5 WWE Raw Rivalries We Want After WrestleMania 39 (& 5 On WWE Smackdown)
With WWE WrestleMania 39 now done and dusted, the company looks set to embark on a new year. Whilst headlines may be away from the on-screen product due to a huge sale and also the status of Vince McMahon, all most fans care about is what happens on TV.
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In the aftermath of WrestleMania 39 and the months which follow - whether that be one, three, or six months down the line - there are certain rivalries that fans want to see on Raw and SmackDown. Up and down the card there are rivalries which need to happen both from an in-ring quality perspective, and to benefit the future of the product.
10 Raw: Edge Vs. Austin Theory
After defeating John Cena and Rey Mysterio in back-to-back nights, Austin Theory could well go on a legend-killer streak over the next few months. With Edge potentially not having long left when it comes to an in-ring career, then this would be something fresh, new, and hugely beneficial.
Edge could bring the best out of Theory from a storytelling perspective, and it would allow a new star to continue getting built up. Edge needs something new away from The Judgment Day, and this could be it.
9 SmackDown: Sheamus Vs. Drew McIntyre
After each losing at WrestleMania to Gunther, Sheamus and Drew McIntyre could very well be out of the running for the time being. However, their story is clearly just getting started, with McIntyre likely turning heel.
It will be great to see these two tear each other apart, because no matter how many times it gets booked, it never fails to disappoint. With a strong story behind it and maybe some stipulations, it could be even better.
8 Raw: Randy Orton Vs. Riddle
This may not happen for a little while yet, as Randy Orton hasn’t returned to in-ring action, but once he does this feud needs to happen. It would have happened if it weren’t for Orton’s injury, but even with a delay, there is enough history between these two as a tag team to create a strong rivalry.
The babyface/heel dynamic would work either way around, though it could be argued that Riddle would benefit from a fresh start as a heel much more than Orton would at this point. This could be a major rivalry for Raw if built up correctly.
7 SmackDown: Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler Vs. Becky Lynch & Lita
Becky Lynch and Lita could well lose the Women’s Tag Team Championships before Ronda Rousey is back in fit state to wrestle, but if they do keep ahold of the gold, then this could be one of the biggest Women’s Tag Title matches ever.
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Fans have been wanting to see Lynch and Rousey share the ring again, and whilst this wouldn’t be a singles match, it would be a nice consolation. Having Lynch and Lita on SmackDown as champions would give the women’s division on the blue brand a much needed short term boost too.
6 Raw: Bianca Belair Vs. Chelsea Green
Bianca Belair, after spending a whole year as Raw Women’s Champion, needs some new challengers. Chelsea Green has had a decent introduction on Raw, with her character work being very strong. Putting her in a higher profile role would be great, and it would provide a brand new combination for the Raw Women’s Title scene.
Belair would likely get a good match out of Green, and she needs a marquee standout performance to properly begin to make her name in WWE.
5 SmackDown: Gunther Vs. AJ Styles
It isn’t clear how long AJ Styles will be out for, but if he returns soon, then sending him to SmackDown to take on Gunther would create magic. Gunther needs some new challengers after running through much of the SmackDown roster, and Styles would provide a high profile name for him to face.
Not only that, but Imperium vs. The O.C. would be a great trios match too. Gunther has been having great match after great match, and there is no safer pick to have that streak continue than AJ Styles.
4 Raw: Alpha Academy Vs. Maximum Male Models
This storyline has been steadily brewing for several weeks, but after WrestleMania it needs to be progressed to the next level. The Maximum Male Models have needed a feud like this to really establish themselves on the main roster, and the Alpha Academy needs it to facilitate a babyface turn.
In terms of the tag team division, having non-title feuds is mightily important to help build other teams up to title contention.
3 SmackDown: Rhea Ripley Vs. Liv Morgan
Rhea Ripley is the new SmackDown Women’s Champion, but when it comes to the SmackDown women’s division, there is a significant lack of star power. Liv Morgan is one of the few who has the popularity and momentum to step up, and that is why she should be a challenger for Ripley.
Ripley and Morgan are former tag team partners and former rivals, and the pair also made up the last two in the 2023 Royal Rumble match, meaning that there is plenty to build on to make this a strong feud for the title.
2 Raw: Cody Rhodes Vs. Finn Balor
Cody Rhodes is set to feud with Brock Lesnar, but he still needs some more rivalries to keep him going until an eventual rematch with Roman Reigns down the line. One of the top heels on Raw is Finn Balor, and both he and The Judgment Day would be strong foes for Rhodes.
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Rhodes and Balor would no doubt have a great PPV match if given the time and build, and it would provide Rhodes with a big win on his way to climbing up the card.
1 SmackDown: Roman Reigns Vs. Jey Uso
The Bloodline saga still remains the most compelling part of WWE programming. Sooner rather than later, Jey Uso (or even both of The Uso’s) will rebel against Reigns.
Things all started with Reigns and Jey Uso, and a return to that should happen this year. Seeing these two come full circle would be sure to create a wonderful moment and glorious television.
