Greetings.
The WWE`s biggest show of they year Wrestlemania 34 is only a few days away and I’ll now endeavor to briefly render my perspectives and predictions on the card – what I think should happen and what I think will likely transpire.
Universal Title Match
Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns
Although this had been hyped by the WWE as the main event of the big show, with the immovable object (Lesnar) against the irresistible force (Reigns), the lead-up to the match has been kind of lame, with Paul Heyman cutting his stereotypical promos and Roman getting routinely abused by the Beast the past several weeks. Despite the WWE pulling out all the stops to hype this match, it still seems to be not all that enticing.
It’s been widely speculated that Lesnar may be headed back to the UFC. If such is the case, he should do the honors for Roman. Even If he’s not headed to the UFC, Brock should probably still be dropping the strap, as it`s been kind of stagnant in the past year or so, due to his infrequent appearances. Having said that, after all the smoke clears, I`d still be surprised if Brock doesn`t still have the belt.
WWE World Heavyweight Title Match
AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Even though the WWE world heavyweight title is supposedly the most hallowed title in the history of the WWE and Styles and Nakamura are two of the best workers in the business, this match, for whatever reason hasn`t really captured the imagination of the WWE universe. That`s probably because both of these guys are faces and there are no really compelling issues between them. It also doesn`t help matters that even though this is for the heavyweight strap, both are actually cruiserweights. Even so, this should still be one of the best matches on the card and very likely could be a “match of the year“ candidate. As for the outcome, I`m anticipating that Styles will emerge victorious.
WWE Intercontinental Title – Triple Threat Match
The Miz vs. Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor
This should be a pretty spirited encounter, as all three of decent workers, who should be able to rise to the occasion. Even though the MIz has done a pretty decent job as the champion – much like the Honky Tonk Man`s InterContinental title run back in the 80`s, it would probably be what`s best for business if he dropped the strap to either Rollins or Balor. I`ve been hearing a lot of conjecture that Balor might be getting the nod, although I think Rollins might have the potential to do more business with a wider range of opponents, if they were to put the strap on him.
United States Title Fatal Fourway
Randy Orton vs. Bobby Roode vs. Rusev vs. Jinder Mahal
I, frankly, would have preferred to see Orton and Roode go at it again, after their last match, which was awesome, but the addition of Jinder and, perhaps, Rusev might still be okay. I`ve been hearing that the WWE might see fit to put the strap on Rusev in this one, as part of his impending face push. By all accounts, Rusev`s a decent guy and has been working hard to improve, but he`s certainly not in the league of the other guys. Having said that, I`d be inclined to leave the strap on the Viper for a while, if only to restore some badly needed respectability to the belt.
WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship
Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka
The lead up to this match hasn`t been that compelling, with Charlotte and Asuka both being faces and not really having any pronounced issues between them. Even so, there still seems to be a lot of interest. As for the outcome, I`m anticipating that Asuka – the Empress of Tomorrow will become the Empress of Today, by pulling off a win in this match, although I wouldn`t be surprised if there`s some kind of outside interference by Alexa Bliss, which could set up some kind of pretty hot triple threat type encounter between Bliss, Flair and Asuka.
WWE RAW Women’s Championship
Alexa Bliss vs. Nia Jax
Although both of these girls have been doing a decent job playing their respective roles – as the conniving bitch and the reformed face, this match hasn`t really grabbed me yet, as it`s hard to take Bliss, the pint sized face, that seriously against the gargantuan Bliss. It`s been widely speculated that Nia might be going over here, but I think she could do more business as the oppressed face chasing the belt, rather than the face champion. My prediction is that Bliss will retain the strap in this one, perhaps with outside interference from Mickie James, or perhaps one of the other heels from NXT, such as Ruby Riott or one of her vampy associates.
WWE Cruiserweight Championship
Cedric Alexander vs. Mustafa Ali
The cruiserweights have been having some of the best matches in the WWE in recent months and I`m expecting this to be one of the best matches at Wrestlemania. It`s, nonetheless, hard to take the cruiserweight belt all that seriously, if it`s not even on the main card at WM and will just be one of the pre-card warmu-up matches. As such, they would have been better off if they`d saved this for another pay per view down the road and let Alexander and Ali fight for the strap, when it actually meant something. I`m anticipating that Cedrick will get his hand raised in this one, after a pretty spirited encounter.
Triple H & Stephanie McMahon vs. Ronda Rousey & Kurt Angle
On paper, this appears to be a complete mismatch, with Olympic and UFC champions – Angle and Rousey taking on Hunter and Stephanie, who`s making her debut in this one. Since this isn`t the Olympics or the UFC though, I wouldn`t be surprised to see Steph and the Game go over in this one – hopefully without the use of their sledgehammer. All things considered though, I`d be inclined to have Ronda go over decisively in this one and start setting things in motion for her to work with the likes of Asuka, Charlotte or even one of the guys, down the road.
Daniel Bryan & Shane McMahon vs. Kevin Owen & Sami Zayn
I think it would have been better if the WWE had saved Daniel`s return for another occasion, rather than having him almost lost in the shuffle on the already overloaded Wrestlemania card. Having said that, there`s still a lot of buzz attached to his return, as he remains one of the most “over“ faces in WWE history. With the stipulation that Owens and Zayn will be fired if they lose, it`s a good bet that somehow Daniel and Shane will be dropping the fall in this one – probably on some kind of swerve or controversial outcome. Although I probably would have had Daniel go over, it might serve just as good a purpose, if it garners him some sympathy and restores the `little engine that could` mindset that made him so popular in the first place
John Cena vs. The Undertaker
I have nothing but respect for both of these guys – solid team players, who have given their hearts and souls to the WWE. While I`m not expecting this to be a five star match of the year candidate, it nonetheless should be pretty compelling, as both have the ability to rise to the occasion when the chips are down. Since `Taker`s legendary undefeated streak at Wrestlemania was already broken a few years back and he`s probably not coming back anytime soon, I`m expecting that he`ll do the honors for Cena in this one and ride off into the sunset. If so, happy trails to him and congratulations on an awesome career and my compliments for having been one of the true gentlemen in our business.
Andre the Giant Battle Royal
This is another match that would have been better if they`d saved it for another occasion. Having said that, hopefully they`ll keep it pretty simple and not complicate it with too many needless variables. I`m not sure who will comprise the thirty contestants – probably a myriad of nondescripts, jabroneys, retreads and stooges, but there should still be some decent guys in the mix. I wouldn`t be surprised if Big Cass or perhaps Elias goes over.
WWE RAW Tag Team Titles
Sheamus & Cesaro vs. Brawn Strowman and Mystery Partner
For whatever reason, I`m not all that excited about this match, regardless of who they pair Strowman up with. As for the outcome, I`m expecting that Sheamus and Cesaro will still be the champions afterwards, as Strowman`s a lot more valuable as a singles performer than as part of some ill-conceived tag team.
WWE SmackDown Tag Team Titles (Triple Threat)
The Usos vs. New Day vs. Harper and Rowan (the Bludgeon Brothers)
I`m certainly not expecting this to be a match of the year candidate, but it should be okay, if they keep it pretty simple and to the point. As for the outcome, it might not be a bad idea to have Harper and Rowan, both of whom have paid their dues and are worthy of a push, get their hands raised and let them have a run, with the belts.
Women’s Battle Royal
As if there wasn`t already enough matches on the card, we also have the thirty woman battle royal. I have no idea whom the powers that be in WWE head office might see fit to have go over in this one – perhaps Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch, Natalya or maybe one of the NXT types. Hopefully it will be short and without any contrived swerves or contingencies.
That about sums up my Wrestlemania prognosis. Hopefully it will live up to everyone`s expectations. Enjoy!