Luke Harper Added To WWE Champion Market

PaddyPower.com has added Luke Harper to its WrestleMania 33 champions market where customers can bet on 'Who Will Be WWE Champion At The End Of The Show?'

I'm the culprit who asked for his inclusion. Blame it on curiosity.

On last night's Smackdown, Randy Orton told Bray Wyatt that he wasn't going to challenge the WWE Champion for the title at WrestleMania 33. Then - on Talking Smack - Daniel Bryan announced that next week's episode of Smackdown will have a battle royal to determine a number one contender to Wyatt's strap.

I have a feeling AJ Styles will win the match on February 21st, but have seen somebody I know on Twitter predict that Luke Harper will win it to set up a triple threat between Harper, Orton and Wyatt at Mania.

With the idea out there in at least one person's mind, I thought I'd check in with Paddy Power to see what kind of odds they would offer for Luke Harper to be WWE Champion at the close of Mania.

The firm priced him up at 6/1.

As noted, I have a feeling it'll be Styles who outlasts the pack next Tuesday. It could be another step toward he and Shane McMahon coming to blows as I think he'll end up losing his WrestleMania title shot when Randy Orton reneges on his vow not to compete against Wyatt and the one-on-one between Wyatt and Orton is set up.

This isn't to state that I wouldn't like Harper involved in the match at WrestleMania. I like the idea of Harper winning the battle royal to set up a three-way more than my own. I just feel the story will play out with AJ having another gripe against Shane McMahon to set up their rumoured Mania match.

For what it's worth, here's the 'Who Will Be WWE Champion After WrestleMania 33?' odds as of this afternoon with Luke Harper now added to the mix.

Randy Orton is still the odds-on favourite. Bray Wyatt has drifted out since Monday. 

The market can be found alongside other WrestleMania Champion specials on Paddy Power's WWE Betting Page.