WrestleMania 32: End of The Undertaker? Back Reigns, Lesnar in other main events
Published:
Jamie Clark | March 31, 2016
It’s time for The Granddaddy of Them All, WrestleMania 32! Although a number of high-profile injuries mean key names are missing from this year’s WWE flagship pay-per-view event, there’s still some huge matches to see and bet on at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Is Phenom finished?
The Undertaker has only one WrestleMania loss in his storied career, and that to Brock Lesnar, so it’s incredible to think he is a 6/5 outsider with Coral to win his Hell In A Cell match with the recently returned Shane McMahon.
Although a part-time wrestler himself nowadays, there is no credibility in ‘Taker losing to the son of WWE chairman Vince. This is the Deadman’s signature match and Shane O’Mac is probably only facing him because of the injury to Sting.
With the stipulation that if he loses, then The Undertaker can never again compete at WrestleMania, the WWE would be nixing any future dream match between The Phenom and Sting.
Shane, who is odds-on 4/6 favourite for victory and will get control of Monday Night Raw if he wins, would join an exclusive list of men that have beaten ‘Taker inside the cell; Shawn Michaels, Lesnar, Batista and storyline brother Kane.
Game Over for Triple H title Reigns
In another WrestleMania main event, the WWE World Heavyweight Championship is at stake between transitional belt holder Triple H and former champ Roman Reigns.
Despite mixed receptions from fans, the strap has already been put on Samoan superstar Reigns twice already. Both of his runs have been briefly savoured and then abruptly lost, first to Sheamus mere minutes after The Big Dog won a tournament for the vacant title at Survivor Series and then as a result of Triple H’s predictable number 30 entry in the 2016 Royal Rumble.
It looks like being Game Over for The King of Kings here, however, as Reigns is overwhelming odds-on 1/7 favourite to be WWE Champion again. Triple H is 3/1 to retain the title, but has a very mixed 4-4 record at WrestleMania in world championship matches.
Lesnar to thwart Lunatic Fringe
The third big match on the WrestleMania 32 card is a less clear cut affair between Lesnar and Dean Ambrose. Originally, The Conqueror was set to face Bray Wyatt here, but creative plans changed and not necessarily for the better.
Getting Ambrose, nicknamed The Lunatic Fringe, over appears to be behind this switch and he’s evens to give Lesnar what would be an unlikely licking in this No Holds Barred Street Fight.
Having broken The Undertaker’s WrestleMania Streak two years ago to the shock of everyone, it is ridiculous to even contemplate The Anomaly losing to someone half his size.
Lesnar is odds-on at 4/5 to take Ambrose to Suplex City, and there should be some good spots and stunts in this one. Watching the latter sell a barrage of German Suplexes and the F-5 will be highlights.
Battle Royal belongs to Wyatt Family?
The third annual Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal has been moved up the WrestleMania 32 card, and that implies we might see something interesting in this multi-man over the top rope challenge.
Rumours that 2014 winner Cesaro may make his return to action here will only be confirmed by his appearance in the ring, but there is wider speculation that Braun Strowman’s push may be coming to an end.
Dubbed the Black Sheep of the Wyatt Family, Strowman is a 5/4 favourite to be last man standing, but there are a number of other giant WWE superstars to consider.
Mark Henry (6/1) may be competing at WrestleMania for the last time, while Kane (9/1) is always a credible contender in battle royals. Bray Wyatt himself cannot be ruled out, and indeed is the 11/2 second-favourite, with last year’s winner The Big Show a 16/1 shot.
Owens or Zayn in IC Ladder match
Based on the previous success of the Money in the Bank and other Ladder matches at WrestleMania, it is customary to have one. Not trusting Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens and rivals Sami Zayn to do a job on their own, five other superstars have been added in to the mix.
Zack Ryder (5/1) and Dolph Ziggler (12/1) get a WrestleMania 32 appearance as a result, while appearing in this contest is a real climb down for one-time main-eventer The Miz (25/1). Sin Cara (33/1) and Stardust (50/1) are in simply for the high spots and falls.
Owens is favourite to retain his title at 4/7, and is by far the heaviest wrestler here. Zayn at 5/2 has a growing fanbase, and alternatively putting the belt on him could help to raise his profile.
Side with Styles for successful ‘Mania bow
The Phenomenal AJ Styles and Chris Jericho will wrestle yet again here, and it looks virtually certain the former has been booked to win over his WrestleMania debut.
Styles’ odds of defeating Y2J certainly indicate this as he is an overwhelming odds-on 1/7 match favourite. Veteran Jericho is a long 4/1 shot to defeat The Phenomenal One, and it’s a pity this isn’t a submission match.
Tag team bouts close to call
In celebration of The Fabulous Freebirds’ induction into the WWE Hall of Fame, WrestleMania 32 has a couple of tag matches on the undercard.
The Freebird Rule has certainly been in force during The New Day’s reign as WWE Tag Team champions, but the numbers game will be against Big E, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods for once as they take on the internationally assembled League Of Nations.
Enjoying a 4-on-3 advantage, The League Of Nations comprised of stars such as Sheamus, Wade Barrett, Alberto Del Rio and Rusev look the worthier to win, with both stables rated equal 5/6 chances.
Having wrestled their opponents’ father Rikishi regularly some 15 or 16 years ago, The Dudley Boyz (13/8) now take on The Usos (4/9). As the latter have twice been voted Tag Team of Year by the WWE universe, they are logical to side with.
Divas title to change hands, Kalisto to retain US belt
Sasha Banks is a strong 2/5 favourite to dethrone WWE Divas champion Charlotte (2/1 to retain) in their Triple Threat match with Becky Lynch (8/1).
Although the champ is the daughter of wrestling legend Nature Boy Ric Flair, it has been planned for months that the strap shall go to Sasha.
The United States Championship is also at stake with high-flying chap Kalisto in pole position to retain his belt at 4/6 over Ryback (11/10).
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