WWE WRESTLEMANIA 34
PREDICTIONS
So that time of year is upon us once again in the pro wrestling world, it's the 'Mecca', the 'Super Bowl', the 'Grandest Stage Of Them All', whatever you want to call it, it's the biggest stage in all of Sports Entertainment, and it will be live from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
I can say that I somewhat have the Wrestlemania hype bug this year as the card has a lot of potential to be one of the most entertaining Manias that we have had in a good while,(since Wrestlemania 31 perhaps).
But a card having potential and actually delivering on that potential is something that is hard to come by in WWE in recent years especially when it comes to their biggest event of the year.
But never the less I am going into this years show with confidence that this will be a Wrestlemania that lives up to the hype.
It's going to be very interesting to see how the dynamic and proposed match between John Cena and The Undertaker will go down at the event as we have seen John Cena week after week, challenge and call out the Deadman to no avail, it has been strange but yet different to see The Undertaker not answer John Cena's challenge on the final Raw before Mania, but it's a different tactic that the WWE is taking to get people to tune into Wrestlemania to see if the match will indeed take place (which it totally will) and I think it's a genius and fresh way to build up a match on the card.
The possibility of John Cena (left) finally having a Showdown with The Undertaker (right) has been avoided by WWE for many years and for way too long in my opinion
Also add in the rumours that have been circulating hard online about The Undertaker returning under The American Badass gimmick and there is even more appeal for what we could see happen at the event.
Could The Undertaker surprise John Cena and viewers by returning as 'The American Badass'?
Daniel Bryan's clearance from his injury retirement and confirmed In ring return has been the ever so sweet icing on the cake during Mania season and going into the event and is most definitely a moment in time that will be talked about for generations to come, as it seemed that we would never see Daniel Bryan wrestle in a WWE ring ever again, it was a huge loss and shame especially with how his career ended, as it never got the chance to go the distance that it should have, especially in the midst of his historic WWE Championship run.
It's very clear that Daniel Bryan is the most over performer on the entire WWE roster and he has been hugely missed as an active performer for almost three years now, and his in ring return on the grandest stage is sure to be unmissable.
Daniel Bryan is back and active, and boy has the WWE in ring landscape missed him badly
He will team up with Co-GM Shane McMahon to take on the vindictive and opportunist team of Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn whom Shane McMahon has been embroiled in a long term feud with, which has been the best feud in WWE since it began last year.
Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon (left) will look to serve justice to Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn (right) this Sunday
Ronda Rousey will finally make her in ring debut as she teams up with Kurt Angle to take on Triple H and Stephanie McMahon in what is a fantasy tag match of sorts which is sure to present viewers with the long awaited visual of Stephanie McMahon finally getting her long term comeuppance at the hands of the former UFC badass.
How will Ronda Rousey fair in a WWE ring?
I think this is a very well put together tag team match up and could prove to work out being a better option over the rumoured and now cancelled plans of The Rock being involved in this one.
We're also going to get a long wanted fantasy match betwee WWE Champion AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura which should prove to be the 'workhorse match' of the card and potential to be match of the year between two superstars at the top of their game when it comes to performing in between the ropes.
Shinsuke Nakamura and AJ Styles's clash for the WWE Championship could be one for the ages
And the last big talking point going into this Sunday is that of the 'elephant in the room' main event match that the WWE insist the fans must get behind and enjoy despite having already taken place at Wrestlemania 31 and not really being a popular choice for this year's Wrestlemania main event, and that is of course Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar for the WWE Universal Championship, which has a potential outcome to change the landscape of WWE Raw for good going forward.
Will Roman Reigns and Brock Lensar's Wrestlemania 34 clash be able to their Wrestlemania 31 clash?
But it might not end up being the popular change of landscape though.
Without further ado, let's run down the jam packed Wrestlemania 34 card as I give you my analysis on what I think will happen in each match up on the night:
Wresltemania Women's Battle Royal
Which female superstar will prove to be the most dominant?
This was a match that was shrouded in controversy when it was first announced to be 'The Fabolous Moolah Memorial Battle Royal' as somehow WWE were un aware that they were honouring someone dishonourable, (but we're not gonna get into that here) which in turn might have needed up being a good thing because this match actually got highlighted and got press coverage which it would not have had otherwise.
And you know what they say; any press is good press (sometimes) when you're trying to get something attention.
As for this match, it is pretty much going to be the Women's Royal Rumble Lite, I don't expect the booking to be too thought out or there to be too many surprise entrants, we may see one or two like a Lita or a Trish Stratus take part, but that's about it.
Oh, and there is the dynamic and feud between Sasha Banks and Bayley going into this one, which should have been settled as a stand alone former friends rivalry singles match on the card, I think WWE either forgot to have Sasha Banks and Bayley go one on one or they want the dynamic between the pair to add something to this Battle Royal.
I am predicting the final two in the ring to be Sasha Banks and Bayley and the outcome will carry on the feud for months to come, i'm not sure who is going to turn heel out the pair yet though.
What Will Happen: Bayley will win the Wrestlemania Women's Battle Royal which will continue her feud with Sasha Banks.
What I Want To Happen: Same as above.
WWE Cruiserweight Championship Tournament Final:
Cedric Alexander vs Mustafa Ali
Who will be crowned the New WWE Cruiserweight Champion and become the new face of the WWE Cruiserweight division?
I will admit that I have not been keeping up with the WWE Cruiserweight divsion over on 205 Live as I feel the absence and release of Enzo Amore has really dealt a big blow to a division that seemed to really be taking off and had a prominent place on WWE Raw every monday night when Enzo was holding the belt, also the absence of Neville due to ongoing contract negotiations has also cause long term damage to the division.
But never the less it seems that all is not lost for the WWE Cruiserweight Division as we are going to have a Cruiserweight Championship decider on the card in some capacity even if it is just gonna be on the Pre Show.
Cedric Alexander and Mustafa Ali are most definitely going to want to do everything they can to tear the house down in this match to show that the Cruiserweight Division should not be taken lightly and there is still life left in it with a big Wrestlemania performance here.
This should prove to be an entertaining in ring showcase.
I also think that there is stock in Cedric Alexander of carrying the mantle of Face of The Cruiserweight Division.
What Will Happen: Cedric Alexander will defeat Mustafa Ali to become the new WWE Cruiserweight Champion.
What I Want To Happen: Same as above.
WWE United States Championship Fatal Four Way Match:
Randy Orton(c) vs Bobby Roode vs Jinder Mahal vs Rusev
Who will walk away the WWE United States Championship?
This is an interesting setup for a Fatal Four Way WWE United States championship match if there ever was one, and it's down to the fact that it feels very fresh.
The elephant in the room for me however is the staleness of both Randy Orton and Bobby Roode as Babyfaces, their feud has not really set the world alight and I feel that there is really no point in Randy Orton having the United States Championship, there was not really any need for Bobby Roode to drop it to him Fastlane as I don't see Orton doing anything of note as United States Champion going forward.
What I have enjoyed is the improvement of Jinder Mahal as a heel character and his mic work, which has majorly improved since he has been away from the WWE Championship picture, I have a very good feeling that Jinder Mahal will be back in the WWE Championship picture again and will win it again as WWE will be doing a huge injustice and disservice to themselves if they let his well cultivated 'Maharajah' gimmick waste away on the roster.
The shining light however has been the success of Rusev and his 'Rusev Day'gimmick which has gotten over with the fans in a massive way, Rusev is getting bigger pops than most of the intended babyfaces on the roster and it's something that WWE NEED to capitilize on sooner rather than later, Rusev has been one of the best parts of Smackdown ever since his 'Rusev Day' gimmick began.
Rusev is sure to get the biggest pop from the crowd here, especially if he makes his entrance with his rumoured signature Wrestlemania Tank, (and yes, he may just out do Bobby Roode's 'Glorious' entrance)
But will WWE pull the trigger on a big Rusev babyface push with a WWE United States Championship victory here?
I really hope so.
This could prove to be an unpredictable and dark horse match on the card.
What Will Happen: Randy Orton will retain the WWE United States Championship
What I Want To Happen: Rusev becomes the new WWE United States Champion.
WWE Raw Tag Team Championship Match:
Cesaro and Sheamus(c) vs Braun Strowman & ????
Who will join Braun Strowman(right) to take on the dominant and consistant WWE RAW Tag Team Champions Cesaro and Sheamus? (left)
Braun Strowman, despite looking super impressive in his booking and being destined to be at the top of the card for over a year has somehow found himself involved in the Tag Team Division which has me wondering if the WWE are just waiting for the Wrestlemania storm to wither away before opening the gate for Braun Strowman to be a permanent main stay of the WWE main event picture.
I'm very intrigued to see just who will be the guy to step up as Braun Strowman's partner in the hunt for the WWE Tag Team Championships and I think I have a very good idea about who that will be as I think it will make for a great put together tag team if it will be the case.
I don't expect this bout to be anything special or out of the ordinary, but I do think that the time has come for Cesaro and Sheamus to surrender the WWE Raw Tag Team Championships.
What Will Happen: Dean Ambrose will return to partner up Braun Strowman and become the new WWE Raw Tag Team Champions.
What I Want To Happen: Same as above.
WWE Smackdown Women's Championship Match:
Charlotte Flair(c) vs Asuka
Will Asuka (right) continue her undefeated dominance and dethrone Charlotte Flair(left) as the top female of Smackdown?
This is sure to be the 'workhorse' match of the Women's Championship defence of the card, and I feel we are in for a top notch women's Championship match here.
Asuka has been booked as the most unstoppable superstar that there has ever been in the WWE with no losses to her name since she joined the company back in 2015.
Charlotte Flair has managed to get her mojo back after being lost in the shuffle since moving from Raw to Smackdown and has been doing great as a honourable babyface WWE Women's Smackdown champion.
As close and gripping as this match will be, I don't think WWE have any plans to stop the Auska winning train anytime soon.
What Will Happen: Asuka will defeat Charlotte Flair to become the new WWE Smackdown Women's Champion.
What I Want To Happen: Charlotte Successfully defends her WWE Smackdown Women's Championship
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match:
The Miz(c)vs Finn Balor vs Seth Rollins
Can The Miz (left) continue to show why he is the best WWE Intercontinental Champion of the modern era by successfully defending against a hungry Finn Balor(middle) and Seth Rollins(right)
The Miz has single handedly made the WWE Intercontinental Championship relevant again and a main staple of storylines and has really made the title his own to the point where I think about his character when I look at the Championship.
I still believe that The Miz should be back in contention to be a main event main stay again as he is really in his prime and ready for it.
Whereas I feel in the case of Seth Rollins and Finn Balor, they are two characters that have fallen by the wayside and continue to look lost in the shuffle and I believe that is down to the continuous mishandling of booking for them both.
I have no doubt that this will be an entertaining Triple threat as we have two great in ring workers in Finn Balor and Seth Rollins mixing it up with the tactical and opportunist Miz.
I think it's time for the Intercontinental Championship to change hands and play a bit of hot potato in the coming months, with a certain someone finally getting a bit of a break by capturing their first Intercontinental Championship in the company.
What Will Happen: Finn Balor will defeat The Miz and Seth Rollins to become the new WWE Intercontinental Champion.
What I Want To Happen: The Miz retains the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
WWE Championship Match:
AJ Styles(c) vs Shinsuke Nakamura
In what could be a match for the ages, can this year's Royal Rumble winner Shinsuke Nakamura (right) go all the way and become the new WWE champion?
And here we have what will be the 'workhorse' WWE Championship match on the men's side of things on the card, and I've got to say I've got a bit of goosebumps of excitement going into this one, as it is the 'dream match' come true, two worldwide natural pro wrestling stars finally meeting on the grandest stage of them all Wrestlemania 34.
Despite Shinsuke Nakamura coming off as being a bit boring since his Royal Rumble win and lead up to this match, I have no doubt that he will bring his A+ game here and put on a clinic in the ring with AJ Styles and show everyone just why he is 'The King of Strong Style' and why he was such a big deal in Japan.
I can already picture Shinsuke Nakamura's epic Wrestlemania entrance and it alone is giving me goosebumps of excitment.
As for AJ Styles, there isn't anymore that is needed to be said, AJ will always deliver on the big stage and never has a less than great match.
This is sure to grip people in and keep them glued and could well be in the running for match of the night.
What Will Happen: AJ Styles will retain the WWE Championship.
What I Want To Happen: Same as above.
Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal:
Who will claim the prestigious Andre The Giant trophy accolade this year?
The annual memorial Andre The Giant Battle Royal has not really added anything special to Wrestlemania over the years and the product as a whole because past winners have gone on to do absolutely nothing in the company after wining the seemingly prestigious trophy.
And I feel that this year will be no different for who ever wins as I can't really put my finger on much of the roster(apart from my pick to win of course) in the lower midcard who can really stand out for a major push.
WWE continue to do a poor job of convincing me that the Andre Memorial Battle Royal is nothing but a novelty gimmick for the Wrestlemania card.
What Will Happen: Elias will win the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
What I Want To Happen: Same as above.
WWE Smackdown Tag Team Championship Triple Threat Match:
The Usos(c) vs The New Day vs The Bludgeon Brothers
Who will stake their claim as the supreme tag team on the Smackdown brand?
I must say that I am very happy that The Usos have had a very long WWE Smackdown Tag Team Championship reign as they are no doubt the best tag team in all of pro wrestling, they could easily be booked to hold onto the Smackdown Tag Team Championships for another year if so be.
I'm even happier that The Usos are finally in a prominent position on a Wrestlemania card, as it has been long overdue.
Their heel persona's have found the perfect babyface adversaries in The New Day when it comes to in ring chemistry over the year.
The Bludgeon Brothers have been trying to make a name for themselves under their new personas since appearing on the Smackdown brand and I must say I am a fan of the team but I think they need more material to work with and more time to really season under the new gimmick.
The New Day are pretty much still the same team that they have been for many years now and I don't really want to see them back with the tag team championships again as I feel they don't need them.
But it may just be time for another team to get a run with the belts for a little while.
What Will Happen: The Bludgeon Brothers will defeat The Usos & The New Day to become the new WWE Smackdown Tag Team Champions.
What I Want To Happen: The Usos retain the WWE Smackdown Tag Team Champiosnhips.
WWE Raw Women's Championship Match:
Alexa Bliss(c) vs Nia Jax
Has Alexa Bliss (left) gone too far in goading the in ring monster that is Nia Jax? (right)
It's been interesting to see the angle that has developed between two one time best friends especially with Nia Jax turning babyface, which has pretty much been a success for her as she is now finally getting a major crowd response as a 'kick ass' babyface.
As great as Alexa Bliss has been as a long term heel WWE Raw Women's Champion, I think the time has come for someone to dethrone the reign, and I think the WWE really have something with Nia Jax as a kick ass babyface WWE Raw Women's champion.
I must also say that i'm looking forward to seeing Nia Jax finally get her hands on Alexa Bliss after weeks of torment and completely bulldoze her in the ring.
What Will Happen: Nia Jax will defeat Alexa Bliss to become the new WWE Raw Women's Champion.
What I Want To Happen: Same as above.
Mixed Tag Team Match:
Kurt Angle & Ronda Rousey vs Triple H and Stephanie McMahon
Will Triple H and Stephanie McMahon (right) be humbled by the Olympic gold medal wrestling machine Kurt Angle and the former UFC badass Ronda Rousey?(left)
Here we have the spectacle of the night and the in ring debut of Ronda Rousey in what should be a very fun tag team match.
It's also great to see Kurt Angle back on the grand stage of Wrestlemania once again where he truly belongs.
We know that Kurt Angle can still well and truly go in the ring as seen back when he wrestled in the main event at WWE TLC, and it's going to be great to see him go at it again with old rival Triple H yet again.
But the big question is; can Ronda Rousey go in a WWE ring?
We will see if the months of training will come to fruition for Ronda Rousey this Sunday, and we shall see if she will incorporate her UFC training into the match.
WWE have done a good job so far at keeping the mystique of her in ring abilities (even though she has had a few hiccups).
With rumours that Stephanie McMahon will be taking a long extended break away from TV after Wrestlemania 34, this may well be the match where the long running heel boss Stephanie McMahon finally gets her comeuppance after looking so strong year after year in the company.
This is pretty much one of those mathces that will change the landscape of Raw going forward.
I'll be getting the popcorn out for this one.
What Will Happen: Ronda Rousey & Kurt Angle will defeat Triple H and Stephanie McMahon.
What I Want To Happen: Same as above.
????? Match
John Cena vs The Undertaker?:
Will a match that has been requested by fans for many years to take place at Wrestlemania finally happen?
Here we have a big case of 'Will it Happen?' in regards to a purposed challenge by John Cena to The Undertaker for a long awaited clash at Wrestlemania between the two.
I for one know that something is going to go down and The Undertaker will indeed answer John Cena.
I do feel that we are indeed going to get a match between these two, as the build has clearly been WWE testing the waters with a new booking tactic to get viewers to tune into Wrestlemania 34 to see if said superstar will answer the challenge on the night.
I can't deny that I am amped up to see John Cena and The Undertaker finally get it on at the grandest stage of them all, even if it is about 4 to 5 years too late.
What Will Happen: The Undertaker will defeat John Cena.
What I Want To Happen: Same as above.
Tag Team Match:
Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon vs Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
Will Shane McMahon & Daniel Bryan (left) finally end months of torment by picking up the victory and sending Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn (right) packing to RAW for good?
Daniel Bryan is back in a WWE ring doing what he does best and what a perfect time for him to make his glorious In ring return at Wrestlemania 34.
I can easily say that the build for this match has been excellent and has been built up nicely over time.
Shane McMahon and Kevin Owens's long time feud has been the best thing about Smackdown since it begun last year and has reminded me of the days when we had great feuds outside of the main event championship picture.
Sami Zayn has very much come into his own ever since aligning himself with Kevin Owens, and it really does seem that he is a more natural cunning heel than he is a milk toast babyface act which was very much leading him on the road to nowhere on the roster.
I expect Shane McMahon to once again bring his A-Game and put on yet another stellar Wrestlemania performance and I would not be surprised if Daniel Bryan goes beyond what is recommended for him in the ring.
The Mercedez-Benz Superdome crowd is sure to be very hot for this one.
This is sure to be another fun tag team match that has landscape changing Implications for Smackdown.
I also have a feeling that the finish of this match is not going to go the way people think it will.
What Will Happen: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn will defeat Shane McMahon & Daniel Bryan
What I Want To Happen: Shane McMahon & Daniel Bryan defeat Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn.
WWE Universal Championship Match:
Brock Lesnar(c) vs Roman Reigns
Will Roman Reigns (right) be the one to finally end Brock Lesnar's(left) reign and chokehold on the WWE Universal Championship?
And here we have what is sure to be the main event of Wrestlemania 34 and pretty much a re-run of Wrestlemania 31's main event, except this time there won't be anyone interrupting to cash in a Money In The Bank briefcase.
We are guaranteed to get a definitive conclusion between these two.
As much as WWE have tried and tried and tried again to get Roman Reigns loved by fans, it is still not working, and I for one am still not a fan of how Roman Reigns is booked.
I am also not a fan of Brock Lesnar's overly long Universal Championship reign, as I feel it has long outstayed it's welcome for over a year and it really isn't doing the RAW brand any favours by having it's champion hardly show up week after week or even defend it on RAW now and then.
Whatever the outcome of this one, it's not going to be a popular decision for many as we will either continue with Brock Lesnar's underwhelming chokehold over the WWE Universal Championship or we are surely getting a very long Roman Reigns Universal Championship reign.
I for one just can't decide which one I would rather prefer.
But I think it's time for Brock Lesnar's chokehold championship reign to come to an end to move RAW's main event championship forward and into a new era.
This will be another entertaining smash mouthed brawl, but I'm not sure if the crowd or viewers are gonna be hot enough for it.
What Will Happen: Roman Reigns will Defeat Brock Lesnar to become the new WWE Universal Champion.
What I Want To Happen: Same as above.
And there you have my big breakdown on what I think will happen at Wrestlemania 34 this Sunday.
Feel free to leave your comments and opinions on what you think will happen on the night.
-Simeon Barrett
