Last year iteration of WrestleMania was different in ways we never imagined it would be. Instead of emanating from a raucous Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Bay, the WWE Performance Center housed the event.
While the superstars did what they could with the conditions, the silence that fell on the event with no crowd present severely hurt the event. Drew McIntyre’s coronation, a hard-hitting ladder match and Kevin Owen’s death-defying leap all falling on deaf ears – Michael Cole’s commentary echoing like never before.
We were still treated to supreme efforts and memorable moments – the Boneyard and Firefly Funhouse matches sticking out the most. The fans may not have been with McIntyre in the biggest moment of his career, but the moment still mesmerizing as he looked into the camera and said to the fans, “This is for us.”
Finally, for the first time in over a year – fans return to make-up a capacity crowd at a wrestling show. While other sports like baseball and basketball were definitely different with no crowd, there’s no form of entertainment in the world that plays off the crowd quite like the world of pro wrestling.
It’ll be one of the biggest nights in WWE history – 25,000 fans will sound like 100,000 as they cheer, boo and chant for whoever the hell they want. No more piped in cheers or computer screens, fan’s voices will be heard as they’re treated to an excellent card.
So who exactly will fans be hanging on the edge of their seat for? Here are my predictions for the biggest matches on the first night of WrestleMania 37.
Natalya & Tamina vs. Naomi & Lana vs. Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke vs. Riott Squad (Tag Team Turmoil; winners receive title shot on Night 2)
The WWE has handled the women’s tag-team title’s with as much care as Amazon workers do with glass packages. I’m not going to lie to you – I have no clue who’s going to go on to day two to fight Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax, so I’m going to go with the biggest babyface competitors in the match.
The Pick: Naomi & Lana
Raw Tag Team Championship: The New Day (c) vs. AJ Styles & Omos
While The New Day are fantastic, this feels like a match that the potential of AJ Styles. His WrestleMania track record since coming to WWE has been lackluster – aside from his performance in the Boneyard Match last year. He’s faced big names like Randy Orton, Shane McMahon and Chris Jericho, but each match just seemed like it wasn’t a big deal. He survived being ‘buried alive’ for this? Oh well – the match feels like a way to turn Omos into a monster, so he helps Styles win the titles at least.
The Pick: AJ Styles and Omos
Seth Rollins vs. Cesaro
FINALLY! No, The Rock isn’t returning to WWE – Cesaro is getting his first ever one on one match at WrestleMania. This one could steal the show, two of the most talented wrestlers in the entire company going at it. This doesn’t feel like the start-stop pushes he’s had prior – the way to prove that is with a big-time victory by the Swiss Super-Man.
The Pick: Cesaro
Shane McMahon vs. Braun Strowman (Steel Cage)
I swear this has the be one of the worst built-up matches in WrestleMania history – and I’m even counting the match between The Rock and Rowan. It’a been built off McMahon calling Strowman stupid – well, the only person who felt unintelligent was me while watching that promo. Also, the ‘Monster Among Men’ said he didn’t want anyone interfering – so he chooses a Steel Cage match? What? Does he not realize the top is open? I get the logistics – but why not choose a Hell in the Cell? God – maybe he is stupid.
The Pick: Shane McMahon (Due to Interference from Elias)
Bad Bunny & Damian Priest vs. The Miz & John Morrison
The WWE got a global superstar for WrestleMania – while it may not have been The Rock or Stone Cold, it’s going to be interesting to watch Bad Bunny compete. Now I don’t speak Spanish, but man, I can’t lie – his music is a bop. Sorry Miz and Morrison, there’s about a zero percent chance you win this match – those Bad Bunny merchandise sales are through the roof!
The Pick: Bad Bunny & Damian Priest
SmackDown Women’s Championship: Sasha Banks (c) vs. Bianca Belair
This has show-stealing potential. Banks and Belair have potential to put on one of the best women’s matches in the history of WrestleMania. Whether they open or close the show, they’ll tear the house down. While Banks has been a fantastic champion for the ‘E, it’s time to complete the coronation of Belair. The 2021 Royal Rumble winner caps off an amazing journey with a WrestleMania victory – cue the video of her parents celebrating.
The Pick: Bianca Belair
WWE Championship: Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Drew McIntyre
When Lashley and McIntyre faced off for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, it wasn’t a sure thing either man would make it back to the pinnacle of pro wrestling. Alas – both will face off on the grandest stage of them all. An amazing journey for both men all led to this, and they’ll put on a Mania worthy match with all their chips in the center. It’ll be a hard-hitting battle between the behemoths, but I expect McIntyre to get the moment that was stripped away from him last year. Instead of having to speak to the camera, he can look in the crowd and see the reactions of fans in the stands – fireworks in the air, bagpipes and guitar rocking and the WWE Championship thrown over his shoulder.
The Pick: Drew McIntyre
Villen 