Again, life has taken over and so I've not been paying too much attention to everything that's been going on but I have just watched this week's Raw, so hopefully I won't be too far off the mark.
I'm going to have much less time in the future, so if anyone wants to help with writing predictions or articles, feel free to send me a message.
Finn Balor v Bray Wyatt
The stipulation that Balor cannot bring out the Demon King is intended to give Wyatt the advantage here. As the demon, Balor managed to get a victory over Wyatt at Summerslam. This could therefore go one of two ways. Balor gets the victory and proves that he is more than a bit of make up; or Wyatt gets his revenge and Balor starts to question whether he is able to win without the Demon. The second is the more interesting story and it's for that reason that I think Wyatt will go over here.
Prediction: Bray Wyatt
Cruiserweight Championship:
Neville (c) v Enzo Amore
Enzo has been thrust into the Cruiserweight title picture despite only having been in the division for five minutes. The direction that they have been going in is rather confusing. It looks like they've started to turn Enzo heel a little, with him gaining a couple of victories by cheating. It's a crazy way to go with his character because he is so over, and whilst as a heel he'd definitely be a cheat because his in ring skills are nowhere near as good as his mic skills, it's the most illogical turn ever.
These two bring a bit of star power to the division, though, and Enzo has paid his dues but if I was another cruiserweight I'd be rather annoyed that Enzo has come into the division and taken a title shot away from someone who has been holding 205 together.
Anyway, I think Neville should hold onto the belt. It'd be a mistake to give Enzo some gold so quickly but I can't help the feeling that they're going to give it to him to attempt to elevate the division.
Prediction: Enzo Amore
Tag Team Championship:
The Shield (c) v The Bar
The only reason to get the Shield to drop the belts so quickly would be to have one of them turn. An Ambrose heel turn has been rumoured for over a year. It is far too soon for that to happen. You'd need to get the fans a lot more invested in the team before that should happen. They were playing the long game with Ambrose and Rollins getting back together as a team, and they should play the long game with the split too. Therefore, they will retain here.
Prediction: The Shield
Intercontinental Championship:
The Miz (c) v Jason Jordan
They are persisting with Jordan's push despite the fact that he doesn't seem to be getting over, and the fans have been chanting for his former tag team partner, Chad Gable. Jordan won a 6-pack challenge to get here, which gives him a bit more credibility. I guess they're going to give him the belt. It seems like where they're going. If they don't then the whole story kind of seems a bit pointless, unless they're going to have Kurt properly mentor his "son". I guess he gets his hands on the gold here.
Prediction: Jason Jordan
Raw Women's Championship:
Alexa Bliss (c) v Sasha Banks v Bayley v Nia Jax v Emma
A multi-woman match means that Nia can be competing for the title but without them feeling like they need to give it to her. I think both Nia and Emma aren't likely winners. Bliss is probably the best all-round performer out of the others at the moment, but Bayley has just returned from an injury and the feel good factor of her coming back, forcing her way into this match and then winning is a trick that the WWE probably won't want to miss. I think they might not go down this route, though. Setting Alexa Bliss up to face her former friend Nia Jax one on one would be the best way to give Nia her first title reign. I think Bliss wins this, possibly taking advantage of Nia in some way to pin her for the victory.
Prediction: Alexa Bliss
John Cena v Roman Reigns
The Battle of Who The Fans Hate Less keeps being billed as a Wrestlemania worthy match. Remember who these guys faced this Wrestlemania? Reigns defeated the Undertaker. Cena was in a mixed tag match which seemed to have only been booked to frame his proposal to Nikki Bella.
Cena is surely on a trajectory to get his 17th title. Reigns has got many years left in his career. I think that Cena goes over here to justify pushing him into the Universal title picture sometime in the next year or so. Reigns will always be the guy that retired The Undertaker. Also, if they take him out of the main event picture, we could be looking at a full Shield reunion. Cena is probably going to be the fans favourite here, and he's also my favourite for the match.
Prediction: John Cena
WWE Universal Championship:
Brock Lesnar (c) v Braun Strowman
In a second match with no clear fans favourite, the Beast takes on the Monster. I really want Strowman to win but I always want Lesnar to lose. I think therefore he probably won't. He'll win. I'll get upset. That's how it works.
Prediction: Brock Lesnar
