Tossing Salt Presents:
Wrestlemania 36: Thoughts &
Predictions (Part 2)
April 3, 2020
DougMaynard.com

This is Part 2. Don’t forget to read Part 1 too.

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 already covered half of the advertised matches in Part 1 and now, it’s time to do the rest. So now, let’s can the chit-chat and do this. Are you ready? And away we go…

Kevin Owens versus Seth Rollins

As of late, Owens has been counting on the Viking Raiders and Samoa Joe as his back-up while Seth as been depending on his faction of the AOP and (He’s not your Buddy) Murphy to lend aid when needed. But Seth’s team is out of the picture with half of the AOP being injured and Murphy being sick and pulled from the show so I doubt we’ll see anyone else getting involved. And having just Kevin & Seth suits me fine. Last time these two squared off individually, Owens was the heel and Seth was the face. And now, it’s come full circle. Seth doesn’t need to win and already has an excuse available that his faction wasn’t there. Owens needs the win more and it’ll make the invisible fans in the arena and the fans watching at home happy.

Winner: Kevin Owens

Triple Threat Ladder Match – Smackdown Tag Team Championship
The Miz & John Morrison versus The New Day versus The Usos

I have absolutely no idea how this match will happen or what we’re going to get. Miz has been pulled for being sick and so he’s out. Even if he was allowed, it would have been seven men in the ring and that violates the ten-man limit that the government has imposed due to the virus when you add the cameramen and announcers to the mix. I heard rumors that it’s been changed to a one-on-one with Morrison facing either a Uso or New Day member, but I just don’t know for sure. Or maybe it’s a triple-threat now with Morrison facing a member of each team with the titles still on the line. I’m having to speculate, but I’m hoping that WWE will clarify tonight on Smackdown. It doesn’t matter though. Miz and Morrison will still be the Champions when all is said and done. And “Why?”, you ask. Because they’re AWESOME!

Winners and STILL Champions: The Miz & John Morrison

RAW Tag Team Championship
The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) versus Angel Garza & Austin Theory w/ Zelina Vega

To start off with, I think that originally, this was to be the Street Profits versus The AOP, but it was changed to the Profits fighting Andrade and Garza instead. And then Andrade was pulled and replaced by NXT star Austin Theory. Hell, it might change again before all is said and done. I like Garza and what little I’ve seen of Theory, the man has skills as well. In a normal environment, I would expect to see a title switch here, but as confusing as everything has become, I expect just a good match and they’ll keep it short, sweet and uncomplicated. Nothing to see here, but some fun action. The Profits retain their gold.

Winners and STILL WWE RAW Tag Team Champions: The Street Profits

Elias versus King Corbin

I wouldn’t be surprised to see the “Host of Wrestlemania”, Rob Gronkowski, get involved here. I also expect to here Elias sing a song and for the song to take more time than the match itself. Corbin is such a good heel and I actually enjoy his character, but a great heel should not win when the odds are even or against him, especially when he’s got issues with the “Boss”. If this was an episode of RAW or even a regular pay-per-view event, I’d say Corbin would steal one and take that trip to the pay window, but it’s Mania and that makes all the difference. Elias takes home a big win.

Winner: Elias

Aleister Black versus Bobby Lashley

I had almost forgotten this match was even happening. But then again, where Lashley and his lovely bride, Lana, are concerned, it’s probably better that way. Lashley is a big and tough SOB, but I just can’t get into his matches or character. Black is the future and doesn’t need to lose here. Black wins.

Winner: Aleister Black

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane) versus Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross

I love me some Asuka, but why is she being wasted as a tag team wrestler. I want to see Asuka versus Shayna Baszler. I want to see Asuka and Sasha Banks. I want to see Asuka and Becky Lynch. I want to see Asuka versus Ronda Rousey. So that means it’s time to drop the tag belts and get back to what made the Empress of Tomorrow famous. Kairi and Asuka get mixed up and Asuka sprays Kairi by mistake with the green mist. Alexa and Nikki take advantage and capture the belts. Asuka gets mad and goes into a short feud with Kairi while Nikki and Alexa get a run as the champs. Works for me.

Winners and NEW Women’s Tag Team Champions: Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross

Intercontinental Championship
Sami Zayn w/ Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura versus Daniel Bryan w/ Drew Gulak

I love the idea of Sami as the champion, but it’s Daniel Bryan and it’s Wrestlemania and there is no way that Sami is beating Bryan at Mania… without some help. So does Gulak turn on Bryan, cost him the match, and then we get a great feud between the two ring technicians? Or does Gulak be a loyal ally, work to counter the presence of Cesaro & Nakamura, which allows Bryan to beat Sami and win the title. Then Gulak can challenge his friend and we get a great feud between the two ring technicians? And if Sami does win, will he ever shut up about it? This should be a fun match, albeit a short one. And I think we’ll go with the latter theory here. Gulak helps Bryan by taking out Cesaro & Shinsuke and Daniel wins the belt.

Winner and NEW Intercontinental Champion: Daniel Bryan

Dolph Ziggler versus Otis

Two men fighting over the love of a woman. What would Dusty Rhodes say? He’d call Mandy a “jezebel” and make some comments about how wicked women truly are. Or would that be Zbyszko saying that? It doesn’t matter really. Dolph has never had a singles match at Mania and has lost more matches than he has won so why should this be any different. The big loveable goof should win and he still won’t get the woman. Or maybe he will. I just don’t care. Women are evil. Except for Asuka… and Ivory. Those are my girls. Mandy Moore? Not so much. This match, Otis wins.

Winner: Otis

And there you go. Don’t forget to go check out Part 1. 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!