WrestleMania Goes Hollywood, also known as WrestleMania 39, will see Cody Rhodes go up against Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, see Rey and Dom Mysterio perhaps finally settle their family differences, and hopefully see Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn settle their bad blood with The Usos for good. Of course, when all is said and done, as many rivalries will be just as inflamed as they were before the showcase rolled around. However, following several high-profile and high-performing shows, there's undoubtedly a lot of hype for WrestleMania, taking place on April 1 and April 2.
Ahead of the show, it seemed it would be interesting to see how WWE 2K23's MyGM Mode would rate these match-ups and simulate these winners. To do so, we drafted all the involved superstars (alongside some "fillers") to three brands in MyGM Mode in order to play all of these matches in one season's WrestleMania. We then played as normally as possible, while trying to reserve these rivalries and superstars' stamina for the final few weeks of the season, lining up these rivalries headed into WrestleMania. Of course, these are not real "predictions" for the show and obviously the game has a few line-ups it would penalize, but discussing the real-world set-ups heading into each match, looking at how they were rated on the game and why, and who ultimately came out the winner is interestingly nonetheless.
Because of the limitations in WWE 2K23's MyGM Mode, there were a few matches we could not simulate as well as some necessary changes from WrestleMania's stacked line-up. These are listed here.
- Because titles cannot be contested in Triple Threat matches, Gunther's title defense is simulated but not with a title on the line.*
- Managers, like Paul Heyman, are not present.
- Trish Stratus, Lita, and Becky Lynch vs. Damage CTRL (Bayley, Dakota Kai, and Iyo Sky) could not be simulated.
- The Men's and Women's Fatal Four Way Tag Team Matches could not be simulated.
- Notably, there is an instance or two where we did not capture the rating of the match by mistake.
- In case there are last-minute changes or additions, this was done to reflect the WrestleMania 39 lineup as known on March 26.
Austin Theory (C) vs. John Cena for the United States Championship - Singles Match
The opening match of WrestleMania 39 sees John Cena return to the Grandest Stage of Them All to face Austin Theory for the United States Championship. This has been slowly brewing in the background for a while, to the point that Theory was annoyed by the Cena-related questions tied to Elimination Chamber. More recently, Theory confronted Cena and demanded a match against the Legend at WrestleMania, and although Cena scoffed at the idea (as he believes Theory isn't on his level yet), Cena let his hometown of Boston decide. And the two face each other at WrestleMania.
- Ratings: 3.5/5
- WWE 2K23 WrestleMania 39 Results: Austin Theory emerges victorious over John Cena, perhaps proving he is indeed on the Legends' level and hopefully earning a little respect from the man. Perhaps this would lead to a face turn as well. No doubt, many of Cena's fans would be disappointed if this was the outcome, but it's also worth asking what would become of the US Championship if Cena did win it. It's unlikely Cena is making a serious return to the ring in 2023.
Seth "Freakin" Rollins vs. Logan Paul - Singles Match
Logan Paul made a surprise return at the Men's Royal Rumble earlier this year, eliminating Seth "Freakin" Rollins in dramatic fashion. The result was a feud between Rollins and Paul, with the former badmouthing the latter at every opportunity and the latter attacking Rollins whenever he had the chance. The two ultimately decided to settle it all at WrestleMania.
- Ratings: 3.5/5.
- WWE 2K23 WrestleMania 39 Results: According to WWE 2K23, Rollins will be the victor and put this rivalry to rest. It's unlikely Logan Paul exits WWE, however.
Charlotte Flair (C) vs. Rhea Ripley for the SmackDown Women's Championship - Singles Match
As leading member of The Judgment Day, Rhea Ripley is involved in a number of storylines: the rivalry with Edge, Dom's hatred for his father, and her own gold-seeking glory. After winning the Royal Rumble, Ripley challenged Flair for the SmackDown Women's Championship, which is also effectively a rematch of the two from WrestleMania 36. There has been some back and forth since the Royal Rumble, all building up to Ripley's shot at the gold come WrestleMania.
- Ratings: 3/5
- WWE 2K23 WrestleMania 39 Results: Perhaps shockingly to Judgment Day fans, it seems Flair will retain her championship against Ripley, at least if WWE 2K23 has anything to say about it. This will no doubt be a huge upset to Ripley's fans, as well as her fellow faction members.
Roman Reigns (C) vs. Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship - Singles Match
The biggest match of WrestleMania 39, Cody Rhodes will challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship after winning the Royal Rumble. It's a true David vs. Goliath story, with Rhodes seeking to prove himself, as himself, to the WWE Universe and Reigns seeking to defend his title streak that has lasted since late 2020. Since winning the Royal Rumble, Rhodes has worked at brokering peace between Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn (achieved), worked at proving himself in the ring week after week, and has exchanged a few words with Heyman, the Bloodline at large, and had a face-to-face with Reigns.
- Ratings: 4/5. This is a solid prediction, but it could easily skew upward too.
- WWE 2K23 WrestleMania 39 Results: In an "Amazing" match, WWE 2K23 predicts Roman Reigns will defeat Cody Rhodes to retain his title streak. Many are hoping to see Rhodes honor his father's legacy, get the win, and end Reigns' streak, so no matter how this match unfolds, there will be plenty said by fans afterward.
Bianca Belair (C) vs. Asuka for the Raw Women's Championship - Singles Match
When Ripley decided to pursue Charlotte Flair's title, an Elimination Chamber match was used to determine Bianca Belair's challenge for the Raw Women's Championship at WrestleMania. Her opponent would be Asuka.
- Ratings: 4.5/5. This rating seems a bit high, if only because there is not as much story or emotion to this match-up. Both are talented superstars, which will likely shine through, but it could have more to it.
- WWE 2K23 WrestleMania 39 Results: Bianca Belair retains her title against Asuka in WWE 2K23.
Brock Lesnar vs. Omos - Singles Match
Omos and MVP called Brock Lesnar out shortly after Elimination Chamber, claiming Lesnar's actions during his match with Bobby Lashley proved he was a coward. Afterward, Omos challenged him to a match at WrestleMania, being somewhat billed as a battle between giants, which Lesnar accepted.
- Ratings: N/A
- WWE 2K23 WrestleMania 39 Results: WWE 2K23's Brock Lesnar claims victory over Omos.
Gunther (C)* vs. Sheamus vs. Drew McIntyre for the WWE Intercontinental Championship - Triple Threat Match
A Fatal Five-Way Match between Drew McIntyre, LA Knight, Sheamus, Kofi Kingston, and Karrion Kross was set up to see who would face Gunther at WrestleMania 39, with the Intercontinental Championship on the line. McIntyre and Sheamus would end the match in a draw, with the two men sharing some heated words since. They would have a rematch to determine, again, who would face Gunther, but when Gunther and his Imperium allies attacked both men, WWE Official Adam Pearce decided the title match would be a Triple-Threat one.
- Ratings: 3.5.
- Note: This score does not reflect Gunther's championship being on the line.
- WWE 2K23 WrestleMania 39 Results: This match could truly go any number of ways, but according to WWE 2K23's MyGM Mode, it seems Sheamus will emerge the champion.
Edge vs. Finn Balor - Hell in a Cell
Edge and Damian Priest would form The Judgment Day after WrestleMania 38, growing later with the additions of Finn Balor and Rhea Ripley. The three would eventually turn on Edge, creating a feud between them and Edge (as well as his wife Beth Phoenix). Around this time, Dominik Mysterio was also recruited as part of The Judgment Day. This feud would go back and forth with match interferences, Edge losing his US Championship, and more. Now, it seems Edge and Balor are ready to settle it once and for all in a Hell in a Cell match at WrestleMania.
- Ratings: 3.5/5
- WWE 2K23 WrestleMania 39 Results: In what is no doubt a brutal match, Edge is victorious over Finn Balor. The Judgment Day isn't likely to fall apart after this (although, according to this WWE 2K23 simulation, only one member of the group claims victory at WrestleMania), but perhaps Edge can finally move on from his traitorous faction's antics.
The Usos (Jimmy and Jey) vs. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship - Tag Team Match
The feud, development, and storyline involving The Bloodline (Roman Reigns, The Usos, and Solo Sikoa), Sami Zayn, and Kevin Owens which has been ongoing since late 2020 seems to come full circle at WrestleMania. Not only is Reigns defending his championship, but so are Jimmy and Jey Uso against Zayn and Owens. As a crude summary, this match comes after...
- Survivor Series WarGames in November 2022 where Owens faced the Bloodline and was betrayed by his old friend, Sami Zayn.
- A story between Zayn, the Usos, Reigns, and more.
- Reigns' defeat of Owens at Royal Rumble. Owens' ambush by The Bloodline there. Zayn's betrayal of Roman Reigns.
- Sami Zayn vs. Roman Reigns at Elimination Chamber.
- Some "brotherly" falling-outs between Zayn and Jey Uso.
- Owens refusing to reconcile with Zayn, even with a little interference from Cody Rhodes.
- Owens and Zayn finally make up, as brothers and friends, and challenge The Usos for the Title.
What's clear is how high emotions are as WrestleMania 39 pits brothers vs. brothers.
- Ratings: 3/5
- WWE 2K23 WrestleMania 39 Results: Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn take the tag team championship from The Usos. However, if like in MyGM Mode Roman Reigns retains his own title, it does not seem like this storyline will come to an end. Truthfully, it may not even if, somehow, Owens, Zayn, and Rhodes manage to completely strip The Bloodline of their titles.
Rey Mysterio vs. Dom Mysterio - Singles Match
This highly-anticipated WrestleMania 39 match has been building up since Clash at the Castle back in September. After Dominik turned on his father Rey Mysterio and joined Judgment Day, Rey began avoiding his son, transferring to SmackDown. That didn't stop Dominik's harassment of his father when he could though, and it was implied that Dominik attacked Rey at the Royal Rumble. Especially once Rey was inducted into the Hall of Fame, Dominik's shenanigans started up again, with Dom challenging his father to a match at WrestleMania. Rey continuously refused to strike or fight his own son, until recently when Dom was disrespectful to his mother and sister live on SmackDown. Rey's "strike" was heard around the world and set the Grandest Stage of Them All up for a Mysterio clash.
- Ratings: N/A. While we did not capture the exact rating between Rey and Dom Mysterio, we remember thinking it was too low -- likely due to how matchups work in WWE 2K23's MyGM Mode. Both are cruisers, there was no championship on the line, it was a mid-card match (in the game, anyway), and a few other details likely brought it down. However, thanks to the emotion between the two, it is perhaps one of the best-established matches for WrestleMania 39.
- WWE 2K23 WrestleMania 39 Results: Shockingly, in this WWE 2K23 simulation, Dom emerges victorious over his father. Many are expecting Rey to metaphorically teach his son a lesson and, at least for now, bring this rivalry to heel. In this scenario, hopefully, Dom would leave The Judgment Day, return to his father's tutelage, and drop the "Prison Dom" approach. However, if Dom were to emerge victorious, it would certainly elevate the status of The Judgment Day, of Dom as a competitor, and perhaps of Dom's future WWE career.
WWE 2K23 is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
