Andrew Grevas
It’s WrestleMania week & here at Sports Obsessive we’re going all in! We’ve already offered our predictions for ROH and NXT & now I’m joined by Joel Kananen, Katrina Blake, Jeremy Thomas & Jon Shartzer for our WrestleMania 38 predictions!
Brock Lesnar vs Roman Reigns: Title vs Title
Andrew: This really needs to be a win for Roman. After the monster run he’s had, not losing in years, whoever does finally beat him is going to have a lot to gain. That shouldn’t be someone established like Lesnar. The rub needs to be given to an upstart, like Bron Breakker at SummerSlam. If Lesnar wins, it will be one of WWE’s worst booking decisions in years. The biggest question I have is if The Rock comes out to set up next year’s Mania in LA with Roman or not.
Prediction: Roman Reigns
Joel: The longest titled match in WWE history and it’s for all the proverbial marbles! Will Brock finally get to beat the hell out of Paul Heyman? Will Roman get revenge for Brock’s rampant vehicular slaughter?
Prediction: Roman Reigns
Katrina: I know people are happy with Cowboy Brock, but I don’t particularly care too much. Roman needs to continue to be the best champion ever. After watching his episode on WWE Evil, I feel he needs to keep the belt and continue on his “God mode”. Honestly he needs to be champ until next year and face The Rock, but I guess we will see. Going with The Tribal Chief in my WrestleMania 38 predictions.
Prediction: Roman Reigns
Jeremy: Brock has been fantastic in his most recent run with the company. He is proving that he never needed the greatest manager of all time, Paul Heyman, on the mic for him. Reigns has been operating on a different level for two and a half years now. He has not taken a loss by pinfall since the TLC pay per view in December of 2019 to Baron Corbin of all people. This match is going to end WrestleMania with the ultimate swerve. Everyone thinks Roman Reigns is going to win but Brock will be the one who reigns at the end of the night.
Prediction: Brock Lesnar
Jon: This isn’t the same Brock vs Roman that we’re used to. Since Roman’s heel turn, the momentum has shifted in this feud. The company is fully behind the Tribal Chief and I don’t expect that to change this weekend. We willl all acknowledge him as the true champion of the WWE.
Prediction: Roman Reigns
Charlotte Flair (c) vs Ronda Rousey for the Smackdown Women’s Title
Andrew: I might be the biggest Charlotte Flair fan out there. She’s amazing, a true generational talent. I wish she was on a Roman Reigns like run but alas, it’s not much of a stretch to say that one of my WrestleMania 38 predictions is that we’re getting a new champ here. I might not like it, but it’s what they’re going to do.
Prediction: Ronda Rousey
Joel: Maybe I’m missing something, but this feels like the easiest call of the night. It also should have been one of the easiest builds on this card, but Ronda and Charlotte have been charisma voids for one another for months. Maybe the match will be good.
Prediction: Ronda Rousey
Katrina: While I think Charlotte should keep the belt, something is telling me Ronda will leave Mania with the belt.
Prediction: Rousey
Jeremy: This feud has had a very physical build-up in anticipation of their showdown on Saturday night. Rousey cannot lose in her first singles match return. Charlotte Flair has been saying that she is going to make Ronda tap out at WrestleMania but in my WrestleMania 38 predictions, it will be the opposite that occurs.
Prediction: Ronda Rousey wins by submission
Jon: I have to be honest, I still don’t really buy Ronda Rousey as pro wrestler, or at least as champion. But, she has name value and there isn’t much in this world that Vince values more than that. Charlotte should retain but I don’t see it happening. Ronda will leave as champ.
Prediction: Ronda Rousey
Becky Lynch (c) vs Bianca Belair for the Raw Women’s Title
Andrew: This is easily the best job WWE has done storytelling wise in the build to Mania. There’s really only one acceptable outcome here and that’s Bianca finally getting her SummerSlam revenge.
Prediction: Bianca Belair
Joel: The best built title match on both shows, even with the head-scratching 26-second title change. Belair has chased the title without looking like a fool, while Becky has been masterful in ducking her. WWE math says that because Bianca stood strong with scissors in hand on RAW that the champ will retain, but I really hope that’s not true.
Prediction: Bianca Belair
Katrina: Going with my girl Bianca. She is the EST of everything!!! She also deserves better after her lost to Becky in the first place.
Prediction: Bianca Belair
Jeremy: Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair – I was pretty shocked that Belair actually cut some of Lynch’s signature red locks on Raw this week. Lynch has been almost as dominant over the past 3 years as Roman Reigns has been. It has been a long time since Lynch has chased after the title and I feel this will be refreshing for her character. Belair also needs to avenge her 26-second loss to Lynch at SummerSlam.
Prediction: Bianca Belair
Jon: Man, this one is tough. I love both of these women. I really want to say that Bianca has earned the right to be champion again. But would they really change both women’s championships on the same night? I think Bianca has to hold off just a little bit longer and let this story continue to build.
Prediction: Becky Lynch
Seth Rollins vs ?
Andrew: I’m fully expecting a swerve to start this segment, with Shane being the obvious choice. But is WrestleMania and that means a ton of names will be in town so hopefully they’re a little more creative than that. To me, the biggest question here isn’t the swerve or if it’s Cody or not, but rather how Cody is portrayed. Is he given the same (or similar) grand entrance that he had in AEW? Does he seem like a major free agent signing? This is a golden opportunity for WWE and I hope they don’t undersell it.
Prediction: Cody shows up and wins
Joel: Oh boy what a long and strange roads we’ve taken to get here. Get it? Cody and Seth will be a lot of fun, but I predict one more swerve before we get there. Seth is in the ring, and Shane’s music hits. Giant boos. Shane begins his money walk to the ring and gets into Seth’s face. Then, in all his glory Cody freaking Rhodes appears, and we all know peace for one singular moment.
Prediction: Cody Rhodes
Katrina: Seth Rollins is talented. But as WWE likes to do weird things sometimes, I’m going with the mystery opponent.
Prediction: ?
Jeremy: Who will the mystery opponent be? All signs point to it being Cody Rhodes. I believe that it will be him as well and that is why WWE hasn’t had him appear on Raw to build to their match. How great would it be to see WWE present Cody as close to his character from AEW as possible? If WWE has not signed Cody Rhodes then I believe that the opponent will be Shane McMahon.
Prediction – Cody Rhodes debuting and winning
Jon: I’ve heard the rumors of Shane, Veer, and so forth, but it’s gotta be Cody, right? As far as wins, that’s the part. Would Vice really allow Cody to get a win over the ultimate WWE flag bearer in his first match back after what Dusty’s son has done over the past few years? Would Cody sign without assurance of a major push? Maybe both are correct. I’m going with Seth pulling out the victory, but only getting the ball rolling on the bigger story for these two.
Prediction: Seth Rollins
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin on the KO Show
Andrew: I don’t understand the logic of this being the Night 1 Main Event. It shouldn’t be. Austin isn’t going to wrestle. He might brawl a little but we’re not getting a match here. Becky and Bianca 100% should be closing Night 1. I digress. I’m personally hoping for some great mic work and a Stunner and not much more. It doesn’t need to be much more.
Joel: As someone who was in the crowd for Owen’s stone-cold, albeit hilarious, fake-out in Chicago, I hope Austin stunners him until his head pops off.
Prediction: The winner is WrestleMania ticket sales
Katrina: I think Stone Cold will stun Kevin at the end of this!
Jeremy: Stone Cold Steve Austin on the Kevin Owens Show – Kevin Owens has been superb in getting the crowd to hate him on the last two Raw episodes before WrestleMania. In Chicago, he impersonated Austin and constantly teased the crowd that the Texas Rattlesnake would be making an appearance. In Pittsburgh this week he berated and disparaged Steve Austin, calling him a has-been and telling the crowd to stop living in the past. Austin will show up and have a great war of words between two of WWE’s best on the mic performers. There will be an altercation with Owens getting the best of Austin at the beginning. Austin will eventually overcome KO’s early assault and leave him lying in the ring after a stunner and getting several beers poured over him. I also think that there is a small chance that Austin challenges Owens to an actual match on night two of WrestleMania and that this is the real reason that it was moved to the main event of night one.
Jon: I don’t really know what to expect with this segment, but it’s bound to be fun. I just wish that we could have seen more of Austin during the build up. One thing that is certain: KO is going to eat a stunner.
Edge vs AJ Styles
Andrew: I’m more excited about this match than any other on the Mania card. Edge’s comeback has been in a mixture of great work and elevating talent and I have no doubt that these two will put on a great match here. As far as WrestleMania 38 predictions go, Edge doesn’t need the win here but it would mean a lot for Styles.
Prediction: AJ Styles
Joel: I think babyface Styles should be the next WWE Champion, if such a thing even exists after Mania, and beating evil Edge would be a great first step to get there. This dream match will be a highlight of both nights.
Prediction: AJ Styles
Katrina: Going with Edge
Jeremy: This is a difficult one for me to predict because it doesn’t feel like a one-off. This should be at least a three-match feud. The diabolical Edge persona has made a return and he has been killing it with his promos.
Prediction: Edge
Jon: If you asked me before this match became official, I would’ve told you that AJ styles would be the guy here. I’m glad that I was wrong in that assessment. Edge has been on fire the last few weeks. The match should be excellent and a strong candidate for the match of the weekend. I love AJ, but I’m taking the Rated R superstar to come out victorious.
Prediction: Edge
The Miz and Logan Paul vs The Mysterios
Andrew: This should be fun and a great use of both The Miz and The Mysterios. Father and son get the win and The Miz takes a punch from Paul for the ESPN clips.
Prediction: The Mysterios
Joel: The Miz and Paul brother X winning against Rey Mysterio just feels wrong.
Prediction: The Mysterios
Katrina: I’m going with the Mysterios.
Prediction: The Mysterios
Jeremy: I know a lot of wrestling fans hate seeing Logan Paul involved at WrestleMania but there will always be a celebrity element to the biggest show of the year. Paul has done a good job of getting the crowd to hate him even more by donning Rey Mysterio’s stolen mask and being a crony to the Miz but they will end up taking the loss.
Prediction: The Mysterios
Jon: Personally, I can’t stand either of the Paul brothers. Therefore, this pick is made completely out of hate. I’m riding with Rey and his boy to take this one home and send Logan Paul back to YouTube.
Production: The Mysterios
Austin Theory vs Pat McAfee
Andrew: Another match that WWE hopes gets ESPN coverage and it very well might. Personally, I’d have Shane come out here instead of with Seth to play off the Vince angle and help Pat get the win. Theory wouldn’t lose anything if Shane O Mac involves himself.
Prediction: Pat McAfee
Joel: I truly believe this was supposed to be Shane McMahon versus Austin Theory, but then the Rumble fiasco happened. In Shane’s place, Pat O’Mac will get his first WrestleMania match, and I have high hopes. McAfee was genuinely impressive during his feud with Adam Cole, and this should be a nice showcase for two emerging stars.
Prediction: Austin Theory
Katrina: Pat hands down!
Jeremy: Pat McAfee can wrestle and I am looking forward to this match. Theory has done a good job of antagonizing the crowd and getting them to hate his character. After Theory loses this match he will have to answer to Vince and pay for his mistakes.
Prediction: Pat McAfee
Jon: In theory(no pun intended), This should be the best of the celebrity matches this weekend. McAfee has proven two times before but he has what it takes to put on a decent match. I don’t see this one being any different. I feel like he will be leaving Mania still undefeated.
Prediction: Pat McAfee
Johnny Knoxville vs Sami Zayn: Anything Goes Match
Andrew: More mainstream coverage for WWE here. Knoxville will get to be a daredevil, Sami will be the great heel that he is and there will be plunder. Lots of plunder. Knoxville gets his hand raised after a whole lot of shenanigans and cameos.
Prediction: Johnny Knoxville
Joel: Very few people sports entertain me as much as Sami Zayn, and I think he will put together a memorable match against Johnny Knoxville. Knoxville will also receive the honor of replacing Shane in the “jumps off something tall and dangerous” spot of the night.
Prediction: Johnny Knoxville
Katrina: The best way to piss off Sami more than before is to have Johnny win this, so he is my pick.
Prediction: Johnny Knoxville
Jeremy: This match will be the comic relief for the night. With the “Anything Goes” rule I expect multiple instances of interference from the Jackass crew.
Prediction: Johnny Knoxville
Jon: I’ve been over this feud basically since it started. Common sense says that Sami will lose and use it to further her argument about the agenda against him. The ‘Anything Goes’ stipulation makes it a lot easier to pull this off.
Prediction: Johnny Knoxville
Drew McIntyre vs Happy Corbin
Andrew: We all lose here. WWE loves Corbin. I don’t get it. Never have. Drew gets the win and presumably moves onto Roman next.
Prediction: Drew
Joel: While this matchup does not inspire wonder and excitement into the hearts of the WWE Universe, but I think the in-ring will be quite good here. Too bad no one will care.
Prediction: Drew McIntyre
Katrina: Drew all the way!
Jeremy: This has to be the most predictable match of the night. McIntyre deserves better than to be stuck in this feud any longer. He will end Happy Corbin’s winning streak on Saturday.
Prediction: Drew McIntyre
Jon: This is the surest pick of the whole weekend. Drew will make easy work of Corbin, who will continue his split with Madcap Moss. Not much else to say here.
Prediction: Drew McIntyre
RKBro(c) vs Alpha Academy vs The Street Profits for the Raw Tag Team Titles
Andrew: I’d love to see this end with RKBro ending. They’ve had a great run but give us the Orton turn here and have it feel like a major Mania angle and kick this feud off right.
Prediction: The Street Profits
Joel: The tag title scene has been the best thing on RAW for several weeks, and this should be an excellent matchup. As sad as it would be to see, this could easily be the beginning of the end of the endlessly entertaining RKBRO.
Prediction: Street Profits
Katrina: I love The Street Profits, but I also would love to see Montez by himself. So RKBro for this one.
Prediction: RKBro
The Usos (c) vs Nakamura and Rick Boogs for the Smackdown Tag Team Titles
Andrew: I don’t like that this match is happening in the first place but we’re here. Since I think Roman is winning the title vs title match, I’d pop the crowd and change the tag titles and cause a little drama in the Bloodline.
Prediction: Nakamura and Boogs
Joel: I love Shinsuke Nakamura and Rick Boogz. The people love Shinsuke Nakamura and Rick Boogz. Vince McMahon may or may not love Shinsuke Nakamura, but he definitely loves Rick Boogz. Maybe he’ll put the titles on Shinsuke Nakamura and Rick Boogz? I say not yet.
Prediction: The Usos
Katrina: The Usos have been going strong, but maybe we need to see a rift in the unity of The Bloodline…
Prediction: Boogs and Nakamura
Jeremy: The Usos now hold the record as the longest-reigning Smackdown tag-team champions in history at 250+ days. I just don’t see them ending this reign at WrestleMania to Nakamura and Boogs.
Prediction: The Usos
Jon: The pairing of Shinsuke and Boogs just doesn’t do it for me. I still believe that Nakamura is better suited as a singles competitor, where he can truly showcase his talents. The Bloodline story is still hot and that means the Usos are still hot. Roman’s enforcers will keep their titles at least a little bit longer.
Prediction: The Usos
Bobby Lashley vs Omos
Andrew: After hearing how bad the Omos vs Styles house show matches were a few months ago, I’ve figured WWE would pull the plug on Omos. But they haven’t. But they have to know that he’s not someone they can strap the rocket to. While conventional wisdom says that Omos should win here, I’d go the opposite route. I’d create a Mania moment and have Lashley body slam Omos, Hogan and Andre style and get Lashley back to the main event scene.
Prediction: Lashley
Joel: While Bobby Lashley may have proven that it’s possible to knock Omos down, it doesn’t mean it’s time to beat him. Save that for the inevitable rematch on the RAW after Mania.
Prediction: Omos
Katrina: The only way to keep having Omos look dominant is to have him beat Lashley.
Prediction: Omos
Jeremy: WWE shouldn’t have booked this match. They have spent over a year building Lashley and Omos into monsters. A loss here is going to hurt either guy. Lashley deserved the push way more than Omos, who has looked very green in the ring. The best thing that WWE could do would be to have a double countout or a disqualification here but that isn’t always what WWE does.
Prediction: Omos
Jon: I’m not feeling Omos at all. Sure, he’s a gigantic human being and accomplishes the rare feat of making Bobby Lashley look small. But he’s missing the “it factor” that makes me care. Bobby is starting a face run so maybe a nice “underdog” victory will be the catalyst.
Prediction: Bobby Lashley
Queen Zelina & Carmella (c) vs. Naomi & Sasha Banks vs. Liv Morgan & Rhea Ripley vs. Natalya & Shayna Baszler – Fatal Four Way for the Women’s Tag Team Titles
Andrew: This might be the toughest call for me. I could make an argument for all of the teams except the champs, who have to lose here.
Prediction: Liv and Rhea
Joel: There’s no way that Queen Zelina and Carmella walk out with their belts. Shayna and Natalya is a super random team so they’re out. That leaves Boss n Glow or Liv for Brutality. All four women have shined while not receiving singles championship gold, and either team would give the tag titles a much-needed profile boost. Sasha is possibly my favorite wrestler of all-time, so give me two-thirds of Team B.A.D. (sorry Tamina have fun having the second best marriage on RAW).
Prediction: Sasha Banks and Naomi
Katrina: I absolutely love both Rhea and Zelina. However, I need to see some Black Girl Magic and I in particular need to see Naomi have some good out of the nonsense she had with that whole Sonya thing.
Prediction: Naomi and Sasha Banks.
Jeremy: There have been a lot of tag team and singles matches amongst the participants over the last month on Raw and SmackDown. I have enjoyed that it has made Natalya and Shayna Baszler look more relevant with some of the beatings that they have dished out. However, Sasha Banks and Naomi have worked very well as a team together and I believe that giving them the titles will give championship even more credence.
Prediction: Sasha Banks and Naomi
Jon: Lots of moving parts in this one. For some reason, I can see this match being a little bit messy because of how many people are involved in it. I don’t really have a strong guess on who will come out the victor, but my gut is telling me Sasha and Naomi will capture the gold.
Prediction: Sasha Banks and Naomi
New Day vs Sheamus & Ridge Holland
Andrew: I feel bad that these guys are booked into this match more than anything. Suppose the heels should go over to give them some momentum here.
Prediction: Sheamus and Holland
Joel: While it’s excellent to see his royal highness King Xavier Woods make his triumphant return, not having Pete “Butch” Dunne or Big E in this match is a huge bummer for a number of reasons. I would have much rather seen some these men in a ladder match versus Ricochet for the Intercontinental Title but what can you do.
Prediction: New Day
Katrina: I honestly don’t know. I love The New Day, but I feel gotta make Sheamus and Ridge seem like more of a threat. So I’m going against my gut here in my WrestleMania 38 predictions.
Prediction: Sheamus and Ridge
Jeremy: Every time that I see Butch (formerly Pete Dunne) come out with Sheamus and Ridge Holland it just makes me sad. They took a great character from NXT and reduced him to a lackey upon his call to join the main roster. His new look reminds me of one of the bullies from the movie A Christmas Story. Sheamus and Holland have been getting the upper hand on the New Day recently but that will end on Saturday.
Prediction: The New Day
Jon: This match feels like a “give the people what they want” addition. I’m sure the New Day will dedicate the match to Big E and win it for him, giving the fans the feel good story that they crave.
Prediction: The New Day
