Tossing Salt Presents:
Wrestlemania 36: Thoughts &
Predictions (Part 1)
April 3, 2020
DougMaynard.com

Coming up for this weekend is the biggest show of the year. It’s the granddaddy of them all (not named Starcade). It’s Wrestlemania. Are you feeling it? Me neither. I know it’s going to be a good show and the matches will be off the charts, but this “no audience” crap is killing my vibe. Regardless though, I will be watching every match as it’s shown on the WWE Network tomorrow and Sunday.

And as a special bonus, later today, myself and the Infamous Outlaw K-Mak will be getting together and making a “Wrestlemania Prediction” video discussing this epic event and making our selections as to who will be walking out of Mania with their arms raised in victory and who will be doing that ‘walk of shame’. It’ll be posted here at the site as well as on Facebook, Twitter, You-Tube and all other social media outlets that myself and the Infamous One frequent.

But that is for later today. For now, it’s the show that’s too big for just one day and the column that is just too big for just one part. If they can run for two days, I can do two columns. Sounds fair to me. I’ll cover half of the sixteen advertised matches here and the rest in Part 2. So now, let’s can the chit-chat and do this. Are you ready? And away we go…

WWE Championship
Brock Lesnar versus Drew McIntyre

I kind of feel sorry for Drew as he’s worked so hard and come so far since his days as a member of 3MB to be in the main event of the biggest show of the year and then this virus hit and now, there won’t be a live crowd to witness his greatest moment. I’m almost thinking that we won’t see a title change here and the WWE will wait until the events are in full arenas again to give him his time in the sun, but then again, maybe not. Drew will eventually beat Brock and be the WWE Champion. I have no doubt about that, but will it be this weekend? Brock and Drew have good chemistry and even without an audience, I think they’ll put on a good match. But a title switch? My gut says not yet. I think that Brock will manage to squeak through and we’ll hold off on the title change until there is a live crowd to embrace Drew and the moment. Heyman causes a distraction and Brock manages to steal a win.

Winner and STILL WWE Champion: Brock Lesnar

Universal Championship
Goldberg versus Roman Reigns

To start, this match is not happening as scheduled. Roman Reigns has been pulled from the match due to concerns about his health and his replacement is (spoiler here) Braun Strowman. So Goldberg wins this one by default.

Winner and STILL Champion: Goldberg

Universal Championship
Goldberg versus Braun Strowman

I really don’t want to see Braun with the belt. He’s a monster of a man to be sure, but he just doesn’t do anything for me. And given his recent comments where he basically told the Indy wrestlers to “get a job”, he’s even bigger on my shit-list. He only knows WWE and wouldn’t last a year in the real world of pro wrestling. I don’t like Goldberg much either, but I’d rather see him as the champ than Braun. I don’t see any title changes here until there’s a live crowd to witness it. Goldberg takes out Braun in about five minutes with the spear and jackhammer.

Winner and STILL Universal Champion: Goldberg

Boneyard Match
The Undertaker versus AJ Styles

What is a ‘Boneyard Match’? And who are the Unholy Trinity that Taker was speaking of when he cut that incredible promo about AJ on RAW this past week? Just a guess here, but I’ll go with Kane & Aleister Black. I know that Kane is busy being a Mayor and all, but I think he would find a way to spare a few hours. And Black is already there for a match anyways and has been feuding with AJ. Or maybe it’s the return of JBL & Ron Simmons, the Acolytes? If it was a normal world, I could see it, but in this screwed up and the restricted world we’re in now, I doubt it’s them. But enough about all of that. It may be his last hurrah, but I think that Taker will get the win here.

Winner: The Undertaker

Firefly Funhouse Match
Bray Wyatt (The Fiend) versus John Cena

John Cena is not a full-time performer anymore and there is no way that he should go over. Bray’s recent run as the Universal Champion was less than memorable and he needs a big win to get his heat back, especially after that loss to Goldberg a few months ago. I think that Cena will bring his A-game and he’ll do his best to make Bray look like the monster that he strives to be. This may end up being the best match of the night given who the two men competing are. And while Cena might be known as “Big Match John”, it’s Bray Wyatt, aka The Fiend, who will be known as ‘the Winner’ this evening.

Winner: Bray Wyatt, aka The Fiend.

Last Man Standing
Edge versus Randy Orton

Edge is not going to lose his first match back in nearly a decade. No way, no how. Orton will take it to the limit and these two men will take us on a roller coaster ride second to none. But when that final bell rings, the winner will be the man we call Edge.

Winner: Edge

RAW Women’s Championship
Becky Lynch versus Shayna Baszler

This one, I’m not sure about. Becky is ‘the Man’ and has been a dominant champion for nearly a year. Baszler has a legit background and she’s a monster in that ring in her own right and I can’t see her going down all that easily. So is there a title switch or not? I expect to see a great match and both women give their all in this encounter. I also think that Becky has been champion for too long and that it might be fun to see her chasing the title. I’m calling a title switch here.

Winner and NEW RAW Women’s Champion: Shayna Baszler

Fatal 5-Way Elimination Match – Smackdown Women’s Championship
Bayley versus Lacey Evans versus Sasha Banks versus Tamina versus Naomi

One thing I’m sure of. This belt is changing hands. The only question is does Sasha turn on her best friend and take the belt or does her screw-up give another woman the opportunity to take advantage and get the title away from the former Hugger? And if so, who is the new champion? It won’t be Tamina. And I can’t see Naomi winning it either. Lacey is a face now and hasn’t had a run yet with any titles so I think she’ll get it here to give her and her daughter a moment while dissension builds with Sasha and Bayley. Look for Sasha to distract her best friend, who then feels the power of a Woman’s Right as Lacey takes advantage to win the championship.

Winner and NEW Smackdown Women’s Champion: Lacey Evans

NXT Women’s Championship
Rhea Ripley versus Charlotte Flair

And here we are at the half-way point as the Queen takes on Rhea Ripley for Ripley’s NXT Championship. So how does this go? Do Charlotte and Rhea switch spots with Charlotte being the draw for NXT while Rhea makes her way to the main roster and classic battles against women like Sasha, Alexa, Nikki & Carmella? Or do we maintain the status quo with Charlotte staying on the main roster while Rhea remains in NXT as a dominant champion? A tough call here, but I think that Charlotte can afford a loss. She’s Teflon. Rhea though, not so much. Look for Rhea to retain her belt and remain as the NXT Women’s Champion.

Winner and STILL NXT Women’s Champion: Rhea Ripley

And there you go. We’re halfway through and only eight more matches to go. Go read Part II. Thanks for reading. Any comments, thoughts or questions, drop me a line in the comment section or else via my e-mail at Doug28352@yahoo.com. Or come and see me on Twitter at @Doug28352. Be sure to watch out for our video later today and enjoy the greatest show on earth, Wrestlemania, this weekend. I’ll catch you later.

Ubuntu!