Those who've come to know me here at Pregame.com over the last five years, know that I'm a huge wrestling fan. If I'd never known about pro wrestling & someone introduced me to it now, I probably wouldn't be into it. It simply is not as good as it was 20 or 30+ years ago. But my dad got me watching wrestling in the 70's when Florida Championship Wrestling, Georgia Championship Wrestling & of course the WWWF (now WWE) were on TV every Saturday morning. So after nearly 40 years, pro wrestling is in my blood.
Tomorrow is the biggest pro wrestling event of the year, WrestleMania XXX. I never miss a WrestleMania. I always have friends & family come over & we make a party out of it. And while we always have a great time, I never miss the chance to make a little money, too. Here are my predictions & the one bet I've made for this event.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship Triple Threat Match: Randy Orton vs Batista vs Daniel Bryan or Triple H
This is my one bet, as I see HUGE value on BATISTA +1800 (5 Dimes). Two years ago, The Rock returned to WWE to win the WWE title & he did it. Just like The Rock, Batista returned from a four-year hiatus & stated from the get-go that he's back to win the title. Batista's road to the title started with a win in the Royal Rumble, which punched his ticket to the WrestleMania main event for the title. I just don't see guys like The Rock & Batista coming back unless they're guaranteed to win the title. The Rock won it & I fully expect Batista to win it tomorrow. At +1800, the value is INCREDIBLE on Batista here.
Daniel Bryan vs Triple H
Triple H trades in his suit for wrestling trunks, as he gets back into the ring to battle the leader of the "Yes Movement." Triple H has been doing everything in his power to keep Bryan from being the champion, which started with him helping Orton capture the title at Summer Slam. The winner of this match gets to join the WWE World title match. I'm torn on how I see this going down. The only thing I feel confident about is that Bryan will once again get screwed out of winning the title. Either Bryan gets screwed in this match or in the title match. I'm leaning toward Bryan beating Triple H in this match, only to have Triple H get involved in the title match to keep Bryan from winning the title. But at -475, I can't bet on Bryan here.
The Undertaker vs Brock Lesnar
The Streak. 'Taker is 21-0 at WrestleMania. If the streak is ever going to end (and I don't think it will), I can't see it happening to a part-time performer like Lesnar. I can only see the streak ending against a full time performer who has earned the privilege of having 'Taker "pass the torch" to them. 'Taker's 'Mania matches are getting better & better, as they have to keep pushing the envelope more & more as the streak grows. Lesnar is a beast, but he's not the guy who ends the streak. But at -5000, there's simple no way I can bet on The Undertaker.
Bray Wyatt vs John Cena
It's funny to me when I think how far Wyatt has come. Not too long ago, Wyatt was Husky Harris, a nobody who was part of the group The Nexus. Now he's one of the biggest characters in WWE. I personally love the crazy character Wyatt portrays. He does a masterful job. Wyatt has been pushed heavily, which is why I think he beats Cena here. But at -350, I can't bet against the leader of Cenation.
The Vicki Guerrero Divas Championship Invitational
This is going to be interesting. Divas Champion AJ Lee defends her title against 13 other Divas, all at the same time. Normally I don't care about these Divas matches (except for the fact that I like watching gorgeous, barely-dressed women bounce around), but having 14 Divas in the ring at the same time is intriguing to me. I can't wait to see how any one of them is going to get a pin or submission with a dozen other Divas in the match to break up the pin attempt or submission hold. Despite having 13 challengers, Lee is the -250 favorite to retain her title. I can't bet it, but I won't be surprised to see her win it.
The Shield vs Kane & New Age Outlaws
No doubt in my mind that The Shield wins this, but I won't bet it at -2000. The only two questions I have are: 1) Is this finally the match where Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins turn on Roman Reigns? A babyface run for Reigns seems inevitable, as the crowd loves him. And 2) What the hell are the New Age Outlaws still doing here? I guess being good friends of the COO (Triple H) has its benefits, like cashing a nice WrestleMania paycheck. I fully expect the New Age Outlaws to go back into retirement after this match.
Usos vs Real Americans vs Ryback & Curtis Axel vs Los Matadores
This is a Fatal Four-way for the WWE Tag Team titles, which will be part of the two-hour WrestleMania preshow. I expect The Usos to retain their titles, but I won't be betting it at -500. I don't see "Rybaxel" or Los Matadores as having a chance. The only team that has a shot at dethroning The Usos is The Real Americans, but I expect this to be the match where Jack Swagger & Cesaro finally have a falling out. Like Reigns, the fans have really taken to Cesaro, so a babyface run by Cesaro seems inevitable. My guess is that Swagger & manager Zeb Coulter will blame Cesaro for losing this match & will turn on him.
Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
The inaugural battle royal in the name of wrestling legend, Andre the Giant. My first thought was that Big Show would win this. Not only is he the biggest guy in the match, but the physical comparisons between Big Show & Andre have existed ever since he stormed onto the wrestling scene in 1995. But having Big Show win this just seems way too obvious. My opinion on this battle royal really changed when I saw the odds. Much to my surprise, Big Show is not the listed favorite. Bovada lists Alexander Rusev as the 5/4 favorite. Big Show is second at 9/4. Rusev competed in the Royal Rumble match in January, but has not competed on any major WWE show since. Rusev being the listed favorite makes me think somebody knows something I don't. Is the new-comer Rusev about to get a serious push? Doesn't get any better than having that push start on the "grandest stage of them all." Given the surprising odds, I'm expecting Rusev to win it.
WrestleMania is usually a great show. Having a house full of friends & family makes it a great time even if the actual matches disappoint. But I'm expecting a great show on this 30th anniversary show. I'll be commenting in this thread during WrestleMania as the matches progress. Feel free to chat with me & enjoy the show.
DB