Wesomenia

Introduction

Get ready to rumble as WrestleMania XL, the 40th edition of the legendary professional wesomenia, gears up to rock the ring! Produced by WWE, this epic pay-per-view (PPV) and livestreaming event will showcase the finest talents from the Raw and SmackDown brand divisions. Set to unfold over two action-packed nights on April 6 and 7, 2024, WrestleMania XL will make its home at the iconic Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia, known for its rich wrestling history, will play host to WrestleMania for the second time, following its last stint in 1999 with WrestleMania XV. But this time, the stakes are higher, as it marks the first WrestleMania under the banner of TKO Group Holdings, the new entity formed after WWE merged with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) under the ownership of Endeavor. This monumental shift signifies a new era for WrestleMania as it steps into uncharted territory outside the McMahon family’s control.

As anticipation reaches fever pitch and the countdown to WrestleMania XL begins, fans can expect nothing short of electrifying matches, jaw-dropping moments, and unforgettable memories. So mark your calendars, secure your tickets, and get ready to witness history in the making at WrestleMania XL.

Background of WrestleMania XL

WrestleMania stands tall as WWE’s premier pay-per-view (PPV) and livestreaming spectacle, with a legacy dating back to its inception in 1985. Pioneering the PPV format for the company, WrestleMania also marked WWE’s foray into live streaming when it debuted on the WWE Network in February 2014. As the longest-running professional wrestling event in history, WrestleMania commands the spotlight annually, typically between mid-March and mid-April.

Alongside marquee events like the Royal Rumble, SummerSlam, Survivor Series, and Money in the Bank, WrestleMania forms the prestigious “Big Five” in WWE’s calendar. Forbes recognizes WrestleMania as the sixth-most valuable sports brand globally, drawing parallels to the Super Bowl as the pinnacle of sports entertainment. Much like the Super Bowl, cities vigorously bid to host WrestleMania each year.

WrestleMania boasts a star-studded lineup featuring wrestlers from WWE’s Raw and SmackDown brand divisions. WrestleMania reaches a global audience by broadcasting via traditional PPV and livestreaming platforms like Peacock in the United States and WWE Network internationally. The event’s official theme song, “Gasoline” by The Weeknd, continues the tradition of chart-topping hits enhancing the WrestleMania experience.

The stage is set for WrestleMania XL, slated for April 6 and 7, 2024, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Welcomed by Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, WrestleMania promises thrilling action and an economic boon for the city. The event’s logo, unveiled during the Extreme Rules Kickoff pre-show, pays homage to Philadelphia’s heritage with nods to the Liberty Bell and the Philadelphia Eagles colors. Notably, WrestleMania XL adopts Roman numerals for the first time since 2014, officially stylizing the event title.

Ticket sales for WrestleMania XL shattered records, with over 90,000 tickets sold on the first day alone, surpassing the previous year’s numbers. This monumental event also marks a significant shift in WWE’s ownership following its merger with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) under the umbrella of TKO Group Holdings. WrestleMania XL will be the first under this new entity, signaling a new chapter for WWE beyond the McMahon family’s control.

WrestleMania Week

WWE is set to deliver an action-packed week leading up to WrestleMania XL. The excitement begins with a special “WrestleMania Edition” of Friday Night SmackDown on April 5, followed by the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony. On Saturday, catch NXT’s Stand & Deliver event on WrestleMania Saturday, and wrap up the week with Monday Night Raw after WrestleMania on April 8, all live at the Wells Fargo Center. Take advantage of this thrilling lineup of events!

Main event

After his return at WrestleMania 38, Cody Rhodes aimed to secure the WWE Championship, a title his father, Dusty Rhodes, never held. Despite winning the Royal Rumble, he failed to dethrone Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39. Rhodes won the Royal Rumble again in 2024 and initially aimed to challenge Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. However, Seth Rollins argued he should vie for the World Heavyweight Championship, aligning with Dusty’s legacy. Ultimately, Rhodes chose to face Reigns.

The Rock’s return at Raw: Day 1 hinted at a clash with Reigns, while Rhodes sought counsel from someone close to Reigns, leading to a confrontation between The Rock and Reigns. During the WrestleMania XL Kickoff, Reigns and The Rock declared their intentions to headline. However, Rhodes, exercising his Royal Rumble victory, asserted his right to challenge Reigns, leading to a showdown.

Triple H intervened, confirming the main event for Night 2 of WrestleMania XL: Reigns defending the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Rhodes. An Elimination Chamber match was set to determine Rollins’s WrestleMania challenger.

Undercard matches

At SummerSlam 2022, Bayley returned alongside Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky, forming Damage CTRL. Kairi Sane and Asuka later joined, reuniting The Kabuki Warriors. They found success on SmackDown, winning titles. Bayley won the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble, earning a title shot at WrestleMania XL. However, after a fallout with Damage CTRL, she challenged Sky for the WWE Women’s Championship instead.

On Raw, Adam Pearce announced an Elimination Chamber match at Elimination Chamber: Perth to determine the Women’s World Championship challenger at WrestleMania XL. Reigning champ Rhea Ripley was set to defend against Nia Jax.

Wesomenia Matches

No.	Matches	Conditions
1	Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cody Rhodes	Singles match for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship
2	Iyo Sky (c) vs. Bayley	Singles match for the WWE Women’s Championship
3	Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Women’s Elimination Chamber match winner	Singles match for the Women’s World Championship
4	Seth “Freakin” Rollins (c) vs. Men’s Elimination Chamber match winner	Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship

Conclusion

As we approach WrestleMania XL, the WWE landscape is buzzing with excitement and anticipation. Key players like Bayley and Cody Rhodes have made triumphant returns, while factions like Damage CTRL have shaken things up.

Bayley’s quest for redemption against Iyo Sky for the WWE Women’s Championship adds drama, while Cody Rhodes’s showdown with Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship promises high stakes. With The Rock also in the mix, WrestleMania XL is shaping to be an unmissable event.

For a comprehensive look back at the thrilling events of the Royal Rumble 2023, including all the jaw dropping moments and surprise entrants, be sure to check out our detailed article on the Full Royal Rumble Results 2023. Dive into the action, relive the excitement, and catch up on everything you may have missed from this unforgettable WWE event.