This coming Sunday we will witness one of the more loaded WrestleMania cards in history. With 13 matches on the card and a possibility of Undertaker vs. John Cena taking place, lets see what we have in store.
WRESTLEMANIA WOMEN’S BATTLE ROYAL (KICKOFF SHOW)
Those confirmed so far are: Sasha Banks, Natalya, Lana, Ruby Riott, Sarah Logan, Liv Morgan, Becky Lynch, Naomi, Bayley, Mickie James, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, and Carmella. Expect other competitors from NXT and maybe a name or two from the past to participate in this inaugural event. Besides a possible surprise entrant winning (Ember Moon?), the only others I can see winning this are Sasha Banks, Bayley, and Becky Lynch. Carmella has the briefcase (which could come into play later on in the show) and does not need this win. If Sasha and Bayley continue to feud then the finish could play into that. They could also give Becky the win and try to use that for a feud since she has been wasting away on Smackdown. I’d give Sasha the win here and use this to taunt Bayley for their feud. WINNER: SASHA BANKS
ANDRE THE GIANT MEMORIAL BATTLE ROYAL (KICKOFF SHOW)
Confirmed for this match are: Dolph Ziggler, Baron Corbin, Mojo Rawley, Tyler Breeze, Fandango, Tye Dillinger, Dash Wilder, Scott Dawson, Matt Hardy, Goldust, Heath Slater, Rhyno, Zack Ryder, and Primo Colon. Former winners Baron Corbin and Mojo Rawley return but I do not see them as potential victors in this match as it does not make much sense. I also do not expect any of the other names listed to win this match. I think a returning wrestler is going to win this and I’ll go with Big Cass, who will need something returning from injury. Even Big Show is a possibility of being a two-time winner but I think Cass will get the nod in this match. WINNER: BIG CASS
WWE CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT FINALS MATCH: CEDRIC ALEXANDER VS. MUSTAFA ALI (KICKOFF SHOW)
Since WrestleMania 33 the Cruiserweight Division has had a rough time. Neville is sitting home and Enzo Amore,Rich Swann, and Austin Aries were all fired from the company. With the division on life support a switch was made an a 16-man tournament was held to crown a new champion and it has breathed life into 205 Live. During the year, Cedric Alexander and Mustafa Ali (you can add Drew Gulak to the mix as well) have been the most consistent competitors and deserving of a WrestleMania match. When the tournament was put together you got the sense that Cedric would be winning. However, Ali has been cutting some great promos (Like this one from WWE’s YouTube channel) and the story of him using the fact he was only an alternate for the Cruiserweight Classic as fuel to get him the title. There are cases for both guys getting the win and Ali’s underdog story would make for a nice moment but I’ll still go with Cedric here in what should be an excellent match. I think Cedric wins because if he losses then where do you go with him? Ali can get another title opportunity whereas Cedric would end up lost in the shuffle and labeled a choker. WINNER: CEDRIC ALEXANDER
RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: ALEXA BLISS (C) VS. NIA JAX
This has been one of the better feuds on WWE TV of late. The fans have gotten behind Jax, the victim of verbal abuse and manipulation by her former friend. Bliss is a great character but dominates her feuds to the point where it has become a detriment to her opponent. It has also made her title reign feel stale and predictable. In this match, I expect Bliss to finally get some comeuppance and lose the belt. Maybe Bliss can go over to Smackdown and start some new feuds because she has already feuded with everyone on RAW. WINNER: ALEXA BLISS
RAW TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH: CESARO & SHEAMUS VS. BRAUN STROWMAN AND A PARTNER OF HIS CHOOSING
The Bar has gone through the other teams on RAW so they had to create new challengers. The intrigue is seeing who will be Braun’s partner and you can speculate as to who he will end up choosing (could be someone returning from injury like Samoa Joe or Big Show or another person on the main roster like Elias) but no matter what I think we see a title change here. If the Bar stays as a team, switching brands is for the best, but a split might be a good idea too. I do not think this will be a long match but Braun being a tag champ gives him something to do for the short term. WINNER: BRAUN STROWMAN & MYSTERY PARTNER
WWE UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP FATAL FOUR WAY MATCH: RANDY ORTON (C) VS. RUSEV VS. BOBBY ROODE VS. JINDER MAHAL
This is a match with little fanfare. The addition of Rusev was late (PWInsider reports he was added to this match because the company wanted to appease to him after he requested his release) to make this a fatal four-way. He might get the title as a result but watching Orton hit the RKO and getting a win seems fitting for WrestleMania. I really do not see Roode or Mahal having a chance to win but I’ll go with Orton as the winner here but do not be surprised to see a Rusev Day celebration. Rusev can pin Roode or Mahal so Orton can drop the title without getting pinned. WINNER: RANDY ORTON
WWE INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE MATCH: THE MIZ (C) VS. FINN BALOR VS. SETH ROLLINS
Balor and Rollins had an excellent match this past Monday on RAW with Rollins getting the win. That would lead you to believe that Rollins is the favorite to win this match. Rollins has really stepped up his game over the past couple of months too. This is Balor’s first WrestleMania though and since he just lost on TV I think they return the favor and give him the title. I cannot see Miz retaining and heading over to Smackdown for a feud against Daniel Bryan seems like a natural thing to do. Miz could even retain and take the IC Title with him to Smackdown but I do not think that is the route the company takes. WINNER: FINN BALOR
SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH: THE USOS (C) VS. NEW DAY VS. BLUDGEON BROTHERS
The Usos/New Day feud has been the highlight of Smackdown. They have several fantastic matches together but its time for both teams to move on from each other. The Usos have established themselves as a top team but could use a change of scenery. The New Day are still popular but there will come a time where they are going to split up the group or at least break off one member as a singles star. The Bludgeon Brothers involved themselves into this feud after a run-in attack at Fastlane. I do not see any case where the New Day wins this match. The Usos would benefit from a brand switch as the RAW tag ranks needs to be freshened up. I think a scenario where the Usos pin the New Day then lose to Bludgeon Brothers two days later on Smackdown could work well in numerous ways. It can close the book on the New Day/Usos feud and you can also have Usos go over to RAW. WINNER: THE USOS
SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: CHARLOTTE FLAIR (C) VS. ASUKA
Asuka earned her shot by winning the inaugural Women’s Royal Rumble match. The story here is really Asuka putting her undefeated streak on the line against what she feels is the top Women’s Champion to prove who is the best. I think we get a highly competitive match and in the end Asuka comes out on top. A scenario where Carmella finally cashes in her Money in the Bank Briefcase only to lose would be highly possible as Asuka can maintain her streak without Charlotte getting pinned. I don’t think Carmella becoming champion is the route they take. WINNER: ASUKA
DANIEL BRYAN & SHANE MCMAHON VS. KEVIN OWENS & SAMI ZAYN
Zayn & Owens need to win in order to keep their jobs on Smackdown. Daniel Bryan’s return to the WWE ring should make for a great moment. The story between all four involved has had its ups and downs but has greatly improved since Fastlane. You get a feeling that Shane can turn on Bryan, and that might happen, but with Bryan returning to the ring I don’t think they want him to lose right off the bat and especially to Owens & Zayn. You can just have Owens & Zayn lose then head over to RAW. Owens & Zayn vs. Braun & Mystery Partner could be your new RAW Tag Team Title feud. I see Bryan winning this match then leading the crowd into an unbelievably loud “yes” chant. WINNER: DANIEL BRYAN & SHANE MCMAHON
KURT ANGLE & RONDA ROUSEY VS. TRIPLE H & STEPHANIE MCMAHON
The beef between Rousey and Stephanie started three years ago at WrestleMania 31 when Rousey threatened to break Stephanie’s arm. And Triple H attacked Kurt Angle at this past Survivor Series to add fuel to the fire. There is a lot of pressure on Rousey in her first match as in WWE. especially since her work on the mic has not wowed anyone.Its clear the company has plans for her and a bad performance will garner a lot of negative attention. Triple H & Stephanie have been tremendous heels on TV to set up this match and have really helped ease Rousey’s transition on screen. I cannot envision a scenario in which Rousey loses so her pinning Stephanie seems like a really safe bet to make in one of the more intriguing matches on the show. WINNER: KURT ANGLE & RONDA ROUSEY
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: AJ STYLES (C) VS. SHINSUKE NAKAMURA
These two faced off against each other at New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Wrestle Kingdom 10 event back in 2016 with Nakamura coming out on top in a great match. This time the WWE Championship is at stake with Nakamura choosing to go after this belt after winning the Royal Rumble. I expect a competitive match here and at the end I’m going with Nakamura as the winner. With a roster shakeup expected shortly after WrestleMania I believe that AJ will head over to RAW while Nakamura can feud with a new challenger. This has strong potential to end up as the match of the night. WINNER: SHINSUKE NAKAMURA
UNIVERSAL TITLE MATCH: BROCK LESNAR (C) W/ PAUL HEYMAN VS. ROMAN REIGNS
A rematch three years in the making. With Dana White coming out saying Brock Lesnar is returning to UFC and the fact the company has handpicked Reigns as their future face of the company the outcome seems easy to predict. With that being said, these two had an incredible match at WrestleMania 31 and there is no reason it cannot happen again here even if Lesnar is on the way out. I expect both guys to give it their all and at the end Reigns comes out victorious, likely closing out his 4th straight WrestleMania. WINNER: ROMAN REIGNS
