Wrestlemania 30 is This Sunday - Here's Everything You Need To Know
It’s here. Wrestlemania. The grand-daddy of them all. Where stars are made and legends are born. And this year is Wrestlemania 30. 30 years after Hulk Hogan headlined the first Mania, he is back as the ceremonial host of it.
Now, I will catch you up on everything you need to know about the matches. So whether you’re at Saloon in NYC with KFC and the Iron Sheik, or watching from wherever you may live, this is the basics of this year’s Wrestlemania.
Pre-show match for the WWE Tag Team Championships: The Usos (c) vs. The Real Americans vs. Curtis Axel and Ryback vs. Los Matadores
They moved the tag team championship match to the preshow to make more people buy the WWE Network. Not too much history behind this match, but it should be good.
What to watch for: Antonio Cesaro, one half of the “Real Americans” is a fucking beast. He does this thing called the “Cesaro Swing” and it gets the crowd going wild. Also, look for his tag team to break up at Mania, as he has become much too popular for it.
Nate’s Prediction: The Usos retain. They are at the top of the tag team division, and even though I don’t even really like them that match, they get a good reaction from the crowd.
The Vickie Guerrero Divas Championship Invitational – AJ Lee (c), Aksana, Alicia Fox, Brie Bella, Cameron, Emma, Eva Marie, Layla, Naomi, Natalya, Nikki Bella, Rosa Mendes, Summer Rae and Tamina Snuka.
The least important match on the card. AJ Lee is a stone cold fox though. Minxy as the day is long.
What to watch for: Some hot bitches. And Tamina Snuka is the daughter of Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka, so that’s cool. And maybe the Bellas twins will start fighting.
Nate’s Prediction: AJ, who is the best of all of them, loses the belt to one of the girls on that Total Divas show which they will mention 100 times in this 10 minute match.
The Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal – 30 Man Over The Top Battle Royal
It’s not a Royal Rumble, because all 30 contestants will start in the ring, instead of entering 1 by 1. You still lose by getting thrown over the top rope. They have announced 27 of the 30 contestants, which means there will be 3 surprise entries.
What to watch for: Those 3 mystery entries are the talk of the town. Could be someone returning like RVD, could be a new guy, could even be a legend like Stone Cold, Chris Jericho, or Mankind.
Nate’s Prediction: Everyone on the internet thinks they hand this to the Big Show, 1) because he’s been a top carder for the last few years and wasn’t booked a match at Mania, and 2) because it’s a match to honor Andre The Giant, and the Big Show is a giant. I’m hoping they let Ziggler win though and push him, finally.
The Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar
Ok, now it starts getting good. The Undertaker is 21-0 at Wrestlemania. Has beaten anyone and everyone. He works about 4 nights a year now because his body is beat up, but all his matches at Mania in recent years have been absolute classics. Lesnar is an animal. Ginormous. However, he’s also a part-timer, and nobody really believes they will let Lesnar, of all people, end the streak. When it was rumored Taker was going to face Daniel Bryan, there was actual rumblings that the streak could end. Not so much anymore.
What to watch for: If Undertaker is healthy, this could be a very, very physical match. People are worried Brock is too powerful and could legitimately hurt Undertaker severely if he makes one mistake, just because he’s so strong.
Nate’s Prediction: It’s a given Undertaker will win. Hoping they just make it really impressive.
John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt
John Cena has been the top guy in the company for the last decade. He has been the most hated guy in the company by adults for the last decade. But he is a nice guy off camera, and kids and girl love him. He moves merch. So this is the first time in forever he isn’t even in the WWE Title discussion. And is going up against Bray Wyatt, who is technically the “bad guy” (heel) in this match, but is very over with the fans because he’s fucking awesome. That being said, this match has a lot of potential, especially if Bray, who is sort of like a modern day Mankind, wins.
What to watch for: A very mixed crowd. There will be lots of “Let’s go Cena!” chants immediately followed by “Cena sucks!”. He’s very polarizing, and is less popular than Bray is with anyone over the age of 21. Could make for an interesting match dynamic based on how the crowd acts.
Nate’s Prediction: Hoping Bray wins. Would make the most sense. But you never know with them. Cena winning sells t-shirts. And we all know how important that is.
The Shield vs. Kane and the New Age Outlaws
The Shield are the coolest. Roman Reigns is a name to remember. He will be massive. Guy is a freak. Rollins and Ambrose are great too. They should have booked them much better than against the oldest people in the world. The New Age Outlaws can’t put on a match like they used to. And they totally ruined Kane, who used to be the biggest badass in the world, by making him “Corporate Kane”. This match has no real history, and they are wasting The Shield, 3 of the best up and coming stars, by having them in this match.
What to watch for: Everything The Shield does. And maybe they’ll let Kane be cool again? Maybe? At least 70,000 people at the Super Dome doing the New Age Outlaws classic introduction will be awesome.
Nate’s Prediction: The Shield wins, or they lose and break up and start fighting in the ring. Again, this match is such a waste, it’s a shame they didn’t book The Shield better.
Daniel Bryan vs. Triple H – Winner is added to the WWE Championship Match
At long last, Daniel Bryan will have his shot at…at possibly winning the belt. A quick recap on the Daniel Bryan situation (talking real life, not story line):
Daniel Bryan has always been a fan favorite, but the company has refused to push him, aka put him in main events, give him the belt, etc. It was half story line, half the company legit didn’t trust him as their number 1 guy. He’s been screwed over by HHH (who runs WWE in real life) in every shot he’s had at the belt, because it’s “what’s best for business” Bryan, known for his “YES!” chant, has continued to grow in popularity, in a way we haven’t seen since the Rock and Stone cold in the 90’s. Bryan is THAT popular and the YES! chant has become mainstream. So HHH finally caved, and will put Bryan in the main even of Mania if he wins the match. But if HHH wins, he puts himself in the main event.
What to watch for: A really good match. Bryan is one of the best in-ring performers, and HHH always, always, always puts on good matches at Mania. However, HHH is also known for letting himself win and pissing off every fan.
Nate’s Prediction: I don’t have one. Nothing would shock me. I think it’s too obvious Bryan is supposed to win this match, so it makes me think something crazy could happen. Maybe they both win? Maybe they both lose? Would be shocked if Bryan or HHH wins clean, but who knows. Maybe HHH wins and then Vince comes out and says Bryan is in the main event anyway? So many possibilities.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match: Randy Orton (c) vs. Batista vs. HHH or Daniel Bryan
So, to recap: They never intended to let Daniel Bryan in this match. When the WWE brought Batista back and let him win the Royal Rumble against every single fans’ wishes, they thought the fans would actually enjoy it. They thought Batista was going to be their main eventer, their big time face of Wrestlemania. What actually happened was everyone hates Batista, he got booed out of every building, and the WWE scrambled and finally succumbed to letting Bryan be their top dog. It didn’t help that Batista literally can’t work a match because he is terribly out of shape and old, and the fans are tired of Orton. He’s stale at this point. Not to say Bryan is even going to be in this match, but I find it nearly impossible that he won’t be.
What to watch for: Batista gasping for air while Orton and Bryan and possibly HHH put on a good match. Wouldn’t be shocked to see Vince have something to do with this match either.
Nate’s Prediction: There are so many outcomes I’d like to see. If we are being nice, seeing Bryan win and have his “Wrestlemania Moment” with the Superdome going crazy doing the YES! would be a sight to be seen. But at the same time, the hysteria that would happen if HHH or even worse, Batista wins, would be so off the charts I almost want to see it happen. I actually would be ok with it just to see the reaction. Can they really not have Daniel Bryan, who is the most popular guy since the Rock, not win? Can they actually do that? I have no idea.
Two Other Things To Watch For:
It’s been confirmed Stone Cold Steve Austin will be making an appearance. Who knows when, who knows why, but I can’t wait to hear the glass shatter.
CM Punk? People think Punk has been too quiet and could be making a grand return at Mania. I don’t think Vince would allow that to happen, but who knows. Vince is all about the business, and it would be huge.
There it is. Your Wrestlemania 30 preview. I’ll be marking out on Twitter during it. Should be a great time. And if you’re not down with Wrestlemania, I’ve got two words for yaaaaa