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The Royal Rumble PPV has come and gone, and so has the first week of the post-Rumble Raw and Smackdown. While the individual brands build towards Elimination Chamber and Fastlane respectively, the shadow of WrestleMania looms in the distance. It's going to be a hectic 60+ days to The Show of Shows.
The seeds have already been planted for gigantic WrestleMania contests with two fan-pleasing Rumble winners, a tryst in the devil's playground for a chance at Wrestlemania immortality and the acquisition of one of the biggest UFC stars. The first match has been made official, a dream clash of epic proportions as Shinsuke Nakamura takes on AJ Styles for the WWE Championship
What else could the card hold, is an interesting question, one we shall find out in the coming weeks. With enough signs given since last year, we've got a general idea of what is going to go down at Wrestlemania 34.
Kicking of the Show of Shows
As usual, a few WWE Superstars will find themselves opening the show for the big dogs (pun not intended) at WrestleMania. First up is the fifth Andre Giant Battle Royal, to get the crowd going and hot for the competition ahead. WWE will use the Andre Giant Battle Royale to put over none other than the massively popular Rusev.
The second match on the kickoff card is going to be a Gauntlet Match for the WWE Raw Tag Team Championships. The Bar will defend their titles against a host of Raw Tag teams from the comedy acts of Rhyno/Slater and Titus Worldwide, to the top class bruisers such as Anderson/Gallows and The Revival.
It will be another team however that will shock the world with a win. Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy showed surprising chemistry in the Rumble as partners and seeing the two madmen team up as the Woken-Wyatts will do wonders for their faltering careers.
Finally, the kick off will end with a beautiful parallel to the Andre the Giant match. In honor of Mae Young and the current evolution of the women's division, WWE will cram in the remaining women from Raw and Smackdown into an all women's battle royal.
The Mae Young Battle Royal will feature women of past, present, and future collide much like the Rumble this year for the trophy. Nia Jax will dominate the field as she should, en route to a resounding victory to kickoff 'Mania.
WWE Smackdown Tag Team Championships: The Usos (c) vs. The New Day
After a barnstormer of a year, The New Day, and especially The Usos, deserve a single tag match at WrestleMania. In their nearly decade-long career, The Usos have never been on the main WrestleMania card. It's a travesty that needs revision, especially as they have been the MVP of the WWE for the past year.
The Usos vs. The New Day created the best tag team rivalry last year. The New Day might have dropped as the number one merchandise sellers, but they're still a popular act.
Last year, they hosted the event and it seemed like they were entering the main tag team contest until the surprising return of the Hardy Boyz. This year the two sides will rekindle their rivalry just in time for The Show of Shows.
The Usos recently stated that they've had the Smackdown locker room on 'lockdown', having beaten pretty much every tag team. Though the Bludgeon Brothers interrupted this statement with a subtle one of their own, the tough but hokey act just isn't ready for a featured showing at 'Mania.
The Usos deserve their Mania moment and up against New Day, a popular act who has to fight at WrestleMania, they will get their chance. WWE will give the floor to the team in an exhilarating and entertaining bout for the opener.
Result: The New Day escape The Uso Penitentiary to become your five-time and NEW Smackdown Tag Team Champions
WWE United States Championship: Bobby Roode (c) vs. Randy Orton
Sooner or later Bobby Roode has to turn heel; he just doesn't suit his babyface role beyond the entrance. The turn will occur in a thrilling contest against the beloved Rusev at this year's Fastlane PPV, where Roode will just eek out as champion heading into 'Mania.
WWE and Triple H are high on Roode, but on a night like this, where Vince seeks mainstream and iconic star appeal, Roode would be out in the cold if it weren't for his glorious entrance. He will gain a high calibre bout against a WrestleMania worthy opponent, Randy Orton!
The two will contest in a highly engaging WrestleMania match, with Randy regaining his killer instinct and passion he lost through a tepid 2017. Headed towards part-time status, Orton could put over Roode on the most glorious stage in wrestling.
Result: Still your GLORIOUS United States Champion; Bobby Roode!
Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon vs. Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens
The Daniel Bryan-Shane McMahon power struggle has taken interesting turns. Lately, we saw Bryan push Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens into a singles match to decide who will face AJ Styles at Fastlane. Though Bryan has been vocal about McMahon being drunk over power, it doesn't mean that he isn't wary of the manipulative and whiny Owens and Zayn.
In fact, Bryan will prematurely reveal that it was the plan all along to act in the interest of the two men and break them up, by planting the world title in front of their eyes. In a surprising twist, Zayn and Owens refuse to fight each other.
This will solidify an already thick bond and add a twist to the age-old arc. More importantly, Bryan won't have shared any such plan with Shane, causing friction between their already tenuous relationship. Yet, they shall be forced to put aside their differences to combat the superpower heel team.
The tag team format will save Bryan from having to bump too much, if WWE fear he isn't ring ready yet. Similarly giving him a big match against safe and compatible opponents, might make Bryan want to continue forward with the company.
Though worried that he shall leave as soon as his contract is up, WWE will make sure that Bryan and Shane put over the Owens/Zayn tandem, sending fans home happy once Bryan saves Shane from a post-match.
Result: Zayn and Owens WIN to solidify their Yep movement!
WWE Intercontinental Championship: The Miz (c) vs. Finn Balor vs. Samoa Joe vs. Braun Strowman vs. Jason Jordan vs. Seth Rollins
Rumors persist that The Miz will take on Braun Strowman in a singles contest for the Intercontinental title, and while it would be fun to see Braun give Miz 'those hands', he's not ready for a singles Wrestlemania contest, especially since Miz might miss a few shows on the road due to the impending birth of his child.
Speaking of not ready, let's come to the whiny Jason Jordan. While the clear sign last year was for Seth Rollins to head to Wrestlemania against brother in arms Dean Ambrose, the unfortunate injury to the Lunatic Fringe has paved the way for Jason Jordan to get into that featured slot, but he can't go at it alone.
Finally to round out the field are two up and coming stars. Samoa Joe is on the injury list and will return to the Elimination Chamber to screw Finn Balor out of a title victory against The Miz for the Intercontinental Championship.
Balor, on the other hand, will seek another opportunity at the Miz at Wrestlemania but instead be pushed into this multi-person contest. While for now the smiling Balor will go along with it, his loss in this match will form the breaking point for him to turn heel.
For now, though there's only one man who can truly win this contest and get his well deserved first title in the WWE, allowing him to build up for his eventual coronation.
Result: Braun Strowman is the NEW Intercontinental Champion
Triple H vs. Kurt Angle
After something fast-paced action, it's time for a forced grand epic by Triple H. Unlike Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle has already been cleared to return to the ring, however, this will be his big return as he steps into his first singles match since coming back. Who better to acclimatize and accommodate him then former rival Triple H.
The two men had multiple matches in their heyday that were beyond four star bouts. To expect that now would be a bit much, but with Triple H's need to force grand epics and Kurt's slow pacing, we might be surprised by a contest between two era defining stars.
At best, WWE will get something to excite lapsed and casual fans who know these two names. With such a litany of talented contestants spread around the card, giving this one some time and space isn't too much to really ask for as Angle gets his revenge on the Authority couple who have constantly been a thorn in his side when they've appeared on-screen.
Whichever way this goes, expect this as the first of three WrestleMania matches set up for Triple H (at Survivor Series) in the coming years. I'm personally hoping for a miracle.
Result: Kurt Angle makes Triple H tap out to WIN
For the WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Hideo Itami vs.
Cedric Alexander
WWE announced on 205 Live that there will be a tournament to determine a new Cruiserweight Champion, culminating at Wrestlemania. With the Enzo Amore fiasco behind them, they won't make the same mistake with the championship the second time around.
The company knows they have to rehabilitate the 205 Live brand, placing Rockstar Spud front and centre as General Manager and announcing a tournament shows they are willing to try.
Hideo Itami will smoke through the field to reach the finals. He instantly got plopped in the 205 Live roster and has been lost in the shuffle. Amore's abdication thankfully can bring him to the fore as a hard-hitting heel with a mean streak.
Set to face Cedric Alexander in the finals, Itami will attack him. Though healthy and raring to go, things will go from bad to worse for the former title contender, as Itami could attack and injure Cedric before the match.
With his fighting spirit, Alexander will storm the ring at 'Mania just as Itami is gifted the title. Unfortunately, the injury will be too much to handle, as Itami will wreck Alexander in a few minutes.
Itami will mock Alexander and call out any challenger to face him, in another shocking event of the night Rey Mysterio will return. In a thrilling sprint, Mysterio will defeat and dethrone Itami to a spat of cheers and give 205 Live a huge boost.
Result: Hideo Itami squashes Cedric Alexander, Rey Mysterio dials 619 on Itami to become your NEW Cruiserweight Champion
For the WWE Universal Championship: Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Roman Reigns
I love and think that the original Brock vs. Reigns title match at WrestleMania 31, is one of the best WrestleMania main events of all time even without the Seth Rollins cash in. There's no doubt fans aren't too pleased with the concept of Reigns getting his fourth coronation. Even though WWE have pretty much embraced the boos that come with Reigns, they've found ways to manipulate them so as to not affect the overall product.
There are a lot of factors that determine why the Universal title match will then feature at the middle of the card. First of the Reigns match will take place far away from Daniel Bryan's return and Braun Strowman's title win.
Reigns match will also need to stand far away from Ronda Rousey's debut and the dream match between Styles and Nakamura. The work rate at which Nakamura and Styles will operate means that it could potentially steal the show.
Regardless of its positioning, Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar II is a blockbuster match made all the better if the two men are able to replicate the big fight feel and style of their last confrontation.
Result: Roman Reigns conquers the Beast to become the NEW Universal Champion
For the WWE Raw Women's Championship: Alexa Bliss vs. Sasha Banks (c) vs. Asuka
Asuka is yet to decide who she will challenge, with names such as Charlotte, Alexa Bliss and/or Ronda Rousey bandied about. The interesting thing to note is that her story is and has developed for a while now with two commodities.The first is Alexa Bliss whom she has already beat on Raw, the second is Sasha Banks whom she has also already beat on Raw.
So what makes Asuka's challenge of either one of these women interesting more so than Rousey or Charlotte?
Well, it's just not the time for that yet.So this pits Asuka against the Raw women's champion and while Alexa Bliss has carried the division, she just isn't up to the mark in the ring for such a lofty spot. Instead, Sasha Banks sneaks her way into the match either by winning the title at Elimination Chamber.
Banks has recently shown shades of a heel turn and her popular NXT character 'The Boss'. Meanwhile, Bliss will also find a way back into the match either through her rematch clause, or by pinning Banks for a shot. If this were to happen, expect WWE to play up the fact that Asuka could keep her streak intact but also lose the match because she doesn't have to be pinned.
Result: Asuka will pin Alexa Bliss and become the NEW Raw Women's Champion, proving that no one is ready for Asuka!
For the WWE World Heavyweight Championship: AJ Styles (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
The fact that Shinsuke Nakamura won the Royal Rumble shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody. New Japan's recent excursion into American soil and promotion of foreign talent including Chris Jericho, proves that they are stiff competition to WWE.
At the same time, WWE know that they need to prove that they're just as well verse in handling outside talents, especially since the pool is now being filled with them. Nakamura's usage in the main roster hasn't been the best, but the promise of a dream match might reinvigorate him as well as the fans.
The two had a thriller at Wrestle Kingdom 10, just a fortnight before they walked into WWE. It's not hard to imagine that somewhere in WWE's mind, whether Vince likes to admit it or not, they need to top that as well as a litany of recent New Japan contests. Forgoing all the politics, it's going to be a show-stealing classic.
When motivated, nobody can topple Nakamura, while AJ Styles gives his 100 percent whenever he's in the ring. This will be no different. Styles vs. Nakamura will be built on the precedence that only one of the two can be considered the best in the world.
Their pure wrestling contest will determine this as two friendly foes clashing. Given enough time we shall see some chaos and some bullets fired.
Result: Eventually, Shinsuke Nakamura hits the Kinshasa to become the NEW WWE Champion
No Holds Barred Match: Undertaker vs. John Cena
In the past few years, WWE has cast doubt on whether Cena can keep up with the new generation. At the Royal Rumble, Cena showcased some desperation. It was Cena who decided to sneak up on the exhausted Balor and eliminate him from the Rumble. It was also Cena who directed Reigns to team up on and maul Nakamura into oblivion.
Cena is getting desperate to win the big one and that too at Wrestlemania. He won't break Ric Flair's record just yet. For the first time in his life Cena's desperation will force him to make a call out, the kind a lot of hungry Superstars have made of him. John Cena knows only one match is worthy of his stature at Wrestlemania and bigger than a title for him, The Undertaker.
Eventually, The Undertaker will answer the challenge and get the best of John Cena at 'Mania, forcing the Franchise to consider whether he can truly keep up any longer. As for 'Taker, this will be his swansong having left it all for one final victory to slink back into the depths of darkness never to return again.
Result: Undertaker makes John Cena REST IN PEACE!
For the WWE Smackdown Women's Championship: Charlotte (c) vs. Ronda Rousey
Come Wrestlemania Ronda Rousey will walk in as WWE's biggest mainstream star today. Look to Vince McMahon capitalizing on this, despite the fact that he has never and may never consider women's wrestling anything other than a sideshow.
The fact that women's equality is such an important factor today, but also one that has become a marketing tool for industries will show Vince dollar signs.
But he can't just let any woman main event his biggest show. It is someone who will bring in the eyeballs of every living being and who better than Ronda to do so. Even today, Rousey commands a lot of attention in the mainstream media. Whether she's ready or not, whether she's deserving or not doesn't matter, it never has for WWE and thus this will main event.
Who better to stand across the ring from her then the MVP of the Women's division; Charlotte. Charlotte in many ways defines pro wrestling due to her father Ric Flair, who is in many ways the godfather of the business.
Charlotte will carry Rousey through a stirring sports entertainment contest, but will just come short opening the door for a brilliant arc of the four-horsewomen of WWE against the four-horsewomen of MMA later in the year.
Result: Rousey wins to become the NEW Smackdown Women's Champion!
