WWE Wrestlemania 31 Preview/Predictions

It's that time of year again, wrestling fans...although it just doesn't seem to feel like it. In what normally is regarded as a national holiday in the households of professional wrestling historians, "Wrestlemania Week" just doesn't have the same allure as it usually does. That could be because we have a part-time WWE Champion who only appears a few times per year. It could be because 4 of the competitors in the 3 top matches are barely on the show, and only wrestle on special occasions. It could be because 7 of the most talented and deserving guys on the roster are relegated to an opening spot-fest ladder match, for an IC Title which is completely meaningless. Or it could be because the useless writers on the "creative team" (and I use that term loosely) are still relying on the big names that they created between 1995-2002 instead of creating new stars for the fans to get behind. No matter what the reason, it's still Wrestlemania, the biggest wrestling showcase all year. So lets go match by match and break down the card.

Pre-show: Tag Title Four Way
I wish this one was on the main card, because Cesaro, Kidd, and the Uso's deserve it. This should be a very fun, spot-filled match. I'm predicting (and hoping) the champions retain. Cesaro and Kidd are the best tag team to come along in WWE in years.

Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal
This has the potential to be very solid, or very boring, depending on its participants. So far in the line-up we have a bunch of has-beens who need to retire (Show/Kane/Henry) and a bunch of jobbers who have no chance to win. The intrigue here is in which NXT guy will be in the Battle Royal (I'm betting Neville) and if Sheamus will return in this match (I'm betting no). I'm predicting that IF Sheamus doesn't come back, Mizdow will win this thing and get a HUGE pop, in a cool moment.

AJ/Paige vs. The Bellas
I'm not terribly invested in this match, and I don't think it will get a ton of time. Though given that AJ and Paige are in it, it can't be bad. AJ/Paige get the win here. I hope they "give divas a chance" to shine.

7 Way Ladder Match for the IC Title
This should undoubtedly steal the show, given the guys that are involved. I hope this gets a ton of time, and lets each man have a moment or two to shine. All I can say is, there are three guys in this match that deserve so much better. Bryan, Ziggler, and Ambrose are main event caliber guys who are criminally mishandled. Any of them can win here, but I'll go with Bryan (to placate the fans and give him a Mania moment).

Rollins vs. Orton
This is a fresh match that should actually be very good. The build-up was very odd and contrived, but Orton is a hard worker, and Rollins is one of the best wrestlers in the world right now. He's the ONLY guy that has been steadily pushed at the top that WWE hasn't messed up yet. Orton wins here, because I think we'll see Rollins again later...

Cena vs. Rusev- US Title
Their last match at Fast Lane was actually very good. Both men step it up in big match environments, so I expect more of the same here. This may or may not be as good as last month, but should be good either way. Rusev is currently unpinned, and Cena doesn't need a secondary title. With that logic in tow, Cena wins. Why? Because WWE does whatever it wants. This puts me in mind of Cena's burial of Wyatt last year.

Wyatt vs. Taker
This is an absolute dream match with two of the greatest characters in wrestling history. So why am I not more excited for it? Because it's happening at least one year too late. Taker's streak is over, so this match has no stakes. Taker also looked incredibly bad last year, and hasn't wrestled (or even appeared) since. Plus, Wyatt can't afford another big loss to a guy who won't benefit from it. With that logic in tow, Taker wins. Why? Because WWE does whatever it wants. Do you notice a theme here? I hope this is good, but I don't have high hopes.

HHH vs. Sting
Again, another dream match. It's the icon, Sting's, first ever match in WWE. Talk about things that happened a few years too late. I do still care how this plays out, and both men are good in-ring competitors with a fire for big moments. But both men are old, neither will wrestle again for a year following this, and the build-up was lackluster. Sting undoubtedly gets the win, but WWE missed the optimum boat for this.

Lesnar vs. Reigns- World Title
Here's where things get interesting. Lesnar just announced yesterday that he's signed a new 3 year deal with WWE. So things aren't nearly as obvious as they were a few days ago. The smart crowd will undoubtedly rebel against the babyface Reigns, and cheer the heel Lesnar. My dream scenario is for Paul Heyman to turn on Lesnar and back Reigns, giving the crowd a reason to boo him within the context of storylines, and letting the genius Heyman be a mouthpiece for Reigns, who struggles on the mic. I'm betting this match winds up very good, as both men will be out to prove something, especially Reigns. We also have Rollins holding the MITB briefcase, and the acclaimed Raw the following night. My guess is, we walk out of Mania with a new World Champion. I'm going to go with Seth Rollins cashing in, but honestly, any of the three leaving as champion is now possible.