WrestleMania 34 Preview

didic (68)in #news • 6 years ago (edited)

WrestleMania 34 is going to be long. Like, super duper extra long. There are 3 announced pre-show matches, 10 announced main show matches, and one announced match that is definitely happening. Buckle up, kids. It's gonna be a long ride.

All images credit wwe.com

Pre-show

Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal

The Andre is meaningful for about two weeks before mania and maybe a week after. Of all the annual WWE accolades, it is probably the least important. Which you can tell because they put Curt Hawkins and Primo Colon in it. There are currently 19 announced participants, so we'll have anywhere between 1 and 11 surprise entrants. I'd like Aiden English to win, but I have no idea who will. As long as there's no Gronk interference, I'll be okay with whatever happens.

Women's Battle Royal

The match formerly known as the Moolah Battle Royal is much more stacked than the Men's equivalent, because the women's roster is smaller and has basically zero chaff. We've got 14 announced participants, and should have at least 6 unannounced, probably all from NXT. This should be fun, and will probably have a focus on Sasha and Bayley. I predict the winner will be Becky Lynch, with Ember Moon as an outside candidate.

Cedric Alexander vs. Mustafa Ali for the Cruiserweight Title

This is going to be spectacular. Both guys are special performers. I think Cedric gets the win here. He's a terrific worker and a great all rounder. And he's been near the top of the 205 card for months now. It's time. I suspect these guys will make every effort to steal the show, and are likely to have one of the best 3 matches on the card.

Main Card

Kurt Angle and Ronda Rousey vs. Triple H and Stephanie McMahon

Kurt can barely walk, Ronda still doesn't quite know what's she's doing in the ring, Steph is the worst worker (and best talker) in the family. So this match is kinda all on Trips to carry. He won't. I predict this will be short, and full of shenanigans. I also predict Kurt and Ronda go over.

The Usos vs. The New Day vs. The Bludgeon Brothers for the Smackdown tag titles

People seem to forget that the Usos and Harper and Rowan had some tremendous matches in the past, and New Day and the two former Wyatt Family members had some fun times trying to reproduce the Final Deletion back in the day. This will be better than people expect, I think. Maybe not quite up to the incredibly high bar set by the Usos and New Day in the past, but very good. I think the BBs get the title here.

Cesaro and Sheamus vs. Braun Strowman and ??? for the Raw tag titles

The match quality depends largely on who Braun's partner is. I'm still hoping for Neville, but it could really be anyone. This may be Shaemus' last match, as he's been carrying a career ending injury for months now, and speculations have abounded that he's been holding on for a Mania retirement. If so, that'll also effect the goings on. I expect The Bar to drop the titles, naturally. It's time Braun gets a belt. Waiting to see who the partner is to decide how excited I am about that.

Randy Orton vs. Bobby Roode vs. Jinder Mahal vs. Rusev for the US title

This is the match I least care about, by a mile. Poor Rusev has his work cut out for him to make this fun. I hope he at least gets to win, and leave Mania as US champ and a babyface. He deserves this. If they could also turn Roode heel, that'd be nice.

The Miz vs. Seth Rollins vs. Finn Bálor for the IC title

I have very high expectations here. I hope Miz can raise his game somewhere near to the level of the other two. Don't get me wrong. I love Miz. Miz is great. But he's just a very good worker at best, and the other two are stellar. While I don't expect this to be a classic, I do expect it to be very solid. I think Finn wins, and at least one of the other two goes after the Universal title next.

Alexa Bliss vs. Nia Jax for the Raw Women's title

Nia has to go over here, or none of the preceding storyline makes any sense. I would like this to be a squash. Alexa can talk her way out of it later, but Nia needs this.

Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon vs. Sami Zane and Kevin Owens

This is a conundrum. It's Bryan's huge comeback match. He should win here. But even in kayfabe, firing Sami and Kevin (again) makes no sense. So this will probably be a Shane turn. They definitely shouldn't turn Bryan, so what other choice do they have? Sure, Shane is over. But he's been heelish for ages. And it's always easy to turn a McMahon. Wrestling wise, this should be very good.

The Should Be Main Events

AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the WWE title

In a better world, either this dream match or the next on my list would be closing the show. But we don't live in a better world, and Styles and Nakamura probably won't get the main event slot. This won't stop them from stealing the show. These guys have had tremendous matches in Japan, and this will be spectacular. Phenomenal, even. This is my top contender for match of the night, and will at least be a top 3 match. I think Nakamura has to go over here.

Charlotte vs Asuka for the Smackdown Women's title

I don't think it's a stretch to say that this is the most anticipated women's match in the history of US wrestling. Title vs. Streak. Two of the greatest talents in the world going head to head. This will be fantastic. And I hope it doesn't end with a Carmela cash in. I'd like them to keep this pure. To just let these two do what they do best. Asuka going over is the most popular result, it seems. I'll go the other way. I say the Queen beats the Empress and ends the streak.

The Actual Main Events

John Cena vs. The Undertaker

There is a pretty good chance this one goes last. And it's arguable that it should. How good it'll be depends on exactly one thing: How is taker, physically. He was a shell of his former self last year. A husk. But he's had knee surgery and is maybe doing better? I hope so.

Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns for the Universal Title

This will either be the final coronation of Roman Reigns as the company's Top Guy, or a giant flop. There's no middle ground here. If the crowd backs Roman, the likely decision of putting this match last pays off. If they don't? Yikes. Match'll probably be decent. A replay of their last Mania match, without Seth running in with the Money in the Bank briefcase. Roman goes over.