The road to WrestleMania continues!
This road gets longer and longer every year. Starts at the Royal Rumble, and this year includes both Elimination Chamber and Fastlane to set the stage. Then numerous Raw, Smackdown and maybe even NXT to form the card. There was a time when most of the card was set or at least obvious after the Rumble. Not anymore.
So what will happen tonight and how will it lead to WrestleMania?
Mojo Rawley vs. Curt Hawkins.
What is this? The Zack Ryder on a pole match? Winner gets to Woo Woo Woo him on a date? I would give the win to the new guy and maybe get some momentum over the forgotten Edge-head who was brought back to little reaction.
Mojo for the win.
Tag Team Turmoil.
The battle of who is over. American Alpha is the only team with a fan base. Heath Slater is over, but Rhino is not. The rest of the teams are just there. It makes more sense to keep American Alpha looking strong and maybe get a good feud going soon instead of dropping the titles to any of these teams.
American Alpha retains.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Apollo Crews and Kalisto.
It makes sense for Dolph to lose in a two on one match. But it makes more sense for him to do something dastardly to get the win and continue his heel turn.
Dolph for the win.
Luke Harper vs. Randy Orton.
There is no way the winner of the 2017 Royal Rumble loses before WrestleMania.
Orton wins decisively.
Three women’s matches on the card! None of them over a man!
Alexa Bliss vs. Naomi.
Naomi will absolutely have this title at some point. She is one of the most ridiculously athletically gifted women ever in WWE. And she keeps getting better. But Alexa has finally found her character and is gaining in popularity, and merchandise. Keep the belt on Alexa at least until ‘Mania so she can cement her spot and continue to grow.
Alexa retains.
Becky Lynch vs. Mickie James.
Becky has a gift. She can lose and still look strong. The only one of the IV Horse-women to not be NXT champion and not the current Smackdown’s Women’s champion and yet she always looks to be dominant. Mickie has just returned and needs a win to look like a valid contender in this new era of women’s wrestling.
Mickie James wins.
Nikki Bella vs. Natalya.
What happened to Natayla? She has become the biggest after thought despite being full of talent. I am predicting this match solely based off of the WrestleMania rumors and guessing that Natalya dominates Nikki. Hands her an embarrassing loss. This leads to some backstage segment where Maryse laughs, says even she could beat Nikki. The two women fight, Miz gets involved and then the mixed tag WrestleMania match is set.
Which also affects the main event.
The Elimination Chamber.
Not a chance in hell Baron wins the title. Dean Ambrose didn’t set the world on fire during his first championship run and right before ‘Mania is not the time to try again. Same with the Miz.
No one wants to see John Cena vs Randy Orton for a title again. No one. Its been done. WrestleMania should have something new and world changing. Not round 27 of a series.
This leaves AJ or Bray.
Now, AJ Styles vs Randy Orton would be something new and different. Lot of potential here. However, the Wyatt Family explosion culminating in the Eater of Worlds vs the Viper on the grandest stage of them all? Now that’s good story telling!
In order to make WrestleMania feature something new and exciting, I predict Bray Wyatt leaves the new World champion.
Leave your predictions below:
