Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch, Winner Take All Triple-Threat Match for the WWE Raw and Smackdown Women's Championships: A lot of this may depend on Rousey's end-date. I'm going to go with Lynch.
Brock Lesnar vs. Seth Rollins, Universal Championship Match: I find it hard to believe Lynch, Seth, and Kofi would all win. WWE would have a major backlash on their hands if Kofi or Becky lost; I don't think the same is true of Seth. So Lesnar wins.
Daniel Bryan vs. Kofi Kingston, WWE Championship Match: Kofi completes the journey, though I'm sure it'll be a short-lived reign.
Triple H vs. Batista, No Holds Barred Match; if Triple H loses, he retires from in-ring competition: Hunter wins, even if this may be Big Dave's retirement in the end.
Kurt Angle vs. Baron Corbin: Corbin wins here. Just feels like a WWE thing to do. I'm sure he gets a post-match beat-down, though.
Shane McMahon vs. The Miz, Falls Count Anywhere Match: Miz wins but I have a hard time seeing where Shane goes from here.
Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre: You could argue Drew should win, especially if Seth wins, to set himself up as the next challenger for the Universal Title. But this is WWE, so Reigns gets the victory.
Samoa Joe vs. Rey Mysterio, United States Championship Match: Joe wins and retains, Rey's son is involved somehow.
Bobby Lashley vs. Finn Balor, Intercontinental Championship Match: The Demon will represent Finn, so he can't lose.
Bayley & Sasha Banks vs. Beth Phoenix & Natalya vs. Tamina & Nia Jax vs. The IIconics, Fatal Four-Way for the Women's Tag Team Championship: Really, any of these teams could win. I'll go Nia and Tamina.
A.J. Styles vs. Randy Orton: Styles wins.
The Usos vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Rusev vs. The Bar vs. Ricochet & Aleister Black, Smackdown Tag Team Championship Match: I'll go Ricochet and Black.
The Revival vs. Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins, Raw Tag Team Championship Match: This is a weird one. They've gone as far as they can with Curt's "streak," so Ryder & Hawkins win the titles.
(edited by geemoney on 5.4.19 0819) @gregmparks - live Tweeting of Raw and Impact, wrestling thoughts and other slices of life.
What the WWE/Vince decides to happen seemingly changes day of, so here's what I think should happen.
Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch, Winner Take All Triple-Threat Match for the WWE Raw and Smackdown Women's Championships: Becky. Does Becky have a preference as to who she beats or does she just want the belt(s)? Do we care? Charlotte is very good. Ronda is pretty good. Becky is hugely popular. It's the main event, and you have to send the crowd home happy. Maybe. Probably.
Brock Lesnar vs. Seth Rollins, Universal Championship Match: I agree that we don't get three faces winning the big titles in one night. Lesnar wins but loses the next night for that insane RAW audience.
Daniel Bryan vs. Kofi Kingston, WWE Championship Match: Kofi. They'll never have a better chance to elevate him and the New Day as a stable. Bryan has no momentum as a heel champ, serving only to extend the misery until someone beats him.
Triple H vs. Batista, No Holds Barred Match; if Triple H loses, he retires from in-ring competition: Hunter looked BAD at the Saudi show, and Batista hasn't had a match in about five years. The weapons are gonna be the best workers, and I wouldn't be surprised if Orton and Flair come out to help. I think Hunter wins.
Kurt Angle vs. Baron Corbin: Corbin doesn't make it to the match. Cena challenges Angle. Cena gets the thank-you-Cena chant to balance out last year's Taker squash. Angle wins.
Shane McMahon vs. The Miz, Falls Count Anywhere Match: Miz because he's a face who can beat TWELVE MEN when he's angry.
Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre: Drew, thanks to Dolph Ziggler.
Samoa Joe vs. Rey Mysterio, United States Championship Match: Rey wins, probably while wearing a Shazam costume.
Bobby Lashley vs. Finn Balor, Intercontinental Championship Match: Finn wins.
Bayley & Sasha Banks vs. Beth Phoenix & Natalya vs. Tamina & Nia Jax vs. The IIconics, Fatal Four-Way for the Women's Tag Team Championship: The IIconics, only because they need something to make validate their presence on TV.
A.J. Styles vs. Randy Orton: My God, Orton is stale again. He needs the win more than anyone on the card.
Buddy Murphy vs. Tony Nese, Cruiserweight Championship Match: Coin toss. Nese.
Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal: Whoever is the mystery entrant, and I hope it's not Hogan.
WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal: Sonya Deville needs a big win.
"To be the man, you gotta beat demands." -- The Lovely Mrs. Tracker
1) Main Event: Rousey/Flair/Lynch (Triple Threat Match - Winner Take All) - Lynch wins both titles with the Disarm-her on Rousey. Rousey has a major meltdown on Raw the next night and leaves for who knows how long.
2) Lesnar/Rollins (Universal Championship Match) - Lesnar wins at WM with the F5, but drops title to Rollins at next Saudi Arabia event, or whatever WWE Network event at a stadium of their choosing.
3) Bryan/Kingston (WWE Championship Match) - Kofi wins title with Trouble in Paradise, but Bryan regains his custom title in Brooklyn on SD due to Rowan-or-Vince-or-Xavier and/or-Big E turn-ference.
4) Triple H/Batista (No Holds Barred Match, Triple H loses,he retires as an in-ring competitor) - HHH wins with the Pedigree on a chair after a sledgehammer shot, in what is likely going to be the shortest match of the night. HHH gets his win, Batista gets his one match and returns to Hollywood.
5) Angle/Corbin (Angle's Farewell Match) - Angle wins with the Ankle Lock to officially finish his career in a limited move match.
6) McMahon/Miz (Falls Count Anywhere Match) - Miz with a Skull Crushing Finale on the stage after a Wrestlemania McMahon crash from the staging through a table.
7) Reigns/McIntyre - Reigns with the spear, but both will be hurting after the match.
8) Joe/Mysterio (United States Championship Match) - Joe with the Coquina Clutch. Biggest upset of the night: Joe appears with a new color for his tights after wearing red, and on rare occasion, yellow for so long.
9) Lashley/Demon Balor (Intercontinental Championship Match) - Balor with the Coup De Grace to win title.
10) Bayley/Sasha vs. Phoenix/Natalya vs. Tamina/Jax vs. Iiconics (Fatal Four Way Match for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship) - Bayley/Sasha to validate the title reign.
11) Styles/Orton - Orton with the RKO to win.
12) Usos/Black & Ricochet/Bar/Rusev & Nakamura (Fatal Four Way Match for the SD Tag Team Championship) - Usos retain via double kick, then double splash.
13) Revival/Ryder & Hawkins (Raw Tag Team Championship Match) - Revival with the Shatter Machine to defend.
Extra: Elias is on too much, Cena cuts him off prior to the main event, impromptu match is made. 6 Moves of Doom, ending with the back fist, Cena wins.
Kickoff matches:
A) Murphy/Nese (WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match) - Nese with the Running Knee to win his first WWE Championship in the home region.
B) ARMBAR with everyone else without a match, Strowman, Jost, and Che - Strowman wins, but Jost and Che are the other two with him at the end by hiding anywhere they can find.
C) FEMBAR (Female Battle Royal) with everyone else without a match, a couple of legends, and a couple of NXT competitors getting a cup of coffee with the main group - I got two different ways to go depending on NXT Takeover. If Shayna Baszler loses her title at NXT Takeover, she enters the FEMBAR and does the Baron Corbin, wins at her first official main roster appearance. If not, probably will be Asuka winning.
Between Takeover, Wrestlemania, Raw, Smackdown, and the NCAA Final Four, it is going to be a crazy weekend. Of course for Raw and Smackdown, we will get the obligatory "this is not the usual crowd we see every week", so proceed watching with caution.
Time on Raw when the crowd hijacks the program: 9:05 PM Central, when we get a Jinder Mahal match.
Bryan beats Kofi via Big E interference of some kind.
Baron Corbin takes a Legends beat down from all your favorites from the Attitude Era saving Kurt from having to work a match while the crowd pops for every entrance and ending with a big group hug/ beer bash type thing on the ring.
Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch, Winner Take All Triple-Threat Match for the WWE Raw and Smackdown Women's Championships: Becky. Crowd goes home happy. Whether they find a way to somehow make Charlotte double champion by the end of April is a different story.
Brock Lesnar vs. Seth Rollins, Universal Championship Match: Brock. The train doesn't stop here either.
Daniel Bryan vs. Kofi Kingston, WWE Championship Match: Kofi. It's time and it's material for video packages for a decade. Is there another Saudi show coming up? Bryan can't be champ for that anyway.
Triple H vs. Batista, No Holds Barred Match; if Triple H loses, he retires from in-ring competition: Hunter wins and gets booed, Batista has been the coolest every week since his return.
Kurt Angle vs. Baron Corbin: Angle wins quickly.
Shane McMahon vs. The Miz, Falls Count Anywhere Match: Miz after Shane falls off of the Statue of Liberty that is on the set despite the show being in Jersey.
Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre: Drew.
Samoa Joe vs. Rey Mysterio, United States Championship Match: Joe.
Bobby Lashley vs. Finn Balor, Intercontinental Championship Match: The Demon.
Bayley & Sasha Banks vs. Beth Phoenix & Natalya vs. Tamina & Nia Jax vs. The IIconics, Fatal Four-Way for the Women's Tag Team Championship: The IIconics.
A.J. Styles vs. Randy Orton: Orton.
Buddy Murphy vs. Tony Nese, Cruiserweight Championship Match: Buddy.
Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal: Curt Hawkins.
WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal: Sonya. She's due for a good push.
Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch, Winner Take All Triple-Threat Match for the WWE Raw and Smackdown Women's Championships: Becky wins by defeating Charlotte. (Changed pick after a couple of days; I originally had her pinning Rousey. But it occurs to me that WWE probably only made it a triple-threat so that Rousey wouldn't have to get pinned.)
Brock Lesnar vs. Seth Rollins, Universal Championship Match: Brock wins and retains.
Daniel Bryan vs. Kofi Kingston, WWE Championship Match: Kofi wins the big one! KOFI WINS OR WE RIOT.
Triple H vs. Batista, No Holds Barred Match; if Triple H loses, he retires from in-ring competition: Batista sends Triple H into retirement.
Kurt Angle vs. Baron Corbin: Kurt wins. I'll agree with the legends beatdown.
Shane McMahon vs. The Miz, Falls Count Anywhere Match: The Miz.
Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre: Reigns.
Samoa Joe vs. Rey Mysterio, United States Championship Match: Joe wins and retains.
Bobby Lashley vs. Finn Balor, Intercontinental Championship Match: The Demon wins the belt.
Bayley & Sasha Banks vs. Beth Phoenix & Natalya vs. Tamina & Nia Jax vs. The IIconics, Fatal Four-Way for the Women's Tag Team Championship: Bayley and Sasha win and retain.
A.J. Styles vs. Randy Orton: Styles wins.
The Usos vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Rusev vs. The Bar vs. Ricochet & Aleister Black, Smackdown Tag Team Championship Match: Nakamura and Rusev win the titles.
Buddy Murphy vs. Tony Nese, Cruiserweight Championship Match: Buddy.
The Revival vs. Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder, RAW Tag Team Championship Match: Gotta go with my boy Zack. Hawkins' losing streak finally ends!
Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal: Strowman.
WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal: Asuka.
Cena gets a win in some kind of impromptu match.
(edited by ekedolphin on 6.4.19 1055) "Does this conversation end with us rolling initiative or not?" --Roy Greenhilt, The Order of the Stick
Certified RFMC Member-- Ask To See My Credentials!
Co-Winner of Time's Person of the Year Award, 2006
RAW WOMENS/SMACKDOWN WOMENS WINNER TAKES ALL Ronda Rousey (C) VS Charlotte Flair (C) VS Becky Lynch Becky wins but the show still somehow ends with the NXT Horsewomen posing, even if this weird last-minute stipulation makes it so that there's no way to keep a belt on Charlotte.
WWE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH Daniel Bryan (C) VS Kofi Kingston People worry about a repeat of WMXIX, but that was HHH and this is Daniel Bryan. Kofi wins. Hopefully he gets a real reign, but I could see him dropping it right back by this time next week.
WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH Brock Lesnar (C) VS Seth Rollins I don't care how much sense it does or doesn't make, I've stopped picking against Brock Lesnar. His inexplicably endless title reign that no one in the world actually cares about has looped all the way around to being hilarious to me anyway.
NO HOLDS BARRED CAREER THREATENING MATCH HHH VS Batista I can't imagine HHH is planning on even kayfabe retiring anytime soon, even if we are getting to an era where Mania is blessedly low on Nostalgia Dads.
KURT ANGLE RETIREMENT MATCH Kurt Angle VS Baron Corbin Match doesn't happen. John Cena lays out Corbin in the back during the ring introductions and tells the camera he's still got some of that "ruthless agression" after all. Kurt Angle wins anyway because it's not like Cena needs the win.
(If not, that legends beatdown is a pretty great idea and would explain why someone like Baron Corbin is in this spot.)
FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE The Miz VS Shane McMahon There's no good reason for Shane to be wrestling in the year of our lord 2019 and there's absolutely no good reason for him to go over anyone. The Miz wins and probably pulls together an entertaining match before we start to build up Miz/Bryan again with the heel/face roles reversed.
WOMENS TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH Sasha Banks & Bayley (C) VS The Divas of Doom VS The IIconics VS Nia Jax & Tamina Snuka I want The IIconics to be to this belt what Miz was to the IC title for a few years - the default champions if they aren't in the middle of doing something else with it. That said, I imagine Sasha and Bayley defending the belts across all the shows isn't close to done yet (we at least need them versus Io and Kairi at Takeover San Jose, right?) plus they need them for the end of the show.
UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH Samoa Joe (C) VS Rey Mysterio Rumors are that Rey might not make the show due to injury. Kevin Owens makes the most sense as a replacement, since he's far and away the biggest active name who is somehow not on this card anywhere. Either way, Joe retains.
INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH Bobby Lashley (C) VS Finn Balor Yeah, Finn Balor isn't busting out the demon for the first time in months at Wrestlemania to lose to Bobby fucking Lashley.
SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH The Usos (C) VS The Bar VS Rusev & Shinsuke Nakamura VS Ricochet & Aleister Black I don't think Black and Ricochet are going to beat the War Raiders on Friday, but I do think they rebound and win the belts here and wind up officially part of Smackdown in the process. I also hope they decide to throw some ladders in here at the last minute because, I mean, come on.
A.J. Styles VS Randy Orton Man, these are two people I do not care about in the least (I know that's a controversial opinion about one of them but he hasn't really clicked for me in quite a while, even having spent the last year feuding with guys I love like Samoa Joe and Daniel Bryan.) but they've really drawn me in with this worky-shooty feud. Randy Orton always wins matches he doesn't really need to, plus if this is WWE versus The Indies now I don't need to tell you who they're putting over.
Roman Reigns VS Drew McIntyre Yeah, call it a hunch, but I don't think Roman Reigns is going to lose his first televised singles match after beating cancer to the OTHER other guy from 3MB. Just going out on a limb here. (EDIT: Oh, and Dean Ambrose shows up and turns either here or during the Seth/Brock match. No one who is really going away forever gets booked into almost every RAW main event for, like, a month and a half like that.)
PRESHOW STUFF!
WWE CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH Buddy Murphy VS Tony Nese His reigns has been going on for a while, especially by the standards of this belt, and Tony Nese is really underrated, but I think Buddy Murphy hangs on for a little while longer. (I think he drops it to Johnny Gargano and your mileage may vary on if that's a good thing or not.)
ANDRE THE GIANT MEMORIAL BATTLE ROYAL A part of me is tempted to pick Michael Che. I honestly don't know what the plan is with the Weekend Update guys - I don't see how you end this without Braun Strowman murdering two tiny non-wrestler comedians and I also don't see how you safely have Braun Strowman murder two tiny non-wrestler comedians - so I'll just ignore it and pick R-Truth who immediately announced he will challenge John Cena for the World Championship at Wrestlemania 25.
WRESTLEMANIA WOMENS BATTLE ROYAL After the way she got kinda shoved to the side to add another thoroughly unnecessary wrinkle to the main event last week, Asuka absolutely deserves to win this but, sigh, it's going to be Lacey Evans, isn't it?
What's the over/under on how long this show will be? +/- 7 hours?
Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch, Winner Take All Triple-Threat Match for the WWE Raw and Smackdown Women's Championships: Charlotte.
Brock Lesnar vs. Seth Rollins, Universal Championship Match: Lesnar.
Daniel Bryan vs. Kofi Kingston, WWE Championship Match: Kofi.
Triple H vs. Batista, No Holds Barred Match; if Triple H loses, he retires from in-ring competition: HHH.
Kurt Angle vs. Baron Corbin: Corbin.
Shane McMahon vs. The Miz, Falls Count Anywhere Match: Miz.
Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre: Reigns.
Samoa Joe vs. Rey Mysterio, United States Championship Match: Rey.
Bobby Lashley vs. Finn Balor, Intercontinental Championship Match: Lashley.
Bayley & Sasha Banks vs. Beth Phoenix & Natalya vs. Tamina & Nia Jax vs. The IIconics, Fatal Four-Way for the Women's Tag Team Championship: I really liked Beth & Nattie back when she had issues with flatulence. They won't win, but I'm going to pick 'em anyway. Beth & Nattie win.
A.J. Styles vs. Randy Orton: Orton.
The Usos vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Rusev vs. The Bar vs. Ricochet & Aleister Black, Smackdown Tag Team Championship Match: Rusev and Mr Nakamura.
10) Bayley/Sasha vs. Phoenix/Natalya vs. Tamina/Jax vs. Iiconics (Fatal Four Way Match for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship) - Bayley/Sasha.
11) Styles/Orton - Styles.
12) Usos/Black & Ricochet/Bar/Rusev & Nakamura (Fatal Four Way Match for the SD Tag Team Championship) - Rusev/Nakamura.
Kickoff matches:
A) Murphy/Nese (WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match) - Nese.
B) ARMBAR with everyone else without a match, Strowman, Jost, and Che - Strowman.
C) FEMBAR (Female Battle Royal) with everyone else without a match, a couple of legends, and a couple of NXT competitors getting a cup of coffee with the main group - Asuka.
Becky Lynch Rollins Kofi Triple H Angle Reigns Samoa Joe Balor Bayley and Sasha Banks Orton Shane McMahon Rusev and Nakamura Tony Nese Hawkins/Ryder Armbar: Owens Fembar: Lacey Evans
Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch: Becky Lynch, no question
Brock Lesnar vs. Seth Rollins: *sigh* Brock
Daniel Bryan vs. Kofi Kingston: KofiMania, baby
Triple H vs. Batista: Triple H
Kurt Angle vs. Baron Corbin: Angle
Shane McMahon vs. The Miz: The Miz
Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre: Roman Reigns
Samoa Joe vs. Rey Mysterio: Samoa Joe, whether Rey is cleared to wrestle or it's someone else
Bobby Lashley vs. Finn Balor: Finn Balor
Bayley & Sasha Banks vs. Beth Phoenix & Natalya vs. Tamina & Nia Jax vs. The IIconics: Sasha & Bayley
A.J. Styles vs. Randy Orton: RKO
The Usos vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Rusev vs. The Bar vs. Ricochet & Aleister Black: Ricochet & Aleister Black
Buddy Murphy vs. Tony Neise: Buddy Murphy (I haven't been watching 205 Live but with allll the talent on that show, how did Neise end up with a Mania match?)
Andre Men's Battle Royal: Braun Strowman
Women's Battle Royal: Asuka
JUST ADDED The Revival vs. Ryder & Hawkins: The Edgeheads. They love to give Zack a big Mania moment...then immediately undercut it. Someone else suggested that this is where they end Curt Hawkins' losing streak (even though he & Ryder have barely been on TV since reuniting), which seems like a very WWE thing to do.
Also NXT TakeOver: New York!
Johnny Gargano vs. Adam Cole: Adam Cole Bay Bay (will they keep Johnny around long enough for Ciampa to heal and finish their story?(
Shana Baszler vs. Kairi Sane vs. Io Shirai vs. Bianca Belair: Kairi Sane
Velveteen Dream vs. Matt Riddle: Velveteen Dream
War Raiders vs. Aleister Black & Ricochet: War Raiders
Lynch Kofi Rollins - Yeah, it's all three faces going over, but who cares? It's WrestleMania - send us home happy. HHH Angle's Opponant - Corbin if that's who it is, although I really, really like the idea of this being were Cena winds up Miz Joe Reigns - I mean, c'mon, really. Balor - Otherwise, why even take the belt off him? Boss 'n' Hug Orton Murphy - Nese winning would be p. great, but I think there are slightly bigger plans down the line for the "greatest Cruiserweight of all time" Usos Revival ARMBAR - Braun, although, man it IS really tempting to pick an SNL guy. FEMBAR (love it, stealing it) - Asuka. They OWE her.
Lynch Rollins Kofi HHH Angle Miz McIntyre Samoa Joe Balor Iiconics Usos AJ Murphy Ryder & Hawkins Men's Battle Royal - Kevin Owens (after the SNL guys somehow get Braun eliminated) Women's Battle Royal - Lacy Evans
Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch, Winner Take All Triple-Threat Match for the WWE Raw and Smackdown Women's Championships: ROUSEY
Brock Lesnar vs. Seth Rollins, Universal Championship Match: ROLLINS
Daniel Bryan vs. Kofi Kingston, WWE Championship Match: KOFI
Triple H vs. Batista, No Holds Barred Match; if Triple H loses, he retires from in-ring competition: HHH
Kurt Angle vs. Baron Corbin: CORBIN
Shane McMahon vs. The Miz, Falls Count Anywhere Match: MIZ
Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre: REIGNS
Samoa Joe vs. Rey Mysterio, United States Championship Match: SAMOA JOE
Bobby Lashley vs. Finn Balor, Intercontinental Championship Match: BALOR
Bayley & Sasha Banks vs. Beth Phoenix & Natalya vs. Tamina & Nia Jax vs. The IIconics, Fatal Four-Way for the Women's Tag Team Championship: BAYLEY/BANKS
A.J. Styles vs. Randy Orton: STYLES
The Usos vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Rusev vs. The Bar vs. Ricochet & Aleister Black, Smackdown Tag Team Championship Match: RUSEV/NAKAMURA
The Revival vs. Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins, Raw Tag Team Championship Match: REVIVAL
Yeah, I see what you're saying, but he should have done something to sell the effects of being in what is supposedly the most brutal match in the WWE just one night prior. It just devalues the HiaC match for me.