The path to WrestleMania 40 began at the Royal Rumble 2024, and the hype for the road has already begun. This year’s WrestleMania is predicted to be tremendous, as this is the first WrestleMania event following TKO Group Holdings. The organization has begun its booking for the great event and is likely to have a big match card for the two-day exhibition. As the majority of wrestlers are eager to feature in the greatest wrestling event, here are ten of the top WWE stars who could likely miss WrestleMania 40.

10. Nia Jax

Nia Jax is one of the most dominant WWE stars on the current WWE roster. She is currently engaging in a feud with the Women’s World Champion, Rhea Ripley. Based on the existing bookings, it is evident that Nia would face Ripley in the elimination chamber. However, if Jax does not win the championship in Australia, her WrestleMania would become an issue, and there are a lot of chances that she could miss WrestleMania 40.

9. Austin Theory

Austin Theory is one of the young and emerging WWE talents that is considered the future of the industry. He squared off with one of the goats, John Cena, last year, where he defended his United States Championship; nevertheless, this year is a quest. Since Theory hasn’t been involved in a huge storyline yet, his current run feels directionless. It seems like he would certainly skip this WrestleMania 40.

8. Raquel Rodriguez

Raquel Rodriguez has been missing from television for months, and it was rumored that she is suffering from MCAS and that she would not be doing her favourite activity, which is wrestling. Since Raquel is entirely cured, she won’t be making it to WrestleMania this year.

7. Sami Zayn

Sami Zayn is one of the top babyfaces in the industry. He main eventted last year’s WrestleMania and claimed the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship from The Usos. Zayn has been featured in a lot of existing narratives; nonetheless, he isn’t a part of any devoted rivalry. His current feud with Drew McIntyre could likely finish in weeks; beyond that, there is no indication where Sami’s story will continue on the road to WrestleMania 40.

6. Dominik Mysterio

Dominik Mysterio is one of the young and top heels in WWE. He had a tremendous 2023 year with his NXT North American Championship reign and is considered the future of the company. However, Dominik hasn’t been involved in any storylines yet, and his path to WrestleMania hasn’t begun yet. If Dom doesn’t find a fresher conflict on the road, he might be pulled out of the picture for WrestleMania 40.

5. Bianca Belair
Bianca Belair is one of the top female talents in the SmackDown brand and is a former multi-time Women’s Champion. Although ‘The EST’ is the top female wrestler in the company, she hasn’t been involved in any storylines yet. Belair has been hoping to find a road to WrestleMania; yet, she hasn’t become part of any storylines other than Damage CTRL. During the last two WrestleManias, Belair was involved in championship matches, but it seems like her WrestleMania 40 is now a question mark.
4. Randy Orton

Randy Orton made his WWE return at Survivor Series and is right away on top of the card. Orton challenged Roman Reigns for the undisputed WWE Universal Championship featuring AJ Styles and LA Knight in a Fatal 4-Way Match, where Orton got so close but wasn’t able to win the title. Since Orton hasn’t been involved in any storylines yet and his competitor Reigns has already been engaged in a different plot, his journey to WrestleMania is directionless. Unless Orton becomes embroiled in a new rivalry, he could likely miss WrestleMania 40.

3. Charlotte Flair
Charlotte Flair is currently injured and has been ruled out for nine months (Courtesy: WWE)

Charlotte Flair, in December 2023, during a match with Asuka on SmackDown, hurt her knee, and it was stated that Flair would not be putting foot inside the wrestling ring for at least 9 months. Based on the reports, it is evident that Charlotte Flair could only be sighted on television by the end of 2024 or by early 2025.

2. Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar was scheduled to return to WWE at the Royal Rumble; however, Lesnar’s return was postponed owing to his possible involvement in the sexual trafficking charges involving Vince McMahon brought by former WWE employee Janel Grant. Lesnar’s WWE homecoming plans are now paused, and the backstage reports imply that he will not be a part of WrestleMania 40. He was going to be in the Royal Rumble match and involved in a feud with Dominik Mysterio at the Elimination Chamber, but it got abandoned.

1. CM Punk

CM Punk injured his right tricep muscle during the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble bout. Punk on the Raw following the Royal Rumble match said that he couldn’t accomplish his aim of main eventing WrestleMania, as it needs surgery and will be out of action for 4 to 6 months. CM Punk himself has declared that he won’t be available for this year’s WrestleMania. His injury is playing a huge role on the path to WrestleMania, which indirectly effects WrestleMania plans.

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