Bill Apter's take on what's going to happen at WrestleMania XL
April 3rd, 2024 | Bill Apter WrestleMania XL Special
WHO IS BILL APTER
Here's What's Happening!
FOND MEMORIES OR FRIGHTENING PREDICTION?
These picks are directed to the talent -- directly!
1. The Rock and Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins
TO CODY (Written Sunday 3/31/24) I've said this before on Sportskeeda's UnSKripted and Time Machine podcasts on the WrestleBinge Youtube channel. Cody, Seth is a great actor. He's got you in the palm of his hand making you think he's your "Shield." Don't buy it. Remember Seth's bond with former Shield partner Roman Reigns? I believe it still exists and it's going to bite you when you least expect it. I hope I am wrong (and I very well maybe) but I can't shake this uneasy feeling. There is another kind of "Bloodline" between Rollins and Reigns and the right price by a "Wiseman" can certainly turn the tide against you!
UPDATE TO CODY (Written Tuesday 4/2/24): After witnessing the belt whipping that the Rock and Roman perpetrated on you and Seth, I have had a change of mind. If Rollins is "faking it" and waiting to turn against you -- he's a master -- especially after his former Shield partner Reigns beat him down so badly with the leather belt. Sorry, but they are too much for you and Seth to handle -- period the end.
PREDICTION: THE BLOODLINE WINS
2. Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre: World Heavyweight Championship
TO DREW: It's time for you to step up to the plateau you belong to. You have worked so very hard, and the hostile verbal attitude you continue to spew has transferred to your physical being. There is no way you won't let the World title slip by you this time.
PREDICTION: The winner and NEW World Heavyweight Champion -- DREW McIntyre
3. Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes: Undisputed WWE Universal Championship
ANOTHER MESSAGE TO CODY: The cards are stacked against you. I know how important it is for you to finish your story -- but -- it won't be this time. There are too many elements that prevent this from happening. At one time I thought the Rock was playing along with the Bloodline, and when it came down to the end, he would turn his back on Roman and clear the way for a win for you. After seeing the horrible bloody beating Rock put on you -- there is no way he will want you to win. Sorry, the story does not end here.
PREDICTION: ROMAN RETAINS THE UNDISPUTED UNIVERSAL TITLE
4. Iyo Sky vs. Bayley: WWE Women's Championship
TO BAYLEY: Nothing can stop you. You're at the peak of your amazing career. This will be a match that will showcase the amazing in-ring talents of you and champion Iyo Sky -- but it will be YOU who will finally see the greatest moment of your career!
PREDICTION: BAYLEY BECOMES THE NEW WWE WOMEN'S CHAMPION
5. Rhea Ripley vs. Becky Lynch: Women's World Championship
TO RHEA: You have cemented your legacy of greatness already. No one doubts you -- including me of course. Becky may be "The Man," and this will be a very hard-fought battle, but "Mami" cannot be stopped!
PREDICTION: RHEA RIPLEY RETAINS THE WOMAN'S WORLD TITLE (Note -- If Becky's husband Seth "Freakin'" Rollins also loses his time -- it's time for a break and a good vacation for the two of you and your baby Roux)!
6. Gunther vs. Sami Zayn: WWE Intercontinental Championship
TO SAMI: Sorry but I am among the group that knows you are an excellent wrestling talent -- BUT -- not the man to defeat the longest reigning Intercontinental champion. No hurt feelings please -- it's just that the machine known as Gunther -- is one-of-a-kind and the person to knock him off his throne has not been found as yet.
PREDICTION: GUNTHER RETAINS THE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP
7. Finn Bálor and Damian Priest vs. Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa vs. The Miz and R-Truth vs. Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods vs. Austin Theory and Grayson Waller vs. Pete Dunn and Tyler Bate: Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship
TO ALL TEAMS: Finn Baylor and Damian Priest will survive and although you will all come close -- it won't be close enough!
PREDICTION: BAYLOR AND PRIEST RETAIN THE GOLD BELTS
8. LA Knight vs. AJ Styles
TO LA KNIGHT: Your temper is out of control. Showing up at Styles' house a few weeks ago showed how you're going too far with this feud. Calm down -- because if you don't you will lose all direction and let AJ have his way.
PREDICTION: AJ Styles gets a very unpopular victory.
9. Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso
TO BOTH JEY & JIMMY: Make this the match of the night. It can be one for the ages. I can't wait to see you two clash.
PREDICTION: Jey with the edge and the win.
10. Logan Paul vs. Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens: WWE United States Championship
TO LOGAN PAUL: You're not the most popular of this trio for sure, but you have the skill set to figure out how to play this and get around an "RKO" and a Stunner." Unfortunately, it won't end here at 'Mania, so keep your guard up!
PREDICTION: Logan Paul retains the United States Championship
11. Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill, and Naomi vs. Dakota Kai, Asuka, and Kairi Sane
TO BIANCA: The fans want to see you and Jade against each other. This was made clear during January's Royal Rumble. Be careful as things are rosy with both of you now -- but it may not last too long.
PREDICTION: Bianca, Jade, and Naomi are victorious
COREY GRAVES' QUICK PICKS FOR WRESTLEMANIA 40
LA Knight vs. AJ Styles - LA Knight
Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso - Jey Uso
Tag team Titles Match - Judgment Day
Intercontinental Championship Match - Gunther
US Title Match - Logan Paul
Women's World Championship Match - Rhea Ripley
WWE Women's Championship - Bayley
Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins vs Roman Reigns & The Rock - Roman Reigns & The Rock
WWE Universal Championship Match - Cody Rhodes
GUEST COLUMN - JOE LOWRY RANTS
By this time next week, WrestleMania 40 will all be but a memory. Some will call it the “Mania of all Manias” while others will call it “A Mania to Forget.” This happens every year, some people do not like the two-day format while others will watch over 36 hours of WWE programming in a span of four days and say it was not long enough. I personally would stick to the one-day format as weekends are precious enough.
With that being said, what exactly will we be talking about next Monday morning? Will it be The Rock and The Bloodline completing its chapter in ending Cody’s story? Or will it be that Cody does finish his story and all will be right again in the wrestling world? Then again, will all ever be right in the wrestling world? With what seems to be WrestleMania Hype 2.0 and the never-ending social media frenzy surrounding it, are we all in for a major letdown?
Once Mania is over, so is The Rock’s return. And all of the entertainment it has provided with it. The millions upon millions of views WWE’s social media outlets have endured will end. The live appearances on Smackdown and RAW and other shows will end. The Rock’s signature name-calling and musical attributes will end. The Rock’s return will become The Rock’s retreat.
As wrestling fans we begin a new year watching what takes place inside the Squared Circle and most likely what happens outside it. But how long will it take before the fans are bored and demand The People’s Champion to return? Thus perhaps making this year's WrestleMania the one to forget.
Joe Lowry is a professional broadcaster, podcaster and writer.
Follow whatadaywithjoelowry on Facebook.
FROM MY PRIVATE FILES:
SCENES FROM WRESTLEMANIA XIX
Many persons in and out of the industry do not know that all the wrestling magazines were locked out by WWF when they began their own monthly issues. It was a war at the newsstand with the non-WWF magazines trying to procure photos and interviews with WWF wrestlers when there was a ban on them cooperating.
After their magazine ceased publication in 2014 the company began giving access to certain events (and a few spot shows before 2014 as well). I was lucky enough to attend many moments at these press conferences and shows. One of my favorite times was the press conference for WrestleMania #19 (XIX).
I thought you would enjoy a look at my press credentials as well as a photo op with Kurt Angle, who was defending the WWE championship against Brock Lesnar), Stephanie McMahon (center), and Triple H, who defended the World Title against Booker T.
MY TOP PICKS FROM SPORTSKEEDA & WRESTLEBINGE
WWE legend confesses he and Roman Reigns 'hate each other'
Mike Rotunda's emotional tribute to his son Bray Wyatt
WHAT THEY'RE TELLING ME
In the spirit of WrestleMania, I thought I'd share a conversation I had with Hulk Hogan before the first edition of the Show Of Shows back in 1985.
"Brother Bill, the world has never seen anything like this spectacle they are going to witness at Madison Square Garden in just a few days. All the biggest stars in WWF, sports -- like the legend Muhammad Ali, the entertainment world's Liberace and Cyndi Lauper -- all coming together with millions of Hulkamaniacs all over the world to make this the greatest event anyone has ever seen!"