It’s here. WrestleMania is finally upon us… and it’s back in business. The COVID-19 pandemic forced last year’s Show of Shows to the Performance Center and without a live crowd. This year WWE heads back to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa in front of a socially-distanced, limited crowd. And like last year, this year’s Showcase of the Immortals will be a two-night event.
And now… the last second predictions:
NIGHT ONE – APRIL 10
- WWE Championship: The All Mighty Bobby Lashley(c) vs. Drew McIntyre
- Bobby Lashley made a deal with The Miz before Fastlane to take out Drew McIntyre after his fight with Sheamus to help Miz with his MITB cash in. In exchange, Miz would grant Lashley a WWE Title opportunity. Miz won the title & then preceded to try and double cross Lashley. That backfired and now Lashley is the champion. McIntyre is hell bent on getting the belt back and now has an opportunity for a true WrestleMania moment that he couldn’t enjoy last year when he toppled Brock Lesnar.
- Who wins: Drew McIntyre wins the WWE Title
- Bad Bunny & Damien Priest vs. The Miz & John Morrison
- One month ago The Miz held the WWE Championship in his hands. Now he is saddled with being involved in a celebrity match. To Miz & Morrison’s credit they’ve made the best of this laughable storyline. Also, credit Bad Bunny for actually taking this seriously and respecting the industry. It’s still a match I’m not interested in but it could end up being a good filler match. Lastly, this is absolutely not the best way to introduce such a bad ass as Damian Priest.
- Who wins: Bad Bunny & Damien Priest
- Steel Cage Match: Braun Strowman vs. Shane McMahon
- Ok let’s get this out in the open – no one wants to see this match. No one wants to see Shane McMahon and no one is really interested in Braun Strowman given how his credibility has been trashed by creative. There will be a crazy spot or two but this steel cage match will be highly uneventful.
- Who wins: Braun Strowman
- RAW Tag Team Championship: The New Day(c) vs. AJ Styles & Omos
- From the moment Omos appeared on our TV screens as AJ Styles’ personal protector you knew it would only be a matter of time before this gargantuan of a man would step inside the squared circle to do battle. That time comes and their opponents are the 11-time tag team champion New Day. Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods’ chemistry with Styles has been great so this could be something of a show stealer if they carry Omos the right way.
- Who wins: AJ Styles & Omos win the RAW Tag Team titles
- Tag Team Turmoil: Naomi/Lana vs. The Riott Squad vs. Natalya/Tamina vs. Mandy Rose/Dana Brooke vs. Carmella/Billie Kay
- Tonight’s tag team turmoil will determine the #1 contender for the Women’s Tag Team titles. Whoever wins tonight will face Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax on Sunday night. This match was hastily thrown together as it seemed creative couldn’t make up its mind who Baszler & Jax should face. The Riott Squad hadn’t been seen in weeks while Carmella & Billie Kay were literally thrown together. Natalya & Tamina appear to be the clear favorites given they stood tall over the other tag teams after they brawled last night.
- Who wins: Naomi/Lana
- Seth Rollins vs. Cesaro
- Seth Rollins returned to action in January at the Royal Rumble with one simple message: Embrace The Vision. Seth’s subtle wrinkle in his character is a welcome one as it paints him as a visionary instead of a person with a messiah complex. Cesaro has gotten a bit of a push of late and for the first time in his WWE career will have his first ever singles match. Rollins is no stranger to big moments on the biggest stage and now he’s adding a bit of psychology to his attacks on Cesaro. These two have wicked chemistry and their match could be one of the 2-3 best of the whole weekend.
- Who wins: Seth Rollins
- Main Event – SmackDown Women’s Championship: Sasha Banks(c) vs. Bianca Belair
- Sasha Banks has been on a tear for almost 2 years now. Her work with former best friend Bayley was the best thing going in women’s wrestling in all of 2020. Sasha capped off her 2020 by winning the title against Bayley at last year’s HIAC. Since then Sasha has grown more confident & cocky and rightfully so. Across from her is the winner of the 2021 Women’s Royal Rumble in Bianca Belair. The EST of WWE is equally confident and has absolutely zero fear of the champion. While Banks is no stranger to big WrestleMania moments this will be Belair’s first WrestleMania match. Will Belair’s athleticism be too much for The Boss or will experience matter?
- Who wins: Bianca Belair wins the SmackDown Women’s Title
NIGHT TWO – APRIL 11
- Intercontinental Championship: Big E(c) vs. Apollo Crews
- Big E has held the IC title with distinction while seemingly developing a more serious side to his usual fun loving character. His demeanor has grown more serious as Apollo Crews has become a bigger threat. After years of not having character development Crews turned heel and taken on a serious edge and rediscovered his Nigerian roots. Flushed with confidence Crews looks to take Big E’s title in what’s being billed as a Nigerian Drum Fight.
- Who wins: Apollo Crews wins the Intercontinental Title
- Women’s Tag Team Championship: Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax(c) vs. Naomi & Lana
- Baszler & Jax have run roughshod over the women’s division since winning the titles from Sasha Banks & Bayley last summer. A win on Sunday would continue their reign of terror. The inclusion of Reginald as Jax’s love interest is certainly not needed. Naomi & Lana seemed poised to end their run as Lana’s redemption story needs an ending.
- Who wins: Naomi & Lana win the Women’s Tag Team Titles
- US Championship: Matt Riddle(c) vs. Sheamus
- This was another hastily thrown together feud after Keith Lee’s illness kept him out of commission. After a strong showing against former best friend Drew McIntyre Sheamus is now focused on derailing Matt Riddle’s reign. Riddle has an opportunity to add some fire to what is so far a lackluster title reign.
- Who wins: Matt Riddle retains
- The Fiend vs. Randy Orton
- The Fiend finally returned after being burned alive & missing for months at the hands of Randy Orton. The Fiend’s disciple Alexa Bliss has played mind games with Orton on his behalf. This is a rehash of their feud from 2017 except much more creepy & weird… and not in a good way. Kudos to all parties involved with making the most of this weird storyline. Expect their match to mirror their 2017 WM match with all the bells & whistles.
- Who wins: The Fiend
- Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn(with Logan Paul)
- Although Sami Zayn has thrived as the uber-conspiracy theorist who feels very much like a victim creative seemingly had no real plans for him after his bid to recapture the Intercontinental title failed. Enter Kevin Owens. Nuff said. Put these two in a ring and they can literally sleepwalk their way to a five star match. Fight forever!
- Who wins: Sami Zayn
- RAW Women’s Championship: Asuka(c) vs. Rhea Ripley
- While Sasha Banks & Bayley took center stage in the women’s division Asuka is the unsung hero who was largely overlooked in favor of Banks, Bayley & Charlotte Flair. Asuka is too damn good to not have a high profile match and she’s going to get it in the form of The Nightmare Rhea Ripley. Based on Ripley attacking Asuka last week while the two were supposed to be a team fighting Baszler & Jax it would appear Ripley will be the heel in this battle. Ripley & Asuka have the ability to put on a helluva show.
- Who wins: Rhea Ripley wins the RAW Women’s Title
- Main Event – Triple Threat Universal Championship: Roman Reigns(c) vs. Edge vs. Daniel Bryan
- Since turning heel last summer Roman Reigns has been the hottest ticket in all of professional wrestling. His Head of the Table gimmick has been fantastic. Reigns is confident, arrogant and a manipulative strategist who will use any means necessary to keep his title. Edge won the men’s Royal Rumble and challenged Reigns. He feels he must regain WWE’s top prize to truly return to glory. For Daniel Bryan, he’s treating this like it’s his last shot at championship gold. The stakes are higher than they’ve ever been.
- Who wins: Roman Reigns retains
About Author
