Watching WWE programming all year round does have its benefits. Even though much of it is spent watching unfathomably dull, 3-hour episodes of RAW book-ended by lengthy Triple H/Stephanie McMahon promos, there are moments of greatness that make my loyal viewing worthwhile, with WrestleMania ranking at the very top of that list.
Another big plus point is that it gives me a big advantage when it comes to accurately guessing who will be victorious at each PPV, making earning the big bucks at WrestleMania 32 a far easier feat than most other sports. If you’re not familiar with wrestling, or simply don’t know who to put your money on, I’ve compiled a list of the most likely winners at the event. While the odds are notably low given that it’s pre-determined (obviously), putting an accumulator on these following predictions could reap you significant rewards, if my educated guesses prove to be accurate.
Here’s how I’ll be betting on WrestleMania 32, and how you should probably be betting, too:
The Usos vs. The Dudley Boyz
In the second biggest go-nowhere feud on the card, The Usos take on The Dudley Boyz in a battle of the tag teams overshadowed by The New Day’s incomparable greatness. While many would point to the old-timers laying down on the greatest stage of them all for The Usos, with this feud likely to continue after WrestleMania it seems more likely that The Dudleys will get the win in a questionable finish, resulting in the two duos squaring off once again at the next PVP.
The Winners: The Dudley Boyz (Odds: N/A)
Kalisto vs. Ryback
Relegated to the pre-show undercard, this United States championship battle likely won’t see the title changing hands. Though WWE has given Kalisto essentially nothing to work with since he captured the title in one of the most unexpected pushes in recent memory, there’s really no need for Ryback to hold the US belt unless WWE plans on giving the pair a rematch at the next PPV. Considering that approximately zero people are interested in that happening, Kalisto will more than likely get the win here.
The Winner: Kalisto (Odds: 4/6)
Team Bad and Blonde vs. Team Total Divas
The most pointless match on the card sees the Total Divas cast being forcibly inserted into the PPV for no other reason than to advertise the reality TV show, with it being pretty much guaranteed that they’ll secure a victory over their opponents.
The Winners: Team Total Divas (Odds: N/A)
Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royale
Although Braun Strowman was initially rumored to be a dead cert to pick up the win in the “ARMBAR,” as it is now known, it has since been suggested that WWE have lost interest in pushing the mammoth Wyatt Family member to the top of the card, citing dismal fan reactions and a poor work rate as the reasoning behind them suddenly falling out of love with him.
WWE pushing this match onto the main card at the last minute also suggests that something much more exciting will happen with it, and with photos of Cesaro flying out to Arlington, Texas doing the rounds online, it could well mean that the Swiss Superman will pick up his second win in this match. Hopefully it has more of a positive impact on his career this time round.
The Winner: Cesaro (Odds: 10/1)
The New Day vs. The League of Nations
This is The New Day’s big chance to shine on The Grandest Stage of Them All, with them being arguably the most popular talent on the entire roster. As is the case with every other stable in the WWE right now, League of Nations aren’t anywhere near The New Day’s level, and unless some seriously screwy antics take place in order to continue this rivalry, they are the strong favourites to eat the pin.
The Winners: The New Day (Odds: 4/9)
Charlotte vs. Becky vs. Sasha Banks
The most important WWE women’s match since Trish Stratus took on Lita in the main event on RAW back in 2000, the triple threat match for the Divas title (which, according to reports, is set to be changed to the Women’s championship) has the potential to tear the roof off the stadium given all three competitors’ track record inside the squared circle. While any of these women could walk out of the event with the prize, the logical bet is surely Sasha Banks who, despite not being as over with the WWE crowd as she was in NXT yet, could certainly use the PPV as a launching pad to become the face of the women’s division on WWE programming.
The Winner: Sasha Banks (Odds: 1/2)
Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn vs. The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Zach Ryder vs. Stardust
The hastily-booked 7-man ladder match for the Intercontinental championship really has only two possible winners, with title holder Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn being positioned for a feud over the belt in the near future. However, with Sami not having spent enough time on the WWE roster to really warrant a healthy amount of fan support at this stage, and his muted response on the recent RAW in Brooklyn exemplifying this, the WWE likely won’t want him coming out on top here.
With him almost guaranteed a mid-card title run at some point in the near future, having Kevin Owens prevent him from realizing his dream at WrestleMania by way of some typical KO shenanigans could help elevate him, and would simultaneously reward Owens for his excellent heel work this past year.
The Winner: Kevin Owens (Odds: 1/3)
AJ Styles vs. Chris Jericho
No one was expecting this feud to have lasted as long as it has, and while we can’t wait for AJ Styles to start feuding with some other names on the card, Jericho has really pushed the boat out in acclimatizing the well-traveled veteran to the WWE. It’s a no-brainer that Styles will pick up his first WrestleMania victory here, in what could prove to be a show-stealing match.
The Winner: AJ Styles (Odds: 1/5)
Dean Ambrose vs. Brock Lesnar
With Ambrose having assumed the role of tireless underdog perfectly in this feud, many are expecting him to get the upset victory over Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 32. In fact, so many people actually expect this upset victory that Ambrose is now the favorite to win the match. While that could well be the case, in my mind it seems more likely that Ambrose loses to Lesnar in a hard-fought battle, gaining Lesnar’s respect at the same time similar to the Undertaker vs. Jeff Hardy feud in the early ’00s, or the Stone Cold vs. Bret Hart match at WrestleMania 13. In what could be WrestleMania 32’s “passing of the torch” moment, I believe that Ambrose will wind up losing out here, but not before exceeding everyone’s expectations and putting on the best match of the entire evening.
The Winner: Brock Lesnar (Odds: 5/4)
Undertaker vs. Shane McMahon
With WWE programming having been stale for quite some time now, the company has laid its cards on the table by placing a stipulation on this match that will see Shane McMahon take control of RAW if he wins (in kayfabe, of course). This has also been matched with another stipulation that will see The Undertaker be forced to retire if he loses. With ‘Taker’s WrestleMania undefeated streak now dead and buried, it looks likely that Shane O’Mac will pick up the win here considering that if he doesn’t, literally nothing will change in the WWE.
The company really needs Shane to win in order to inject some of that “anything can happen” atmosphere back into RAW, as the show continues to suffer from its overwhelming fascination with Roman Reigns and focus upon the tiresome Authority. With this match now reportedly having been pushed up to a headline slot and with a very special mystery guest rumored to make an appearance, it seems likely that a face from the past will help Shane pick up the victory.
The Winner: Shane McMahon (Odds: 5/6)
Triple H vs. Roman Reigns
It’s more or less guaranteed that Roman will be going over here, which is likely why this match is no longer headlining, but the real question marks surround a potential heel turn for the divisive Samoan. But regardless of that potential turn of events, unless Triple H decides to stage one last burial at the AT&T Stadium, Roman is most definitely going to win this one.
The Winner: (Odds: 1/5)
