WWE WrestleMania 35 preview and predictions

It’s finally upon us: WrestleMania. WWE’s season finale, season premiere and Super Bowl all rolled into one is happening this Sunday from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This year’s card, while perhaps excessively long, looks to be a good one. Both brands’ world titles will be on the line, but for the first time ever, a title that’s not a world championship will headline the Showcase of the Immortals, as both Women’s Championships are on the line in the show’s main event when Ronda Rousey defends her Raw Women’s Championship and Charlotte Flair defends her SmackDown Women’s Championship against each other and Becky Lynch (got all that?)

So with 15 matches to get to, without further adieu, let’s break down the card:

WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal

The second annual WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal will go down on the Kickoff Show. At the time of this writing, the confirmed participants in the match are: Asuka, Carmella, Naomi, Lana, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, Nikki Cross, Dana Brooke, Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan, Sarah Logan, Mickie James, and Zelina Vega. Look for Asuka to be in a kicking-heads-in type of mood after losing her SmackDown Women’s Championship to Charlotte Flair less than two weeks before WrestleMania.

Patrick: I still can’t believe Asuka is relegated to the pre-show battle royal. It is downright criminal how they have been treating such a unique and popular wrestler. The only outcome I will accept here is Asuka just absolutely decimating everybody in this thing and coming home with the weird uterus trophy. At least it’s…something?
Winner: Asuka

Jay: How does Asuka not win this? She’s really the only viable candidate and there’s a ready made storyline for her considering that Becky or Charlotte will likely win the main event. BUT then again, it’s a pre-show match that never really does anything for anyone. It’ll probably be Lacey Evans.
Winner: Lacey Evans

Jason: WWE loves to throw curveballs when there are no stakes, so like Jay, figure someone not currently announced for the match is taking this one. If it’s not the Sassy Southern Belle, however, I’m going to go even further left field and call it for another NXT call up. Since I don’t think she’s taking home gold on Friday, I could easily see Bianca Belair getting the Baron Corbin rub and debuting on the main roster by last eliminating a mid-struggle Asuka/Lacey.
Winner: Bianca Belair

Brian: With the SmackDown Live Women’s Title wrapped around Charlotte’s waist and eight other women tied up in a fatal four-way for the Women’s Tag Titles (also most likely on the Kickoff), this is an opportunity — once again — for some of the women to take the initiative and prove to everyone not named Vincent K. McMahon that they are worth more than this.  Asuka is an obvious pick to win, but I’m not confident in that. I think a new face moving into the women’s main events wins this one.
Winner: Ruby Riott

André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal

The sixth annual André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal is also taking place on the Kickoff Show, and while over two dozen participants have been announced, all eyes are on Braun Strowman and his beef with SNL‘s Weekend Update correspondents, Colin Jost and Michael Che. Will they, and more than 20 other WWE Superstars, get these hands?

Patrick: The lineup of this battle royal is a who’s who of jabronis and wasted talent, save for Braun Strowman, and he’s feuding with…a couple of dudes from Saturday Night Live. Oh well, it’s not like winning the André has ever amounted to much anyway. At its best it’s a publicity stunt (see: Gronk bowling over Jinder at Mania 33), so expect either Braun or — god help us — Colin Jost or Michael Che to walk away with this one.
Winner: I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Colin Jost or Michael Che

Jay: The only storyline surrounding the match is Braun vs. Colin Jost and Michael Che. Celebs do have a precedent of winning via shenanigans so I wouldn’t be surprised if Jost walka away with it BUT Braun is Braun and I don’t think they’ve given up on him entirely yet.
Winner: Braun Strowman

Jason: Like my call for the “Not Moolah,” I think the ARMBAR winner needs to be a surprise — and not in a “The second best anchor of SNL‘s Weekend Update” kind of way. He’s not currently announced for the match, but given that this is potentially the most successful year in his career in at least the past 10, I think R-Truth may just walk away with the big plastic baby.
Winner: R-Truth

Brian: I really want to care, but why should I?  No one who has won this match has really done anything significant.  Looking at the current list of entrants, there is one former WWE Champion (Jinder Mahal), Braun Strowman, and The Hardyz.  Other than that, it’s a list of C+ players. OK, fine. I’m rooting for a late Kevin Owens entrance and giving him some momentum to get back into the WWE Championship picture.
Winner: KOMania 3!

Buddy Murphy (c) vs. Tony Nese (WWE Cruiserweight Championship)

Buddy Murphy has had a stranglehold over 205 Live since winning the Cruiserweight Championship back in October. His latest challenger is Tony Nese, who defeated former champion Cedric Alexander in this year’s Cruiserweight Championship Tournament to earn the match. While no one has any reason to doubt the champion, Tony Nese has eight reasons why you shouldn’t sleep on him, either.

Patrick: I mean, Murphy, I guess? I wish I could provide more analysis on these Cruiserweight Championship matches, and I’m sure it’ll be a solid matchup, but I just haven’t seen much 205 Live as of late. So Murphy gets my token pick, as he always does.
Winner: Buddy Murphy

Jay: This is likely to be sandwiched between the Andre the Giant Battle Royal and the Women’s Battle Royal on the pre-show. They’ll likely have Nese win just to pump up the crowd with a title change.
Winner: Tony Nese

Jason: Tony Nese has really been turning heads lately, but do I think it’s enough to unseat the juggernaut that is Buddy Murphy? Nah, man. Unless those rumors about bringing Gargano to the CW division are true (and for the love of god, I pray they aren’t) then I’m perfectly fine with Buddy hanging onto that grape Fruit by the Foot until they retire the damn thing and just fold all of these guys into the tag division or whatever. #BM4Eva
Winner: Buddy Murphy

Brian: I’m interested in the match, but not really the match-up, if that makes sense.  Buddy Murphy is the best thing going in the CW division not named Cedric Alexander and should retain.
Winner: Buddy Murphy

The Usos (c) vs. Ricochet and Aleister Black vs. The Bar vs. Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev (SmackDown Tag Team Championships)

As punishment for forfeiting their spot in the tag team gauntlet match that ultimately propelled Kofi Kingston to the WWE Championship match, WrestleMania host (and apparently booker) Alexa Bliss ordered The Usos to defend their SmackDown Tag Team Championships in a fatal four way tag team match against The Bar, Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev, and the new team on the block, Aleister Black and Ricochet.

Patrick: I could see Ricochet and Aleister Black coming away with these because they are the cool team right now, but they are currently competing in three different tag divisions, and I’m guessing they aren’t going to stay as a tag team for very long — both guys have much higher ceilings as singles guys. The Usos just signed a fat new contract with WWE, so I think it’s time to build the SmackDown Tag Team division back up around them.
Winners: The Usos

Jay: The Bar. The Usos and Shinsuke are likely Raw bound in the Superstar Shake-Up and I doubt they have long term plans for Black and Ricochet as a tag team, so The Bar is really the only viable team to take it here.
Winners: The Bar

Jason: The beautiful thing about all these multi-person matchups is that we all have different picks! While I agree with Patrick and Jay that the future of Blackochet is as singles stars, I still gotta go with the NXT exports. If nothing else, I feel like Ricochet’s gonna get a Mania moment, so why not have it with him hoisting a gaudy blue and silver title over his head?
Winners: Aleister Black and Ricochet

Brian: Who else was super excited to have a kayfabe reason for this match?!  There’s a lot of room to maneuver in this match and plenty of places for Ricochet and Black to show off on their first WrestleMania.  I would be super interested to see R&B show up with the NXT tag titles around their waists, but that’s another prediction article.  Usos retain in a MOTN contender.
Winner: The Usos

Boss ‘n’ Hug Connection (c) vs. Beth Phoenix and Natalya vs. The IIconics vs. Nia Jax and Tamina (WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships)

The blue brand’s tag championships aren’t the only set of tandem titles to be defended in a fatal four way match. Sasha Banks and Bayley look to continue being the only WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions ever, as they defend against Nia Jax and Tamina, the IIconics, and Natalya and a returning Beth Phoenix — who retired from in-ring competition seven years ago. Will the Boss ‘n’ Hug Connection be able to extend their historic title reign?

Patrick: It doesn’t seem like WWE is quite ready to pull the trigger on the IIconics yet — a pity, because they are a very entertaining duo and could work magic with the tag team titles. Natalya and Beth Phoenix have a chance, but one would assume the Glamazon’s return run will be short lived. And Nia Jax and Tamina…no. My money’s on Boss ‘n’ Hug.
Winners: Boss ‘n’ Hug Connection

Jay: These are new belts and they’ll likely want to establish a lineage for them with a WrestleMania moment. Beth Phoenix isn’t sticking around long term so it comes down to The IIconics vs. Nia and Tamina. I’m gonna go with the IIconics simply because they have a shot to really establish them which is more valuable at this juncture than adding to Nia’s or Tamina’s resume.
Winners: The IIconics

Jason: As long as Nia and Tamina lose, we all win. So I’m voting against the Samoan Slaughterhouse, no way Beth’s sticking around for a title run, and even though the idea of a “Horsewomen curtain call” was ruined by the needless “winner take all” stipulation in the main event, I think Banks and Bayley are just too popular to drop the belts to my precious Peyton and Billie at Mania. The IIconics will have their day in the sun some day, but Boss ‘n’ Hug are rolling on this one.
Winners: Boss ‘n’ Hug Connection

Brian: I hate that we’re all using logic to pick a winner here.  I’d much rather be debating options. Unless they’ve gotten Beth Phoenix to hang around until the next PPV or two and travel between brands, the Divas of Doom are out.  It would be an amazing gift to their legacy, but no. The curtain call would have been cool, but that’s out thanks to overbooking. I think Boss ‘n’ Hug are the right call to continue the establishment of inter-brand competition.
Winners: Boss ‘n’ Hug

Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Finn Bálor (WWE Intercontinental Championship)

Bobby Lashley and his hype man Lio Rush have been thorns in the side of Finn Balor for months now. But they may have gone too far, as come WrestleMania, the All Mighty won’t be defending his Intercontinental Championship against Finn Balor the man, no. He’ll be face to face with the Demon.

Patrick: I’ve been begging for the Demon for months and this is how it finally happens. I guess I never should have wished for it on that monkey’s paw. Finn’s “transformation” on Monday was some of the cringiest stuff I’ve seen in a while, and that’s from a guy who watches six to nine hours of pro wrestling on a weekly basis. Regardless, the Demon never loses, so Finn Balor will be coming away with the Intercontinental Championship.
Winner: Finn Balor

Jay: “Demon” Balor is undefeated and this will likely be the main show opener. Balor is gonna take it.
Winner: Balor

Jason: Lashley may look like money and smell like money, but Demon Balor is the smart money on this one. He’s got the second highest Superstar rating in the game, and even with ‘the 24-year-old piece of gold” supporting Bobbo on the outside, Fergal’s getting some body paint on that IC title belt on Sunday.
Winner: The Demon Balor

Brian: I don’t care how it happened, we get Demon Balor at Mania.  Just please wait until after dark to run this match.
Winner: The Demon Finn Balor

Samoa Joe (c) vs. Rey Mysterio (WWE United States Championship)

The United States title picture has been volatile as of late, but Samoa Joe was able to snatch it from the hands of R-Truth last month to win his first piece of hardware on the main roster. This Sunday, he’s set to defend it against former two time world champion Rey Mysterio — that’s assuming Mysterio can compete, of course, following an ankle injury this week on SmackDown LIVE!.

Patrick: I hope Rey Rey is able to wrestle this Sunday — not just because it would suck for him to come back and miss WrestleMania by six days, but also because a match against him would be an awesome showcase for Samoa Joe, a man who’s sort of stalled out on the main roster. Even if he can’t, though, no matter who the Samoan Submission Specialist faces off against Sunday, I predict he’ll hang onto that red, white and blue strap.
Winner: Samoa Joe

Jay: Samoa Joe is going keep the belt but the question is if Rey is gonna show. Rey suffered an ankle injury this past week and hopefully will be able to compete. If not, I wouldn’t be surprised if we get a John Cena appearance here an an impromptu match. So if Rey shows, Joe will beat him outright but if Cena appears, Joe will lose by DQ and keep the belt.
Winner: Samoa Joe if Rey wrestles, John Cena by DQ if Rey is unable to compete.

Jason: I’m also predicting a late-in-the-game John Cena appearance, but I feel like you should never bet against Big Match John on the grandest stage of them all. I think Rey bows out, announces the super Cena sub-in, and we get a few weeks of US Open challenges before the belt finds its way onto a more needy up-and-comer like Mustafa Ali or Andrade “Cien” Almas.
Winner: John Cena

Brian: Rey getting injured throws a wrench in these plans, but I think Joe retains no matter who his opponent is.  By the by, how bizarre is it that John Cena is the person so many fans want to see in at least 2 matches?
Winner: Samoa Joe

Shane McMahon vs. The Miz (Falls Count Anywhere match)

Following the shocking and brutal assault on The Miz at the hands of his Best in the World Bestie, Shane McMahon, last month at WWE Fastlane, The Miz has vowed to exact revenge on behalf of himself and his dad. And in a Falls Count Anywhere match, Miz can do whatever he can dream up to Shane-O-Mac, and it’s all legal.

Patrick: The Miz is an honorable babyface and I love it — wait, WHAT?! This storyline is perhaps the most pleasant surprise in all of WWE for me as of late, and I hope The Miz gets a proper WrestleMania moment here. Yes, I know he retained the WWE Championship in the main event of a WrestleMania before, but even then, Miz was an afterthought. He needs to get his moment in the sun here.
Winner: The Miz

Jay: Shane never wins.
Winner: The Miz

Jason: I know that poetically it makes sense for Miz to win. I know that realistically it makes sense for the pro to beat the part timer. I know that logistically it makes sense to put your full timer over the attraction. And yet, I still see Shane taking this. Heels can’t lose all of these matches, and Miz can eat a loss from the boss’s son before getting his revenge at the next Saudi house show (considering these two are among the only names keen to head back to the Arabian peninsula). I think this is the ever elusive Shane-O-Mania win we’ve all been clamoring for since….well never, but this is the WWE. They aren’t keen to give fans what they want too often.
Winner: Shane McMahon

Brian: Face Miz is best Miz?  Not sure, but I’m enjoying most of this angle we all saw coming since the last event held in a particular country that rhymes with “Murders Journalists.”  

Winner: The Miz (and finally earns the love of his father even though he held the WWE title and once headlined WrestleMania, but beating a 50-year old man is the thing that will push the old man over the edge).

Kurt Angle vs. Baron Corbin

A legendary career of a once-in-a-generation talent comes to a close on the Grandest Stage of Them All against…Baron Cobrin?! The WWE Universe has expressed their displeasure with the Olympic Hero’s choice of opponent, but that hasn’t swayed Angle. He wants revenge on the Lone Wolf, who made Angle’s life miserable as Raw General Manager.

Patrick: I’m still holding out hope that this match doesn’t go on as advertised and this ends up being John Cena’s rumored, super-secret Mania match. But much like the Samoa Joe match, I think no matter who Kurt Angle goes up against here, he’s getting the win with one last ankle lock. It’s true, it’s damn true.
Winner: Kurt Angle

Jay: The plan initially was probably to have Angle win but after weeks of backlash from fans — the temptation to put heat on Baron Corbin will be too much to resist. Corbin is going to take it but then get beat down after the fact by Angle.
Winner: Baron Corbin

Jason: Kurt’s a team player, but so is Corbin, and I think that means sweet Barry C’s counting the lights for this one. If Angle were a heel or his opponent a face, I could totally see him taking the L, but given just how unlikable Corby is and what a downer it would be to send sad, broken ass Kurt Angle up the ramp for the last time after losing to a bald goth maître d′, Angle’s riding into the sunset on a high note…then get beaten mercilessly by TGIFriday’s tallest bartender on Monday night’s Raw.
Winner: Kurt Angle

Brian: Unlike most retirement matches, this one isn’t a stipulation.  While we all wanted to see Cena in this spot, Corbin might actually be the guy that Angle wanted to wrestle.  Considering how rough his matches have been recently, maybe we should have done this last year.
Winner: Kurt Angle

AJ Styles vs. Randy Orton

Randy Orton has been hellbent on snuffing out the WWE Universe’s favorite Superstars as of late, and there are few more popular than the Phenomenal One. Ever since this match was made official, it’s been gotten extremely personal, as the Face That Runs the Place and the Viper have traded verbal jabs for weeks.

Patrick: This is lowkey my favorite feud going into WrestleMania, and I never thought I’d be saying that. Don’t get me wrong, I love AJ Styles and I don’t have anything against Randy Orton, but on paper this feud just isn’t terribly exciting. But then came the promos. These two have been going straight for the jugular, bringing up real-life issues ranging from AJ’s failure to reach WWE for most of his career to Orton failing drug tests. Their diss battles have become must-see TV, and AJ Styles vs. a motivated, heel Randy Orton could easily steal the show Sunday night. It’s a hard one to predict, but I think this will be one of the few matches where the heel comes away with the victory.
Winner: Randy Orton

Jay: There’s no point to having Orton win it.
Winner: AJ Styles

Jason: The build to this has been pretty great, but I couldn’t tell you the last time I was excited for an Orton outing. Knowing that he’s going to be knocked flatter than Styles’ view of the Earth does temper my enthusiasm for this one too. They gave us the RKO spot on Tuesday because we won’t be getting one on Sunday, which is fine. I just hope AJ wears a color other than ‘LIME!!!!’
Winner: AJ Styles

Brian: Engaged Orton is Best Orton.  Not much to say, but this is a great feud of King of the Indies v The Perfect Superstar.  Orton looks good, but AJ goes over here for the feel-good match.
Winner: AJ Styles

Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre

Roman Reigns shocked the world when he returned to WWE just five months after leaving to battle leukemia, announcing he was in remission and would be back in action immediately much to everyone’s delight. Well, everyone except Drew McIntyre, who took the Big Dog’s return as an opportunity to further his own career. Will Roman be able to prove once again that it’s his yard?

Patrick: A standard rule of mine in these predictions for years has been you never bet against the Big Dog, and that goes double when it’s his return match at WrestleMania after beating cancer. WWE will finally get what they want: unanimous praise on Roman Reigns after he fells a dastardly opponent.
Winner: Roman Reigns

Jay: Drew is going to look strong but Roman is going to look stronger. The past four WrestleManias have been designed to make Roman look strong and he’s going to look strong this Sunday.
Winner: Roman is going to look strong.

Jason: The man beat cancer, but can he beat a large Scottish g…yes. He can. He will. Roman’s winning this one. Not a lot to say about it.
Winner: The Guy with a Decent Car

Brian: Roman wins and the fans actually cheer this year.  Drew looks good regardless. Also, f*ck cancer.
Winner: Joe Anoa’i

Triple H vs. Batista (If Triple H loses, he must retire from in-ring competition)

Batista has made a name for himself in Hollywood since leaving WWE, but he hasn’t been shy about the fact that he still wants one final match against his former mentor, Triple H. That idea became a demand on the Road to WrestleMania, when Batista attacked Ric Flair on his 70th birthday in an effort to get Triple H’s attention. He has that attention now, and if Triple H loses this Sunday, he has vowed to retire from in-ring competition.

Patrick: Not that being forced to retire in pro wrestling means anything, but in addition to the retirement angle, they have been playing up the fact that Batista claims Triple H has never beaten him quite a bit, so it only makes sense for The Game to get his revenge here.
Winner: Triple H

Jay: Batista is leaving and Triple H is staying. Plus, Triple H has never beat Batista. There is no reason for Batista to win hence, Big H is going to go over with the ‘gree.
Winner: Triple H

Jason: Man, has Batista been great during this build. A true lesson in “less is more” performance. The man’s a walking meme and the clear heel. Facing the guy who runs the show. Who has never beat him. And if he loses he retires. OK, so big Dave’s losing this one, but still, for how great he’s been in the build, Drax was worth every penny.
Winner: Trips

Brian: It’s so odd seeing Batista back after all the films he’s done.  For the first time in a while, he’s not the largest guy in the room.  Triple H will, by the time he actually retires, pass Undertaker for the most matches at Mania (26 for Taker, 23 for Triple H after Sunday).  Not today, Drax. Enjoy your time left in the Soul Stone.
Winner: Triple H

Daniel Bryan (c) vs. Kofi Kingston (WWE Championship)

Daniel Bryan has become everything he once hated: an arrogant, tyrannical champion dismissing Superstars with legitimate grassroots support as a “B+ player.” KofiMania has taken the WWE Universe by storm ever since the elder statesman of the New Day came within inches of winning the WWE Championship back at Elimination Chamber. Can the 11 year odyssey come to a close this Sunday?

Patrick: WWE, much like the rise of Daniel Bryan all those years ago, was handed this storyline on a silver platter. It would be insane for them not to take advantage and give us a feel-good moment for the ages here. New Day still has mileage, but they’ve almost outgrown the tag division. Seeing (in my opinion) the most deserving member of it win the WWE Championship at a WrestleMania would be a WrestleMania moment that’d last a lifetime.
Winner: Kofi Kingston

Jay: Kofi’s going to take it. This is a twisted-inversion of D-Bryan’s story for WrestleMania XXX and it’s perfect cannon fodder for Bryan to complain after the fact and keep the feud going. There’s more mileage for this angle if Kofi wins.
Winner: Kofi Kingston

Jason: Hey WWE, it’s your buddy Jason. How are things? Yeah that’s great, hey listen. You know Kofi NEEDS to win this thing, right? Like it’s the biggest story on the show…and he’d be the first African American WWE Champion…and a large portion of your fanbase believes Vince made it hard for him to get here because of racism…and you royally fucked up your chance to do this the right way with Booker T at Mania XIX…do…do I need to give you more reasons? You can give Bryan the hemp belt back at Backlash if you want. You just need to give this to Kofi at Mania. Like for real. Perhaps Dave can say it better than I….
Winner: Kofi Kingston or we riot(t)

Brian: It’s been five years since Daniel Bryan improbably won at WrestleMania XXX.  Using the “B+ player” stuff against Kofi has been brilliant and the boos raining down on Bryan have been epic.  E and Xavier take out Rowan, leaving Kofi to hit a Trouble in Paradise in the middle of Bryan’s Running Knee to become the 51st man to win the WWE Championship.
Winner: F*ckin’ better be Kofi

Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Seth Rollins (WWE Universal Championship)

Brock Lesnar has dominated the Universal Championship scene for the better part of two years, but his part time schedule and lack of passion for WWE has essentially left Monday Night Raw without a world champion. Seth Rollins looks to change that at WrestleMania, when the winner of the 2019 men’s Royal Rumble match tries to burn Suplex City to the ground.

Patrick: This feels like one of the most obvious and predictable WrestleManias in some time, but I don’t mean that as a knock. Seth Rollins finally slaying the Beast is absolutely what needs to happen. Brock can stay around as a special attraction, but Raw needs a fighting champion, and Rollins has put the red brand on his back for the past year plus.
Winner: Seth Rollins

Jay: Rollins seemed like a sure bet till last Monday when he got the upper hand on Lesnar. Common booking conventions dictate that Lesnar would win at Mania. Plus, it’s hard to accept that WWE would have three feel-good main event endings. But then again I can see Lesnar losing and then being shunted over to SmackDown Live in preparation for their debut on Fox. I think Rollins is going to take it.
Winner: Seth Rollins

Jason: I’m of the mind that there are three big matches where fans want a babyface win, and we’re only going to get 2 of those. Of the three, this is the match I can most see going for the heel. Seth is great, and I’m sure he’ll put on a good show against Lesnar, but (much like Balor at the Royal Rumble) it just doesn’t feel like he’s been developed as a threat to the beast. Yeah he stood tall on Monday, but the math on that is inconsistent at best. Seth can eat this loss and keep his place at the top of the card, whereas Kofi and Becky need big wins to validate their place in the pecking order. As such, I see the Beast holding the belt at least until that Saudi money calls to him like the sirens of old.
Winner: Brock Lesnar

Brian: I’m over Lesnar and have been for a while.  His character does not need the title. If WWE wants to make the Universal Title actually mean something, they need to keep it away from Lesnar, Goldberg, and any other part-timer.  I’m not sure how the show grows without a top title. Hopefully, this will become a Rollins v McIntyre feud before SummerSlam.
Winner: Seth Freakin’ Rollins

Ronda Rousey (c) vs. Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Becky Lynch (Raw and SmackDown Women’s Championships)

This is it. A rivalry for the ages that has been brewing ever since Survivor Series, Becky Lynch will finally get a chance to prove that she’s The Man in the first-ever women’s main event of WrestleMania. But now she won’t have to just take down the Baddest Woman on the Planet — Charlotte Flair has weaseled her way into this matchup, and she’s now carrying some hardware of her own. It’s winner take all this Sunday.

Patrick: This feud has been overthought, overbooked, and given layers it didn’t need, but the legendary brawl that took place this Monday between these three women sucked me right back in. I’ve been looking forward to the payoff to this feud for months now. It’s time for Becky’s moment.
Winner: Becky Lynch

Jay: There are a few factors in play here. Becky makes the most sense from a purely narrative perspective BUT rumors are rampant that Fox, the new, billion dollar broadcasting home of SmackDown Live, wants Rousey on the brand and for Rousey to look strong. I think the most likely scenario is that Becky wins and Rousey takes a few months off till SmackDown‘s debut on Fox where she’ll pop-up for a rematch against Becky. Oh yeah, Charlotte is there, but she’s there to make Becky’s story stronger. It wouldn’t make sense for her to win — especially since they want a hallmark moment to commemorate the first ever women’s WrestleMania main event.
Winner: Becky Lynch

Jason: Man, did we take a circuitous path to get here, but now that we’re at the first ever women’s Mania main event, there’s only one thing I’m sure of – Ronda needs to lose that belt. I can totally see WWE giving the win to Charlotte (the company’s literal golden child), but the smart money remains with Becky Lynch. Kofi may have surpassed her in popularity recently, but the fans LOVE Becky. Giving her the win to send the fans home happy just makes the most sense in every context. Just because it’s predictable doesn’t mean it’s bad.
Winner: Becky Lynch

Brian: OK, if it weren’t for how truly amazing these three women have been and how overpowering the fans’ need for this to happen has been, the overbooking would have killed it.  This is a steamroller heading for actual history, not just manufactured WWE stuff. Becky has turned into a reinterpretation of Steve Austin and everyone is here for it. Out of the three, Becks is the one who needs the win, but she’s also the one who deserves it.  The three-way helps counter Ronda’s armbar with constant break-ups and the best overall female performer in WWE history, Charlotte, keeps the match looking crisp.  This will devolve into a fight and Becky comes out on top for a true WrestleMania moment.
Winner: Becky Lynch