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WWE WrestleMania 34: Match card preview and predictions

Photo credit: WWE
Photo credit: WWE

From Digital Spy

After WWE Royal Rumble 2018 kicked off the Road to WrestleMania 34, Monday Night Raw paved the way with Elimination Chamber 2018 and SmackDown Live kept things going with Fastlane 2018.

Now it's time for the big one, and even those once-a-year fans will be restarting their WWE Network subscription for this.

So you'll definitely be wanting to tune in at 7pm ET/4pm PT on Sunday, April 8 (Midnight on Monday, April 9 in the UK) for all the action from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

To prepare you for the big day, Digital Spy has you covered with everything you need to know, including the full match card and all our predictions.

So here we go...

What's the full match card and predictions for WWE WrestleMania 34?

WWE Universal Championship: Brock Lesnar (c) (with Paul Heyman) vs. Roman Reigns

People have been predicting that Roman Reigns will beat Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania for four years now. It nearly happened back at WrestleMania 31, but the interruption from Seth Rollins with that Money in the Bank briefcase ended all that.

It was a stunning conclusion, but in truth it was already a fantastic match. Lesnar and Reigns both soak up a fair amount of boos from the fans, regardless of what they do, with Reigns taking the brunt of it week in week out.

If this goes bell to bell without interruption, it still has the potential to be a classic.

Lesnar's undefeatable aura has long since faded in the years since these men met last on the grandest stage of them all, and after Goldberg showed how it could be done, we think Reigns will finally slay the beast.

Whether or not he can FINALLY win over the vast majority of fans... well. That's one victory that may just forever be beyond him.

PREDICTION: Roman Reigns

WWE Raw Women's Championship: Alexa Bliss (c) vs Nia Jax

Well, this one simultaneously came from nowhere and has been brewing since forever. Alexa Bliss has defied all expectations to have held the WWE Raw Women's Championship for well over 200 days.

When Asuka opted to challenge SmackDown Live's Charlotte Flair after her Royal Rumble win, it wasn't clear who would be gunning for Little Miss Bliss.

Well, after all that time in her best frenemy's diminutive shadow, Nia Jax is stepping out, stepping up, and finally is going to make good on that incredible promise she's been showing since she came on the scene in NXT.

After coming so close many times in Florida and on the main roster, it really does feel like the time is now. Alexa will try every trick in the book to keep her crown (and probably write a few more, too), but it won't be enough.

PREDICTION: Nia Jax

WWE SmackDown Women's Championship: Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Asuka

When it became clear that Ronda Rousey wouldn't be gunning for the gold just yet, this match pretty much booked itself.

Charlotte has been the most dominant woman on the main WWE roster for some time, and is presented as such.

But Asuka hasn't been beaten once in a singles match since she came to the WWE. Not in NXT, where she passed over the title without a loss, and not up here either.

Charlotte has made short work of recent pretenders to her throne, especially those in the Riott Squad, but Asuka is a whole different story.

This has the potential to be the match of the night, and we think that Asuka is just too strong, too experienced and too invulnerable to lose.

PREDICTION: Asuka

WWE Championship: AJ Styles (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

In January 2016, IWGP Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura defeated challenger AJ Styles at Wrestle Kingdom 10 in Japan.

This rematch over the water has been a long time coming, and this time the tables have been turned. It's Nakamura who is challenging for Styles's title.

It's the WWE Dream Match many of us have been begging for, and despite teasing that they would snatch it from us, it's actually gong to happen on the grandest stage of them all.

The only potential snag here is how well-loved both of these good guys are. If there's no clear fan favourite to root for, will that sap the contest of its edge?

Not if both of these men lean on their phenomenal star quality and years of experience. Given the time and the right spot, this could go down as one for the ages, and we're tipping the The Artist to snatch victory.

PREDICTION: Shinsuke Nakamura

WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal

Confirmed WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal Entrants:

  • Sasha Banks

  • Becky Lynch

  • Liv Morgan

  • Naomi

  • Natalya

  • Ruby Riott

  • Sarah Logan

Now the dust has settled over the Fabulous Moolah name controversy, we're left with what will hopefully be an intriguing match. If it's even half as good as the first Women's Royal Rumble, we're in for a treat.

With Nia Jax, Asuka, Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss and Ronda Rousey all otherwise engaged, this really could be anyone's.

There are vets like the Bellas who will likely return, alongside newbs like Absolution's Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville and all the members of the Riott Squad.

We're going to opt for a returning Nikki to get back into things with a big win here, though the most important thing will be to set up some new, varied and interesting storylines for ALL the women on Raw and SmackDown after WrestleMania.

PREDICTION: Nikki Bella

André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal

Confirmed André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal Entrants:

  • Dash Wilder

  • Scott Dawson

  • Baron Corbin

  • Mojo Rawley

  • Tye Dillinger

What started as a cheap and easy way to get a few more guys on the card at WrestleMania has now become an institution in a few short years.

As ever we want a few decent storylines played with, an NXT call-up rustling a few feathers, and a big ending to set something up for the Raw/SDLive in the following days.

The Revival were the first to declare for the match, but there won't be a quirky joint winner. And despite the match taking place on Rusev Day, we think the Bulgarian will also fall short, should he be added to the match.

After his recent DELETION, we're going for a reborn, reincarnated, rejuvenated Bray Wyatt to get that winning WrestleMania moment after FOUR consecutive losses on the big stage.

PREDICTION: Bray Wyatt

WWE Intercontinental Championship: The Miz (c) vs. Seth Rollins vs. Finn Bálor [Triple threat match]

The Miz, as you know, is the most underrated WWE wrestler of the past decade.

He's elevated not only every title that he's held and every match he's been in, but also every segment he's even shown that moneymaking face.

He'll more than hold his own against two former indie superstars-turned-WWE-mainstays, even if he doesn't hold on to his title.

All three men have been WWE Champion in the past, and each would be a worthy WWE Intercontinental Champion.

Despite the inevitable interference from The Miztourage, we're opting for Bálor to get properly OVER with a massive WrestleMania win.

PREDICTION: Finn Bálor

WWE United States Championship: Randy Orton (c) vs. Bobby Roode vs Jinder Mahal.

Bobby Roode has had a Glorious time in the WWE since he arrived from TNA. He's been NXT Champion and was US Champion before he was dethroned by Randy Orton.

Jinder Mahal has been sniffing around the belt and was added to the match after his initial exclusion.

But none of that will matter. The Viper is the man in possession, and you get the feeling that with him beginning to enter the twilight of his WWE career, he's going to make these occasions count.

Randy Orton will retain, and if he's to be a great US Champion on this run he'll have to infuse the belt with the sense of ceremony and importance that John Cena managed in that remarkable Open Challenge era.

PREDICTION: Randy Orton

WWE Raw Tag Team Championship: Cesaro and Sheamus (c) vs. Braun Strowman & TBC

Braun Strowman initially earned his entry into this match by gatecrashing a Tag Team Battle Royal in his inimitable style, and winning it all by himself.

Well, you can't have one man being the Tag Team Champions (not even Daniel Bryan really managed that), so he has to buddy up with SOMEONE to get his hand on one of those belts.

Let's be honest... it doesn't really matter who that is. Elias? Big Show? Big Cass? Whoever it is will be bridesmaid to the beautiful big guy in the white dress.

The real fun happens the week after the match, where we find out how that relationship will continue when the lone black sheep has to play with others.

PREDICTION: Braun Strowman & TBC

WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Cedric Alexander vs. Mustafa Ali

The WWE Cruiserweight Championship has been something of a poisoned chalice since its inauguration for reasons we don't need to discuss here.

Yes, the original tournament was a vital, game-changing moment for the WWE, but it has failed to build on that burst of momentum, with 205 Live and the Raw spots just not doing the incredible international talent any justice.

But under Drake Maverick, the whole scene has been invigorated, and this tournament final should not just cap off that improvement, but (re-)launch the Cruiserweight division.

While it's the depth and breadth of the talent that's the real draw, any division needs a champion to be the standard bearer and really elevate it, and we think that Mustafa Ali can and will be that man.

PREDICTION: Mustafa Ali

Kurt Angle and Ronda Rousey vs. Triple H and Stephanie McMahon [Mixed tag team match]

This is probably the smartest way to introduce Ronda Rousey to the WWE roster. Three experienced vets in the ring to help her out, and she's not trampling on any full-timers either.

She doesn't get hotshot to a title match, but she also doesn't waste her time and ours faffing about going through the ranks from the very beginning.

It's a neat callback to that WrestleMania 31 moment, too, when Ronda put Trips on his arse after The Rock called on her services.

Well, Rocky is a bit busy so Kurt Angle is in his place, and despite his fighting return, it's not quite the same, is it?

We think that Rousey's inexperience will be her undoing, and Steph and HHH will exploit her greenness to score an unexpected victory, but Rousey will definitely come back fighting.

PREDICTION: Triple H and Stephanie McMahon

RUMOURED: Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens vs Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon

Okay, on paper Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens have been FIRED, while Shane McMahon is on indefinite leave.

Even before those things happened, the match announced for WrestleMania 34 was Sami Zayn VERSUS Kevin Owens.

But given Daniel Bryan's shock return to in-ring action and beatdown by the Yep! Movement duo, all the signs point to this match being booked.

And while both D-Bry and Shane will be awfully rusty, we think the momentum of his joyous return will propel Bryan to victory here.

What that means for KO and SZ is to be seen, but we wouldn't bet against another Superstar Shakeup and move to Monday Night Raw soon after Mania.

PREDICTION: Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon

RUMOURED: John Cena vs The Undertaker

Look, we have no idea if this match is actually going to happen, we just know that it shouldn't (despite popular opinion), but that all the signs are saying it will.

The Undertaker retired. He's done. He's had so many "final" WrestleMania moments that his body can't take any more.

But this is a match that seemingly has to happen, so happen it will (we'd still much prefer John Cena vs Kane with the latter's career on the line, though).

In some ways there's no way that any result makes sense here. Taker's run out of torches to give, and John Cena certainly doesn't need one.

The smart money is on John Cena finally putting the Deadman down and letting him Rest in Peace, but actually, we think that if he is going to come back, the Phenom has one more sit-up surprise left in him.

Victory, biking off into the sunset, and 2019 in the Hall of Fame.

PREDICTION: The Undertaker

What date and start time is WWE WrestleMania 34 in the UK?

WWE WrestleMania 34 is in the early hours of Monday morning, April 9 and the event's start time is Midnight.

What date and start time is WWE WrestleMania 34 in the US?

WWE WrestleMania 34 on Sunday, April 8 and the event's start time is 7pm ET (4pm PT).

How do I watch WWE WrestleMania 34?

If you haven't bought a ticket to be there in person at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, your options are either the WWE Network, which we highly recommend, or if you don't have a fast, reliable internet connection the more traditional – and expensive – pay-per-view.

How do I live stream WrestleMania 34 on the WWE Network?

The WWE Network is priced at £9.99 per month in the UK and $9.99 per month in the US – first-time subscribers get a month free.

You can access it via the following platforms and devices – click for info on how to access with each app:

How do I watch WrestleMania 34 on WWE pay-per-view in the UK?

You can buy WWE WrestleMania 34 on pay-per-view in the UK via Sky Sports Box Office – priced at £19.95.

If you buy via Sky, you can also catch repeats from Monday, April 9 – every five hours.

How do I watch WWE WrestleMania 34 on WWE pay-per-view in the US?

You can buy WWE WrestleMania 34 on pay-per-view in the US via your local provider – full list here.

What are your predictions for WWE WrestleMania 34? Let us know at @digitalspywwe.


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