Opinion

Let’s Speculate! What Will “Kickoff” WWE WrestleMania 34?

Published

7 years ago

March 19, 2018

Alexa Bliss WWE Raw Women's Champion WrestleMania Kickoff

Speculation has been a part of professional wrestling since the industry we love first intersected with the medium we love–the internet. Our intention at The Chairshot is to use those powers for good, and today we do just that…by speculating on what matches will be on the Kickoff show at WWE WrestleMania 34!

Before we can speculate any match placement, we must first look at both the confirmed and rumored card.

Confirmed:

WWE Universal Championship: Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Roman Reigns
WWE Championship: AJ Styles (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Kurt Angle & Ronda Rousey vs. Stephanie McMahon & Triple H
Intercontinental Championship: The Miz (c) vs. Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor
Smackdown Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Asuka
WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal
Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn (rumored to have involvement from Shane McMahon and/or Daniel Bryan)
Cruiserweight Championship: Cedric Alexander vs. either Mustafa Ali or Drew Gulak (championship vacant)

Rumored:

John Cena vs. The Undertaker
United States Championship: Randy Orton (c) vs. Jinder Mahal vs. Bobby Roode
Raw Women’s Championship: Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Nia Jax (possibly vs. Sasha Banks and vs. Bayley)
Raw Tag Team Championship: The Bar (c) vs. Braun Strowman and possibly a partner (but also possibly not)
Smackdown Tag Team Championship: The Usos (c) vs. The New Day vs. The Bludgeon Brothers
Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal

That gives us 14 matches total, but you know these can’t all happen on the main card. Even with a likely 5 hours to play with, between entrances and video packages, it would never work with 14 matches.

So what do you do? You put matches on the WrestleMania Kickoff!

And that’s where the fun comes in. What could potentially end up on the kickoff? Well, first we need to see some numbers.

WrestleMania 30: 8 total matches, 1 match on the Kickoff
WrestleMania 31: 9 total matches, 2 matches on the Kickoff
WrestleMania 32: 12 total matches (11 scheduled plus The Rock vs. Erick Rowan), 3 matches on the Kickoff
WrestleMania 33: 13 total matches, 3 matches on the Kickoff

Two major trends immediately stick out: the overall size of the card has grown each year dating back to WrestleMania 30, and as the card has grown the number of matches on the Kickoff has also grown. WrestleMania 32 featured 9 matches (8 real matches) on the main card and three on the Kickoff. WrestleMania 33–the longest in the event’s history–featured 10 matches on the main card and 3 on the Kickoff.

WrestleMania 34 is rumored to give us 14 total matches, and as that number grows I think it’s entirely possible we see 4 matches on the Kickoff for the first time ever.

But what four matches? That is a process of elimination…

We know the world title matches are on the main card, so we can cross those off of the list. The Ronda Rousey and John Cena matches are going to be on the main card, so that brings our list to four. We have six more to go.

The Usos and The New Day are capping off an amazing year together at WrestleMania, and The Usos being on the main card is part of the story. I am going to consider them main card material. Plus I can see their triple threat with The Bludgeon Brothers being a Ladder or TLC Match. Braun Strowman is the hottest act in the company, and thus his Raw Tag Team Championship Match with The Bar will be on the main card.

That leaves us with eight matches to consider:

Intercontinental Championship: The Miz (c) vs. Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor
Smackdown Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Asuka
WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal
Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn (rumored to have involvement from Shane McMahon and/or Daniel Bryan)
Cruiserweight Championship: Cedric Alexander vs. either Mustafa Ali or Drew Gulak (championship vacant)
United States Championship: Randy Orton (c) vs. Jinder Mahal vs. Bobby Roode
Raw Women’s Championship: Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Nia Jax (possibly vs. Sasha Banks and vs. Bayley)
Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal

Asuka won the first ever Women’s Royal Rumble, and her vs. Charlotte is a match some think has an outside chance at going on last. I don’t think it does, but it’s not kicking anything off either. Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn could get Kickoff treatment as part of their storyline, but it’s more likely that Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan are involved. Thus, it will be on the main card.

We have two more matches to add to the main card. The Intercontinental Championship match features The Miz, likely the best overall performer in the entire company. Seth Rollins and Finn Balor are former world champions (along with their aforementioned opponent), and this match is being built as a marquee showcase. I see it being on the main card. The WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal is a big deal, and after the ordeal of the name of the match, I can’t see WWE risking potential backlash and putting it on what’s perceived by many as a “preshow.” So that gets the final nod from me.

What does that leave for the Kickoff?

Cruiserweight Championship: Cedric Alexander vs. either Mustafa Ali or Drew Gulak (championship vacant)
I honestly thought this had a chance at being on the main card, used as filler before the night’s final match. But as loaded as this event is, that “honor” likely goes to the Women’s Battle Royal. Alexander is expected to face Ali in the finals, and they’d probably get more time on the Kickoff.

United States Championship: Randy Orton (c) vs. Jinder Mahal vs. Bobby Roode
Randy Orton on the Kickoff? It sure seems that way to me. Less than a year ago Orton and Mahal were battling for the WWE Championship, but now their United States Championship likely triple threat with Bobby Roode seems destined for the Kickoff. They could add Rusev and/or Dolph Ziggler (but please not Baron Corbin) and make this a 5-Way Ladder Match. If so, it moves to the main card. But as it stands today, this looks to be on the Kickoff.

Raw Women’s Championship: Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Nia Jax (possibly vs. Sasha Banks and vs. Bayley)
Look, I know you’re sitting in your basement wondering if WWE would do this to these women. Alexa Bliss is one of their best performers, but with three total women’s matches on the show (assuming we don’t get Bayley vs. Sasha Banks, and we still could), one of them is ending up here. Well it’s not Asuka’s match, and it’s probably not the WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal thanks to the fuss around it. Thus, it’s this.

Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal
Assuming it happens (it hasn’t really been mentioned), the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal seems destined for the Kickoff for the second straight year. It’s a shame Rusev’s big WrestleMania win will come on the Kickoff!

What do you think? Will we see four Kickoff matches? Will we see less? And once you have your number, what matches will they be?

About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

Published

2 weeks ago

June 6, 2025

PC Tunney

Sing it with me… money money money money moneeeeeeeeeyeeeeee… everybody’s got a price! MONEY IN THE BANK is here!!! How money will our staff picks be?!?

AJ – Roxanne Perez
Andrew – Stephanie Vaquer – *Bubba Sparxxx Impression* I don’t tell stories, I let them tell theyself.
Dave – Guilia – A stacked field but I just like her here.
DJ – Naomi
DPP – Roxanne Perez
Jason – Alexa Bliss
Patrick – Roxanne Perez
Rey – Naomi – If Naomi loses, we riot!
Rob – Naomi
Greg – Alexa Bliss – Bliss has had huge reactions since returning and is moving a ton of merch. While I can see them wanting to build Roxanne Perez, Giulia, or Stephanie Vaquer, I think Alexa Bliss.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – I’ll make my case short and sweet… Mami in the Bank! You can’t leave that money on the table.

Chairshot Pick – Tie – Naomi 3 & Roxanne Perez 3 (Alexa Bliss 2, Giulia 1, Rhea Ripley 1, Stephanie Vaquer 1)

AJ – LA Knight
Andrew – El Grande Americano – Feels correct given his push and the fact he’s over.
Dave – Seth Rollins – Got to push that new faction.
DJ – LA Knight
DPP – El Grande Americano
Jason – LA Knight
Patrick – Solo Sikoa
Rey – LA Knight – Looks like another push, and he does have history with Cena.
Rob – Solo Sikoa
Greg – Seth Rollins – This company is extremely high in the El Grande Americano gimmick, but this match comes down to Seth Rollins or LA Knight. Given the Rollins storyline, it’s his briefcase to win.

Tunney’s Take: El Grande Americano – Picture this: Chad Gable wins the AAA Mega Championship and El Grande Americano wins MITB! WHAT A SATURDAY in LA!!!

Chairshot Pick – LA Knight 4 (El Grande Americano 3, Seth Rollins 2, Solo Sikoa 2)

AJ – Becky Lynch – Sadly
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I still don’t care about Lyra.
Dave – Lyra Valkyria – Starting to warm up to her and Becky has a lot to do with that.
DJ – Lyra Valkyria
DPP – Becky Lynch
Jason – Becky Lynch
Patrick – Lyra Valkyria
Rey – Becky Lynch – Put some fire on the Irish Beef.
Rob – Becky Lynch
Greg – Becky Lynch – I don’t think you do a rematch here just to have Becky lose again. Unless Bayley shows up to help Lyra.

Tunney’s Take: Becky Lynch – A big part of me feels that winning this title checks off a major box for Becks in her HOF career.

Chairshot Pick – Becky Lynch 8-3

AJ – Cena & Paul
Andrew – Rhodes & Uso – Easy way for Cena to lose without eating the pinfall.
Dave – Rhodes & Uso – Get the QB back on the winning track.
DJ – Rhodes & Uso
DPP – Rhodes & Uso
Jason – Cena & Paul
Patrick – Cena & Paul
Rey – Rhodes & Uso – Heels usually lose these kinds of matches. Logan takes the pin.
Rob – Cena & Paul
Greg – Rhodes & Uso – I hope Jey isn’t an afterthought here like Cody was last fall when he was paired up with Roman. I think Cody pins Cena to set up Cody-Cena 2 at SummerSlam.

Tunney’s Take: Cena & Paul – I don’t think Cena is involved in another loss until he loses the WWE Championship. I also think Logan Paul is NOT done trying to capture Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Championship. …Travis Scott in the house?

Chairshot Pick – 6-5 Rhodes & Uso

In closing I want to thank everyone on the panel for participating with their picks! You can follow each prognosticator/podcaster on X @ the handles below. We all enjoy Pro Wrestling so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!

AJ – @PhenomenalAJB
Andrew – @IWCWarChief
Dave – @AttitudeAgg
DJ – @TheMindlessPod
DPP – @itsmeDPP
Jason – @JediFett
Patrick – @WrestlngRealist
Rey – @itsreycash
Rob – @rbonne1
Greg – @gregdemarco44
PC – @PCTunney
TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE’s PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS…IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

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About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

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SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

Published

1 month ago

May 9, 2025

PC Tunney

May is upon us and with that, so is Backlash from St. Louis! What does the first PLE after WrestleMania have in store for the WWE Universe? Let’s see if the Chairshot Staff can properly interpret the crystal ball of rasslin’ future.

AJ – Pat MacAfee – Gunther has to start losing control and who better than an announcer.
Andrew – Pat MacAfee – Goldberg getting involved does seem correct here.
Dave – Gunther – He’s not losing to a broadcaster.
DJ – Gunther – Pat is sent to the shadow realm until football season is over.
DPP – Gunther – Post match beat down leads to Pat time off.
Jason – Gunther – One massive spot and or bump from Pat.
Patrick – Gunther
Rey – Gunther – RIP MacAfee, t’was a good life.
Rob – Gunther
Greg – Pat MacAfee – Why? Goooooldbeeerrrrrgggggg!

Tunney’s Take: Gunther – Seems like the right pick here. Pat may be getting some time off and Gunther needs more heat.

Chairshot Pick – GUNTHER 8-3

AJ – Lyra Valkyria – Becky’s hopefully putting her over, still mad about Dakota.
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I have no real interest in Lyra currently.
Dave – Becky Lynch – Lyra is boring AF!
DJ – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley interferes.
DPP – Becky Lynch – Becky cheats and steals the title.
Jason – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley costs Becks.
Patrick – Becky Lynch
Rey – Becky Lynch – Story needs to jump up a bit, Becky Charlotte’s Lyra.
Rob – Lyra Valkyria
Greg – Becky Lynch – It’s been fun, Lyra. (It kinda hasn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Lyra Valkyria – Bayley’s interference should set up some type of program with Becky as we head towards Summer(Slam).

Chairshot Pick – BECKY LYNCH 6-5

AJ – Jacob Fatu – Great way to put him over w/ two former WHCs and LA Knight.
Andrew – Jacob Fatu – He’s Jacob Fatu!
Dave – Jacob Fatu – Too soon to pull the belt off him.
DJ – Jacob Fatu – Priest and LA can’t decide who’s is bigger.
DPP – Jacob Fatu – Your hardcore match, tables and chairs involved.
Jason – Jacob Fatu – The Champ retains due to or in spite of Solo.
Patrick – Jacob Fatu
Rey – Jacob Fatu – All gas. No brakes. Ain’t losing.
Rob – Jacob Fatu
Greg – Jacob Fatu – Someone from The Samoan Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – Uncle Mo is on Fatu’s side and other than Knight, I don’t see Drew or Priest holding the US title in the current circumstances of this title’s landscape.

Chairshot Pick – JACOB FATU 11-0

AJ – Dominic Mysterio – Judgement Day shenanigans just leading up to Finn turning on Dom later.
Andrew – Penta – Dom’s fine having a short reign, could also work for pushing AAA.
Dave – Dominic Mysterio – He’s probably more over than Penta.
DJ – Dominic Mysterio – Dirty Dom takes home the gold and the girl.
DPP – Dominic Mysterio – Big Head helps Dom pull out the win.
Jason – Dominic Mysterio – By hook and crook.
Patrick – Dominic Mysterio
Rey – Dominic Mysterio – Latino Heat keeps burning. Finn gets closer to the edge.
Rob – Dominic Mysterio
Greg – Dominic Mysterio – Someone from The Guerrero Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Dominic Mysterio – That belt looks good with the king of chicken tendys. I can see Penta and Rey reforming as a tag team sooner than later.

Chairshot Pick – DOMINIC MYSTERIO 10-1

AJ – John Cena – Why? Cena wins, lol.
Andrew – John Cena – Shenanigans ensue so it’s not a clean win.
Dave – John Cena – The last time is now.
DJ – John Cena – Randy hears voices telling him he needs an Attitude Adjustment.
DPP – John Cena – Cena tries to cheat but the ref doesn’t call for a DQ.
Jason – John Cena – Nefarious means, Randy not ready for Evil John Cena.
Patrick – John Cena
Rey – John Cena – Cena just counting down the dates. Should be fun though.
Rob – John Cena
Greg – John Cena – You know they want Cody to be the hero in the end.

Tunney’s Take: Randy Orton – Once upon a time Randy got himself intentionally disqualified and it cost John. Saturday, history repeats itself with a 180-degree twist. Cena retains via Orton DQ victory. This time, Travis Scott’s appearance takes care of that task.

Chairshot Pick – JOHN CENA 10-1