It is time for the final part of our three-part series previewing Wrestlemania 34.
Let’s waste no time.
John Cena vs. The Undertaker
It's the match everyone’s wanted to see… since 2005. Take away Cena’s early Smackdown career matches, and these two have never faced off in a singles match on a PPV. And for over a decade, fans have waited. But maybe, just maybe, they’ve waited too long. At this point, Cena is 40 and The Undertaker is 53. Could they put on a match worthy of their legendary statuses? Is it worth seeing?
I mean, it is Wrestlemania. If ‘Taker is done after this match, what a way to go out. Only one problem: he STILL hasn’t accepted Cena’s challenge. That’s right. John Cena is technically heading into Wrestlemania 34 without an opponent, even though it’s clear he’ll be facing The Undertaker.
It’s confusing, great storytelling, and a tragic tale all at the same time. It’s almost certain it’ll happen. But how will it turn out?
My prediction: They say the best way to go out is “on your back”. Shawn Michaels beat Ric Flair in his retirement match, The Undertaker beat Shawn Michaels in his retirement match, and now? Well, is this the match that finally retires The Undertaker? At this point, it’s hard to tell. After last year’s send-off, many thought that was it. But now it looks as if this will finally be it. There is a twist too: Cena isn’t a full-timer anymore either. This may come as a shock, but I see The Undertaker winning, then tipping his cap to John Cena, as the 16-time champion makes his slow walk up the ramp. And in the end, both will walk into the sunset. Winner: The Undertaker.
WWE Universal Championship match: Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns
This is going to be interesting. It’s the battle of two wrestlers nobody can stand. One is a man (well, “beast”) that basically intends on leaving after Wrestlemania, while the other is a wrestler who has been shoved down the fans’ throats to be the new “top guy” in WWE. Not exactly a beloved battle here. Brock Lesnar hasn’t defended the Universal Title in months, and has barely shown up on WWE TV since then either. It is almost impossible to find a scenario in which Lesnar wins this match. It will be a battle full of “superman punches,” “suplexes” and no real technical wrestling. It’ll be the equivalent of playing a wrestling game with unlimited finishers. It’ll get stale quick for sure.
My prediction: Like I said, it’s highly unlikely Lesnar wins this match, especially if the news of him leaving are true. This match has been planned for an entire year. Vince McMahon has been preparing for this day, as Reigns yet again is in one of the main events of Wrestlemania. Winner: Roman Reigns.
WWE Championship match: A.J Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Match of the night. Book it. It’s the match everyone has waited to see. Immediately after winning the 2018 Royal Rumble, Nakamura set his sights on Styles. These two have teamed up and fought against each other in New Japan Pro Wrestling, but now, it’s time for their battles to shine on the “Grandest stage of them all”. Their styles (no pun intended) are legendary, and they’ve traveled the world displaying their athleticism in various promotions. Nakamura has not won a title since joining WWE’s main roster, and this is his biggest opportunity thus far. The two have teamed up multiple times on Smackdown LIVE! but they know each other so well this match was known to happen for a long time. But the hype has never been higher.
If WWE were smart, they’d have this match main event the evening. Reigns has main evented enough for a while, and to give two of the world’s greatest wrestlers the top spot on the card is what’s (to quote Triple H) “best for business”. Nakamura has a slew of vicious kicks that’ll come right out of nowhere, while Styles has the “Styles clash” and “Phenomenal forearm” from the top rope.
In this evenly matched championship match, who will reign on top?
My prediction: This will be the beginning of a long, and respectful feud between two all-time greats who seem to never age (both are in their mid-to-late 30’s). In the main event of Wrestlemania 34, I anticipate (and am hoping) to see a NEW WWE Champion. Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura.
There you have it. My Wrestlemania 34 preview w/predictions. I hope you enjoy the show tomorrow, as the card has the makings of it to be an instant classic yet again
