WrestleMania 36 predictions

WrestleMania 36 is taking place this weekend with two separate nights of action, on Sat. Apr. 4 and Sun. Apr. 5. The show was taped at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, and will start each night at 6:00 pm ET with the Kickoff show leading right on into the main course at 7 pm ET on the WWE Network, or your local cable pay-per-view provider.

Set for the card: Drew McIntyre challenges Brock Lesnar for the WWE championship, Edge returns for revenge on Randy Orton, Undertaker and AJ Styles will battle in a boneyard, Becky Lynch faces off against Shayna Baszler, and more!

Luckily for you Cagesiders, our staff of learned wrestling blowhards is here to help figure out just how the event is going to play out with predictions for each match on the card.

Let’s get to it.

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WrestleMania 36 predictions

Brock Lesnar vs. Drew McIntyre

Geno Mrosko: This isn’t the time or place to do this. Pick: Brock Lesnar

Sean Rueter: Drew hasn’t been on TV in a month, and I just can’t get WrestleMania 34 out of my head. Pick: Brock Lesnar

Kyle Decker: Damn shame this isn’t in front of a crowd to help build Drew, and I wouldn’t actually mind them finding a way to push it until then. But I don’t think they will. Pick: Drew McIntyre

Rev. Claire Elizabeth: This is make or break for Drew McIntyre, and I really, truly hope WWE chooses make this time. Pick: Drew McIntyre

Cain A. Knight: Drew’s win will be completely undermined by no live audience, which sucks, because WWE was actually trying to create a new star. Pick: Drew McIntyre

Stella Cheeks: This is McIntyre’s moment. He picked up a boulder in the highlands for this! Please god let him win. Pick: Drew McIntyre

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Edge vs. Randy Orton

Geno Mrosko: There’s just no way in hell this build up leads to the heel going over. Pick: Edge

Sean Rueter: Cool RKO spot coming, but that won’t be enough to keep Beth’s hubby down. Pick: Edge

Kyle Decker: Edge is going to win his first singles match back. It’s why they chose Orton instead of a young, more full-time talent. Pick: Edge

Rev. Claire Elizabeth: There’s just no way in hell Edge loses his first singles match back, especially not against Randy Orton. Pick: Edge

Cain A. Knight: Come on Edge, you have to make this asshole pay for what he did to you and your wife. Pick: Edge

Stella Cheeks: Edge needs to win so Randy will finally understand that he chose Beth. Pick: Edge

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Becky Lynch vs. Shayna Baszler

Geno Mrosko: What better time to put the title on someone no one wants to have it then when there’s no one there to boo it? Pick: Shayna Baszler

Sean Rueter: If business was usual, they’d do the change. But nothing is usual, and Vince will lean on the star he’s already built. Pick: Becky Lynch

Kyle Decker: It’s time for Becky to lose the title. It’ll help freshen her character a bit so she doesn’t get stale. Pick: Shayna Baszler

Rev. Claire Elizabeth: I feel like either woman losing leads to potentially compelling stories, but Baszler picking up the pieces is more interesting to me, so... Pick: Becky Lynch

Cain A. Knight: I don’t think Vince McMahon is really sold on Shayna Baszler. Ronda Rousey is the one who will eventually take Lynch down. Pick: Becky Lynch

Stella Cheeks: Becky has been on top for too long. She’s stale and stagnant. Losing to Shayna won’t derail her career, but will instead give her a much needed nemesis. Pick: Shayna Baszler

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John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt

Geno Mrosko: Even if Cena was sticking around, it’s hard to justify his winning here. Then again, I thought the same about Goldberg. Pick: John Cena

Sean Rueter: You shouldn’t have let him in this time, Johnny Boy. Pick: Bray Wyatt

Kyle Decker: Cena is putting people over in this stage of his career. It’s what he’s here for. Pick: Bray Wyatt

Rev. Claire Elizabeth: It’s clear the whole arc of this feud bends towards Bray getting his win back, I just hope it’s as fun, weird, and violent as it sounds. Pick: Bray Wyatt

Cain A. Knight: I’m mindful of the overwhelming power of CenaWinsLOL. But that would be ridiculous here, especially coming off Wyatt’s pointless loss to Goldberg. Pick: Bray Wyatt

Stella Cheeks: I just want to see Cena killed by puppets. Pick: Bray Wyatt

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Goldberg vs. Braun Strowman

Geno Mrosko: This is a match that is happening. Pick: Goldberg

Sean Rueter: When the story of The Monster Among Men is written, “because they needed a last minute replacement to take the belt off Willy G” is the perfect reason for him to win his first major title. Pick: Braun Strowman

Kyle Decker: Since Braun wasn’t the plan, and he never wins big matches, I don’t see him walking away with the title. They’ll wait until they can run Goldberg/Reigns in front of a crowd. Pick: Goldberg

Rev. Claire Elizabeth: Got a weird feeling Vince digs his heels in here and Goldberg keeps the title until he can drop to Roman. Pick: Goldberg

Cain A. Knight: I have never wanted Goldberg to squash an opponent as badly in my life as right here. Pick: Goldberg

Stella Cheeks: LOL WHATEVER Pick: Goldberg

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Bayley vs. Sasha Banks vs. Tamina vs. Naomi vs. Lacey Evans

Geno Mrosko: It seems clear this is headed to some sort of Bayley-Banks feud. The question is whether they get there with the title up for grabs or not. I’ll say not. Pick: Naomi

Sean Rueter: Don’t really care as long as they keep Bayley heel. Pick: Sasha Banks

Kyle Decker: Let’s say Sasha wins it to start shifting that dynamic up a bit. Will Bayley play sidekick like Sasha has been willing to do? Pick: Sasha Banks

Rev. Claire Elizabeth: Let Sasha and Bayley keep their act going and put the title on a real babyface we can all get behind. Pick: Naomi

Cain A. Knight: I’ve been fooled by these Sasha/Bayley teases for too long now, and I’m not falling for it again. They’ll both get their asses kicked by Lacey Evans. Pick: Lacey Evans

Stella Cheeks: Tamina. JK JK JK Pick: Sasha Banks

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Kabuki Warriors vs. Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross

Geno Mrosko: The only reason to do a title change here is to see a babyface team winning. Which is what we need right now! Pick: Bliss & Cross

Sean Rueter: The Warriors have done more with these belts than anyone else, and there’s not much more they can do. Plus, Asuka’s got bigger fish to fry. Pick: Bliss Cross Applesauce

Kyle Decker: I think there’s more likely Bliss is in a singles feud soon than Asuka, and if that’s the case, the Warriors retain. Pick: Kabuki Warriors

Rev. Claire Elizabeth: Kairi Sane has been nowhere to be seen but Asuka is scary enough that I ain’t picking against her. Pick: Kabuki Warriors

Cain A. Knight: Alexa Bliss has a history of favorable booking, and I don’t expect Kairi Sane will stick around much longer in WWE. Pick: Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross

Stella Cheeks: Considering this is their first championship defense in ::checks notes:: 1,000 years the Kabuki Warriors deserve a win. Pick: Kabuki Warriors

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Undertaker vs. AJ Styles

Geno Mrosko: Undertaker losing at WrestleMania is a really big deal. AJ just isn’t at that level. Pick: Undertaker

Sean Rueter: Keep rollin’ rollin’ rollin’ rollin’ what. Pick: Undertaker

Kyle Decker: Undertaker’s last match isn’t going to be a pre-taped Boneyard match. And if it’s not possible it’s his last match, I don’t think he’s losing. Pick: Undertaker

Rev. Claire Elizabeth: I expect to enjoy this one, but WWE is absolutely going to WWE and put the legend over here. Pick: The Undertaker

Cain A. Knight: This storyline was framed by Undertaker as a WWE vs. TNA/Japan thing, which means Vince McMahon will book the WWE guy to win (Hi Sting!). Pick: Undertaker

Stella Cheeks: Can I pick the inanimate skeletons I presume are in the boneyard? No? Ugh, fine. Pick: Undertiger Undertaker

Kevin Owens vs. Seth Rollins

Geno Mrosko: They’ve done something solid here. I’m almost sad to see it end. Pick: Kevin Owens

Sean Rueter: Kudos to both dudes. Their awesome empty arena promos got me even more invested in this feud. Pick: Kevin Owens

Kyle Decker: This was always set up for Kevin Owens to eventually get the win. Doubt the empty arena changes that. Pick: Kevin Owens

Rev. Claire Elizabeth: Everytime these guys meet without a title on the line, there’s a DQ, and Rollins has goons. Pick: Kevin Owens

Cain A. Knight: Kevin Owens will look like a real chump if he took all those losses to Rollins earlier this year just to also lose the big WrestleMania match. Pick: Kevin Owens

Stella Cheeks: Kevin Owens is going to calmly choke Seth Rollins with his tiny glove. Pick: Kevin Owens

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Elias vs. King Corbin

Geno Mrosko: You gotta go with the guy they always seem to want to go with. Pick: Baron Corbin

Sean Rueter: Gronk’s been taping Corbin’s practices, pass it on. Pick: Elias

Kyle Decker: They way they book both men, it seems they see more in Corbin than Elias. Plus, Elias is just walking out of rehab after that nasty fall! Pick: Baron Corbin

Rev. Claire Elizabeth: Why does Rob Gronkowski hate me? What did I ever do to him to deserve booking this match for WrestleMania? Pick: Can we just not?

Cain A. Knight: Congratulations WWE, you found the least interesting match that you could possibly book with the current roster, and you somehow booked it for WrestleMania 36. Pick: Rob Gronkowski

Stella Cheeks: We are all forced to stay in our homes and WWE doesn’t have the decency to give us a break from their constant Corbin conflagration! Also LOL forever to Gronk making a match for Elias and Corbin when Mojo was standing RIGHT THERE. Pick: Corbin

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Otis vs. Dolph Ziggler

Geno Mrosko: You know I’m picking the guy who should be world champion right now. Pick: Otis

Sean Rueter: BUT WHAT’S IN IT FOR SONYA!?!? Pick: Intrigue (and also Otis)

Kyle Decker: Dolph is at the point in his career beating Otis does nothing for him. Otis gets the win and maybe has a Miss Elizabeth moment with Mandy. Pick: Otis

Rev. Claire Elizabeth: Wronged babyface picks up a win, but does not get the girl, because that’s not how any of this works. Pick: Otis Dozovic

Cain A. Knight: Dolph Ziggler has an ass kicking coming his way for being such a douchebag to Otis (and now Mandy) over these last couple of months. Pick: Otis

Stella Cheeks: “vomiting emoji” Pick: Mandy, girl you can do BETTER.

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The Miz & John Morrison vs. New Day vs. The Usos

Geno Mrosko: I genuinely don’t know. So I’ll stick with what they’re doing now. Pick: Miz & Morrison (hey hey, ho ho)

Sean Rueter: We need champs who know how to keep things on lockdown these days. Pick: The Usos

Kyle Decker: There isn’t enough here to pick a title change. Pick: Miz & Morrison

Rev. Claire Elizabeth: I’m thinkin’ it’s a new day, yes it is. Pick: New Day

Cain A. Knight: Kofimania can still be a thing at WrestleMania this year, and that’s pretty cool. Pick: New Day

Stella Cheeks: The New Day & The Usos don’t need the titles like Miz & Morrison do. So far Morrison’s return has been lackluster. He can’t afford to lose the belts already. Pick: Miz & Morrison

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Street Profits vs. Angel Garza & Austin Theory

Geno Mrosko: You can’t think that Theory is sticking around, even with how good Garza has been. Pick: Street Profits

Sean Rueter: Tez gonna help his team retain the titles with a broken freakin’ back. Pick: Street Profits

Kyle Decker: This is two steps removed from the original plan so it’s highly unlikely the Street Profits are losing the titles. Pick: Street Profits

Rev. Claire Elizabeth: There’s just absolutely no way Team Replacement wins here, right? Right. Pick: Street Profits

Cain A. Knight: With Andrade out of the picture, I just can’t see why a title change would be booked here. Pick: Street Profits

Stella Cheeks: As long as Montez’s back isn’t broken I think it’s safe to say “raise ya glass!” Pick: Street Profits

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Sami Zayn vs. Daniel Bryan

Geno Mrosko: Bryan has some backup but he’s up against three. Pick: Sami Zayn

Sean Rueter: Like Coach Drew, I’m worried Daniel isn’t focused. Pick: Sami Zayn

Kyle Decker: Tough call here. But with Bryan talking about wrestling less, I say Zayn keeps the gold. Pick: Sami Zayn

Rev. Claire Elizabeth: It’s time for the American Dragon to get the gold under the guidance of the Legal Eagle. Pick: Daniel Bryan

Cain A. Knight: My guess is that Daniel Bryan won’t be wrestling in any more of these empty arena events while the coronavirus pandemic is ongoing. Pick: Sami Zayn

Stella Cheeks: Wow. Is this the only good men’s match on the whole WrestleMania card? TOO BIG FOR ONE NIGHT indeed. Pick: Sami Zayn

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Rhea Ripley vs. Charlotte Flair

Geno Mrosko: I always felt like the Royal Rumble winner should win the title to preserve how meaningful the Rumble win is. Pick: Charlotte Flair

Sean Rueter: She doesn’t win as much as her detractors claim, but WWE also doesn’t pass up opportunities to give her title reigns. Pick: Charlotte Flair

Kyle Decker: I think the end goal here is to use Charlotte’s resume to help elevate Rhea. Pick: Rhea Ripley

Rev. Claire Elizabeth: The Queen picks up the win, hangs out on Wednesdays for a month or two, and Rhea Ripley gets her win back at the next TakeOver. Pick: Charlotte Flair

Cain A. Knight: Never say never with Flair, but it just doesn’t make any sense to put the NXT title on her. Pick: Rhea Ripley

Stella Cheeks: I can’t wait to start calling Rhea “The Queen Killer.” Pick: Rhea Ripley

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Aleister Black vs. Bobby Lashley

Geno Mrosko: I legitimately forgot this was a match until I was filling this out. Pick: Aleister Black

Sean Rueter: Whatever the outcome it won’t be worthy of this epic story. Pick: Aleister Black

Kyle Decker: Why? Pick: Aleister Black

Rev. Claire Elizabeth: There’s a universe where this is a bangin’ midcard title match, but unfortunately that’s the world we’re furthest from. Pick: Aleister Black

Cain A. Knight: Bobby Lashley was pinned by R-Truth in Saudi Arabia. Pick: Aleister Black

Stella Cheeks: Just imagine the loudest sigh you can and then double it. Pick: Aleister Black

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That’s how we see the card playing out.

You?