WWE WrestleMania 33: Predictions, Match Card, Preview For 2017 PPV

After months of rumors regarding WWE’s biggest event of 2017, the WrestleMania 33 card is finally set. Thirteen matches are scheduled for Sunday’s pay-per-view at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, and eight titles will be on the line.

The WWE Universal Championship Match between Brock Lesnar and Goldberg is expected to go on last, putting an end to their feud that began with Goldberg’s return in November. It seems to be clear which WWE superstar is winning the main event, but predictions for other matches aren’t as easy to make.

10 matches are on the main card and three will be on the kickoff show. The SmackDown Tag Team Championships are the only belts that won't be defended at WrestleMania 33.

Brock Lesnar vs. Goldberg (WWE Universal Championship Match)

Once Goldberg pinned Lesnar in 86 seconds at Survivor Series, it became clear what WWE had planned for WrestleMania 33. After losing to Goldberg at WrestleMania 20 and Survivor Series in November, as well as being eliminated by the former WCW champ at January’s Royal Rumble, Lesnar will finally beat the one man that has his number.

The only question regarding the match is how long it will last. Goldberg's matches at Survivor Series and Fastlane lasted less than two total minutes, and it’s hard to believe that he’ll be able to go for more than a few minutes Sunday night. He might get a Spear in, but Goldberg’s title reign should come to an abrupt end after a few supplexes and an F5.

Prediction: Brock Lesnar

Roman Reigns vs. The Undertaker

WWE has the perfect opportunity to turn Reigns heel. Just about every fan at Camping World Stadium will be cheering for The Undertaker, and he’d become the company’s biggest villain by cheating to beat the Deadman and beating him down after the match. Unfortunately, that isn’t likely to happen.

Despite the negative reaction that Reigns elicits from many live crowds, WWE has proven that they are dedicated to keeping Reigns as one of their top babyfaces. He ended WrestleMania 32 by defeating Triple H for the WWE World Championship, and he’ll probably beat The Undertaker Sunday night. Allowing Reigns to hand The Undertaker his second WrestleMania loss in 25 matches is probably the right call, though the way it happens might not make the most sense.

Prediction: Roman Reigns

Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt (WWE Championship Match)

There’s plenty about this feud that indicates Orton is winning the title. Orton infiltrated The Wyatt Family so he could tear it apart, and it only makes sense that this six-month storyline will climax with the babyface getting the championship. However, Orton could be the one heavy WrestleMania favorite that ends up losing his match.

Having already established himself as a future WWE Hall of Famer with 12 world championship reigns, Orton certainly doesn’t need to hold the top title on “SmackDown Live.” WWE has tried to build up Bray for nearly four years, but he’s always seemed to suffer a big loss just when it seemed like he was about to take off. It’s time for WWE to give Bray the ball and let him run with it, and that means finding a way to beat Orton. Don’t be surprised if Luke Harper or Erick Rowan gets involved in the finish.

Prediction: Bray Wyatt

John Cena & Nikki Bella vs. The Miz & Maryse

When it became apparent that this match was going to be on the WrestleMania 33 card, a large portion of WWE’s fanbase groaned. But all four superstars have been so good on the mic that this feud has arguably been WWE’s best in the build towards the biggest year of the year.

Cena buried The Miz in such a way on “SmackDown Live” Tuesday night that it’s conceivable the heels could get the upper hand and win Sunday, but that seems far from likely. Cena is still the face of WWE, and he’s not about to be pinned by the man that’s disrespected his relationship for the last month. With the way The Miz and Maryse have been mocking Cena and Nikki for not being married, it might only be fitting for the 16-time world champion to propose to Nikki in the ring when the match is over.

Prediction: John Cena & Nikki Bella

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

This match has been a long time in the making. The two were probably going to face off at WrestleMania 32 before Rollins got injured, and it became clear that they were in for a WrestleMania 33 match when Triple H turned on Rollins in the summer. Another knee injury for Rollins put the match in jeopardy, once again, but it looks like the former Shield member is finally ready to get revenge on his old mentor.

Rollins was on his way to being WWE’s top babyface until injuries and poor booking slowed him down. He still has what it takes to get there, and it starts with beating Triple H at WrestleMania. Rollins will still be selling his knee injury so they’ll probably get a little creative, but the match should end when Triple H gets hit with a Pedigree.

Prediction: Seth Rollins

AJ Styles vs. Shane McMahon

Styles has been WWE’s best wrestler since he made his debut at Royal Rumble 2016. He held the WWE Championship for 140 days, defeating the likes of Dean Ambrose and John Cena in main event PPV matches. As entertaining as Shane can be at times, he shouldn’t beat Styles in a traditional wrestling match.

That’s not to say Shane doesn’t have any chance. If anyone can make Shane look good, it’s Styles. WWE will come up with a high-risk maneuver for Shane to pull off, and it’s possible for someone to interfere in the match without getting Shane disqualified. But without any stipulation, it’s hard to see Shane getting his hand raised.

Prediction: AJ Styles

Kevin Owens vs. Chris Jericho (United States Championship Match)

This match is at the center of one of WWE’s longest running and most entertaining storylines. Owens turned on Jericho after the two had supported each other for months, and it almost feels like the WWE Universal Championship should be on the line instead of the U.S. Title. Jericho has become known for putting over younger talent, and Owens is likely going over at WrestleMania 33.

Jericho has been a full-time member of the roster for close to 16 months, so it’s possible that he’ll be around for a little while longer. But with the way Jericho has come and gone from WWE in recent years, his latest run might soon be coming to an end. Owens will probably win the U.S. Championship and stay out of the WWE Universal Championship picture for the time being. A win over Jericho, who might get a bigger pop on TV than any current WWE babyface, will only make Owens an even bigger heel.

Prediction: Kevin Owens

Bayley vs. Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte vs. Nia Jax (Raw Women’s Championship Elimination Match)

The Raw Women’s Championship has changed hands so many times since the brand split that nothing would be too surprising. With that said, the match will probably come down to Bayley and Sasha. Nia Jax isn’t ready to be the champ, and Charlotte’s time in the title picture could be coming to an end, at least for the time being.

Sasha is going to turn on Bayley, and it’s just a matter of when. The most likely scenario might be that Bayley retains and Sasha attacks her the next night on “Monday Night Raw.” Either way, the match should be the impetus for a Bayley-Sasha feud involving the title.

Prediction: Bayley

Baron Corbin vs. Dean Ambrose (Intercontinental Championship Match)

With Cena continuing to take time off from WWE, Ambrose has basically been the top babyface on “SmackDown Live” since July’s draft. He’s held either the WWE Championship or the Intercontinental Championship for most of his time with the blue brand. WWE seems to have high hopes for Corbin, and taking the title off Ambrose will help him get closer to becoming a top heel.

The feud began when Ambrose eliminated Corbin from the WWE Championship Elimination Chamber Match, and it’s largely consisted of Corbin attacking the current IC Champ. Corbin has never held a title in WWE or even NXT, though he did win last year’s Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. Let’s just hope this match is better than Ambrose’s WrestleMania 32 match against Brock Lesnar, which was a major disappointment.

Prediction: Baron Corbin

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

Ever since Matt and Jeff Hardy left TNA, there have been rumors that they will be making their way back to WWE soon. They haven’t been announced as part of the match, but the introduction of the ladder makes it seem even more possible that the Hardy Boyz will be involved.

Assuming the three participants are the only teams that get involved in the match, the current champs are probably the most likely winners. Gallows and Anderson have only held the belts for two months, and they could have a longer reign so an eventual loss to Enzo and Cass is more meaningful. It would be sort of surprising to see Sheamus or Cesaro get the win.

Prediction: Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson

Kickoff Show

Neville vs. Austin Aries (Cruiserweight Championship Match)

Aries is the most popular cruiserweight in WWE. He always draws a reaction on “205 Live,” even though the crowd is usually pretty dead after having sat through a whole episode of “SmackDown Live.” The only question is whether or not Neville will lose the belt at WrestleMania.

The feud between Aries and Neville might have just begun. Neville has been a dominant cruiserweight champ, and it would make sense for him to hold the belt for a little while longer. But good usually triumphs over evil at WrestleMania, and WWE might look to begin the night with a title change.

Prediction: Austin Aries

Alexa Bliss vs. Becky Lynch vs. Naomi vs. Carmella vs. Mickie James vs. Natalya (SmackDown Women’s Championship Match)

Naomi’s return Tuesday night has made her the clear favorite to win the match. She was forced to drop the belt because of an injury, and it only makes sense that she’ll get it back in her hometown of Orlando.

If somehow Naomi doesn’t win, Alexa will probably hold onto the title. She’s arguably been the best female wrestler in all of WWE in the last few months, and Naomi could still get a one-on-one rematch at the next PPV. Becky should be the third favorite, while Carmella, Mickie James and Natalya might not have much of a chance.

Prediction: Naomi

Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal

The match is Braun Strowman’s to lose. He’s the most dominant force in WWE, and he won’t be tossed over the top rope by a bunch of wrestlers that couldn’t find their way onto the main card. It could come down to Strowman and Sami Zayn, since the two have been featured prominently on “Monday Night Raw” in 2017.

The rest of the announced participants are as follows: Big Show, Dolph Ziggler, Apollo Crews, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, Chad Gable, Jason Jordan, Mark Henry, Titus O'Neil, Goldust, R-Truth, Curtis Axel, Primo, Epico, Bo Dallas, Jinder Mahal, Rhyno, Heath Slater, Mojo Rawley, Curt Hawkins, Tyler Breeze, Fandango, Simon Gotch, Aiden English, Kalisto, Viktor, Konnor and Sin Cara.

Prediction: Braun Strowman