It is back. Yes, a full-scale Wrestlemania will happen for the first time in three years when the 38th edition goes ahead this weekend.
AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas is the venue for the showcase of the immortals this year. 101,763 packed the rafters in the same stadium last time ‘Mania came into town back in 2016. This time the edition will be spread across two nights, which could easily make it the grandest Wrestlemania of all time. There have been 15 matches announced so far, with no room for the intercontinental or US Championship on the main card this year. However we do have a stellar line up to look forward to regardless.
1 Night 1 (Saturday, April 2)
The KO Show: Kevin Owens welcomes Stone Cold Steve Austin
The possible main event for Night One will be the return of Stone Cold Steve Austin. Now what a “return” actually entails is anyone’s guess, as per promotional material, he will just be appearing as a guest on The KO SHOW with Kevin Owens. Owens has been running his mouth about Texas for the last few weeks and is now set to be challenged on his assertions by The Texas Rattlesnake. Some expect this to turn into an official match, Austin’s first match since Wrestlemania 19, others expect this to kick start a full-blown Austin return! Whatever happens, we know that someone will be getting a stunner.
Predicted stunner gave by Stone Cold Steve Austin
SmackDown women’s championship: Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Ronda Rousey
Ronda made a surprising return at the Royal Rumble 2022, winning the whole thing and setting her sights on Charlotte. Charlotte has not done much since capturing the title but will no doubt drag a great match out of The Baddest Woman on the Planet.
Predicted winner: Ronda Rousey
Raw women’s championship: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Bianca Belair
Ireland’s own Becky Lynch has had a massive change of character since returning at Summerslam last August. The man became Big Time Becs and has been proudly sitting atop of the women’s division since. Bianca Belair has definitely something to prove, her career-defining victory over Sasha Banks at last year’s Wrestlemania was quickly forgotten about after her loss to Becky at Summerslam. thing’s have heated up dramatically on the go home Raw episode with Belair doing to Lynch, what Lynch tried to do to her. An old Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake trick, cut the hair of you opponent.
Predicted winner: Bianca Belair
SmackDown tag team championships: The Usos (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Rick Boogs
Wrestlemania is known for feel-good moments for sure. The Term “Hogan must pose” was coined due to the need to send the fans home happy with a Hulk Hogan victory and celebration. However like a rollercoaster, a wrestling show has to have peaks and valleys, and in those valleys, the bad guys (Heels) gotta pick up a win. It would make sense for one of the most decorated tag teams in The Usos, to maintain the titles against the relatively new Nakamura and Boogs tag team. The two teams have been feuding since early March
Predicted winner: The Usos
Dominik Mysterio & Rey Mysterio vs. The Miz & Logan Paul
Logan Paul at one stage was one of the most loathed men in the youtube community, then he became the most hated man in boxing ( Until his brother took up that mantle). His image has somewhat softened over the years, however aligning himself with genuinely the most annoying guy in WWE in The Miz, he is doing nothing for his cred in the wrestling community. Can Paul and Miz stay on board with each other, since they nearly came to blows previously in the year? They will need to be against the Mysterios, the first father and son tag team champions in WWE history.
Predicted Winner: Miz and Logan Paul
Drew McIntyre vs. Happy Corbin
Happy Corbin is going to simply get his head Claymore’d off. Corbin has been through many incarnations over the last few years, getting on the wrong side of many different superstars. This current Corbin though, the “Happy” one, maybe left feeling a bit blue when the Scottish Pshcyopath, Drew McIntyre gets his hands/boots on him.
Predicted winner: Drew McIntyre
Seth Rollins vs. TBA by Mr. McMahon
The to-be-announced is possibly the worst kept secret in wrestling at the moment. I will not go into detail in case I spoil anything for anyone, however if true, it is a big signing. Seth Rollins has begged for a Mania match this year after failing at every opportunity to carve himself out a spot on the card. In fairness to him, he is having a ball in his new guise and it is evident. Looking forward to seeing his reaction to his opponent when it is indeed announced and the subsequent match will no doubt prove to be dashing.
Predicted winner : TBA
New Day (King Woods and Kofi Kingston) vs. Sheamus and Ridge Holland
The bad blood between these two factions has been evident of the last week. Originally the clash was to pit different New Day duo of Kofi and Big E up against Ridge and Sheamus. That was until Ridge Holland legitimately broke the neck of Big E. King Woods made his triumphant return in his place last week to keep the New Day train going. Should be an interesting match, with the former Pete Dunne on the outside looking to get involved in any way he can.
Predicted winner : New Day
2 Night 2 (Sunday, April 3)
Winner take all unification match: Universal champion Roman Reigns vs. WWE champion Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar and Roman reigns are set to now join an illustrious elclusive group of wrestlers who have enjoyed a trilogy of Wrestlemania Clashes. The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin went head to head and traded victories at Mania 15, 17 & 19, while HHH could never get the better of The Undertaker at either 17, 27 or 28. While Roman makes it third time lucky like his cousin The Rock did against Austin at Wrestlemania 19, or will he be unable to come away with a win at all like Hunter Hearst Hemsley. What can be decided is this is legitimately the most anticipated clash of theirs due to the great story that has been unfolding over the last year. Paul Heyman will no doubt play a factor in the winner takes it all clash.
Predicted Winner: Roman Reigns
Women’s tag team championships: Carmella & Queen Zelina (c) vs. Naomi & Sasha Banks vs. Liv Morgan & Rhea Ripley vs. Natalya & Shayna Baszler
The woman’s tag division is a bit of a weird one. Normally tag teams are just thrown together out of thin air, and as a way to give certain wrestlers something to do. While that happens in the men’s division sometimes (much to its detriment), they do at least have recognized teams. The match probably won’t receive much time but the performers will for sure endeavor to put in a big performance.
Predicted winners : Sasha Banks and Naomi
Edge vs. AJ Styles
This is without a doubt the match that has the biggest possibility of being the weekend show-stealer. Aj Styles and Edge share a wealth of experience with each other, both veterans, that are arguably in their prime right now. The heat has been turned up the last few weeks with Edge flipping out and bringing back the true Rated R Superstar we all love to hate.
Predicted winner : Edge
Sami Zayn vs. Johnny Knoxville
Yep that Johnny Knoxville, the Jackass guy. Knoxville started off his WWE adventure by entering the Royal Rumble in 2022, much to the annoyance of one Sami Zayn. Since then Sami and Johnny have traded barbs and pranks on each other at WWE and Jackass events. Wrestlemania has a long history of celebrity involvement and some even stepping into the ring. The anything-goes stipulation should suit Johnny Knoxville (and the rest of his Jackass crew) to the ground, and should be able to give Sami something to cry about for the next few months.
Predicted winner : Johnny Knoxville
Austin Theory vs. Pat McAfee
Austin Theory is regarded as the future of the company. No doubt he has got tremendous skills. However, someone else who seems to have tremendous wrestling ability is former NFL player and current commentator of Smackdown Pat McAfee. McAfee has shown this in his battles with Adam Cole and the Undisputed Era in NXT. I expect this to be better then some people may expect, with both guys having something to prove.
Predicted winner : Austin Theory
Raw tag team championships: RK-Bro (Matt Riddle & Randy Orton) (c) vs. The Street Profits vs. Alpha Academy
It is nice that the Raw tag division is getting a bit of attention with the formation of RK-BRO. Matt Riddle and Randy Orton look they they are genuinely loving tagging together. Chad Gable and Otis from the Alpha Academy have also been quite entertaining, with Chad Gable finally being able to brush off that Shorty G moniker and sink his teeth into something. The Street Profits are always good for a few highlights, especially Montez Ford so this should be a fun exceptional affair.
Predicted winner : RK-Bro
Bobby Lashley vs. Omos
The most recently announced bout, is the somewhat thrown-together match-up between the mammoth Omos and Bobby Lashley. Omos is a monster of a man, however, he is very new to the business and doesn’t seem ready for the spot he occupies. Bobby Lashley does have it in him to have an entertaining brawl, so I expect this to be short and sweet with Omos getting the scalp of a former WWE Champion under his belt.
Predicted winner: Omos
3 NXT Stand & Deliver
The NXT show streams live on Saturday, April 2 on the WWE Network. You can see the future of the company as some of the brightest up-and-coming action face off in a precursor of sorts before the main proceedings kick-off.
NXT Championship Match
Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Bron Breakker
NXT Women’s Championship Fatal 4-Way
Mandy Rose (c) vs. Cora Jade vs. Io Shirai vs. Kay Lee Ray
NXT North American Championship Ladder Match
Carmelo Hayes (c) vs. Santos Escobar vs. Solo Sikoa vs. Grayson Waller vs. TBD
NXT Tag Team Championship Triple Threat Match
Imperium (c) vs. The Creed Brothers vs. MSK
Tommaso Ciampa vs. Tony D’Angelo
LA Knight vs. Gunther
4 Hall of Fame
The 2022 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony will be held Friday, April 1. For many fans, this can be a highlight of the weekend, as you hear stories from the legends of the sport. The headliner this year will be the deadman himself, The Undertaker. He will be inducted by none other than Vince McMahon.
Inductees
- The Undertaker
- Vader
- Queen Sharmell
- The Steiner Brothers
- Shad Gasper
5 How to watch Wrestlemania 38 in Ireland
In the US, Peacock TV are taking care of the TV broadcast for Wrestlemania and other WWE-related events.
However, for Irish viewers, you’ll be wanting a WWE Network subscription that will set you back in the region of €12.99 for a month, but includes full access to this weekend’s WrestleMania events including the WWE Hall of Fame induction for 2022, all your NXT content and everything else you need to gear up for this weekend’s showpiece.
Kick-off time is 8 pm Eastern / 5 pm Pacific, meaning a midnight start on Saturday and Sunday night to watch it all live.
Here’s hoping you’ve got Monday booked off.
