The beginning of each new yr results in probably the most thrilling time of the yr for wrestling followers: The Highway to WrestleMania. Issues are already off to a scorching begin contained in the squared circle with a stunning title change on SmackDown as Drew McIntyre overcame Cody Rhodes to win the undisputed WWE title via Three Phases of Hell, because of a bit assist from Jacob Fatu. 

However because the schedule begins to warmth up, there are some essential stops alongside the best way to reaching The Showcase of the Immortals. It begins with the Royal Rumble on Jan. 31 from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia the place one man and one girl will punch their ticket to WrestleMania. Then consideration shifts to the Elimination Chamber in Chicago on Feb. 28, the place once more one man and one girl will e-book a title match at WrestleMania, set for April 18 and 19 in Las Vegas for the second straight yr.

With all that in thoughts, the CBS Sports activities wrestling consultants sat all the way down to make 5 predictions about what we’ll see main as much as — and at — WrestleMania 42. Learn on to see what we anticipate over the approaching months.

1. Who’s going to win the Royal Rumble?

Unanimous: Bron Breakker and Bianca Belair

Breakker’s rise got here before anticipated. WWE clearly sees him as a future principal occasion participant, however Seth Rollins’ damage expedited his function in The Imaginative and prescient. Headlining Mania is likely to be untimely, however then once more, WWE already options him prominently on Monday Night time Uncooked. If WWE goes all-in on Breakker, profitable the Rumble is one of the best ways to raise him. I’ll throw a dart for the ladies’s Rumble. Bianca Belair hasn’t wrestled since placing on the match of the weekend in opposition to Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY at WrestleMania 41. A finger damage sidelined her longer than anybody anticipated. If she’s secretly cleared, a Rumble return can be an amazing shock, and an ideal set-up to problem her former tag workforce accomplice, WWE ladies’s champion Jade Cargill. — Shakiel Mahjouri

Jey Uso profitable final yr’s Rumble was nice in that it was a real shock. I do not suppose we get that stage of drama this yr. Personally, I would desire Bron Breakker not win the Rumble and earn a title shot at Elimination Chamber as an alternative, however this feels just like the yr WWE offers Breakker a dominant Rumble and has him get the win. On the ladies’s aspect, I agree with Shakiel {that a} Bianca Belair win can be the appropriate transfer. Belair has been out of motion lengthy sufficient that her return will really feel recent. And everyone knows Belair can ship within the WrestleMania highlight. — Brent Brookhouse

2. Who’s going to win the Elimination Chamber?

Males’s — Roman Reigns (unanimous) | Ladies’s — Rhea Ripley or Liv Morgan

Roman Reigns has extra WrestleMania principal occasions than anybody. It is unlikely he’ll be demoted this yr. Breakker ought to win the Royal Rumble; it is probably the most prestigious path to Mania. “The OTC” would not want that enhance. He’ll discover his path to a world title match via the brutal confines of the Elimination Chamber. Ladies’s world champion Stephanie Vaquer wants a proficient, high-profile Mania challenger. Ripley, after profitable the Elimination Chamber, is a terrific foil for a match with excessive essential and business enchantment. — Mahjouri

I actually want I used to be saying anybody apart from Roman Reigns right here. WWE actually must lean on guys who’re nearer to full-time to construct the long run. That stated, WrestleMania is all in regards to the “massive names” and Reigns is a man they will lean on for a principal occasion match. Once more, I would like to be stunned by a unique transfer, however I simply do not see it. For the ladies’s Elimination Chamber, Liv Morgan looks as if a good option to get the win. Stephanie Vaquer wants a stable identify challenger and Morgan fills the heel function and brings the credibility wanted for a WrestleMania title match. — Brookhouse

3. What’s one main WrestleMania match that is not at the moment on the radar however will come collectively within the coming months?

Unanimous: Gunther vs. Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar vs. Gunther screams particular attraction. It is a fashionable dream match between two of WWE’s stiffest strikers. It is a match that sells itself with minimal construct required, an ideal approach to make the most of Lesnar’s part-time standing. It will likely be tremendously bodily, and might additional construct Gunther’s aura after he retired John Cena and Goldberg in 2025.

4. What would be the 4 prime title matches at WrestleMania 42?

Undisputed WWE Championship — Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Roman Reigns* 
World Heavyweight Championship — CM Punk (c) vs. Bron Breakker
WWE Ladies’s Championship — Jade Cargill (c) vs. Bianca Belair
Ladies’s World Championship — Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Liv Morgan
— Brookhouse

Undisputed WWE Championship — Cody Rhodes or Jacob Fatu vs. Bron Breakker*
World Heavyweight Championship — CM Punk (c) vs. Roman Reigns
WWE Ladies’s Championship — Jade Cargill (c) vs. Bianca Belair
Ladies’s World Championship — Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
— Mahjouri

*denotes if Rhodes is ready to win again the title from Drew McIntyre