WWE's biggest event of the year, Wrestlemania, is right around the corner, and it's coming to the WWE Network and PPV on Sunday, April 8. Fans should get prepared for an all-day affair as 2017's Wrestlemania 33 was six and a half hours long. This year's show will be hosted by the city of New Orleans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Aside from the main card, Wrestlemania weekend will also consist of the Hall of Fame ceremony on Friday--with both Kid Rock and Mark Henry, among others, being inducted--NXT Takeover on Saturday, and Wrestlemania itself on Sunday. At the time of this writing, a Kickoff Show has not been announced, but you can expect one to start two hours prior to Wrestlemania 34 at 5 PM ET/2 PM PT, much like last year's Mania event.
While the match card has not been finalized, the PPV is looking pretty full already, and there are still championships that need to be defended and main event stars that need a place on the card. The newest addition to this year's PPV is the Women's Battle Royal match, which will most likely appear with the Men's Battle Royal on the Kickoff Show. Originally, the match was named the Fabulous Moolah Memorial Battle Royal, but WWE changed the name due to some controversy.
There have been a lot of rumors as to which stars will be on the final card, but as the weeks go on, we will only be discussing matches confirmed by the WWE, including where recently cleared Daniel Bryan fits into all of this. Keep checking back up until Wrestlemania 34 as we'll also have pieces fully discussing each of the matches at the PPV. For now, here is the match card and our predictions.
Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal
As of this writing, only the tag team The Revival have been announced for the Andre The Giant Battle Royal. However, the winners for the past two years have been newer talent in the company. I have a feeling we will see that tradition continue. While this prediction may change as stars gets announced for this match, I'm giving the win to Tye Dillinger, as he's a guy who needs and deserves a push. He's too talented to be on the backburner.
Our prediction: Tye Dillinger wins
Women's Battle Royal
Much like the Men's Battle Royal, the newly-named Women's Battle Royal has yet to announce any participants. More than likely, it will also appear on the Kickoff Show as well. There are a lot of women in WWE that are more than deserving of a big push. However, since losing the Smackdown Women's Championship, Becky Lynch has been on the short end of the stick. She's been in the background for most stories she's involved with and endures countless losses in the ring. I'm giving the win to her simply because she deserves to be in the main event picture again.
Our prediction: Becky Lynch wins
The Bar (c) vs. Braun Strowman & An Unnamed Partner
(For the Raw Tag Team Championship)
While the idea of Braun Strowman being a lone tag team champion is hilarious, there was no way that was going to happen. So now, Strowman will have a yet-to-be-named partner to take on The Bar. Raw's tag team division is a mess, and this match does not help. In order for the Monday night show to save face and get back on track, The Bar needs to win; otherwise, it will be a complete joke. As much as I love everything about Braun Strowman--the walking Looney Tunes character--he should not win this one.
Our prediction: The Bar wins
Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn
This won't be the final match for these two stars at Wrestlemania, especially now with Daniel Bryan cleared to wrestle at the event. Somehow, this is also going to involve both Bryan and Shane McMahon as well. That's a whole prediction within itself, so until we get some further information, I'm giving the win to Sami Zayn because he currently has a great direction. If WWE is splitting the team up, he needs to get out of Kevin Owens' shadow.
Our prediction: As this match stands now, Sami Zayn will get the win.
The Miz (c) vs. Finn Balor vs. Seth Rollins
(For the Intercontinental Championship)
As previously mentioned, Daniel Bryan is cleared to wrestle, and I would love for this match to be replaced by one between The Miz and Bryan. However, until there's an official confirmation to what Bryan's plans are, we have Miz taking on Finn Balor and Seth Rollins, which should be a fantastic battle. However, considering that the Miz is exceptionally close to breaking another Intercontinental Championship reign record, I'm thinking he'll retain the title, only to lose it a couple months later.
Our prediction: The Miz wins
TJP vs. Cedric Alexander
(For the Cruiserweight Championship)
Ever since former Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore was released from WWE, 205 Live has been having a tournament to decide who the show's next champion will be. The two finalists are TJP and Cedric Alexander. I'm giving the win to Alexander, in hopes he has a solid title run, as TJP had a mediocre one already, and I'm not too thrilled to see the title back on him.
Our prediction: Alexander wins
Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Nia Jax
(For the Raw Women's Championship)
Things took a turn recently in the relationship between Nia Jax and Alexa Bliss, as the Raw Women's Champion was caught talking smack about her best friend. A title match between the two has been building since Bliss first won the belt, and there will be nothing more satisfying than Jax finally winning the championship. For that reason alone--the sweet taste of revenge--I'm giving the win to Jax.
Our prediction: Nia Jax wins
Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Roman Reigns
(For the Universal Championship)
Reigns has called out Universal Champion Brock Lesnar for being a part-time wrestler, and that got "The Big Dog" suspended, which later led to Lesnar attacking him. Since Lesnar has been champion, I've unsuccessfully predicted him to lose on numerous occasions. And I'm going to do it again. It's time for the champion to be a full-timer once again, and while Roman Reigns may not be the top dog we want, we strangely need him.
Our prediction: Reigns wins
Kurt Angle & Ronda Rousey vs. Triple H & Stephanie McMahon
Well, I was hoping for Rousey to reteam with The Rock, but I guess Kurt Angle is a good teammate. The newly signed, former MMA fighter takes on Stephanie McMahon and Triple H in her first bout. This is a no-brainer. WWE will not have Rousey lose her first match.
Our prediction: Angle & Rousey win
AJ Styles (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
(For the WWE Championship)
Sure, Shinsuke Nakamura and AJ Styles had an epic match in New Japan Pro Wrestling at Wrestle Kingdom 10, but the average WWE fan didn't see it and more than likely won't go looking to watch it. Just like WWE did with Ultimate Deletion, fans will get WWE's version of the classic Nakamura/Styles match. However, this will be just the start of the war between these two. I suspect this will be a long-running rivalry with the championship getting passed between the wrestlers. For the first battle, I'm giving the win to Nakamura.
Our prediction: Nakamura wins
Charlotte vs. Asuka
(For the Smackdown Women's Championship)
Charlotte has been a dominant champion and Asuka hasn't lost a singles match since coming to WWE and NXT. These are two of the most dominant superstars on the entire WWE roster, and this is a dream match for wrestling fans. There are very few people that could break Asuka's streak, but Charlotte may be one of them. While I see this match going either way, I don't think it's time for the streak to end, so Asuka will get the win after an intense battle.
Our prediction: Asuka wins
Secondary prediction: Carmella cashes in her Money in the Bank contract and loses
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