Since Triple H took over creative control of WWE, its product has seen a notable rise in long-term storylines. The reception to this more patient storytelling approach has been mostly positive, with fans remaining invested in stories due to a consistency that was sorely missed in the previous regime. Superstars have also reaped the benefits, connecting better with the audience as a result.
The current landscape of the Stamford-based promotion features some storylines running at a slow burn. These angles have been running for weeks, months, or even years, with no imminent end in sight. With WrestleMania serving as the ultimate annual payoff of the company's storytelling efforts, they could be extended until The Show of Shows in Las Vegas, which is more than six months away.
Here are four current storylines in WWE that could culminate at WrestleMania XLI:
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#4. A-Town Down Under's impending implosion could end in a WWE WrestleMania 41 singles match
Austin Theory and Grayson Waller have been one of WWE's most versatile tag teams for over a year since first teaming up. Dubbed A-Town Down Under, the duo has faced a who's who of superstars ranging from #DIY to Randy Orton and Kevin Owens. Their crowning moment came at WrestleMania XL, where they won the then-SmackDown Tag Team Title in an epic Six Pack Tag Team Ladder Match.
That reign lasted 90 days, ending at the hands of Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa. Theory and Waller have not been the same since, with a rift slowly forming between them. This could potentially lead to a babyface turn by the youngest United States Champion in history. Fans have been waiting for the trigger to be pulled on this, but Triple H and Co. have intentionally kept it simmering on low heat.
The Game could turn up the heat on this feud at any moment, but given the five-match format of smaller PLEs, one gets the feeling that its payoff will be saved for the two-night extravaganza in Las Vegas.
#3. The New Day's tensions could build all the way to The Show of Shows with a "Big" conclusion
The New Day is currently going through a turbulent time, and the duo is taking the WWE Universe on a rollercoaster of emotions. In a world where every tag team or faction inevitably breaks up, the brotherhood of positivity has held strong for over a decade. However, of late, there has been trouble in paradise (no pun intended) between Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston.
Woods has developed a chip on his shoulder due to his lack of singles success, with Kingston doing his best to reassure him. Although it looks like the former King of the Ring will snap and betray his long-time partner, a massive twist could be in the works. There have been rumors that Big E could return to help his brothers reconcile if medically cleared, raising eyebrows.
With Woods and Kingston's storyline being featured prominently on a weekly basis, The Powerhouse of Positivity might be closer to full health than we know. If the former WWE Champion is indeed secretly cleared, there is no bigger stage for him to make his comeback than the Road to WrestleMania, resulting in a six-man tag team match featuring The New Day at The Showcase of The Immortals.
#2: Rhea Ripley vs. Liv Morgan could conceivably last until WWE WrestleMania XLI
Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan have been tussling it out since The Eradicator returned to WWE TV on the Road to SummerSlam 2024. Ripley's layoff for the previous three months had been due to an injury inflicted on her by Morgan, forcing her to vacate the Women's World Title, which inevitably fell into her nemesis's hands. The champion continues to elude the challenger with help from various superstars.
While Morgan has used Dominik Mysterio and The Judgment Day as a shield for months, the introduction of Raquel Rodriguez has changed the game. Big Mami Cool can actually get physical with Ripley, meaning a singles match is likely on the cards. Additionally, there is a lot of history between the three women, which could easily consume a year or more of storytelling.
Depending on how much Triple H and his team will like to explore, one can easily see this rivalry extending to WrestleMania. It's especially likely with Asuka, Becky Lynch, and Charlotte Flair out, and the likes of Bianca Belair and IYO SKY rebuilding the tag team division.
#1: The Bloodline civil war must culminate in Roman Reigns vs. The Rock at WWE WrestleMania 41
The Bloodline storyline continues to go strong more than four years since it first graced a WWE ring. The iconic story has gone through multiple iterations, with its latest chapter being a civil war angle spearheaded by Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa. The Street Champ took over The Bloodline following The OTC's defeat to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40.
The storyline was ramped up at Bad Blood by the returns of The Rock and Jimmy Uso, with Jey Uso and Sami Zayn expected to join soon.
There will be plenty of fireworks, twists, and turns, but the ultimate destination is a match between The Final Boss and The OTC to pay off the entire family arc. Given the magnitude of the stars involved, there is no stage fit for arguably the biggest blockbuster match in the industry than WrestleMania XLI.
Roman Reigns vs. The Rock in the main event of The Show of Shows could create the biggest match of all time. This could be even more true with a title or The Great One's career on the line. Here's hoping all schedules line up and we get to see this mega bout in Las Vegas!