My Wrestlemania Predictions (and Kiddo's!):
Saturday night, the night before Wrestlemania, is NXT Takeover: Orlando. We'll start with our picks for that show.
Aliester Black vs. Andrade Cien Almas
The guy making the debut almost always wins these kinds of matches.
Sanity vs. Tye Dillinger/No Way Jose/Roderick Strong/Ruby Riot
My pick: Dillinger/Jose/Strong/Riot
Kiddo
has recently become a huge Nikki Cross fan. I'm going with the same
logic as the first match. This is Ruby Riot's debut. Her team wins.
Authors of Pain (Champions) vs. DIY vs. The Revival
For the NXT Tag Team Championships
Kiddo's pick: Authors of Pain
I
think the Authors are going to get a dominant run similar to what The
Ascension had. I also think there's an excellent chance that we see the
Revival on Raw or Smackdown next Monday or Tuesday.
Asuka (Champion) vs. Ember Moon
For the NXT Womens Championship
I
think Ember Moon wins the title. I just don't think she does it on her
first try. I could easily see this going either way, though.
Bobby Roode (Champion) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Roode will emerge victorious (Glorious!), and Nakamura debuts on the main roster either Monday or Tuesday.
Wrestlemania (including pre-show)
Alexa Bliss (Champion) vs. "Every Available Woman on the Smackdown Roster"
For the Smackdown Womens Championship
It
looks like they're going to go with Alexa Bliss vs. Carmella vs.
Natalya vs. Becky Lynch vs. Mickie James vs. Naomi, and not adding any
other surprise entrants, but I suppose there's always the possibility
someone else might enter. Tamina would be the most likely choice if that
happens, I doubt they'd call up an NXT competitor here as the womens
division in NXT is pretty thin right now, although I suppose they could
take the title off Asuka at Takeover and debut her here. I don't see
that happening, though, and I'll go with the obvious feel-good story of
Naomi getting the win in her home town. I just found out that this may
be moved from the pre-show to the main card, which is great because it
really needs to be dark in that stadium for Naomi's entrance.
Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royale
I
saw a list of 30 names for this event that was mostly tag team guys and
low-midcarders. The only likely winners on that list were Big Show,
Sami Zayn, Strowman, and long-shots Mojo Rawley and Dolph Ziggler.
Today, Tian Bing was announced as being in the match, so clearly more
wrestlers could be added (not sure if that means they replace some
listed wrestlers or if they push the number of participants to 40).
Samoa Joe and Finn Balor are obvious possible additions to the match and
either of them are potential winners. Another name that seems a likely
addition (but less likely winner) is Elias Sampson, who just lost a
"Loser Leaves NXT" match. And they could always throw in a returning
legend or two (they used Tatanka and DDP last year), or someone who has
been out of action for a while like Kane. In the end, I'm going with the
obvious choice here. Strowman has had a great year, and really should
have had a singles match at Wrestlemania. So if he's going to be in this
match, he should win.
Neville (Champion) vs. Austin Aries
For the WWE Cruiserweight Championship
I could see this going either way, but I think Neville gets the win here, possibly setting up for a rematch down the road.
Dean Ambrose (Champion)vs. Baron Corbin
For the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
Corbin
will be 2-0 at Wrestlemania. The IC title is definitely in need of some
new blood, and this is a perfect step up for Corbin.
Luke Gallows and Carl Anderson (Champions) vs. Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs. Seamus and Cesaro
For the WWE Raw Tag Team Championships
Kiddo's pick: Enzo & Cass
I
could see the champs retaining here, but I think Enzo and Cass get
their Wrestlemania Moment. Gallows and Anderson might win the titles
back on Monday, though.
Bayley (Champion) vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Nia Jax vs. Sasha Banks
For the WWE Raw Womens Championship
I
think this is one of the hardest matches to predict. But I feel like
Charlotte dominated the division for long enough, and Jax is not quite
ready for a title run. I think Sasha could turn heel and win, but
they've been hinting at that so strongly that it feels like a red
herring. I go with the champ retaining.
Shane McMahon vs. AJ Styles
This feels like a foregone conclusion. Styles wins after the usual Shane mayhem.
John Cena and Nikki Bella vs. The Miz and Maryse
Kiddo's pick: Cena & Bella
Another fairly obvious outcome. Cena proposes after he and Nikki win.
Seth Rollins vs. Triple H
Unsanctioned match (which I am guessing implies a no-dq no-countout streetfight type of match)
I
don't really see what is gained with Triple H winning here, although
there is enough potential for outside interference that anything is
possible.
Undertaker vs. Roman Reigns
I
could see this going either way, but... If they want Reigns to come out
as a babyface, he really needs to lose. If they want him to turn heel,
then he could do that plenty effectively by losing and then beating down
'Taker in frustration after the match. If they try to go with Reigns
winning clean and getting a show of respect, the fans are going to boo
Reigns out of the building.
Chris Jericho (Champion) vs. Kevin Owens
For the United States Championship
Owens wins. Jericho goes on tour with his band.
Bray Wyatt (Champion) vs. Randy Orton
For the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
We really do not need another Randy Orton title reign. If Bray doesn't win, we Wyatt.
Bill Goldberg (Champion) vs. Brock Lesnar
For the WWE Universal Championship
Lesnar wins. I just hope this goes over five minutes. I want to see Goldberg get taken to Suplex City.
