We have almost reached the end of the Road to WrestleMania 34, with just a few days to go until the “Showcase of the Immortals”. As we close in on Sunday, we now have clarity on how the event is shaping up. WrestleMania 34 is set to take place Sunday, April 8th, in New Orleans. As of now, the card is stacked and is set to be one of the biggest events in sports entertainment this year. The five hour event kicks off at 7 PM, with a two hour pregame show beforehand. With all the star-studded matches this is bound to be the WWE’s biggest pay-per-view event of the year. Now let’s break down each match ahead of Sunday:
WWE Championship: AJ Styles vs Shinsuke Nakamura
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. AJ Styles could possibly be one of the most entertaining matches in WWE history. Nakamura called out Styles after winning the 30 man Royal Rumble, and the two have been in a heated rivalry ever since. While the match will not be the main event at WrestleMania, it certainly will not lack drama.
Prediction: AJ Styles Retains the Title
Shinsuke Nakamura’s journey to the biggest match of his career will not have a dream ending. AJ Styles reigns as the face that runs the place. Styles will successfully defend his title against his longtime rival Nakamura on Sunday in their highly anticipated match-up. While Nakamura came into the WWE with tons of hype, he really has not panned out. His character development has been rather lackluster, and the WWE has done nothing to show fans that Nakamura is ready to be the guy. Styles is far more developed, and is the safe route for business. Nakamura will one day be the WWE champion, but for now the phenomenal one will remain the face that runs the place.
Universal Champion: Brock Lesnar vs Roman Reigns
In the most anticipated match of WrestleMania the reigning, defending, undisputed heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar is set to defend his title against Roman Reigns. Reigns has been calling out Brock for not respecting him or the WWE. Over the past few weeks, Lesnar has delivered multiple beat downs to Reigns to remind him why he is the champ. But this past Monday, Reigns confronted Lesnar and knocked the beast down, landing four super man punches. Setting up a fight full of real hate this Sunday for the title Universal Champion.
Prediction: Reigns Dethrones Lesnar
This is by far the easiest match to predict on the card. Roman Reigns is going to defeat Brock Lesnar; it’s all but guaranteed. There are going to be people who say Lesnar will retain the title because of some plot twist, but they are wrong. Lesnar originally won the Universal title from Goldberg at WrestleMania 33 last year. Since then, Lesnar has dominated every challenge that has confronted him, from Braun Strowman to Samoa Joe. Roman Reigns is the least respectable opponent who stands in Lesnar’s way. As of late, WWE has made an effort to get fans behind Reigns by painting him as the hard-working guy who shows up to work everyday. While Lesnar has become the entitled champ who only cares about himself. This is Reigns’s time to finally get the WWE universe behind him.
United States Championship: Randy Orton vs. Bobby Roode vs. Jinder Mahal vs. Rusev
The four-way match has potential to be the underrated match of the night. Randy Orton won the title at Fastlane over Bobby Roode, completing his career grand slam. Now Roode is seeking to take back his title from the viper. However, with Jinder Mahal and the newest member of the match, Rusev, standing in the way, it’s one of the few matches at WrestleMania that really could go anyway.
Prediction: Orton Remains United States Champion
Orton is not the hottest pick or the boldest. But it seems like the route WWE is going to go at WrestleMania. While Jinder Mahal will be champion one day, it’s not his time yet. Rusev got into the match by pinning Orton on Smackdown, but he will not have the same luck on the big stage. Expect Orton to swoop in out of nowhere and retain the title for the time being.
Raw Tag Team Championship: The Bar vs. Braun Strowman & TBA
While it would be quite hilarious to see Braun Strowman be his single man tag team, WWE has made it quite clear that is not going to happen. So Strowman is going to have to pick a partner. The Bar and Strowman have been going at it on Raw the past few weeks, and the Bar has shown they can hang with Strowman one on one. Now, the Bar the tag team champs are going to get a chance to show why they are the best tag team going. But will their tag team talents be able to overcome the monster among men?
Prediction: The Bar Wins
As of now, rumors are flying around on who Strowmans partner is going to be. But it’s not really going to matter, since whoever gets picked is only there to take the fall. WWE cannot have their only really representable tag team on Raw lose to Strowman. While it will be quite entertaining watching Strowman work on a team, in the end the Bar will pull out the victory to retain their title.
Intercontinental Championship: The Miz vs. Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor
Seth Rollins and Finn Balor have provided some of the best matches on Smackdown and Raw over the past few weeks. Now the two will get their opportunity to dethrone the Intercontinental Champion, The Miz. Miz is closing in on the record for most days as Intercontinental Champion. But both Finn Balor and Seth Rollins are more than deserving of the title. Do they have enough to take down the champ?
Prediction: Finn Balor Takes over as Intercontinental Champion
While Miz is closing in on most days as Intercontinental Champion it seems like its time for a title change. It seems like The Miz may be moving on to compete for the Universal Champion, which means that the title is going to have to change hands. While both Rollins and Balor are more than deserving of the title, Balor needs the title way more than Rollins at this point. Balor will get his WrestleMania moment by pinning the reigning champ giving him the pop he needs in the WWE.
Daniel Bryan & Shane McMahon vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
Would WWE really have Daniel Bryan lose in his first match back? Hell yeah they will! Bryan and McMahon have a bumpy relationship to say the least. Many have been waiting for the big blow up between the two, and that is exactly what’s going to happen on Sunday. McMahon will turn on Bryan, giving the victory to Owens and Zayn, reinstating the polarizing stars.
Prediction: Owens and Zayn Wins
SmackDown Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka
914 days. That’s when Asuka’s streak will end. Yep, the Queen Charlotte Flair will dethrone the empress Asuka at WrestleMania. New Orleans is the place that Undertaker’s historic streak ended, and it’s where Asuka’s will too. Flair will remind the WWE universe that she is the greatest female performer in WWE history. One thing all fans will enjoy is it is destined to be one hell of a match between two hard-working champs.
Prediction: Flair Ends the Streak
Women’s WrestleMania Battle Royal: Ruby Riott Wins
Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal: Elias Wins
Cruiserweight Championship: Cedric Alexander Wins
SmackDown Tag Team Championship: The Bludgeon Brothers Win
Raw Women’s Championship: Nia Jax Wins
Ronda Rousey & Kurt Angle vs. Stephanie McMahon & Triple H: Rousey and Angle Win
John Cena vs. The Undertaker TBD: Cena Wins