The PWP Nation Staff make their picks for WrestleMania 33!
With WrestleMania finally here, the PWPNation.com staff decided to give you their predictions on what will go down at the grandest stage of them all.
Here’s who’s making the picks:
- Eron Ramadanov, Editor-in-Chief
- John “JCD” Dimiceli, Featured Columnist & News Reporter
- Zak Fellows, Featured Columnist
- Caden Moran, Featured Columnist & Host of PWP Nation’s “Uncensored”
Let’s get to the picks!
Kickoff Match for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship:
Neville (c) vs. Austin Aries
Eron: Neville
Since winning the Cruiserweight Championship, Neville has totally reinvented his character and has taken the CW’s to new heights. I think Neville needs a big, decisive win here. Don’t get me wrong, I love Aries, but I don’t think it’s time for Neville to drop that title.
JCD: Austin Aries
Neville has been a great boost for the CW division and an on going feud with Aries will do nothing but help.
Zak: Austin Aries
WWE has done a really good job with making 205 Live’s main storyline and feud one involving established names as opposed to throwing in a dozen of guys and hoping for the best. I believe that they will want to capitalize on the buzz Aries has been getting since making his debut on the main roster by having him be the top babyface, and champion, of 205 live against Neville so a win here is necessary.
Caden: Austin Aries
This match will steal the show even on the kickoff. I expect Aries to claim the title in a fantastic match. I did want this on the main show but I believe with the extra time they will get, it can absolutely steal the show.
Kickoff Match:
4th Annual Andre ‘The Giant’ Memorial Battle Royal
Eron: Braun Strowman
This just makes the most sense, in my opinion. After taking a clean loss at WWE Fastlane, I think Strowman needs something to boost his credibility and this match is the perfect place to do that. Some would argue that this match is above Braun now, but I don’t think it’ll hurt him to destroy 20 other guys and be photographed next to a trophy with Andre ‘The Giant’ on it.
JCD: Sami Zayn
Zayn is back in the “we don’t want you” role, and a win by last eliminating a dominant Strowman. Assuming it stays on the kickoff show, I wouldn’t expect much as far as surprise entrants.
Zak: Braun Strowman
The build-up of Strowman throughout the year has been one of WWE’s biggest successes and hits and, despite his presence in the multi man/get as many people on the show as possible match, I have no doubt that their focus on making Braun Strowman look strong is ever present. So expect for him to win to provide him with an accolade to use as fuel for his continued push.
Caden: Braun Strowman
I don’t care about this battle royal. So just for the sake of it, Strowman wins.
Triple Threat Ladder Match for the WWE Raw Tag Team Championships:
Big Cass & Enzo Amore vs. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson (c) vs. Cesaro & Sheamus
Eron: Big Cass & Enzo Amore
Even though Gallows and Anderson just recently won the Raw Tag Titles, I feel like this show needs a big, feel good moment and I can’t think of a better one than Enzo and Big Cass winning tag team gold as the opener to this show.
JCD: Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson
Gallows and Anderson, since winning the titles, have been so good. I believe they take the next step at WrestleMania and retain their gold.
Zak: Big Cass & Enzo Amore
With the Triple Threat tag title match being recently made into a Ladder match, I believe that it was made as a ladder match to A) make it a more action packed and inherently investible opening match for the PPV and B) to make Enzo and Cass’s first title win a more impactful victory which WWE would be foolish not to capitalize on given their popularity and merchandise power.
Caden: Big Cass & Enzo Amore
This HAS to be it right? This has to be their time and I expect it to be. However, with Finn Balor set to return and the rumors of AJ Styles going to RAW, I wouldn’t be surprised if Gallows and Anderson come away with this one to form The Club.
WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship Match:
Mickie James vs. Natalya vs. Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Becky Lynch vs. Carmella vs. Naomi
Eron: Alexa Bliss
In this match, I see Alexa overcoming the odds and walking out with her gold. WWE had a good opportunity to involve Naomi as a surprise, but since she’s been announced in the match, I think WWE plays it safe and has Bliss retain.
JCD: Alexa Bliss
I would have went Naomi here if she was a surprise entrant, but since she returned on SmackDown LIVE, I would assume the story will be Naomi chasing post Bliss for the title after WrestleMania.
Zak: Naomi
Due to the unforeseen circumstance surrounding the SmackDown’s Women’s Championship last month, my guess would be that WWE is most likely eager to try and return to the position that they were forced to end. So Naomi will win the match and the division will go from there with her as their top babyface.
Caden: Naomi
She just returned. It’s in Orlando, her hometown. Makes sense. That’s it.
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match:
Dean Ambrose (c) vs. Baron Corbin
Eron: Baron Corbin
I’m so over Dean Ambrose’s character. He needs a heel turn, badly. So, with that being said, I think Baron Corbin needs this win more than Ambrose. Corbin has been on the main roster for just over a year and has yet to do anything important. Well, winning the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania against a former World Champion is pretty important, so I’m going with Corbin to win, clean.
JCD: Dean Ambrose
Baron Corbin should win at WrestleMania, but past WWE booking says Corbin wins on the “B” pay-per-view in the coming months.
Zak: Baron Corbin
Again, much like Kevin Owens, Corbin winning the Intercontinental Championship adds to his budding heat as a character.
Caden: Baron Corbin
Corbin has been on fire and I expect him to come out the new champion here. However, don’t be surprised if he loses here and wins at the next pay-per-view.
WWE United States Championship Match:
Chris Jericho (c) vs. Kevin Owens
Eron: Kevin Owens
This feud has been great and I expect the veteran Chris Jericho to put over the “youngster” Kevin Owens. The finish will most likely be dirty, but that’s fine. I expect this feud to continue if Jericho sticks around after WrestleMania.
JCD: Kevin Owens
Not much more needed to say.
Zak: Kevin Owens
Winning the US Title adds to the heat that Owens can produce.
Caden: Kevin Owens
Owens should win this match. Not only does it give him momentum going into the spring months, but it also makes the United States Championship legitimate again and unlike with Jericho, it’ll actually be defended.
Fatal 4-Way Elimination Match for the WWE Raw Women’s Championship:
Bayley (c) vs. Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax
Eron: Sasha Banks
For the record, I hate this match being elimination. Why pin/submit everyone if you don’t have too? Anyways, I see Banks walking out Champion. I think we’ll get Sasha/Bayley leading into SummerSlam, and this is the first step: get the title on Sasha. Give her a big WrestleMania moment and turn her heel on Monday.
JCD: Bayley
Bayley wins here and the deep seeds for a Sasha heel turn are planted here.
Zak: Bayley
With the ending of Charlotte’s pay-per-view winning streak at WWE Fastlane, it would seem as if Bayley is the long term choice as champion and face of the Raw Women. This is a good choice after the long running feud between Sasha Banks and Charlotte Flair dominating the division for the past several months with the constant title changes and, as such, I believe WWE will develop a consistent reign for Bayley before she loses it.
Caden: Bayley
Bayley needs the win and she will get it. I believe it will come down to Bayley and Sasha Banks and will lead to the inevitable Banks heel turn the following RAW.
Shane McMahon vs. AJ Styles
Eron: AJ Styles
I have nothing to say here. AJ better win.
JCD: AJ Styles
Styles should win in a match that might be better than people expect. Mark my words.
Zak: AJ Styles
The build-up has been good on its own without making me interested in seeing the match itself although it will most likely be harmless, I suppose. AJ wins… as much as Shane has a hard on for seeing himself against main eventers and jumping off crap, he rarely wins.
Caden: AJ Styles
Does this really need an explanation?
Nikki Bella & John Cena vs. The Miz & Maryse
Eron: Nikki Bella & John Cena
This match is the classic big star, babyfaces go-over tag team match. I expect Cena and Bella to go over here. Many believe we’ll see a post-match proposal. I’m not so sure.
JCD: Nikki Bella & John Cena
I expect a proposal after.
Zak: Nikki Bella & John Cena
Moral victory and all.
Caden: Nikki Bella & John Cena
As much as I love The Miz, Cena and Bella will walk away with this one (as an engaged couple as well). However, The Miz will be fine and I do expect big things for him for 2017.
Non-Sanctioned Match:
Seth Rollins vs. Triple H
Eron: Triple H
I have no clue why, but I see Triple H finding a way to win this match. I expect big things from Triple H in 2017, especially with a new stable that seems to be in the works. Also, if you look back since WrestleMania 28, Triple H has traded WrestleMania outcomes. I expect Hunter to go over here after he destroys Rollins’ leg to the point that you have a built in excuse to why he lost for storyline purposes.
JCD: Seth Rollins
I’m leaning towards Rollins, but I could also see Triple H beating an injured Rollins and setting up the story for the real match at SummerSlam.
Zak: Seth Rollins
Simply put a feel good babyface victory in a storyline that has been designed as such. Having Triple H win defeats the whole purpose of the storyline. I expect the match to be serviceable if nothing else with the bells and whistles of the stipulation being enough to help the two put on something decent.
Caden: Triple H
This is a tough one. I truly believed Seth would win, but after much thought, it makes sense for Triple H to win here. They could easily play off the knee injury and I also expect outside interference from Samoa Joe and Kevin Owens. However, this should be the match of the night and I am stoked.
WWE Universal Championship Match:
Goldberg (c) vs. Brock Lesnar
Eron: Brock Lesnar
Goldberg seems to be done with his in-ring career for the near future and it makes sense for Brock to look strong and get his win back. I’m going with the Beast Incarnate.
JCD: Brock Lesnar
The bigger question here is, what do they do Monday night with Brock and the title?
Zak: Brock Lesnar
The obvious result but at the same time the obvious result is the right result. The entire intention for Goldberg’s comeback was for Lesnar to defeat him and remove the “single blemish” from his career so to speak. Many people may not like it, but Lesnar as champion, especially with his less frequent appearances make the Universal Title seem a bit more important than overexposing the champion on a weekly basis, although that certainly has its benefits as well.
Caden: Brock Lesnar
I do believe this will be the end of Goldberg for quite some time. He’s had his comeback. Time to stop it.
WWE Championship Match:
Bray Wyatt (c) vs. Randy Orton
Eron: Bray Wyatt
Wyatt needs a win here. Period. End of Story. But the ONLY way I’d be okay with a Wyatt loss is if Orton aligns himself with Harper & Rowan, which turns Wyatt face.
JCD: Randy Orton
I smell a double turn and Rowan and Harper joining Orton.
Zak: Bray Wyatt
While I may not be as into him as some others, there is no denying that Bray Wyatt’s title win generated a lot of positive attention. A victory over Orton would allow him to continue his run into the new wrestling year and I believe that him being the champion offers a lot more interesting storylines and feuds than Orton being the champion would.
Caden: Randy Orton
I find it impossible that Wyatt will walk out of Mania champion. However, I do believe this will lead to a double turn and have Bray chasing after Orton and the title as the top babyface in the summer.
The Undertaker vs. Roman Reigns
Eron: Roman Reigns
As much as I’d love to take the Undertaker here, after hearing word that this match was moved to the main event and closing the show, it has become obvious that Roman Reigns will be retiring the Undertaker. I expect this to be a really good match and a bittersweet post-match farewell.
JCD: Roman Reigns
As much as my heart and fan want ‘Taker. My head says Roman. I just hope this isn’t the end for the deadman.
Zak: Roman Reigns
I feel it is important for the current main eventers of the roster to be proven as capable of defeating those that came before and this especially applies to this match. Reigns is now: He is not going anywhere anytime soon and the Undertaker has had over two and half decades to be victorious and look strong consistently. It is Reigns yard now: You do not further someone by taking away from their heat. So just do it WWE.
Caden: Roman Reigns
It’s time. It is time for The Urndertaker to be put to rest and for Roman to take over. However, if Roman leaves Mania still a babyface, the WWE will have a huge problem on their hands going forward.
Thanks for reading!