Wrestlemania XXXIII Predictions
Saturday is the 33rd Annual WrestleMania from Orlando, Florida hosted by The New Day. All championships are scheduled for competition including the very boring Cruiserweight Championship which will be defended at WrestleMania for the first time in a very long time. Undertaker returns to WrestlMania, almost every important female wrestler is booked, Goldberg and Brock Lesnar continue their weird story line, and Shane O'Mac makes his 2nd consecutive WrestleMania appearance after being out of the WWE for some time. All that and more, read below to see predictions for the biggest WWE event of the year!
Neville (c) vs. Austin Aries (WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match)
Rickey: Who cares, the Cruiserweight Divison is absolutely dreadful to watch, I fast forward every time their is a match on RAW. None of the wrestlers are likable and they have just done a terrible job building the hype surrounding this division. WWE knows how bad they have done, that is why most of the matches are now on a WWE Network exclusive show. They have failed to make Neville relevant since his WWE debut which is why he will keep the belt.
Rickey's Prediction: Neville via pinfall
Drew: I am stoked about this match and for the WrestleMania pre-show, this is the best that the division has to offer. These two guys are great entertainers in the ring and on the mic. Full disclosure, I did not enjoy when they shoved the division down our throats on Raw, but that has since changed. Neville, the self proclaimed "King of the Cruiserweight," is a huge risk taker in the ring and ever since his heel turn he has taken that role and just ran with it. As for Aries, his return from his eye injury at the hands of Nakamura coupled with being the guest announcer for the Cruiserweight fights on Raw make this match very relevant. Aries will hit Neville with a Discus Fivearm after Neville gets overzealous trying to prove he is "King" when he should of pinned Aries when he had the chance.
Drew's Prediction: Aries by pinfall
Alexa Bliss (c) vs. all-female SmackDown LIVE Superstars who are available to compete (SmackDown Women's Championship Match)
Rickey: Naomi had to forfeit the belt due to injury which sets this match up for her to reclaim the belt. She was a late add to the match which makes it all the more likely she will win the championship back and start a feud between her and Alexa Bliss, who has quickly became the leading lady for the SmackDown LIVE female division.
Rickey's Prediction: Naomi via pinfall to Alexa Bliss
Drew: If you know me, you know I have been a huge Alexa Bliss fan since her NXT days. She was finally given the opportunity to be a champion when she came to Smackdown LIVE, however her second title reign will come to an end (unfortunately) at WrestleMania. This match will prove to be a great match and perfect exposure for the Smackdown LIVE's Women's Division. What we don't know is what kind of match this will be? Steel Cage? Gauntlet? 6-Pack? Will there be a special entrant (Eva Marie and/or Tamina)???? I believe the other former women's champions and Carmella will all "Feel the Glow" and lose to hometown favorite Naomi after multiple Rear Views, who had to return the belt due to Injury.
Drew's Prediction: Naomi via ?????
4th Annual Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal (Kickoff Match)
Rickey: There are really only a handful of wrestlers who could win this Battle Royal; Braun Strowman, Sami Zayn, Dolph Ziggler, Apollo Crews, and... well okay only four. Most of the other competitors are part of tag teams and them winning the Battle Royal will do nothing to catapult their name into a storyline since they are part of a tag team. But really I think it pretty obvious this is Braun Strowman's match to lose.
Rickey's Prediction: Braun Strowman eliminates the most people and wins easy
Drew: I agree with Rickey this match has a handful of wrestlers who can win and I would also include Big Show (2 time winner????) and Mojo Rawley as contenders. I have Braun, Sami, Dolph, Crews, Show, and Mojo as the last 6 remaining; I can also see maybe a surprise entrant or two with NXT Takeover Orlando on Saturday, a celebrity (Shaq last year), and/or "retired" wrestlers (Tatanka/DDP last year). Braun Stroman is setup to win this match, it was disappointing how he came in as the 9th entrant, eliminated 7 and was the 9th person overall eliminated in this years Royal Rumble. As Rickey said, this is Strowman's match to lose.
Drew's Prediction: ROARRRRRRRRR
Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson (c) vs. Enzo Amore & Big Cass vs. Cesaro & Sheamus (RAW Tag Team Championship Triple Threat Ladder Match)
Rickey: I'm making a prediction that this will be the match of the night. Ladder matches usually already have the advantage of being the match of the night, but a ladder match involving some really talented wrestlers makes it a no-brainer. Enzo & Cass will prove that the other four in this match are S-A-W-F-T.
Rickey's Prediction: Enzo Amore & Big Cass
Drew: After last years Intercontinental Championship title ladder match at Mania, I can't wait to watch this match. It will be interesting to see the dynamic of Enzo and Cass working together with Cesaro and Sheamus. I like Gallows and Anderson, but I just don't believe they deserve the Raw Tag Team belts. There is a lot of talent in this match and we will see a healthy amount of Bada Boom Shakalaka's, Empire Elbows, Cesaro Swings, Brogue Kicks, and Magic Killers all involving ladders! It's Enzo and Cass's time to shine, they will grab the Raw Tag Team belts and have their WrestleMania moment to win their first ever Tag Team Championship, of any kind, together. I am predicting a surprise appearance by the Hardy's after the match is over, it is WrestleMania after-all.
Drew's Prediction: Enzo & Cass
Chris Jericho (c) vs. Kevin Owens (United States Championship)
Rickey: This has been definitely the best of Jericho. The storyline WWE drew up for him has been a thing of gold, but we all know Kevin Owens is in his prime and Jericho is being used to help elevate the up and coming stars. Kevin Owens wins the belt and Jericho takes another 6 months off.
Rickey's Prediction: Kevin Owens via submission (Walls of Jericho)
Drew: We all know that Jericho is going to be taking a break from WWE soon and he will be missed while he is gone. These two might give us the best match of the night; they were dynamic as BFF's and now enemies and getting air time with great promos. I will really miss their feud and most certainly Jericho on the mic. It will be interesting to see who KO feuds with after winning the title at WrestleMania but I anticipate it will be a good one. Jericho will put up a good fight but will be a victim to the Pop-Up Power-Bomb that will give KO the United States Championship belt for the first time.
Drew's Prediction: KO via Pinfall
Dean Ambrose vs. Baron Corbin (Intercontinental Championship Match)
Rickey: Deam Ambrose is a huge fan favorite and for some reason the WWE can't commit to making him the headline. They ran with him being the WWE Champion when the brands split but since he lost it to AJ Styles they just lowered him on the totem pole to the Intercontinental Champion. Ambrose doesn't need the title, he is already well known and a fan favorite. This match will be the catapult Baron Corbin has been waiting for since winning the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal last year.
Rickey's Prediction: Baron Corbin via pinfall
Drew: Baron Corbin has been a beast in the ring since his NXT days and although he is not very well liked backstage he is a great competitor and has come a long way in terms of his promo ability. Dean Ambrose really doesn't care for his body and is a huge risk taker, which is why I am a little disappointed that this isn't a falls count anywhere, no DQ match. Ambrose is almost better without the title and was close to getting to Dolph Ziggler territory before becoming the 2 time IC Champ. The Lone Wolf will Deep Six Ambrose and become the New Intercontinental Champion.
Drew's Prediction: Baron Corbin via pinfall
Bayley (c) vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax (RAW Women's Championship Fatal 4-Way Elimination Match)
Rickey: Charlotte Flair is the reason the RAW Women's Division is where it is today. She is the best heel the company could have asked for and has really brought the best out of every wrestler she has had a storyline with. Unfortunately this match won't be about Charlotte. It will be about Sasha Banks and Bayley. Sasha will win the title after she turns on Bayley, setting up their next storyline for the two.
Rickey's Prediction: Sasha Banks via pinfall
Drew: A lot to ponder in this match: Can Charlotte keep up her near perfect PPV record? Is Bayley a headliner? Is it risky to put the belt on Sasha due to Injuries? Can Nia Jax be a "good" champion? All this will be answered in this match. All of these women are great competitors and bring a lot to the table with their charisma and in ring ability. Charlotte is the best in ring wrestler in the group, Sasha cuts great promos, Nia has become a player in the women's championship storyline, but this match is all about Bayley. I don't see Bayley losing this title, the crowd loves her and she can be a headliner, she was in NXT and will continue to be in WWE. The only thing she has to worry about is where will Asuka go when she is promoted to WWE? Bayley wins with a Belly to Bayley after Sasha unsuccessfully turns on her and that feud begins.
Drew's Prediction: Bayley via pinfall
Seth Rollins vs. Triple H (Non Sanctioned Match)
Rickey: Seth Rollins can't sue the WWE if Triple H ends his career due to injury since Rollins isn't medically cleared to compete. Yeah okay sure. More importantly is how Rollins is going to win this match. Finn Balor turns heel and joins Triple H's side with Samoa Joe, leaving Seth Rollins in the middle of the ring without a leg and being taken off on a stretcher.
Rickey's Prediction: Seth Rollins via Disqualification
Drew: Seth Rollins is my favorite wrestler to watch; its stunk that he has been injury riddled the last two years but WWE has done a great job keeping him in the spotlight. Triple H happens to be another one of my favorite wrestlers so to me this is a dream match-up, and Triple H always brings it home with his Mania entrances. I hope (and I have confidence with how good the WWE wellness docs are before clearing someone) that Seth Rollins is 100% for WrestleMania. I also have a sneaky suspicion that Samoa Joe will make an appearance in this match since its "non sanctioned" and help Trips destroy Seth Rollins. I am not sure how long this match will last, but the length will give us an indication of how healthy Rollins really is.
Drew's Prediction: Seth Freakin' Rollins via DQ
John Cena & Nikki Bella vs. The Miz & Maryse
Rickey: I like that they finally acknowledged John Cena and Nikki Bella being together. I know there is a women's revolution in the WWE right now and they are more than just "arm candy," but I still like the women playing a part in other wrestler's storylines like Maryse and Lana have done so well. Cena and The Miz have been great during this feud and The Miz has made Cena even better, which I didn't know was possible. Cena and Bella win when they both give their opponents the AA and then the STF.
Rickey's Prediction: Cena and Bella via submission (STF)
Drew: The Miz and Maryse thought that they had the mental edge on Cena and Nikki with the Total Bella parody, but anyone who saw SmackDown LIVE this past Tuesday knows that Cena absolutely destroyed The Miz and Maryse during his promo. Cena was so savage in that promo that it seemed like it was a legit personal attack. The Miz is arguably the best heel right now on Smackdown LIVE and although i was skeptical of this match at first, it seems like it might be one that steals the show. You have three future Hall of Famers in this match-up and it won't disappoint. Cena hits The Miz with an AA and Nikki drops Maryse with the Rack Attack 2.0; then the STF and Fearless Lock are used to win the match.
Drew's Prediction: Cena and Nikki via submission
A.J. Styles vs Shane McMahon
Rickey: For not being an everyday wrestler, hell he is basically a once a year wrestler, Shane O'Mac puts on a great show. He probably only wrestles once a year because it takes him a year to recover, but he always creates a memorable moment. AJ Styles is probably my least favorite wrestler in the WWE right now. I hate that he has girly hair, I hate that he wears blue gloves, and I hate that his signature move is the Phenomenal Forearm, how boring. The guy has such an annoying voice that I would normally take my bathroom break when he comes on the show, but with Shane involved in this match, my potty break will have to wait. I would love for Shane to win but I see this being AJ Styles move to RAW. He beats Shane and then gets fired. What other job would you not be fired for after throwing your bosses head through a car window?
Rickey's Prediction: AJ Styles via pinfall
Drew: What will Shane McMahon jump off of this year at WrestleMania 33? Love him or hate him Shane McMahon is a great performer in his limited time in the ring. On the other hand, A.J. Styles is the best wrestler in the WWE right now and had a great year in his various feuds. A.J Styles is in his second Mania match and the Phenomenal One will look to get his first Mania win this year. This match has a lot of work to do to top Shane vs. Taker last year but these two are certainly capable of putting on a great non-title match. This is another match I hope a stipulation is added to, but I am not sure at this point if it will happen. I can't wait to see them attempt to top last years classic match. A.J styles hits Shane with a Styles Clash and takes the victory.
Drew's Prediction: A.J. Styles via pinfall
The Undertaker vs. Roman Reigns
Rickey: Surprise of the night! Roman Reigns will beat Undertaker, giving the deadman only his 2nd loss in WrestleMania history, but more noteworthy is Reigns becoming a heel after his win. WWE pushed Reigns so hard to be the next face of the franchise that the WWE Universe revolted, leaving creators clueless as to what to do next. But you can see they have been teasing his heel turn for the past month. His RAW performances have been disrespectful and no-nonsense as of late and the fans already boo him, why not make him a heel. The internet is going to go crazy and Reigns will be booed the loudest he ever has. It's going to be great.
Rickey's Prediction: Reigns via pinfall
Drew: Ughhh, how many times are we going to try and get Roman Reigns over? The resounding boo's every-time he walks out makes me feel bad for the guy, but why are they forcing Reigns as a face to us constantly? I appreciate Taker possibly taking his second Mania loss to help get Reigns over, but I know this isn't what the WWE Universe wants. I hope Rickey is right and Roman finally makes a Heel turn because he would be such a better character to watch. Is this Undertakers last Mania? Roman Reigns will not have self control and snap on Undertaker who will be brutally beaten in the Yard that Reigns believes is his.
Drew's Prediction: Undertaker by DQ
Goldberg (c) vs. Brock Lesnar (Universal Championship Match)
Rickey: I just don't understand this feud. It has all the hype but never gives the fans what they want, an actual match. This will be Brock Lesnar's turn to destroy Goldberg, which will happen quick, and probably set up yet another rematch at Survivor Series. It's a shame that they are tying up the belt for this long for this kind of production.
Rickey's Prediction: Brock Lesnar wins in under 3 minutes via pinfall
Drew: The hype surrounding this match scream's WrestleMania; but the luster has since worn off since the once unbeatable beast incarnate has been squashed by Goldberg in and outside of matches. Since Paul Heyman is in charge of Lesnar's creative interest, he needs to get his client back into his former mold and Lesnar will crush Goldberg by taking him to Suplex City before the subsequent F-5 and Pin.
Drew's Prediction: Brock Lesnar via pinfall
Bray Wyatt (c) vs. Randy Orton (WWE Championship Match)
Rickey: The WWE finally got it right by having Bray Wyatt win the WWE Championship at Elimination Chamber. Randy Orton is one of the best in the business and this guarantees to be a very entertaining fight. Expect Luke Harper and Erik Rowan to get involved, leading to a Wyatt Family storyline. WWE continues to get it right and Bray Wyatt keeps the belt.
Rickey's Prediction: Bray Wyatt via pinfall
Drew: The Eater of Worlds vs the Viper; The New Face of Fear vs the Apex Predator; after driving the crucifix in to Sister Abagail's ashes will Bray Wyatt be able to focus and defeat Orton? Or has Orton turned the tables on the master of manipulation? One thing is certain, Bray and Orton will put on a classic match and perhaps we will see the Wyatt's come together when Rowan and Harper appear at ringside to encourage Bray. As much as I like Orton I don't think he will beat Wyatt; Wyatt isn't the master of manipulation for nothing and he will prove that everything Orton thought was in his favor is against him. Bray Wyatt with the help and distraction of Rowan and Harper will keep his title after hitting Orton with a Sister Abagail after failing to complete an RKO for the second time in the match.
Drew's Prediction: Bray Wyatt via pinfall
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