WWE.com and Pat McAfee Show contributor Mark Kaboly gives his predictions for WrestleMania 42, streaming live from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday and Sunday at 6 ET/3 PT on ESPN in the United States and on Netflix everywhere else.
SATURDAY’S MATCH CARD
Undisputed WWE Championship Match
Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Randy Orton (with Pat McAfee)
Has there been more of a polarizing buildup to a WrestleMania main event than this one… and I mean ever? Everybody seems to have an opinion on the match, the lead-up, the decisions, and Pat McAfee and Jelly Roll potentially having a say in the outcome, which should be more about two of the best performers this business has ever seen than anything else (according to the IWC). Regardless of how we got here, is there one singular match out of the more than dozen on the card that has been talked about more than Orton going for his 15th World Title against Rhodes? There are so many offshoots to this matchup, from Orton turning into The Viper to McAfee “saving the business,” to the “more than one Royal Family,” meaning surely others. One thing is for certain: This story isn’t nearly done yet. I can see something bringing it all together that makes you say, “Ohhhh, I understand now.” When you don’t see something coming, it’s really good. Now, you might have to wait until WrestleMania Sunday to fully get it, but we can wait.
Prediction: Randy Orton defeats Cody Rhodes
Women’s World Championship Match
Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Liv Morgan
Vaquer has been the Women’s World Champion for more than 200 days and defended her title five times against the likes of Nikki Bella and Raquel Rodriguez. She really hasn’t had to face an opponent as unstable as Liv Morgan, however. Morgan is on a roll by winning the Royal Rumble in January and has now released her first song and video (“Trouble”), but she kind of lost it on Raw, which was a telling sign. Morgan is a three-time Women’s Champion but hasn’t held the women’s singles title since Raw moved to Netflix. It’s just that time for Liv Morgan.
Prediction: Liv Morgan defeats Stephanie Vaquer
Seth Rollins vs. Gunther
This match came out of nowhere, and we all should be happy that it did. Rollins and Gunther… how can you beat that? Gunther is sore at Rollins because The Visionary has been walking around like he’s “the man,” while the “Career Killer” believes that’s him. The biggest story is that Gunther made it known to Paul Heyman that he owes him something for taking out his nemesis (as in past tense). Can that lead to a match against Brock Lesnar? Maybe. But it’s enough to make me think that The Ring General will put Rollins to sleep.
Prediction: Gunther defeats Seth Rollins
Women’s Intercontinental Championship Match
AJ Lee (c) vs. Becky Lynch
This very well could be the finale of what turned out to be a pretty solid rivalry. AJ has defended her title once since winning it during WWE Elimination Chamber and will be in the ring for a singles match for just the third time in more than a decade. When you think of what a WrestleMania match should look like, it is this. You have two of the best performers of their era on The Grandest Stage of Them All. This is really a toss-up, especially since we’ve seen this rivalry since Lee came back to the company.
Prediction: Becky Lynch defeats AJ Lee
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Fatal 4-Way Match
Nia Jax & Lash Legend (c) vs. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley & Lyra Valkyria vs. The Bella Twins
What an incredible match for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Title. Each team could win, and you can make a believable case for any of them. In a Fatal 4-Way, I tend to favor the team that is willing to bend the rules. That suggests Nia Jax and Lash Legend might retain. But it is WrestleMania, and what better moment than The Bella Twins winning their first tag team title?
Prediction: Bella Twins win
Unsanctioned Match
Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre
Jacob Fatu and Drew McIntyre will do anything to come out on top, and that is exactly what you should expect. Now, I would love to think that The MFTs would somehow be involved with Jacob winning, but my mind always tells me that the bigger the event, the fewer shenanigans. There is nothing wrong with a old-school brawl with no frills, and that is what this will be.
Prediction: Jacob Fatu defeats Drew McIntyre.
Six-Man Tag Team Match
Logan Paul, Austin Theory & IShowSpeed vs. The Usos & LA Knight
Speed made quite the impression on the WWE Universe when he competed in the Royal Rumble and got Speared out of his boots by Bron Breakker. There’s no way the team of Paul, Speed and Theory should win over three veterans like The Usos and Knight. However, this match will be on ESPN proper, and that makes all the difference to me. Give the edge to the new performers.
Prediction: Logan Paul, Austin Theory & IShowSpeed win
SUNDAY’S MATCH CARD
World Heavyweight Championship Match
CM Punk (c) vs. Roman Reigns
This matchup is personal. For a month leading up to WrestleMania, the two took turns on the microphone to tear the other down. It culminated on Raw with an interesting yet well-delivered conversation before leaving us all wondering what’s going on. There is true dislike with these two, and that has been delivered perfectly every week since the two knew they were going to face off at WrestleMania. Reigns has made subtle hints that he might call on some relatives for help. Depending on who comes from a long family tree, this matchup could make or break it. With his latest internet moment, something is definitely brewing that we don’t see coming.
Prediction: Roman Reigns defeats CM Punk
WWE Women’s Championship Match
Jade Cargill (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
This matchup sort of came out of nowhere, with not much of a history between the two before Ripley won at WWE Elimination Chamber. It’s crazy that’s the case because these two powerhouses will surely deliver a slobber knocker. Ripley’s last title run saw her being a fighting champion by defending the title close to three times a month for more than a year. Cargill hasn’t been as willing to put her title on the line during her reign. She defended her title just once in the six months she’s been WWE Women’s Champion. That’s a big deal. It’s going to be physical and brutal, but the gold has been off Rhea too long.
Prediction: Rhea Ripley defeats Jade Cargill
“The Demon” Finn Bálor vs. “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio
Seriously, how can The Demon make his return and do anything but win? Balor’s transformation to his alter ego makes him a big favorite to get payback on his former running mate. This has been a long time coming for these two finally settling their differences in the ring, but that only leads to the anticipation of this match. You don’t dust off The Demon for the first time in three years and then think he’s going to lose… but they do call him “Dirty” Dom for a reason.
Prediction: The Demon defeats Dominik Mysterio
United States Championship Match
Sami Zayn (c) vs. Trick Williams
If there is going to be one match that something that’s not expected to happen actually happens, it is this one. Zayn has been a bit of a loose cannon as of late, which makes him dangerous and unstable. Trick is ready for a strap and might just get some help to accomplish that, and I’m not talking about Lil Yachty. I’m keeping an eye on that chicanery coming from Carmelo Hayes, and can you really blame him?
Prediction: Trick Williams defeats Sami Zayn
Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar
This could be the most anticipated match of the weekend, especially with how Oba has gotten the best of Lesnar in each of their face-to-face appearances leading up to this. If you are an Oba fan, that should actually frighten you. Lesnar is still The Beast Incarnate. He is still the most feared man in WWE. He can match Oba Femi’s strength, but everything else tilts heavily toward Lesnar. With Paul Heyman lurking, you have to think that he is around for more than moral support. Lesnar winning doesn’t mean that Oba’s momentum will be lost. Look for a way for Lesnar to squeak out a victory but passing the torch to the next big thing.
Prediction: Brock Lesnar defeats Oba Femi
Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match
Penta (c) vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Dragon Lee vs. JD McDonagh vs. Rusev vs. Rey Mysterio
How much stock do you put into experience in terms of performing in front of a WrestleMania crowd? Mysterio, Rusev and Penta have participated in 17 career WrestleMania matches while the others are making their debut. Now, Mysterio is responsible for the majority of those matches, and him fresh off an injury might make that a moot point. Bottom line is that this match has all the ingredients of being the match of the weekend. I can assure you one thing: You will remember it despite arguably 12 other matches being more high-profile. Evans is one to keep an eye on as well.
Prediction: Penta retains the Intercontinental Title
