The Ultimate Thrill Ride is here and we are not long away from WrestleMania 33. Without too much of an introduction, the roundtable for tonight’s pay-per-view will consist of Wayne Daly, Jon Curry and Michael “Taj” Gallagher. These predictions are done without ANY inside knowledge and are simply our own thoughts on the match outcomes. Let’s get to it.

WRESTLEMANIA KICKOFF

Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal

Wayne: There’s a lot of potential winners in this match and some recent additions have even made it harder to think who can win, but for me, one name is sticking out as the winner, which I believe will be the start of a big push for him going forward.

Wayne Predicts: Braun Strowman wins The Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal

Jon: This one I could honestly care less about. I pick Big Show just as a final WrestleMania win as a good gesture.

Jon Predicts: The Big Show wins The Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal.

Taj: An obvious winner here but the big man needs a deserved win after an excellent break-out period on Raw. After a humbling loss to Roman Reigns at FastLane, we should now see a smarter Strowman who picks his battles more carefully. I think he’ll last eliminate Sami Zayn in this to keep Zayn looking the so-close-yet-so-far star that he is.

Taj Predicts: Braun Strowman

WWE Cruiserweight Championship – Neville (c) vs. Austin Aries

Wayne: This is a feud that I have been really enjoying on WWE television as of late, especially with the complete change of character in Neville since his return. With all that said though, tonight I believe is the night that the self-proclaimed “King of the Cruiserweights” will be dethroned by A-Double.

Wayne Predicts: Austin Aries becomes new WWE Cruiserweight Champion.

Jon: For me I love the work they’ve done with Neville as a good heel, and I don’t wanna see them waste this current character. On the flip side, Austin Aries has been pushed heavily and I hope this is the first of a trilogy of nothing else. My pick is Aries wins barely.

Jon Predicts: Austin Aries becomes new WWE Cruiserweight Champion.

Taj: Neville’s reign as king of the cruiserweights has brought some substance and interest to a division that was dropped on to Monday and Tuesday nights with little to no build following the CWC. That being said, if one man can get more eyes on the division, it is Austin Aries. Aries has been under-utilised due to his injury over the past year and now, it is time to let his star shine on WWE programming. Aries has all the talents needed to succeed on the main roster and a debut win at WrestleMania will set him in good stead

Taj Predicts: Austin Aries becomes new WWE Cruiserweight Champion.

WRESTLEMANIA 33

6-Pack Challenge Match For The WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship – Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Naomi vs. Natalya vs. Carmella vs. Becky Lynch vs. Mickie James

Wayne: Once again, it’s tough to predict an outcome here if we’re looking at the credibility of all six women involved. The one thing I am intrigued about however, is if the match stays with 6 women involved or is open to more names to join the fray, but given that it is WrestleMania and it is in her hometown, I am going for Naomi to become a two-time WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion here tonight.

Wayne Predicts: Naomi becomes new WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion.

Jon: For this one there’s a few interesting directions they could go. They like first time champions, so I could see a Carmella win, or a Becky Lynch 2nd win also. So ultimately? Becky Lynch wins her 2nd SD Women’s Championship

Jon Predicts: Becky Lynch becomes new WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion.

Taj: I feel the late inclusion to the championship match in her hometown should he enough to signify her reclaiming the championship she gave up out of injury concerns. The Alexa/Becky stuff has run its course on the blue brand and the tension between Bliss and Mickie James will be what heightens following from this 6-pack, allowing fresh feuds to take place on Tuesday nights.

Taj Predicts: Naomi becomes new WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion

Ladder Match For The WWE RAW Tag Team Championships – Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson (c) vs. Enzo Amore & Big Cass vs. Sheamus & Cesaro

Wayne: This may not look like some to be a potential match of the night candidate, but I can see a hell of a lot of destruction in this match tonight. Looking at the match, Sheamus & Cesaro have been the Champions, while Gallows & Anderson are the current Champions. Considering that they have not yet had a tag title run in their career teaming together, I believe tonight is the night where that all changes for Enzo and Big Cass.

Wayne Predicts: Enzo Amore & Big Cass become new WWE RAW Tag Team Champions.

Jon: I think this is a toss up because Gallows and Anderson are such a good act. I’m torn between them or Enzo and Cass to win. I think Enzo and Cass as champs for the first time would make for a fun Raw moment. However Gallows and Anderson staking a claim as the greatest team could easily allow for The Hardyz to return or an NXT debut like Revival or DIY. Gallows and Anderson retain

Jon Predicts: Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson retain the WWE RAW Tag Team Championships

Taj: This match doesn’t fill me with great expectations but It should be the opportunity for Enzo and Cass to finally claim gold on raw.

Taj: Enzo Amore & Big Cass becomes new WWE RAW Tag Team Champions

WWE Intercontinental Championship Match – Dean Ambrose (c) vs. Baron Corbin

Wayne: This is a feud that SmackDown Live has been doing well over the past several weeks leading into tonight, with Corbin exerting his dominance almost every time. Tonight I believe will be the night where we start to see Corbin emerge as a potential main event level star and a run with the Intercontinental Championship before all that will serve him well.

Wayne Predicts: Baron Corbin becomes new WWE Intercontinental Champion

Jon: This is an easy pick. I absolutely love the genuine slow push behind Baron Corbin and winning an IC title is a logical next step. Baron Corbin wins.

Jon Predicts: Baron Corbin becomes new WWE Intercontinental Champion

Taj: The lone wolf needs a big Mania win to start his main event ascendancy. An Intercontinental feud with Ambrose will allow him to showcase his talents against an opponent up for pretty much anything. Ambrose has gotten stale as of late and a loss on the big stage won’t hurt him in the long run.

Taj Predicts: Baron Corbin becomes new WWE Intercontinental Champion

John Cena & Nikki Bella vs. The Miz & Maryse

Wayne: If you had told me about 6 months ago that this would be the match that John Cena had at WrestleMania 33, I would not have believed you as it seemed almost certain that Cena would be facing off against The Undertaker until plans changed. That said though, both Cena and The Miz have to be applauded for all that they have done with making this feud a match that fans want to see and the recent “lost footage” of Total Bellas only added an extra zest of how it has become personal in recent months. Even though it is being reported that both Cena and Nikki are scheduled to take time off post-WrestleMania, I don’t see the duo losing here tonight.

Wayne Predicts: John Cena & Nikki Bella.

Jon: This one I see going either way. With Cena and Nikki looking to leave after WrestleMania I could see them giving the rub to Miz as it wouldn’t be his first victory over Cena on the grandest stage.

Jon Predicts: The Miz & Maryse

Taj: The Miz needs this. He has been on fire as of late and with Cena and Nikki slowing down in-ring, it’s time to slot Miz into the veteran slot on SD. A stellar year needs rewarded and pinning Cena will be just that.

Taj Predicts: The Miz & Maryse

WWE United States Championship Match – Chris Jericho (c) vs. Kevin Owens

Wayne: This match had been expected for some time and it was only a matter of when and not if one of Kevin Owens or Chris Jericho would turn on each other. Owens comes into the match having lost his WWE Universal Championship to Bill Goldberg at FastLane, courtesy of a Chris Jericho interruption, so no doubt he is out for some retribution tonight.

Wayne Predicts: Kevin Owens becomes new WWE United States Champion

Jon: 2nd of the 3 stories that i absolutely LOVE going into WrestleMania. It’s an old-school program. The story is simple: betrayal. Kevin Owens betrayed Chris Jericho’s friendship and trust and Chris Jericho wants retribution and throwing all risks at the wind including his US title. My choice is Kevin Owens, hopefully leading to a last man standing or I quit match

Jon Predicts: Kevin Owens becomes new WWE United States Champion

Taj: Owens needs a credible singles win to prove he can do it on his own. This match has been built to since SummerSlam and the pay-off for it should be match of the night on a pretty packed card. Both of these main have been hitting the high notes for the longest time and, though not for the Universal championship, is the real main event for most hardcore fans. This match shouldn’t disappoint and should play out as KO-Mania 2 indeed.

Taj Predicts: Kevin Owens becomes new WWE United States Champion

4-Way Elimination Match For The WWE RAW Women’s Championship – Bayley (c) vs. Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Nia Jax.

Wayne: Again, much like other matches, this is one I found very tough to consider who the potential Champion could be after WrestleMania as the only one without a current title reign in this match is Nia Jax. I believe it would be too soon to put the title on Nia, while Charlotte has held the title numerous times over the past year, which leaves the question of whether they keep it on Bayley or have Sasha win the belt and I’m going for the latter here tonight.

Wayne Predicts: Sasha Banks becomes new WWE RAW Women’s Champion.

Jon: This is nothing more than a coming out party for Charlotte. No way in hell she puts over Sasha and Bayley and doesn’t get her win back. Charlotte wins her 5th title.

Jon Predicts: Charlotte becomes new WWE RAW Women’s Champion

Taj: A Sasha heel turn to cost Bayley and a potential Charlotte face turn to deal with Nia is what’s needed to freshen a stale division. Sasha vs Bayley going toward SummerSlam is the feud Raw desparately needs.

Taj Predicts: Sasha Banks becomes new WWE RAW Women’s Champion

Shane McMahon vs. AJ Styles

Wayne: This, much like my comments about John Cena’s match above, is a match that I would not have expected AJ Styles to be in if you asked me several months ago, but I do know that this will be a great match, as Shane McMahon always steps up his game when it comes to the big matches. AJ is the more dominant one heading into this match tonight, but I don’t see Shane McMahon getting the 3 count here.

Wayne Predicts: AJ Styles.

Jon: Talk about a mix of rushed and good storyline. Just opposites. AJ Styles comes off as the more sympathetic character, and is in the same breath as Steve Austin. Rebelling against authority feeling held back. Shane is just the usual badass never backing away from a fight. I hope with all the work he’s done his first year, they give AJ the win.

Jon Predicts: AJ Styles

Taj: This match won’t be the 5 star classic a talent like Styles deserves but it makes sense with how stories have developed on the blue brand. Shane has proven he can still hang with the best of them and this match won’t be bad by any means but serves as a nice platform for AJ’s first WM win.

Taj Predicts: AJ Styles

Non-Sanctioned Match – Seth Rollins vs. Triple H

Wayne: This won’t even be a match, this will be a fight. I can see blood being involved here potentially, as well as this match sprawling all over the arena, weapons involved and much more. Seth Rollins will end up getting his revenge tonight and in the process, “Slay The King”.

Wayne Predicts: Seth Rollins.

Jon: One of 3 storylines I absolutely LOVE. 8 months of waiting for the payoff. 3 years of story. Triple H is back to being close to his glory as a top heel and Rollins is doing his damnest and a good job as a believable and credible babyface. That said, I hope they do the right thing and I think they do.

Jon Predicts: Seth Rollins

Taj: It’s time for Seth to finally get his retribution on his former mentor at WrestleMania. With this being an unsanctioned match, it allows for all avenues to be explored by both competitors. With the possible additions of Samoa Joe, Mick Foley and others, this match could be match of the night.

Taj Predicts: Seth Rollins

The Undertaker vs. Roman Reigns

Wayne: This match has had me thinking of how the match outcome could go based off of where the match is placed on the card. If it’s in the middle of the card, I could see Taker walk out the winner, but if it’s the main event, then my head is telling me Roman Reigns, despite what the fan reaction may be. I could see this actually being the main event tonight, but I personally don’t believe it will be the last time that we see The Undertaker inside a WWE ring.

Wayne Predicts: The Undertaker

Jon: This one has me p***** off. Missed opportunity abound. Roman has had a rocket shoved up his a** for 4 years and WWE will stop at nothing to make him win over the fans but having him feud with Undertaker is a mistake. If we go with WWE logic, Roman wins, but my hope and prayers are for Undertaker to win.

Jon Predicts: The Undertaker

Taj: As much as it displeases 99% of fans, Reigns needs to kick The Deadman out of his own yard and assert himself as the new dog in charge. WWE will need an obvious protagonist to deal with Brock Lesnar in the future and Reigns will always be that guy with Taker nearing retirement, Cena going part time and Goldberg being done. Undertaker needs to pass the torch and allow for the opportunity for Reigns to showcase more for his talent, via heel turn or showing more character than previously seen.

Taj Predicts: Roman Reigns

WWE Universal Championship Match – Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar (w/Paul Heyman)

Wayne: Brock has been on the receiving end of Goldberg’s dominance over the past several months, however that will all end tonight when “The Beast Incarnate” puts an end to Goldberg’s run as the Champion and returns to being “The Conqueror”.

Wayne Predicts: Brock Lesnar becomes new WWE Universal Champion.

Jon: What a joke. That’s all. Wasted opportunities with a Goldberg return and used all of his steam on a Brock Lesnar feud. Could’ve built more stars but didn’t. No more words. Brock Lesnar wins his 1st Universal Title.

Jon Predicts: Brock Lesnar becomes new WWE Universal Champion

Taj: The Beast needs his win back majorly. The throwback return of Goldberg has been nice but I believe it has run its course and should end here before staleness sets in for Big Bill. This feud has allowed a refresh of Lesnar’s character and brought vulnerability to a more-or-less invincible athlete.

Taj Predicts: Brock Lesnar becomes new WWE Universal Champion

WWE Championship Match – Bray Wyatt (c) vs. Randy Orton

Wayne: This feud has quite honestly being one of the best feuds on television over the past few months, it has been captivating, different and unique in terms of the promos and more. Randy comes into this as the Royal Rumble winner, which usually means the majority of the time that that person will walk out with the title, but I can’t see that happening here and I believe that Bray will retain to keep the feud going for that little bit longer.

Wayne Predicts: Bray Wyatt retains the WWE Championship.

Jon: 3rd of 3 stories that i love. Same story as the US title with a different soon, betrayal. Randy Orton felt he couldn’t beat Wyatt so the only choice was to join him to lower his guard and strike when the opportunity was right. And he did. Winning the rumble and turning on Wyatt. I love Wyatts character and am beyond overjoyed that he won the title.

Jon Predicts: Bray Wyatt retains the WWE Championship

Taj: This feud has allowed both men to be rejuvenated in the main event scene. Either man walking out with the championship would not be wrong but it makes more sense for the viper to emerge victorious here. After a months long cunning, deceptive plan, it makes sense for Orton to finally conquer Wyatt and reign supreme atop the blue brand. A loss here for Wyatt won’t do him harm like at previous ppvs as his inevitable rematch and spin-off feuds will keep him near the top of the mountain and prime for a transition to Raw.

Taj Predicts: Randy Orton becomes new WWE Champion.