WrestleMania 38: Preview, predictions for first night of action

The most stupendous WrestleMania is upon us once again! World Wrestling Entertainment has a stacked wrestling match card for this weekend’s WrestleMania pay-per-view/premium live event. In the past, WrestleMania PPVs (either late March or early April) have been a tradition for all wrestling fans. Now they have the two-day format, which showcases the better matchups without stacking the entire event into one day. Multiple days of wrestling get fans excited all weekend. Two-day events also helps the entire host town to get a wrestling vibe.

The biggest names in wrestling headline this amazing match card, with a lot of celebrity involvement. Without further ado, I give you WrestleMania Saturday predictions scheduled for April 2 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Match 1: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Bianca Belair – WWE Raw Women’s Championship Match

This match should open up the PPV, as this will showcase last year’s WrestleMania main event winner, Bianca Belair. She will go one-on-one with arguably the most popular women’s wrestler in WWE, Becky Lynch.

“Big Time Becks” aka Becky Lynch has not been defeated in more two years! Although she took a hiatus for maternity leave, she has dominated the women’s roster upon return. Both Bianca and Becky are in the best shape of their in-ring careers, and this match will definitely be a good opener. This will get the crowd on their feet and showcase who is the better women’s wrestler. Although Becky’s championship reign should continue, Bianca Belair is the best pure athlete in all of WWE. Look out for the use of weapons and the use of Bianca’s hair.

Prediction: Winner – (and new) Raw Women’s champion Bianca Belair

Match 2: Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio vs. The Miz and Logan Paul

Ever since the first WrestleMania, celebrity involvement has been a part of the spectacle. Celebrities bring in a huge following and lead more casual fans to have interest in the wrestling product. This year, there will be THREE celebrity matches. For the first celebrity match, WWE enlisted the services of Logan Paul, who has a huge social media following. Paul last faced Floyd Mayweather in a boxing exhibition.

Paul will team up against the Miz, who is no stranger to celebrity matches. Last year, Reggaetón superstar Bad Bunny showed all future celebrities that with enough in-ring training, celebrities can steal the show. Bad Bunny last year showcased his outstanding skills and impressed the WWE roster. Now it’s time for Paul to see what he can bring to the ring. He will go against legendary luchador Rey Mysterio, who is teaming with his son Dominik Mysterio. This match will not last long as there will be a lot of heelish tactics from the Miz. Look out for Paul to turn on the Miz towards the end of the bout. I see the Mysterios and Logan Paul standing triumphantly over the evil Miz.

Prediction: Winners – Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio

Match 3: Drew McIntyre vs. Happy Corbin (with Madcap Moss)

This match has the makings of a possible sleeper match. Happy Baron Corbin has been on great comedic run. It all started in the summer when Corbin was miserable and started losing a lot of matches. He was portrayed as being “broke.” The August weekend of SummerSlam occurred in Las Vegas, where Corbin hit the jackpot by winning lots of money in the casinos. Ever since, he changed his persona into someone who is now very happy, and the fans love to hate him. He is also on an undefeated streak ever since he hit the Vegas jackpot.

At this time last year, Drew McIntyre was the WWE champion, being billed as an unstoppable wrestler. He is now in the middle of the PPV card and has to work his way up to get back into championship contention. The ending of this match should see the Scottish Warrior, McIntrye, victorious and shifting his focus to championships gold in 2022.

Prediction: Winner – Drew McIntyre

Match 4: The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso) (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura and Rick Boogs for the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship

It is nice to see that tag-team wrestling is getting featured at WrestleMania again. Over the years, the tag-team titles have been overlooked or were subjected to the preshow lineup. The Usos have been the most consistent team in all of WWE. They are in a strong faction with reigning universal champion, their cousin, Roman Reigns. Shinsuke Nakamura and Rick Boogs are a current fan-favorite team due to Boogs and his Freddie Mercury gimmick. What puts the challengers over the top is that they mesh very well in the ring. Nakamura is no stranger to the big fights, as he has competed in multiple New Japan and WrestleMania events. Unfortunately, the Usos will retain their championship and will continue to feud with Nakamura and Boogs to build a great tag-team storyline.

Prediction: Winners – and Still SmackDown Tag Team Champions, The Usos

Match 5: The New Day (Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston) vs. Sheamus and Ridge Holland

This tag match may end up in the preshow after being put together at the very last minute. This would have been a six-man tag match, but former WWE champ and fellow New Day member, Big E, suffered a brutal neck injury weeks ago. Ridge Holland, a newcomer to WWE, injured Big E with an over-the-head suplex. Luckily, WWE is not punishing Holland, and he is still being featured on the PPV. As much as I would like for Sheamus and Holland to win, the New Day needs this win to get back in their winning ways. This may be a quick match.

Winners: The New Day (Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston)

Match 6 (co-main event): Seth “Freakin” Rollins vs. TBA (Vince McMahon’s choice)

WWE fans were worried about Seth Rollins, as he did not have a match in place at WrestleMania. But the mystery opponent provides intrigue, as Vince McMahon likes to play with the fans’ emotions. The popular choice here is Cody Rhodes. The former AEW competitor is the hottest free agent at the moment. Fans have been chanting Cody’s name for the last few weeks. Vince can also go to his prodigal son, Shane McMahon, who is no stranger to the bright lights of WrestleMania. Whoever Vince McMahon chooses, Seth and the mystery opponent will put on a great match. This might even be a match of the night contender.

Prediction: Winner – mystery opponent (hopefully Cody Rhodes)

Match 7 (main event) Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Ronda Rousey – SmackDown Women’s Championship

The most anticipated women’s match of the weekend. Ronda Rousey, the challenger, dominated the UFC and has done fairly well as a WWE Superstar. She made her surprise return this past January, winning the Royal Rumble event to become the No. 1 contender. Rousey could have chosen Becky Lynch, as they have yet to face each other one-on-one. Instead, Rousey set her sights on the Queen, Charlotte Flair. The daughter of the Nature Boy, Ric Flair, has shown that she is the most dominant women’s wrestler on the planet. Charlotte has the height, lineage, and charisma to be the face of the women’s division. This will be their first matchup since Survivor Series 2018. Look out for all the submission reversals and possible high-risk maneuvers from both competitors. This is actually Ronda’s first one-on one-match at a WrestleMania. Look out for her patented arm bar, as this match will not end via pinfall.

Prediction: Winner – (and new) SmackDown Women’s Champion – Ronda Rousey

Final Segment of the Night: Kevin Owens and Stone Cold Steve Austin

This wouldn’t be a WrestleMania if one of the most legendary figures in all of wrestling didn’t participate.

The return of Stone Cold Steve Austin promises to be a highlight, as he is coming to stomp the ruthless Kevin Owens. This interaction is months in the making as Owens has been talking smack about the state of Texas. This year, WrestleMania is being held AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys. Stone Cold is synonymous with the state of Texas. A Texas-size butt-whooping is in store for Owens. The enormous ovation that Stone Cold will get when his music hits the stadium will be amazing. He is undoubtedly the most popular wrestler in the history of WWE. If this does become an official match, I hope these two have a great fight. The Texas crowd would go home happy seeing Stone Cold return to the ring after 19 years.

Outcome/Winner: Stone Cold stunning Kevin Owens. Crowd erupts in joy to close out WrestleMania Saturday.

The first night of WrestleMania looks very promising and will get the crowd energized, which will carry over to WrestleMania Sunday.

WrestleMania Saturday and Sunday on the Peacock App on Saturday April 2 and Sunday April 3. You can also order WrestleMania 38 through your local cable and satellite provider.