My Wrestlemania 33
Predictions
It's that special time of year in the Pro Wrestling Industry again where WWE's 'Superbowl' takes centre stage and suddenly everyone is talking about wrestling again.
I'll be the first to admit that I have not been a avid follower and watcher of the WWE product as of late as it seems that year after year the WWE just continue to rest on their laurels when it comes to storylines and character development and also continue to force un-welcomed 'top babyface' characters on viewers and fans (which i'll get to a bit later) which as a whole is affecting the product and the potential of what WWE could truly be giving the fans on a weekly basis.
Also the 3 Hour Raw format is just not appealing on a Monday night for the past four years!
Now, Don't get me wrong, there is a part of me that is really excited for the event that WWE could POTENTIALLY put on at Wrestlemania 33, as looking at the card there are some really stellar matches (on paper) that could put this Wrestlemania on par with Wrestlemania 31 which was the best Mania that WWE put on in a very VERY long time.
But WWE actually putting on a exciting and fulfilling Wrestlemania 33 is another thing...
I'm now gonna run down the main feuds going into this Sunday's 'Grandaddy Of The All'.
I'm now going to run down the match card and give my take on how I feel this event will unfold this Sunday night:
Cruiserweight Championship Match:
Neville (c) vs Austin Aries
Can Austin Aries (right) dethrone the self proclaimed King Of The Cruiserweights Neville (left)?
I'm expecting this match to be a very thrilling 'roller coaster' type opener on the Wrestlemania 33 Pre Show, as we have a very refreshing Heel Cruiserweight Champion in Neville who has done the best work of his WWE career since the company finally decided that his babyface character was going absolutely no where, which is something I wish WWE would do more often to the stagnant babyface wrestlers on their roster.
Neville's change in character has proven that if more risks are taken with superstars that have gotten stale on the roster, it will fair much better for the entertainment value of the product as a whole, and it only takes a slight tweak to make a character revitalised and great.
There will be a LOT of near falls in this one and I expect Neville and Aries to have a load of chemistry in the ring, I also feel that this will be a match of reversal maneuvers and 'copycat' moves being performed by both opponents in this match that I feel will tie in with the match finish.
I do also feel that Neville will need a win here at Wrestlemania to really solidify his great 'King Of The Cruiserweights' character.
What Will Happen: Neville will retain the Cruiserweight Championship after Austin Aries fails an attempted Red Arrow.
What I Want To Happen: Same As Above.
Triple Threat WWE RAW Tag Team Championship Match:
Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson (c) vs Sheamus & Cesaro & Enzo & Big Cass
Which team will solidify themselves as the team to beat in the Raw Tag Team Division?
WWE has been doing it's best to make tag team wrestling great and relevant again ever since splitting the Raw & Smackdown brands, but there still seems to be something missing as these divisions are just not as hot as they used to be and we still don't really get tag team storylines surrounding the belts going into big PPV's like Wrestlemania.
I for one feel that the Raw Tag Team Division is inferior to the Smackdown brand as the teams we have in it just feel very bland, Enzo & Cass despite being a tag team with a ton of potential to take the tag division on Raw to another level, have really fizzled out in the past two months. Sheamus & Cesaro despite being a very random put together pair have had some interesting moments, but they too just seem very stagnant as a pair. And last but not least we have the current tag team champions Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson who have been a victim of terrible booking for months and months now and it's down to two things; the fact that they couldn't beat previous Raw tag champs The New Day, in in three tag title matches (which included a triple threat match!) and the way in which their characters have been booked completely wrong, they should be booked as a pair of 'bad-asses' who just simply kick ass and take names, that's it, which is what WWE looked to be doing with them when they entered an angle with the departing Dudley Boyz a while back, but somewhere down the line that path fizzled into the run of the mill goofy and off track booking that WWE constantly run to these days.
As for the match, i expect this to be a very entertaining match as all three teams have the dynamics and skill sets to put on a tag team triple threat masterclass in the ring, however I'm not expecting this to be fast paced, i'm expecting it to be thrill paced.
I do feel that if WWE really want to pull the trigger on Enzo & Cass as the team to put excitement into and be the face of the tag team division on Raw going forward, there is no better place to start than at Wrestlemania 33 by putting the belts on them.
I for one feel that the Raw Tag Team Division is inferior to the Smackdown brand as the teams we have in it just feel very bland, Enzo & Cass despite being a tag team with a ton of potential to take the tag division on Raw to another level, have really fizzled out in the past two months. Sheamus & Cesaro despite being a very random put together pair have had some interesting moments, but they too just seem very stagnant as a pair. And last but not least we have the current tag team champions Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson who have been a victim of terrible booking for months and months now and it's down to two things; the fact that they couldn't beat previous Raw tag champs The New Day, in in three tag title matches (which included a triple threat match!) and the way in which their characters have been booked completely wrong, they should be booked as a pair of 'bad-asses' who just simply kick ass and take names, that's it, which is what WWE looked to be doing with them when they entered an angle with the departing Dudley Boyz a while back, but somewhere down the line that path fizzled into the run of the mill goofy and off track booking that WWE constantly run to these days.
As for the match, i expect this to be a very entertaining match as all three teams have the dynamics and skill sets to put on a tag team triple threat masterclass in the ring, however I'm not expecting this to be fast paced, i'm expecting it to be thrill paced.
I do feel that if WWE really want to pull the trigger on Enzo & Cass as the team to put excitement into and be the face of the tag team division on Raw going forward, there is no better place to start than at Wrestlemania 33 by putting the belts on them.
What Will Happen: Enzo & Cass will become the new Raw Tag Team Champions.
What I Want To Happen: Same as above.
2017 Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal
Who will walk away with major spoils going into the rest of 2017?
The Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal is not a match I look forward to at all on the Wrestlemania card, because ever since Wrestlemania 30 and the terrible handling of it's winner Cesaro, I have totally soured on the idea of this match, and it's a big shame because it should be a special attraction that is a reason to tune into Wrestlemania every year now, last year's winner Baron Corbin has had an okay run in the WWE since winning the battle royal last year, but i still feel WWE should of done so much more (much like Cesaro's case) to make Baron Corbin feel special for winning a monumental match.
This year I have a pretty much solid theory on who is most definitely going to win this one. And I feel WWE will truly make this returning superstar feel special going back into the hunt for one of WWE's Heavyweight championships.
What Will Happen: A returning Finn Balor will win the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
What I Want To Happen: Same as above.
Intercontinental Championship Match:
Dean Ambrose Vs Baron Corbin
Will The Lone Wolf Baron Corbin (right) deliver on his promise to hurt Dean Ambrose(left) and take away his Intercontinental Championship?
One thing that I can soundly praise WWE for is the handling of storylines and characters over on the blue brand Smackdown and this feud right here is a shining example of how WWE can deliver good feuds when they want to even if it's over a midcard championship which is something that has been missing from WWE for a very long time.
For once we have two guys who you can feel really hate each other, Dean Ambrose will do whatever it takes to hold onto his Intercontinental Championship, where as Baron Corbin just wants to make Dean Ambrose suffer by hurting him and taking away his Intercontinental Championship, it's simple effective booking that has worked because of Baron Corbin's great work as a heel especially on the microphone because Baron Corbin does not feel scripted when he talks, it actually feels like we are seeing a real extension of his personality; 'a cool, calm & collected guy who has a jerky side and is in business for himself'.
I'm really hoping this match will be live up to what it could be, and be a thrilling smash mouthed affair.
What Will Happen: Baron Corbin will will win the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
What I Want To Happen: Same as above.
Mixed Tag Team Match:
John Cena & Nikki Bella vs The Miz & Maryse
Who will emerge as the true 'It couple'?
I'm still very surprised that this match is actually happening at Wrestlemania ever since the rumours were running around on the web. But credit very much goes to The Miz for providing some excellent segments to really make this feud work.
Despite some very entertaining segments going into it, (Total Bellas Bulls**** was absolutely hilarious!) I can't really say that i'm looking forward to this match as John Cena & The Miz just don't have chemistry in the ring with each other at all, this match is very likely to bring back shades of their very disappointing Wrestlemania 27 match which was a very slow and dull affair.
But because of the added mixed tag team dynamic this match will most likely be a slight improvement on John Cena vs The Miz matches of the past.
I also feel that this match has been set up for one purpose and that is a marriage proposal at the end of the match for my predicted victors.
Despite some very entertaining segments going into it, (Total Bellas Bulls**** was absolutely hilarious!) I can't really say that i'm looking forward to this match as John Cena & The Miz just don't have chemistry in the ring with each other at all, this match is very likely to bring back shades of their very disappointing Wrestlemania 27 match which was a very slow and dull affair.
But because of the added mixed tag team dynamic this match will most likely be a slight improvement on John Cena vs The Miz matches of the past.
I also feel that this match has been set up for one purpose and that is a marriage proposal at the end of the match for my predicted victors.
What Will Happen: John Cena & Nikki Bella will defeat The Miz & Maryse followed by a in ring marriage proposal from John Cena to Nikki Bella.
What I Want To Happen: The Miz & Maryse sneak a win from John Cena & Nikki Bella to continue the feud.
United States Championship Match:
Chris Jericho (c) vs Kevin Owens
Best Friends Turned Bitter Enemies; Will Kevin Owens (right) put down his former best friend for good and win the United States Championship?
This is another midcard title feud that I'm looking forward to on the card, as we have not seen a straight up Kevin Owens vs Chris Jericho match before.
This is very much a fresh match up that is most definitely Wrestlemania worthy, I'm expecting this one to be a big battle that will see both Jericho and Owens pull out every trick and technique in the book, as this could well be the last match we see Chris Jericho in before he goes back on his annual WWE break.
I can see both of these guys wanting to go out there and steal the show also in honour of Chris Jericho taking a hiatus.
What Will Happen: Kevin Owens will defeat Chris Jericho to become the new WWE United States Champion.
What I Want To Happen: Chris Jericho retains the WWE United States Championship.
Singles Match:
Shane McMahon vs AJ Styles
Who will emerge victorious in what will be a very bitter fight?
If there is ever potential for a show stealer, this is the match that could do it on the night.
Despite the disappointment of some fans for this match taking place over a rumour turned confirmed Shawn Michaels vs AJ Styles match, which we were going to get but Shawn Michaels turned down (he really is honouring his retirement!) this is going to be a match that we will be talking about coming out of this PPV.
I feel that this match will have shades of Shane McMahon vs Kurt Angle at King of The Ring 2001. If there is anyone that can get the best match out of Shane McMahon in the current WWE climate it's AJ Styles.
This match will be the perfect combination of dare-devilness, technical and high flying in-ring action.
I also feel that this will be the match that puts AJ Styles right back on track to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship as I feel there is a babyface run coming for him round the corner judging by the reactions he is getting from the fans as of late.
Despite the disappointment of some fans for this match taking place over a rumour turned confirmed Shawn Michaels vs AJ Styles match, which we were going to get but Shawn Michaels turned down (he really is honouring his retirement!) this is going to be a match that we will be talking about coming out of this PPV.
I feel that this match will have shades of Shane McMahon vs Kurt Angle at King of The Ring 2001. If there is anyone that can get the best match out of Shane McMahon in the current WWE climate it's AJ Styles.
This match will be the perfect combination of dare-devilness, technical and high flying in-ring action.
I also feel that this will be the match that puts AJ Styles right back on track to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship as I feel there is a babyface run coming for him round the corner judging by the reactions he is getting from the fans as of late.
What Will Happen: AJ Styles will defeat Shane McMahon.
What I Want To Happen: Same as above.
WWE RAW Women's Championship Match:
Bayley(c) vs Charlotte Flair vs Sasha Banks vs Nia Jax
Can Bayley overcome the odds and leave her first Wrestlemania as the WWE Raw Women's Champion?
I don't quite know how to feel about this upcoming WWE Raw Women's Championship match as the dynamics going into this one have felt quite weird.
We have had slight teases of a Sasha Banks heel turn (which I feel will eventually come down the line), Charlotte Flair's WWE Women's title reign ending on a episode of Raw (yet again) to Bayley while also dropping her protege Dana Brooke and we've also had Nia Jax emerge into the mix as well despite her run in the company being very lukewarm as of of late as she is not getting a reaction from the crowd, which makes the idea of even thinking to put the Women's championship on her a bad one.
However I expect Nia Jax to really savour the moment of her first Wrestlemania and put on a dominant performance here.
As for Bayley i'm not quite sure if her run as Womens Champion has been a successful one so far, but I ultimately think the title needs to stay on her for now to facilitate a Sasha Banks heel turn and feud down the road.
What Will Happen: Bayley will retain the WWE Raw Women's Championship.
What I Want To Happen: Same as above.
WWE Championship Match:
Bray Wyatt(c) vs Randy Orton
Will Bray Wyatt (left) teach The Viper Randy Orton (right) a lesson and walk out of Wrestlemania as champion? Or will The Viper strike and take away the Prize?
Here is a Wrestlemania match that still sounds weird as a billed 'main event' for the WWE Championship ever since rumours announced it back in February.
And the rivalry has pretty much lived up to it's weird sounding nature as it has fallen pretty flat for what it has tried to achieve going into this event.
The whole Babyface Randy Orton 'pledging allegiance' to the Heel master Bray Wyatt should of been the epic feud for the Smackdown brand these past months but it has fallen by the wayside by what looks like rushed booking and a lack of creativity somewhere along the way.
I do hope that this match surprises me by being great, because Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt both have the tools to put on a very compelling match which tells a great story in the ring but I somehow think that this could be the disappointment of the night.
And the rivalry has pretty much lived up to it's weird sounding nature as it has fallen pretty flat for what it has tried to achieve going into this event.
The whole Babyface Randy Orton 'pledging allegiance' to the Heel master Bray Wyatt should of been the epic feud for the Smackdown brand these past months but it has fallen by the wayside by what looks like rushed booking and a lack of creativity somewhere along the way.
I do hope that this match surprises me by being great, because Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt both have the tools to put on a very compelling match which tells a great story in the ring but I somehow think that this could be the disappointment of the night.
What Will Happen: Bray Wyatt will retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
What I Want To Happen: Same as above.
Non-Sanctioned Match:
Seth Rollins vs Triple H
This is a match that we should of got back at Wrestlemania 32 instead of the blandness that was Roman Reigns vs Triple H in the main event for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
But after what seems like an eternity, we are finally gonna get it. I feel that this match is going to be a epic long thrill ride between two similar characters and styles, it's gonna be very interesting to see Pedigree vs Pedigree and the possibility of Triple H being hit with his own signature move by the very man he passed it down to.
They dynamic that makes me very excited about this one though is the match stipulation of No Holds Barred and the 'injured' knee of Seth Rollins setting the stage for some high drama in this one, which is most definitely the way to go for this match, as Triple H's in-ring ability has slowed down majorly over the years with his very less than stellar match with Roman Reigns at last year's mania being a prime example.
Don't be surprised to see a run in from Triple H's hired goon Samoa Joe in this one too.
This match is sure to be light years ahead of that match though.
What Will Happen: Seth Rollins will overcome the odds and defeat Triple H
What I Want To Happen: Same as above.
Six Pack Challenge WWE Smackdown Women's Championship Match:
Alexa Bliss (c) vs Becky Lynch vs Natalya vs Mickie James vs Carmella vs Naomi
Can Alexa Bliss retain the WWE Smackdown Women's Championship against huge odds on the night?
This will perhaps be the most interesting and exciting of the two Women's Championship matches on the night and it's simply down to the fact that the Six Pack Challenge stipulation makes this match very hard to predict.
It must be said that Alexa Bliss has just been fantastic in her role ever since her debut on the Smackdown brand and has been a highlight of the show week after week as her heel character has great shades of Trish Stratus in her early years.
I expect action all over the ring in this one, and it's sure to keep the fans guessing.
What Will Happen: Naomi will win back the WWE Smackdown Women's Championship
What I Want To Happen: Alexa Bliss retains the WWE Smackdown Women's Championship
Singles Match:
The Undertaker vs Roman Reigns
Who will prove to be the real owner of the Wrestling Yard?
Now this is a very interesting match, and it's mainly down to just how WWE plan to have this all unfold and go down as the man that the WWE are determined to have the fans embrace and become the top babyface of the company Roman Reigns is sure to be showered in boos and a huge negative reaction from the crowd.
And going by rumours the WWE have a long term plan to have Roman Reigns go on a big route to next years Wrestlemania to face the winner of the WWE Universal Championship match at next year's Wrestlemania (and yes the plan is to have Reigns win the championship there).
But the dilemma here is that if WWE really has what they have planned for Roman Reigns, it is simply not going to work because they have tried the Roman Reign Babyface experiment for 2 years now and the fans have booed him out of buildings worser than John Cena! (Cena at least had a positive reaction from the crowd in the early stages of his big babyface run).
This match simply needs to be the catalyst for the much needed Roman Reigns heel turn, because the WWE just cannot carry on with the Roman Reigns babyface project any longer.
And this match right here is the perfect place to pull the trigger on Roman Reigns finally letting out 2 years of frustration and not being accepted by the fans by destroying and dominating the most beloved legend and veteran in the wrestling business The Undertaker.
Two ways this match could go could be that Roman Reigns slow builds into the turn throughout the match, but then suddenly The Undertaker out of no where pulls out the victory leading to Reigns totally obliterating The Deadman and putting him down for good leading to The Undertaker being taken out of the arena by a stretcher.
Or Roman Reigns could just heel on The Undertaker right out of the gate by totally dominating him in a shades of Brock Lesnar vs John Cena at Summerslam 2014.
But will WWE be bold enough to do something like this at Wrestlemania in the current climate? I really hope so.
What Will Happen: Roman Reigns will defeat The Undertaker.
What I Want To Happen: Roman Reigns obliterates The Undertaker, putting him out of action 'for good'
WWE Universal Championship
Goldberg(c) vs Brock Lesnar
Will Brock Lesnar (right) finally put the demon on his shoulder to rest by taking down Goldberg? (left)
I'm not sure if this will be the main event over The Undertaker vs Roman Reigns match but this seems to be billed as the main event match, so i'll talk about this one last.
I won't be expecting much from this one as I will be extremely surprised if Goldberg wrestles a lengthy match here, I feel we will see at least 10 minutes in this bout which will see a even showcase of dominance between both Lesnar and Goldberg.
This will be a short explosive bout between two powerhouses that will surely hype up the crowd, no matter where it's placed on the card.
What Will Happen: Brock Lesnar will defeat Goldberg to become the new WWE Universal Championship.
What I Want To Happen: Same as above.
Feel free to leave your comments and opinions on how you feel Wrestlemania 33 will unfold tonight.
-By Simeon Barrett
Feel free to leave your comments and opinions on how you feel Wrestlemania 33 will unfold tonight.
-By Simeon Barrett
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