This coming Sunday, April 2nd, we’ll all be hunkering down for the biggest show of the year: WrestleMania 33! With 13 matches (including the pre-show) on the card, this show is genuinely packed. We have a battle royale, a four-way elimination match, a 6-pack challenge and so much more! Hell, we haven’t even scratched the surface. So, join Brock and I as we run down this card and give our thoughts. Let’s get this show on the road!
2017 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal (Kickoff Match)
Jon: I’ve never been a battle royal fan. At best, they can be a complete cluster, followed by a strong, star-making ending. The original version of this match at WrestleMania 30 is a good example of my belief. In this case, I expect Big Show and Braun Strowman to be the main focus, with Sami Zayn getting a notable cameo but falling shortly before the end.
With Big Show seemingly genuinely planning retirement, I think the best giant of modern times is ready to truly cement the best giant of the future.
Prediction: Braun Strowman
Brock: First off I want to thank Jon Potter for inviting me back to share my predictions for WrestleMania with the great readers of WNN!
I really like a good battle royal and have for as far back as I can remember, and at a show like WrestleMania a battle royal just makes sense. And for the last three years the Andre the Giant battle royal has had it’s moments. This year’s seems to be built around Strowman and Big Show with Sami Zayn as the name to watch. Though I’d love to see Zayn win, validating the short program he had with Strowman last winter, it’s not going to happen. I see it coming down to maybe Mojo, Zayn, Show, & Braun with Braun winning the whole thing. Kickoff show or not I’m expecting a fun, unpredictable battle royal that will get the crowd pumped.
Prediction: Braun Strowman
WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Austin Aries vs Neville (c)
Jon: If WWE is willing to give this time (and not gut the life out of it with poorly placed commercials) then I think this could be one of the matches of the night considering the talent involved. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not someone who sees the pre-show (I hate the term “Kick Off”) as an insult. It can legitimately garner a bigger audience than WrestleMania itself at times. However, I get the idea that these two men are dedicated to creating magic, Now WWE just needs to give them that opportunity.
I know some people baulk at the mention of a title change on a pre-show, but it is known to happen and especially at Mania. I see Aries being crowned. here. He’s a recognizable name that gets solid reactions in a struggling division. It feels like WWE are ready to freshen things up again.
Prediction: Austin Aries (New Champion)
Brock: This is probably the match I’m most looking forward to and a match that could easily steal the show. If given the appropriate time and leeway I think these two could produce a Cruiserweight title match on par with Eddie/Ray from Halloween Havoc ’97. This has instant classic written all over it.
Prediction: Austin Aries (New Champion)
SmackDown Women’s Championship: 6-Pack Challenge Match
Jon: I’m cautiously optimistic for this. We saw the same stipulation 6 months ago when a Smackdown champion was first crowned and this time the decorated veteran Mickie James is included in the mix. If they can resist the urge to let this degenerate into a finisher fest from the outset, I think they can create something memorable, though not a show stealer.
Personally, I believe Naomi is poised to get her belt back. The company are obviously very high on the luminescent athlete and they only fell back to Bliss because they weren’t sure when the former Funkadactyl would be ready to return from her brief time on the shelf. Yes, Bliss has blossomed as a character, but I don’t think they’re sold on the diminutive dynamo as a complete package just yet.
Prediction: Naomi (New Champion)
Brock: I really wasn’t sold on this match for a while since we didn’t exactly know what kind of match this would be, but I’ve gotta say I rather enjoy this story and actually wish it had another week or two develop just for selfish reasons. I’ve loved the build for this match and I assume the creative team does as well because this angle has been nothing but fun for weeks now.
In respect to the match, however, I don’t think we’ll see a title change. Bliss is just too good right now to break away from. The money is in someone chasing her, not the other way around. I was thinking Naomi could walk about with the gold again but I don’t think they’d waste that on a 6-person match. Of course I also thought WWE wouldn’t waste Charlotte’s first PPV loss before WrestleMania, so it shows what I know. Either way I’m going with Alexa Bliss to retain for now in a match that should make the multi-ladies match at Backlash look like child’s play.
Prediction: Alexa Bliss (Retains)
Raw Tag Team Championships: Triple Threat Tag Team Ladder Match
Jon: Okay, let’s be honest here, the ladder stipulation was a last-minute band-aid to add some freshness to a tired 3-way feud. However, we all know that it’ll work, no matter how cynically it’ll be viewed by many of us. And to be fair, it mixes things up from the formula of a multi-man ladder match for the IC title. It’ll be fun, give us our gratuitous carnage quota for the night and add some memorable moments to the show of shows.
As far as the winners go, I can’t see anyone else but The Club coming out victorious. Sure, it’d be a “WrestleMania Moment” for Big Cass and his human chihuahua to win, but I just don’t think Gallows and Anderson are done with this reign yet.
Prediction: The Club (Titles Retained)
Brock: I can honestly say that when it comes to tag team title angles at WrestleMania, this one is one of my favorites. I was a bit disappointed in learning it was to be a ladder match, though, as I was very much looking forward to just seeing these three go at it with the fewest gimmick attached. Regardless, I still think it’s going to be a solid match with the current champions walking out with the gold. I just don’t see Enzo & Cass winning the tag titles for some time, they don’t need them, they’re perfectly fine without them. As for Cesaro & Sheamus, I think they may end up reclaiming the titles at some point, just not at WrestleMania. Then again, anything could happen.
Prediction: Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson (Retain)
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Baron Corbin vs Dean Ambrose (c)
Jon: I’m not really sure how to feel about this pairing, to be honest. Ambrose is a former WWE Champion who’s cooled considerably and just can’t seem to nail his character enough to really take off. Meanwhile, Corbin has been knocking it out of the park on a platform like Talking Smack, but can’t keep it up with the consistent break-out performances. To be clear, The Lone Wolf has undoubtedly improved in the ring though. I guess I just have doubts about this match reaching its potential. We’ll see.
As far as a winner goes, I’m torn, while I do think WWE still see Ambrose as a bankable star, I actually think Corbin will capture his firs ever championship following shenanigans.
Prediction: Baron Corbin (New Champion)
Brock: While I’m still not the biggest fan of Baron Corbin, he has made significant progress since the Royal Rumble. This match feels like it’s been forgotten about, to be honest, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it opens the show or suddenly gets booted to the Kickoff show. Despite all of that I do think the match is going to be a helluva lot better than many are expecting. In the end, I see Corbin walking out of the match with the title and for this match to be the beginning of the next phase of Corbin’s career.
Prediction: Baron Corbin (New Champion)
John Cena and Nikki Bella vs The Miz and Maryse
Jon: I just want to point out that this WrestleMania card includes 3 matches involving women. all of which contain legitimate build. WWE deserve credit for that. In this particular case, the men have carried the vast majority of the promo work, but Nikki and Maryse are still integral to the story being told. That of a heel couple trying to antagonise the faces and prove them to be “fake.” It’s solid, and has many invested, even if it won’t set the house on fire from a work rate point-of-view. Sure, some may argue that a reinvigorated Miz “deserves better”, but the simple fact is that this situation has developed into something much better than the sum of its parts.
Now, of course, this is obviously designed for John and Nikki to conquer. With the sole active Bella reportedly retiring and a marriage proposal being rumoured, this surely can’t be anything other than a fairytale ending, but I’m okay with that.
Prediction: John Cena and Nikki Bella
Brock: Ugh… This match… I feel one my rants coming on, but I’ll stop myself cold. It’s just not worth it. I don’t think the match matters. We’re going to get the same old stuff from these guys we usually get and Cena & Nikki will win. The story will be, if I can guess right, that Cena will propose to Nikki after the match. Wouldn’t be the first time WWE stole a hot moment from the indy scene (thank you Joey Ryan!). However, I could see a swerve thrown into this and Miz & Maryse winning seeing s they are the ones sticking around and could use the heat generated from a big win, but this ain’t 1984 anymore.
Prediction: John Cena & Nikki Bella
WWE United States Championship: Kevin Owens vs Chris Jericho (c)
Jon: How weird is this one? the build to this war has been literal months upon months in the making. It’s a blood feud worthy of an early WrestleMania or Starrcade. Everything about this confrontation screams “main event World Championship match”. Indeed, the first instinct is to see it as relegated to a secondary title and be annoyed. But then you remember that truly great wrestling shows were propped up by their foundations in the undercard. This match WILL be that foundation that could propel this WrestleMania to greatness if other things over-deliver. I’ll state my non-existent reputation on it.
As for the winner? It has to be Owens. Jericho is off to tour with Fozzy very soon and KO needs the rehabilitation following his quick loss to an aging Goldberg. There’s zero doubt on the outcome for me.
Prediction: Kevin Owens (New Champion)
Brock: This match… Oh sweet beautiful baby Jesus, this match… I can not wait for this match. It’d be hard to imagine these two not meeting somewhere and breaking down their match together and both wanting to steal the show. This one isn’t about who wins or loses for me, this one is about the match. And this one has Piper/Hart written all over it.
But someone has to win and someone has to lose. Seeing as Jericho is leaving soon for a Fozzy tour I would assume that Owens wins the match, but if the booking from Monday night tells me anything it’s that Jericho will retain. Talk about mixed messages. We’ll I’ve learned lately that WWE is seriously changing the way they foreshadow events on TV so I’m going to ignore (at my own peril, right?) what I saw on Monday night and I’m going to stick with Owens taking the title in a classic battle.
Prediction: Kevin Owens (New Champion)
Raw Women’s Championship: Fatal 4-Way Elimination Match
Jon: Hm, a potential dark horse for match of the night contention? I think so. I’m basing this entirely on the elimination stipulation, which gives us the very real possibility of another extended run between Bayley, Charlotte and Sasha. Yes, please. I just can’t see anything other than a highly motivated performance at WrestleMania of all places from those three ladies in particular. I still think Nia will be given a chance to shine, but will eventually be eliminated first due to a temporary team-up.
I think WWE are behind Bayley as the babyface hero, for now, so I think she retains here. The only way I can see that changinging is if the expected Sasha Banks heel turn happens mid-match.
Prediction: Bayley (Title Retained)
Brock: I haven’t liked this story since December. I do think the match will be great and potentially steal the show, I just think it’s a far cry from last year’s story. I have a hard time accepting any finish that doesn’t have Charlotte walking out with the strap. I can also see this match as the moment Sasha turns heel.
Prediction: Charlotte (New Champion)
Shane McMahon vs AJ Styles
Jon: I’m neutral on this contest. If I was playing TEW 2016 while booking this show, I wouldn’t pick Shane as AJ Styles’ opponent. But I’m not fantasy booking right now and given the circumstances, I can accept this option. Yes, the story has been a bit odd, but it has done a solid job of painting Styles as a heel with a valid point who took things too far. I also think these two will deliver. Look, Shane isn’t incredibly athletic, but AJ is and Shane-O is always willing to create something mindblowing on a big stage. Now let’s just hope the “Middle-aged Wonder” doesn’t kill himself in the process.
AJ has to win here. Shane has never really been about winning his matches, but about creating moments. I don’t see that changing, especially when WWE are still so evidently high enough on The Phenomenal One to put him in arguably the second most-promoted match on the Smackdown side.
Prediction: AJ Styles
Brock: I have no interest in this match. None. The story has made virtually no sense, but I’ll again stop myself from ranting about the little things of this angle that drove me nuts. I’m sure this will deliver, I mean the bar is pretty low in my eyes, but I just don’t care if I see it or not. If the match weren’t on the show the only thing I’d miss would be AJ Styles. Please, Superman, let Shane not be the one who gets a broken neck from the Styles Clash in WWE!
Prediction: AJ Styles
The Undertaker vs Roman Reigns
Jon: Oh boy, this one has caused a stir, huh? Poor Roman Reigns. This guy really can’t catch a break, can he? First, he gets attacked for hogging the World Title picture. Then people bemoan the transparency of WWE sliding him down to the US title to keep him busy. Finally, he’s in a spot to get a deserved rub from a rapidly fading legend, and all people can do is borderline riot at the mere possibility.
Make no mistake, this match won’t be a classic. The Deadman is too broken down for that to happen at this point. However, I think he’s still wily enough to help Reigns drag him to a “3-star” affair. And if he can manage that before falling to spear, he’s done his job.
Yes, I believe Taker will lose. Possibly after Reigns snaps, but likely clean. I just think Undertaker is a case of diminishing returns in 2017 and he needs to truly pass the torch while that still has potential to be memorable.
Prediction: Roman Reigns
Brock: If this one really turns out to be Taker’s final match all I can say is shame on WWE for not making more of it. I doubt it is and I doubt Taker loses in this one. Though many fans have decried the end of The Streak it has been a great thing for Undertaker. Before WrestleMania XXX Undertaker winning was seen as a foregone conclusion, now it’s the losing that seems more probable which makes the wins mean that much more. If it hadn’t been for Lesnar winning in New Orleans it would seem like a true long-shot that Reigns would even have a chance to win. Like it or not, breaking The Streak added a sense of uncertainty and drama to Undertaker’s matches that simply did not exist before except in the closing minutes of a match. Now the drama lasts for weeks until the match and then for another year after that.
As for this match, unless Reigns turns heel (he might) or Sting shocks the world and costs Taker the match (Jim Cornette returned to WWE, anything is possible, folks), then I see Taker winning this one. The end is nigh for The Deadman, but I don’t see it happening this year.
Prediction: The Undertaker
Non-Sanctioned: Seth Rollins vs Triple H
Jon: Seth’s injury concerns me. Without it, this had limitless potential to be an all-time classic. The story is perfect, with the villainous Triple H growing tired of his protege’s growing confidence and turning to his old method of tearing them down by his own fair hands. Meanwhile, Seth wants to prove he’s more than what his mentor shaped him into. See? Simple yet enthralling. But now an injury has overshadowed everything. If Rollins really is ready, this could very well tear the house down. But if not, this could just turn int a slow beat down with some Rollins hope spots and a Samoa Joe run-in. I hope everything is set up for the Architect to deliver like he prides himself on.
If I had to guess (which is the whole point) I’d go with a shock Rollins win followed by a HHH attack, allowing the former Shield member to go away for a little while and fully heal.
Prediction: Seth Rollins
Brock: Bob Ross used to say there’s no such thing as a mistake, “only happy accidents.” Seth ROllins injury was indeed a happy accident for wrestling fans. In hindsight WWE may have chosen to book the exact same angle, but in reality they didn’t. In the end we were spared a terrible week to week angle that would have rendered this match meaningless. The injury forced WWE to get creative, and it worked! Besides the Cruiserweight title match, this is the match I’m most looking forward to not because I like or don’t like any of the guys involved, but because I want to see what the story is. This should not disappoint, that’s for sure. What I’d like to see (a bloody, personal, old-school war) I know I’m not going to see, and I’m okay with that. So long as this thing doesn’t turn into a Rollins knee-bashing match for 20-minutes, this should deliver in a big way.
Prediction: Seth Rollins
WWE Universal Championship: Brock Lesnar vs Goldberg (c)
Jon: This will be a spectacle and that’s exactly what it should be. If this goes much longer than 5 minutes, I’ll be shocked. I get it, it isn’t a purists dream, but I can’t act like I’m not intrigued by what they have planned. Purely because this is likely to be in excess of a 4-hour show, I just can’t see this obviously brief affair being last. I’m pegging Undertaker/Reigns for that honour.
The result is obvious. Lesnar leaves with the belt, thanks to Goldberg’s contract expiring that very same night. Besides, the entire story has been framed that way from the start. Now the only question is how long Lesnar will keep the belt.
Prediction: Brock Lesnar (New Champion)
Brock: As Jesse Ventura said, “this is truly what the word ‘main event’ was meant for.” I see no reason why this match shouldn’t end the show. I can see Goldberg hitting the spear and Jackhammer only to get a two-count. Same when Lesnar hits the F-5. Then it becomes a fight of who can hit the big move last. I pick Lesnar.
Prediction: Brock Lesnar (New Champion)
WWE Championship: Randy Orton vs Bray Wyatt (c)
Jon: What a bizarre state of affairs this has been. I actually loved this angle from the moment Randy joined The Wyatts, all the way until HE BURNED DOWN A GODDAMN HOUSE! Yes, the capitals were intentional. Talk about a traditional babyface. I’m sure these two can deliver, but I’m also convinced that this will be left to rot somewhere in the upper-middle of the card. A real shame.
Randy Orton looks primed to win unless we get a shock Wyatt reunion. It’s a little sad that “The Eater of Worlds” just can’t seem to keep any momentum going in his career.
Prediction: Randy Orton (New Champion)
Brock: This is the least excited I’ve been for a WWE World title match at a WrestleMania in a very long time. I’m bored of Orton and I’m bored of this angle. I don’t doubt this will be a fine match, I just don’t care about it. And that’s how you wrap up predictions, on a downer!! But, I will say that with all the news of WWE wanting to do a swerve finish somewhere on the card I wouldn’t be at all surprised it if it’s this match, which makes me want to see it just to see what happens. I’m still picking Orton, though.
Prediction: Randy Orton (New Champion)
Closing Thoughts
Jon: There some things I love on this card, some things I’m concerned about and others I couldn’t care less about. But at the end of the day, there’s enough potential to create some truly amazing wrestling and maybe even some life-long memories. Sure, we can all pick our entertainment to pieces and it’s even human nature to do so. But it’s still WrestleMania and it still possesses the ability to surprise us all. I’m more than willing to give WrestleMania 33 that chance.
Brock: This card has received a LOT of heat over the last few months, some justified, some insane, but it’s a card that for better or worse has the wrestling world talking. I for one think it’s going to be a great show filled with some great action. After all, it’s only pro wrestling. There’s enough problems in the world. I’m going to chill out for 12-hours and watch WrestleMania and have a good time. I hope you all do too!
If you have the time you can check out my Throwback Thursday Articles at WrestlingDVDNetwork.com as well as my Kayfabe Commentaries DVD reviews. Thanks again to Jon Potter for allowing me to share my thoughts and opinions with the readers of WNN for WrestleMania 33!
And there you have it, our complete thoughts and predictions for WrestleMania 33! Join us on Monday, where we’ll have a full review of the biggest show of the year, right here at WWE Network News!