We are finally here! WrestleMania 35 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. I will outline each match and give a breakdown of who I think will come out on top and at the end of the article, I will put out Sport Chief’s Staff Predictions. As of today, there are 16 announced matches that will take place on Sunday and the WWE will make sure to keep us entertained on that night. This WrestleMania is one that will go down in the history books. It is the first time that women have headlined the PPV. These women have earned their spot at the top and it will be interesting to see who will be holding up both of the titles at the end of the night/beginning of Monday. If you missed my article yesterday about the predictability of WrestleMania, here it is.

*Predicted Winners are bolded

*Match card is likely not in the exact order

1. WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal

WINNER: Lacey Evans

FINAL 4: Lacey Evans, Asuka, Mandy Rose, and Sonya Deville

I feel like this will kick off the pre-show starting at 5pm EST. The main reason that I think it will is because the SNL hosts are in the Men’s Battle Royal and I think they’ll get a spot closer to the main show. I was dead-set on picking Lacey Evans for this Battle Royal weeks ago. She hasn’t been announced yet, but all of those walks down the ramp on SmackDown and RAW aren’t for nothing. Naomi was the winner of this event last year and she will look to win again at this year’s event. Seeing Asuka in this match is honestly a disgrace. You could make the argument that she deserves to be in the main event, but she will be in the pre-show for this year’s show. I decided to go with Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville for the last 4, because I think this is where they split up. One will turn on the other and we will get a feud pretty soon. The Lady of WWE will prevail in this one.

2. Men’s Singles Match - Cruiserweight Championship Match

Buddy Murphy (C) vs. Tony Nese

When this match was announced, I was ready to mark down another successful title defense for Buddy Murphy, but after doing a little bit of research, I have changed my mind. Both are great performers and I think they will put on an excellent match, but I found out that Tony Nese is from New York. Although WrestleMania is in New Jersey this year, they have been advertising it as New York. I think that this makes too much sense to pass up on. Buddy Murphy has had a successful run as champion, but I think his reign stops on Sunday at 183 days.

3. André The Giant Memorial Battle Royal

WINNER: Bray Wyatt

FINAL 4: EC3, Ali, Braun Strowman, and Bray Wyatt

I think the winner of this match is a mystery, because there are so many possibilities that can happen. There are already 29 confirmed entries, which leads me to believe that there will be one more entry that will be unannounced until the event takes place. SNL hosts Michael Che and Colin Jost are in the match and I can’t imagine that they will not be the first two eliminated. I’m thinking that Jost eliminates Che, then Braun Strowman throws Jost out of the ring. Also, with the announcement of Rob Gronkowski’s retirement, he could be a surprise entry. At WrestleMania 33, Gronk helped his friend Mojo Rawley win the Battle Royal and I think if he enters, then he will win, but I don’t think it is likely. Bray Wyatt hasn’t been announced, but I think he is the most believable entry that hasn’t been confirmed. Another one could be Lars Sullivan, who is overdue to make his main roster debut. Ever since the André Battle Royal has been a thing, the favorite has never won the match. Braun Strowman is the favorite by a pretty good margin, but this could be the year that they change things up.

4. Men’s Singles Match – WWE Championship

Daniel Bryan (C) vs. Kofi Kingston

I think this would be the best match to kick off the main show. It has garnered a lot of attention and some would argue that this match should be in the main event. The Kofi Kingston hype is at its peak and it is crazy to think that he will be competing for a shot at the WWE Championship at WrestleMania in 2019. The way that this match has been built up, I absolutely cannot see the WWE pulling the rug out on this one. Kofi has had to battle too hard in the last few months to reach where he is. If they don’t put Kofi over in this one, I feel like the WWE would’ve wasted a few months for nothing. A win for Daniel Bryan does nothing for him here, but it would mean the world to Kofi, The New Day, and the WWE Universe. If Kofi wins, he would become the first ever African-born WWE superstar to win a major title.

5. Men’s Singles Match

Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles

This match could go either way. There hasn’t been a lot of build for this match, but when both superstars have had a chance to speak, they hit hard with their comments. Here are two of the best to ever perform in a squared circle and they could legitimately steal the show in this one. At the moment, Orton is the slight favorite at -165 odds. The reason I think Styles wins is because Randy Orton ended SmackDown on Tuesday with an RKO, look for Styles to get payback with a win. In the end, a win or loss doesn’t do anything for either competitor, so just enjoy the match.

6. Men’s Fatal 4-Way Tag Team Match – SmackDown Tag Team Championship

The Usos (C) vs. Aleister Black and Ricochet vs. The Bar vs. Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev

This seems like this could go in a number of directions. I cannot find odds for this match, but let’s assume that The Usos are the favorites. They are the champions heading into this match and it was just announced that they renewed their contracts with the WWE. I’m glad to hear this because they are such a great team. Aleister Black and Ricochet had a tag team title match tonight at NXT Takeover: New York City against The War Raiders. They lost the match, but it looks pretty obviously they are going to be mainstays on either SmackDown or RAW. At first, I thought The Usos looked like a good pick for a successful title defense, but I’m going to go with Aleister Black and Ricochet taking the titles, thus becoming permanent members of SmackDown Live.

7. Men’s Singles Match – United States Championship

Samoa Joe (C) vs. Rey Mysterio

This is an odd matchup. It was announced that Rey Mysterio was injured on Monday night, so I’m not sure that he will go on Sunday. There are a lot of options they could go to if he is unable to perform. Kevin Owens isn’t in a match, so he could easily fit right in, John Cena could be in the match, but I have another intriguing idea. They have been pushing the fact that Mysterio’s son Dominick will be in attendance at WrestleMania and he has been training for a few months. He is 21-years old and he has been around the business ever since he was born. This isn’t out of the question, but maybe a little far-fetched. I think Samoa Joe wins, but there could be something special planned for this match

8. Men’s Singles Match

Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre

I have a feeling this will go on later in the match, but I am having a problem figuring out where, so for now, they are going on fifth. The outcome of this match for Roman, in my opinion, doesn’t harm him or help him, but for Drew McIntyre, a win could be big for him. I mentioned a couple weeks ago in the Power Rankings that I think the outcome of this match will be an indicator of another match’s outcome, I’m sure you can figure that one out on your own. I don’t know if this match will act as a number one contender match or what will come of it, but I expect a solid match here. Roman is a decent favorite in the match, but my gut is telling me Drew McIntyre.

9. Men’s Singles Match – Intercontinental Championship

Bobby Lashley (C) vs. Demon King Finn Bálor

The Demon is unleashed! They should’ve never announced this, but I’m glad Bálor is bringing out this persona again. Bobby Lashley just won the title a few weeks ago, but Bálor as a demon just doesn’t lose. It is a special attire that is brought out for big matches and I guess the WWE thought it was the time to do it. I actually think that Lashley will put up a fight in this one, unlike Baron Corbin at the last SummerSlam, but the match is likely to be Bálor’s to lose. He is currently the biggest favorite on the card at -600.

10. Falls Count Anywhere Match

The Miz vs. Shane McMahon

This was the most predictable feud in quite a while, but it has been pretty solid storyline. Currently, The Miz is only a -250 favorite. I was expecting the number to be much larger. Although it doesn’t seem like there will be a lot of disappointment in the outcomes of this PPV, I expect there to be some, but not here. It will be interesting to see where this match ends up in a Falls Count Anywhere stipulation and expect Miz’s father to be proud of him by the end of the night.

11. Men’s Tag Team Match – RAW Tag Team Championship

The Revival (C) vs. Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder

I don’t think we will see this match this late in the card, but I didn’t know where to put it. Curt Hawkins is obviously known for his losing streak and he and Zack Ryder have re-formed their team in the last few months. The Revival have held their tag team titles for nearly two months, but I think it comes to and end on Sunday night. I think that this is a moment much like Tony Nese in the Cruiserweight Championship match. Both Ryder and Hawkins are from New York and I think this will be the time for them to break the proverbial curse and win the titles. Also, The Revival and their contract status is still up in the air and they may be gone after this match. We’ll see.

12. Women’s Fatal 4-Way Match – WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship

Boss ‘N’ Hug Connection (C) vs. Nia Jax and Tamina vs. The IIconics vs. Beth Phoenix and Natalya

This is a truly interesting match. I am excited to see Beth Phoenix back in the ring and she looked like she hasn’t lost a step. She competed and secured a victory on RAW last Monday night and I think if she competes after this match, she and Natalya will have a legitimate shot to take the titles, but unfortunately, I think this will be it for her. I think this will be the continuation of Sasha and Bayley’s reign as champs. It should be a good one though.

13. Men’s Singles Match – Farewell Match

Kurt Angle vs. Baron Corbin (No Decision)

I can’t on good faith believe that Baron Corbin will be Kurt Angle’s last match. If this match happens, I would say that Kurt Angle wins, because the way they have turned the story. It is extremely rare for a superstar to go out with a win, but I can’t see Angle putting over Baron Corbin. If someone takes his place, I think it will be John Cena. Cena hasn’t been confirmed for the event yet, but he will be in the area this weekend. At the Moment, Angle is a -250 favorite, but as I mentioned earlier, the favorites are leaning towards very little disappointment. This could be a disappointing part of the show. Corbin is a good heel and a very underrated performer, but I just don’t think they have went the right way with his character to end the career of someone like Kurt Angle.

14. Men’s Singles Match – No Holds Barred

Batista vs. Triple H

Back in November, Triple H tore his pectoral muscle in a match when he teamed up with Shawn Michaels to take on The Brothers of Destruction at Crown Jewel. It seems a little rushed, but he has been cleared for action. Triple H, per Batista’s request, is putting his career on the line in this one. Is there a possibility that he will lose? Yes, but is it likely? Probably not. Triple H is currently a -400 favorite against The Animal and it will be the first time in nearly 5 years that Batista has competed in the ring. It is no secret these two are getting older and I’m not sure how much either competitor has left in the ring. Batista is 50 and Triple H will be 50 this summer. Maybe this is the way that Triple H goes out? Nah, I doubt it, but it should be entertaining.

15. Men’s Singles Match – Universal Championship

Brock Lesnar (C) vs. Seth Rollins

I know I said that the outcome of the Reigns/McIntyre match could indicate the result of this one, but I also said that WWE has set us up for a lot of good moments. The WWE is the best at playing with the emotions of fans. There will be disappointment in the PPV and I think this will be one of the most disappointing things that they could do. What would be more of a letdown than having Brock Lesnar retain? The WWE Championship match may be the only exception. The WWE can afford having either Kofi or Rollins losing, but I don’t think they can afford both of them losing. Rollins is the favorite at -140 at the moment, but I think Lesnar is champ for a little while longer.

16. Women’s Triple Threat – Winner Takes All (SmackDown and RAW Women’s Championship)

Ronda Rousey (C) vs. Charlotte Flair (C) vs. Becky Lynch

The moment we’ve all been waiting for. The Triple Threat match between Rousey, Flair, and Lynch. After Fastlane, I thought that this feud might get a little stale heading into WrestleMania, but I am glad that I was wrong. Many would argue that these women wouldn’t be in the main event without Ronda Rousey and I think that is correct. Ronda Rousey’s presence has put the women’s division in another dimension. There was a shocking turn of events a couple weeks ago when Charlotte Flair beat Asuka to win the SmackDown Women’s Championship. Now that this has happened, it appears that the titles will be unified into one belt, but maybe that isn’t the case. Whoever wins the match will have both titles at the end of the night, but I think it is pretty evident that superstars are crossing brands more often lately, so it is safe to assume they will have just one Women’s Championship in the near future. Who knows, they might add a Women’s Intercontinental Championship. If Rousey stays past WrestleMania, then I think she is a lock to win, but I think she is leaving for a little while. Charlotte Flair makes sense too and honestly, I don’t think there will be a backlash if Becky doesn’t win here. Unlike the WWE and Universal title matches, I don’t think, for the most part, that fans will be upset with any of them winning. Each one of these women has earned the right to hold up both titles at the end of the night. However, I just think there has been too much support for Becky Lynch to come up empty-handed here.

Yacs

Here are the Staff Predictions for The Sports Chief

WrestleMania 35 Predictions