Ronda Rousey (L) poses with her WrestleMania 34 opponent
Stephanie McMahon. The event takes place on Sunday in New Orleans. File
Photo by John Angelillo/UPI| License Photo
April 6 (UPI) -- WWE's biggest event of
the year, WrestleMania, hits the ring this weekend with the potential
crowning of new champions, the return of a legend in
Daniel Bryan and the debut of former UFC Champion
Ronda Rousey.
The competition takes place live Sunday 8 at the Mercedes-Benz
Superdome in New Orleans. Here are the top matches and our predicted
winners.
Brock Lesnar (champion) vs. Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship
Lesnar won the Universal Championship at last year's WrestleMania
when he defeated Goldberg. The Beast now must contend with Reigns, a
superstar who has gained slightly more favor with WWE fans as he has
called out Lesnar's lack of respect for the company and the fact that he
appears to have a part-time schedule. Taking into account UFC President
Dana White's
announcement that Lesnar will be returning to the octagon, it's easy to
see The Big Dog ending Lesnar's yearlong title run. If this is indeed
Lesnar and his advocate Paul Heyman's last go-around in WWE, they will
be missed.
Predicted winner: Roman Reigns
Two of the best superstars from Smackdown Live battle it out in a
bout that has the potential to be the match of the night. Styles and
Nakamura had a history together in New Japan Pro-Wrestling and now will
be showcasing their chemistry together in front of an even larger
audience. While Styles has developed quite the fan base during his time
in WWE, Nakamura has ascended the WWE ladder in quick succession,
earning this main event match by winning the Men's Royal Rumble. It
appears it's Nakamura's time to shine in a match that wrestling fans
have been dying to see once again.
Predicted winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
Rousey is, simply put, one of the biggest signings WWE has ever made.
The company will be using this match to ease her in nicely by placing
her around legends such as Angle and Triple H before she moves onto
competing in the women's division. Rousey will surely take the fight to
Stephanie, a surefire way to get WWE fans fully behind the former UFC
champion. Expect plenty of crowd-pleasing moments, a crazy entrance form
Triple H and McMahon and for Rousey to make the bad-guy authority
figures tap out.
Predicted winners: Ronda Rousey & Kurt Angle
The feud that has dominated Smackdown Live for months comes to an end
at WrestleMania with Bryan making his surprising return after
announcing his retirement in 2016. Bryan being back in the squared
circle is special. But Owens and Zayn get their jobs back on Smackdown
if they win, so Bryan's homecoming could be ruined by the best friends.
Perhaps a shocking betrayal by Shane is in the cards as he appeared to
have made up with Bryan way too easily on Tuesday with a hug after
months of disagreements and bickering.
Predicted winners: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
Charlotte Flair (champion) vs. Asuka for the Smackdown Women's Championship
Flair has beaten them all but will be pushed to her limits against
Asuka in a dream match that was bound to happen eventually as Asuka has
remained undefeated during her time in WWE. If anyone can finally defeat
The Empress of Tomorrow it's Flair, who always delivers an impressive
performance at WrestleMania. Fans are in store for a truly athletic
display full of Moonsaults and submission maneuvers. When the dust
clears, Asuka will likely win, however, Carmella has been waiting in the
wings with her Money in the Bank contract and would be foolish not to
cash it in on a depleted Asuka, making her the new Smackdown Women's
Champion and the first to end the undefeated streak.
Predicted winner: Asuka, followed by Carmella using her Money in the Bank contract to become the new Smackdown Women's Champion
The Miz (champion) vs. Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor for the Intercontinental Championship
The Miz has elevated the Intercontinental Championship to new heights
and will be looking at WrestleMania to be his victory lap following a
stellar 2017. The odds are stacked against him and with The Miz's wife,
Maryse, recently giving birth to their first child, it's time for the
A-lister to take a break and be with his family. This leaves the
Intercontinental Championship up for grabs with Balor getting the slight
edge as he may unleash his Demon form or due to The Balor Club --
consisting of Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson -- providing backup from
ringside. Rollins, meanwhile, can leave the Intercontinental title
behind and set his sights on the Universal Championship once again.
Predicted winner: Finn Balor
Despite the inclusion of former World Champions such as Orton and
Mahal, Rusev has to be the favorite as he continues to get some of the
loudest cheers every Tuesday after introducing the concept of Rusev Day
alongside his personal singer, Aiden English. WWE will be looking to
keep Rusev's momentum going and continue selling the Happy Rusev Day
t-shirts that litter WWE crowds weekly. WWE should do the right thing
here and deliver a nice Rusev Day present to all of his adoring fans.
Predicted winner: Rusev
Alexa Bliss (champion) vs. Nia Jax for the Raw Women's Championship
Jax has finally stepped out of Bliss' shadow and a win here can allow
her to dominate the Raw Women's division like nobody else can. It's
Jax's time to shine and she may even defeat Bliss in a very fast and
convincing fashion. Bliss's cowardly ways will not help her this time.
Predicted winner: Nia Jax
The Usos (champions) vs. The New Day vs. The Bludgeon Brothers for the Smackdown Tag Team Championships
The Bludgeon Brothers have been decimating The Usos and The New Day
in recent weeks but now Harper and Rowan will have to deal with both
teams at full strength at the same time. Once The Bludgeon Brothers are
out of the way, The Usos and The New Day can continue their impressive
rivalry. The Usos, who have reinvented themselves into one of the most
entertaining Tag Teams in WWE, will win the crowded match and continue
to shine on Smackdown.
Predicted winner: The Usos
Sheamus & Cesaro (champions) vs. Braun Strowman and a mystery partner for the Raw Tag Team Championships
Strowman has proven week in and week out that he doesn't need a
partner to win a Tag Team match but is being forced to choose a partner
if he wants to compete for the titles. Strowman's options for a partner
seem limited, but, WWE would not have kept the partner's identity a
secret unless it had a surprise in store. Perhaps The Monster Among Men
will team up with a returning Big Cass who matches him in height, or
even Elias in a fun twist that would put the former rivals together.
Either way, Strowman is walking out of WrestleMania as a Tag Team
Champion.
Predicted winner: Braun Strowman and his mystery partner
WrestleMania 34 will also feature Cedric Alexander vs. Mustafa Ali
for the Cruiserweight Championship, the annual Andre the Giant Memorial
Battle Royal and the first-ever WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal.
WrestleMania 34 airs live at 7 p.m. ET Sunday on the WWE Network and pay per view.
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
