WrestleMania 33 Preview and Predictions

There's nothing like WrestleMania. It is a monumental occasion, a night of incomprehensible speciality, where the world comes to a standstill. Fitting off all superlatives and metaphors, the Grandest Stage of Them All is truly the greatest live event in all of entertainment.

An extravagant display of not just sport and wrestling, but something that transcends that. The performances, the grandeur, the scale - every WrestleMania is special in its own way, and this one - the latest installation in Orlando - has something incredible in store.

Image: WWE.com

The Camping World Stadium will welcome the 33rd annual event, with a loaded card that has blossomed from the Raw and SmackDown brand extension. Goldberg and Brock Lesnar go toe-to-toe for one final time in a colossal Universal title bout, while Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton duke it out to settle their personal rivalry and determine the WWE Champion.

There could also be a changing of the guard for the yard, as Roman Reigns and Undertaker engage in a battle of supremacy, something that could spell the end of the Phenom's legendary career. It doesn't stop there, both women's titles are on the line, and Triple H faces Seth Rollins in a huge unsanctioned fight.

Legends will be made, and legends may also bow out. The magnificence, the larger-than-life WrestleMania 33 hits Orlando tonight, so here is all the preview and Nisar Khan's predictions for each match on the jam-packed card.

Image: WWE

Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal (Kickoff Show)

Image: WWE.com

The late great Andre the Giant will be celebrated in the fourth-annual memorial battle royal, a match which has been cultivated into a WrestleMania tradition, and an opportunity for anyone to make their mark. With the roster becoming loaded with talent, this edition is set to be the most star-studded to date.

Two behemoths that will be on everyone's minds are Big Show and Braun Strowman, who waged war on the Road to WrestleMania and have some unfinished business to settle - meaning that the host of superstars making up the numbers are in for some trouble. One man who certainly won't back down though is the "Underdog from the Underground", Sami Zayn. He has stared straight down the barrel through all challenges, and will honour the recently-fired Mick Foley in his quest. Don't forget about aforementioned giants though, because Mark Henry will also step foot into the squared circle.

Image: Sky Sports

WWE's first-ever Chinese superstar will bare the red and star-spangled flag with an appearance in the Battle Royal, along with pretty much the entire SmackDown tag team division placing their efforts into the contest considering that the gold will not be defended in Orlando. To go with that, there's the prospect of some surprise entrances. We got Shaquille O'Neal last year, what's  in store this time round?

Image: SI.com

A lot of the fingers point to this match leading towards a Big Show vs. Braun Strowman showdown (barring heroics of Sami Zayn, or a lightly-rumored Finn Balor appearance). There's some rumours of Big Show hanging up his ginormous boots with a last rodeo at the grand stage, and if he does, then there's no better man to pass the torch too than Strowman. He will sustain a stronghold over the roster for years to come as the new face of fear. If this is Show's last WrestleMania, don't count him out. Prediction: Braun Strowman

Neville (c) vs. Austin Aries - Cruiserweight Championship (Kickoff Show)

Image: WWE.com

In Orlando, the show may be stolen before it even begins. That's because the cream of the Cruiserweight crop will go toe-to-toe for the top prize at 205. Neville - or "King" Neville as he has adamantly wanted to be referred to - has held an unrelenting stronghold over the division during his reign of terror, so much that it brought about a man who was, till Fast Lane, lying on the shelf: Austin Aries.

The egotism of the Brit certainly ticked off the former TNA and NXT star, and when he launched an attack, the writing was on the wall for a seismic showdown at the grandest stage of them all. Both combatants may be referred to as the "small guys", but they may just put on a match even Goliath would be proud of.

Image: WWE

The championship bout will be contested on the kick-off show, which means two things: it won't get the recognition it deserves, but it may just get the time it deserves. Neville's reign is under serious threat, with the momentum well in the corner of AA. A shift in character for the Geordie has featured a more bitter outlook on things inside the ring, and Aries had enough, which is where this match all came about.

Neville's legitimacy will be securely stamped with a victory, however, the direction he's going in with an unstoppable crusade may require a spectacular ending. Austin Aries may be that ending, but it's a close one too call. What's more certain is that this will be one terrific wrestling match. Prediction: Austin Aries (new Cruiserweight Champion)

Image: Sky Sports

Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson (c) vs. Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs. Cesaro and Sheamus - Raw Tag Team Championship (Ladder Match)

Image: WWE.com

It wouldn't be WrestleMania without ladders. A custom of kicking off the spectacle has been exercised throughout the years, with the Raw brand's tag team gold up for grabs now in a chaos-promising triple threat.

Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson have run roughshod since they broke onto the WWE scene, and at the Royal Rumble they dethroned the unlikely pairing of Cesaro and Sheamus to win the Raw tag crown. Rather than wilting away and tensions flaring though, the European duo stuck together and have continued to put up a response to The Club - while a certain two eccentric and verbal individuals have thrown their hat into the mix.

Image: WWE

Enzo Amore and Big Cass made their debut a year ago, on the Raw after WrestleMania 32, and have circled near the surface to grabbing the top prize in the tag team division, only to fall short. They have fell victim to the cunning ways of the NJPW contingent, but now have their perfect opportunity to realise their dream on the Grandest Stage of Them All.

Three tag teams, and then some metallic equipment to go with it makes for a wild encounter in Florida. Who knows, maybe a certain ladder-loving duo may also throw themselves into the mix. The fingers point towards it being a magical crowning moment for the wildly popular Enzo Amore and Big Cass. Prediction: Enzo Amore and Big Cass (new Raw Tag Team Champions)

Image: Complex

Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Becky Lynch vs. Mickie James vs. Naomi vs. Natalya vs. Carmella - SmackDown Women's Championship (Six Pack Challenge)

Image: WWE.com

The power of the WWE Universe was epitomised on WrestleMania week as the fans clamoured for an upgrade on the position of the SmackDown women's title fight, originally scheduled for the pre-show. The six women have been given the chance, and now have the opportunity to make it count as Alexa Bliss defends her crown against the blue brand's best.

Image: WWE.com

Naomi was initially poised to bring the title into her hometown for the Showcase of the Immortals, however an injury sidelined her and put her chances in jeopardy. The five feet of fury Alexa Bliss reclaimed the gold for her second reign, and has been quick to sound off on everyone in the division, even Mickie James, who severed her alliance with the former NXT star to make a statement.

The veterans don't stop there, as Natalya - who inducted good friend Beth Phoenix into Hall of Fame on the Friday before the event, will also compete, alongside relatively new blood in Carmella, and a woman back to claim her prize in Bekcy Lynch. Then there's Naomi - who made a shock return in the final weeks before WrestleMania.

With the unexpected turn forced to make for Naomi, they may be set to give her the belt and the moment that was robbed of her. She won't be walking into WrestleMania as champion, but she is likely walking out of it with that title. Prediction: Naomi (new SmackDown Women's Champion)

Image: Sportskeeda

Bayley (c) vs. Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax - Raw Women's Championship (Fatal 4-Way Elimination)

Image: WWE.com

Opportunities continue to come thick and fast in the women's revolution as the red-hot Raw women's division presents a potential classic, in a fatal four-way elimination match. The underdog and fan favourite Bayley will defend her title against the woman who stood tall in Dallas last year, and a competitor continuously intertwined with the title picture, Sasha Banks. Then there's the X-factor, a force which has pinned the champion and laid waste to the others too, Nia Jax.

With the continuous hot-potato jumping off the belt, Charlotte has had numerous reigns and so has Sasha - their rivalry was thought to have ended at the culmination of the calendar year, however with a new page turned they once again share opposite sides of the ring. Bayley pulled off the upset to end the crazy pay-per-view streak of Flair at Fast Lane, while at that same event, Sasha Banks pulled off a stunning upset for the first time on Nia Jax. It's a chaotic web of who-beat-who, and that makes for a very difficult predicting process.

Image: WWE.com

A Charlotte win would be repetitive, undesirable, but not all too surprising considering how keen WWE have been to put the belt on the daughter of Ric Flair. Sasha Banks finally getting a solid reign would be one avenue, and Nia Jax getting her first belt is an unexpected yet plausible outcome. But then, let's look at one thing that will erupt the Camping World Stadium, Bayley retaining. The fairytale has only just started - WrestleMania may be the high point. Prediction: Bayley (retains Raw Women's Championship)

Dean Ambrose vs. Baron Corbin - Intercontinental Championship

Image: WWE.com

A heated, violent and unsafe rivalry has developed on the road to WrestleMania between former WWE world champion Dean Ambrose and recent Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal winner Baron Corbin - and in Orlando, they will look to settle it with the prestigious Intercontinental Championship up for grabs.

Backstage attacks including a forklift squashing and weapon assaults has exemplified the brutality and careless attitude of Baron Corbin, but against a Lunatic, he's come to the conclusion that it'll take much more to put him away.

Something fresh was needed for Dean Ambrose after things took a stale turn and this could be it, with newer blood in Corbin trying to take the shine of the former Shield member. It looks like Dean Ambrose will be denied of victory for a third-straight WrestleMania. Prediction: Baron Corbin (new Intercontinental Champion)

Image: Sportskeeda

Chris Jericho (c) vs. Kevin Owens - United States Championship

Image: WWE.com

The star-spangled United States title represents only a portion of the single's bout that will go down between Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens. It's incredibly personal.

Right until the run-up to Fast Lane, the Canadians had forged a friendship which took the WWE Universe by storm, and helped Owens to a long reign as WWE champion. At the same time, Y2J was making a run of his own and captured the United States belt. The List of Jericho was rampant, and we truly were looking at one of the best alliances in recent memory.

Image: WWE.com

Then, the tensions began to mount. Kevin Owens grew frustrated when Chris Jericho accepted a suicidal title fight with Goldberg for Fast Lane, and the Festival of Friendship in Las Vegas is where it all would implode. Y2J prepared a host of unique gifts for his friend, only for Owens to return one of his own: a list, with specifically the name of Chris Jericho on it. And from there, a savage attack, ending Jericho's skull crashing through a glass screen and sidelining him for the next few weeks.

Owens went to a dark place to try and keep his title from the searing force that is Goldberg, but when he was mentally psyched, his bad antics would come back to haunt him and cost him dearly. Chris Jericho showed up on the stage as the bell rang in the Fast Lane main event, distracting him and sending him crashing into a thunderous Spear. Goldberg finished off the job to win the Universal Championship, and Y2J had his revenge.

Image: Flickering Myth

After that saga, Kevin Owens set sights on revenge, and replicating the title robbery. He wanted to take Jericho's United States title from him and now gets that opportunity in their bad-blooded WrestleMania showdown. Samoa Joe has showed up to create another dynamic of complexity, with one of the most dangerous men in WWE siding with Owens. Whether or not that makes for (yes, another Demon reference) an equaliser, in perhaps Finn Balor remains to be seen - or that could be spared for the Triple H-Rollins bout later in the evening.

Owens and Jericho will put on a brilliant match, and looking to the rumours here, it appears a hiatus from Y2J almost certainly confirms he will drop the belt. It's a more obvious outcome but whichever way the belt goes, it should be a compelling encounter. Prediction: Kevin Owens (new United States Champion)

Image: Inquisitr

John Cena and Nikki Bella vs. The Miz and Maryse (Mixed Tag Team Match)

Image: WWE.com

Arguably the biggest mixed tag match in recent history goes down with a clash of SmackDown's power couples, as John Cena teams with girlfriend Nikki Bella to battle The Miz and his wife Maryse.

Boundaries have been stepped over and battle lines have been drawn over the course of an explosive build-up on the Tuesday night show. It started with tensions between The Miz and John Cena, which ran simultaneously to aggravations of Maryse and Bella, with them eventually being fused together.

Image: Forbes

Miz and Maryse have mocked their opponents with parody sketches of Total Bellas, imitating something which certainly got the attention of the 16-time world champion. John Cena fired back in a heated promo just days before WrestleMania, and there is more than bragging rights at stake. A lot of credibility hangs in the balance - if Cena and Bella are unable to stop Miz and Maryse, they will be a laughing stock (the same can be said the other way round).

The calls for John Cena to have a bigger match are very justifiable, considering the rumours of a seismic Undertaker clash on the horizon. Considering the importance he brings, having him on a gimmick mixed match doesn't seem the best idea, but the final few weeks of build moved mountains to change perception. This could lead to a proposal, and may just be one big advert for Total Bellas. It's all well and good stretching out your brands, but not if it uses up one of the marquee talents. Nonetheless, watch with intrigue. Prediction: John Cena and Nikki Bella

Image: The Inquisitr

Shane McMahon vs. AJ Styles

Image: WWE.com

AJ Styles believed he deserved better, so did something extreme about it. He brutally attacked the commissioner of SmackDown, but in the process brought out a man who was willing to do anything. Just look back a year to WrestleMania 32, with his death-defying leap of faith from the top of Hell in a Cell.

A hot 2016 for AJ Styles saw him capture the WWE Championship, but suffered defeat to John Cena at the Royal Rumble event and then fell short in the Elimination Chamber. With no match set for WrestleMania, he interrogated Shane, and things got heated between the pair.

Image: Sky Sports

A parking lot attack from AJ left Shane battered and bruised, but he ended the night by declaring he would be Styles' opponent. That lead to a brawl later, and now we have a match set that could be pretty crazy. AJ Styles, perhaps deserves a more "wrestling heavy" dance partner, the top stars and a spectacle, but with Shane, he has a risk-taking madman and they can really put something together.

Defeat for Shane McMahon is pretty much a clear option, although a shock defeat for Styles could lead him to leave SmackDown and make the transition to the Raw brand. It's WrestleMania, and Shane McMahon is performing, so prepare yourselves for a wild stunt too. Prediction: AJ Styles

Image: Daily DDT

Triple H vs. Seth Rollins (Non-Sanctioned Match)

Image: WWE.com

Seth Rollins was screwed by the man he once idolized in Triple H and then saw his chance to face him at the Grandest Stage of Them All flash before his eyes. A recurrence of his horrid knee injury which forced him to relinquish the WWE title back in 2015 made it a tight call for him to make WrestleMania, but he wasn't missing the event for a second straight time - not if he could help it.

After clamouring for weeks to get his hands on The Game, he had the opportunity on Raw, only for Samoa Joe to come out of nowhere and ambush The Architect, injuring him in the process. Rollins underwent an extreme and intense recovery schedule, where he returned on crutches, dumping them aside and taking down The Cerebral Assassin. But when the COO got his hands on the weapon, he put some huge damage on the knee, and that put Rollins on the brink of a WrestleMania absence.

Image: Indian Express

There was still one proposition though. Despite doctors not really clearing him, there was one way round. Albeit a risky, and potentially career-ending one, Seth Rollins agreed to fight Triple H in a non-sanctioned match. That makes for a brutal, wild, and epic fight - not match, fight. Whether that means Samoa Joe will involve himself in the equation remains to be seen, but Rollins does get his chance.

It will come at a cost. The knee is far from 100% and with a methodical opponent such as Triple H that will soon enough show in the contest. But, Rollins will Redesign, Rebuild and Reclaim - and while he may be hobbled, he will give Triple H a stern test. While it would be logical for Rollins to go over, it may jeopardise the strength of Triple H to go from being WWE Champion in the previous 'Mania to losing to an injured man. Rollins will put up a massive fight, but his knee will give in allowing The Game to pick up the victory, and spare himself (at least for this year) of taking a record number of defeats at WM. Prediction: Triple H

Image: The Inquisitr

The Undertaker vs. Roman Reigns

Image: WWE.com

Who's yard is it? We will find out whether The Deadman still runs it or if the Big Dog has taken over, in a pivotal clash of the titans and what could signal the end of the legendary Undertaker's career.

The seeds were planted for this mega fight at the Royal Rumble when Roman Reigns eliminated The Phenom before mouthing the words "this is my yard". Reigns would go on a detour before WrestleMania when he had the extremely sizable challenge of Braun Strowman, eventually vanquishing him at Fast Lane.

Image: The inquisitr

A subsequent episode of Raw saw Strowman calling out Roman again, but he got The Undertaker instead. Respectfully, Strowman stepped aside out of respect, and InThe Undertaker looked to have done his job, only for the music of Roman Reigns to hit. An icy staredown, before a staring of the sign - with no words needed - set up the match, and after that came a hellacious chokeslam.

Mentally, Reigns was under adversity as the Deadman's music hit and threw him off guard. But when Taker did show up mid match, and disposed of Strowman, he turned around into a wicked Spear from Reigns which signalled the reality - maybe old vs. new was the story, and time is up for the purest striker in the game.

Image: Cageside Seats

In the go-home Raw show, Roman Reigns had a message for Undertaker, but was confronted with a video of his opponent digging a grave - or as he referred to as a special corner of hell for the former Shield brethren - and then Undertaker appeared in the ring to finish off with his goosebump-prompting "Rest in Peace" quote, before the lights dimmed.

The stage is set. Roman Reigns vs. The Undertaker will present a crucial battle in the history and future landscape of WWE, and maybe this will be the swansong of WrestleMania's greatest ever performer. If it is, the story is clear, Undertaker gives Reigns the keys, or passes the torch with a handshake, but not even that may spare Reigns from the brutality and merciless chanting of WWE fans.

Physically, The Undertaker is showing signs of age and it would be selfish to want him to perform at an age, considering he has a family and is burdening a higher risk through the ages. However, if Roman Reigns is the man to beat him, maybe that will leave a sour taste in the mouths of spectators. This match could go on last, with Jim Ross commentating - all but signalling the end of The Phenom. There will be tears.

Image: WWE.com

Roman Reigns has been relentlessly pushed by the WWE and they continue to hold faith in his value as a star. Perhaps a heel turn may soften the blow. Reigns is the likely victor here. Prediction: Roman Reigns

Bray Wyatt (c) vs. Randy Orton - WWE Championship

Image: WWE.com

Once brothers, now enemies in the main event of WrestleMania. All it took was a triumph in the Royal Rumble for the Viper to book his coveted spot, where he will meet a man under a renaissance, looking to cut short the Era of Wyatt.

Randy Orton secured his shot at WrestleMania when he eliminated Roman Reigns to win the Royal Rumble in San Antonio, and a month later at the SmackDown exclusive Elimination Chamber event, Bray Wyatt captured his first ever singles title when he outlasted the barbaric structure.

Image: Sky Sports

For the first few weeks, it appeared that Orton's allegiance to Bray remained loyal, even at one point vowing not to face him, for the greater good. But one savage, sadistic turn set this rivalry on fire, literally. Orton showed up on screen, and having been granted access to the Wyatt Family compound, set the sacred Sister Abigal tomb on fire, rendering Wyatt a weak and delirious shell of himself.

Image: WWE

Wyatt managed to harvest the strength to rebound, marking an "X" on the third-generation former world champion, although Randy Orton followed suit. The stakes are high, its a personal rivalry with a story executed to perfection. This does deserve a main event billing in the credits of the stars involved, but from a pay-per-view point it is understandable why Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar, and Roman Reigns vs. The Undertaker is getting more recognition.

Both these men are proven performers, and again we have another fantastic match in store. You might as well take a lucky dip on what match will go down as a MOTY candidate. Bray Wyatt waited a long time for a world championship reign, and it shouldn't end at WrestleMania. In fact, something promises a continuation of the feud beyond the huge event. Prediction: Bray Wyatt (retains WWE Championship)

Image: GiveMeSport

Goldberg (c) vs. Brock Lesnar - WWE Universal Championship

Image: WWE.com

A blockbuster, sizzling rematch as the sun sets in Orlando features a last-ever meeting of two rivals for some of the most sought-after gold in the company. Raw's Universal Championship will be up for grabs as Goldberg defends the strap against a man he has had the better off for over a decade, the Beast Incarnate Brock Lesnar.

It is a chance to write the wrong that was WrestleMania 20, when Goldberg and Lesnar put on an underwhelming match before departing from the company. Lesnar did return to dominate and lay waste to the WWE, infamously breaking The Undertaker's legendary WrestleMania streak and enjoying a dominant title reign, but Goldberg was waiting in the wings.

Image: WWE.com

He sent shockwaves through the WWE when he announced a return, and Lesnar was first to challenge him. The WCW legend accepted, and stunned Brock Lesnar in less than two minutes with a jaw-dropping squash at Survivor Series. Lesnar was flabbergasted, as were the WWE Universe, and he followed Goldberg on his quest to win the Royal Rumble, to his major downfall as he was again beaten, and eliminated.

Goldberg didn't make it to the end of the Rumble, but he did secure a shot at Fast Lane against Kevin Owens to win the universal strap in record time, and that meant an already confirmed match with Brock Lesnar now had the gold on the line to make it all the more huge. Brock Lesnar has everything riding on the line, a Beast who has made a reputation of destroying so many opponents appeared to have stumbled across an intangible kryptonite sending his career plummeting into jeopardy.

Image: WWE.com

An F5 showed the danger of Brock, although the last Raw before WrestleMania saw the Beast recklessly charge out of the ring to meet him in the ramp, only to work into a vengeful spear. Goldberg held the title aloft with a vision for Sunday - and still champion.

A lot of questions have been asked about this match, including the fact that two part-timers of age fighting for the top prize doesn't really do well for the future. What it does do is attract the eyeballs though, and we will see if this is a short affair or a long match. Lesnar and Goldberg owe fans a lengthy classic, but it depends on what the latter has left. Brock must win this, he has more of a future in the company whereas Goldberg was more of an exit on his terms. Brock Lesnar will resurrect his career and capture the belt. Prediction: Brock Lesnar (new Universal Champion)

Predictions Summary

• Braun Strowman wins Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
• Austin Aries wins Cruiserweight Championship
• Enzo Amore and Big Cass win Raw Tag Team Championships
• Naomi wins SmackDown Women's Championship
• Bayley retains Raw Women's Championship
• Baron Corbin wins Intercontinental Championship
• Kevin Owens wins United States Championship
• John Cena and Nikki Bella defeat The Miz and Maryse
• AJ Styles defeats Shane McMahon
• Triple H defeats Seth Rollins
• Roman Reigns defeats Undertaker
• Bray Wyatt retains WWE Championship
• Brock Lesnar wins Universal Championship

Image: WWE

Ready, set, WrestleMania!

We are all set for a huge WrestleMania. The card has received its criticisms but when you look at it, it is simply magnificent. There is so much room for something special, and this could go down as one of the most iconic events of all time.

It's the Ultimate Thrill Ride. Enjoy it!