“The Ultimate Thrill Ride” is upon as. WrestleMania 33 (I know they don't use numbers anymore) is Sunday and while the hype for this show has been slow to build, there are many intriguing matchups that could change the face the company for the next twelve months.
While matches like AJ Styles vs. Shane McMahon and the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal are throwaway matches, Brock Lesnar vs. Goldberg and Roman Reigns vs. The Undertaker could shift the scales of the WWE. There are 15 matches on this year’s WrestleMania card and while looking at every single match could take hours, we will give our predictions for every match with some analysis for the biggest matches. Let’s begin with the match many are looking forward to during the WrestleMania pre-show.
Austin Aries vs. Neville (champion) for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship
Aries and Neville has made fans care a bit more about the Cruiserweight title since their feud began a few weeks ago. This match being moved to the pre-show will give both men time to build and have the type of match that will benefit both. I’m not sure if now is the time for Neville to lose the Cruiserweight Championship but they have something in Aries where he could be the leader of the Cruiserweight division while Neville demolishes everyone in his path to get his title back.
You winner and new Cruiserweight Champion, Austin Aries
Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal
This is the match when I will most likely go to the bathroom. They have dropped the ball with this match so I’m just gonna throw a name out of someone who should win it.
Your winner, Braun Strowman
Alexa Bliss (champion) vs. Becky Lynch, Natalya, Mickie James, Carmella and Naomi (Six Pack Challenge for the Smackdown Live Women's Championship)
Even with bigger names on the Raw women’s roster, it feels like the Smackdown Live women’s division is better than Raw women’s division. Every woman on Smackdown Live has a role and are not just thrown into matches with no build. In this Six-Pack challenge, Alexa Bliss should retain but I would not be surprised if a surprise winner comes out of this match.
Your winner and still Smackdown Live Women's champion, Alexa Bliss
Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson (champions) vs. Enzo and Big Cass and Sheamus and Cesaro (Triple Threat Ladder Match for Raw Tag Team Championship)
I am very afraid for the competitors in this match, specifically because of Enzo and Cass. Cass busted Sheamus open on Monday Night Raw with a ladder that required 16 stitches for Sheamus. Enzo almost killed himself in a regular tag team match and now we have those two in a ladder match.
This is the time for Enzo and Cass to win the tag team titles. If they do not win at WrestleMania, just break them up and scrap the team. I have to believe that the WWE brass wanted Enzo and Cass to have their WrestleMania moment and win the straps at the biggest show of the year. I will continue thinking that until proven wrong.
Your winners and new Raw Tag Team Champions, Enzo and Big Cass.
Dean Ambrose (champion) and Baron Corbin for the Intercontinental Championship
Ambrose is just not cool anymore. His gimmick, his mic work and his in-ring style does nothing for me anymore. Corbin will make a great IC Champion.
Your winner and new Intercontinental Champion, Baron Corbin
John Cena and Nikki Bella vs. The Miz and Maryse
The Miz and Maryse have been the highlight of this feud. While Cena gave one of the best promos of his career on Tuesday, The Miz showed why he could be a huge asset on the Smackdown Live brand going forward. I just want Nikki Bella to go away and if Cena proposes to her after the match, I’m going to be really upset.
Your winners, John Cena and Nikki Bella
Chris Jericho (champion) vs. Kevin Owens for the United States Championship
This should be a match for the Universal Championship but the WWE love old guys who sweat while just walking. This has been a feud that was built slowly but when it exploded, it was great. You knew that Owens and Jericho would have a great match and with Jericho reportedly leading the creative of the feud, it was going to be a show stealer.
The U.S. Title needs to be elevated to a title that matters to fans. Putting it in a major feud and making it a priority after WrestleMania is what the WWE needs, especially with a Universal Champion (either Goldberg or Lesnar) who will not appear on every show). Owens will be the right man to elevate this title.
Your winner and new United States Champion, Kevin Owens
Bayley (champion) vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Nia Jax vs. Sasha Banks (Fatal Four Way Elimination Match for the Raw Women’s Championship)
The way the WWE has handled the Women’s Title on Raw has been atrocious. Constant title changes, the ending of Charlotte’s pay-per-view winning streak for no reason and other odd booking decisions have made me not care about the division on Monday nights. I have no idea where this match will go because they have bungled the women on Raw so badly. Here goes nothing.
Your winner and new Raw Women’s Champion, Nia Jax
Shane McMahon vs. AJ Styles
I am still not a fan of this match. They are wasting Styles in this match against Shane, who is extremely limited in his in-ring ability. If Styles loses this match, the WWE should be prepared for a crowd backlash during the show.
Your winner, AJ Styles
Seth Rollins vs. Triple H (Non-sanctioned match)
If this match didn’t happen this year, it would never happen. This has been an encounter two years in the making and Rollins, even if he had to roll into WrestleMania in a wheelchair, was not missing the biggest show of the year for the second year in a row.
With the no holds barred nature of this match, it will protect Rollins as his knee is still not 100 percent going into the show. Even with possible interference from Samoa Joe, Rollins should gain revenge on The Authority and the King of Kings.
Your winner, Seth Rollins
Bray Wyatt (champion) vs. Randy Orton for the WWE Championship
This is the other match that is important for the direction of the company. Orton and Wyatt has had a very impressive feud, although Orton still may be the worst character in WWE history. Wyatt winning the WWE Title in the Elimination Chamber was a major milestone for his career as it made him a star in the company (finally), so losing the title so quickly after winning it makes no sense.
Your winner and still WWE Champion Bray Wyatt
The Undertaker vs. Roman Reigns
Can Roman Reigns finally turn heel at WrestleMania? He sounded like a heel in his promo on Monday so just pull the trigger and turn him. No one knows if this will be the final match of The Undertaker’s career but it is to be assumed that this could be therefore I am picking Reigns...unfortunately.
Your winner, Roman Reigns
Goldberg (champion) vs. Brock Lesnar for the Universal Title
My views on this match has been very transparent, even going back to their Survivor Series match. This match is really happening and while it is for one of the most important belts in the company, it’s hard to really care about it. No matter who wins, they will be a part-time champion who will show up here and there. Goldberg is in no shape to have match longer than five minutes and Lesnar could hurt Goldberg with one german suplex.
While I’m not a fan of part-time wrestlers, I think Lesnar will win this match. Lesnar is a better selection as champion as he would make more appearances than Goldberg and has an ace in his pocket with Paul Heyman, who would be available to give amazing promos in his absence. Hopefully this is the final time we see Goldberg. So long and farewell.
Your winner and new Universal Champion, Brock Lesnar
What are your thoughts about WrestleMania? Let us know in our comment section.
