WrestleMania 32: Predictions

April 01, 2016

Time once again for my annual WrestleMania prediction commentary. I've been doing these since 2006 so this will be my 10th year of predictions. My current batting average is 54% which isn't great but with multi man matches staying above 50% isn't as easy as you would think. I had a strong year last year with 71% as well as nailing the entire Main Event match almost exactly, so it will be tough to do as well this year, but here's hoping.

The Record so far:
Mania 23: 63%
Mania 24: 44%
Mania 25: 50%
Mania 26: 20%
Mania 27: 38%
Mania 28: 75%
Mania 29: 75%
Mania 30: 50%
Mania 31: 71%
Average: 54%



WrestleMania 32

HHH vs. Roman Reigns:
I usually suck at picking Hunter matches but hopefully I'll get it right this year. I'm picking Roman for the win. WWE needs a champion that is going to be on the road and Triple H is not a full time wrestler anymore. No idea if he will be a heel or a face at the end of the night but New Champ Roman Reigns is what I expect.

Undertaker vs. Shane McMahon: This is the tough one for me. I really have no idea what they are doing longer term and I don't even know who I want to win. I'm tired of the Authority, but I don't like the idea of Taker losing again at WrestleMania let alone to a non-wrestler in what will have to be his last match. Now granted WWE doesn't have a great track record in honouring stipulations, but let's go on the assumption that they will here. I assume there will be a ton for smoke and mirrors in this and I expect Vince McMahon to be Tombstoned, but I'm official picking Undertaker to the win.

Brock Lesnar vs. Dean Ambrose: This is another match that has me a little undecided. Dean Ambrose really needs a win, and if Reigns wins the title and turns heel, he will need a new challenger and Dean would be a great one. All of that said, regardless of what the plan may be going in I'm predicting that Sunday afternoon Vince looks at both of these guys and says no way is Ambrose beating Brock Lesnar. Brock Lesnar for the win

Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks: This is the match I'm most looking forward to and up until the Snoop Dog HOF announcement I was leaning towards Charlotte retaining. I'm expecting Sasha to induct Snoop Dog and I think her winning the title the next night with Snoop in the house is a chance for a bit of main stream entertainment publicity WWE just can't pass up. She's deserving and no doubt at some point was going to get a run, you might as well kick it off as big as possible. New Champ The Boss Sasha Banks.

AJ Styles vs. Chris Jericho: To me this should be a no brainer, and quite probably the best straight wrestling match on the show. AJ needs a big win and Jericho is good enough and established enough to get over and stay over while losing. AJ for the win.

IC Title Ladder Match: I hate multiple man matches like these, and they have really messed with my average. It's tough enough when in theory you have a 50% chance of picking the winner but with 7 options it gets so much harder. I think we've got enough title changes on the show and with Sami pinning KO Monday I expect the match to be a way to feature and make Sami look great but KO manages to hang on leading to a series of really great house shows over the next few months as Sami chases the title. KO retains.

New Day vs. League of Nations: I originally thought this was a title match but I'm pretty sure it isn't anymore. While that does make it much easier to put LON over, I just don't see the point. New Day is way more popular and selling tons of merchandise, so putting over a team that has never really gotten over to a huge degree or has many legs left in them as a group. New Day Rocks and Wins.

Andre Battle Royal: Picking a Battle Royal winner sucks and it's even harder when you don't even know who all is in the damn thing. According to Wikipedia there are 16 participants announced so far. Social Outcasts, Show, Kane, Breeze, Goldust, Truth, Young, Henry, Konnor, Viktor, Swagger, Sandow. What I've done in the past is pick someone out of the listed participants and if someone not advertised wins just throw out the result. I honestly can't imagine anyone on this list winning, but will pick the Big Show because when all else fails size matters. To avoid being a bit of a copout I will assume that the Wyatts are in this thing. I can't imagine them being left off the show so if the Wyatts (Bray, Strowman, and Rowan added) I will pick Bray for the win. If the Wyatts aren't in it my Show pick stands, and if someone not mentioned here enters and wins then this match just won't count towards my percentage. I hope that is clear.

I don't do or count preshow match predictions and it's been stated pretty clearly the other 3 matches are pre show so I will end this here. If you care I suspect Ryback, Dudleys, and Total Divas pick up wins.

I hope everyone enjoys the show.
Lance


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