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Who is likely to win, who is likely to lose, and the potential fallout of WWE's biggest show of the year.
Wrestlemania. Depending on what generation you were born into, the word conjures different memories.
Perhaps you are in your middle years, in which case you will probably recall Hogan vs. Andre at WM III. Or maybe you began watching in the post-classic era, and the Ultimate Challenge is what comes to mind. Still, others might recall more recent memories, such as Sting coming out of retirement to face Triple H.
Whatever your generation, it's hard not to get excited when Wrestlemania season rolls around. The pageantry and drama take center stage in front of an audience larger than the one watching the Super Bowl, World Series, or the Academy Awards.
Here are ten predictions for the 34th WWE Wrestlemania and its potential fallout for the rest of 2018.
10: The Bar will probably wrestle on the Pre-show
This prediction isn't a knock against the current Raw brand tag team champions. Sheamus and Ceasaro are, without a shadow of a doubt, two of the most interesting things about the Monday night broadcast, and have a large social media following.
But the Bar has no credible opponents heading into the biggest show of the year. While the Smackdown tag division is red hot, with the Usos, New Day, and Gable/Benjamin being the cornerstones, the RAW tag ranks are somewhat depleted. Possible opponents include Gallows and Anderson or the Bludgeon Brothers, but most likely it will be a multi-team four corner match or the like.
9: The Andre the Giant battle royale winner will be underwhelming
Let's face facts; The Andre the Giant memorial battle royal is mostly there to give a large number of wrestlers a Wrestlemania appearance when they otherwise wouldn't get one.
The WWE has tried to use the battle royal as a springboard for mid-card wrestlers to join the main event, but it hasn't worked out that way. The first winner was Ceasaro, who, while a champion as of this writing, isn't anywhere near the top of the card.
The second winner, Big Show, was a real head scratcher as he hadn't been a full time wrestler for some time, and didn't really need the momentum from a win in the battle royal. Baron Corbin won the third battle royal, but is still struggling in the middle of the card on Smackdown. And last year's winner, Mojo Rawley, well...the less said about his botched heel turn and subsequent push, the better.
Until the WWE starts taking the Battle Royal more seriously, it is just going to be filler.
8: Sasha Banks and Bayley will bring the house down
As the women's evolution continues, the build up for a return match between the former NXT rivals has been gaining steam.
Many consider their NXT takeover match to be the best women's title match, ever, and the two will likely not disappoint should they get a chance to strut their stuff at Mania, which all signs are pointing to.
They could steal the show from the main event women's matches, just as Macho Man and Ricky Steamboat did all those years ago at WM III.
7: The New Day and the Usos will face off...again
For several years, the Usos and the New Day have had an on again, off again hatred for each other.
While their matches are undeniably entertaining, their encounters have grown stale of late. There really needs to be a new team in the mix up, but none of the other Smackdown brand teams have the same star power as these five men, so even if it's not a standard Tag match and becomes a triple threat or four corners showdown, expect to see both New Day and the Usos involved in the title match.
6: The King will sit upon the throne
Everyone is eagerly anticipating the clash between the King of Strong Style and the Phenomenal AJ Styles, which promises to be an instant classic.
The two have faced each other in other promotions, and have always put on an outstanding show. The deep respect and true friendship the men share behind the scenes will fuel a stiff slugfest which will be five star match material.
But there's little doubt who will come up triumphant; Shinsuke Nakamura. With the polarizing Roman Reigns and the possibly-leaving Brock Lesnar in the Raw main event, the WWE will want to give the fans something they can all cheer for in unison, and a Nakamura win will do just that.
5: Elias vs. Strowman will be surprisingly good
For a pair of relative newcomers to pro wrestling, both Elias Samson and Braun Strownman have shown a great deal of poise, panache, and an ability to get over with the fans.
While tweener Elias may not be as strong a character as the Monster among Men, the two of them facing off creates a compelling dynamic. Braun is red hot right now, and is likely to win, but expect to see Elias make a good showing of himself at Wrestlemania.
4: There will be a party atmosphere--N'Awlins style
The WWE loves to inject some local color into their Wrestlemania shows, and this year will be no exception.
With the party atmosphere of the Big Easy, Wrestlemania 34 will definitely have many of the trappings people expect from Crescent City. There will be Jazz bands, costumed characters, and numerous references to the legendary Bourbon Street.
3: Rousey is going to win in her Wrestlemania debut
This one is a no-brainer. One does not simply hire the biggest name in women's combat sports to a multi-year, multi million dollar contract and then book her to lose!
Having Ronda face two people who are not on the active WWE roster is a great way to have her go over without hurting the reputation of the other fine female talent. She can get big match experience on the grandest stage of all while taking down the much-hated Authority in one fell swoop.
2: Asuka's streak will remain intact
As of this writing, it is still unclear which champion Asuka will challenge at Wrestlemania, Alexa Bliss or Charlotte, though signs point to the former.
However, whomever she chooses to face, it is quite likely she will come out triumphant. Asuka's undefeated streak arguably garners the most heat of anything else WWE has done in years, and having it end on her first ever Wrestlemania appearance isn't going to help the federation or Asuka herself.
1: Roman Reigns will beat Brock Lesnar
The Big Dog may finally have his day when he faces off against Brock Lesnar one on one in the Wrestlemania main event.
Roman Reigns is being pushed as the new John Cena, and Brock is teasing a return to the UFC. Since Dana White would not allow Brock to risk himself in a wrestling ring while under contract, this means Brock Lesnar will likely leave after Mania.
Having Roman Reigns decisively defeat Brock Lesnar is the smart booking choice, and with Vince McMahon as the Big Dog's loudest cheerleader you can pretty much take this prediction to the bank.
There you have it: Ten predictions of Wrestlemania 34 and its fallout.
