Bloodline battle; major rematch? - 5 WWE stars who could main event WrestleMania in The Rock's absence
The Rock competed in a major match at WWE WrestleMania XL, but that may not be the case at The Show of Shows next year in Las Vegas. A recent report suggests that the company is moving forward with creative plans for WrestleMania 41 with the assumption that The Rock will not be appearing at the premium live event.
The Brahma Bull teamed up with Roman Reigns to defeat Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins in the main event of Night 1 of WrestleMania XL earlier this year. If The Rock does not appear at WrestleMania 41 next year, his star power would be very difficult to replace.
Listed below are five potential main events for WrestleMania 41 if The Rock does not compete at the PLE.
#5. CM Punk could main event WWE WrestleMania 41
CM Punk kicked off last night's episode of RAW and pointed at an invisible WrestleMania sign in the Wind Arena in Everett, Washington. The Second City Saint appears to have his sights set on main-eventing the first WrestleMania of his career, and The Rock not competing at the event next year has made it a very realistic possibility.
Seth Rollins confronted CM Punk earlier this week on WWE RAW and the two stars brawled before it was broken up. Punk could potentially win the Men's Royal Rumble Match, or the Men's Elimination Chamber Match next year following his rivalry with The Visionary, and go on to challenge for a major title at WrestleMania.
#4. Drew McIntyre could challenge for a major title at WrestleMania
Drew McIntyre returned to WWE television last night in the closing moments of RAW. The Scottish Warrior connected with a Claymore on Sami Zayn after the former champion was defeated by Seth Rollins in the main event of this past Monday's show. It was the first time McIntyre had been seen since his loss to CM Punk in the Hell in a Cell Match at Bad Blood.
McIntyre captured the World Heavyweight Championship from Seth Rollins at WrestleMania XL earlier this year, but his title reign was short-lived. CM Punk attacked McIntyre, and Damian Priest cashed in his Money in the Bank contract to win the title only five minutes after McIntyre had become champion. The veteran could potentially main event WrestleMania 41 next year and dethrone either Cody Rhodes or Gunther.
#3. Seth Rollins could battle Roman Reigns in the main event of WWE WrestleMania 41
Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns used to be members of The Shield faction alongside Dean Ambrose, now known as AEW World Champion Jon Moxley. However, Rollins betrayed The Shield on the June 2, 2014, episode of WWE RAW and bashed Reigns with a steel chair.
The Visionary recreated the moment in the main event of WrestleMania XL, and Reigns opted to hit Rollins with the chair instead of focusing on Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes.
Rollins refused to join the OG Bloodline's squad for the Men's WarGames Match at Survivor Series and claimed that he would never partner with Roman Reigns again. There is still some bitterness between the two stars, and they could have a memorable rivalry leading to a clash at WWE WrestleMania 41 next year.
#2. Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa could battle to be named the official Tribal Chief of The Bloodline
Roman Reigns went on hiatus after losing the Undisputed WWE Championship to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania XL. During his time away from the company, Solo Sikoa named himself the new Tribal Chief of The Bloodline and kicked Jimmy Uso and Paul Heyman out of the faction.
The OG Bloodline defeated Sikoa's faction in the Men's WarGames Match at Survivor Series, and Reigns pinned Sikoa in the match. The two stars could square off to determine the Official Tribal Chief at WrestleMania 41 next year in Vegas.
#1. Charlotte Flair could challenge Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 41
Rhea Ripley defeated Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 39 to become the SmackDown Women's Champion. The match did not close the show but was regarded by many fans as one of the best matches of WWE WrestleMania 39.
Ripley is currently in a personal rivalry with Women's World Champion Liv Morgan on RAW and Flair has been out with an injury since December 2023. Ripley could capture the Women's World Championship in the weeks ahead, and Flair may return to challenge her former rival to a title match at WWE WrestleMania 41.