10 Match Predictions For WWE WrestleMania 35

WrestleMania 34 will likely be remembered as a mixed show. The wrestling itself was largely praised, with people enjoying Asuka vs. Charlotte, the Intercontinental triple threat, and of course, the surprisingly amazing mixed tag - an enormous performance from Ronda Rousey.

There were also 'Mania moments aplenty, from Undertaker mercilessly squashing John Cena in about two minutes, to Daniel Bryan making his triumphant return to in-ring competition.

However, this is a fast-moving world, and just as quickly as WrestleMania 34 entered the history books, the wrestling world's attention switched to next year's show at MetLife Stadium.

It's obviously far too early for anything to have been confirmed, but rumours and speculation have already cropped up online concerning the potential marquee matches.

I'm going to take a look ahead at 10 potential matches that could feature on 

next 

year's Grandest Stage Of Them All - featuring brand new feuds, intense rematches, NXT call-ups, and all that good stuff. You may notice that Brock Lesnar isn't present; with reports of a bust-up with Vince McMahon, despite having signed a new contract with WWE who knows where he'll be in 12 months time.

But without further ado, let's take a look at 10 possible matches for WrestleMania 35...

10. Daniel Bryan Vs. Shinsuke Nakamura - WWE Championship

Now that Daniel Bryan is a full-time member of the active roster once again, a whole host of dream opponents have been thrown up: Lesnar, Rollins, Balor, The Miz, and so on. He wrestled AJ Styles on this week's SmackDown, although that match was tarnished by a screwy finish.

The culprit? Shinsuke Nakamura. Hopefully given a new lease of life by his WrestleMania heel turn, Nakamura would be the ideal opponent for Bryan next year. Both are hard-hitting, technically proficient wrestlers, and now that a clear babyface/heel dynamic has been established, this match would surely enjoy an added dose of intensity.

As a bonus, I'd perhaps make this match a title bout for the WWE Championship - which Nakamura hopefully wins at some point over the course of his descent into heel brutality.

Winner: 

Daniel Bryan. This one's a bit of a no-brainer as long as Nakamura's heel run has been a successful one in the meantime. Bryan winning the title would complete his incredible return to the ring, and give the whole wrestling world a feel-good moment for the ages.

9. Roman Reigns Vs. Seth Rollins Vs. Dean Ambrose - Universal Championship

At Battleground 2016, we finally got the match we'd all been waiting for - and it was a pretty big letdown.

Ever since the breakup of The Shield (and possibly before it) fans were waiting for a Triple Threat between the three members. Unfortunately, when the match finally came, it was overshadowed by a storyline involving the impending brand split and the destination of the WWE Championship.

Hopefully, given a second chance, WWE and the Shield boys could get it right. Dean Ambrose is currently on the shelf, and if he were to come back as a psychotic heel, a three-way feud between good guy, bad guy, and the aloof tweener (Reigns) would be very interesting indeed.

Winner: 

Seth Rollins. Ambrose won the last encounter, and would ideally carry the Universal Championship into this bout, having mercilessly screwed Reigns out of it at a prior pay per view. Seth could then be rewarded for all his hard work over the past couple of years with a huge victory over the men he once betrayed.

8. Sasha Banks Vs. Bayley - No DQ

Alright, alright. I know that high profile Sasha vs. Bayley matches have been done twice before - but their current fallout seems to be building to something else. I'm actually hoping that it gets delayed for a while, and that one or the other is taken to SmackDown by the impending Superstar Shakeup.

If that proves to be the case, I hope they meet again with enough time to build to a third bout at WrestleMania. With their first encounter being a singles match and the second having an Iron Man stipulation, I'd be tempted to 

maybe 

give the third something as well - perhaps no DQ?

Winner: 

Sasha Banks. Bayley won their two NXT clashes in very dramatic fashion, providing us with some of the greatest women's matches of all time. Now it's time for Banks to gain a measure of revenge, toppling her friend/nemesis on the grandest stage of them all.

7. Kevin Owens Vs. Sami Zayn

Another

rematch - this one is a bout that has played out countless times before in countless different promotions.

The story of Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn is a layered and wonderful one, and even though both are currently on the heel side of things, another break-up is constantly bubbling beneath the surface.

People may be sick of Owens vs. Zayn, and I understand that. The pair have been tied to one another since KO made his NXT debut and WWE have often alluded to their long history on the Independent scene.

However, WrestleMania matches are special. Yes, the pair may have faced one another on this week's Raw, but you know that both would ramp things up for WrestleMania. I'm not sure if I prefer the idea of Zayn turning face again, or this simply being the story of two bitter bastards punching each other in the face.

Winner: 

Kevin Owens. Both men have notable victories over one another, and in a way, it doesn't really matter who wins here. The pair have unbelievable chemistry regardless of the outcome, but if pushed, I'd give the win to KO (just because I feel as though the rest of this list has a slight babyface slant, and I want to balance that out).

6. Asuka Vs. Becky Lynch - SmackDown Women's Championship

Becky Lynch is probably the least-heralded of all Four Horsewomen and deserves a marquee 'Mania singles match for her dedication and infectious enthusiasm since appearing on WWE's main roster.

This bout would be a nice sequel to Asuka's WrestleMania debut against Charlotte Flair, but her surprise loss in New Orleans makes things a little bit trickier here. Would Becky benefit from a big win on the Grandest Stage Of Them All, or would a second consecutive loss damage Asuka too much?

Beyond the question of who would win the match, I think the important thing to note here is that it would be fantastic. I'm already imagining slick submission sequences, record amounts of babyface fire, and Becky garnering incredible amounts of sympathy while getting kicked all over the ring.

Winner: 

Against my instinct, I'm going to go with Becky Lynch. Asuka's loss to Charlotte means that she should probably be given a WrestleMania win at the next possible opportunity, but Becky's moment in the sun is long overdue, and I feel as though that would take precedence here.

5. Triple H Vs. Braun Strowman

Remember when Braun Strowman scared the life out of Triple H at the end of Survivor Series 2017? That was exciting, wasn't it? The match itself may not have been brilliant, but seeing a newer Superstar put the fear of God into The Game was a unique turn of events.

Nothing came of it, and I'm confused about that. 

Maybe

WWE are saving an eventual match for WrestleMania.

Now honestly, I think this would be brilliant. As this year's Triple H 'Mania match proved, he's at his best when being shown up by an ass-kicker of a babyface. I'm now imagining Strowman chasing Hunter around the ringside area, hurling chairs, announce tables, timekeepers, and so on. Tell me you wouldn't want to see that.

Winner: 

Braun Strowman, obviously. But Triple H would have to win the following year, if he decided to compete at WrestleMania 36 - otherwise, his losses would start to become too predictable.

4. AJ Styles Vs. Andrade 'Cien' Almas

I absolutely cannot wait for Andrade 'Cien' Almas to show up on the main roster. Sure, there's the risk that he won't catch on quite as well as he did in NXT - he's already changed the opinions of an unenthusiastic crowd once (thanks partly to the help of the excellent Zelina Vega).

Every good WrestleMania needs a work rate match, and this would certainly be it. AJ Styles may well be the best wrestler in the world, and Almas isn't too far off that level at all - as recent NXT encounters with Johnny Gargano and Aleister Black have proven.

This bout would simply be a case of letting Styles and Almas go to work, and possibly throw in a little Zelina interference to spice things up (imagine AJ reversing her Hurricanrana into a Styles Clash - or at least an 

attempted 

Styles Clash).

Winner: 

Andrade 'Cien' Almas. I don't want to suggest that AJ is approaching the end of his career, as his in-ring ability hasn't diminished at all. However, Almas is about a decade younger than Styles and would benefit from a big WrestleMania victory far more.

3. Johnny Gargano Vs. Tomasso Ciampa - Ladder Match

Yes, I know. 

Another

rematch. However, if managed properly, this bout could be the most highly-anticipated of all. Once Gargano gets called up from NXT - hopefully soon - I'd keep him separated from Ciampa until the beginning of 2019. Then, with Johnny looking for a WrestleMania opponent, his worst nightmare comes back once more.

This match quite clearly needs a stipulation. The pair have already wrestled in unsanctioned action at TakeOver: New Orleans, but I'd quite like to see what would happen with a ladder in the mix. For this, let's assume that Gargano has won the Intercontinental Championship.

Winner: 

Johnny Gargano. I really enjoyed Johnny's unlikely victory at TakeOver, not just because it was surprisingly classic storytelling to wrap up a feud that was anything other than ordinary - but also because it shows that Gargano always has Ciampa's number. Johnny bested him in the Cruiserweight Classic and did so again in New Orleans. Three in a row might seem excessive to some, but I think that each loss for Ciampa just adds to the tension.

2. John Cena Vs. The Undertaker

The biggest shock of this year's WrestleMania - apart from maybe Asuka's loss, or the fact that Ronda Rousey was actually 

very good 

- was Cena's incredibly quick loss to The Undertaker.

The internet is already rife with theories of a rematch at next year's 'Mania, so I'm going to throw it in here. It's a very mouthwatering prospect in fairness, although I'm not sure quite how well Undertaker would fare in a longer contest.

Clearly, if this rumoured match does turn out to be true, it will likely see Cena get his win back - and would potentially even lead to the retirement of The Deadman. However, many are baying for that long-awaited Cena heel turn to also occur - and that's a step I sadly can't see WWE taking (as thrilling as it would be).

Winner: 

John Cena - preferably with a heel turn, but probably in a straightforward fashion.

1. Ronda Rousey Vs. Charlotte Flair - Raw Women's Championship

Well, here we are. Charlotte is coming off a monumental victory over Asuka, while Ronda Rousey surpassed the world's collective expectations in her professional wrestling debut.

Already, this has been touted as the likely main event of WrestleMania 35 - the first time two women will have ever headlined the Grandaddy Of Them All (if it turns out to actually be true, of course).

This should absolutely be for a title, and I can see Charlotte switching over to Raw by the time next year's 'Mania rolls around.

Winner: 

It depends how far Ronda has developed. If she's looking every inch the world-beating pro wrestling megastar, I can totally understand why WWE would put her over. However, I feel as though there's more value in a Charlotte victory - especially if Vince is keen to push Sports Entertainment as superior to MMA.

10. Jake Carter

Wrestlers following in the footsteps of a famous family member must feel a real burden to not just continue the family legacy but ensure that they don’t tarnish it.

Jesse White – AKA NXT’s Jake Carter – had especially big shoes to fill, because he was the son of WWE Hall of Famer (and one of the best big men the business has ever seen) – Vader. A college football standout, Jesse’s gridiron dreams were unfortunately quashed by injuries, but he decided to give pro wrestling a try, doing some indies and then working in Japan (often teaming with his father) before WWE came calling and signed him to a developmental deal.

Jake Carter’s time in Florida Championship Wrestling was fruitful, as he bagged tag gold with fellow prospect Corey Graves. Things went awry when FCW rebranded to NXT, though, as Carter went solo as ‘your girlfriend’s favourite’. He was winless on the brand and would ultimately get released after failing to catch on and (allegedly) irking the writers with unwanted storyline pitches.

9. Caylee Turner

Another NXT hopeful itching for the same success as a family member was Christina Crawford, AKA Caylee Turner, the younger sister of Victoria ‘Alicia Fox’ Crawford. Signing with the company in the summer of 2010, Christina was released from her contract in early 2011 so that she could participate in the rebooted Tough Enough.

When she didn’t win the reality show, WWE re-signed her, and she ended up winning the FCW Divas Title. Caylee Turner wrestled a solitary televised NXT match, teaming with Kaitlyn to lose to Paige and Tamina Snuka on the August 8, 2012 episode of the show, after a couple of weeks of appearing in non-wrestling roles.

Three days later, WWE released Crawford – while she was still recognised as FCW Divas Champion.  Three days after that, WWE retired the FCW Divas Title, as they were preparing to fully rebrand everything to NXT, making Turner the final champion.

The rap on Crawford was that, after a couple of years in training, she wasn’t picking things up quickly enough and that her body wasn’t responding well to the wear and tear that comes with bumping.

8. Briley Pierce

Ryan Nemeth is the brother of Nic Nemeth, FKA Dolph Ziggler, and he’d watched his brother go from a caddy to a male cheerleader, to a bloke who introduces himself to people before getting beaten up, to finally achieving a nice level of success as a dependable workhorse. So, perhaps there was a chance for Ryan.

The one-time FCW Tag Team Champion debuted in NXT as an interviewer, before making three televised in-ring appearances (all of them recorded at the same May 2, 2013 television taping).

They were a no contest with Sakamoto when The Ascension’s Connor O’Brian ran in and attacked them both. Then a handicap match loss to O’Brian while teaming with Sakamato. And then a fleeting battle royal appearance that aired after he was released. His release was a surprise to many, as it was noted that he was popular and worked hard, but WWE were about to move everybody into their new Performance Center and wanted to bring in some fresh faces.

7. Memo Montenegro

NXT’s Memo Montenegro wasn’t just a member of any wrestling family, either. As the son of Dos Caras, nephew of Mil Mascaras and brother of Alberto Del Rio, he was essentially lucha libre royalty before he’d even put on a mask. New to the business and not exactly doing anything to stand out, the unmasked Montenegro wrestled eight NXT matches in total, including two on television.

Those two matches were quick losses to Big E and then Xavier Woods. After what were essentially a pair of squash matches, Memo wrestled a handful of non-televised house show bouts, coming out on the winning side once (in a six-man opener). Dropping off the radar and not being seen in an NXT ring for months, it was no major surprise when he received his release in July of 2013.

6. El Local

Though primarily known for his talents as a ring announcer, Ricardo Rodriguez knew a thing or two about wrestling as well. Prior to being signed by WWE, Rodriguez worked on the indie scene as Chimaera and wrestled a couple of matches under the name and gimmick when assigned to FCW in 2010.

Then he got a recurring role as Alberto Del Rio’s personal ring announcer, though he continued to wrestle in the minor leagues under his new alias. Once the association with Del Rio ended and that jarring partnership with Rob Van Dam ran its course, Rodriguez returned to NXT as El Local.

Mostly used as a jobber, El Local did enjoy some degree of relevancy while teaming with Kalisto (who clearly had far more upside) against The Ascension, which included an NXT Tag Team Title match at the very first TakeOver event. That first TakeOver was the end of the line for Local/Rodriguez, who was released just a couple of months later.

5. Mickey Keegan

Max Pelham had been working the indies for about seven years – including forming a tag team with Tommaso Ciampa – when he signed his WWE developmental deal in August of 2012. He debuted as Axl Keegan and suffered televised losses to Bo Dallas, Big E and The Shield, before resurfacing with a new first name.

Further rapid losses to Dallas, The Ascension and The Wyatt Family showed that he was not high in WWE’s priorities. Regrettably, creative indifference would be the least of Pelham’s worries, as tests showed his health was rapidly deteriorating, with worsening spinal stenosis forcing him to step away from the ring. He stuck around NXT for a few more months as a creative assistant, before leaving in January of 2014.

4. Sakamoto

Kazma Sakamoto ventured overseas in the summer of 2011 for a customary ‘learning excursion’ away from his Japanese homeland. Having worked for TAKA Michinoku’s K-DOJO promotion for the best part of a decade, Kazma sought new experiences and challenges and wound up getting signed to a WWE developmental deal.

His FCW stay was characterised by doing jobs for just about everyone, before he was called up to the main roster as the manager-come-whipping boy of Lord Tensai. When the Tensai character failed to get over to the desired level, Sakamoto was sent back to Florida, resurfacing as the opponent for a debuting Adrian Neville in January of 2013.

It was clear just what Sakamoto’s spot on the third brand would be and his subsequent losses to Mason Ryan and Konnor O’Brian were par for the course. When he was one of the first men to be quickly eliminated in a battle royal, he must have seen the writing on the wall. Thankfully, since his release, Sakamoto has been able to show a lot more of what he is genuinely capable of while wrestling in his native Japan.

3. Troy McClain

Trained by Rikishi and Gangrel at their Florida-based Knokx Pro Wrestling Academy, Alexander Jones was offered a WWE developmental deal very early into his sports entertainment journey after John Cena spied him while visiting the school and helped open the door by setting up a tryout.

A talented three-sport athlete who had been specifically recruited by his Attitude Era coaches, Jones readily admitted that he didn’t grow up a fan of the business but endeavoured to give it a shot anyway.

Laboured with a slightly naff motivational speaker gimmick, Troy McClain only made a couple of televised appearances for NXT, but reportedly received good marks from those who tracked his progress at live events, including Hall of Famer and eagle-eyed scout Gerry Brisco (who felt Jones had the tools to be a major player in the future). That didn’t happen, as McClain was surprisingly released from his contract and – after a short spell on the indies – left the industry altogether.

2. Garrett Dylan

The son of The Highwaymen’s Kris Kristofferson, Jody opted for a career in bone-bending and grafted in the small halls before getting a shot in WWE’s developmental system. At one point Jody took off for a while to deal with a personal matter, with Triple H bringing him back after it had been sorted out.

Christened Garrett Dylan, he looked and wrestled like a solid throwback and gave the impression that he could grow into a hell of a hand in time. In NXT he formed teams with both Jake Carter and Scott Dawson, the latter of which started to gain a little bit of traction before Garrett was released the first time around.

When he came back, he wasn’t given many opportunities and was only used to put over others – including Camacho and Mojo Rawley – before being given the boot for good. Post-NXT, he continued working the indies and developed a new character called War Pig.

1. Audrey Marie

Unlike many who pursue the WWE dream, Ashley Miller was neither an aspiring wrestler nor had any real athletic background to speak of. Miller was a fan of it growing up, however.

Ashley was working as an accountant when she entered and won a modelling contest, subsequently turning down several other modelling gigs in order to try out with WWE. She was signed to a deal, given the moniker of Audrey Marie and, despite her lack of experience, impressed those in charge, so much that she beat Aksana to win the FCW Divas Title, which she held for 105 days.

Audrey probably thought she was getting called up to the main roster when she was included in vignettes filmed hyping up the Wyatt Family’s debut – but she remained in the newly revamped NXT instead. She initially scored a couple of decent wins on NXT TV (against the likes of Sasha Banks and Paige), but was quickly phased out in favour of Banks, Paige and the rest of the insurgent crop of promising young women. Miller was released in May of 2013 and wrestled one more independent match before calling it a day.