WrestleMania 42 represents the opportunity for WWE to launch Oba Femi into the stratosphere against Brock Lesnar

Oba Femi will take on Brock Lesnar in his first match at WrestleMania, and this match feels so important. ‘The Ruler’ has had Lesnar’s number for several weeks, and they even had to keep both monsters apart to prevent another massive brawl on the go-home episode of Monday Night Raw. 

‘The Beast Incarnate’ is hoping to continue his reign of terror against the young up-and-comer, while Femi is looking to cement his legacy with the biggest win of his career. It took me a minute, but the last time there was so much importance in a Lesnar match was at WrestleMania 36. 

At that time, Drew McIntyre was trying to make the biggest impact on his career by slaying The Beast. 

Long before Covid happened, the entire WWE Universe was fully behind McIntyre after eliminating  Lesnar and then winning the Royal Rumble. Lesnar worked his ass off to make sure his challenger looked like a million bucks. 

There was an instance where McIntyre hit a Claymore Kick, and there were rumors that Lesnar told his challenger to raise the title to build more momentum going into their match. While the WWE Championship match was held inside of the Performance Center due to COVID, Lesnar utilized everything he could to make McIntyre’s moment that much more special. 

Since then, Lesnar has dominated a plethora of opponents including John Cena, Cody Rhodes, and even Roman Reigns. The Beast recently joined The Vision inside their WarGames match. On the February 23rd episode of Monday Night Raw, Paul Heyman and his client Lesnar laid out an open challenge to any superstar for a match at WrestleMania Night Two. 

On the March 16th episode of Raw, Femi answered The Beast’s WrestleMania challenge by hitting his Fall From Grace Powerbomb. Lesnar was rumored to have told his challenger to stand on his throat and point at the WrestleMania sign. This not only solidified Femi as the ‘Next Big Thing’, but it also helped make the moment more impactful. Lesnar has not dominated Femi one time in their encounters, which is very different from all of Lesnar’s previous opponents. Typically, it’s either very one-sided with The Beast dominating his opponent, or they both trade victories. 

Nobody has looked this strong since Lesnar in 2002. The Beast would come in and destroy all of his opponents. Lesnar was a freak of nature, as he quickly moved up into the main event title scene. He won King of the Ring and defeated The Rock at the 2002 SummerSlam PLE to become the youngest WWE Champion in WWE history. For twenty-five years, Lesnar has been portrayed as this immovable object. That was until The Ruler answered his challenge and dropped Lesnar like he was nothing. 

On Night Two, if Femi really does beat Lesnar, he will take his place on the throne. This could truly be a passing of the torch moment, as perhaps Lesnar’s days in the WWE are numbered. There’s a lot of speculation that he may have his retirement match at this year’s SummerSlam PLE. Femi could use this opportunity as a huge stepping stone to the main event title scene, where ‘The Ruler’ truly belongs. 

Mags Kirkby makes his return to The Chairshot to give his very special WrestleMania 42 predictions!

Hello everybody and welcome back to another episode of Badla…..
Oh wait, wrong gimmick. Lemme try that again.

I’m The Artist Formerly Known As PodfatherMags, now just regular Mags.

My former mentor, current nemesis and general Roman Reigns apologist, Mr Reymundo El Cashington, has asked me for my WrestleMania 42 predictions because my opinions are money. Fun fact, Rey is still butthurt that I predicted Jey winning the World title and Jacob Fatu coming in during a Badlands episode, way before it actually happened. And me mocked me for it, so ha!

Anyways, onto these dang predictions. They’re in no particular order, save from the confirmed nights and obvious main events. So let’s do it.

The Vision (Logan Paul and Austin Theory) and IShowSpeed (with Paul Heyman) vs. The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso) and LA Knight

If this opens Night 1, then the result is a tacked on win for the Uso’s and LA Knight. Adding Speed into this match has, for me, been a nice fight. He’s naturally funny as the reluctant participant, barrel rolled into the match. I could see Danhausen de-cursing him as he turns on The Vision for a face win to start the show. But I do want to see a continuation of the Dark Jey Uso heel turn teasing.

Prediction: Uso’s and LA Knight

Stephanie Vaquer (Champion) vs Liv Morgan For The Women’s World Championship

Liv has been one of the best women’s characters over the past couple of years, and Stephanie Vaquer has been an absolute star from day one in the company. I’ve enjoyed the build to this match. There’s been a very personal, angry storyline here. For me, there’s two obvious routes to go down with this match. Either we see a Liv win, leading to The Judgment Day slow burn implosion, with the ladies turning on each other. Or we get Roxanne or Raquel accidentally costing Liv the match, pushing the implosion storyline forward. I think there’s more benefit in the former and Liv deserves a decent run with the title.

Prediction: Liv Morgan #AndNew

Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre

For my money, both guys should’ve been in the match for Cody’s title in a Fatal Four Way, but we need matches I guess. Drew has been great as a nearly man for the past few years, brewing up what looks like genuine frustration with his spot. As for Jacob, he is future World Champion material, no doubt. As the rumours are Drew is off to film Highlander, it makes all the sense in the world for Jacob to win, and Drew to sulkingly leave for a while. So I’m going with that.

Prediction Jacob Fatu

AJ Lee (Champion) vs Becky Lynch For The Women’s Intercontinental Championship

I care very little about this match or feud in general. Aside form the initial pop, AJ’s return hasn’t been all that interesting. And this feels like a match just to drop the title back to the full timer. Becky, whilst she shouldn’t be in the IC picture, has raised the profile of the belt and I’d love to see Roxanne Perez or even Sol Ruca be next up for her.

Prediction: Becky Lynch #AndNew

The Irresistible Forces ((Nia Jax And Lash Legend) Champions) vs Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss vs Bayley and Lyra Valkyria vs The Bella Twins for the Women’s Tag Team Championship

It has genuinely surprised me how much the WWE has made of the women’s tag division in recent months. From the title’s cursed start, being a clear afterthought, it is good to see a bit of importance put on the belts. What’s more interesting is the teams that are not in this match. Roxanne and Raquel, Rhea and Iyo, Kabuki Warriors. The division has got some strong team right now. But, we ain’t predicting the whole division, just this match. I’m ruling out Bayley and Lyra, because I want WWE to revisit schizophrenic Bayley turning on Lyra and finishing that arc. I could say the same for Alexa and Charlotte, but I reckon that break up has way more legs before we need a payoff. Nia and Lash are a great monster heel team and it works having all the babyfaces chase them. Now, if Nikki Bella was 100% healthy, I’d plump for a nostalgia Bellas win. But, I can see that being down the road, possibly at SummerSlam, so I’m going for the Frienemies.

Prediction: Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair #AndNew

Seth Rollins v Gunther

Damn, this The Vision storyline has been cursed. Injury after injury, booking on the fly needed almost weekly.
So, to get a smidgen of sense out of the reason why Gunther is involved is fine with me. Because it means we get Seth v Gunther and who doesn’t want to see that. 2 of the best wrestlers in the world today. Feed me that. The match will slap, but there’s really only one outcome and that’s a screwy win for Gunther. It keeps his Legend Retirement character strong and Bron Breakker running interference pushes the feud between Seth and Bron.

Prediction: Gunther

Cody Rhodes (Champion) vs Randy Orton For The WWE Championship

Why, oh why was it Pat McAfee on the phone? It should’ve been Aleister Black, damn!!!
This should have been a Fatal Four Way, but as a singles, there was enough history between the two to carry this and elevate Aleister up the card. Instead, we got Pat. Fuck. I don’t see the need for another lengthy Cody run with the title, he’s already golden. I do see a need for Randy to win more world titles though.

Prediction: Randy Orton #AndNew

Onto Night 2. And we’ve had the opener confirmed. Brock isn’t main eventing so, as per usual he wasn’t to be on the first plane out of town.

Oba Femi vs Brock Lesnar

The build for this has been wrestling 101 at it’s best. Big, bad bully dominates every time he’s on the show for years. Out comes a new hoss who can give Brock just as much as he can give out. This is meat slapping meat. Oba Femi is lava hot right now and Brock could be lining up for a retirement match with Gunther later in the year. Brock has done great work in helping Oba look like the new Next Big Thing and he’s counting the lights for Femi to push on to bigger things.

Prediction: Oba Femi

Penta (Champion) vs Je’Von Evans, Rey Mysterio, Dragon Lee, JD McDonagh and Rusev for The Intercontinental Championship in a Ladder Match

Match of the weekend contender here, if Gunther and Seth don’t take that honour. This should be a spotfest of epic proportions. As for a winner, there’s only 2 that make sense to me. Either Penta retains and we see him help expand AAA’s reach or Je’Von Evans wins. I’d be fine with either.

Prediction: Penta #AndStill

Jade Cargill (Champion) vs Rhea Ripley for The WWE Women’s Championship

Bianca’s long term injury really messed up the storyline here. It’s hard not to see the fact Rhea is shoehorned in this match to walk Jade through a high profile bout. And the result will definitely depend on Bianca’s return schedule. If it’s soon, Jade wins and we go straight into the original plan of The EST taking on Cargill. If Bianca is still a long way out from a return, it makes sense to pivot to Rhea as champion and her facing Iyo Sky afterwards.

Prediction: Rhea #AndNew

Sami Zayn (Champion) vs Trick Williams for The United States Championship

Should’ve been Melo v Trick in a revisit of their NXT day (I still giggle at Trick’s high pitched scream) but I can see the reasoning in putting Sami in here, just to cement a future heel turn. That said, Trick walks out as champion in those Lemon Pepper Steppers. He’s absolute money.

Prediction: Trick Williams #AndNew

The Demon Finn Bálor vs Dominik Mysterio

The addition of The Demon character says to me that Finn is goin over. Dominik doesn’t need the win, he’s bulletproof and also cursed by Danhausen. Dirty Dom losing also adds to the chances of a Judgment Day implosion. Finn deserves another run at some gold and can use this as a springboard to that.

Prediction: Finn Balor

CM Punk (Champion) Vs Roman Reigns For The World Heavyweight Championship

Pretty easy prediction here. Punk is old. Roman is the biggest star in wrestling today. The return of the Bloodline has been teased. Every fibre of my being says a Roman win. Unless The Rock inserts himself last minute for no good reason. Remember when he teased sitting at the Head of the Table and we got nothing? Jackass.

Prediction: Roman Reigns #AndNew