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So though I’ve been away from my computer for vacation and getting some much needed R&R, I couldn’t stay away from wrestling this close to WrestleMania 35. Now, to get back into things this week leading towards WrestleMania, let’s go through the matches we have set and what we’ve gotten as a build to the stories in the past two weeks.
The Man, The Woo, and The Baddest
The Becky, Charlotte, Ronda saga has been drawn out with quite some changes in the past two weeks. Ronda is in full-heel mode and Charlotte is reporting correctly that she is the only one with a legitimate claim to the WrestleMania title slot. Oh, yes, and we found out that the three way match for the Raw Women’s Championship will be the first-ever women’s WrestleMania main event. And I do believe Becky will win. I mean, she’ll have to. With the last two years’ main events being slight let-downs, we have to end with a pop. It just could’ve been bigger if they’d played the story right.
And controversial as it may be, I truly believe that when Ronda said the reason the women are main-eventing is because of her, she was right. I don’t think the women would be there yet if it weren’t for Rousey. And now, with Charlotte beating Asuka for the Smackdown Women’s Championship, the implications of the main-event may be completely different.
As two title holders going into this match against Becky, we know that the winner will be a dual-title holder. And with the superstar shakeup, we may even unify the women’s titles into one WWE Women’s Championship.
With the first-ever women’s main event at WrestleMania, there is a lot of talk and a lot of hype around the match. Will Ronda retain, providing more mainstream attention to the WWE? Will Becky get a clean win, solidifying her place and her rise over the last few months? Will Charlotte come out on top, taking her rightful place as Queen and legacy? Any story could be written, which makes this match as the main event a good decision for me.
After Mania
Now, if Ronda retains/wins, I could see the company taking Becky and Charlotte in the direction of a tag team. I’m thinking team Fire and Flair.
Universal Title
Rollins had a very hot 2018. As for 2019, with the number one contender for the Universal Title after winning the Royal Rumble, it would seem that he could continue that trajectory. And though I am still a Rollins fan, the fact that his opponent is Brock means that the story remains mostly one-sided. Will it be an amazing match? Absolutely. Is it right to not be the main-event? Based on what we’ve gotten between these two, a second spot completely makes sense.
Roman Reigns v. Drew McIntye
Officially announced on Monday Night Raw last week, Roman Reigns has accepted Drew McIntyre’s challenge and will have a match at WrestleMania 35. Considering where Roman was just a year ago and what he has overcome in the past 6 months, I think it only fitting that two of the biggest men on the roster get to go at each other. No belt on the line, and nothing to prove but who has more of a right to be in their position. These two are workhorses, and the match could be the best of the night.
AJ Styles v. Randy Orton
Veterans and big-name players, this match could be match of the night. I know everyone is jazzed to see the main event and Kofi v. Daniel Bryan, but I would argue that this could be the match of the night. Both wrestlers have a long history without each other, so putting them together almost makes this a battle for “the show”. I love it and I can’t wait.
Triple H v. Batista – double stipulation match
Another big announcement in the Batista/Triple H saga adds a more satisfying stipulation to the match. A No Holds Barred match seemed exciting, but if we really think about it, what holds are currently barred? Maybe a pile driver, but other than that, I can’t think of any holds that are truly barred today. However, adding the stipulation that if Triple H loses his career will be over adds a level of excitement that the match didn’t previously have, aside from the superstars in it. Is it possible we get two retirement matches at Mania? I guess we’ll see.
Intercontinental Championship – Bobby Lashley (c) v. Finn Balor
This one has been going back and forth for a while with Finn holding the title and then losing it back to Bobby Lashley. Both men can put on exciting matches, especially considering the differences in their styles, but I don’t think this is a WrestleMania caliber match and I don’t want Finn to have to be the Demon to defeat Bobby Lashley. The Demon is a character that should be unstoppable and reserved for headline matches. This one is great for TV, but we’ve seen it before.
United States Championship – Samoa Joe (c) v. Rey Mysterio
Aside from Rey being part of the match that ended R-Truth’s US Championship run, there is not story between these two men. This will be, no question, a great wrestling match, but it is likely that no emotional connection exists. Entertaining it will be, but also likely forgettable on the night as a whole.
The Miz v. Shane McMahon – Falls Count Anywhere Match
A little more to this story, but overall missing some real steam aside from the turn on Miz in his hometown at Fastlane. The loss to The Usos hit Shane very hard, and he’d had enough. He’s determined to make The Miz pay. Likely by taking some big dives from items around the ring.
Kurt Angle v. Baron Corbin
As the final match of his career, it seems unlikely that this match will stick as it is. Yes, I know Corbin and Angle have some unfinished business as former GM’s, but this is not what most people see as a farewell match for Angle. Time will tell.
Women’s Battle Royal
After losing her title to Charlotte on Smackdown Live, Asuka has been entered into the Women’s Battle Royal along with 12 other entrants.
Women’s Tag Team Championship – Sasha Banks & Bayley (c) v. Beth Phoenix & Natalya v. Nia Jax & Tamina v. The IIconics
It is likely that this match-up will see a title change for the new Women’s Tag Team Championships and my pick to win is the IIconics. This will take the titles to the blue brand and held solidify their heel status.
Smackdown Tag Team Championship – The Usos (c) v. Ricochet & Aleister Black v. Shinsuke Nakamura & Rusev v. The Bar
With four powerhouse tag teams involved, this match could easily see The Usos retain or any of the other teams take it. The inclusion of Ricochet and Aleister Black just occurred this past week. Prior to that, The Hardy Boyz had the fourth spot. With their recent return and their memorable comeback at WrestleMania 33, my pick was The Hardy Boyz. Now, I think The Usos will retain. As for the Hardy’s, they’ve found their way into the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
Cruiserweight Championship – Buddy Murphy v. Tony Nese
WWE Championship – Daniel Bryan (c) v. Kofi Kingston
Kofi found hard. Big E and Xavier fought hard. And now, Kofi is in a one-on-one match for the WWE Championship. This is pretty sweet. Mostly because Kofi is an amazing competitor and Daniel Bryan has never been better. His heel champion persona is so perfect and he was so right in saying that he knows how Kofi feels. He’s been there. 5 years ago he was there. This is a fight for who has the right to be the people’s champion today. For me, it will be Kofi. I don’t know where it can go, but I do believe he’ll reach the top on Sunday.
Raw Tag Team Championship – The Revival (c) v. ??
For right now, the Raw Tag Team Champions have no opponent at WrestleMania. Anticipating that this will be a 5+ hour card, it is likely that they won’t get a spot.
Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
Confirmed entrants for the Memorial Battle Royal are Braun Strowman, Colin Jost, and Michael Che, and 24 other superstars. I would love to see the hilarity if Jost is able to win, but this will just continue the belief that the winning of this Battle Royal means little.
