Wrestlemania season is in it’s final lap, with the big event just a sunset away. As we discussed on The A1 Podcast this has the potential to be a very fun event, but there is skepticism.
Here are my personal predictions.
WWE Tag Team Championship: The Usos (Jimmy & Jey)(c) vs. Los Matadores (Primo & Epico Diego & Fernando) vs. The Real Americans (Cesaro & Jack Swagger w/ Zeb Coulter) vs. Rybaxel (Ryback & Curtis Axel) – What a difference a year makes. One year ago nobody cared about The Usos, Los Matadores were under a different name, Jack Swagger was challenging for the World Title while Cesaro was nowhere to be found, Curtis Axel was known as Michael McGillicutty, and Ryback was feuding with Mark Henry.
With that in mind, all this is happening in the pre-show match, which will take place sometime during the two hour pre-show that takes place over WWE Network and YouTube. Yes, this means WrestleMania will total SIX HOURS.
WWE may want you to forget that The Usos beat Los Matadores, yet Los Matadores somehow still earn a title shot. The Real Americans have faced Los Matadores several times, usually winning, and they’re the guys that lost to the champions. And I can’t remember the last time Ryback & Axel had a big win,
Back to the match, I don’t expect the titles to change hands, because I don’t think people are excited about anybody here.
Prediction: The Usos win when one of The Usos pins one of The Real Americans, adding fuel to The Real Americans split.
The Shield (Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, & Roman Reigns) vs. Kane & The New Age Outlaws (Roadd Dogg & Billy Gunn) – The Shield made a somewhat unexpected face turn by beating up Kane a few weeks back (ironically something they did during a heel run a little over a year ago). The New Age Outlaws have allied themselves with Kane, and the six-man is set.
While I have enjoyed The Shield’s face run, I can’t help but think that trouble is still brewing. That said, I jsut got done talking about friction in The Real Americans, and doing a similar storyline here in the same show would just be a repeat.
Prediction: Reigns spears Roadd Dogg for the win, and all is right with The Shield… for now…
14 Diva Single Fall Match For The Diva’s Title: AJ Lee(c) vs. Aksana, Alicia Fox, Brie Bella, Cameron, Emma, Eva Marie, Layla, Naomi, Natalya, Nikki Bella, Rosa Mendes, Summer Rae and Tamina Snuka – I suppose it would have been much easier to say “Pretty Much Everybody”. AJ is the longest reigning Diva’s Champion since the title was established in 2008. Vickie Guerrero made the match a week or to ago to get back at AJ for her unruly behavior. Getting past the fact that Vickie Guerrero has been a villainous manager almost her entire career, this puts AJ in a somewhat sympathetic position, since any of the other 13 competitors could pin anybody else and take her title. I personally will never understand the logic of how Natalya could pin Aksana to beat AJ Lee.
I said on the podcast that Summer will win, and I’ll stand by that even though in the end nobody will really care who wins. Though I’m pretty sure the ring entrances will be longer than the match itself.
Prediction: Summer Rae is your new Divas Champion. Tune into Total Divas to see how the other girls react!
Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal – The announced participants are Alberto Del Rio, Big E, Big Show, Brad Maddox, Brodus Clay, Christian, Cody Rhodes, Damien Sandow, Darren Young, Dolph Ziggler, Fandango, Drew McIntyre, Goldust, The Great Khali, Heath Slater, Jinder Mahal, Justin Gabriel, Kofi Kingston, Mark Henry, The Miz, Rey Mysterio, Sheamus, R-Truth, Santino Marella, Sin Cara, Titus O’Neil, and Zack Ryder. This leaves 3 spots open, so I’m sure we’re going to get a surprise or two (*cough*RVD*cough*). At times it seemed like more wrestlers were interested in this than The Royal Rumble, since more talked about this than The Rumble. Still, it’s a nice way to get everybody on the show, and I’m a sucker for battle royals. So I’m sure I will enjoy this.
Prediction: The Big Show wins in true Andre fashion.
John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt – It is a bit refreshing to see John Cena against an up and comer, rather than the top program. It’s a change of pace, and a heckuva spot for Wyatt. Bray had a memorable match with Daniel Bryan at The Royal Rumble, so he’s proven he can go, especially with a strong opponent. Cena can have at least a watchable match with just about anybody, so this could be a showstealer.
On a side note, one of the things I look forward to at Mania is John Cena’s custom entrance. It’ll be fun to see what WWE has him do for a New Orleans crowd.
I am strongly leaning towards a John Cena wins, however the victory will come at a great physical cost. Thus Bray Wyatt looks strong even in defeat.
Prediction: John Cena
The Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar – Unless you are completely oblivious to WWE, you know about The undertaker’s Streak. At 21-0, it’s arguably the most unique gimmick in wrestling. Also, more often than not, Undertaker’s matches at WrestleMania are more memorable than the main events.
This match was teased a few years back when Brock was still in UFC, but it never came to fruition. Now Brock has been back for a couple years, albeit in a part time fashion. Paul Heyman’s mic work has been nothing less than stellar, and possibly the best of his entire career.
When it comes to The Streak, it’s a case of “It’s not the ending, it’s the story”. Of course Undertaker is going to win. The most interesting part will be to see how ‘Taker is able to cope with Brock’s incredibly physical style.
Prediction: The Undertaker
Daniel Bryan vs. HHH – 2013 was a roller coaster year for Daniel Bryan fans. They saw him go from tag champion with Kane to main eventing SummerSlam against none other than JohN Cena. They saw him cleanly defeat John Cena without a shred of controvery or interference. Twice they saw him win the world title, only for it to be taken away almost immediately.
Now Bryan finally gets his hands on HHH, something he hasn’t truly gotten to do. This is a sweet spot for Bryan, as HHH likely hand picks his opponents. Also, as much as the internet hates HHH, the man can make somebody look good when he wants to. Like Cena/Wyatt, this could be the most memorable matches on the show.
There is no doubt in my mind that Daniel Bryan is beating HHH. The only question is whether this will be early in the show or not. 20 years ago, a match like this would have opened the show to give Bryan enough time to rest up and prepare for the title match at the end of the show. However, there could be an easy but fun story told by having this match go on second to last. Bryan beats HHH, who then turns around and Pedigrees him after the match. HHH then could demand the title match start immediately, further stacking the deck against Bryan.
Another possibility out there is HHH wins via skullduggery, but host Hulk Hogan calls him out on it and reverses the decision.
Prediction: Daniel Bryan
WWE World Heavyweight Title: Randy Orton(c) vs. Batista vs. Daniel Bryan OR HHH – As per the stipulation of Bryan vs. HHH, the winner will be inserted into this match. Without the dangling carrot of Bryan being added, this would have been one of the most unappealing WrestleMania Main Events in history. Batista returned at The Royal Rumble with much hype, and little fan appreciation. I think even the “casual fan” noticed Batista was walking into the spot that would be more fitting to Daniel Bryan. Combine this with the factor that Randy Orton has been cast not as a dominant champion, but as a glorified sidekick to HHH, and you wind up with very little drama. Especially for the so called Biggest Show Of The Year.
Orton and Batista try to pu aside their differences to gang up on the udnerdog Bryan. However, when it comes time for the pinfall, they turn on each other. This gives Bryan his chance to come back.
A Flying knee to knock out one, and a Yes Lock to make the other tap out. WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan then leads the World’s Largest Yes Chant.
Prediction: Daniel Bryan
Thanks for reading this list of predictions. We at A1-Wrestling appreciate any feedback, whether it’s here, the forums, email, or on the Facebook Page.
