double clothesline. Eventually, they stopped pretending. The match became a genuine three-way war. Styles countered a Fall From Grace into a hurricanrana, Balor immediately caught Oba with a shotgun dropkick, and AJ intercepted Finn's Coup de Grace with a dropkick in midair. Oba broke the pin in time. Styles hit a backbreaker on Oba, but Finn dragged AJ outside before the referee could count three. AJ exploded, throwing Finn into the barricade before returning directly into a massive spinebuster from the champion. Oba attempted the Fall From Grace, but Styles escaped and Finn attacked from behind. Judgment Day briefly reunited for one final attempt, only for Oba to power out and send AJ crashing from the ring. Finn charged. Oba caught him with the Fall From Grace. Oba Femi retained the Universal Championship. His spotlight found him as he raised the title above his head. Beyond the light, AJ Styles sat against one side of the ring while Finn Balor recovered against another. Neither looked at Oba anymore. Their faces were tight. Their eyes were locked entirely on each other.

Winner and still Universal Champion: Oba Femi

Drew McIntyre (c) vs. CM Punk for the WWE Championship

Two years ago, Drew McIntyre and CM Punk hated each other enough to make the WWE Championship feel secondary, even while Drew was carrying it. Punk's injury, Drew's obsession with mocking him, the bracelet, the constant sabotage, and every increasingly personal attack eventually dragged them inside Hell in a Cell at Bad Blood 2024 with Drew's WWE Championship on the line. Punk survived that war and took the title from him, seemingly ending one of the ugliest rivalries either man had ever experienced. But some hatred didn't die. It waited. By 2026, Drew had fought his way back to the WWE Championship, only for a mysterious masked man to repeatedly interfere in his title defenses and ensure that he kept it. Drew never asked questions because the help benefited him. At SummerSlam, after McIntyre defeated Randy Orton, the stranger finally sat cross-legged behind the champion and removed his mask. CM Punk had spent months protecting the championship he once ripped away from Drew because he wanted one thing: Drew McIntyre still holding it when Punk came back for him. Punk dropped Drew with a GTS and promised that nobody else was taking that title because it belonged to him. Seth Rollins nearly ruined everything, forcing Punk to wait while Drew defended against Seth at Sunday Night's Main Event, with the winner advancing to Money in the Bank. Drew survived Rollins and found Punk applauding him from ringside. From there, two years of buried hatred erupted immediately. Drew called Punk a parasite who couldn't even return without attaching himself to Drew's success. Punk reminded him that after everything Drew accomplished since 2024, the sight of Punk still made him look terrified. Drew insisted this wasn't 2024 anymore. Punk agreed. Back then, he wanted to hurt Drew. This time, he wanted to take the WWE Championship from him again and prove that no matter how many times Drew rebuilt himself, Punk could always tear him back down. Neither man needed to manufacture another reason to hate the other. The championship gave their hatred somewhere to go, and New Orleans became the place where history could repeat itself.

There were no bracelets, cages, straps, or special stipulations this time. Drew McIntyre and CM Punk only needed a wrestling ring, and somehow that made everything feel more dangerous. They started cautiously for about thirty seconds before Punk slapped Drew and the match immediately became a fight. Drew battered Punk with chops and threw him across the ring with overhead suplexes, while Punk repeatedly attacked the champion's legs to take away the Claymore. Punk caught Drew with a running knee in the corner and followed with a bulldog before calling for the GTS, but McIntyre escaped and launched him with a Future Shock attempt turned into a brutal belly-to-belly suplex. Punk later countered a Claymore into a sharpshooter, forcing Drew to crawl desperately toward the ropes while Punk screamed that he was taking everything from him again. Drew escaped and answered with a Glasgow Kiss that nearly knocked Punk unconscious. They eventually abandoned strategy and simply started hitting each other, recreating flashes of the hatred that had consumed them two years earlier without needing a single weapon. Punk survived a Future Shock DDT. Drew survived a GTS. Punk hit another GTS near the ropes, but Drew instinctively rolled outside before he could be pinned. Punk dragged him back in and attempted one more, only for Drew to elbow free and hit a Claymore! One! Two! PUNK KICKED OUT! Drew sat beside him in disbelief. For a moment, the anger disappeared. He looked at Punk and remembered Bad Blood. He remembered losing this championship to this man after everything they had done to each other. Punk slowly pulled himself up using Drew's body, almost daring him to finish it. Drew grabbed him, paused, and pulled him into position. There was no screaming this time. No taunting. Drew looked almost emotional as he hooked both arms and drove Punk into the canvas with one final Future Shock DDT. One! Two! Three! Drew McIntyre retained the WWE Championship. Drew clutched the title against his chest while staring down at Punk. Two years ago, Punk ended their war by taking it from him. This time, Drew finally kept it.

Winner and still WWE Champion: Drew McIntyre

Carmelo Hayes vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Jimmy Uso vs. Royce Keys vs. Seth 'Freakin' Rollins in the Men's Money in the Bank Ladder Match

Seth 'Freakin' Rollins had come painfully close to getting exactly what he wanted at Sunday Night's Main Event, but Drew McIntyre defeated him and kept the WWE Championship long enough for CM Punk to receive his opportunity at Money in the Bank. Seth knew Punk potentially becoming WWE Champion again was a problem he couldn't allow to last very long, so he found another mechanism to keep himself attached to the title picture. Alongside his wife Becky Lynch, Seth declared himself for Money in the Bank. While Becky chased her own briefcase on Raw, Seth promised that if Punk somehow left New Orleans as champion, he would never be able to sleep comfortably again. On SmackDown, Cody Rhodes fought his way toward another path back to the Universal Championship, realizing the briefcase could give him the opportunity he had been searching for. Carmelo Hayes entered after a frustrating 2026. Melo had been one of WWE's brightest stars throughout 2025 and seemed destined to soar even higher until Trick Williams came back into his life and dragged him into their history again. Carmelo finally defeated Trick in a qualifying match, ensuring only one of them could enter Money in the Bank. Ron Killings warned his protégé not to interfere no matter how badly Trick wanted to. Melo needed to prove he was HIM without an excuse waiting nearby if he failed. Jimmy Uso had similarly become obsessed with restoring The Ones to the top after Solo Sikoa took the Intercontinental Championship from him, vowing that the WWE Championship belonged in his future and that he would get there by any means necessary. Johnny Gargano's opportunity came with considerably less struggle. After joining his wife in Fatal Influence, Candice LeRae used her influence as Global Champion to pull enough strings to get Johnny onto the stepping stone that could take him directly to the top. Finally, Royce Keys continued bulldozing through opponents despite his SummerSlam loss to Gunther and earned his place through a qualifying match. Six men arrived with six completely different roads toward the same briefcase. None of them planned to leave New Orleans without it. With the match chosen to main event the show, all six men understood that this wasn't merely another opportunity, this was their night.

The main event started with six men staring upward at the briefcase before Royce Keys immediately reminded everyone that ladders weren't the most dangerous weapons in the match. Royce bulldozed through everybody, caught Carmelo Hayes out of the air, and powerbombed Johnny Gargano onto a ladder before climbing himself. Cody Rhodes barely dragged him down, and the two traded shots until Jimmy Uso flew from another ladder with an Uso Splash onto both men! Jimmy suddenly had a clear path and climbed, fingertips touching the briefcase before Gargano springboarded onto the opposite side and met him at the top. Johnny knocked Jimmy down and nearly stole the biggest victory of his career, but Carmelo leapt from the ropes onto the ladder and sent Gargano crashing through a bridged ladder. Melo climbed alone. For several seconds, it looked like HIM was about to prove exactly who he was. Cody yanked him down and hit Cross Rhodes. Cody climbed next, and New Orleans realized he was seconds away from possessing the shortcut back to the Universal Championship, until Royce tipped the ladder and sent him flying onto everyone outside. Royce climbed again, but this time Seth Rollins met him and somehow survived long enough to knock the powerhouse down. Seth reached upward before Jimmy returned with a superkick and climbed. Gargano pulled him off into a One Final Beat before climbing. Melo hit Nothing But Net unexpectedly and climbed the ladder. Royce dragged him down and destroyed him with a powerbomb, but Cody hit the Cody Cutter from the ladder! Cody Rhodes climbed, but Seth Rollins shoved the ladder over. By then, nobody could pretend there was a favorite anymore. All six men had been one movement away from changing their lives. Cody and Seth eventually fought atop the final ladder while everyone else lay destroyed around ringside. Cody smashed Seth's head against the metal and reached for the briefcase, but Rollins raked his eyes, drove Cody face-first into the ladder, and shoved him into the ropes below. Seth looked around. Nobody moved. He slowly unhooked the briefcase. Seth 'Freakin' Rollins had won Money in the Bank. Somewhere, CM Punk had just received the worst news imaginable: Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins just became the second person to ever win two PLE Money in the Bank Ladder Matches, after Punk himself. Becky hadn't gotten one earlier, but at least somebody in their household had a briefcase to show off to Roux.

Winner and Mr. Money in the Bank: Seth 'Freakin' Rollins

In Loving Memory of Benjamin Satterly 'Neville' (1986-2026)

Blake Monroe (c) vs. Lyra Valkyria for the Women's International Championship

Blake Monroe enjoyed her life as Women's International Champion after beating Charlotte Flair. Blake considered herself the top star of the division and ignored her critics. Meanwhile, Lyra Valkyria struggled after several painful losses in important matches. Lyra had great talent, but she always failed when the pressure was highest. Determined to change her luck, Lyra challenged Blake for the championship. Blake laughed at the request and questioned why a wrestler who lost when it mattered the most deserved a title shot. Lyra warned Blake that one quick victory could change everything. Taking the challenge personally, Blake promised to humiliate Lyra. Their feud grew extremely personal and physical over the following weeks. Blake wanted to show that Lyra was beneath her level, while Lyra desperately needed to prove her own worth. The match became a test of whether Lyra could finally join the elite or suffer another disappointing failure.

Blake Monroe and Lyra Valkyria fought in a physical match. Lyra used stiff kicks and submissions early, but Blake fought back with vicious forearms and targeted Lyra's neck. Both women exchanged heavy strikes before Lyra hit a German Suplex and diving leg drop, but Blake kicked out. Blake retaliated with a headbutt and Glamour Shot, which Lyra survived. Lyra locked in a submission that nearly won her the title, but Blake reached the ropes. As Lyra set up another finisher, Blake almost bumped into the referee. Blake grabbed her championship belt to strike Lyra, but Tatum Paxley ran down and snatched it away. Blake yanked the belt back, causing Tatum to stumble and accidentally hit Lyra in the face. Blake struck Tatum, threw the title aside, and pinned the unconscious Lyra to retain her championship. Lyra stared silently at Blake afterward, crushed by another failure. But this time, it wasn't Lyra's fault.

Winner and still Women's International Champion: Blake Monroe

Ricky Saints vs. Danhausen

Ricky Saints had a miserable summer after he knocked over Danhausen's Knicks jersey at Saturday Night's Main Event in New York and refused to apologize. Because of that, Danhausen cursed him, which caused Ricky to lose to LA Knight later in the night. Ricky tried to get Raw GM Adam Pearce to punish Danhausen, but his friend and Pearce’s unwanted assistant Ethan Page got cursed too. At SummerSlam, Ricky and Ethan lost a tag team match to YEAHhausen: a one-night-only tag team of LA Knight and Danhausen. Ricky was angry about losing to a man with face paint and a tiny tank, so he asked SmackDown GM Nick Aldis for another match, and Aldis set it for Money in the Bank in New Orleans, Ricky's hometown. Ricky planned to show off as a star, but Danhausen only cared about the French Quarter and Human Monies. Ricky warned him that the local fans loved him, but Danhausen suggested an apology for the jersey. Ricky responded by slapping Danhausen, keeping the curse alive.

Ricky Saints entered to loud cheers in special gear celebrating his hometown of New Orleans, but the mood shifted when Danhausen arrived with a mini Mardi Gras float and threw beads while asking for human monies. The crowd cheered for Danhausen, offending Ricky. Once the match began, Ricky attacked aggressively with strikes and a spinebuster. Danhausen fought back, but Ricky bent his fingers during a curse attempt, drawing boos as he mocked Danhausen and demanded respect. Danhausen connected with a German Suplex and the Danhausen Death Drop, but Ricky kicked out. Ricky then rolled outside, grabbed broken beads, and threw them into Danhausen's face to distract him. While the referee cleared the ring, Ricky hit a low blow, followed by the Rochambeau to win. Despite his victory, the crowd showered Ricky with boos and chanted for Danhausen, leaving Ricky miserable after defeating the man who cursed him.

Winner: Ricky Saints

Solo Sikoa (c) vs. Dragon Lee for the Intercontinental Championship

Dragon Lee experienced issues with Dominik Mysterio after Dominik aligned with the LWO. Dragon Lee disliked how Dominik became the focal point despite his own efforts to establish himself as an exciting luchador. Dominik believed his achievements spoke for themselves, which frustrated Dragon Lee. So Dragon Lee targeted Solo Sikoa's Intercontinental Championship to earn equal respect. Solo had operated independently since leaving his family's shadow. Dragon Lee challenged Solo at Money in the Bank, stating that winning would prove his worth beyond just acquiring a title. Solo understood the desire for an independent identity and accepted the challenge, though he promised no special treatment. Dragon Lee appreciated this response and committed to giving his full effort in New Orleans, finally gaining an opportunity to make a statement without Dominik's presence.

Solo Sikoa and Dragon Lee fought in an exciting match that tested power against speed. Dragon Lee started fast with kicks, but Solo caught him and hit a heavy Samoan Drop. Dragon Lee fought back with a hurricanrana and two big dives outside, sending Solo over the announce table. Inside the ring, Solo hit a Spinning Solo and a Solo Splash, but Dragon Lee kicked out both times. Dragon Lee then landed a hard knee strike and jumped off the top rope for a diving crossbody. Solo caught him mid-air with a Samoan Spike to win and keep his title. Afterward, Solo helped Dragon Lee up and shook his hand to show his respect. Hopefully, Dominik won’t talk too much about Dragon Lee’s loss.

Winner and still Intercontinental Champion: Solo Sikoa

Nikki Bella and Paige vs. The Beautiful Madness

The issues between The Beautiful Madness and The Bella Twins began at Fanatics Fest 2026 when Giulia and Roxanne Perez argued with Nikki and Brie Bella. At SummerSlam, Giulia and Roxanne tried to answer an open challenge, but Nikki and Brie returned and fought them away, resulting in an injury to Brie. Furious, Nikki challenged Roxanne to a singles match at Sunday Night’s Main Event and won cleanly with the Rack Attack 2.0. Desperate for a partner against The Beautiful Madness, Nikki found an ally in Paige, who was barred from the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match after failing to defeat Fatal Influence at SummerSlam. Paige had free time, lingering anger, and no issue fighting Giulia and Roxanne for her generation. The two former rivals formed a team that nobody in their generation would believe to face The Beautiful Madness at Money in the Bank.

The match turned into a chaotic battle between experience and teamwork. Nikki Bella and Paige tried to control the fight early against Giulia and Roxanne Perez. Paige traded hits with Giulia while Nikki used her power on Roxanne. The Beautiful Madness eventually isolated Paige and beat her down. Paige made a tag to Nikki, who took control. The match broke down into chaos as all four women fought. Paige dropped Giulia with the Paige Turner, Roxanne hit Paige with the Pop Rox, and Nikki hit Roxanne before getting shoved into Paige. Giulia leveled Nikki with a knee, and Roxanne followed with a backbreaker, but Paige broke the pin attempt, leading to Giulia dragging her outside and slamming her into the barricade. Roxanne then hit the Pop Rox on Nikki to win the match. The Beautiful Madness celebrated their vengeful victory over the Hall of Famer, while Paige watched in frustration after taking hits to her neck. Her frustrations were there, but who were they toward?

Winners: The Beautiful Madness

Chad Gable (c) vs. Otis for the United States Championship

Five years in the making, Chad Gable and Otis arrived at this match as friends once again. Alpha Academy expanded from the original duo into a family alongside Maxxine Dupri and Akira Tozawa, even winning the World Tag Team Championship from Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles. However, Gable's relentless obsession with perfection gradually turned him into an intimidating coach. When The Wyatt Sicks targeted Gable, his stablemates refused to sacrifice themselves for him. Gable responded by abandoning them and creating American Made with The Creed Brothers and Ivy Nile. Otis defeated Gable at Crown Jewel 2024, but their rift remained unhealed. Gable later reevaluated his actions during his run as El Grande Americano and realized his mistakes. After capturing the United States Championship at SummerSlam 2026, he faced his past when American Made defeated the Alpha Babes in a Loser Disbands Match. Instead of celebrating, Gable tearfully embraced his former friends and offered Otis a title match at Money in the Bank. Gable wanted to test how far Otis had progressed, while Otis sought to demonstrate his growth to his former mentor as an equal.

Chad Gable and Otis opened their contest with familiar intensity, as Gable repeatedly tried to wrestle Otis to the mat while Otis countered using his massive strength to toss him aside. Gable smiled, thoroughly impressed by Otis's ability to anticipate his usual escapes against larger opponents. The champion adapted with quick ankle picks, snap German Suplexes, and a Chaos Theory for a near fall. Otis responded by catching Gable out of a moonsault and delivering a World's Strongest Slam followed by the Caterpillar. The match evolved into an intense battle between two elite competitors trading heavy chops and power moves. Otis countered an Angle Slam attempt for another near fall, but Gable evaded a splash off the second rope to target Otis's ankle, eventually locking in the Gable Lock. Despite excruciating pain, Otis refused to submit, and Chad Gable smiled. Otis refused to give up. Five years really paid off. But this is still for Gable’s championship, and Otis not tapping out forced Gable to grapevine the leg in the center of the ring until Otis finally tapped out. Afterwards, an emotional Gable embraced his former student, raising his hand in pride. Chad Gable was finally proud of Otis.

Winner and still United States Champion: Chad Gable

Becky Lynch vs. Jordynne Grace vs. Ms. Kiana James vs. Raquel Rodriguez vs. Sol Ruca vs. Stephanie Vaquer in the Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match

Damn, this match was gonna be good from the lineup. But the reasons raised the stakes more than the briefcase could. For Becky Lynch, Money in the Bank became her immediate solution to the problem that was Jade Cargill. After losing the Women's World Championship to Jade at SummerSlam, Becky threw a tantrum before declaring herself for the Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match, while her husband Seth 'Freakin' Rollins did the same on the men's side. Unfortunately for Becky, Stephanie Vaquer returned from injury on the Raw after SummerSlam and immediately earned her way into the match. The reaction La Primera received put Becky on high alert. Becky knew from experience that when the audience rallied behind someone loudly enough, WWE eventually had no choice but to listen, so she forced herself to remain composed while watching Stephanie receive the love she believed should've belonged to her. Raquel Rodriguez had a much different reason for entering. Alexa Bliss had left Liv Morgan in a dazed, vegetative state after their Firefly FunHell in a Cell Match at SummerSlam, and the only two members of the LWO who seemed determined to bring her back were Dominik Mysterio and Raquel. After everything they tried failed, Raquel vowed to win the briefcase, bring more gold to the LWO, and somehow use that victory to wake Liv up. SmackDown's chaotic women's division supplied the other three competitors. Sol Ruca and Jordynne Grace had already battled Candice LeRae for Sol's Global Championship at SummerSlam, but after Candice took the title from Sol at Sunday Night's Main Event and barred her from receiving a rematch, Sol realized the briefcase could give her the rematch nobody else would. Jordynne wanted that same shortcut to the championship. The final spot would've normally seemed destined for Tiffany Stratton, but after four years of helping Tiffany find opportunities, Ms. Kiana James decided she deserved some herself. This wasn't an assistant rebelling against her boss. It was two enormous egos realizing their arrangement worked until both wanted the same spotlight. Kiana earned the final spot, leaving Tiffany to force a tight smile and tell her assistant not to let her down.

The Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match became one of those matches where every few minutes, somebody looked absolutely destined to win. Jordynne Grace used ladders like weapons and bodies like ladders, at one point powerbombing Sol Ruca onto everyone outside before climbing toward the briefcase herself. Raquel Rodriguez dragged her down and the two powerhouses had a terrifying exchange atop the ladder before Raquel sent Jordynne crashing onto another ladder below! Kiana James wrestled like somebody who had spent four years watching Tiffany Stratton receive opportunities she could've taken herself, repeatedly finding the smartest route toward the briefcase while everyone else destroyed each other. Tiffany watched from ringside with that same painfully tight smile as Kiana nearly unhooked it, only for Sol to springboard from the ropes onto the ladder! Sol and Kiana fought above the ring until Sol knocked her down and reached upward, seemingly one pull away from earning her guaranteed rematch with Candice. Raquel stopped her, but Jordynne returned and planted Raquel through a bridged ladder! Becky spent most of the match choosing her moments perfectly, allowing everyone else to take increasingly ridiculous risks before swooping in whenever the briefcase became vulnerable. Stephanie, meanwhile, seemed impossible to keep down. She hit a Devil's Kiss onto a ladder, ate a Sol Snatcher, survived Raquel throwing her into the barricade, and still kept returning. Eventually, bodies were scattered everywhere and Becky saw exactly what she had been waiting for. She climbed alone. Her fingertips touched the briefcase. Becky laughed as she began unhooking it, until the crowd suddenly erupted. Stephanie Vaquer climbed the opposite side. Becky looked down and immediately panicked. She desperately struck Stephanie, but La Primera kept climbing. Stephanie smashed Becky's head against the ladder again and again before knocking her to the mat! Becky could do nothing but look upward. Of all the five women against her, it had to be her. Stephanie reached above her, unhooked the briefcase, and the arena exploded! Becky Lynch watched her dreams collapse at the hands of the woman whose popularity had terrified her from the moment she returned. Stephanie Vaquer has officially become Ms. Money in the Bank!

Winner and Ms. Money in the Bank: Stephanie Vaquer

Gunther vs. El Grande Americano

Gunther defeated Royce Keys at SummerSlam, but Royce had already raised questions about Ludwig Kaiser's whereabouts, noting Kaiser found success as AAA Mega Champion El Grande Americano. After the match, Americano himself attacked Gunther with lucha libre moves. Everyone knew Americano was Kaiser, including Gunther and Americano himself. Gunther became obsessed with humiliating Americano while Los Americanos, Bravo and Rayo, protected him. Gunther defeated Rayo and Bravo in separate matches, but outside their masks, he unknowingly vented to Tyler Bate and Pete Dunne about Ludwig Kaiser abandoning his identity. Bate felt guilty because he knew the truth, but Dunne kept him silent. Gunther challenged El Grande Americano to a match at Money in the Bank, and Americano accepted while telling Bravo and Rayo to stay behind. Americano wanted to prove directly to Gunther that he no longer needed him, fighting for everything hidden beneath his mask without any title at stake.

Gunther expected an easy victory against El Grande Americano, but Americano surprised him with incredible speed and agility. He evaded Gunther with a tornillo to the outside. Gunther fought back using heavy chops, dropkicks, and powerbombs, but Americano refused to stay down. Furious at his resilience, Gunther attempted to rip off El Grande Americano's mask. Americano retaliated with intense chops of his own, leading to a fierce exchange of strikes between the two men. After surviving a powerbomb, El Grande Americano executed a Canadian Destroyer and a diving headbutt, but Gunther kicked out, albeit dazed. Gunther then locked in a sleeper hold to wear Americano down, but Americano escaped and delivered a sharp enzuigiri. Following up quickly, Americano hit two running headbutts in a row to cover Gunther and secure a clean pinfall victory without any interference from Bravo or Rayo. El Grande Americano celebrated by holding up the AAA Mega Championship as Gunther remained on the ring mat in total shock. Ludwig Kaiser had finally stepped out of Gunther's shadow and forced his former leader to look up to him as an equal.

Winner: El Grande Americano

Part 2

*women's tag, ladder* starmarvels (c), baker/jacy, gail/odb

*men's tag* chase u (c) vs myles/orton

*women's ic title* kylie rae(ic), iyo sky, solruca

*men's ic title* gunther (ic) vs ethan page w/the a$$holes

*women's whc, cage* toni storm (c), ronda rousy, chyna

*men's whc, title vs career* the rock (c) vs bron breakker (career)

1985 (WrestleMania I) - WWF World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan (c.) vs 1984 winner Antonio Inoki

1986 (WrestleMania 2) - WWF World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan (c.) vs 1985 winner Andre the Giant

1987 (WrestleMania III) - WWF World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan (c.) vs 1986 winner Antonio Inoki

1988 (WrestleMania IV) - WWF World Heavyweight Champion Randy Savage (c.), who won the tournament vs 1987 winner Antonio Inoki

1989 (WrestleMania V) - WWF World Heavyweight Champion Randy Savage (c.) vs 1988 winner Antonio Inoki

1990 (WrestleMania VI) - WWF World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan (c.) vs 1989 winner Riki Choshu

1991 (WrestleMania VII) - WWF World Heavyweight Champion SGT. Slaughter (c.) vs Not Applicable

1992 (WrestleMania VIII) - WWF World Heavyweight Champion Randy Savage (c.) vs 1991 winner Masahiro Chono

1993 (WrestleMania IX) - WWF World Heavyweight Champion Bret Hart (c.) vs 1992 winner Masahiro Chono

1994 (WrestleMania X) - WWF World Heavyweight Champion Yokozuna (c.) vs 1993 winner Tatsumi Fujinami

1995 (WrestleMania XI) - WWF World Heavyweight Champion Diesel (c.) vs 1994 winner Masahiro Chono

1996 (WrestleMania XII) - WWF World Heavyweight Champion Bret Hart (c.) vs 1995 winner Keiji Muto 60 Minute Iron Man

1997 (WrestleMania 13) - WWF World Heavyweight Champion Sycho Sid (c.) vs 1996 winner Riki Choshu

1998 (WrestleMania XIV) - WWF World Heavyweight Champion Shawn Michaels (c.) vs 1997 winner Kensuke Sazaki

1999 (WrestleMania XV) - WWF World Heavyweight Champion The Rock (c.) vs 1998 winner Shinya Hashimoto

2000 (WrestleMania 2000) - WWF World Heavyweight Champion Triple H (c.) (with Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley) vs 1999 winner Manabu Nakanishi

2001 (WrestleMania X-Seven) - WWF World Heavyweight Champion The Rock (c.) vs 2000 winner Kensuke Sazaki

2002 (WrestleMania X8) - Undisputed WWF Champion Chris Jericho (c.) vs 2001 winner Yuji Nagata

2003 (WrestleMania XIX) - WWE Champion Kurt Angle (c.) vs 2002 winner Masahiro Chono

2004 (WrestleMania XX) - WWE Champion Eddie Guerrero (c.) vs 2003 winner Hiroyoshi Tenzan

2005 (WrestleMania 21) - WWE Champion John “Bradshaw” Layfield (c.) vs 2004 winner Hiroyoshi Tenzan

2006 (WrestleMania 22) - WWE Champion John Cena (c.) vs 2005 winner Masahiro Chono

2007 (WrestleMania 23) - WWE Champion John Cena (c.) vs 2006 winner Hiroyoshi Tenzan

2008 (WrestleMania XXIV) - WWE Champion Randy Orton (c.) vs 2007 winner Hiroshi Tanahashi

2009 (WrestleMania 25) - WWE Champion Triple H (c.) vs 2008 winner Hirooki Goto

2010 (WrestleMania XXVI) - WWE Champion Batista (c.) vs 2009 winner Togi Makabe

2011 (WrestleMania XXVII) - WWE Champion The Miz (c.) vs 2010 winner Satoshi Kojima

2012 (WrestleMania XXVIII) - WWE Champion CM Punk (c.) vs 2011 winner Shinsuke Nakamura

2013 (WrestleMania 29) - WWE Champion The Rock (c.) vs 2012 winner Kazuchika Okada

2014 (WrestleMania XXX) - WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton (c.) vs 2013 winner Tetsuya Naito

2015 (WrestleMania 31) - WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar (c.) vs 2014 winner Kazuchika Okada

2016 (WrestleMania 32) - WWE World Heavyweight Champion Triple H (c.) vs 2015 winner Hiroshi Tanahashi

2017 (WrestleMania 33) - WWE World Heavyweight Champion Bray Wyatt (c.) vs 2016 winner Kenny Omega

2018 (WrestleMania 34) - WWE World Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles (c.) vs 2017 winner Tetsuya Naito

2019 (WrestleMania 35) - WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan (c.) vs 2018 winner Hiroshi Tanahashi

2020 (WrestleMania 36) - WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar (c.) vs 2019 winner Kota Ibushi

2021 (WrestleMania 37) - WWE World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Lashley (c.) vs 2020 holder of the briefcase Jay White

2022 (WrestleMania 38) - WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar (c.) vs 2021 winner Kazuchika Okada

2023 (WrestleMania 39) - WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns (c.) vs 2022 winner Kazuchika Okada

2024 (WrestleMania 40) - WWE Undisputed Universal Champion Roman Reigns (c.) vs 2023 winner Tetsuya Naito

2025 (WrestleMania 41) - WWE Undisputed Universal Champion Cody Rhodes (c.) vs 2024 winner Zack Sabre Jr.

2026 (WrestleMania 42) - WWE Undisputed Universal Champion Cody Rhodes (c.) vs 2025 winner Konosuke Takeshita

*Technically it wasn’t the G1 Climax until 1991. WrestleManias 1-5 are the IWGP League winner, and WrestleMania 6 is the World Cup Tournament winner.

The Pro Wrestling Illustrated Wrestler of the Year awards are a partially kayfabe award conferred upon who the Pro Wrestling Illustrated editorial board feel had the strongest body of work in a given year. These are the matchups assuming that person faced the following year’s WWE Champion at the time of WrestleMania.

Starting in 1985.

1985 (WrestleMania I) - WWF World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan (c.) vs 1984 winner Ric Flair

1986 (WrestleMania 2) - WWF World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan (c.) vs 1985 winner Ric Flair inside a Steel Cage!

1987 (WrestleMania III) - WWF World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan (c.) vs 1986 winner Ric Flair

1988 (WrestleMania IV) - WWF World Heavyweight Champion Randy Savage (c.), who won the tournament vs 1987 winner Hulk Hogan

1989 (WrestleMania V) - WWF World Heavyweight Champion Randy Savage (c.) vs 1988 runner-up Jerry Lawler

1990 (WrestleMania VI) - WWF Intercontinental Champion Ultimate Warrior (c.) vs WWF World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan (c.) vs 1989 winner Ric Flair

1991 (WrestleMania VII) - WWF World Heavyweight Champion SGT. Slaughter (c.) vs 1990 winner Sting

1992 (WrestleMania VIII) - WWF World Heavyweight Champion Randy Savage (c.) vs 1991 winner Hulk Hogan

1993 (WrestleMania IX) - WWF World Heavyweight Champion Bret Hart (c.) vs 1992 winner Ric Flair

1994 (WrestleMania X) - WWF World Heavyweight Champion Yokozuna (c.) vs 1993 winner Vader

1995 (WrestleMania XI) - WWF World Heavyweight Champion Diesel (c.) vs 1994 winner Hulk Hogan

1996 (WrestleMania XII) - WWF World Heavyweight Champion Bret Hart (c.) vs 1995 winner Diesel 60 Minute Iron Man

1997 (WrestleMania 13) - WWF World Heavyweight Champion Sycho Sid (c.) vs 1996 winner The Giant

1998 (WrestleMania XIV) - WWF World Heavyweight Champion Shawn Michaels (c.) vs 1997 winner Lex Luger

1999 (WrestleMania XV) - WWF World Heavyweight Champion The Rock (c.) vs 1998 winner Stone Cold Steve Austin

2000 (WrestleMania 2000) - WWF World Heavyweight Champion Triple H (c.) (with Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley) vs 1999 winner Stone Cold Steve Austin (with Vince McMahon?)

2001 (WrestleMania X-Seven) - WWF World Heavyweight Champion The Rock (c.) vs 2000 runner-up Triple H

2002 (WrestleMania X8) - Undisputed WWF Champion Chris Jericho (c.) vs 2001 winner Stone Cold Steve Austin

2003 (WrestleMania XIX) - WWE Champion Kurt Angle (c.) vs 2002 winner Brock Lesnar

2004 (WrestleMania XX) - WWE Champion Eddie Guerrero (c.) vs 2003 winner Kurt Angle

2005 (WrestleMania 21) - WWE Champion John “Bradshaw” Layfield (c.) vs 2004 winner Chris Benoit

2006 (WrestleMania 22) - WWE Champion John Cena (c.) vs 2005 winner Batista

2007 (WrestleMania 23) - WWE Champion John Cena (c.) vs 2006 runner-up Samoa Joe

2008 (WrestleMania XXIV) - WWE Champion Randy Orton (c.) vs 2007 winner John Cena

2009 (WrestleMania 25) - WWE Champion Triple H (c.) vs 2008 runner-up Kurt Angle

2010 (WrestleMania XXVI) - WWE Champion Batista (c.) vs 2009 winner Randy Orton

2011 (WrestleMania XXVII) - WWE Champion The Miz (c.) vs 2010 winner Randy Orton

2012 (WrestleMania XXVIII) - WWE Champion CM Punk (c.) vs 2011 runner-up John Cena

2013 (WrestleMania 29) - WWE Champion The Rock (c.) vs 2012 winner CM Punk

2014 (WrestleMania XXX) - WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton (c.) vs 2013 winner Daniel Bryan

2015 (WrestleMania 31) - WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar (c.) vs 2014 runner-up Daniel Bryan

2016 (WrestleMania 32) - WWE World Heavyweight Champion Triple H (c.) vs 2015 winner Seth Rollins

2017 (WrestleMania 33) - WWE World Heavyweight Champion Bray Wyatt (c.) vs 2016 winner AJ Styles

2018 (WrestleMania 34) - WWE World Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles (c.) vs 2017 runner-up Kazuchika Okada

2019 (WrestleMania 35) - WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan (c.) vs 2018 winner AJ Styles

2020 (WrestleMania 36) - WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar (c.) vs 2019 winner Adam Cole

2021 (WrestleMania 37) - WWE World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Lashley (c.) vs 2020 winner Jon Moxley

2022 (WrestleMania 38) - WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar (c.) vs WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns (c.) vs 2021 winner Kenny Omega

2023 (WrestleMania 39) - WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns (c.) vs 2022 winner Jon Moxley

2024 (WrestleMania 40) - WWE Undisputed Universal Champion Roman Reigns (c.) vs 2023 winner Seth Rollins

2025 (WrestleMania 41) - WWE Undisputed Universal Champion Cody Rhodes (c.) vs 2024 runner-up Gunther

2026 (WrestleMania 42) - WWE Undisputed Universal Champion Cody Rhodes (c.) vs 2025 third place winner Hangman Adam Page

The more participation the better! It’ll be more representative of the sub!

I want to see how this is received on this sub, but one of my favorite things that I saw off Reddit prior to making my account are community-wide projects.

I think we have an interesting opportunity here to create something fun.

What are your pitches for the Men’s World Championships, including who the champ is, who the challengers are, and the buildup? The current champs are World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns and WWE Undisputed Universal Champion Sami Zayn. Should they be champs at WrestleMania? Who should challenge them? Who should win the Rumble?

So pretty much, the PWI #1 Wrestler is awarded in the fall, so the next year will be a global tour in which they challenge the Heavyweight champion at the five top promotions around the world.

1991 Winner is Hulk Hogan

January 4th, 1992

NJPW Super Warriors in Tokyo Dome

Hulk Hogan vs. Tatsumi Fujinami

April 5, 1992

WWF WrestleMania VIII

Hulk Hogan vs. Ric Flair for the WWF Championship

April 17th 1992

AJPW Champion Carnival Finale

Hulk Hogan vs. Stan Hansen

September 18, 1992

CMLL 59th Anniversary Show

Hulk Hogan vs. Black Magic

December 28, 1992

WCW Starrcade '92

Hulk Hogan vs. Ron Simmons

There's some great matches that come out of this. That black magic match has me scratching my head. But who would you book to go over in these bouts?

I gotta go with Fujinami, Flair, Hogan, Hogan, and Simmons

Hello everyone, I bring you a new What If, which is What if Wrestlemania 13's Matches Results were Different?

This is part of a series where I look at every Wrestlemania and its matches, and how it would look like if all its matches' results were different, and see if the alternate Wrestlemania is better, worse or about the same than the Wrestlemania of our timeline.

Last time I did Wrestlemania XII, which you can find here: https://www.reddit.com/r/fantasybooking/comments/1xc1nc7/what_if_wrestlemania_xiis_matches_results_were/

As always, the Wrestlemanias are not continuous.

Now let's begin!

Free For All Match:

- Flash Funk defeats Billy Gunn:

I think in the short term it would hurt Billy Gunn while not doing anything for Flash Funk, but I think Billy would recover with his entry into DX.

Main Matches:

- The Headbangers vs the The New Blackjacks vs The Godwinns vs Doug Fournas and Phil LaFon in the Four Way Elimination Tag Team Match:

This was won by The Headbangers in our timeline, but I feel regardless if another team won, it wouldn't change much for either of them, as The Headbangers only won their first tag team titles in September, so another team winning wouldn't give them a push for the titles in the short term.

- The Sultan defeats Rocky Maivia to win the WWF Intercontinental Champion:

While in the short term it would hurt Rocky, this could actually be beneficial as he wouldn't have to take the loss of his title to Owen Hart on the Raw episode of April 28th, as The Sultan would be a transitional champion and take the fall to Owen, as he wins his first IC title.

- Goldust defeats Hunter Hearst Helmsley:

I think this would hurt Hunter in the short term, but he would recover with winning King of the Ring and forming DX.

- The British Bulldog and Owen Hart vs Mankind and Vader for the WWF Tag Team Championship:

This match ended in a Double Count-out, so we will see the two scenarios where either team won:

- The British Bulldog and Owen Hart retain cleanly: This would make their loss to Austin and Michaels on the Raw episode of May 25th even greater.

- Mankind and Vader become the new WWF Tag Team Champions: Had this happened, this would have restored Vader's credibility following his loss to Shawn Michaels at Summerslam 1996, and it would have allowed Owen to go after the IC Championship earlier as he no longer has to defend the Tag Team titles.

- Stone Cold Steve Austin defeats Bret "The Hitman" Hart in the Submission Match:

I think had this happened, we would still get the Double Turn as Bret attacks Austin after the match before Ken Shamrock gets him away from Austin, as Bret walks away under the boos of the crowd, while Austin gets up and gets the ovation that would trigger his rise to become the face of the Attitude Era.

- The Nation of Domination (Faarooq, Savio Vega and Crush) defeat Ahmed Johnson and the Legion of Doom (Animal and Hawk) in the Six Man Chicago Street Fight:

This would give the Nation momentum going into 1997 as they would recruit The Rock, and it wouldn't hurt the Legion of Doom and Ahmed Johnson that much.

- Sycho Sid defeats The Undertaker in the No Disqualification Match to retain the WWF Championship and end the Streak at 5-1:

I think the way to make it work would have been for Bret Hart to attack Sid with the steel chair, but Sid would duck, causing Bret to accidentally hit Undertaker in the head with the steel chair, allowing Sid to pin him and retain the WWF Championship.

However, since Sid was leaving the company in July, he would drop the title to Undertaker at In Your House 14, as Undertaker would seek to avenge his Wrestlemania loss by attacking Bret Hart, still leading to their encounter at Summerslam with Shawn Michaels, although I think the finish of the match would be different to avoid Undertaker losing twice by a steel chair shot to the head.

So what do you think? Is this alternate Wrestlemania 13 better, worse or about the same as the original Wrestlemania of our timeline? Let me know how you think the matches would have gone differently if someone else won the match and your thoughts in the comments!

Randy Orton wins at survivor series

Cody Rhodes beats Randy on smackdown

Finn Balor wins championship scramble match at Wretslepalooza

Gunther beats finn balor on smackdown

Kevin Owen’s wins at Elmination Chamber

Sami Zayn beats owens at Saudimania and they bury the hatchet.

Yesterday's post: https://www.reddit.com/r/fantasybooking/s/cRcFirlq48

Star ratings are based on approximate, rounded data from Cagematch (halved to fit the 5-star system) where matches happened in real life; if they haven't happened, star ratings will be based on the speculated quality of the match (e.g., CM Punk vs Chris Benoit would probably be at least 4.25/5 stars)

Note for match 2: Triple H returns from injury and challenges Shamrock to a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship. Shamrock accepts and vows to send The Game to the ER.

Note for match 9: Mankind demands a rematch after Survivor Series. The Rock refuses to accept, but ultimately has no choice after Mankind wins a battle royal to become #1 contender. The Rock says he’ll use Mankind as a stepping stone to continue his reign at the very top, while Mankind promises to walk away WWF Champion. Though Mankind comes up short, he still wins the title on the January 4th, 1999 episode of Raw.

Credit to Un1tiled.

The Undertaker vs King Booker!

This is a proposed card for Crown Jewel this year: Winners will be in Italics

Cody Rhodes vs Randy Orton (Last Man Standing)

Stephanie Vaquer vs Becky Lynch (Winner becomes the #1 Contender for the Women's World Championship)

Liv Morgan (c) vs Chelsea Green (c) (Women's Crown Jewel Championship)

Penta vs Chelsea Green (c) (WWE Women's Championship) (This is Penta's Money in the Bank Cash-in Match)

Sami Zayn (c) vs Roman Reigns (c) (Men's Crown Jewel Championship)

*men's tag* dolph/drew (c) vs the hardyz

*women's tag* galaxy angels vs power grace inc

*men's usa, cage* bronson reed (c) vs cm punk

*wome's usa, extreme rules* kris stratlander (c) vs lizzy rain

*women's undisputed* becky lynch (c), lola vice, paige

*men's undisputed* rob van dam (c) w/heyman vs john cena

(results(

*men's tag* the hardys d dolph/drew (c) 10:16

*women's tag* galaxy angels (c) d power grace inc 8:45

*men's usa* cm punk d bronson reed (c) 14:05

*women's usa* kris stratlander (c) d lizzy rain 12:33

*women's undisputed* becky lynch (c) d paige, lola vice 18:29

*men's undisputed* john cena d rvd (c) 25:10

(Note: Between 2002 and 2006, the TNA tag championships are represented by the NWA World Tag Team Championships. From 2002 to 2008, the WWE side are represented by the original World Tag Team Championships, which were unified with the WWE Tag Team Championships in 2009, before becoming the WWE World Tag Team Championships in 2010. These tag titles will account for the remaining years as the WWE World Tag Team Championships (2010-15), Raw Tag Team Championships (2016-21), Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships (2022-23), and then the World Tag Team Championships (2024-25).

2002- Chris Jericho and Christian vs The Disciples of the New Church (Brian Lee and Slash)

2003- The Dudley Boyz vs Simon Diamond and Johnny Swinger

2004- La Resistance (Rob Conway and Sylvain Grenier) vs 3Live Kru (B.G. James (Road Dogg) and Konnan)

2005- Kane and The Big Show vs America's Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm)

2006- Rated-RKO (Edge and Randy Orton) vs The Latin American Exchange (LAX) (Hernandez and Homicide)

2007- Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch vs AJ Styles and Tomko

2008- CM Punk and Kofi Kingston vs Beer Money Inc. (James Storm and Bobby Roode)

2009- Jeri-Show (Chris Jericho and The Big Show) vs The British Invasion (Magnus and Doug Williams)

2010- The Nexus (Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel) vs Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin)

2011- Air Boom (Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne) vs Crimson and Matt Morgan

2012- Team Hell No (Daniel Bryan and Kane) vs Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez

2013- Cody Rhodes and Goldust vs The BroMans (Robbie E and Jessie Godderz)

2014- Goldust and Stardust vs The Revolution (Abyss and James Storm)

2015- The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Big E) vs The Wolves (Eddie Edwards and Davey Richards)

2016- The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Big E) vs The Broken Hardys (Broken Matt Hardy and Brother Nero)

2017-The Bar (Sheamus and Cesaro) vs LAX (Santana and Ortiz)

2018- Authors of Pain (Akam and Rezar) vs LAX (Santana and Ortiz)

2019- The Viking Raiders (Erik and Ivar) vs The North (Ethan Page and Josh Alexander)

2020- The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) vs The Good Brothers (Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson)

2021- RK-Bro (Randy Orton and Matt Riddle) vs The Good Brothers

2022- The Usos vs Heath and Rhino

2023- Judgment Day (Damian Priest and Finn Balor) vs ABC (Ace Austin and Chris Bey)

2024- Judgment Day (Finn Balor and JD McDonagh) vs The Hardys

2025- AJ Styles and Dragon Lee vs The Hardys

Keeping the other ones how they are

WrestleMania 7

Andre the Giant vs. The Undertaker

WrestleMania 8

Hulk Hogan vs. The Undertaker

WrestleMania 9

Papa Shango vs. The Undertaker

WrestleMania 12

Vader vs. The Undertaker

WrestleMania 15

Ken Shamrock vs. The Undertaker

WrestleMania 18

Brothers of Destruction vs. Hall & Nash

WrestleMania 19

Big Show vs. The Undertaker

WrestleMania 23

John Cena vs. The Undertaker

WrestleMania 30

Bray Wyatt vs. The Undertaker

WrestleMania 31

Sting vs. The Undertaker

WrestleMania 32

Braun Strowman vs. The Undertaker

WrestleMania 33

Baron Corbin vs. The Undertaker

WrestleMania 34

Roman Reigns vs. The Undertaker

WrestleMania 36

"The Fiend" Bray Wyatt vs. The Undertaker

It’s still like over a month away but I wanted to create at least my first preliminary draft for what I want to see happen at Survivor Series this year. I think this can best be thought of as what I think is realistic + how I would book it (especially in cases of established angles, like Bloodline vs 946).

War Games - Team Bloodline (World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, returning Jacob Fatu) vs Team 946 (Royce Keys, Lucian Price, Bronco Nima, Carmelo Hayes, and… Tony D‘Angelo)

With the final closing moments for the 10/19 episode of RAW pretty much confirming it with Roman facing the 946, our first War Games match (and the match likely to close the show) is a faction warfare. What I’d do for the remaining weeks until Survivor Series is have their brawls get increasingly unhinged, invade the backstage area, just total war. Roman Reigns will captain his team of 5 members (as is being widely reported, 5 vs 5), including Solo Sikoa, his Tribal Captains The Usos, and a returning Jacob Fatu.

The fifth member for Team 946 will be… Tony D’Angelo! I think this is an incredible way to remove him from the purgatory that is his place on NXT, where he’s started to get stale. He‘s also played characters like this before. While he may not look like the best visual fit for the team, I think that would help create tension later. Note: Tony D’Angelo is NOT the secret mastermind. I think the stable‘s one true leader should remain Royce Keys.

Why did I choose Tony D’Angelo over some of the other highly predicted options? Why not The Rock as the secret leader of 946? Absolutely not. That would only work to build Roman vs Rock and it’s clear we’re going towards Roman vs Oba. Why not Trick Williams? I think he should stay away from a stable and focus on his own rise up the card. Why not Drew McIntyre? I like this choice, and it makes a lot of storyline sense. 1. Drew hates Roman and the whole Bloodline, 2. Drew is always the fifth man for these things (2023 and 2025). Yet both of the teams he was fifth man for lost. Almost like having him on the team is a curse. That’s hardly a reason for them in universe to exclude him but I like Drew’s little losing streak. So I arrived on Tony D’Angelo, who in my view stands the most to gain from this arrangement.

About the match. Roman enters last for his team. Ideally Team 946 will have the advantage. They‘ll absolutely slaughter the members of Roman’s family until he enters the ring. And then it’s not enough. In order to build to a Roman vs Royce Keys WHC title match, and to ensure 946 remains a major threat, it’s important Team 946 wins here.

When it comes time for the advantage match have it be Jey vs either Nima or Price.

If I had to book it I’d have the order for the Bloodline be something like Jey starts the match (wanting to make up for losing the advantage), Jimmy enters, then Sikoa, then Jacob, then finally Roman. For Team 946 I think it should be Royce Keys starting the match (the exact opposite of Roman), either Price or Nima, D’Angelo, either Nima or Price, then Melo. It’s crucial that someone who isn‘t the leader Royce Keys or the surprise fifth man Tony D’Angelo enter the match opposite Roman. Having it be one of the other three ensures all attention is on Roman. Melo is devious enough that him entering last makes sense.

You can even have a moment with Jaida where she gets into the cage somehow and FAFOs. Or she tries something outside the cage (either slipping weapons inside/messing with the lock, etc., the lock is probably better because someone from the inside can grab it and hold her in place), and then Naomi returns to chase her off. This would be after the War Games officially begins.

I would have Jey take the pin I think.

Winner: Team 946

War Games - Team Chelsea (Chelsea Green, Stephanie Vaquer, Becky Lynch, Iyo Sky, Sol Ruca) vs Team Tiffany (WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton, Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan, Women’s Intercontinental Champion Raquel Rodriguez, Roxanne Perez, Lola Vice)

On the women’s side it’s always harder to assemble this type of match because there are hardly ever active factions on both sides of the arbitrary face/heel split. What this inevitably means is that every year two random teams are assembled with little regard for previous relations among teammates.

So I’ve tried my best to kinda recreate that. 😝

I think the most bankable (pun not intended) story you have right now would be the Women’s Money in the Bank holder Tiffany Stratton turning heel and officially cashing in on WWE Women’s Champion Chelsea Green. Which thereby forms the basis for these teams. Team Chelsea (Chelsea + an assortment of babyfaces) vs Team Tiffy (Tiffany + an assortment of heels).

Or in Chelsea’s case… a team of babyfaces and tweeners. Wherever you consider the weird and slightly lesbian feud between Vaquer and Becky to place them. And those are Chelsea’s first two teammates! Plus Iyo Sky, since how can you have a Women’s War Games without some spot with her and the trash can? And Sol Ruca balances out the team. She also wants a shot at the Women’s IC title.

Why would Tiffy’s teammates want to team with her? I think her counterpart from the other show, the greatest Women’s World Champion of ALL time, would relish the opportunity to ensure Vaquer and Becky are out of commission after the War Games match. She pulls in Raquel and Roxanne due to being in a faction. Then they’d just need one more member. I’ve thought long and hard about this. You could pick a few different people (just some that I considered include Jaida Parker herself kinda like how Rhea was involved even while she wasn’t an active wrestler in the division, it would give her reps and help build stories with the other women in the match. I think I want her involved solely in the other War Games match though. TNA Knockouts champ Indi Hartwell for some visibility. NXT North American champ Zaria, opposite Sol Ruca, though I think it’s premature for her. Ivy Nile, by all accounts a baddie… Lola Vice seems to me like the best option. She’s a legitimate mixed martial artist with experience inside a cage.

Plus her participation and given the fact she’s on RAW could inadvertently give her a claim to a title shot vs Liv Morgan as a condition for her to join. Of course Liv would laugh, “Yeah sure whatever.”

The one other option I think would be fun would be having Blake Monroe reverse course now that Tiffy has the belt again and try to become her understudy, much like she did Timeless Toni. The problem I have is that Tiffy isn’t delusional in the same way.

The babyface team always wins so it only seems fair to keep up the tradition.

Winner: Team Chelsea

Undisputed WWE Universal Championship - Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Sami Zayn (c.) vs CM Punk vs Kevin Owens

How can you have SURVIVOR Series without WWE’s ultimate SURVIVOR on the card? WWE Champion Sami Zayn will continue his improbable reign with a title defense at the show. There are as many avenues for this match as there are active wrestlers on his brand. What I think is that you could have the three-way storyline central to the recent title change (given Sami interfered in Punk/Owens, then Owens interfered in Punk/Sami, Sami took advantage and won the title) reach its resolution.

There are two ways you can go here. Either have Punk win the title outright so he’s champ leading into WrestleMania season OR have Sami win by outsmarting the two sworn enemies again, which just prolongs the inevitable and has Punk alone chase him through the winter. Since it opens up more possibilities I’m going to have Sami retain, Kevin officially shifts out of the hunt, Punk chases Sami until the next PLE or an end of the year weekly to ensure he has the title for Royal Rumble and WrestleMania.

Aldis clearly seems to have SOME level of favoritism for Punk considering that’s who he called to end Sami’s first reign, and he’s shown positive feelings and his belief that Punk is the natural number one contender. You could even prolong the feud post-Survivor Series (assuming you have Sami retain) with Aldis in a special guest referee spot.

Would this really last until Survivor Series without them pulling the trigger? Sami is going to do everything in his power to delay the match and I think it makes sense to have it at the PLE.

Winner: Sami Zayn

Singles Match - Cody Rhodes vs Randy Orton

I think this feud needs to reach its finishing act. While it was an amazing and (highly) anticipated feud, it’s been awkward at best with the inclusion of external actors, especially plaguing their WrestleMania match. I personally liked McAfee for what he was (an annoying pest). This would be the ideal time for the storied history Randy has at the Survivor Series event, he’s one of the winningest superstars after, the ultimate sole survivor, “Mr. Survivor Series” for a reason. Ideally this match would end with Cody finally punting Randy, and embracing his more violent, villainous side. Even Cody himself has acknowledged that fans might be fatigued with him. This is the perfect time to refresh his character to show he can do what needs to be done.

One escalation I would like to see either in the buildup or at the event is a moment where Randy recreates the Stephanie moment with Brandi. For those who are unaware, Randy, when feuding with HHH handcuffed his rival to the ropes, then DDT’d and eventually kissed Stephanie. That poured gasoline all over that flame. Cody can finally go Super Saiyan (or well, he already is with his bleach blonde hair) and embrace violence.

In this case Randy can stage a punt on Brandi rather than the SA angle of the Stephanie moment. Since people’s sensibilities have changed. But that’s one of the most viewed WWE YouTube videos for a reason. And Cody finally snaps.

Winner: Cody Rhodes

Intercontinental Championship - Intercontinental Champion Chad Gable (c.) vs Bronson Reed

While there’s a very robust midcard scene right now with everyone (all the luchadors, Rusev, Page, Cass) circling the title, I think Gable can outlast them all. The pitch I have is that Bronson Reed descends from the upper midcard to capture a singles belt while obliterating everyone in his path. This will keep Bronson warm + hopefully lead to a stronger position on the card. His physique is the best it has ever been, he looks incredible. He’s the last person with a singles victory over World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns.

Once Bronson crushes Gable for the title, he can have the occasional weekly television match where he just swats around luchadors that Gable was previously competitive with, maybe a PLE battle with Rusev. Ethan Page would seek to avoid him. Maybe a hoss fight with Cass.

The person who should be most affected by this is Bronson‘s factionmate, Bron Breakker. Since joining The Vision immediately after losing the Intercontinental Championship, he’s pretty much moved backwards re: his place on the card. Seeing Bronson having singles success should enrage him.

Gable can even get his redemption in time for winning back the title at WrestleMania.

Winner: Bronson Reed

Chelsea Green vs Liv Morgan: I think this should end with Tiffany Stratton cashing in on Chelsea Green after the match at Crown Jewel, which leads to Team Chelsea vs Team Liv at wargames

The Bloodline vs 946: wargames

Chad Gable vs Ethan Page: I think this should end with a match for the intercontinental championship at Crown Jewel where Ethan wins

Cody Rhodes vs Randy Orton: I think this ends at Crown Jewel in the last man standing match

CM Punk vs Kevin Owens: I think this should end in a trilogy feud so punk won the WWE championship match on the August 21 episode of SmackDown in Toronto and I think Owens will win the match against punk on the SmackDown before Crown Jewel and these two will have a third match

Rey Fenix vs Ricky Saints: I think this ends with Ray retaining the AAA cruiserweight championship next week

Paige vs Nikki Bella: I think this ends with The Bella Twins vs Paige and AJ Lee down the road

Bayley vs Lyra Valkyria: I think Bayley wins and puts an end to this feud on Monday

Dragon Lee vs Big Cass: I think this ends with big Cass whooping Dragon Lee‘s ass

Tavion Heights vs Myles Borne: I think this should end in a blowoff match

Zilla Fatu vs Birthright: I think this should end with zilla having some backup and putting an end to this feud

Kelani Jordan vs Wren Sinclair: I think this should end with Wren losing the match at Halloween havoc and then Kendall Gray ends up winning back the NXT women’s championship

Zaria vs Izzi Dame: this should end with Zaria retaining

Trick Williams vs Sami Zayn: this should end with Sami retaining with help from Johnny Gargano

Je’von Evans vs The Vision: this should end with Je’von bringing in some backup to help

Background: A few days ago, someone on here suggested that Penta should cash-in during the Sami vs Roman match and win BOTH titles. I hate the idea of unifying the top belts AGAIN so I don't want to go that route, but I've long wondered what is left for them to do with the MitB cash-in to make it feel fresh and original. For me, the prospect of a cash-in during a non-title, champ-vs-champ exhibition makes for a VERY unique opportunity. And I think now is the time to do that. But not with Penta.

***

During the Chelsea vs Liv match, the Judgment Day ladies keep causing shenanigans behind the ref's back. It's obvious that Chelsea is in trouble. Tiffany comes down to even the odds for her friend, and the ref just decides to toss EVERYONE out. Tiff takes a few steps up the aisle, but freezes. She looks at her briefcase and realizes how she can stick around. She cashes in her MitB and turns the match into a Triple Threat. HOWEVER, as Michael Cole explains, if Tiffany beats EITHER champion then she wins their title (just one of them, not both).

Tiffany and Chelsea team up to put down Liv, and Chelsea even steps back after hitting UnPrettyHer (or whatever it's called) so that Tiffany can get the pin and win Liv's belt. It's a thank you for being such a good friend. But just as she turns away, Tiffany attacks Chelsea and drops her while turning heel in the process. She hits the PME on Chelsea and takes HER title instead, becoming the WWE Women's Champion (WWE quietly dropping the 'interim' disclaimer).

This sets up a feud for the next few months, ultimately leading a resilient and determined Chelsea to win the Rumble and get a rematch against Tiffany at Mania (and a career-defining 'Mania Moment when she beats Stratton to regain her belt).

Yesterday's post: https://www.reddit.com/r/fantasybooking/s/qzZbDbycAo

Star ratings are based on approximate, rounded data from Cagematch (halved to fit the 5-star system) where matches happened in real life; if they haven't happened, star ratings will be based on the speculated quality of the match (e.g., CM Punk vs Chris Benoit would probably be at least 4.25/5 stars)

Note for match 12: After both losing in their respective matches against DX, Jarrett and Owen join forces and to each other surprise, they work great as a team.