WWE WrestleMania 40 Predictions: The Rock Will BURY Cody Rhodes
By Mark Justice
Bobby Lashley & Street Profits vs. Karrion Kross & AOP [Faction War]
Bobby Lashley & Street Profits will defeat Karrion Kross and AOP in this faction war because WWE will be more inclined to put over the more popular fan favorite faction in this contrived feud at Mania. It is contrived to an extent because these two nascent factions still have a lot more story to tell, so this feud won't necessarily end at Mania. Since both factions need victories to solidify their factions, a trilogy is very likely post-Mania, where Kross and AOP will get a win back. Nonetheless, in front of the casual fanbase under the brightest lights, Lashley & Profits would be the right choice here.
Notwithstanding, Karrion Kross and AOP still have a lot of work to do before earning a victory at WrestleMania. AOP just returned to WWE, and Kross still has to redeem himself from his terrible start to his main roster career after becoming a successful NXT Champion. It is likely that they will get their lick back by winning the feud post-Mania, as they do have some solid seeds planted for future storyline and character development. However, Lashley and Profits are a fresh faction as well and they have done more than enough to deserve a WrestleMania victory at this stage of their careers.
Prediction: Bobby Lashley & Street Profits
Rey Mysterio & LWO vs. Santos Escobar & Los Lotharios [Faction War]
On the other hand, the heel faction of Santos Escobar & Los Lotharios will defeat Rey Mysterio and LWO because their story is actually fully developed, and they need to solidify their betrayal of the LWO and revenge on Rey Mysterio. Escobar never got his lick back after Rey Mysterio took away his U.S. Title opportunity. Escobar needs this win to get back to that U.S. Title picture this summer. Rey Mysterio won't really benefit much from a victory here. As a veteran HOFer, he is on the verge of a retirement tour, and passing the torch to Escobar right now would do wonders for Escobar's career.
The members of LWO who will likely compete and accompany Rey Mysterio will be Carlito and Dragon Lee. They have bigger name value than Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin. Wilde, who are already precouppied with the tag team championships. Just like B-Fab and Scarlett Bordeax will do in the aforementioned Pride-Final Testament Faction War, Zelina Vega and Electra Lopez will get involved in this war one way or another to add some spice to this already-hot feud. Going forward, this victory will elevate Escobar back to the U.S. Title picture throughout the summer and fall of 2024.
Prediction: Santos Escobar & Los Lotharios