Paris 2024 Olympics Qualifier | Super Falcons vs Banyana Banyana
https://youtu.be/UI5jcnch4cw
‘We have done our homework on Sundowns’
Mahlatsi Makudubela hopeful of Young Africans’ triumph against the South Africans
Young Africans attacking midfielder Mahlatsi Makudubela says the club has done its “homework” on their TotalEnergies CAF Champions League opponents, Mamelodi Sundowns, as the two sides prepare to clash in the second leg of the Quarter-Finals on Friday, 05 April, in Pretoria.
“Skudu,” as the South African attacker is affectionately known, spoke from the Loftus Stadium on Thursday afternoon ahead of the big showdown. The showdown was preceded by a highly entertaining but tactical 0-0 stalemate in Dar Es Salaam last Friday.
In Sundowns, Makudubela comes up against a side that he featured for in the reserve side and says he, alongside his coach Miguel Gamondi, who was assistant coach at the club in their 2005/06 season league title triumph, has a better understanding of their opponents that they can use to their advantage.
“I think there is a lot that I can share with my colleagues. I have done that before, but with the coach having coached the team before, he knows the Sundowns culture. Mamelodi Sundown’s culture has never changed; it has been the same, and credit to the technical team who have done the team analysis. We are quite aware of what we can do and have done our homework,” said a confident Makudubela.
Continental football is certainly not new to the skillful forward, who was part of the Marumo Gallants (South Africa) team that reached the semi-finals of last season’s TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup before being scouted by the Tanzanian giants.
“I am going to make South Africans very proud by winning with a Tanzanian team,” Makudubela joked as he concluded.
Meanwhile, another Tanzanian giant in Simba AC has a huge task ahead of them on Friday as they aim to overturn a narrow 1-0 first-leg defeat to reigning champions Al Ahly in Cairo.
Simba suffered a narrow defeat after doing well to dominate the defending champions but failed to find the back of the net.
TotalEnergies CAF Champions League QF Return Leg Fixtures:
Friday, 05 April
18h00 GMT | Mamelodi Sundowns v Young Africans
20h00 GMT | Al Ahly SC v Simba SC
Saturday, 06 April
16h00 GMT | Atletico Petroleos v TP Mazembe
20h00 GMT | Asec Mimosas v Esperance
NPFL and the vanishing home supremacy
Consistent spell of results away from home bring back excitement to Nigeria’s professional football league
By Harry Iwuala
A section of followers of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) appear overly excited by the results of away teams and are given to adjudging the league to have improved when teams win on the road. On the other hand, they hit hard at organizers when all home teams win their games.
To some analysts, wins away from home indicate fair and firm officiating, which they conclude is a benchmark for a developed league. To these analysts, total home wins on a matchday suggest that Referees have been compromised or intimidated.
None of the above scenarios is perfect and absolute, as there are exceptions to all. Some have argued that the major reason for the league’s home and away routines is to enable all clubs to take advantage of their home ground. For this reason, primarily powerful squads grind out results no matter where they play.
In our unique environment, where several factors come into play, strong squads often struggle at away games after traveling long distances on bad roads that leave them knackered.
The human error factor on the part of Referees also contributes to the blips in expectations, even as it is not out of place to have manipulated officiating occasioned by home supporters’ shenanigans.
The stats since the resumption of the second stanza defies widespread projections of what usually obtains at this time of the season. Usually, the last lap of the season sees lots of desperate acts by teams to win by all means to either place in the continental ticket bracket or escape relegation.
The most astonishing result has been those of Bayelsa United, Niger Tornadoes, Akwa United and Doma United. So far, there have been 11 away wins from Matchday 20 to 28, with Heartland, Akwa United, Doma United, and Niger Tornadoes featuring in at least two defeats at home.
On the other hand, Akwa United and Niger Tornadoes have also popped up on two away wins, respectively, in the period under review. Plateau United, which recorded the biggest away win of 5-1 against Heartland on Matchday 22, would lose at home 1-2 to Akwa United on Matchday 27.
At the bottom of the log, Heartland has been the donor team of the season, both in terms of home defeats and goals conceded.
Another interesting perspective on the stats from Matchday 20-28 is the number of drawn games, which has reduced the home supremacy syndrome. There have been 20 drawn games in 82 fixtures covering Matchday 20-28. This means that home teams have not been able to win in 31 games in nine matchdays.
Chairman of the NPFL, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye, described the development as evidence that “the NPFL is increasingly evolving into a very competitive league and that the zero tolerance for intimidation of Match officials is yielding expected results.
Elegbeleye commended Referees for their courage in interpreting the book’s rules, remarking, “While we have called out those who performed below par, it is fair also to commend the rest who have been at their best.
“I am particularly proud of the officials who took charge of Heartland vs. Plateau United on Matchday 22 and those in charge of Bendel Insurance vs. Niger Tornadoes in Wednesday’s Matchday 28. They showed exceptional courage in the face of home supporters’ pressure”, declared the NPFL Chairman.
Bamidele Johnson, a follower of Shooting Stars for decades, expressed delight at the league’s competitive direction. Johnson, who played a significant role in organizing the hugely acclaimed Naija Super 8 tournament that drew a large crown in Lagos, went on to praise the NPFL players for defying vociferous home crowds to post good results.
“It is a remarkable feat to travel and win amidst a hostile home crowd, and I am delighted that the NPFL is now having a good share of such results,” Johnson told NPFL Media.
In a post on his Facebook page, Bimbo Adeola, a core Rangers International supporter, celebrated the Enugu side’s nine games unbeaten run, including five on the road. Rangers have won away at Doma United, Niger Tornadoes, and Heartland with two draws, one each at home and away.
In a display of rare confidence in the organization of the NPFL, Adeola, a Sports Journalist and Media Entrepreneur, wrote, “We are Rangers; we win everywhere we go.”
Away Wins & Draws in 2nd Round
Matchday 20
Heartland 1-1 Kano Pillars
Sunshine Stars 1-1 Kwara United
Abia Warriors 0-0 Remo Stars
Matchday 21
Doma United 0-1 Rangers
Kwara United 1-1 Katsina United
Bendel Insurance 0-0 Enyimba
Plateau United 0-0 3SC
Akwa United 0-1 Bayelsa United
Matchday 22
Heartland 1-5 Plateau United
Matchday 23
Heartland 1-1 Sunshine Stars
Niger Tornadoes 0-2 Rangers
Doma United 0-0 Sporting Lagos
Kano Pillars 0-1 Abia Warriors
Gombe United 1-1 3SC
Matchday 24
Katsina United 1-1 Heartland
Bayelsa United 0-1 Niger Tornadoes
Rivers United 1-1 Kano Pillars
Rangers 0-0 Kwara United
Abia Warriors 1-1 Lobi Stars
Matchday 25
Doma United 0-1 3SC
Kano Pillars 1-1 Rangers
Matchday 26
Abia Warriors 0-0 Sunshine Stars
Gombe United 1-1 Akwa United
Matchday 27
Lobi Stars 1-1 Bayelsa United
Plateau United 1-2 Akwa United
Heartland 1-2 Rangers
Doma United 1-1 Gombe United
Matchday 28
Bendel Insurance 1-3 Niger Tornadoes
Sporting Lagos 1-1 Lobi Stars
Akwa United 0-1 Doma United
Gombe United 0-0 Remo Stars
Sakina Ouzraoui eyes Morocco Olympic berth
‘Participating in the Olympics is another dream that we want to achieve’
- Sakina Ouzraoui has her sights set on Olympic qualification.
- Morocco will compete for its place in the Olympic Games against Zambia over two legs.
- “The new coach has instilled a sense of belief in the team.”
Tuesday, September 26, 2023, will always be a special day for Morocco’s Sakina Ouazraoui. She opened her national team scoring account against Zambia in what was, unfortunately, a crushing 6-2 defeat to the Copper Queens, CAFonline reports.
A lot has changed since then, with Jorge Vilda arriving in the Atlas Lionesses’ camp as the team prepares to face the Zambians over two legs to contest a place in the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Motivated than ever since their crushing defeat to Zambia and impressive showing at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Ouazraoui speaks to CAFOnline about the potential of going to the Olympics and the team’s growth.
Cafonline.com: Morocco will face Zambia for a place in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament. What can we expect from the Atlas Lionesses?
Sakina Ouazraoui: I think it’s an elimination round like any other; we won’t put more pressure on ourselves than that. Zambia is a team we know very well. We faced them in a double confrontation last September. The result was not in our favor (editor’s note: two defeats: 2-0 and 6-2), but I think we are a completely different team now. We are more ambitious, and our game has evolved. One thing is sure: we believe in ourselves, and we will fight until the end.
What lessons did you learn from your last meeting against the Copper Queens?
Unlike Zambia, who were much more diligent, we lost control of the match. During those defeats, we learned a lot about ourselves and them. We know that this is a team with super-fast players. They played a lot on the counter-attack with Barbra Banda’s attacks. It’s up to us to keep an eye on things now.
Since October, Jorge Vilda, a world champion with Spain, has been Morocco’s coach. Can you describe his style and coaching method?
He imposed a particular vigor on the team, which shows that our game is more structured. It’s a game based on possession, and he wants us to play well. He wants to see us take charge and lead. What is crucial for him is to have a pleasant game and, above all, have fun.
Support your Super Falcons-NFF Scribe
Paris 2024: Sanusi calls on residents of Abuja and environs to troop out to support Falcons
By Rasheed Adewuyi
The General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, has implored Nigerians based in the Federal capital, Abuja, and environs, and indeed from neighboring States, to troop out in large numbers to the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, on Friday to support the Super Falcons in their Women’s Olympic Football Tournament African final qualifying, first leg game against South Africa.
Nine-time African champions Nigeria and reigning African champions South Africa clash in a potentially explosive affair at 5 pm on Friday in Nigeria’s magnificent sporting facility. The return leg is due for Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld arena on Tuesday next week.
“The NFF is calling on Nigerians from all over the Federal Capital Territory and the neighboring States, and indeed from all over Nigeria, to come out in their tens of thousands to cheer the Super Falcons to victory in the match against South Africa.
“This is a big match by all standards. We especially appeal to our people to come en masse and support the Super Falcons. We need to get a big win here to be in good standing before flying to South Africa. A handsome win here will bolster our ladies’ confidence and mentality to overcome in Pretoria,” Sanusi said.
Nigeria had not participated in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament since 2008 when the Falcons lost all three matches in the group phase in China.
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade said on Wednesday that the objective of Africa’s leading women’s team, the Falcons, has remained the same since the beginning of the qualifiers.
“Since playing Ethiopia, we have been committed to seeing these qualification series through. Our objective has always been to win a slot in the Olympics. Most of us are yet to play in the Olympics and it is a big issue with us. We want to be there in Paris.
“There are a couple of issues the Super Falcons have to sort out with Banyana Banyana. However, that is not the motivation this time. The motivation is qualifying for the Olympics.”
Nigeria emerged as Africa’s top team at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand eight months ago. They were unbeaten in regulation time before exiting in the Round of 16 courtesy of a penalty shootout defeat by England.
At lunchtime on Wednesday, captain Ajibade and 20 other players were in the Super Falcons’ camp. The team had its first training session at the MKO Abiola Stadium on Wednesday morning.
The Banyana Banyana delegation arrived in Nigeria on Sunday.
In Camp:
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie, Tochukwu Oluehi, Linda Jiwuaku
Defenders: Jumoke Alani, Osinachi Ohale, Chidinma Okeke, Shukurat Oladipo, Michelle Alozie, Nicole Payne
Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade, Toni Payne, Deborah Abiodun, Jennifer Echegini, Christy Ucheibe, Halimatu Ayinde
Forwards: Uchenna Kanu, Gift Monday, Omorinsola Babajide, Ifeoma Onumonu, Esther Okoronkwo, Chiwendu Ihezuo
AEW Dynamite/Collision APRIL 3, 2024
ALL ELITE WRESTLING Superstars Set To Collide In Worcester, MA
Date: APRIL 3, 2024
Venue: DCU Center
City: Worcester, MA
Time: 7:30 pm ET
WWE NXT preview for April 2
Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes come face-to-face one final time before Stand & Deliver
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WWE NXT Preview: Quick Hits
- Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes come face-to-face
- Triple Threat Tag Team Match to decide No. 1 Contenders for NXT Stand & Deliver
- NXT Women’s Champion Lyra Valkyria and Roxanne Perez to appear on “Supernova Sessions“
- Fallon Henley to take on Jacy Jayne
- Sol Ruca looks for payback against Blair Davenport
Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes come face-to-face
Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes will come face-to-face one last time before their epic encounter at NXT Stand & Deliver.
Since the implosion of Trick Melo Gang at NXT Vengeance Day, Williams and Hayes have been attacking each other at every opportunity.
Both Superstars agreed to meet in the ring one last time before battling on NXT’s biggest stage.
Don’t miss this encounter live on Tuesday at 8/7 C in the USA!
Triple Threat Tag Team Match to decide No. 1 Contenders for NXT Stand & Deliver
NXT Tag Team Champions Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin will learn their No. 1 Contenders for Stand & Deliver when The LWO, Nathan Frazer and Axiom, and Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson face off in a Triple Threat Tag Team Match.
Each team earned the right to compete in the Triple Threat Match, and tensions exploded on the most recent episode of NXT, resulting in a massive brawl.
Which team will punch their ticket to Stand & Deliver? Find out on Tuesday at 8/7 C in the USA!
NXT Women’s Champion Lyra Valkyria and Roxanne Perez to appear on “Supernova Sessions”
Before battling at NXT Stand & Deliver for the NXT Women’s Championship, Lyra Valkyria and Roxanne Perez will finally meet during a special edition of “Supernova Sessions” with Noam Dar.
Perez has been a menace in the NXT locker room for months, punching out her fellow Superstars and even hospitalizing Valkyria before finally getting her one-on-one match for the championship.
What will happen when the determined Valkyria meets the unhinged Perez during “Supernova Sessions”? Tune in to NXT on Tuesday at 8/7 C to find out!
Fallon Henley to take on Jacy Jayne
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Two of NXT’s best will square off when Fallon Henley takes on the toxic Jacy Jayne.
Henley finds herself embroiled in the rivalry between Jayne and Thea Hail after she sides with the peppy Chase U Superstar on her journey to rediscover her identity.
Chaos followed after Hail beat Jayne’s friend Jazmyn Nix, as Henley and Kelani Jordan helped fend off an attack from Jayne, Kiana James, and Izzi Dame.
Don’t miss this matchup live on Tuesday at 8/7 C in the USA!
WWE
Paris 2024 Olympics: Kaylin Swart on facing rivals Nigeria
…and significant growth of African champions, South Africa
- Constantly, a great battle against Nigeria
- I had to make a lot of changes and sacrifices to be the best
- The unity and chemistry in the Banyana Banyana team is second to none
Banyana Banyana goalkeeper Kaylin Swart is expected to play a key figure when the reigning African champions take on Nigeria in the third and final round of the Paris 2024 Olympics Qualifier on Friday, 05 and 09 April, in a two-legged affair.
The Super Falcons are South Africa’s longstanding rivals. With a place at the Olympics at stake, the two-legged qualifier promises to be a highly tactical but thrilling affair.
Speaking to CAFOnline ahead of the first leg, Swart, coach Desiree Ellis’ first choice at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, where the team historically made it into the round of 16, says the team is looking forward to facing Nigeria.
She also discusses the team’s growth and how it has contributed to her being a better goalkeeper.
CAFOnline: Facing your arch-rivals, Nigeria, in a crucial final round, what do you make of your chances?
Kaylin Swart: Playing against Nigeria is always a great battle; we are familiar with each other only because we have been fighting for many years up until now, and this one is no different. I have complete confidence in my teammates, and I think if we stick to our strengths as a team and play for each other, we will get the results we need.
What have you made of your progress as a Goalkeeper before and after the World Cup?
I have grown so much over the years, and leading up to the World Cup in 2023, I had to make many changes and sacrifices to perform at my best with the help of my coaches. Ultimately, it came down to working on myself and my well-being, which has given me so much confidence and belief that I can be the best, and I strive to be the best every day.
There is healthy competition in the group of goalkeepers; what do you think has given you the edge in recent times?
Competition brings out the best in us, and I’m so grateful for our goalkeeping department on the national team because we push each other to the limits, but I can’t pin it on one thing. As I said, I’ve worked hard to be where I am, and I think my confidence has grown. I show up every day and give maximum effort. It’s the coach’s decision.
You will be drawn into Group C against Spain, Brazil, and Japan if you qualify. How do you fancy your chances against the world’s best?
There are massive opportunities for us to show and level up with the best, and I think to be the best, we have to compete with the best. African football has evolved so much; knowing that Spain, a world champion alongside Japan and Brazil, could be our opponents is a huge boost. All we need to do is focus on ourselves and prepare well to give us the best possible chance to get results.
SA has grown into one of the most respected teams on the continent; what can you attribute this to?
As a national team, we have grown so much over the years, and every obstacle we faced helped us grow day by day. The main thing that led us to where we are now is this team’s unity and chemistry, which are second to none, combined with the individual brilliance of our players and the overall growth of women’s football in our country.
CAFonline
NPFL Match officials & TV schedule
With Matchday 28 fixtures, kick-off times, and venues
NPFL 2023/2024 League Table
| Pos | Club | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Rangers International FC |
27 | 14 | 6 | 7 | 36 | 23 | 13 | 48 |
| 2 |  Lobi Stars FC |
27 | 14 | 5 | 8 | 32 | 25 | 7 | 47 |
| 3 |  Remo Stars FC |
26 | 14 | 3 | 9 | 32 | 24 | 8 | 45 |
| 4 |  Enyimba FC |
27 | 14 | 3 | 10 | 30 | 24 | 6 | 45 |
| 5 |  Plateau United FC |
27 | 14 | 2 | 11 | 40 | 27 | 13 | 44 |
| 6 |  Kano Pillars FC |
27 | 12 | 5 | 10 | 34 | 29 | 5 | 41 |
| 7 |  Katsina United FC |
27 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 25 | 23 | 2 | 41 |
| 8 |  Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) |
27 | 11 | 7 | 9 | 31 | 27 | 4 | 40 |
| 9 |  Bendel Insurance FC |
27 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 23 | 20 | 3 | 37 |
| 10 |  Abia Warriors FC |
27 | 10 | 5 | 12 | 28 | 31 | -3 | 35 |
| 11 |  Sporting Lagos FC |
27 | 9 | 7 | 11 | 26 | 26 | 0 | 34 |
| 12 |  Sunshine Stars FC |
26 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 26 | 27 | -1 | 34 |
| 13 |  Doma United FC |
27 | 9 | 7 | 11 | 20 | 26 | -6 | 34 |
| 14 |  Niger Tornadoes FC |
26 | 9 | 6 | 11 | 18 | 24 | -6 | 33 |
| 15 |  Kwara United FC |
26 | 7 | 11 | 8 | 21 | 24 | -3 | 32 |
| 16 |  Rivers United FC |
23 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 25 | 22 | 3 | 31 |
| 17 |  Akwa United FC |
27 | 8 | 7 | 12 | 26 | 30 | -4 | 31 |
| 18 |  Bayelsa United FC |
27 | 8 | 7 | 12 | 31 | 37 | -6 | 31 |
| 19 |  Heartland FC |
27 | 4 | 11 | 12 | 24 | 35 | -11 | 23 |
| 20 |  *Gombe United FC (docked 6 pts, six goals for an infraction) |
27 | 7 | 6 | 14 | 15 | 45 | -30 | 21 |
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) returns this midweek after the final matches in state FA Cups, NPFL reports.
Nine out of 10 games will be held this Tuesday and Wednesday as Rivers United versus Katsina United is postponed due to the former’s involvement in continental football.
Here are the match officials appointed for Matchweek 28. There will be five LIVE matches for this game on NPFL-Live and StarTimes.
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
GOMBE UNITED v REMO STARS
Referee: Precious Kalu
Assistant Referee 1: Emmanuel Atu
Assistant Referee 2: Victor Akokoba
Fourth official: Ishola Akanji
Kick-off: 4 pm
Venue: Pantami Stadium, Gombe
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
AKWA UNITED v DOMA UNITED (live on NPFL-Live)
Referee: Noah Adejoh
Assistant Referee 1: Abba Abubakar Fagge
Assistant Referee 2: Sani Abdullahi
Fourth official: Okechukwu Ezeogu
Kick-off: 4 pm
Venue: Godswill Akpabio Stadium (Nest of Champions), Uyo
BAYELSA UNITED v HEARTLAND
Referee: Taiwo David
Assistant Referee 1: Abdulmajeed Usman
Assistant Referee 2: Cletus Adewebi
Fourth official: Saheed Babayanju
Kick-off: 4 pm
Venue: Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa
BENDEL INSURANCE v NIGER TORNADOES (live on StarTimes & NPFL-Live)
Referee: Akachukwu Igwebikwe
Assistant Referee 1: Darlington Nwauzobilom
Assistant Referee 2: Smart Udeh
Fourth official: Justine Egwuom
Kick-off: 5:30 pm
Venue: Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City
ABIA WARRIORS vs. PLATEAU UNITED
Referee: Abdulrahman Adeniji
Assistant Referee 1: Samuel Pwadutakam
Assistant Referee 2: Mahmud Yakubu
Fourth official: Omotoye Oluwasakin
Kick-off: 4 pm
Venue: Umuahia Township Stadium, Umuahia
ENYIMBA v KANO PILLARS (live on NPFL-Live)
Referee: Adamu Yakubu
Assistant Referee 1: Hope Igho
Assistant Referee 2: Abibatu Yusuf
Fourth official: Funmilayo Alaba
Kick-off: 4 pm
Venue: Enyimba Stadium, Aba
RIVERS UNITED v KATSINA UNITED (Postponed)
Referee: Usman T. Majidadi
Assistant Referee 1: Olawale Adeleke
Assistant Referee 2: Adekunle Agunbiade
Fourth official: Blessing Chukwu
Kick-off: 4 pm
Venue: Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt
RANGERS v SUNSHINE STARS
Referee: Kassim Abdulsalam
Assistant Referee 1: Ahmed Tijjani
Assistant Referee 2: Tejiri Digbori
Fourth official: Ahmed Rabiu
Kick-off: 4 pm
Venue: Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu
SPORTING LAGOS v LOBI STARS (live on NPFL-Live)
Referee: Uchenna Anyadike
Assistant Referee 1: Mfon Friday
Assistant Referee 2: Cookey Sodieri
Fourth official: Chima A. Edwin
Kick-off: 4 pm
Venue: Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos
3SC v KWARA UNITED (live on NPFL-Live)
Referee: Osas Eboigbodin
Assistant Referee 1: Zuru Bello
Assistant Referee 2: Ikenna Okerulu
Fourth official: Sunday Effiong
Kick-off: 5:30 pm
Venue: Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan
WrestleMania preview for April 6
Cody Rhodes challenges Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship
WrestleMania Preview: Quick Hits
- Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes
- Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson & Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes & Seth “Freakin” Rollins
- World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre
- WWE Women’s Champion IYO SKY vs. Bayley
- Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley vs. Becky Lynch
- Logan Paul vs. Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens (United States Title Triple Threat Match)
- Intercontinental Champion Gunther vs. Sami Zayn
- Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso
- Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Six-Pack Tag Team Ladder Match
- LA Knight vs. AJ Styles
- Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee vs. Santos Escobar & Dominik Mysterio
- Bobby Lashley & The Street Profits vs. Final Testament (Six-Man Tag Team Philadelphia Street Fight)
WrestleMania Preview: Full Details
Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes
The Undisputed WWE Universal Championship will be on the line when Roman Reigns defends his title against the winner of the 2024 Royal Rumble, Cody Rhodes.
The Tribal Chief defeated The American Nightmare in the main event of WrestleMania 39. After a painstaking year, the two-time Royal Rumble winner will finally get another chance to finish his story and become the undisputed champion when he rechallenges Reigns.
After winning the Royal Rumble in January, Rhodes spent days mulling over whether he’d face Reigns or WWE Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins. Rhodes confirmed that he’d be facing the Tribal Chief during the WrestleMania XL Kickoff in Las Vegas, angering and insulting The Rock, who wanted a match with Reigns.
Will Reigns continue his dominant run as champion, or will The American Nightmare finally finish the story? Find out April 6 and 7 at 7 ET/4 PT, streaming LIVE on Peacock in the United States and on WWE Network everywhere else.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson & Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes & Seth “Freakin” Rollins
At The Showcase of the Immortals, Cody Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins will go head to head with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns in a match with huge WrestleMania implications.
The Road to WrestleMania becomes increasingly intense with each passing week. Nowhere is that more evident than in the heated rivalry between Rhodes and Rollins with The Rock and Reigns.
The Rock has acknowledged Reigns as his Tribal Chief, further cementing their family bond as they set their sights on their adversaries. With the Undisputed WWE Universal Title main event against Rhodes officially set for WrestleMania Sunday, along with Rollins’ World Title Match against Drew McIntyre, The Great One they made a suddenly high-stakes challenge to The American Nightmare and The Visionary for The Show of Shows.
In response to an initial challenge by Rhodes for a one-on-one matchup, The Rock issued a counter-proposal for Rhodes and Rollins to battle him and Reigns in a tag team match on WrestleMania Saturday. If Rhodes and Rollins emerge victorious, The Bloodline will be barred from ringside for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship Match. If The Head of the Table and The Most Electrifying Man in All of Entertainment are to win, however, the main event title match the following night will become “Bloodline Rules,” meaning anything goes where the nefarious faction is concerned. The Rock threatened that the story would tragically end if Rhodes and Rollins did not answer the challenge.
More unified than ever and convinced that WWE’s future depends on them putting The Bloodline in check, Rhodes and Rollins journeyed to SmackDown to accept the challenge.
Bloodline banned or “Bloodline Rules” for Reigns vs. Rhodes? Find out on Saturday, April 6, at 7 ET/4 PT, streaming LIVE on Peacock in the United States and on WWE Network everywhere else.
World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre
The Scottish Warrior will finally get his chance to win a world title in front of the masses as he faces World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins at The Showcase of the Immortals.
McIntyre has been on a personal vendetta ever since Jey Uso was traded to Raw late last year, becoming a bitter version of the Superstar that was once beloved. The Scottish Warrior has placed The Visionary in his path for his quest to win gold in front of the WWE Universe since his previous two world title wins occurred in empty arenas.
Despite McIntyre’s mean streak, The Scottish Warrior could not defeat Rollins the two times he challenged him at WWE Crown Jewel and WWE Day 1, partially due to Money in the Bank cash-in attempts from Damian Priest.
After defeating Randy Orton, Kevin Owens, Logan Paul, LA Knight, and Bobby Lashley inside the Elimination Chamber, McIntyre can finally claim the World Heavyweight Title when he faces The Architect at WrestleMania. Find out April 6 and 7 at 7 ET/4 PT, streaming LIVE on Peacock in the United States and WWE Network everywhere else!
WWE Women’s Champion IYO SKY vs. Bayley
Bayley is hellbent on seizing the WWE Women’s Champion when she goes to war against her former ally, IYO SKY, at WrestleMania.
Following a confrontation with Nia Jax on Raw, Bayley said she would reveal which Women’s Champion she would challenge on SmackDown. Then, on the blue brand, The Role Model surprised the rest of Damage CTRL when she revealed that she understood Japanese and, therefore, knew that her perceived allies had been mocking her behind her back for some time. As the faction stood stunned, Bayley turned to SKY and declared that she would challenge the titleholder on The Grandest Stage of Them All.
The Genius of the Sky has proved herself to be just that by rising to new heights time after time to solidify her reign. Bayley is the fir-ever Triple Crown and one of the top Superstar challengers SKY has faced.
Can Bayley once again capture gold? Will the devious titleholder repel one of the most dangerous challenges to her title in her entire reign? What role will Damage CTRL play in the conflict? Find out April 6 and 7 at 7 ET/4 PT, streaming LIVE on Peacock in the United States and on WWE Network everywhere else.
Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley vs. Becky Lynch
At WrestleMania, Mami defends her Women’s World Title against The Man in what should be a legendary championship fight.
Becky Lynch has been eyeing the titleholder for some time, and now she finally has a chance to face her one-on-one.
After standing tall in the Elimination Chamber, the Man booked her ticket to WrestleMania, besting Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Bianca Belair, Naomi, and Tiffany Stratton in the vicious structure.
To capture her first singles title in nearly two years, The Man must go through Rhea Ripley, who has looked unstoppable since winning the championship from Charlotte Flair at last year’s Showcase of the Immortals.
Who will win this epic bout for the right to be Women’s World Champion? Find out April 6 and 7 at 7 ET/4 PT, streaming LIVE on Peacock in the United States and WWE Network everywhere else!
Logan Paul vs. Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens (United States Title Triple Threat Match)
At WrestleMania XL, United States Champion Logan Paul faces an immense challenge as he defends his title against Randy Orton and Kevin Owens in a Triple Threat Match.
The Social Media Megastar has been making more enemies than allies since dethroning Rey Mysterio for the U.S. Title last October at WWE Crown Jewel.
Paul wronged Owens by cheating his way to a disqualification victory during their match at Royal Rumble earlier this year, and KO has since been unrelenting in his pursuit of Paul.
At the WWE Elimination Chamber, Paul made another enemy in Randy Orton. After Orton eliminated Paul with an RKO, The Social Media Megastar faked an injury to remain inside the chamber before striking The Viper with brass knuckles. This allowed Drew McIntyre to pin Orton to clinch a World Heavyweight Title Match at WrestleMania.
After Paul mocked SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis for not announcing a match for Paul at WrestleMania, Aldis announced Paul would defend his title against KO and The Viper.
Paul must contend with two former U.S. Champions with championship pedigree and several signature wins at WrestleMania.
Orton and Owens have won titles and competed in main events at WrestleMania, something Paul has yet to do.
Paul famously broke the internet at last year’s WrestleMania when he faced Seth “Freakin” Rollins, eclipsing records with the views he achieved on social media.
The U.S. Champion seems sure to break social media again, but can he retain his title against two hungry challengers? Find out at WrestleMania on Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7, at 7 ET/4 PT, streaming LIVE on Peacock in the United States and on WWE Network everywhere else.
Intercontinental Champion Gunther vs. Sami Zayn
At WrestleMania, Sami Zayn will seek to become the Superstar to dethrone Gunther’s historic reign as Intercontinental Champion.
By the time WrestleMania rolls around, The Ring General will have ruled as Intercontinental Champion for 664 days, bulldozing everyone in his path and defeating Jey Uso, Chad Gable, Sheamus, and Drew McIntyre, to name a few.
Thus far, not many challengers have come close to taking away Gunther’s title, but Zayn, a former Intercontinental Champion, will hope to become the first.
Zayn had to go through five of the best Raw Superstars to earn the chance, overcoming Bronson Reed, JD McDonagh, Ricochet, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Chad Gable in a grueling Gauntlet Match.
With Gunther winning, Zayn and The Ring General have faced off once in a one-on-one encounter inside a WWE ring. However, the Intercontinental Title was not on the line during that match.
Can Zayn make back-to-back WrestleMania history after dethroning The Usos’ historic tag team title reign last year with Kevin Owens? Or will The Ring General stay undefeated at WrestleMania?
Find out April 6 and 7 at 7 ET/4 PT, streaming LIVE on Peacock in the United States and on WWE Network everywhere else.
Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso
Some would say that a WrestleMania match pitting Jey Uso against his brother Jimmy Uso has been less than a year in the making, ever since Jimmy Uso turned against Jey to “protect him” at SummerSlam before Jey superkicked Jimmy and quit The Bloodline and SmackDown.
Others might argue that it was destined from the day Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns formed The Bloodline. Or perhaps it was even 38 years ago when The Usos first came together.
Regardless of the reason, “Main Event” Jey Uso and his estranged sibling are about to square off on The Grandest Stage of Them All.
Several times, Jimmy and The Bloodline have come to Raw to start trouble and mess with Jey, including costing him an Intercontinental Title Match against Gunther. Jimmy, on the other hand, carries the resentment of his brother, leaving him and The Bloodline in what he deems to be Jey’s attempt to make himself a giant star.
The brothers’ hatred boiled over with Jey’s shocking WrestleMania challenge, which Jimmy was happy to accept.
Who will win the brother vs. brother showdown at The Showcase of the Immortals? Find out on Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7, at 7 ET/4 PT, streaming LIVE on Peacock in the United States and on WWE Network everywhere else.
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Six-Pack Tag Team Ladder Match
The Judgment Day faces an uphill battle at WrestleMania as they contend with five other teams in a brutal Six-Pack Tag Team Ladder Match for their Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles.
Damian Priest and Finn Bálor have been dominant in their second reign as tag team champions, overcoming almost every team in WWE.
However, their dominance may end at WrestleMania, as five other teams can claim supremacy by retrieving the titles.
Raw General Manager Adam Pearce and SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis decided which teams would compete. Three from Raw and two from SmackDown rounded out the field.
On the March 18 episode of Raw, #DIY, Awesome Truth, and The New Day, you defeated The Creed Brothers, Indus Sher, and Alpha Academy, respectively, and earned the right to compete in the Ladder Match.
On the SmackDown side, Grayson Waller Austin Theory and New Catch Republic earned their way into the match by winning their side of the bracket in the SmackDown tournament.
Can The Judgment Day retain their titles against all odds, or are we destined to crown new tag team champions at WrestleMania?
Don’t miss WrestleMania 40 on Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7, at 7 ET/4 PT, streaming LIVE on Peacock in the United States and WWE Network everywhere else!
One Superstar is out to make AJ Styles’ WrestleMania 40 experience a hard day’s Knight.
When LA Knight was competing inside the Elimination Chamber, Styles barged into the structure to attack him and disrupt his efforts to become the No. 1 Contender to World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins at WrestleMania.
Ever since the Premium Live Event, Knight has been on a tireless quest to track down The Phenomenal One. He has looked everywhere, from backstage at SmackDown to catering to various places outside of WWE.
Unable to find his would-be adversary to get payback, Knight challenged Styles to a bout at The Show of Shows. As soon as the challenge was issued, however, Styles suddenly executed another vicious assault on Knight before declaring that he would see him at WrestleMania.
Don’t miss WrestleMania 40 on Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7, at 7 ET/4 PT, streaming LIVE on Peacock in the United States and WWE Network everywhere else!
Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee vs. Santos Escobar & Dominik Mysterio
At WrestleMania, Rey Mysterio will join forces with Dragon Lee against his son “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio of The Judgment Day and Santos Escobar of Legado del Fantasma.
When Rey overcame “Dirty” Dom at WrestleMania 39, he thought he was finally done with their in-ring conflict. It wasn’t long before a new rival emerged when Escobar of The LWO viciously assaulted his mentor and unleashed a brutal surprise attack that injured the WWE Hall of Famer and caused him to miss significant time.
Three months later, Mysterio returned, and together with The LWO, he took out Legado del Fantasma and helped Carlito win a Street Fight against The Emperor of Lucha Libre. The rivalry continued between their two factions until Mysterio looked to settle the issue in a one-on-one showdown with Escobar. During the match, however, a masked figure emerged to interfere. He soon removed the mask and revealed himself as Dominik, as Santos used the distraction to pick up the win.
The following week, Rey interrupted the gloating pair and challenged them to a tag team match against himself and Dragon Lee, the newest member of The LWO, on The Grandest Stage of Them All.
Don’t miss the explosive action at WrestleMania on Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7, streaming LIVE at 7 ET/4 PT on Peacock in the United States and on WWE Network everywhere else.
Bobby Lashley & The Street Profits vs. Final Testament (Six-Man Tag Team Philadelphia Street Fight)
At WrestleMania, Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits will go to war with The Final Testament in a Six-Man Tag Team Philadelphia Street Fight.
Karrion Kross and his dark faction have shown unbridled animosity toward The Pride. Perhaps it stemmed from when the returning Harbinger of Doom was eliminated by The All Mighty in a United States Championship No. 1 Contender Tournament in December. Whatever the reason, however, Kross and Scarlett soon shocked the WWE Universe when they aligned with the returning Authors of Pain and Paul Ellering to form the dominant Final Testament at SmackDown: New Year’s Revolution and attacked Lashley, Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins.
The rivalry grew more intense when Lashley and Kross eliminated each other in the 2024 Royal Rumble Match when The Pride added B-Fab to their ranks and through numerous volatile clashes between the factions on The Road to WrestleMania.
SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis recognized that the volatile conflict had reached a boiling point. He knew the only way to settle the score was to have an Extreme showdown in the city of brotherly love in The Grandest State of Them All.
Don’t miss the Six-Man Tag Team Philadelphia Street Fight on WrestleMania Sunday at 7 ET/4 PT, streaming LIVE on Peacock in the United States and WWE Network everywhere else!
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