The Kyro Factor - Blogs/Columns/Reviews

[Kyro]

#1

Good day to you readers, and an extremely warm WELCOME to the very first edition of THE KYRO FACTOR with me, Kyro, making my online Wrestling Blog debut!

THE INTRO

It has only taken me 38 years, a Wife, 2 kids and a Mortgage to finally step out the IWC shadows and ‘get amongst it’! I have been a Wrestling fan since I was 7 years old, vividly remembering watching Hulk Hogan vs Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania 6 on a VHS tape and thinking it was 2 real life Gods fighting for control of Mount Olympus. From this match I was hooked, and started to collect as many Wrestling tapes and toy figures as I could which would lead to a life-long fandom which has had many ups and downs...

I have always been in the ‘shadows’ of the IWC, reading but never posting, following news sites and amazing columnists like DaveyBoy and Mr Tito on the old LOP forums who I must credit for getting me interested in writing. Also shoutouts to my Youtube faves like Simon Miller, Busted Open Radio and dare I say the Wrestling Observer!

I feel now is the time to turn my true passion in life, Pro Wrestling/WWE, into my hobby and embrace my creative side. This little venture might only last one Blog or I could still be going in 10 years time...

I do not intend to have a fixed schedule at the moment. I will post when I can and when I feel like it, keeping in mind I have a full-time job and family to keep entertained as well as this hobby! I might post about a certain topic or storyline that interests me. I might post a random Raw or Smackdown review. I will likely post my predictions for PLEs. Whatever the vibe of my mind is, I will post about. I like to keep things flexible and not be too rigid which could dull the enjoyment of doing this.



KYRO’S THOUGHTS ON CURRENT STATE OF WWE

I absolutely loved the Attitude and Ruthless Aggression eras of WWE. For the times, it was awesome and created so many stars that are still relevant today. I thought WWE went through a bit of a lull from 2015 to 2022, with some truly horrific booking decisions (I am looking at you Big Dog Roman Reigns!) and Vince McMahon’s EGO ruining the product. I mean, do we all remember poor Pat McAfee having to sell those putrid clotheslines at WrestleMania 38....Cringing as I type.

The less spoken of Vince the better.

The revival of WWE in the last couple of years in my opinion has come from Triple H taking control of Creative and being helped by the AMAZING Bloodline story which was triggered by turning Roman Reigns heel and into our beloved Tribal Chief.

​

This was long-term storytelling rebooted in WWE, and it has paid dividends as right now WWE is on its biggest hot streak since the attitude era. The company is COOL again in the mainstream and many celebs (Hey Travis Scott) are desperate to get involved. Whilst no company is booked perfectly, here are a few things I love about the current WWE:

• Wins and Losses matter. Momentum is built and stars created by WINNING
• Longterm storytelling which allows more audience investment in the characters
• Less scripted promos with more freedom for those that benefit from it
• Some longer title reigns which has built up prestige of the titles again
• Storyline investment for the midcard and lower card make EVERYTHING feel important
• Thriving Women’s division
• NXT performing very well under the guidance of Shawn Michaels

Heading into WrestleMania 41, WWE is in a great place. The European tour is giving us hot crowds and adding extra gravitas to every show. The Mania Card is starting to take shape...and damn that Main Event of Cody Rhodes vs John Cena just got a hell of a lot more interesting.....



KYRO’S THOUGHTS ON THE CENA HEEL TURN

Oh boy, where do I start with this one......Why John why?!? This moment genuinely shocked me in a way I have never been shocked as a WWE fan of over 30 years (maybe a Column idea for another time!). The IWC has been in meltdown and it is amazing to see how one booking decision can create so much opinion and debate online.

Personally, I LOVED the heel turn. I was perfectly happy to see Cena come back and play his greatest hits, probably win title 17 and then head off into the sunset. Kudos to WWE creative and Cena himself for having the BALLS to swerve us all and completely go off the beaten track. It is a moment we will never forget and will allow Cena to express a new side of his character before he hangs up his boots. This will also elevate Cody to a new level. EVERYONE IS A WINNER.

I am curious to see if John will remain a heel or if there is some sort of redemption arc at play where he will turn babyface again by the end of the year. My guess is we will get one of two scenarios play out:

1. Cena wins the title via Rock/Travis Scott shenanigans at WrestleMania 41 as a heel and remains a heel champion right up until his last match in December where he will drop the title to a conquering babyface (Cody/Punk) and then head off for retirement.

2. Cena loses to Cody at WrestleMania 41 and then becomes conflicted about his decision to turn heel in the following months. This will eventually lead to him betraying The Rock and turning back babyface and reconnecting with the fans. Cena can then rediscover his eye of the tiger (his RUTHLESS AGGRESSION) and fight his way back to a title match for his final dance in December. Imagine his last ever match is for a chance to win the 17th title....the SENSE OF URGENCY for that match would be off the charts!

Whatever scenario we get, or anything completely different, I trust the WWE completely with this and believe this could be one of hottest years in WWE history. Let’s just all sit back and enjoy the ride of HEEL JOHN CENA trying to win that 17th Championship. What a time to be a WWE fan!



THANKS FOR READING (IF ANYONE HAS!!)

Well that is that, my first introductory edition of THE KYRO FACTOR done. If anyone has made it to the end I sincerely thank you. I am very rusty and this is the start of my writing journey and I am more than open to any constructive criticism, feedback or suggestions. I really hope to improve my writing style as I gain more experience.

Until next time, take care all and remember POSITIVE VIBES ONLY!

Follow me on X - @kyrowrestling

Website - kyrowrestling.blogspot.com

 

[Kyro]

The Kyro Factor #2 - Smackdown Thoughts and Show Grade - 21st March 2025​

Good day to you readers, and an extremely warm WELCOME to another edition of THE KYRO FACTOR with me, Kyro, where I will be giving my thoughts on the latest of edition of Smackdown on March 21st, 2025, which was held in Bologna, Italy and treated us viewers to another hot, raucous European crowd. These crowds are bringing so much fun and energy to these shows!

Here are the very brief results before we discuss the key takeaways:

• · Randy Orton and Kevin Owens make their match official for WrestleMania 41
• · Damian Priest and Jimmy Uso defeated Drew McIntyre and Shinsuke Nakamura
• · Charlotte Flair and Tiffany Stratton had a face-to-face interview via video link
• · Braun Strowman defeated Jacob Fatu via DQ to earn a shot at the US title next week in London. This came after Solo Sikoa attacked Strowman.
• · Piper Niven defeated Zelina Vega
• · Liv Morgan defeated Jade Cargill following interference from Naomi
• · Street Profits defeated Los Garza
• · CM Punk, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns in ring confrontation turned into a 3-way brawl to end the show and the Triple Threat Match has been made official for WrestleMania 41.

‘BITCH OWENS BITCH’
I thought it was a smart move having an established star like Randy Orton open the show. The crowd love some voices in their heads and were lapping up Randy’s theme. Some amazing heel schtick from KO who interrupts Orton before he can speak and then apologises to Randy and says he wants them to make up and become Tag Team Champions at WrestleMania! LOL. Obviously, Randy is having none of this and says he is going to kick KO’s head off at Mania thus making the match official. Will we see the Punt again??
I mean, this was an OK segment, but I am still not really feeling this feud at the moment. I think there could potentially be a clash of styles between these 2 men with KO the brawler and Orton the more methodical slower pace technician. The chemistry isn’t right, and I am not exactly sure what this match will achieve other than getting 2 big names on the card. I suspect an Orton win will set him for a possible match with Cena at Backlash in his hometown of St Louis.
I am hoping both men can prove me wrong and pull out a banger at Mania!

DREW'S REVENGE TOUR
Like many of the IWC, I haven’t been completely sold on this Drew McIntyre vs Damian Priest match. Drew should be involved in a higher profile spot. However, as Drew has pointed out, there is a solid and legitimate reason for this match happening which goes back to WrestleMania last year where Priest cashed in on Drew and took his title after 5 minutes. Credit to both Drew and Priest, as they are obviously trying to make the most of it and are bringing the intensity.
This was a nice little tag match (shoutout to Jimmy for showing his brother Jey how to dive over the ropes!) and once again, as Drew has said, he will attack Priest ‘on sight’ whenever he sees him. The right result with Priest getting the pin on Shinsuke with the South of Heaven chokeslam. Damn I love that move!
Great post-match beatdown where Drew attacked Priest with some stiff looking shots. To be honest, this rivalry is just fine and will be a serviceable addition to the card. I think logically Drew needs to win as Priest has cooled down a lot since his feud with Judgement Day ended. I am guessing Drew will have some sort of alliance with Seth Rollins later in the year, so WWE need to keep him looking strong for that. Don’t be surprised if McIntyre gets cheered in this feud either as he continues to absolutely kill it in his promos and on social media.
As for Jimmy and Nakamura, they felt like afterthoughts in this and look likely to miss out on a Mania spot unless they get thrown in to some sort of multi-man match.... maybe the US Title could become a six-pack match?!?

DON’T INTERRUPT THE QUEEN
The Queen speaks first, and the Queen dominates the conversation! In all honestly, Charlotte Flair destroyed Tiffany Stratton in this video interview segment. Whether this was the plan or not I do not know but we got the vibe of the confident, entitled veteran putting down the anxious, inexperienced rookie. It did appear Charlotte went off script a couple of times which caught Tiffany by surprise. This could be part of the storyline in order to generate more sympathy for the underdog babyface, but it did seem Tiffy was a bit flustered and let Charlotte walk all over her. Flair saying Tiffy is underserving of the title because she won via Money in the Bank cash-in hit hard. There is still time for Tiffy Time to strike back in this, and I would love to see a proper face to face promo battle in the ring in the coming weeks. Let’s see where this goes....
All in all, this feud has my attention, and I think these ladies can surprise a lot of people at Mania if Charlotte is in a generous mood.


I LOVE YOU SOLO......MAYBE!
We had another dose of Thor vs Hulk with everyone’s favourite unhinged Samoan Werewolf Jacob Fatu taking on that big SOB Braun Strowman, and it was announced earlier on the show that the winner would face LA Knight for the US title on the next Smackdown in jolly old London.
This was the typical affair from these two brutes, and they seem to work well together. I enjoy watching a motivated Braun Strowman and pairing him with someone like Fatu just brings out the best in him. Shoutout to the Italian crowd for the ‘Oleeeeee, Oleeeee, Fatuuuu, Fatuuuu’ chants which seemed to bring a smile from Jacob! The European crowds mixing Wrestling with Football/Soccer chants is awesome to me!
Braun won the match via DQ as the dethroned Tribal Chief Solo Sikoa interfered and attacked him, much to the disgust of Jacob. LA Knight then came down to save Strowman from the three on one beatdown.
The US title scene is an interesting one going into WrestleMania. We now have LA Knight vs Braun Strowman next week and I predict the match will end in a DQ after more interference from Fatu/Solo. This could then lead to a Fatal 4 Way at Mania (6-Way if you want to chuck Jimmy and Nakamura in there) which I predict Solo will win as his reward for all his good work in the Bloodline story. We could then have US Champ Solo being chased by Jacob Fatu who now ‘Hates’ Solo! Just fantasy booking so please indulge me here!

THE MONA LIVA
Absolutely love the Italian fans who brought ‘The Mona Liva’ with them in worship of Liv Morgan! Very creative and again shows how fun Pro Wrestling can be with this sort of good natured ‘Banter’
Liv has become something of a ring general (sorry Gunter) recently and unsurprisingly gave Jade her best showing in WWE to date. Things ran smoothly here and there was no sign of sloppiness that has marred a couple of Jade’s earlier showings. Credit to Jade, she looked good and showed signs of improvement and WWE clearly knew that Morgan would look after her in the ring.
Big statement win for Morgan after a solid match thanks to interference from our new favourite bitch Naomi. Naomi then beat Jade down after the match as per standard fare!
I am enjoying this heel side of Naomi and it is something I could not imagine a few months back as she was so likable as a babyface. I notice she has been taking Social Media tips off Drew McIntyre as well which should help promote this feud further. It would be great to see these ladies given a spot on one of Mania’s nights as we don’t often see a non-title women’s feud get given this privilege. I am rooting for them and would expect to see Jade get given the rub in the blowoff.
Let’s also get Liv and Raquel on that card! I feel they have elevated those tag team titles, and Liv particularly deserves a spot after the amazing work she has done in the last year.

THE BRAWL IN BOLOGNE
This one is going to be polarising....and I am not talking about John Cena. We got treated to (ANOTHER!) pull apart brawl, this time for Punk, Rollins and Reigns. Admittedly, it was pretty damn cool, and the crowd ate it up. These 3 men are just super over right now that they could just stand there for 20 mins not saying anything and the crowd would chant ‘This is Awesome’
Our Tribal Chief started the segment before being interrupted by his former Shield brethren Seth Rollins, who rightly pointed out that there would be no Roman Reigns without Seth Rollins and vice versa and he wanted to finally settle this once and for all....cue Cult of Personality. CM Punk then expectedly interrupted, and we had another hint of ‘the favour’ that Paul Heyman owes him and now Punk seems to be playing mind games with Roman Reigns. Before any more talking could be done, Punk attacks Reigns which causes Rollins to get involved the 3 men proceed to try and beat the hell out of each other, with half of the WWE workforce trying to keep them apart.
This was fine for me, but I understand some part of the fanbase wanted more of a promo battle rather than a brawl. But we still have a lot of time to kill before WrestleMania so I would expect there to be time for talking over the coming weeks. The hints in this segment suggest maybe ‘the favour’ will be ‘cashed in’ for this match which adds an extra layer of intrigue, although I would still love to see a number one contender stipulation added for the winner, maybe for the next PLE or SummerSlam to add extra gravitas.

Overall, this was a solid effort for the blue brand, perhaps made better than it actually was because of the mega hot Italian crowd. There was nothing offensive on the show, but 3 hours is a long trek to get through. I was leaning towards rating this show a B-, but will settle for a generous B.
KYRO’S SHOW RATING: B

Until next time, take care all and remember POSITIVE VIBES ONLY!
Follow me on X - @kyrowrestling
Website - kyrowrestling.blogspot.com

 

[Dale]

That back to back with Charlotte was so bad for Tiffany, she came off looking so bad and out of her depth. I'm not even a fan of Charlotte promos aswell (for the most part) but the class difference between the two was night and day. I'd be worried for Tiffany if they had another one but face to face in the ring. Match should absolutely deliver though.

 

[Kyro]

That back to back with Charlotte was so bad for Tiffany, she came off looking so bad and out of her depth. I'm not even a fan of Charlotte promos aswell (for the most part) but the class difference between the two was night and day. I'd be worried for Tiffany if they had another one but face to face in the ring. Match should absolutely deliver though.

I’d be really interested to find out if Charlotte did go off script. It almost felt like she was ‘testing’ Tiffany to see how she would respond. Similar to when Cena destroyed Reigns on the mic years ago but maybe not to that extent. If this was the case, Tiffy wasn’t ready for it. I’d like to see her get given another chance at some point to see if she has learnt from the experience. I have no worries about this match though, I think it’s going to be awesome!

 

[Kyro]

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The Kyro Factor #3: Charlotte Flair should BEAT Tiffany Stratton at WrestleMania 41

WELCOME everyone to another edition of THE KYRO FACTOR with me, Kyro, where I will be giving you my most likely incredibly unpopular opinion that Charlotte Flair should BEAT Tiffany Stratton at WrestleMania 41. I get it, I get it, hold on before you turn heel on me...​

There are compelling reasons (I think!) why Charlotte Flair should emerge victorious on The Grandest Stage of Them All. Here’s my 5 reason why I believe The Queen should go back on her throne:​

1. Charlotte Flair is Chasing her Father's 16-time World Champion Record
Charlotte Flair is a 14-time women’s champion, a record that speaks to her dominance and longevity in WWE - Or nepotism if you ask her many online detractors! After being sidelined for over a year due to a serious knee injury sustained in December 2023, Flair made a triumphant return at the 2025 Royal Rumble, winning the match and earning her shot at the title.

Flair has a unique record of competing exclusively for world titles at WrestleMania, and a win over Stratton would give Flair her 15th world title reign, bringing her one step closer to her father Ric Flair’s legendary 16 world championships—a milestone that has been a subtle narrative thread in her career. This would bring us a step closer to a future title feud with the story of Flair looking to equal her Father.


2. Tiffany Stratton’s Star Rises Higher from the Ashes
Tiffany Stratton has had a meteoric rise since her main roster debut in early 2024. In just over a year, she’s captured the Money in the Bank briefcase, cashed it in to win the WWE Women’s Championship from Nia Jax and established herself as a credible addition to the already stacked WWE Women's division. However, at WrestleMania 41, Stratton will be stepping into her first-ever match on The Showcase of the Immortals—a daunting task against someone with the aura of Charlotte Flair.

Stratton has looked overwhelmed in parts of this feud so far, particularly the side-by-side tv interview on the recent episode of Raw where Flair completely dominated the conversation and visibly flustered Stratton, making her look completely out of her depth. There are levels to this game, and maybe this showed the WWE Universe that Tiffy is not quite ready to hang with someone as high up the chain as Charlotte. Let Charlotte take the win and the title, and use it as an opportunity to reset Tiffany and work on her becoming a fully-fledged babyface before rebuilding her for the inevitable rematch...

3. The Match Needs a Flair Victory to Set Up a Bigger Rematch Down the Road
WrestleMania isn’t always about the happy ending—it can be about the setup for the next chapter. For Tiffany Stratton, this loss would plant the seed for a redemption arc, potentially culminating in a title win at SummerSlam or the rumoured Evolution 2. If she were to beat Charlotte at the first attempt, where does she go from there? Is there any bigger fish to fry than taking the scalp of The Queen?

Stratton’s time will come again but having her dethrone Flair in her first WrestleMania match might feel rushed. A Flair win ensures the story continues, giving Stratton a defining moment later when she’s truly ready to carry the division after a bit more experience and work on her character.

4. Tiffany Stratton Needs More Seasoning as a Babyface
Tiffany Stratton has it all - The 'Buff Barbie' looks, the athleticism, charisma and a really cool finishing move in the 'World's Prettiest Moonsault'. However, with traits that are more suited to being a cocky heel (the nickname 'The Centre of The Universe' doesn't scream Babyface!), it has felt at times that she has been more of a 'Tweener' than a full on Babyface. Let us not forget she is also dating one of the most despised heels in the company in Ludwig Kaiser!
Fans are cheering for Tiffy, but does she really have that connection with the audience or do people just not want Charlotte to have another title reign? WWE needs to reset Stratton, and a heartbreaking loss to Flair at WrestleMania will kickstart the gears into motion and gain some fan sympathy, particularly if Flair cheats to win and screws Tiffy over.

WWE needs to start showing Tiffany in a different light, perhaps using video packages of her grittier side - She has previously won Weightlifting and Bodybuilding Championships before she became a Pro Wrestler. Let the audience see all the hard work behind the scenes and the Make-A-Wishes with the children that Tiffy does so she can start forming that bond with the fans. Have her feud with some heels to rubberstamp the face turn before she can finally find her way back to Charlotte again. The potential is there for Stratton to be a great babyface, but WWE needs to tweak her character to fulfil it.

5. It Would Likely Generate NUCLEAR Heat on Charlotte
WWE keeps trying Charlotte as a babyface and it just does not work. The fans refuse to accept her in this role, and it seems WWE has accepted this in the last few weeks as Charlotte has been slowly transitioning back into her more heelish ways...

The crushing defeat of a young rising star Stratton, via some heel-like cheating and shenanigans, will get Charlotte some serious heat with the fans and get her back to the best version of herself - The Evil Queen on her throne. Let her really rub it in everyone's faces and people will pay to see her get her comeuppance either in the rematch with Tiffy or any other Babyface that tries to take her Throne. Whether you like Charlotte or not, I think we can all agree she is much more engaging as a villain?

Conclusion
To clarify, I am a huge fan of Tiffany Stratton, but I genuinely believe that as long as the follow-up booking is sensible, that losing this match could actually benefit her in the long run and make her a bigger star. Ideally, this could be a 3-match series, with Charlotte winning the first and Tiffy winning matches 2 and 3 if the story calls for it. One thing I am convinced of is that these 2 ladies will put on a good show on the night, and it will be intriguing to see the crowd reaction to it...

So, what do you think about my reasons for Charlotte winning the match? Do you agree? Is it the wrong call? How would you book it?
Until next time, take care all and remember POSITIVE VIBES ONLY!


Email - kyrowrestlingx@outlook.com

 

[Dale]

Good write up but really not sure which way I would lean. I said a while back when it was suggested that Charlotte should win that it would be an awful decision but with each passing week i'm coming round to the idea a tiny little bit because these Tiffy promos just aren't it.

Obviously it's all hindsight but it's a bit of a shame they went all in on her so early because she would have been perfect in that midcard role with the IC title for example.

 

[Kyro]

Yeah I totally get what you mean, and the face/heel alignment has been a bit weird as Charlotte came back a face and is now a heel again and Tiffy only really become a face because she cashed in the MITB on Nia but really hasn't changed her character much. If WWE goes with a Tiffy win then I am totally cool with that, I just think there might be more of a story to tell if Charlotte wins it and then we can use this as a reset for Stratton and build her back up for the big rematch at Evolution 2/Summerslam.

 

[Dale]

I just don't want another nothing reign of Charlotte to stat pad that's my only issue, feels like both options aren't the best to go with but sticking with Tiffy due to her upside might be the best bet.

 

[Kyro]

Yeah you could very well be right and I wouldn’t be against that at all. I just think WWE are going to want to get Charlotte to match her dad’s record so wouldn’t be surprised if they give her the win to get her closer. It’s going to be interesting for sure.
What’s your thoughts on the build up to Mania overall so far? I’m sensing mixed feelings overall from the fan base

 

[Dale]

I'm happy with the build right now, it's not sizzling hot or anything but there's still a few weeks for it all to ramp up. With that said, it still feels like there's a lot of people yet to be announced for the show and whether they actually make it there or not so time is actually ticking in that regards.

 

[Kyro]

THE KYRO FACTOR #4:
REIGNS. ROLLINS. PUNK. WHO SHOULD WIN AT WRESTLEMANIA 41?

​

WELCOME everyone to another edition of THE KYRO FACTOR with me, Kyro, where we will be looking at one of the biggest and most controversial matches at WrestleMania 41, that being the now confirmed MAIN EVENT of Night One which sees ‘The Visionary’ SETH ROLLINS, ‘The Tribal Chief’ ROMAN REIGNS and ‘The Best in the World’ CM PUNK do battle in a triple threat match.

This match continues to divide opinion amongst the fanbase, with some preferring to see a one-on-one match between any combination of the three and whilst I do understand those feelings, let’s not overlook the fact that we still have what is likely to be an OUTSTANDING match on our hands with 3 of the current hottest stars in the company. You would have to be a fool to bet against these 3 world class athletes from delivering a classic, and the match has big storyline ramifications going forward.

This triple threat match is over a decade in the making. Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins share a deep history dating back to their time in THE SHIELD, a faction that debuted in 2012 with the initial purpose of protecting a then-villainous CM Punk. The Shield's eventual breakup in 2014, when Rollins betrayed Reigns, set the stage for a rivalry that has simmered ever since, with the two never having a definitive singles match at WrestleMania. Meanwhile, Punk’s return to WWE at Survivor Series 2023 reignited his tension with Rollins, who felt betrayed by Punk’s 2014 departure from the company. Punk’s alliance with Reigns at Survivor Series 2024, followed by his elimination of both Reigns and Rollins at the 2025 Royal Rumble, added fuel to the fire, leading to this epic encounter.

​

The match lacks a championship on the line, which has drawn some criticism from fans and analysts. Without a title, the stakes appear lacking, and it has felt like a glorified grudge match at times in the build-up. However, the personal animosity among the three is simmering and there are many side issues which add to the intrigue of the match. Will we finally get to see what the ‘Favour’ is that Paul Heyman still owes to CM Punk? There are so many possibilities with many predicting that Heyman will betray his ‘Tribal Chief’ and re-join Punk, the original ‘Paul Heyman guy’. Whilst I don’t think this will be the case and Punk does not need a mouthpiece for him at this stage of his career, maybe the favour will lead to some sort of No.1 Contender stipulation added...

With all that being said, who actually NEEDS to win the match the most? Who SHOULD win the match? Let’s look at the case for each man to have their hand raised in victory at the conclusion of Night One:



THE CASE FOR ROMAN REIGNS

Roman Reigns, the ‘OTC’, has been THE dominant force in WWE for years. His record-breaking Universal Championship reign, which ended at WrestleMania 40 under incredible circumstances to Cody Rhodes, cemented him as one of the company’s biggest draws. Since losing the title, Reigns has been embroiled in the drama of The Bloodline, reclaiming his position as the faction’s leader at the Raw debut on Netflix. However, his 2025 has been marked by setbacks, including his Royal Rumble elimination, by CM Punk, and ongoing tension with Paul Heyman, who owes CM Punk a mysterious favour.

​

A win for Reigns at WrestleMania 41 would reinforce his status as WWE’s top star, even without a title. It would allow him to reassert dominance over two of his biggest rivals and potentially set up a renewed push toward the championship and a trilogy bout with either Cody Rhodes or John Cena, depending on whoever wins that huge match on Night Two. However, Reigns’ part-time schedule and already-established legacy raise questions about whether he needs this win. His story doesn’t hinge on being the ‘top guy’ anymore—he can remain a central figure without the victory and doesn’t even need to take the pinfall. Furthermore, a loss could deepen his paranoia about Heyman’s loyalty, leading to a dramatic betrayal angle that could refresh his character arc.



THE CASE FOR SETH ROLLINS

Seth Rollins is the workhorse of this match. Rollins has been a five-time world champion but has never quite reached the iconic status of Reigns or Punk in terms of sheer popularity, which clearly IRKS him. His history with both opponents is deeply personal: he betrayed Reigns in 2014, and Punk’s 2014 exit left Rollins feeling abandoned by a mentor figure. In 2025, Rollins has been the focal point of this feud, injuring Reigns at the Royal Rumble with a brutal Stomp and costing Punk a victory at Elimination Chamber.

​

Rollins could play the ‘Joker’ role, and I don’t mean his outlandish outfits, by manipulating Punk and Reigns into focusing on each other before stealing the win—a scenario that would celebrate the 10-year anniversary since ‘the Heist of the Century’ at WrestleMania 31 where Rollins cashed in the Money in the Bank briefcase and pinned Roman Reigns. It would be ironic if Rollins pinned Reigns again 10 years on from that unforgettable moment which could then set up a summer feud and final pay-off between the two. A victory would also give Rollins a much-needed boost, as he’s taken several high-profile losses recently, including a clean loss to Punk. However, you could argue that Rollins doesn’t ‘need’ the win as much as his opponents. A loss wouldn’t significantly damage his standing, and the anger over the loss could lead to a potential heel turn which could then feed into further feuds with both Reigns and Punk. Let’s not forget the teases WWE have been giving us with Rollins and McIntyre aligning....



THE CASE FOR CM PUNK

CM Punk has been on a REDEMPTION tour since returning to WWE in 2023. His 2014 departure was messy, leaving many to assume he would never work for the company again. Punk has made it clear that main-eventing WrestleMania is a lifelong dream, and the emotion he showed on the recent Smackdown where Heyman confirmed the match would be the main event was very real. His elimination of both Reigns and Rollins at the Royal Rumble, followed by his victory over Rollins on Raw’s Netflix premiere, positions him as a strong contender. Additionally, the favour Paul Heyman owes him—stemming from Punk’s alliance with The Bloodline at Survivor Series 2024—adds an intriguing layer of mystery.

​

In my opinion, Punk winning at WrestleMania 41 makes the most narrative sense. A victory over two of WWE’s biggest stars would solidify his comeback and complete the seemingly impossible redemption arc. It would also set him up perfectly for a title shot and a blockbuster feud with John Cena, who is set to challenge Cody Rhodes for the title on Night 2, or even position Punk as the next challenger for the World Heavyweight Championship. Punk’s victory could potentially end his rivalry with Rollins and allow him to leverage Heyman’s favour in a dramatic way...

Whilst all three men have compelling cases, Punk has the most to gain. His win would not only cap his redemption arc but also open up a potential title chase and a deeper exploration of Heyman’s favour.



KYRO’S VERDICT: CM PUNK WINS



So, I am going with a CM Punk win in Las Vegas, and believe he has the most to gain. Do you agree with me? Will the ‘Favour’ become a factor? Does WWE have one last swerve that no one has yet seen?

Let me know your thoughts!

Until next time, take care all and remember POSITIVE VIBES ONLY!

Follow me on X - @kyrowrestling

Website - kyrowrestling.blogspot.com

Email - kyrowrestlingx@outlook.com