The biggest show of the year is here! And as it has been for the past few years it is a two night event. Unfortunately in those two nights we couldn’t get double the amount of women’s matches that they are offering up. But! Let’s celebrate the three amazing bouts we are about to see.
It is also an exciting time for Diva Dirt as we have a few new writers joining us! And unfortunately with that, we will have the exit of Colby as he moves on to bigger and better things.
Let’s get into the predictions!
Night One – April 6
Jade Cargill/Naomi/Bianca Belair vs. Damage CTRL (Asuka/Kairi Sane/Dakota Kai)
COLBY: Of course I wish the tag titles could be defended at Mania, but at least the champions are on the card and in a fun feud, no less. This dynamic allows for Bianca Belair to potentially extend her streak, for Naomi to have a marquee match shortly after her return, and for Jade Cargill to have another showcase after debuting in the Rumble. I say all that to say that it’s hard for me to see that trio losing here. I hate that Damage CTRL would lose yet another big match if that is the case, but it seems very unlikely that Belair and Cargill specifically would be on the losing end here.
WINNERS: Bianca, Naomi, Jade
NICK: The winner here couldn’t be more obvious, but that doesn’t negate the fact that I get chills knowing all six of these women are POC. This match would never have happened a couple years ago. Or hell, even last year. And the fact that a year ago Naomi, Jade, and Bianca were all in different companies! Wild.
Anyway, my delusion mind hopes that after this match we still get a women’s tag title match announced for night two. Even if it is the Kabukis vs. Bianca and Naomi.
WINNERS: Jade, Naomi, Bianca
ALGEO: While I would love for the tag titles to be on the line here, this lineup for sure will not disappoint. Jade, Bianca and Naomi are a dream trio for many. Meanwhile on the other side, the Kabuki Warriors have been formidable champions and Dakota has been on the top of her game post-injury. Unfortunately, for Damage CTRL I see them taking the L here. I believe a win for Jade will propel her debut, Naomi will get the momentum she needs post-return, and the EST will remain UN-DE-FEA-TED at WrESTlemania.
WINNERS: Jade, Naomi, Bianca
JOEY: I’m glad this match was added to the card and usually with matches that don’t have any stakes on the line it would go to the babyfaces but I don’t agree with the tag team champions taking a loss here. The more interesting story would be a miscommunication between Bianca and Jade causing Damage Control to capitalize on the opportunity and take the W. Either way, it’s a low stakes match so as long as the match advances a story then I’m fine with either outcome but it would be nice for Asuka to finally get that win at mania so for that reason, Damage Control.
WINNERS: Damage CTRL
DAVID: Obviously Bianca, Naomi, and Jade. There is no way Jade is losing this match now that she’s going to be a regular in-ring competitor going forward. Some have pointed out that this will be another loss at the Show of Shows for Asuka, but the babyfaces coming out on top is the only logical outcome. The loss probably won’t affect Damage CTRL too much, as Kairi and Asuka don’t have to put the Women’s Tag Team Championships on the line and will very likely be busy interfering on IYO’s behalf on Sunday.
WINNERS: Jade, Bianca, and Naomi
Women’s World Championship
Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Becky Lynch
COLBY: There seems to be much debate about who should come out on top — Mami or The Man? And admittedly, I’m more torn on this than I am Bayley vs. IYO. I’m very much a fan of both of these women and would like to see both win, but obviously that’s not feasible. So where do we go from here?
Rhea has reigned for a year now and while it hasn’t been a perfect run, she certainly has eyes on her. Then you have Becky, who has largely stayed out of the title picture on Raw for well over a year. She’s now a best-selling author who also has eyes on her with this narrative questioning if she can beat Ripley at this stage in the game.
For months I’ve assumed that Becky would be the one to dethrone Ripley, but now I’m not so sure. I’m starting to believe this feud and their characters can heat up even more if Ripley manages to defeat Becky in Philly. So I’m going to stick with that before I convince myself otherwise.
WINNER: Rhea Ripley
NICK: Becky, who I love, doesn’t need a titlw right now. She has so much going on in and out of the ring that she can just help elevate Rhea even more. Becky has even said she doesn’t need the title. And actually, waiting to put it back on her will feel so much better when it does happen. I also selfishly want Liv to take this title off of Rhea.
WINNER: Rhea Ripley
ALGEO: It truly is a tossup here. Rhea has been a dominant champion for the past year, despite the criticisms of her reign. Meanwhile, Becky regardless of if she has a title or not will always stand prominent in this division as the “The Man”. I’m very split on this one, but I would have to give it to Rhea. I still think there’s a lot of story potential with Liv and the title, that for some reason still isn’t being capitalized on. But either way wouldn’t be mad if either woman took the win.
WINNER: Rhea
JOEY: I’m sure from a technical standpoint Becky and Rhea will deliver, but I don’t feel emotional investment going into the match other than I’m ready for the Raw Women’s Division to have a fresh coat of paint. I’m going to go with Becky Lynch for that reason as I feel like she has more viable storylines that will finally put the focus of the Women’s World Title on the women’s division but that being said, whomever wins this match, I hope they drop it at the next PLE.
WINNER: Becky Lynch
DAVID: This title reign should end soon, but not at Night 1 and not to Becky. Still waiting for the Liv Morgan Revenge Tour to resume. It also wouldn’t make sense for Becky to win the title if reports of her contract coming up in 2 months are true.
WINNER: Rhea
Night Two – April 7
WWE Women’s Championship
IYO SKY (c) vs. Bayley
COLBY: As women’s wrestling fans, we typically have more reasons than not to complain about something. However, I want to take this moment to commend the current booking team for their long term storytelling for both of the titles matches at this year’s WrestleMania.
Bayley received her due when she won the Royal Rumble match. And as soon as she did, it became clear that Damage CTRL was about to change forever. The turn happened shortly thereafter and the rest of the build was icing on top of the cake. Bayley is learning how to be a babyface again while other faces aren’t trusting of her. Meanwhile, Damage CTRL is cocky with seemingly little to no doubt in their minds that IYO will beat Bayley.
With that said, I’d love to see IYO continue to be champion, but her time will come again. I think it’s Bayley’s time now for another run after helping put over so many others these last few years.
WINNER: Bayley
NICK: I have seen a lot of people flip flop on this. When Bayley was with Damage CTRL, everyone complained how much she lost even as an individual. Where the rest of the group at times had gold, she didn’t. So despite the fact that IYO could still hold it a bit longer, why? This is Bayley’s year. Let her get her redemption.
WINNER: Bayley
JOEY: Tough call but I want the entirety of Damage Control to walk out of Wrestlemania weekend with W’s. Also, I think Becky should be the right winner for the Women’s World Title match and I don’t think a division reset with the 4HW back on top of both shows is best for business. I expect there to be interference from Damage Control so Bayley doesn’t look weak in defeat but an Iyo retention.
WINNER: IYO SKY
ALGEO: Iyo is truly one of the best wrestlers in the world, if not the best. From the ace of STARDOM to Women’s Champion in WWE, her journey is fabled. But, with this buildup and the story they’ve created I really want to see Bayley get her moment. Sure, she’s won at Mania before, but this time around she’s more confident in her own skin and the fans can feel that and are behind her now more than ever. I cannot see anyone else more deserving of that shining spot.
WINNER: Bayley
DAVID: She deserves a happy moment by beating the woman she brought into the main roster, and it would be a good time to begin the slow crumbling of Damage CTRL by having IYO lose her title. Bayley as champion also has potential to tell some compelling stories (for example, Bianca Belair with how she was doubting Bayley’s motives during the past month).
WINNER: Bayley
Don’t forget to join Diva Dirt’s night one of WrestleMania Discussion Post later today!
