This Sunday, it's the biggest night of the year as WrestleMania 32 emanates live from AT&T Stadium in Dallas.
For over three decades, WrestleMania has provided the WWE Universe with the most iconic matches and memorable moments in the history of sports entertainment.
The road to WrestleMania has been a bumpy one, there's no denying that, but there is still always a buzz when the biggest show of the year arrives. The WWE may have a lot of surprises in store to save this card from being a total disaster.
Here are our match-by-match predictions for WrestleMania 32. To view this article in slideshow form, CLICK START at the top right of this page.
5-on-5 Divas Tag Team Match: Team Total Divas (Brie Bella, Paige, Natalya, Alica Fox & Eva Marie) vs. Team B.A.D. & Blonde (Naomi, Tamina, Summer Rae, Emma & Lana)
This is a way to get all the Divas some screen time, but likely won't be a classic. It'll be interesting to see how ruthless the AT&T Stadium fans are to Eva Marie, while it will also be enticing to see how Emma is used in the bout. With Brie Bella set to retire, it's likely she'll have one last hurrah by getting the pin on Lana to win the bout for her team.
The Pick: Team Total Divas
Last year, AJ Lee made her final 'Mania appearance before retiring:
WWE United States Championship: Kalisto (c) vs. Ryback
It's hard to get too excited for this match and I wish things were flip-flopped, with the U.S. Championship being defended in a multi-man Ladder Match and Kevin Owens defending his belt against Sami Zayn or against Zayn and Dolph Ziggler in a Triple Threat Match. This appears to be a complete mismatch, but unless Sin Cara wins the Intercontinental Championship, it seems Ryback is due for a big win given his new look.
The Pick: Ryback
John Cena won the U.S. Championship in his first-ever WrestleMania match at XX in '04:
Tag Team Match: The Usos vs. The Dudley Boyz
The WWE should have made this a Tables Match to make things more interesting against the Dudleys' wishes, but they opted not to. The Dudleyz could be used as enhancement talent at this point, but with the duo working with Triple H this past week on "RAW," the WWE may utilize them in that role going forward, meaning they need some momentum.
The Pick: The Dudleyz
The tag team landscape was changed forever with TLC II at WrestleMania X-7:
WWE Intercontintental Championship Ladder Match: Kevin Owens (c) vs. Sami Zayn vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Zack Ryder vs. Sin Cara vs. Stardust vs. The Miz
Though a standard one-on-one match or three-way would be preferable, this should still be a lot of fun. We already looked at the chances of each guy winning, but basically Stardust, Sin Cara and The Miz appear as the least likely to leave Texas with the gold.
Ryder would be a very compelling choice, but given the WWE's attitude toward him during his career, he's also doubtful. Zayn has looked tremendous on the main roster so far, but it may be too soon to put a title on him. That leaves Ziggler and Owens, who have been at odds in recent months. Ziggler may have the best chances, but the WWE might want to consider leaving the belt on Owens a little while longer, even with babyfaces usually going over at WrestleMania.
The Pick: Kevin Owens
Razor Ramon and Shawn Michaels had a revolutionary IC Title Ladder Match at WrestleMania X:
Ricky Steamboat vs. Randy Savage for the IC Title at WrestleMania III is one of the best bouts in history:
4-on-3 Handicap Match: The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E & Xavier Woods) vs. The League of Nations (Sheamus, Bad News Barrett, Alberto Del Rio & Rusev)
The WWE missed the boat on adding an unpredictable aspect to this match by putting the belts on the line in this format, but unless something changes, it is no longer advertised as a title bout.
If the three New Day partners interchange the belts all the time, why can't the League of Nations if they won? This match should be a fun brawl, but thus far the LON have had some trouble tracking as an actual important stable in the company. Due to their lack of ability to get over as a threat and The New Day being one of the best parts of television this year, the ending should be a no-brainer.
There were rumors that The Rock or someone else may come out to even up the odds, which would be a huge WrestleMania Moment for the entertaining New Day trio.
The Pick: The New Day
Sheamus won the WHC at WrestleMania 28 in 18 seconds against Daniel Bryan
20-Man Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
Participants: Heath Slater, Curtis Axel, Adam Rose, Bo Dallas, Big Show, Kane, Tyler Breeze, Mark Henry, Jack Swagger, Fandango, Damien Sandow, Darren Young, Konnor, Viktor, Goldust and R-Truth.
There are still four open slots for this match, so there could be surprises in store. The fact that this was moved from the pre-show to the main show means there could be some big plans for the bout. John Cena has been teasing a potential involvement in WrestleMania, though it's doubtful that it would be used for this match.
This clash always lacks urgency and I've always believed that the winner of the bout should be guaranteed a WWE World Heavyweight Championship shot the next night on "RAW" in front of a hot crowd. Sure, the field leaves a lot to be desired, but with the ability to keep slots open as surprises, that would make it more interesting.
As for a winner, it'll likely either be a surprise entrant or Bray Wyatt or Braun Strowman if they end up entering the fray. With the participants announced thus far, it seems that Kane may get the "thank you" treatment that Big Show received last year.
The Pick: Kane
Andre the Giant won a WWE vs. NFL battle royal at WrestleMania 2:
Singles Match: AJ Styles vs. Chris Jericho
This is one of those matches that, if given the right amount of time, could steal the show. Styles will be making his WrestleMania debut against Jericho, a veteran of the "Show of Shows." The WWE kind of blew this angle by having these two face each other multiple times, and the Y2AJ breakup was a bit rushed, so the storyline was jarring.
Nitpicking aside, this should be a hell of a match on the grandest stage of them all, as Jericho is given a much better opponent than his last WrestleMania outing when he faced Fandango. It seems like Styles should win this match, but with the way Sting was booked to lose this year, an outsider coming to WrestleMania and winning is never a guarantee.
The Pick: AJ Styles
Chris Jericho headlined WrestleMania X-8 in a losing effort against Triple H:
WWE Divas Championship Match: Charlotte w/ Ric Flair vs. Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch
This is the match that has the chance to put the Divas (or soon to be re-branded women's) Revolution on the map. All three of these ladies are tremendous athletes and have put on amazing matches in NXT, but they've yet to be given a chance to shine on the main roster. Hopefully that comes on Sunday.
These three women have a real chance to steal the show and enable the WWE Universe to get behind women's wrestling like the NXT audience has. Banks captivated the NXT fans during her rivalry with Bayley, while Charlotte and Lynch also put on some memorable bouts.
As for a winner, the WWE really can't go wrong with any of them, but it's likely time to push a new wrestler to usher in the transition to the Women's division, which will reportedly include a new championship. Lynch and Banks are both capable, but it seems as though "The Boss" should finally be given her time to shine.
The Pick: Sasha Banks
One of the best Women's Championship matches in 'Mania history saw Trish Stratus face Mickey James at 22:
Street Fight: Brock Lesnar w/ Paul Heyman vs. Dean Ambrose
This is the crowd pleasing match, while the WWE Championship bout is polarizing and the Hell in a Cell bout is just weird to everyone. Ambrose is getting some great exposure lately, showing what he can do in the ring with Triple H at Roadblock and now having a tremendous opportunity to put himself on the map against "The Beast."
Lesnar vs. Ambrose should be a fun brawl and hopefully both Superstars will be able to go all-out to put on an entertaining contest for the WWE Universe. There are a lot of wild-card endings that could come to this match, but it's hard to see Lesnar losing unless an outside force, whether it be "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Seth Rollins or someone else, gets involved.
The "Lunatic Fringe" will hopefully look great in this match and continue his momentum toward being the No. 1 babyface in the company, but it's hard to imagine him slaying "The Beast" without some sort of outside help, especially since Lesnar is the man who ended The Streak just two years ago at this event.
The Pick: Brock Lesnar
Lesnar won the WWE Championship from Kurt Angle at WrestleMania XIX, then ended The Streak at WrestleMania XXX
Hell in a Cell Match: The Undertaker vs. Shane McMahon
*If Shane wins, he controls "RAW" and 'Taker can never compete at WrestleMania again.
This will never not be a weird matchup, but it's definitely happening this Sunday at the "Show of Shows." While on paper, a 46-year-old business man should never ever stand a chance against an active wrestler who gave Lesnar plenty of trouble, this is sports entertainment. Hell, one of the parties is called "The Deadman," so just roll with it.
Though this entire feud is just weird, most notably The Undertaker doing Vince McMahon's bidding in a heel role without so much as an explanation, this match should still at least be entertaining. Shane-O Mac proved on "RAW" this week that he can still take a crazy bump, and he'll likely up the ante come WrestleMania. There's talk this match may even close the show.
If there is to be a swerve Sunday night, it almost has to have something to do with this match. Maybe John Cena will save the WWE from The Authority by starting a feud with The Undertaker. Maybe Shane and Vince have been working together to drive out Triple H and Stephanie. Maybe this is the lead-in to a potential brand split. The opportunities are endless.
Since it's almost impossible to predict what kind of outside swerve would happen, I'll just look at this match for what it is. It's a non-wrestler vs. a man who has only lost once at WrestleMania. It's hard to see 'Taker having just two losses at the "Show of Shows" -- Brock Lesnar and Shane McMahon. One of these things is not like the other.
Though 'Taker winning doesn't bring much in the way of storyline development since the only possible angles stemming from this match have to do with Shane emerging victorious, I just can't in good conscience foresee Shane going over The Undertaker. Shane may very well win with some sort of swerve, but until more is known, The Undertaker simply needs to win.
The Pick: The Undertaker
The Undertaker ended an era with Triple H inside Hell in a Cell at WrestleMania 28:
Shane McMahon defeated his father at WrestleMania X-7
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Triple H (c) vs. Roman Reigns
Well, the WWE has their golden boy in Reigns and the WWE Universe just has to live with it, even if 80,000-plus will be booing him out of AT&T Stadium this Sunday. Honestly, this main event does nothing for me. "The Game" may be in the shape of his life, but I don't want him holding the title while the rest of the roster remains hungry. Reigns may have improved, but not enough to be given two straight main events at the marquee event.
Seth Rollins was there to save the day last year, but it doesn't seem like anyone is waiting in the wings in 2016. Vince McMahon loves Reigns and despite his limitations, this could finally be his crowning moment. Much like the other main matches, there are a lot of different swerves that could happen in this bout -- especially if it becomes No DQ.
Someone could return (Randy Orton, Seth Rollins, John Cena etc.) and get involved, a legend can make their presence known (The Rock, Steve Austin etc.) or the McMahon family could play a role. If this match goes on prior to the Hell in a Cell match, it opens up the possibility for Reigns to work with Vince by making sure Shane doesn't win his bout.
It would resemble another Texas ending to WrestleMania, harkening back to 2001 when Vince and Austin joined forces. Though that proved to be a terrible idea, a change for Reigns might be something the WWE needs given his reactions and inability to cut a good promo as a babyface.
One would think the WWE is smart enough to keep the belt off of Reigns, as they proved last year, but that may be why this match might not close the show. Reigns has been the hand-picked favorite of McMahon, so there's no reason at this point to believe he won't leave Texas as a three-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
The Pick: Roman Reigns
Triple H's 'Mania debut was against the Ultimate Warrior at XII:
Reigns' first main event against Lesnar was thwarted by Rollins last year:
Well, this card certainly seems like a mixed bag on paper and will have to overcome a lot of adversity to live up to the last two WrestleManias. Still, it's the biggest show of the year and the WWE should have plenty of surprises in store.
