I thought I'd go one better this year and get the Bookie to compete not only against myself, but also against the two friends who have been following this blog for years and have played roles in previous Bookie .vs. Blogger posts.
Seeing as all four of us are from different countries, I thought I'd do a four nations theme. I'm representing Wales, The Bookie is England and the other two competitors are representing their homes of Ireland and Scotland.
For those checking in for the first time, we have made our picks for the fifteen WrestleMania matches that were confirmed as of 12PM yesterday afternoon. We give one point to the pick we feel the less confident in and work up to the selection we strongly believe will win. This gets 15 points.
Once WrestleMania is over, I'll go back and tally up all the points and work out which country won.
Here are all of our picks along with some reasoning. I feel the need to preface that these selections aren't 'tips' as we have not all bet on our predictions.
1 Point Picks
Ireland: This is a tricky one, but I'm going with Baron Corbin to beat Kurt Angle. Time-honoured tradition and all that. So, I see Angle losing his last match. I'm not confident at all.
England: I don't know if Kurt Angle .vs. Baron Corbin will take place or if it''ll finish so I might as well have Kurt Angle as my bottom pick.
Wales: I know Lacey Evans is the favourite to win the women's battle royal, so I'm going with an outside shot and pick Alexa Bliss because other favourites like Asuka and Mandy Rose were meant to have been in the Smackdown Women's Championship match (ie, they weren't going to win this originally). I've written in previous posts that I've had an idea of Bliss adding herself to the match seeing as she's the host of WrestleMania. I don't know if the match being on the pre-show helps or hinders my idea...
Scotland: I'm backing Tony Nese to beat Buddy Murphy. I don't follow 205 Live all that closely, but just gone with the title change for WrestleMania factor.
Scotland: I'm picking Samoa Joe to win here because, if the match doesn't happen due to Rey Mysterio's injury, I'm not blowing big points away!
Wales: I'm giving my two points to a controversial pick. Becky Lynch really should win the main event, BUT.. as I've written numerous times, I cannot shake off the feeling that Ronda Rousey will walk away from Mania with the W.
England: Kevin Owens was supposed to be in the WWE Championship match, so maybe they'll give him a win in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. I hope they don't go with Gronk who - if he's in it - will win it otherwise there's no point in him being a participant. It could also be one of the Saturday Night Live guys...
Wales: This is another safety play. Samoa Joe would have been high on my list before Rey Mysterio injured himself. The match is still confirmed as of right now.
England: I'm going with AJ Styles to beat Randy Orton. Orton normally takes time off after Mania. It also could be time for Styles to say 'Bye' to the house he built.
Scotland: I would have penciled in Braun Strowman to win the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal higher up my list, but I cannot shake off the feeling that - after he eliminates Jost and Che, they will distract him which causes someone else to win. No clue who that could be, so I'm sticking with Strowman as he needs to win it either way.
Scotland: Boss N Hug Connection. See above!
Wales: I have Kofi Kingston winning against Daniel Bryan as my sixth pick.
Scotland: I'm picking Randy Orton for my seven-pointer. Did they blow the winning spot on Tuesday so Styles wins? Nope, I don't think they did. Think they just told people that the obvious RKO finish won't happen but rather than having Styles win, they'll find an even better RKO finish outta nowhere!
Scotland: I'm going with Lacey Evans to win the women's battle royal. I had three possible winners in mind, but - with this being confirmed for the Kick Off, I've ruled out the other 2 and chose Lacey.
Scotland: The more I wrote this list, the more I kept moving Shane McMahon up. I did have him start off at 2 or 3. The card is packed full of possible babyface winners and here's definitely one where I can see the heel winning and Miz getting his revenge at a later date. I think someone helps Shane.
Wales: I have Tony Nese to win the Cruiserweight Championship match as my ninth pick of the comp.
England: I'm picking Roman Reigns to win against Drew McIntyre. The latter has been dominant on TV most of the time. The only reason why I'm not giving Reigns more points is in case Dean Ambrose has decided to stay with WWE and will then interfere to set up a program.
England: I'm picking Buddy Murphy to win in the Cruiserweight Championship match. I don't watch 205 Live, so this could be a gamble. Tony Nese doesn't seem like a guy to build the division around after Murphy, so I'm hoping they build up another babyface to take it from him.
England: Becky Lynch would be my fifteen point play if not for 'The Demon'. I backed Lynch to be the next Raw Women's Champion ages ago and I cannot see any other result in the main event.
Scotland: All the stars are aligned. Is it possible that it's too predictable? Possibly, but I cannot see anything other than a Triple H win over Batista.
England: I don't know if Kurt Angle .vs. Baron Corbin will take place or if it''ll finish so I might as well have Kurt Angle as my bottom pick.
Wales: I know Lacey Evans is the favourite to win the women's battle royal, so I'm going with an outside shot and pick Alexa Bliss because other favourites like Asuka and Mandy Rose were meant to have been in the Smackdown Women's Championship match (ie, they weren't going to win this originally). I've written in previous posts that I've had an idea of Bliss adding herself to the match seeing as she's the host of WrestleMania. I don't know if the match being on the pre-show helps or hinders my idea...
Scotland: I'm backing Tony Nese to beat Buddy Murphy. I don't follow 205 Live all that closely, but just gone with the title change for WrestleMania factor.
2 Point Picks
Scotland: I'm picking Samoa Joe to win here because, if the match doesn't happen due to Rey Mysterio's injury, I'm not blowing big points away!
Wales: I'm giving my two points to a controversial pick. Becky Lynch really should win the main event, BUT.. as I've written numerous times, I cannot shake off the feeling that Ronda Rousey will walk away from Mania with the W.
England: Kevin Owens was supposed to be in the WWE Championship match, so maybe they'll give him a win in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. I hope they don't go with Gronk who - if he's in it - will win it otherwise there's no point in him being a participant. It could also be one of the Saturday Night Live guys...
Ireland: Braun Strowman is the obvious choice to win the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, but since it's not a match he has to be pinned clean, there's always a chance he may not win. I see the Saturday Night Live guys being the reason Braun gets thrown out and this will lead to a bunch of backstage segments throughout the rest of the night with Strowman causing chaos in an effort to find where they are hiding. So, I'm going to risk it and say Ali wins. I think it could elevate him and it would be a way for Vince to give him something seeing as Kofi Kingston replaced him in the Smackdown gauntlet match and look where that led him to!
3 Point Picks
Ireland: I could see Asuka being given the win here as a make good for dropping the title to Charlotte, but I'd rather they gave this to someone in order to elevate them. Asuka doesn't need this in my opinion. Lacey Evans is another possibility, but I'd have her interrupt Elias instead and maybe have her win Money in the Bank next month. I'm going with Mandy Rose though. She was originally going to be Asuka's Mania opponent had she kept the title. That tells me they have plans for her. I could also see her posing with the trophy with a wide-eyed Corey Graves behind her photobombing at the announce table.
England: I cannot see anyone other than Asuka winning the women's battle royal. I would love to see Nikki Cross win and it. She would be my dark horse as I'd love to see what she would do with the trophy calling it her precious!
Scotland: The segment from this week's episode of Raw has convinced many that Brock Lesnar is winning against Seth Rollins, but I'm sticking to my guns on Rollins. I have moved him down my list just in case. On the flip side, the other thing needed to consider is will the 'Big 3' faces in title matches (Rollins, Kofi and Becky) all win? I've gone for it, but one will likely lose and this will probably be the most likely.
Wales: I'm going to make another low number play on one of the major matches of the night and pick Seth Rollins to beat Brock Lesnar. One of the three faves has to stumble somewhere. This is why Rollins only gets 3.
England: I cannot see anyone other than Asuka winning the women's battle royal. I would love to see Nikki Cross win and it. She would be my dark horse as I'd love to see what she would do with the trophy calling it her precious!
Scotland: The segment from this week's episode of Raw has convinced many that Brock Lesnar is winning against Seth Rollins, but I'm sticking to my guns on Rollins. I have moved him down my list just in case. On the flip side, the other thing needed to consider is will the 'Big 3' faces in title matches (Rollins, Kofi and Becky) all win? I've gone for it, but one will likely lose and this will probably be the most likely.
Wales: I'm going to make another low number play on one of the major matches of the night and pick Seth Rollins to beat Brock Lesnar. One of the three faves has to stumble somewhere. This is why Rollins only gets 3.
4 Point Picks
Wales: This is another safety play. Samoa Joe would have been high on my list before Rey Mysterio injured himself. The match is still confirmed as of right now.
England: I'm going with AJ Styles to beat Randy Orton. Orton normally takes time off after Mania. It also could be time for Styles to say 'Bye' to the house he built.
Scotland: I would have penciled in Braun Strowman to win the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal higher up my list, but I cannot shake off the feeling that - after he eliminates Jost and Che, they will distract him which causes someone else to win. No clue who that could be, so I'm sticking with Strowman as he needs to win it either way.
Ireland: I'm going with Tony Nese to beat Buddy Murphy in the Cruiserweight Championship match. Murphy has had a nice run with the title.
5 Point Picks
Ireland: F5 countered into a curb stomp in the Universal Championship match. Clean as a whistle. New Champ! Seth Rollins wins.
Wales: Shane McMahon is usually the guy who does the job at WrestleMania, but I have a feeling this could be the time it doesn't happen. Miz can get his revenge at a later date. It could even be in Saudi Arabia where this entire Miz/Shane thing started to form.
England: I'd like Rey Mysterio to beat Samoa Joe. Then I'd like Andrade to take it off him on Tuesday night and he gets moved to Raw and the Intercontinental Championship goes to Fox/Smackdown.
Scotland: I'm picking The Usos to retain the WWE Tag Team Championships. I'm going with the champs here, but feel one of the champions may lose in one of the 4-ways.
Wales: Shane McMahon is usually the guy who does the job at WrestleMania, but I have a feeling this could be the time it doesn't happen. Miz can get his revenge at a later date. It could even be in Saudi Arabia where this entire Miz/Shane thing started to form.
England: I'd like Rey Mysterio to beat Samoa Joe. Then I'd like Andrade to take it off him on Tuesday night and he gets moved to Raw and the Intercontinental Championship goes to Fox/Smackdown.
Scotland: I'm picking The Usos to retain the WWE Tag Team Championships. I'm going with the champs here, but feel one of the champions may lose in one of the 4-ways.
6 Point Picks
Scotland: Boss N Hug Connection. See above!
Wales: I have Kofi Kingston winning against Daniel Bryan as my sixth pick.
Ireland: AJ Styles .vs. Randy Orton is the match I've been waiting months for. My WrestleMania main event. A motivated heel Randy Orton up against AJ Styles? I cannot wait! I don't care who wins, but for the purposes of this, I'll go with Randy Orton seeing as I don't have many heels going over. It would also open up Orton as a potential challenger to Kofi Kingston during the summer.
England: I'm picking Brock Lesnar to win against Seth Rollins. I think one of the three babyfaces in big title matches will lose. I might change my mind after this post is published, but I'm sticking with Brock and maybe Reigns takes it off him on Monday Night then we can get the whole Lesnar farce over and done with.
England: I'm picking Brock Lesnar to win against Seth Rollins. I think one of the three babyfaces in big title matches will lose. I might change my mind after this post is published, but I'm sticking with Brock and maybe Reigns takes it off him on Monday Night then we can get the whole Lesnar farce over and done with.
7 Point Picks
Scotland: I'm picking Randy Orton for my seven-pointer. Did they blow the winning spot on Tuesday so Styles wins? Nope, I don't think they did. Think they just told people that the obvious RKO finish won't happen but rather than having Styles win, they'll find an even better RKO finish outta nowhere!
Ireland: I think it's too early to take the US Championship off Samoa Joe and it's his first WrestleMania. I think he'll retain.
Wales: Aleister Black and Ricochet get my seven points. They didn't win the Raw titles on Monday, they might not win the NXT tag straps at TakeOver so this will be a perfect spot for the commentators to go on about how this is 'third time lucky' or 'third time's a charm' if they end up becoming Smackdown Tag Team Champions.
England: Kofi Kingston for the win. I'm happy for Kofi and it's a great story. I just don't know if WWE believe or I believe enough that they give him the title.
Wales: Aleister Black and Ricochet get my seven points. They didn't win the Raw titles on Monday, they might not win the NXT tag straps at TakeOver so this will be a perfect spot for the commentators to go on about how this is 'third time lucky' or 'third time's a charm' if they end up becoming Smackdown Tag Team Champions.
England: Kofi Kingston for the win. I'm happy for Kofi and it's a great story. I just don't know if WWE believe or I believe enough that they give him the title.
8 Point Picks
Scotland: I'm going with Lacey Evans to win the women's battle royal. I had three possible winners in mind, but - with this being confirmed for the Kick Off, I've ruled out the other 2 and chose Lacey.
Ireland: I'm aware that The Usos have inked new deals, but I have them going to Raw in the Superstar Shakeup. So, for that reason, I think they'll drop the titles here. I see Ricochet and Aleister Black dethroning them. They'll have fought for all three sets of tag titles in one week. I think they'll fall at NXT TakeOver but succeed at Mania.
England: I was fighting whether or not to move The Usos further up or to choose Aleister Black and Ricochet. This could be outdated by Friday night!
Wales: The Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal is Braun Strowman's to lose. Think about this: He has been protected a lot and has been booked poorly the past few months. He is now in a 'feud' with two comedians. Do you really think Vince McMahon and company is going to allow Strowman to lose this match just to get two comedy acts over for one night? This is how I think it'll go - they'll need a few guys on the outside to catch them, so they'll end the match with Strowman launching both guys overhead to the waiting crowd - or crowds - below.
England: I was fighting whether or not to move The Usos further up or to choose Aleister Black and Ricochet. This could be outdated by Friday night!
Wales: The Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal is Braun Strowman's to lose. Think about this: He has been protected a lot and has been booked poorly the past few months. He is now in a 'feud' with two comedians. Do you really think Vince McMahon and company is going to allow Strowman to lose this match just to get two comedy acts over for one night? This is how I think it'll go - they'll need a few guys on the outside to catch them, so they'll end the match with Strowman launching both guys overhead to the waiting crowd - or crowds - below.
9 Point Picks
Scotland: The more I wrote this list, the more I kept moving Shane McMahon up. I did have him start off at 2 or 3. The card is packed full of possible babyface winners and here's definitely one where I can see the heel winning and Miz getting his revenge at a later date. I think someone helps Shane.
Wales: I have Tony Nese to win the Cruiserweight Championship match as my ninth pick of the comp.
England: I'm picking Roman Reigns to win against Drew McIntyre. The latter has been dominant on TV most of the time. The only reason why I'm not giving Reigns more points is in case Dean Ambrose has decided to stay with WWE and will then interfere to set up a program.
Ireland: I'm not sure on this one, but I'm going with Kofi Kingston to beat Daniel Bryan for the feel good win in the WWE Championship match. No reason to halt his momentum, Kofi wins.
10 Point Picks
Ireland: I have Boss N Hug Connection retaining in the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship match. There's a slight chance Beth Phoenix and Natalya win with the Hart Attack given that Natalya's dad will enter the Hall of Fame, but I'm sticking with Sasha Banks and Bayley to pick up the win.
Wales: Is it too soon to have The Boss N Hug Connection to lose their straps? I think so.
Scotland: I'm taking Kofi Kingston with my ten-pointer. Can't see KofiMania being derailed here, should - and hopefully will - win.
England: The Miz has to get his own back for the beating he took from Shane McMahon at Fastlane.
Wales: Is it too soon to have The Boss N Hug Connection to lose their straps? I think so.
Scotland: I'm taking Kofi Kingston with my ten-pointer. Can't see KofiMania being derailed here, should - and hopefully will - win.
England: The Miz has to get his own back for the beating he took from Shane McMahon at Fastlane.
11 Point Picks
England: The Boss N Hug Connection has to be the winners of the Women's Tag Team Championship match. The only team I am scared off is Beth Phoenix and Nattie, but surely they'll keep the titles on Bayley and Sasha.
Scotland: Kurt Angle - this match probably won't last long, much like this summary!
Wales: I have had Randy Orton to beat AJ Styles ever since the match was announced. I'm refusing to stand down and am willing to put 11 points on him.
Ireland: Gotta send the fans home happy after the main event. Becky Lynch becomes the champ champ. Never in a million years did I ever foresee a person born in my hometown that would go on to main event a WrestleMania. I couldn't be happier for her. She's genuine. Becky wins.
Scotland: Kurt Angle - this match probably won't last long, much like this summary!
Wales: I have had Randy Orton to beat AJ Styles ever since the match was announced. I'm refusing to stand down and am willing to put 11 points on him.
Ireland: Gotta send the fans home happy after the main event. Becky Lynch becomes the champ champ. Never in a million years did I ever foresee a person born in my hometown that would go on to main event a WrestleMania. I couldn't be happier for her. She's genuine. Becky wins.
12 Point Picks
Ireland: I have George Mizanin interfering to help his son to defeat Shane McMahon in the falls count anywhere match. The Miz wins.
Wales: Kurt Angle has promised to submit Baron Corbin. We've had the visual submission on this week's Raw, so that could work against me. Still, I'd like to hope that Angle makes short work here and gets a nice send-off.
Scotland: This will be Roman Reigns' first match back and hasn't once gotten the better of Drew McIntyre who's been built up strongly. Don't think it looks good in the headlines either that leukaemia survivor loses first match back on the biggest show!
England: Triple H has never beaten Batista and I don't know how long Big Dave is staying around for, so I have to go for Hunter.
Wales: Kurt Angle has promised to submit Baron Corbin. We've had the visual submission on this week's Raw, so that could work against me. Still, I'd like to hope that Angle makes short work here and gets a nice send-off.
Scotland: This will be Roman Reigns' first match back and hasn't once gotten the better of Drew McIntyre who's been built up strongly. Don't think it looks good in the headlines either that leukaemia survivor loses first match back on the biggest show!
England: Triple H has never beaten Batista and I don't know how long Big Dave is staying around for, so I have to go for Hunter.
13 Point Picks
England: I'm picking Buddy Murphy to win in the Cruiserweight Championship match. I don't watch 205 Live, so this could be a gamble. Tony Nese doesn't seem like a guy to build the division around after Murphy, so I'm hoping they build up another babyface to take it from him.
Ireland: Drew McIntyre has beat down Roman Reigns numerous times now, so I see Mania as the place for Reigns to gain revenge and pick up the win.
Wales: Roman Reigns should not lose here. The entire build up to the match has been in favour of Drew McIntyre, so Reigns has to get something back.
Scotland: I'm going with Becky Lynch for thirteen points. I just can't imagine them risking the meltdown that would ensure should she not win (even though it would be funny to see!)
Wales: Roman Reigns should not lose here. The entire build up to the match has been in favour of Drew McIntyre, so Reigns has to get something back.
Scotland: I'm going with Becky Lynch for thirteen points. I just can't imagine them risking the meltdown that would ensure should she not win (even though it would be funny to see!)
14 Point Picks
England: Becky Lynch would be my fifteen point play if not for 'The Demon'. I backed Lynch to be the next Raw Women's Champion ages ago and I cannot see any other result in the main event.
Scotland: All the stars are aligned. Is it possible that it's too predictable? Possibly, but I cannot see anything other than a Triple H win over Batista.
Ireland: Finn Balor .vs. Bobby Lashley reminds me of Naomi .vs. Alexa Bliss before WrestleMania 33 where they belted the face before Mania and then realised that they should have saved it for Mania so they changed course. Couple that with Finn Balor as The Demon and I see him regaining the IC Title.
Wales: Batista not having lost to Triple H should be planted in your brains by now. There's a reason for that.
England: I'm picking Finn Balor. They're not bringing out 'The Demon' to lose.
Wales: There is no way Finn Balor - as The Demon - should lose to Bobby Lashley. Therefore, it's getting my fifteen points.
Scotland: If Finn Balor doesn't win as 'The Demon', WWE may as well just get rid of him.
Wales: Batista not having lost to Triple H should be planted in your brains by now. There's a reason for that.
15 Point Picks
England: I'm picking Finn Balor. They're not bringing out 'The Demon' to lose.
Wales: There is no way Finn Balor - as The Demon - should lose to Bobby Lashley. Therefore, it's getting my fifteen points.
Scotland: If Finn Balor doesn't win as 'The Demon', WWE may as well just get rid of him.
Ireland: The Triple H .vs. Batista match is based on the fact that Batista has said Triple H has never beaten him. With Batista cast as the villain and with HHH's career on the line, this can only go one way for me. Triple H wins.
And that's all for now. Here's a table showing an at a glance look at our picks.
I'll write an update in the days following the event.
Thanks to all who took part!
And that's all for now. Here's a table showing an at a glance look at our picks.
I'll write an update in the days following the event.
Thanks to all who took part!
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