NZPWI Roundtable: WWE WrestleMania 35

by NZPWI

April 8, 2019

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The Grandaddy of Them All, the Showcase of the Immortals, WrestleMania 35 is finally here!

Live from MetLife Stadium in the shadows of New York City, WWE hosts its biggest event of the year, headlined for the first time by three female WWE Superstars. Becky Lynch challenges Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey and SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair in a triple threat, Winner Takes All Match.

Royal Rumble winner Seth Rollins has his sights set on Brock Lesnar and the Universal Championship. Plus, Kofi Kingston finally gets his WWE Championship opportunity when he takes on Daniel Bryan.

Who will win with 80,000-plus members of the WWE Universe cheering them on in person, and millions more watching on WWE Network? Join the NZPWI Roundtable as we break down WWE’s biggest card of the year, WrestleMania 35…

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Winner Takes All, Raw & SmackDown Women’s Championships:
Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Ronda Rousey (c)

Steve McCleary (82% accurate for 2019):
Haven’t you heard? The Man’s coming around.
Winner: Becky Lynch

Grady Hooker (76% accurate for 2019):
The only person walking in without a championship is walking out with both. It will happen.
Winner: Becky Lynch

Sammy G (47% accurate for 2019):
While I’m still bitter about Flair’s inclusion in this match, it’s still the match I’m most excited for on the card! When it’s all said and done, The Man will hold all the gold!
Winner: Becky Lynch

David Dunn (42% accurate for 2019):
I doubt there’s going to be a single person in MetLife Stadium who’s not supporting Becky Lynch. She’s been through too much for WrestleMania 35 not to be her coronation.
Winner: Becky Lynch

Rosie Rude (40% accurate for 2019):
By this point Becky just has to win. This feud has been so complicated with swerves abound and utterly hampered with that knee injury angle. The insertion of Flair is another, um, bold choice. Please, just let Becky win.
Winner: Becky Lynch

Universal Championship:
Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Seth Rollins

Steve:
Suplex City looks a little worse for wear. Local architect suggests burning it down.
Winner: Seth Rollins

Grady:
Just put me out of my misery. I want to see that ugly red fruit roll-up on a weekly basis. Please.
Winner: Seth Rollins

Sam:
I think I speak for most of the WWE Universe when I say: “If Brock Lesnar wins, we riot!”
Winner: Seth Rollins

David:
I didn’t think he would, but Brock Lesnar won at WrestleMania 34, and WrestleMania 33 before that, and WrestleMania 32 before that… you get the idea.
Winner: Brock Lesnar

Rosie:
This is another match where someone just has to win and in this case it’s Seth. Please, I’ve had enough of The Beast.
Winner: Seth Rollins

WWE Championship:
Daniel Bryan (c) vs. Kofi Kingston

Steve:
Sometimes dreams don’t come true.
Winner: Daniel Bryan

Grady:
I’m going to pick with my heart here, just because I want to see the celebration from The New Day when Kofi wins his first world championship.
Winner: Kofi Kingston

Sam:
Kofimania is runnin’ wild, brother! New Day rocks!
Winner: Kofi Kingston

David:
Kingston has had to fight through so much over the last couple of months just to get to MetLife Stadium. He won’t be denied.
Winner: Kofi Kingston

Rosie:
In my dreams, Kofi Kingston wins at WrestleMania and finally gets his moment after 11 years of dedicated service. It’s WrestleMania season, dreams are real, I vote for Kofi Kingston.
Winner: Kofi Kingston

No Holds Barred, Career Threatening Match:
Batista vs. Triple H [If Triple H loses, he must retire from in-ring competition]

Steve:
Look, who’re you gonna bet on—a king or a galaxy guardian?
Winner: Batista

Grady:
I prefer Guardians of the Galaxy to The Chaperone, therefore I pick Drax The Destroyer to put Hunter away once and for all.
Winner: Batista

Sam:
Will Triple H still be weakened after his match with the Brothers of Destruction at Crown Jewel? Has Hollywood weakened The Animal? Will the careers of two men end in one match? The answer to all is: no!
Winner: Triple H

David:
I prefer The Chaperone to Guardians of the Galaxy, so…
Winner: Triple H

Rosie:
Part of me feels like this is a great way for Triple H to finally move away completely from in-ring competition and put his focus solely on his other projects. A loss to his once-stablemate Batista would be a solid way to go out.
Winner: Batista

Falls Count Anywhere:
The Miz vs. Shane McMahon

Steve:
Falls count anywhere and Shane loves to fall from everywhere, so…
Winner: The Miz

Grady:
Miz is awesome and Shane will jump off something really tall. It will be a pretty good match and I’m looking forward to a funny ending with The Miz winning somewhere on the street or something.
Winner: The Miz

Sam:
The Miz beating Shane McMahon at WrestleMania 35 will be… in a word… awesome!
Winner: The Miz

David:
It seems so long ago that these two were friends! Miz will end that relationship once and for all with a win in front of 80,000 fans at MetLife Stadium—or wherever the match may wind up.
Winner: The Miz

Rosie:
I went from not caring about this team whatsoever to being deeply entertained by the whole story and I’m keen to see the culmination of this particular falling out. I’m hoping we get a feel good win from The Miz.
Winner: The Miz

Drew McIntyre vs. Roman Reigns

Steve:
Looking forward to these two hitting each other a lot.
Winner: Roman Reigns

Grady:
I don’t care that Roman Reigns has fought back cancer, I am going to absolutely ruin my pick’ems by allowing my heart to pick one of my favourites, Drew McIntyre.
Winner: Drew McIntyre

Sam:
First, welcome back, Roman. Second, good luck, Drew!
Winner: Drew McIntyre

David:
Reigns has overcome much bigger challenges in his life than Drew McIntyre.
Winner: Roman Reigns

Rosie:
This is going to be one heck of a match-up and I’m very excited to see it. However, Roman is coming back from an extended rest and illness whereas Drew is prepped and ready to go after months of active work. I think the Scottish Psychopath has this one in the bag.
Winner: Drew McIntyre

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship:
Bayley & Sasha Banks (c) vs. Beth Phoenix & Natalya vs. The IIconics (Billie Kay & Peyton Royce) vs. Nia Jax & Tamina

Steve:
A title victory on the grandest stage of them all? Sounds positively iconic.
Winners: The IIconics

Grady:
If there is ever an option that involves picking The IIconics, I will do so.
Winners: The IIconics

Sam:
Boss ‘n’ Hug have fought way too hard to be letting those belts go any time soon!
Winners: Bayley & Sasha Banks

David:
This is a chaotic match for the defending champs, but no more so than the one in which they won their titles.
Winners: Bayley & Sasha Banks

Rosie:
I would have said Boss ‘n’ Hug Connection before the main event became a winner takes all, as I thought the Horsewomen might sweep the belts. Since that has changed I’m going to vote for my favourites, The IIconics.
Winners: The IIconics

AJ Styles vs. Randy Orton

Steve:
Should be a classic.
Winner: Randy Orton

Grady:
Surely Styles picks up the win against Orton?
Winner: AJ Styles

Sam:
I think The Viper still has some venom in him, and AJ’s about to get bit!
Winner: Randy Orton

David:
A lot of AJ Styles’ arsenal seems tailor-made to be countered by an RKO.
Winner: Randy Orton

Rosie:
Styles is going to be just another legend that will be destroyed by Orton.
Winner: Randy Orton.

United States Championship:
Samoa Joe (c) vs. Rey Mysterio

Steve:
Joe! Joe! Joe!
Winner: Samoa Joe

Grady:
With Rey Mysterio’s health in question, I am going to take the easy option and go with the Samoan Submission Machine to win.
Winner: Samoa Joe

Sam:
Those that know me know my history with Rey Mysterio… and still, he’s my pick for this match! There is magic in that mask, and Rey knows when, and how to use it!
Winner: Rey Mysterio

David:
It’s unfortunate Rey Mysterio’s son will be at ringside to see this up close.
Winner: Samoa Joe

Rosie:
I am desperate to see Joe win this. As a returning legend, Mysterio doesn’t need the win. Joe, who has never been used to his full potential since coming to the main roster deserves this. Also I have a bias towards submission machines.
Winner: Samoa Joe

Intercontinental Championship:
Bobby Lashley (c) vs. “The Demon” Finn Balor

Steve:
Sometimes demons are real.
Winner: Finn Balor

Grady:
Will the demon show up? That is the question and if he does then this match is over and done with with Finn Balor walking out as champion once again.
Winner: Finn Balor

Sam:
The Demon is coming… and it’s focused on regaining what was taken from him! Bobby Lashley’s time as Intercontinental Champion is coming to an end!
Winner: Finn Balor

David:
I wouldn’t like to be Lio Rush, trying to console Bobby Lashley after a clash with The Demon.
Winner: Finn Balor

Rosie:
I just need the strange story of Bobby Lashley to continue. His run has been so bizarre. End this Intercontinental chapter, Finn, and let’s see what weird antics he gets up to next.
Winner: Finn Balor

Baron Corbin vs. Kurt Angle [Kurt Angle’s Farewell Match]

Steve:
Ugh.
Winner: Kurt Angle

Grady:
I hold out hope that this match doesn’t happen as advertised and a certain Mr Cena shows up and puts Kurt Angle away one last time to make the circle complete.
Winner: Baron Corbin

Sam:
Ugh… there is no winner in this match as it stands. No disrespect intended to Baron, but this is the Olympic gold medallist we’re talking about here!
Winner: Kurt Angle

David:
Kurt Angle may be my favourite WWE Superstar of all time. He doesn’t have to worry about living to fight another day, so I’m sure he’ll do whatever it takes to end his career on his terms, with a win.
Winner: Kurt Angle

Rosie:
This has to be where John Cena comes down from the heavens and saves us from this match up right? Surely he’ll come down and take over from Corbin? I’m saying it’s Cena.
Winner: Baron Corbin

SmackDown Tag Team Championship:
The Usos (c) vs. Aleister Black & Ricochet vs. The Bar (Cesaro & Sheamus) vs. Rusev & Shinsuke Nakamura

Steve:
Welcome to the thrown-together-partners tag title match, and The Usos.
Winners: The Usos

Grady:
Winners: The Usos

Sam:
A match I wasn’t expecting, but I’m looking forward to regardless! Punishment for The Usos? More like an opportunity to shine!
Winners: The Usos

David:
I think Aleister Black and Ricochet came up short at NXT TakeOver because they were focused on this match.
Winners: Aleister Black & Ricochet

Rosie:
The clash of the odd couple wrestlers much? I see The Usos holding this one down.
Winners: The Usos

Raw Tag Team Championship:
The Revival (c) vs. Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder

Steve:
The hometown advantage added to the most impressive (losing) streak in history?! It’s a done deal!
Winners: Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder

Grady:
Time to end the streak. I’m sorry Revival, but you going down.
Winners: Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder

Sam:
The Grandest Stage of Them All seems to be known for streak-killing. However, this is a streak I’d actually be happy to see ended!
Winners: Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder

David:
It seems silly to back Curt Hawkins, doesn’t it? But his time has to come eventually…
Winners: Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder

Rosie:
I want to see Dash and Dawson hold these titles for as long as possible. I love Hawkins and Ryder but it’s gotta be The Revival.
Winners: The Revival