(This story was originally published on USATODAY.com)
Amid frustrations from fans, WWE could announce its main event matches for WrestleMania 40 with its kickoff press conference on Thursday.
WrestleMania 40 is still more than a month and a half away from being held in Philadelphia, and Las Vegas is currently the the center of the football world with the Super Bowl taking place in the Sin City this weekend, but WWE will attempt to steal some of the spotlight with an event featuring some of the biggest names in the company to generate anticipation for its flagship event.
Here’s what to know ahead of the kickoff event:
When is WrestleMania 40 kickoff?
WrestleMania 40 kickoff is Thursday at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.
Where is WrestleMania 40 kickoff?
WrestleMania 40 kickoff will take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It is a free event for people to attend, with doors opening at 2:30 p.m. PT.
How to watch WrestleMania 40 kickoff
The WrestleMania 40 kickoff will be streamed on WWE’s social and digital channels. It can also be viewed on Peacock.
Who will be at the WrestleMania 40 kickoff?
The even will be hosted by “Monday Night Raw” commentators Michael Cole and Pat McAfee. WWE has billed the kickoff as a face-off between Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Roman Reigns, with WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque also participating.
After the event both The Rock and Reigns, as well as Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley, will be onsite to speak with the media.
What to expect at WrestleMania 40 kickoff
The presumed notion is Thursday will be when Roman Reigns vs. The Rock for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 40 will be announced.
It will be a heavily disapproved decision from WWE fans if it is announced, as fans have spent the past week voicing their displeasure since The Rock showed up on “Friday Night Smackdown.” It appeared Cody Rhodes would challenge Reigns for the title after he won the 2024 Royal Rumble, setting him to “finish the story” he had made his goal since he returned to the company in 2022. With The Rock seeming to take over the spot, fans felt Rhodes was pushed aside for an opportunity The Rock didn’t work in for the past year and the “American Nightmare” was destined to be the person to break Reigns years-long title run. #WeWantCody was also the top trending item all over social media this past weekend.
Other than Reigns and The Rock, other matches for the event could be announced on Thursday, making it a must-watch event for fans to see what could happen on the road to WrestleMania.
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