WWE WrestleMania 34 Predictions
April 8, 2018
By: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
The day is finally here. WrestleMania Sunday. Every wrestling fan, regardless of how bitter they are that WWE isn’t pushing their favorite wrestler or whatever complaint of the day they have, perks up and pays attention to this day a bit. Maybe they utilize the free trial WWE offers for the WWE Network, find a stream, or follow along with the live recap right here on Wrestleview. Either way, they’ll know what happens on this show and are curious.
This year certainly has a loaded card. Were all these matches built really well? I don’t think so. This WrestleMania includes (or does it?) one of the most bizarrely built matches in WrestleMania history: John Cena vs. Undertaker. Still, if you just watch the show without really paying too much heed to the build or lack thereof, this on paper looks to be one of the better WrestleMania presentations they’ve put out in quite a while. If anything, it’s worth watching just for the return of Daniel Bryan. If you’re not excited about that and aren’t insanely happy for him as a human being, check your pulse.
With that being said, let’s dive into the predictions.
WWE Cruiserweight Championship
Mustafa Ali vs. Cedric Alexander
Since the departure of the repulsive Enzo Amore from the WWE, the Cruiserweights have been on a mini rise. The 205 Live show has had an overhaul and it’s more about wrestling than characters now. Unfortunately, for me at least, the damage has been done and it’ll be tough to erase the stink of the first year and a half. Still, there hasn’t been a Cruiserweight Champion since late-January, so this is a chance for a much-needed restart button. I’m not up to date on most of the Cruiserweight stuff, but Mustafa Ali does interest me, so I’ll go with him.
Prediction: Mustafa Ali
André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
Participants include Baron Corbin, Mojo Rawley, Tye Dillinger, Dash Wilder, Scott Dawson, “Woken” Matt Hardy, Fandango, Tyler Breeze, Dolph Ziggler, Goldust, Heath Slater, Rhyno, Zack Ryder, Primo, Elias, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, R-Truth, Sin Cara, Titus O’Neil, Apollo, Bo Dallas, Curtis Axel and Mike Kanellis
A couple of names on that list made me exclaim, “He’s still on the roster?” Primo Colon… I wasn’t expecting that one. Where’s Epico? Winning this battle royal hasn’t done much for the last four winners. I’m not expecting the fifth to really excel. I’d like to see someone from NXT take a surprise victory. A guy like Killian Dain winning would make me happy. Heck, even Elias. Huge toss-up no matter what. My gut is saying Big Cass though.
Prediction: Big Cass
WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal
Participants include Sasha Banks, Natalya, Lana, Ruby Riott, Sarah Logan, Liv Morgan, Becky Lynch, Naomi, Bayley, Mickie James, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville and Carmella
Another toss-up match. These are matches where good prediction records go to die. I’m sure there will be quite a few surprises in this with legends and NXT women coming in. I’m just going to go with someone I’m really digging on the roster right now: Ruby Riott.
Prediction: Ruby Riott
RAW Women’s Championship
Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Nia Jax
The last time they did a fat shaming angle with a female was a few years ago on Smackdown when Lay-Cool was harping on Mickie James’ weight in an angle that disgusts me even thinking about it now. Ironically, Mickie James is involved on the other side of this one. The payoff of the last one was a quick, less than a minute-long match with James and Michelle McCool. I’m sensing that’ll happen again. I think Jax will squash Bliss like a bug and win the title. Then they can go back to consistently booking Jax like a monster. Enough of the crying and screaming thing.
Prediction: Nia Jax
Smackdown Women’s Championship
Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Asuka
I loved the set-up angle for this one with Asuka challenging Flair out of nowhere on the Fastlane PPV. Since then they have not done a great job with Asuka. To me, they’re almost booking her like this streak is a fluke. They’re making her look weak, constantly being beaten down, selling way too much… I’m not a fan of it. Still the payoff should be Asuka standing tall with the Women’s Championship. However I’ll throw in a curve by having Carmella cash in on her and enter into nuclear heat territory (which she can handle) by having her end Asuka’s streak. If it doesn’t happen at WrestleMania, it’ll happen soon.
Prediction: Asuka, but watch out for Carmella
Smackdown Tag Team Championships – Triple Threat Match
The Uso’s (c’s) vs. The New Day vs. The Bludgeon Brothers
I love me some Bludgeon Brothers. I absolutely love what they’re doing. I’m so happy Luke Harper is getting a chance to shine. I thought Harper should have been in the Randy Orton/Bray Wyatt match last year. He’s been underutilized for a while now. I’m also psyched for The Uso’s making the main card for the first time in their careers. I had no clue they’d a.) been here that long, and b.) hadn’t been on the main card of WrestleMania as a tag team. Lots of good things happening in this match. I’m going with Bludgeon Brothers having a stranglehold on the Tag Titles and (fantasy booking now) feuding with AOP if/when they get a call-up in the near future.
Prediction: The Bludgeon Brothers
RAW Tag Team Championships
The Bar (c’s) vs. Braun Strowman and a mystery partner
Let’s tackle the mystery partner. I’m just going to call my shot and say Big Show. Then I’m going to say Braun Strowman takes the victory regardless of who his partner is.
Prediction: Braun Strowman and TBD
WWE United States Championship – Fatal Four Way Match
Randy Orton (c) vs. Jinder Mahal vs. Bobby Roode vs. Rusev
I’m so psyched about the addition of Rusev to this match. I don’t believe he was added because he “threatened to walk out,” but rather he organically got himself over with this awesome “Rusev Day” thing and forced WWE’s hand to put him in a higher position on the card than the André Battle Royal. In recent years, WWE doesn’t always jump on the hot hand, but I think they’re getting on board the Rusev Train here. I’d love to see Rusev come out on top here and win the title. That’s right – I’m title change heavy so far in the predictions.
Prediction: Rusev
WWE Intercontinental Championship – Triple Threat Match
The Miz (c) vs. Finn Bálor vs. Seth Rollins
The build for this match was kind of brutal. Just a lot of not good segments, but the matches between Rollins and Bálor have been highlights. They’ve been trading wins, but Miz hasn’t really been involved recently. I think with Miz having the new baby and reality show coming up, on top of really being a highlight of the night on most RAW shows, I think he retains the title here. Bálor is about as uncharismatic as they come except when they throw some Demon paint on him so winning the title won’t change that, and Rollins doesn’t really need this title.
Prediction: The Miz
Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon vs. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
So many things going on in this match to be happy about. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn are both participating in a major match on a WrestleMania card, something well deserved for both men, and one of the few great people in professional wrestling is getting a second chance in Daniel Bryan. Also, Shane McMahon is apparently healthy enough to perform following what sounded like a truly devastating diagnosis of diverticulitis. Owens and Zayn must win or they’re gone forever from Smackdown Live. That’s fine because there’s a Superstar Shakeup coming next week apparently. They’ve mentioned that a few times on the shows. A lot of people are calling for a Shane McMahon heel turn, but I don’t think that’s happening here. I’ve got to go with Daniel Bryan winning in a triumphant return… and he’ll still reinstate Owens and Zayn anyway on Tuesday. Good guy Daniel Bryan, ya know?
Prediction: Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon
Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle vs. Stephanie McMahon and Triple H
A lot of people are dogging this match saying it’s going to be awful, but I’m going to be Mr. Positivity and say they’re going to surprise us. I’m sure they’ve been rehearsing and preparing for this match for months and will do more than most people expect. Is it going to be a mat classic? No, but it’ll be something special.
Prediction: Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle
Undertaker vs. John Cena (if this is happening)
This match is probably happening. I can’t imagine them doing all that build for a nothing payoff or Undertaker challenging him for a match next year. I think it’ll be a safe, easy match. Cena is guy that can work around limitations, which Undertaker has plenty of. If this happens, I hope this is the last hurrah for Undertaker because he is close to becoming embarrassing. Time for one last Undertaker victory.
Prediction: Undertaker
WWE Championship
AJ Styles (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
The dream match with a nightmare build. Ok, it wasn’t that bad of a build, but it was certainly lackluster. My problem with the dream match label is it puts impossible standards on this that even if they have an excellent match – and I think they will – it still won’t live up to the criterion in peoples’ minds. It’ll be good, it’ll go long, and in the end it’ll be AJ Styles standing tall.
Prediction: AJ Styles
WWE Universal Championship
Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Roman Reigns
This is going to be excellent. There’s a lot of undeniable buzz about this match with all the uncertainty of what Lesnar is going to do. Is he really going to UFC or is Dana White working people? Is he going to re-sign with WWE? It’s going to be hard hitting and possibly bloody. The long talked about coronation of Roman Reigns will finally happen tonight. It took three and a half years, but I think there’s enough momentum here with him to warrant it. I still think there needs to be a big impact storyline with him. Even though Paul Heyman is a master of deception, I do think there’s something to his talking about being Roman Reigns’ manager. I think Reigns and Heyman are joining forces to do a modern day Austin/McMahon ending. Gives Lesnar something to come back for down the line.
Prediction: Roman Reigns
I went 3-2 with my predictions at the Royal Rumble, missing the two Tag Title matches.
All-time Predictions Record: 104-49 (.680)
Well, those are my predictions for the show. Do you agree? Disagree? Let me know!
E-Mail – MikeyT817@gmail.com
Twitter – @MikeTedescoWV
Check back on Wrestleview.com starting at 5 PM EST for a live recap of WrestleMania 34 starting with the preshow.
Thanks for reading and enjoy WWE WrestleMania 34!