Today is WWE Wrestlemania 35! Here is the Pulse Wrestling crew’s full preview and predictions.
Winner takes all triple threat match for the WWE Raw Women’s Championship and the WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship
Ronda Rousey (Raw) vs. Charlotte Flair (SmackDown) vs. Becky Lynch
Spain: I’m not 100% certain about the result of this one. I know what should happen, but WWE and I have had these sorts of disagreements before. I’m voting for Becky more out of the fact that it makes the most sense, would be incredibly satisfying and because there’s no reason not to do it.
Winner (and new Everything Women’s Champion): Becky Lynch
HARRAK: I’m curious to see if anything changes during the show but the addition of the SmackDown Women’s Champion feels like overkill. I don’t think a single person was complaining that these three women were only fighting for the RAW title but nevertheless, here we are. There’s only one right answer to this question; Becky Lynch will walk away with both championships. Then the McMahon family can screw her over during the Superstar Shakeup and strip her of one of the titles. However things end up, I have high expectations for this battle and fully believe they will deliver.
Winner AND NEW: Becky Lynch
S.Streeter: I am actually quite happy they are going with a female main event. Considering some of us had to suffer through Kelly Kelly, Christy Hemme and Dawn Marie, seeing the females wrestling now as legitimate wrestlers who can put on really good patches (Charlotte Flair v Natalya in 2014 I think set a standard they all want to emulate) is a pleasant change. And I think this match is a great showcase of them. I have a soft spot for Natalya and wish she was in there somehow, but that’s personal, and the three there should put on a great show. As to the winner, I’m torn. A part of me thinks Ronda would be a great unified champ, but I think this is a time where storyline triumphs. And everything will coalesce into a celebration that will be, frankly, amazing. At least, I hope.
Winner: (and NEW unified champ) Becky Lynch
Widro – Have to see Becky win to close out the show.
Winner: Becky Lynch
WWE Universal Championship
Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Seth Rollins
Spain: It needs to end. Brock Lesnar needs to not be Universal Champion anymore; it’s been a very frustrating several years, and it can all be laid at the feet of this hulking gorilla. Give the Championship to a full time, talented wrestler and let’s all move on.
Winner (and new WWE Universal Champion): Seth Rollins
HARRAK: Last year, we were all certain Brock Lesnar was leaving the WWE and Roman Reigns would finally win the Universal Championship. That didn’t happen. Now everything points to Seth Rollins finally dethroning The Beast “for the people”. Rollins is a stronger babyface than Reigns and can carry RAW for both the kids and adults’ entertainment. It’s time for Brock to take a break and Seth to set a new standard as champion similar to what AJ Styles did for SmackDown.
Winner AND NEW: Seth Rollins
S.Streeter: I am looking forward to this match. It should tell a great story in the ring, and should be a nice highlight of the night. I just hope they get a decent amount of time. And, for a pleasant change, I really can’t tell where they are going to go with this match. It really is a pick ‘em.
Winner: (and new champ) Seth Rollins, because a pissed off Lesnar on the chase is a good Lesnar to watch
Widro – With so many big babyface wins, I think Brock takes the win here.
Winner: Lesnar
WWE Championship
Daniel Bryan (c) vs. Kofi Kingston
Spain: I dare to hope. Bryan can win the belt back at the next PPV if necessary, but this whole thing has been so great, so organic that it would be a crime not to pay it off properly. They should take the small risk and give Kingston that one WWE Championship reign.
Winner (and new WWE Champion): Kofi Kingston
HARRAK: I want Kofi to win. It’s a great story and a great time to put Kofi at the top of the card. But he’s an unknown as a champion and SmackDown is heading into a crucial time as a show moving to FOX. WWE will want established, proven stars driving the blue brand and Daniel Bryan is their strongest option at the moment.
Winner: Daniel Bryan
S.Streeter: I hope beyond all hope that those who book the matches back-stage just say to these two, “You’ve got 18 minutes. Make it count,” and then let them do whatever the hell they want. The problem is, Bryan as a heel becomes muted as a wrestler, and there is always going to be outside interference (on both sides), and so I actually have low expectations of what should be the match of the night.
Winner: (and still champ) Daniel Bryan
Widro – No reason not to change here.
Winner: Kofi
No Holds Barred match
If Triple H loses, he must retire from in-ring competition
Triple H vs. Batista
Spain: This does smack of Triple H wanting to beat Batista for once, but the idea that this might be Trips’ way out of competition before he morphs into Kurt Angle makes Bastista’s win far more likely. I’m still leaning towards a Triple H victory, though, hopefully with some Ric Flair interference and jacket-throwing.
Winner: Triple H
HARRAK: It’s Batista’s swan song before inevitably entering the Hall of Fame so why wouldn’t he face one of his closest friends and greatest opponent, Triple H. Throw in the story of HHH never beating The Animal and Ric Flair’s attack and you have the perfect storm for a Triple H WrestleMania moment.
Winner: Triple H
S.Streeter: You know, I don’t care. But I think this is HHH’s way of bowing out, and doing it to a mate. I expect the match to drag on way too long, stupid stuff to happen, Stephanie and Ric Flair to get involved, and the finish with a Batista Bomb through the main stage onto something that explodes. And on Raw the next night HHH will simply have a band-aid over one eye to announce he’s out because… wrestling.
Winner: Batista
Widro – Should be a couple of old dudes doing boring moves.
Winner: HHH
Kurt Angle vs. Baron Corbin
Spain: I’ve got my fingers crossed that this isn’t how it’s going to go down, but if it is then I can imagine them giving Kurt a win here. The only thing that could make any of this worse would be if Baron Corbin somehow pulled out a win.
Winner: Kurt Angle
HARRAK: Maybe the most controversial match on the Mania card should be the quickest. Despite Corbin’s win on Monday, I still believe Kurt will tap Corbin quickly and then issue an open challenge. A challenge to be accepted by John Cena.
Winner: Kurt Angle
S.Streeter: What a weird opponent for Angle to have in his last match! I get that you want to put over a young up-and-comer, but, really? I would have gone one of 3 ways – against Samoa Joe or AJ Styles as a callback to the great matches they had in a place we’re not allowed to talk about, against his son, or against whoever the NXT champ is going in. But Corbin? Not a fan, and I think this match will be a let-down for all concerned.
Winner: Corbin (always go out on your back, right?)
Widro – Going out with a bang still at Wrestlemania.
Winner: Angle
Falls Count Anywhere match
Shane McMahon vs. The Miz
Spain: You just can’t have a McMahon beat an active wrestler, and with the Miz being a face here, a WrestleMania victory makes all the sense. Extra marks if Mr Miz spends any moment of that match acting like a real father to his son.
Winner: The Miz
HARRAK: This match has all the tools to be the most fun match on Sunday night. Shane McMahon made his reputation in matches like this and The Miz grew up watching Shane compete in those matches. Both of these men click well together so I have high hopes for some inventive spots in this match.
Winner: The Miz (so he can challenge Daniel Bryan next)
S.Streeter: As Shane has shown in the past (notably against Blackman and Angle), he can do these matches really, really well. But the guy is old! And Miz is not, never has been and never will be a wrestler I think much of. I have low expectations, so if they are reached, I’ll be… satisfied.
Winner: The Miz
Widro – Very strange to see Shane as a heel, I think he cheats to win here.
Winner: Shane O Mac
AJ Styles vs. Randy Orton
Spain: As this one really doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of anything, I can see it being used for another stunning RKO-outta-nowhere victory, with AJ’s offence offering several great opportunities for it. Get ready for some headlocks, sleeper holds and stomps, folks.
Winner: Randy Orton
HARRAK: Here’s your sleeper hit that has ever tool to steal the show. I’ve never seen two more fluid pro-wrestlers than Styles and Orton and the WrestleMania stage brings out the best in both men. I can’t wait for this one.
Winner: AJ Styles
S.Streeter: I am so torn. AJ is one of my favourite wrestlers (one of the people in the match I consider the best I have seen in 35+ years of watching this sport); Orton is… not. He should go to his old man and learn how to sell properly (no, seriously: Bob Jr had some incredible and amazing matches in the early 80s and is all but forgotten for them nowadays – check my review of the first MTV/WWF cross-over). But AJ can pull good matches out of anybody; I hope he’s allowed to do that here, but I have my doubts.
Winner: Randy Orton
Widro – Loving the promos in the build up to this match.
Winner: AJ
Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre
Spain: I feel like Roman Reigns is still benefiting from that post-cancer boost, so a strong return at the Show of Shows seems appropriate; Drew won’t hurt too much from the lost, and his rise in the company seems absolutely assured.
Winner: Roman Reigns
HARRAK: This will be the WALTER/Pete Dunne of WrestleMania night; stiff, rough and brutal. In the end, while future money is still in McIntyre, Roman Reigns gets the big WrestleMania moment.
Winner: Roman Reigns
S.Streeter: I like Reigns, McIntyre can do well when motivated, and I have a feeling this might be the sleeper match of the night. There is definitely potential for it to outshine some of the more heralded matches, if they’re given enough time to do so.
Winner: Reigns
Widro – Still not into Roman even with cancer.
Winner: Drew
WWE United States Championship
Samoa Joe (c) vs. Rey Mysterio
Spain: Still so disappointed that Dominick Mysterio/Guerrero is not being wagered here as well, but considering Samoa Joe is probably getting the win, it’s for the best. Joe needs a good long run with this belt, and no-one knows how long Mysterio’s going to be around for.
Winner (and still WWE United States Champion): Samoa Joe
HARRAK: The storyline injury to Mysterio gives the underdog an out if he loses to Joe and I think he will. Joe needs a long run with the red, white and blue belt.
Winner: Samoa Joe
S.Streeter: I am personally amazed Rey can still walk, let alone go in the ring, but I am an unabashed Samoa Joe fan (another person in the match I consider the best I have seen) and just want Joe to squash him like a bug, but that’s not the match we’re gonna get. I do hope, though, we get to see Joe go aerial because that is always brilliant, and Rey would know how to take it and take it well. I have high hopes for this match.
Winner: (and still champ) Joe
Widro – Could be a sleeper hit of the night.
Winner: Joe
WWE Intercontinental Championship
Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Finn Bálor
Spain: If Finn’s bringing the Demon out, it’s academic.
Winner (and new Intercontinental Champion): Finn Bálor
HARRAK: The Demon is on WrestleMania for the first time so of course he’s walking out with the gold.
Winner AND NEW: Finn Balor
S.Streeter: Nope. Do not care.
Winner: (still champ) Lashley
Widro – Demon = Win
Winner: Balor
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
The Boss ‘n’ Hug Connection (Bayley and Sasha Banks) (c) vs. Beth Phoenix and Natalya vs. The IIconics (Billie Kay and Peyton Royce) vs. Nia Jax and Tamina
Spain: This got overbooked quick, though at least a SmackDown team’s getting a chance at the gold. I can’t see Beth and Natalya taking the belts; I’d like to think that Nia Jax and Tamina’s total lack of wrestling skill would disqualify them from ever holding championships again, and whilst the IIconics could do wonders with a title run, it’s too soon. Look for the Boss ‘n’ Hug Connection to retain.
Winners (and still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions): Bayley and Sasha Banks
HARRAK: Great group of talent for this match and unbelievable seeing Beth Phoenix back. But Banks and Bayley are the face of this division and deserve to be for the foreseeable future.
Winners: The Boss ‘n’ Hug Connection
S.Streeter: Another great thing to happen is the women’s tag division. It gives them more legitimacy, and makes for better storylines. Having said that, I am not a fan of Bayley/Banks and think the IIconics are over-rated. On the other hand, Jax/Snuka seem better suited to the tag ranks and I have already mentioned how much of a fan I am of Natalya, and Phoenix (along with Chyna) changed the landscape of what a female wrestler could be and do and still appeal to the teenaged boys in the audience. So I am going to go by heart not logic.
Winner: (and NEW champs) Beth Phoenix & Natalya
Widro – The Iiconics are some of the worst workers in Wrestlemania history
Winner: Sasha & Bayley
WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship
The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso) (c) vs. Ricochet and Aleister Black vs. The Bar (Cesaro and Sheamus) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev
Spain: I’d have loved to see Ricochet and Aleister Black take on the Usos, but the addition of Jobbers Without Borders should make for a fun, chaotic sprint. I can see the titles being put on Black and Ricochet here, hopefully leading to a programme feuding solely with the Usos.
Winners (and new WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champions): Ricochet and Aleister Black
HARRAK: While The Usos deserve a big ‘Mania moment, it feels like the tag team division is about to be shaken up and who better to lead that change than Ricochet and Aleister Black.
Winners AND NEW: Ricochet and Aleister Black
S.Streeter: Why can I see this being a great big messy clusterf*ck? Having said that, any of the teams could win, and I like not knowing who is coming out the champ. Don’t have high hopes for the match, but they could surprise me and it could be entertaining.
Winner: (and NEW champs) Ricochet & Aleister Black
Widro – This is another chance at a sleeper match of the year.
Winner: The Usos
WWE Raw Tag Team Championship
The Revival (Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson) (c) vs. Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder
Spain: I am very taken aback by this match, but it’s not like RAW is drowning in tag teams at present. At least the Revival will have a WrestleMania win as a result.
Winners (and still WWE RAW Tag Team Champions): The Revival
HARRAK: I love Hawkins and Ryder, they seem like great guys and a WrestleMania win to end Hawkins’ losing streak would be incredible. But would they really job The Revival just to tell that story? Yes, yes they would.
Winners AND NEW: Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder
S.Streeter: Yeah, I don’t care, and don’t have high hopes. Just entertain me for 10 minutes and I’ll be happy.
Winner: (and still champs) The Revivial
Widro – I hate joke matches
Winner: Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder
André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
Spain: Seems like a way to give Braun Strowman another random achievement that means fuck all. He’ll be King of the bastard Ring next.
Winner: Braun Strowman
HARRAK:
Winner: Andrade
S.Streeter: Who doesn’t like an old-fashioned battle royal? And these have been fun. I think I’m going to go for a dark horse, though.
Winner: Bobby Roode
Widro – Could go in many directions.
Winner: Michael Che
WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal
Spain: This seems like this match’s entire purpose is to apologise to Asuka as insultingly as possible.
Winner: Asuka
HARRAK:
Winner: Asuka
S.Streeter: Who doesn’t like an old-fashioned battle royal? The problem is, I didn’t enjoy last year’s women’s battle royal and did not care about the winner. So I’m going to let my heart rule again.
Winner: Mickie James
Widro – Poor Asuka
Winner: Torrie Wilson
WWE Cruiserweight Championship
Buddy Murphy (c) vs. Tony Nese
Spain: I’ve not been paying much attention to 205 Live, but Buddy Murphy’s held the belt for a good long while, and it seems like a title change at WrestleMania would be a sensible end to this feud.
Winner (and new WWE Cruiserweight Champion): Tony Nese
HARRAK: Only picked him cause I saw Mattel is releasing a bunch of figures for him this year.
Winner: Tony Nese
Buddy Murphy (c) vs. Tony Nese
S.Streeter: I miss the WCW cruiserweight division. This doesn’t make up for that.
Winner: (still champ) Buddy Murphy
Widro – Gotta admit I do not keep up with 205 Live.
Winner: Nese
