Well, it’s WrestleMania Saturday and the entire world is talking about … Pat McAfee? That’s as weird as it sounds, but don’t worry, Triple H says it’s totally fine. Nothing to see here, folks!
In an appearance on ESPN’s First Take on Friday, Triple H, the WWE Chief Content Officer, said that the McAfee talk is a good thing.
“The thing is, talk is good,” Triple H said. “People are talking and that is a good thing. Pat, love him or hate him, Pat makes people talk. And I think that’s what’s important here is people are talking.”
Well, of course he’s going to say that. Triple H isn’t going to go on ESPN the day before WrestleMania and declare, “everyone’s right, this all sucks, and I got big-footed by my TKO Group overlords and now have to run creative their way.” That just doesn’t have the same corporate touch as “people are reacting and we like that.”
The thing is, that’s not really how pro wrestling is supposed to go. Triple H knows that. He knows the difference between “people talking” about Pat McAfee ahead of WrestleMania 42 and “people talking” about Cody Rhodes prior to WrestleMania 40. Two very different types of “talking” and the latter conversation is certainly the more sought after.
It’s on you, Pat
Alas, we’re here. Triple H is here. WrestleMania 42 is here and people are talking about Pat McAfee. So, it’s all about him I guess?
The main event match on Saturday night at WrestleMania 42 inside Allegiant Stadium is Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton for the Undisputed WWE Championship. A good match on paper, but because of the McAfee involvement, it has to deliver in a different way than a straight match would have. Rhodes and Orton can have the best match possible, but unless the McAfee part delivers, nobody will remember it.
There is recent history on this psychology. It was last year at WrestleMania. Same city. Same venue. John Cena won his 17th world championship — the most ever — but, it was a widely panned moment because Travis Scott inexplicably was a factor in the finish.
WWE is staring at the same potential issue unless this McAfee thing lands. I’m not holding my breath. As far as who wins this calamity? It’s Cody Rhodes. Triple H is a petty guy. I think he has an ego? The best way to get back at his corporate puppeteers would be to book a finish that runs counter to their goals.
A hidden gem
Seth Rollins vs. Gunther is happening at WrestleMania Saturday and I’d expect much of the Allegiant Stadium crowd to enjoy it quite a bit. It’s not the match of the night pick, but it’s damn close.
WWE has done a nice job with this feud. See what happens when you leave the board rooms out of creative? By all accounts, this wasn’t the planned WrestleMania match for either guy, but shit happens. WWE took the time to give it context and there’s a logical storyline available that extends for everyone involved after the match is over.
I smell a Bron Breakker appearance here. After retiring John Cena, Goldberg, and AJ Styles, Gunther isn’t going to lose this match. Rollins deserves some protection, though. Enter Breakker. Look for Gunther to get the W, but it will be on the back of a Breakker interference.
Match of the night
My match of the night prediction is a sneaky one. Liv Morgan vs. Stephanie Vaquer for the WWE Women’s World Championship.
Like Gunther and Rollins, this feud has been given enough context and has enough intensity to hook fans from the beginning. Vaquer is one of the best wrestlers on the planet right now and Morgan has turned herself into a star that can go when she needs to.
Both women are going to want to prove something. It’s a big singles showcase for them and my guess is they take that as a challenge and responsibility. Look for Liv Morgan to win the belt. I’m not sure what that means for Vaquer, but WWE is in the Liv Morgan business right now. She’s everywhere. They won’t hesitate to make her the top women’s star on the Raw brand.
WrestleMania 42 airs live on ESPN Unlimited and Netflix, internationally. The full card and full prediction show from The Takedown on SI is below.
WrestleMania 42 Saturday Full Match Card
Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton w/ Pat McAfee — Undisputed WWE Championship Match
Stephanie Vaquer vs. Liv Morgan — WWE Women’s World Heavyweight Championship Match
Gunther vs. Seth Rollins
AJ Lee vs. Becky Lynch — WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Match
Drew McIntyre vs. Jacob Fatu — Unsanctioned Match
Irresistible Forces vs. The Bella Twins vs. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley & Lyra Valkyria — Fatal Four-Way WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match
The Vision & IShowSpeed vs. The Usos and LA Knight
WrestleMania 42 Preview
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