WrestleMania Season is upon us again and I figured it would be a time to dust off the keyboard, give Kick Out at 2! a facelift, and share my complete rundown and predictions of this year’s WrestleMania card.
Undisputed WWE Universal Championship Match: Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes
Robbie’s Pick: Cody Rhodes – This was a match that we never in a million years imagined would have happened. During the original version of Kick Out at 2! I don’t believe any of us saw Roman Reigns capable of achieving the Superstar status that he has since he won the WWE Universal Championship in August of 2020. Cody had been gone from the WWE with no signs of returning, especially since he was an integral part in the formation of All Elite Wrestling but it seemed like Cody achieving his dream of winning the WWE World Championship was something he simply couldn’t shake. Since his return to the company, you can tell the experience that he picked up from wrestling all around the world coupled with his knowledge of the WWE system has easily established him as their top babyface for years to come.
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Match: The Usos vs. Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens
Robbie’s Pick: Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens – The Bloodline overall has been a fantastic story and the glue that has held the WWE together for the past few years. The Usos have been one of my favorite tag teams since their debut and I can remember vividly having a conversation with my friends about how they should just lean into their lineage with Roman and create an ultimate Heel stable “The Lineage” or “The Bloodline” were even tossed around as names for them so I remember legit marking out when it not only happened but they went with the name! During the course of The Bloodline story, Sami Zayn organically rose to the position of a top babyface and begin to crossover into the story being told with Kevin Owens. WWE is in a good spot right now having not only a great babyface with Cody Rhodes but KO and Sami as well.
United States Championship Match: Austin Theory vs. John Cena
Robbie’s Pick: John Cena – I know, I know. The past me would seriously be losing his mind if he knew the present-day me was favoring a version of John Cena who is 21 years into his career beating an up-and-comer for one of WWE’s most established second-tier championships. Therein lies the problem, The United States Championship when in the hands of the right performer can be a very credible storytelling device, simply put Austin Theory isn’t there yet for me as well as a lot of other fans out there. He still needs some work and there have been sparks of genius behind his character but there is something missing that I simply don’t see at this point in his career. I could easily see Cena beating Theory here and the RAW after Mania Cena reinstates his United States open challenge only to be answered by a debuting “Switchblade” Jay White who then takes the title.
SmackDown Women’s Championship Match: Charlotte Flair vs Rhea Ripley
Robbie’s Pick: Rhea Ripley – Unfortunately Charlotte Flair has the same problem Randy Orton had for the majority of his career. She’s a natural heel but wrestles the style of a baby face so she comes across as indifferent to most of the fans. She’s an amazing wrestler but Rhea is so incredibly over with the fans right now that I believe her association with The Judgment Day is actually holding her back. I see Rhea picking up the victory here over Flair and moving over to SmackDown with a fresh start as a champion and possibly leaving Judgment Day behind in the process.
Triple Threat Match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship: Gunther vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus
Robbie’s Pick: Gunther – Gunther has been impressive since his debut as Walter in NXT: UK and that hasn’t slowed since his addition to the Main Roaster and his name change. Since he picked up the Intercontinental Championship he has definitely restored the prestige to the title and I love what has done during his reign and character development with Imperium. On the flip side of that, I hope to see Sheamus eventually win the title. If Gunthur can keep the title for just a little over 5 more months he will surpass The Honky Tonk Man’s run as the longest-reigning champion. I’d love to see that happen as much as I’d love to see Sheamus finally win the one title that he hasn’t during his career, so I’m torn. I figure Gunther picks up the win here due to Sheamus and Drew being so focused on trying to outdo the other one.
RAW Women’s Championship Match: Bianca Belair vs. Asuka
Robbie’s Pick: Asuka – WWE has an opportunity here to keep an undefeated streak going with Bianca for WrestleMania appearances but I believe it’s now or never for Asuka. Since her return at the Royal Rumble and channeling her Kana character from Japan she has been more interesting than her previous character that Vince McMahon simply had lost touch with. Asuka’s definitely one I can see benefiting under the creative control of Triple H and I would love to see what a champion version of this current character would be capable of going forward.
Six-Woman Tag Team Match: Trish Stratus, Lita & Becky Lynch vs. Damage CTRL
Robbie’s Pick: Trish Stratus, Lita and Becky Lynch – It seems like this is the match that we should have had at Elimination Chamber but better late than never. Some folks see this as an opportunity for Trish to turn on Becky and Lita but I don’t think we get a revisit of the WrestleMania 20 heel-turn again. This seems like the feel-good WrestleMania moment for the fans to see “Becky and The Legends” pick up a victory before they move on to defending the WWE Womens Tag Team Championships against Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler down the road.
Women’s WrestleMania Showcase Match: Raquel Rodriguez & Liv Morgan vs Natalya & Shotzi vs Sonya Deville & Chelsea Green vs Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler
Robbie’s Pick: Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler – I’m not sure what it is with Ronda Rousey these days but she definitely has fallen out of favor with the fans, which is sad and disappointing. She’s a main name and big money draw but she just hasn’t fallen into the groove yet despite being a special attraction for the company. Her Mixed-Tag Match with Kurt Angle against Stephanie McMahon and Triple H was a strong outing for her and really showcased what she was capable of. I believe establishing her as a dominant tag team with Shayna going forward will be the best way to utilize her and what she can offer the world of professional wrestling.
Men’s WrestleMania Showcase Match: Braun Strowman & Ricochet vs The Street Profits vs Alpha Academy vs The Viking Raiders
Robbie’s Pick: The Street Profits – I understand when WrestleMania comes around the idea is to get as many people on the card as possible. Having two similar tag team matches during this event has reminded me of WrestleMania 19 when we saw both the World Tag Team and WWE Tag Team Championships defended in Triple Threat Tag Team Matches. So the idea of seeing two of the same match types happening during WrestleMania isn’t a new concept. For this match, I’m definitely going with The Sreet Profits. These guys are absolutely insanely over with the crowd and I have been lucky enough to see them perform three times in the past two years live. I don’t think these guys have ever been involved in a bad match and the athleticism that is effortlessly displayed by Montez Ford will ultimately make him the MVP of this match yet again.
Hell in a Cell Match: Edge vs. “The Demon” Finn Bálor
Robbie’s Pick: Finn Balor – My gut instinct is to pick Edge as the winner. Simply because I could see Rhea Ripley being the only member of The Judgment Day to pick up a victory at WrestleMania and leave the group immediately after. Also, Edge has said on multiple occasions that he is nearing the twilight of his career, specifically the in-ring portion of it that second chapter that none of us ever thought we would have a chance to see again. Despite a great fairy tale ending for Edge’s inevitable retirement, Finn really needs this win though. Edge picked up a solid victory over AJ Styles last year so Finn picking up the win here is exactly what he needs to re-establish his character. Hopefully, the Judgment Day angle will result in a payoff and Finn will be inserted back into the title picture and have a new version of The Demon that he will be able to call upon when needed.
Rey Mysterio vs. Dominik Mysterio
Robbie’s Pick: Rey Mysterio – After watching Rey Mysterio’s WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony last night I feel that Rey will be the rightful winner of this match. It was interesting to see them continuing the storyline through the actual Hall of Fame event itself but as far as feel-good WrestleMania moments go, I feel Rey winning is the logical answer. However, I don’t see it being the end of his career as active Hall of Famers continuing to wrestle has become somewhat the norm as of late. I most likely see this feud continuing at a later time and when Rey is finally ready to hang up his boots Dominic will be the one to retire him, take his mask and carry on the Mysterio legacy for a new generation.
Seth “Freakin” Rollins vs. Logan Paul
Robbie’s Pick: Seth “Freakin” Rollins – Seth continues to be over as hell with the audience and when I was live in attendance the crowd singing along with his music was something surreal and very neat to experience firsthand. I can only imagine what that will sound like at WrestleMania. Ever since The Shield fell apart Seth has been the most consistent wrestler on the WWE roster with only a few misses here and there. Part of me could see him taking a loss to Logan Paul and changing his gimmick a bit based on his statement that if he “couldn’t beat Logan Paul then maybe he was a joke.” on RAW the other night. I hope Seth wins but I think it’s time to drop the “Freakin” out of his name for sure as it sounds like a lingering forced McMahon-ism.
Brock Lesnar vs. Omos
Robbie’s Pick: Brock Lesnar – Unfortunately this is the match I feel that I am the least interested in and that is coming from a huge Brock Lesnar fan. Omos is definitely a legit monster but sadly he continues to show his limitations in matches. He does do a better job than some other giants from the past but this match to me seems very out of place unless it is used to set up a future story. I expect Brock to pick up a pretty quick win unless they use this moment to finally re-establish The Hurt Business as that continues to be teased regularly by MVP.
Kick Out At 2! 