KICKOFF MATCH FOR THE WWE CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: AUSTIN ARIES VS. NEVILLE (C)
This feud has been going on for a few weeks and its been enjoyable. However, the feud still has plenty of mileage left and Neville’s championship reign should not end right now as he has been a revelation with his new heel persona and “King of the Cruiserweights” gimmick. I feel with this being on the Kickoff Show that they will have more time than on the regular show, where a match like this will get squeezed for time if the show runs too long. I suspect Neville either cheats to retain or loses by countout but I cannot see him dropping the title here. BAYLESS’ PICK: NEVILLE
KICKOFF MATCH FOR THE WWE SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP: BECKY LYNCH VS. NATALYA VS. MICKIE JAMES VS. CARMELLA VS. ALEXA BLISS (C)
This match was made by Smackdown Live GM Daniel Bryan in an attempt to show how Smackdown is the land of opportunity. I would not be surprised if other women wound up working in this match too, especially with the rumors of Emma and Summer Rae training at the Performance Center to return to the ring. Bliss won the title five weeks ago by defeating Becky Lynch after Naomi had to vacate the title due to injury. This past week, Naomi declared herself eligible when she returned to Smackdown. I feel this is a great opportunity for Naomi to reclaim the title she had to give up. With Naomi residing in Orlando I expect a great reaction for her here and a feel-good moment on the Kickoff Show should happen. You could have Naomi get screwed over and chase to retain the title but I already think that will happen in the Cruiserweight Title match and the company loves their “WrestleMania Moments.” BAYLESS’ PICK: NAOMI
KICKOFF SHOW: 4TH ANNUAL ANDRE THE GIANT MEMORIAL BATTLE ROYAL:SAMI ZAYN, BRAUN STROWMAN, GOLDUST, R-TRUTH, CURTIS AXEL, DOLPH ZIGGLER, JIMMY USO, JEY USO, CHAD GABLE, JASON JORDAN, PRIMO, EPICO, BO DALLAS, JINDER MAHAL, RHYNO, HEATH SLATER, APOLLO CREWS, MOJO RAWLEY, BIG SHOW, CURT HAWKINS, TYLER BREEZE, FANDANGO
I assume a few surprise names from the past and an NXT wrestler (Elias Samson, perhaps) will also be surprise entrants. When it comes to picking a winner, I think the only three possible winners are Big Show, Sami Zayn, and Braun Strowman. With Zayn now the #1 enemy of Stephanie McMahon, I think its slim chances for him to win this as a loss followed up by more bullying from Stephanie on RAW is the likely course of action. Big Show got himself in great shape and his match against Shaquille O’Neal fell through so they could throw him a bone here too. However, I am picking Strowman as he is the future and the rapid improvement the guy has shown recently is quite impressive. I think both Big Show and Strowman toss people out and end as the last two in the ring, where Strowman wins. BAYLESS’ PICK: BRAUN STROWMAN
RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP TRIPLE THREAT LADDER MATCH: CESARO & SHEAMUS VS. ENZO AMORE & BIG CASS VS. LUKE GALLOWS & KARL ANDERSON (C)
This was made into a ladder match two days ago after Gallows & Anderson decided to attack their opponents with a ladder this past Monday night on RAW. I really think this match comes down to either the champions retaining or Enzo & Cass finally winning the belts. I do think a lot of titles are going to change hands on this show so a few champions should retain. Maybe its just me but this sudden stuff with the ladder seems like a way to reintroduce Matt & Jeff Hardy back into the company. You can have Gallows & Anderson win, brag on RAW the next night how they are king of the ladder matches or something like that, then the Matt & Jeff come out and confront them to set up a feud. Also, RAW is void of credible heel teams so I am going with Gallows & Anderson to retain. BAYLESS’ PICK: LUKE GALLOWS & KARL ANDERSON
INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: BARON CORBIN VS. DEAN AMBROSE (C)
The Dean Ambrose Intercontinental Title reign has not exactly lit the world on fire. The Ambrose character is in a bit of a lull right now and could use some freshening up. Corbin seems to be a big part of the company plans going forward and a big singles win at his first WrestleMania can propel him to the next level. I see Corbin winning here while Ambrose can use the lose to retool his character. BAYLESS’ PICK: BARON CORBIN
UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: KEVIN OWENS VS. CHRIS JERICHO (C)
This has been one of the best TV programs the WWE has produced over the past few months. The split they had with Owens turning on Jericho was masterful. Owens is at his best playing a complete jerk heel instead of a coward that needed a friend to bail him out. Jericho’s list gimmick has been very much over with the crowds and something he can continue as a babyface when he returns. I think Jericho’s entrance will get one of the best crowd reactions of the night. With news that Jericho is going to take time off to tour with his band Fozzy after WrestleMania, I expect that he will drop the title here. I think this has the potential to be a very good match and its something I am looking forward to seeing this Sunday. BAYLESS’ PICK: KEVIN OWENS
RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP FATAL FOUR-WAY ELIMINATION MATCH: NIA JAX VS. SASHA BANKS VS. CHARLOTTE VS. BAYLEY
Despite the storylines going on leading up to this match really not clicking, I think these four women have the potential to steal the show. The creative direction for Bayley since defeating Charlotte for the Title on RAW has been appalling to say the least. As far as the match playing out, I assume everyone gangs up on Nia and takes her out first, seeing that she is the biggest force in the match. If Bayley is going to remain the champion, then she needs to win this cleanly and without any help. One scenario can be her beat Sasha at the end then they can hug after a brief tease of tension for both the “WrestleMania Moment” and to set up a future feud and Sasha turn as they need to give the Bayley/Sasha vs. Charlotte feuds a break. I think Bayley retains here though as there is still mileage left with her as the champion and a loss will really damage her stock among the fans. If you want to shock the crowd and have Sasha cheat to defeat Bayley you can do that too but I think the other scenario is more likely to happen. BAYLESS’ PICK: BAYLEY
SHANE MCMAHON VS. AJ STYLES
This is a match that has drawn mixed feelings from fans. Some are upset that AJ is not going to be wrestling someone that he could possibly have a great match with while others are fine that he is in a marquee match, which is what happens when you face a member of the McMahon Family. With Shane’s penchant of doing crazy stunts, expect that to happen here but at the end of the day, AJ should win this match and go on to another feud. There is no benefit from Shane winning here. BAYLESS’ PICK: AJ STYLES
NON-SANCTIONED MATCH: SETH ROLLINS VS. TRIPLE H
After being officially announced Monday night during the “Hold Harmless Agreement” signing, Rollins was able to stand tall after fending off Triple H. I think if not for Rollins injury, this match would have a lot more buzz since Rollins was finally starting to get over as a babyface after running into the ring to disrupt NXT Takeover: San Antonio. The match itself will probably get the most time on the show and likely revolve around Triple H attacking Rollins’ injured leg. I believe Rollins wins this and we could get something like Finn Balor running out to make the save if lets say Samoa Joe helps out Triple H. BAYLESS’ PICK: SETH ROLLINS
JOHN CENA & NIKKI BELLA VS. THE MIZ & MARYSE
This is currently the most entertaining feud in the company. The Miz & Maryse have been tremendous this whole time in calling out their opponents as frauds and calling the relationship a sham. This will not be a display of technical wrestling but I expect both teams to entertain and engage the crowd. At the end, Cena & Nikki should win though and perhaps we will see something between the two after it ends. Even with Cena taking a break after this show, having him win is the right call. BAYLESS’ PICK: JOHN CENA & NIKKI BELLA
THE UNDERTAKER VS. ROMAN REIGNS
This is an interesting match as Reigns has been the “heel” on TV, proclaiming the WWE ring as his yard and blowing off advice and warnings from others talking about the Undertaker’s mystique. Its made Reigns effective on the mic too. One concern I have going into this match is the health of the Undertaker, who looks nothing more than someone old and broken down in his appearances since the Royal Rumble. Hopefully, the atmosphere at WrestleMania changes this. When it comes to deciding a winner, having Reigns go over is the call I would make. With Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar reported as the current WrestleMania 34 main event, using Reigns win here can also add another dimension to that by having the only two men to beat the Undertaker face off. BAYLESS’ PICK: ROMAN REIGNS
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: RANDY ORTON VS. BRAY WYATT (C)
These two have been involved with each other in storyline for months and are now set to face off for the WWE Championship. The feud is ready to end now and while Bray losing another feud where his mind games were ineffective seems tiresome, I do not see him retaining to Orton. Maybe they can have Harper accidentally cost Bray the title but Orton winning and being the top face for Smackdown while Cena is away seems like the plan to me. BAYLESS’ PICK: RANDY ORTON
WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: BROCK LESNAR W/ PAUL HEYMAN VS. GOLDBERG (C)
I highly doubt this will last 90 seconds. At the same time, I do not see it going over ten minutes, either. My thoughts about this match is that they go all out for the first two minutes then slow things down and end up kicking out of each other’s finishers until Lesnar finally gets his win against Goldberg. I really do not see Goldberg retaining or even staying with the WWE past this run. It was a fun nostalgia run but its just about outlived its usefulness. While the prospect of Lesnar as the champion again is also not that exciting, he will be present for more dates with the company this year and likely a focal point of RAW. BAYLESS’ PICK: BROCK LESNAR
