The excitement is palpable as WWE gears up for WrestleMania 41, set to unfold in Las Vegas in under two weeks. Anticipation is building for what promises to be an exhilarating weekend filled with riveting storylines and electrifying matches. A highlight includes John Cena’s quest for a record-extending 17th WWE Championship, competing against Cody Rhodes in what is expected to be the main event of Night 2. On Night 1, a thrilling triple-threat match featuring Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, and CM Punk is sure to deliver high-stakes drama.
The women’s division is also poised for an intense showdown, with a triple-threat contest between Iyo Sky, Rhea Ripley, and Bianca Belair set to crown a new Women’s World Champion. Moreover, the Royal Rumble victors, Charlotte Flair and Jey Uso, are eager to seize championship gold in their respective encounters against Tiffany Stratton and Gunther.
However, even with a packed two-night schedule, some talents may unfortunately miss the spotlight. While not every matchup has been confirmed, it’s likely that current Intercontinental Champions Bron Breakker and Lyra Valkyria will make an appearance. In light of that, here’s a look at five superstars or factions that merit a place on the WrestleMania 41 card but currently appear sidelined.
5
Wyatt Sicks
A Huge Missed Opportunity to Feature One of WWE’s Most Intriguing Factions
As we approach the first anniversary of Wyatt Sicks’ impactful debut on Monday Night Raw, it is clear that this moment has been a highlight for WWE in 2024. Their fierce rivalry with Chad Gable and the American Made faction established them as a dominant force, leading to a short-lived conflict with Karrion Kross and The Final Testament. After Kross triumphed over Bo Dallas in their follow-up match, their narrative transition to Smackdown was anticipated.
Yet since their migration, Wyatt Sicks has been noticeably absent from Smackdown. With Alexa Bliss’ return at the Royal Rumble and her connection to this faction, fans can’t help but feel that failing to feature them at WrestleMania is a significant oversight. Reports from Fightful Select indicate that an injury has hampered a group member, but given the collective strength of Wyatt Sicks, a compelling storyline could still unfold against Kross.
4
Fraxiom
A Struggling Tag Team Division Could Use a Boost from Fraxiom
At this juncture, neither a World Tag Team Championship nor a WWE Tag Team Championship match has been scheduled for WrestleMania 41. The New Day is set to clash with the War Raiders for the former title, while the Motor City Machine Guns have positioned themselves as the top contenders for the latter. With the WWE Draft on the horizon, Fraxiom, current NXT Tag Team Champions for over 215 days, are primed for a call-up and are considered amongst the finest tag teams today.
As WWE’s main roster tag division continues its reconstruction, their omission from WrestleMania feels like a missed opportunity to showcase exceptional young talent on the grandest stage. Known for their high-energy, acrobatic style, Fraxiom would truly shine in a TLC match, complementing ongoing tag team rivalries on Smackdown. With a multitude of teams vying for dominance alongside the Street Profits, a multi-tag team showdown seems a logical and exciting choice—particularly with Fraxiom added into the mix.
3
Nia Jax
Nia Jax is riding the momentum from arguably the best year of her WWE career. After capturing the 2024 Queen of the Ring Tournament title, she challenged Bayley for the WWE Women’s Championship at Summerslam. Since her return in 2023, Jax has shown marked improvement in both her in-ring performance and her microphone presence, especially evident in her ongoing feud with Bayley.
Furthermore, her contributions have significantly aided Tiffany Stratton’s rise during their time as competitors. After holding the championship for an impressive 153 days, Jax lost it to Stratton when she cashed in her Money in the Bank contract. However, since that loss, her presence on weekly programming has dwindled. WWE has overlooked potential story arcs that could revive her character, especially with Candice LeRae now in the mix. Instead of channeling her frustrations, Jax is poised to miss out on WrestleMania 41 after what has been an impressive year.
2
Carmelo Hayes
Smackdown’s Premier Draft Pick “Misses”WrestleMania 41
Carmelo Hayes, a former NXT Champion and two-time NXT North American Champion, made a notable transition to the main roster last year as a highly-touted prospect. He was Smackdown’s first-round draft pick, even receiving an Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match upon arrival. Despite being one of the standout names from NXT, expectations for him have yet to align with reality, even as he showcases his skills against legends like Randy Orton in recent matches.
Prior to his main roster debut, Hayes made quite an impact through numerous matches, including a notable showing in a United States Championship Number One Contender’s tournament. Yet, since moving to Friday nights, he has experienced more losses than victories. As Jacob Fatu competes against LA Knight for the US title at WrestleMania, it’s likely that Solo Sikoa will intervene, dampening any hopes for Hayes to reclaim the spotlight. While WWE seems to be adopting a measured approach with Hayes, it is disheartening that he won’t be part of the WrestleMania card in Las Vegas.
1
Chelsea Green
No Recognition for the First-Ever Women’s United States Champion
Chelsea Green made history as the first-ever women’s United States Champion back in December. After returning to the WWE landscape amidst significant hype during the 2023 Royal Rumble, Green has solidified herself with a dynamic character in the women’s division, earning this prestigious role as a groundbreaking figure. Nonetheless, her championship tenure has not translated into the strongest booking.
Currently, she appears to be the only champion slated to be absent from WrestleMania 41, which raises eyebrows. While her new faction, “The Green Regime,”has introduced compelling dynamics, Green’s ongoing rivalries with Michin and B-Fab have yet to culminate in any high-profile match. Despite the intrigue surrounding these conflicts, it appears unlikely that Green will defend her title in Las Vegas.
Instead of gearing up for a WrestleMania appearance, she found herself competing on NXT, where she was momentarily pinned by Sol Ruca and then defended her title against her. Though it’s conceivable that Green may try to voice her frustrations during WrestleMania, facing an unexpected legend in a surprise match, it’s clear she deserves far better treatment than such speculative outcomes.