Imagine finding out that Daniel Bryan gets to make his long awaited comeback to the ring....only to find out that his first singles Pay-Per-View match will be against Big Cass. Yea. Such a let down. Cass was solid on the mic the day he cut the Miz TV promo, but bad when he brought out the little Daniel Bryan. Anyway, this should end up as Cass' best ever match, though that's not saying much. Bryan will win. If they have a brain.
Winner: Daniel Bryan
I have no idea what they're doing with Roman Reigns. If you think he's the guy, then make him the damn guy. Continuing to wait is just killing his momentum. I think he's good enough in the ring to be the guy. Brock's title reign has hurt him and Samoa Joe, as both should've held the Universal Title by this point. Expect this to be a great, hard hitting battle. Reigns will beat Joe as the first step in his redemption.
Winner: Roman Reigns
It's always weird when they run a match on PPV that we just saw on television. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn seem to be stuck in a holding pattern, which is weird considering how big a deal they seemed on Smackdown a while back. Braun Strowman and Bobby Lashley is an interesting team. I wonder if they remain a team or if this is a short-term team. Either way, I can't see either of them getting pinned.
Winners: Braun and Bobby
This sounds way more interesting than Orton/Jinder V. Jeff and Orton had a fun match a decade ago (I'm old) at the Royal Rumble. Granted, Orton hasn't put in a good effort in quite some time, so there is worry about that. Still, I think it'll be his best match in a long time. i'm going to say Jeff retains because the US Title has switched around too often lately.
Winner: Jeff Hardy
Carmella saved us from another dire Charlotte title reign. Charlotte is fine in the ring, but she's just terrible in promos or anything that involves showing personality. Like Natalya. Carmella is a fresh feeling champion, as she's such a good heel and so much fun with a microphone in her hand. The smart move would be to have Carmella retain, probably with help from the Iiconics. However, I've learned my lesson about betting against LADY BIG DOG.
Winner: Charlotte "We're Trying Hard To Book Her To Be The GOAT" Flair
Alexa hasn't been able to wrestle much lately for, um, reasons. Thankfully, the "Moment of Bliss" stuff has kept her relevant. I was way over her as champion by WrestleMania. Other than an eight day stretch, she had it for a long time and destroyed everyone she faced. Nia Jax, like Carmella, feels fresh as champion. The "Moment of Bliss" segments have been the most I've enjoyed Alexa in months. However, I can't imagine Nia's time as champion is over.
Winner: Nia Jax
Matches like this are kind of the problem with doing a Superstar Shakeup the way they do. Miz and Seth Rollins do have a feud, but with Miz moving to Smackdown, who already has the US Title, I can't see him bringing the Intercontinental Title with him. Plus, with no Brock around, it would be ideal for WWE to build Raw around Seth as IC Champion. He's already had two bangers as champion and a great match where he won it.
Winner: Seth Rollins
Nakamura has to win here, right? He lost to Jinder twice, lost to AJ Styles at WrestleMania, and went to a draw at GRR. The No DQ stipulation fits his new persona and will probably lead to permanent damage to Styles' junk. Nakamura has been much more interesting since the turn. I think he wins and they have their best match yet.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
2018 Prediction Record: 20-15
2017 Prediction Record: 81-37
2016 Prediction Record: 72-41
2015 Prediction Record: 60-35
Backlash Prediction History: 8-5
