Christmas doesn’t come in December for wrestling fanatics, it comes in April.
We’re on the fast track to Wrestlemania weekend, the marquee event in every modern-day wrestling calendar.
Normally, professional wrestling fans from all over the global congregate on whatever American city is hosting Wrestlemania. Turning what was once a top tier event into an annual Mecca for the professional wrestling industry.
Even away from the titans of WWE, countless of other independent wrestling organisations put on their own shows in the vicinity of Wrestlemania, to ensure every wrestling fan in the host city is catered for.
Bloodsport, Joey Janela’s Spring Break, GCW Effy’s Big Gay Brunch and countless legend conferences are just some of the non-WWE staples of a Wrestlemania weekend in years gone by.
Wrestlemania 37
However, those events are for your hardcore wrestling fans. The pomp and circumstance of Wrestlemania itself, appeals to almost everyone that attends.
Wrestlemania is a true spectacle in every sense of the word. That’s certainly going to be the case this year, after it was forced to be stripped back in 2020.
Both nights of Wrestlemania 37 will be held in Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
The event was originally scheduled to take place at SoFi Stadium in California, but the Covid situation in the State made that unfeasible.
So, with Florida lifting restrictions, WWE decided to return to Tampa after last years event was relocated from the home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, due to the originally outbreak of the Covid virus.
Now, WWE are back providing fans with the usual bombastic experience that comes with attending Wrestlemania.
Plus, limited fans will be able to attend. Making it the first WWE main roster event to have fans in attendance, for the first time in over a year.
They have plenty to be excited about too. While we’re missing big names like The Undertaker, John Cena, Brock Lesnar and Triple H. The superstars on the card are ungodly talented enough to give the live spectators and millions watching at home a real treat.
So, let’s get into the card for Wrestlemania 37 and see what we can look forward to.
Night One (Saturday, 10th of April)
Bobby Lashley (c) vs Drew McIntyre (WWE Championship Match)
The WWE Championship is one of the most historic championship titles in wrestling history. It’s one of the biggest matches on any Wrestlemania card, and this one will be no exception.
McIntyre won the WWE Championship back at last year’s Wrestlemania, with many predicting he would hold it coming into the 2021 edition.
However, he lost his title back at Elimination Chamber in February.
At that event, Bobby Lashley pummelled the Scotsman after defending his title in the gruelling chamber match. Allowing the Miz to successfully cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase.
Lashley would swiftly beat Miz for the title two weeks later. Making him public enemy number one of a revenge seeking, Drew McIntyre.
Prediction: McIntyre to reclaim the gold. He seems destined to have his big moment in front of fans in the venue.
Sasha Banks (c) vs Bianca BeLair (WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship Match)
The big women’s title match on the opening night should be an absolute banger.
The challenger Bianca BeLair has had a rocket strapped to her back, ever since joining the blue brand last year.
She’s one of the most gifted athletes on the entire roster. When she won the Women’s Royal Rumble back in January, she was all set to face “The Boss” Sasha Banks, at Wrestlemania 37.
Prediction – BeLair to win her first WWE title.
The New Day (c) vs AJ Style & Omos (WWE Raw Tag Team Championship Match)
The final championship match on Night One, is for one of the multiple tag team titles that WWE have in circulation.
New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods won their 11th tag titles back in March.
While they’re without their long standing third member Big E, who is now over on SmackDown, our collective boys now must, go it alone.
They’ll be squaring off against AJ Styles and his 7ft 3 bodyguard, Omos. The latter is making his in-ring debut and has all the physical attributes to make Vince McMahon feel funny in his trousers.
Prediction – As much as the New Day is adored, it just makes sense for them to lose. AJ Styles and Omos have a short tag team title run in their future, and it starts at Wrestlemania 37.
Elsewhere on Night One…
Bad Bunny & Damian Priest vs the Miz & John Morrison
I’m still unsure on who or what a Bad Bunny is. Saying that, he’s hugely famous and brings eyes to the product. In short, that means him, and the fantastic Damian Priest are winning.
Braun Strowman vs Shane McMahon
Hulk Hogan isn’t running wild anymore, but nepotism sure is, as Vince McMahon’s son gets another Wrestlemania match. Shane has been questioning Braun’s intelligence for over a month now, leading to the gigantic Strowman to call him out for a steel cage match.
Strowman should squash McMahon like a bug, but not before the latter jumps off something high, which he’s one to do.
Cesaro vs Seth Rollins
This one could lowkey steal the show if giving enough time. Hopefully, both are set for bigger things going forward. It would be great to see Cesaro get the win. Swinging Seth and his silly suits out of Raymond James Stadium.
Night Two (Sunday, 11th of April)
Roman Reigns (c) vs Edge vs Daniel Bryan (WWE Universal Championship Triple Threat Match)
Easily the best built match heading into the show of shows.
After coming out of a decade long forced retirement in 2020, Edge surprisingly won the Royal Rumble back in January.
Edge decided to focus on Roman Reigns and his Universal Championship for Wrestlemania. However, Daniel Bryan shoved his way into the title picture ahead of Wrestlemania 37.
Bryan even got a title match back at the most recent PPV, Fastlane. Edge acted as special guest enforcer during that encounter.
While Reigns won that match, Edge flipped out and attacked both men after the fact, feeling his singles match at Mania was slipping away.
Prediction – Honestly, who knows. Edge makes sense. On Sunday, it will be ten years to the day since his retirement speech on Raw in 2011. One final championship run would be extremely emotional to witness.
Asuka (c) vs Rhea Ripley (WWE Raw Women’s Championship Match)
While somewhat thrown together in the last minute, fans are delighted to see Rhea Ripley back at Wrestlemania.
She only made her Raw debut a few weeks ago, immediately calling out the champ, Asuka. It was made official shortly after, and that’s literally how we got here.
Prediction – Has to be Rhea Ripley. The Australian has it all and is only 24 years old. She should have gone over against Charlotte Flair at last year’s event. Now it’s time to right that wrong.
The Fiend vs Randy Orton
It’s anyone’s guess what this match will end up looking like.
You either love or hate this storyline with all the spooky nonsense that it entails. We here at the Big Kick Off, love it.
Both Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton have history stretching back to their match at Wrestlemania 33 in 2017.
Skipping forward to 2020, Wyatt became plagued with split personalities. Acting as one-part creepy children television show host, and one-part frightening hell clown. Which we came to find out he calls “The Fiend”, wrestling is better than everything you enjoy.
The two had an Inferno Match back at TLC in December. With the match and entire show ending with Randy Orton burning The Fiend alive, supposedly killing him.
Orton spent the following months mentally sparring with The Fiend’s partner, Alexa Bliss. Unfortunately for Orton, a charred version of The Fiend has returned, and is out for blood at Wrestlemania.
Prediction – The Fiend is an unkillable monster clown thing, he’s winning at Wrestlemania.
Big E (c) vs Apollo Crews (Nigerian Drum Fight for the Intercontinental Championship)
As mentioned earlier, the powerhouse of the New Day is now over on SmackDown reigning as the intercontinental champ.
He has a whole host of viable contenders, but Apollo Crews has emerged as his foe for Wrestlemania.
Crews turned heel back in January to begin his pursuit of the title, showing off more character than ever in the process. He has viciously attacked the champion on multiple occasions, including after their match at Fastlane.
Still unsure what a Nigerian Drum Fight is, hopefully some slick Black Panther like combat, but who knows with WWE.
Prediction – Seems like it’s time for Apollo Crews to hold the gold. He’s fantastic in-ring ability, look and character are all clicking right now.
Elsewhere on Night Two…
Riddle (c) vs Sheamus
Should be a fun match between two elite wrestlers with great chemistry, for the US title. Probably see Riddle retain, and Sheamus win the strap down the road.
Kevin Owens vs Sami Zayn
Buzzing that these two bitter rivals get a Wrestlemania match.
Going at it for well over a decade, across different promotions. This is set to be another epic chapter in their lengthy book.
Our money is on Kevin Owens to come out victorious, and hopefully Sami Zayn’s guest, Logan Paul gets a stunner for his troubles too.
Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler defending their WWE Women’s Tag Team titles
Jax and Baszler will face the winners of the Tag Team Turmoil match, taking place on Night One.
That match includes the teams of Lana & Naomi, The Riott Squad, Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke and Natalya & Tamina.
It was meant to be at Wrestlemania originally. The Tag Team Turmoil match along with the SmackDown tag title match and Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, got moved to SmackDown to save time. Now it’s back on the Wrestlemania card for Night One.
If WWE seemingly don’t care about it, why should we?
Jax and Baszler to retain either way.
