As is tradition around here, and as part of our Required WrestleMania Reading section, Canadian Bulldog attempts to pick who will win at The Showcase Of The Immortals. So without further adieu.... it's pick-em time!
Undisputed WWE Universal Championship Match
Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes
Cody Rhodes. Hmmm.... where I have seen this one before? Literally all I had to do was replace the graphic and kept the match headline exactly the same from last year. However, I do think the result will differ this time around. Cody has played the long game and proven that he can be a great standard-bearer for WWE. Reigns has done everything he could possibly want with the championship and thus, there is no earthly reason for him to retain, apart from possibly shock value. As I said a year ago... it's time to Finish The Story.
Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns & The Rock
Roman Reigns & The Rock. Last month, I asked ChatGPT to pick the winner of this match and, well... I'm not sure it delivered the correct result. Nonetheless, I'm going purely on storytelling speculation to guess that Finishing The Story doesn't make a lot of sense if Cody and Seth win on Night One, leading to no outside interference on Night Two. Plus, it gives The Bloodline such much-needed momentum heading into the second night. And hey... if Roman Reigns gets the win during a WrestleMania main event, he can still brag that his winning record is intact.
World Heavyweight Championship Match
Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre. As much as Seth Rollins has been a flag-bearer of WWE over the past year (and done a solid job of it), it's probably time for him to move on from the role as defending champion. Drew McIntyre has never been hotter than he is now, so the time seems to be perfect for a title change (and the inevitable CM Punk feud later this year).
But even if I'm wrong with this prediction... I predict a bad outing for Rollins during Night Two. Between The Bloodline potentially giving Seth a receipt for his role with the Cody Rhodes feud and Damien Priest lurking around with his Money In The Bank briefcase, Seth is losing the title.
Women's World Champion
Becky Lynch vs. Rhea Ripley
Rhea Ripley. This is as big of a dream match we can concoct within the Women's Division, and I do believe it could become of WrestleMania highlight packages for years to come. The easy solution would be to put the belt on Becky, but that doesn't seem incredibly important at this moment in time. Rhea has even more potential in her, and defeating a top star like The Man could be what it takes to get her to that next level.
United States Championship Match
Kevin Owens vs. Randy Orton vs. Logan Paul
Logan Paul. Given Logan Paul's Prime Energy logo is literally going to be on the mat for WrestleMania and other PLEs to come, it's safe to assume The Maverick is sticking around. And while I'm all for giving Randy Orton or Kevin Owens a feel-good moment, I'm not sure a win is necessary for either competitor. Logan hanging on to the title for a while longer gives us a strong heel antagonist on SmackDown, especially if my main event prediction comes true.
WWE Womens Championship Match
Bayley vs. Iyo SKY
Bayley. This one seems to write itself: Bayley has had the least success of our fellow Horsewomen, and here's an opportunity to make things right. Iyo SKY has had a decent-sized run with the title and hasn't done much to set the world on fire. It's time to give Bayley her WrestleMania moment.
Intercontinental Championship Match
Sami Zayn vs. GUNTHER
Sami Zayn. While this could honestly go either way, there's something to be said for creating another feel-good WrestleMania moment for Zayn. Add Chad Gable into this story, and you kind of have a Rocky III situation - which is just about perfect for a WrestleMania in Philadelphia. On the other hand, I wouldn't have much of a problem with GUNTHER's legendary title reign extending out even longer, but him losing the belt could pave the way for a main-event program with the likes of Rollins or Rhodes in the year ahead.
Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso
Someone named Uso -- okay, fine, Jimmy Uso. Does Main Event Jey Uso deserve the win here? Absolutely, but it almost seems too obvious. If WWE is ever going to show the love to both Jimmy and Solo as the next leaders of The Bloodline, this would be a great opportunity to pull the trigger.
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Match
The Judgment Day vs. The New Day vs DIY vs. The Awesome Truth vs. New Catch Republic vs. A-Town Down Under
A-Town Down Under. I could be wrong, as it's truly anyone's match to win. You could make the argument for Miz and Truth as well, given the way this storyline has been going. Ultimately, no matter who wins, I do suspect Damien Priest and Finn Balor will lose, leading to a Money In The Bank cash-in later at the event.
LA Knight vs. AJ Styles
LA Knight. I have to admit, I'm not super-into this particular story, though I'm certain each competitor has aspirations of stealing the show. LA Knight has some momentum to catch up on, which is why I see him getting the nod in this match.
Philadelphia Street Fight
The Pride vs. Final Testament
The Pride. Bobby Lashley has been given a raw deal the last few WrestleManias. Last year, he won the Andre battle royal when he should have been in a prominent match on the main card. The same could be said for The Street Profits, who have been loyal soldiers and are never really rewarded at Mania. So the three of them are deserving a big win and for that reason alone, I'm predicting they will win.
Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee vs. Dominik Mysterio & Santos Escobar
Dominik Mysterio & Santos Escobar. Look... I'm not saying this won't be a great match -- it probably will -- but it feels extremely thrown together. Why not do round two of Mysterio vs. Mysterio instead? But clearly Santos and Dirty Dom are the projects to be booked strongly here, so it only makes sense they will go over.
Jade Cargill, Naomi & Bianca Belair vs. Damage CTRL
Jade Cargill, Naomi & Bianca Belair. Controversial take: WWE has a better job promoting the arrival of Cargill than AEW has with Mercedes Mone. This trios match is going to be an incredibly important step in Cargill's career progression, and has all the makings of an impactful match. There's no way Damage CTRL come out on top against these three heroes.