WrestleMania is officially here, ladies and gents.
This weekend will feature two nights of exciting wrestling action. Thus far, 14 matches will take place at the overall event. As always, these are just my predictions. Let’s get started with the first match:
WWE Championship match: Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre has dominated the main event scene since winning the belt back at WrestleMania 36. Personally speaking, I think it’s time for a fresh face on top and Bobby Lashley provides that. This is not a shot at Drew McIntyre as I do like the guy as a main event star, but when you look at the RAW main event scene, who else is worthy of challenging him for the belt should he win it back? McIntyre has beaten all the established main event stars and there’s no one on the cusp of reaching the title picture. Samoa Joe could return and be McIntyre’s next opponent, but the “Samoan Submission Machine” isn’t enough.
WWE had a good thing going with the Hurt Business, but the company decided to break them up for no good reason. This move could be a swerve that will see Alexander and Benjamin interfere in the title match now that they’re no longer members of the Hurt Business. I hope so because if WWE truly wants McIntyre to be adored by fans then he has to struggle on his journey back to the top. Drew shouldn’t win the belt until Summerslam.
Lashley and The Hurt Business should be the dominant faction who takes over the locker room for the summer so it will feel like an accomplishment if Drew McIntyre beats him. WWE is running the risk of over-exposing McIntyre in the main event scene like Roman Reigns, so the company must play this move smartly. Plus, I think Lashley deserves his time at the top. I definitely wouldn’t mind Lashley vs. Lesnar down the road. Two badasses fighting screams money, and the promos between Heyman and MVP could be gold. I’m going against my better judgment and choosing Lashley to retain, though I will not be surprised if McIntyre wins.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
Triple Threat match for the WWE Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Edge vs. Daniel Bryan
This is the first time Roman Reigns dropping the WWE title is a strong possibility. Now let’s be real here, Daniel Bryan isn’t winning the belt (though it would be cool if he did). Roman Reigns has been doing tremendous heel work since returning to the company at Summerslam; There’s still a lot to explore with his character and there are fresh opponents like Big E. waiting for him. Hell, if the company decides to turn Rollins face then Reigns vs. Rollins would be new based on the dynamic. I see no need for the title to change hands here.
However, Edge’s last WWE title reign was cut short due to being forced to retire. The company may feel the need to give him back the championship for a happy ending, though with Edge’s recent heel turn, the story of a veteran getting one more crack at the prestigious title is no longer the focus. Edge is the ultimate opportunist, so him winning the belt without Roman being involved with the pinfall is likely. I don’t see Edge making it to Summerslam if he does capture the title. Roman will likely win the championship back quickly. I’m expecting a singles match between Roman Reigns and Edge for the belt soon. For that reason, the man who will walk out as the WWE Champion will be…
Winner: Edge
Smackdown Women’s Championship: Sasha Banks (c) vs. Bianca Belair
This is a tough one. We’re still new in Sasha Banks’ title reign. The Smackdown Women’s champ hasn’t really sunk her teeth as champion yet, though Bianca Belair would also make a great representation as the leader of the division. Belair is a fresh face that the company can build around, which is why I don’t see Sasha Banks walking out as champion.
Granted, Banks can win in a nefarious manner now that she’s a heel somewhat. However, this is WrestleMania and it’s important that WWE makes a new star on the grandest stage of them all. Bianca Belair can be that star and Sasha will get another chance at the top someday.
Winner: Bianca Belair
RAW Women’s Championship match: Asuka (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
I love Asuka, but WWE doesn’t know what to do with the “Empress of Tomorrow” as a top star. Following her feud with Sasha Banks and Bayley, Asuka has only defended the belt against Lana, Zelina Vega, and Alexa Bliss. She’s been playing second fiddle to everyone else and I truly believe that Asuka was set to drop the belt to Lacey Evans at Elimination Chamber. For those reasons, Rhea Ripley is taking the title home. While ultimately, I think the title will go back to Charlotte Flair, Ripley has the edge over Asuka due to promo ability, something crucial in the WWE landscape. On the bright side, Ripley should come out looking like a star here and another new face will be introduced to the women’s division. Ripley is a talented wrestler and she’ll do just fine as the face of RAW if booked correctly.
Winner: Rhea Ripley
Nigerian Drum Fight for the Intercontinental Championship: Big E (c) vs. Apollo Crews
Crews is going through a major character shift thus it’s important to put him over. Giving Crews the championship boosts his credibility and gives the company a chance to explore his character deeper. Hopefully, Big E moves up to the top as the guy is ready for the main event scene.
Winner: Apollo Crews
U.S. Championship match: Riddle (c) vs. Sheamus
The fact that Riddle lost to Keith Lee before winning the U.S. title suddenly means that the RAW star was never meant to win the belt in the first place. The title change is likely a reward for Sheamus’ strong work over the past couple of months. Where Riddle goes from here is unknown, though expect more eye-rolling backstage stoner “comedy” following WrestleMania.
Winner: Sheamus
WWE RAW Tag Team Championship match: Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods (c) vs. AJ Styles and Omos
There’s no point in having another long New Day title reign. These guys have beaten EVERYBODY, thus the match is used to put over Omos and AJ Styles. Hopefully, Omos is ready for the spotlight and gives a star-making performance.
Winner: AJ Styles and Omos
Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan vs. Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke vs. Natalya and Tamina vs. Naomi and Lana in a tag team turmoil match for a shot at the WWE Women’s Tag Titles.
Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke have been beaten like a drum. Natalya and Tamina exist for reasons. Naomi and Lana are temporary “best friends” until someone turns heel. Naturally, Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan should be given the go here as both girls deserve a chance at being on top. However, WWE has been heavily focusing on Rose and Brooke, with the likely story going into Night 2 being that Brooke and Rose have an impossible task of defeating Baszler and Jax due to the string of losses.
Winner: Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke
WWE RAW Women’s Tag Team match: Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler (c) vs.???
As stated above, I do feel that Rose and Brooke will get the shot at the belts here. The champs will be extremely cocky and underestimate their opponents; however, Brooke and Rose will rise to the occasion and pull off the upset victory. No matter who wins the contender’s match, I just don’t see Jax and Baszler leaving WrestleMania with the titles.
Winner: Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke
Randy Orton vs. The Fiend
This feud hurts my brain. I don’t know who’s the babyface or the heel. One man is setting people on fire and gloating about it. The other is brainwashing an innocent woman and mentally torturing his opponent. Sigh. Anyways, I strongly had The Fiend penciled down for a win here, but that was before Orton lost to Alexa Bliss at Eliminator Chamber. The match can go either way, but with this new Fiend then I say the former WWE Champion takes the victory at WrestleMania.
Winner: The Fiend
Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn
I still have fond memories of their fantastic match at Battleground 2016 since I was there live. I don’t think this match will reach the heights of that encounter, though I hope I’m wrong. Nevertheless, I don’t see this being a one-off as there isn’t much for Owens and Sami to do following WrestleMania. Owens won’t be sliding back into the main event scene anytime soon and with Crews likely winning the belt at WrestleMania, Zayn won’t be in the I.C. title picture anytime soon. Zayn will likely win here but by heel shenanigans.
Winner: Sami Zayn
Seth Rollins vs. Cesaro
Happy to see Cesaro getting a solid push. The former U.S. Champion can easily slide into the main event scene and challenge whoever is champion coming out of WrestleMania; however, he does need to get some big wins first before leaping into the title picture. Rollins doesn’t need the victory at this point as he’s already an established star. While the former WWE Champion has a strong chance of winning here as well, I think officials are going to give Cesaro the statement win at WrestleMania.
Winner: Cesaro
The Miz and John Morrison vs. Bad Bunny and Damian Priest
Celebrities rarely lose high-profile matches and this will be no different here. It should be interesting to see Bad Bunny in action. Will he be as good as Ronda Rousey or Shaq in his wrestling debut?
Winner: Bad Bunny and Damian Priest
Steel Cage match: Braun Strowman vs. Shane McMahon
Expect Elias and Jaxson Ryker to be all over this match. However, when all is said and done, Braun Strowman will proudly represent the stupid people by pulling out the victory.
Winner: Braun Strowman
That’s it! Thanks for reading and feel free to put your predictions in the comment section.