WrestleMania 42 Preview & Bold Predictions Special | The Still Real to Us Show | Episode #844 – 4/16/26

0:00 It's still really a big damage to me! [Music] What up, you all! Hmmmm, welcome everybody! Welcome to this week's edition of the Star of the Show. Episode number 844 for April 16, 2026. This is your WrestleMania 42 preview and predictions edition of SR Team New. I am on after show, I am Jeff Pat, joined every single week from my coach, lonely doctor, Frank Lynn, Dr. Trey. Welcome to the Dressel Media Week, my friend.

0:42 And nobody else is running into him, you know the chair, nobody's gonna come out and complain about ownership. Like there is no ownership over me and Jeff, so you don't have to worry about creative control differences, things like that. It is literally like all about big, sweaty men and women's slapping meat this weekend. Yeah, that is exactly what the whole perspective of the show is, is quite frankly that. It is another year of previewing and predicting WrestleMania. When this show started back in 2010, it was on February 2010, we were coming out of elimination chamber, and we were getting ready for WrestleMania 26, which is a WrestleMania that I think holds a special place in my heart.

1:26 And when you look back at that card, that card was pretty stacked at the time. It may not have been executed fairly well, WrestleMania 26, maybe that's, other people can go back and discuss that. But yeah, I mean it's, and even further in my podcasting world, the very first WrestleMania that I covered on podcasting was WrestleMania 25 during the wheelhouse. And I actually still remember I bring it up here all the time on the show. Dr. Tre was like feeding us results. I don't know if you remember that man. You were feeding us results of WrestleMania 25 through blog talk radio for that period of time we were on the air. Because we were live during WrestleMania. Do you remember doing that?

2:07 Yeah, vaguely. Now you remember 25 is 16 years ago, so I also, at the time my daughter was two, you know, so it's like, you know what I'm talking about is there are times that you go back, I can't believe I remember the shameless Brian Danielsson, or Daniel Brian match from WrestleMania 28. I believe it was. But I can't remember the person I talked to yesterday about building a deck. Very true. Very true. No, it's just that once you get older folks, you'll all relate to this. And then for me, WrestleMania 29, I was there live in person. Dr. Tre, you were at WrestleMania 34 left during the main event. So we've been able to both be at a WrestleMania during the longevity of the show while covering it since you know, WrestleMania 26.

2:56 I think your first show was as the full-time coach was like a week or two before WrestleMania 28 was a 28 in Miami. Yeah, 28 right? Yeah, and don't forget, WrestleMania 29, you were in the building. I think I texted you because I was driving past Matt Lief Stadium, the weekend of WrestleMania. I'm like, I know you're in the building. I'm driving past you right now. And you mentioned to me, I can't remember if this was on air or off here and this just goes to show you our memories now the older we get. But you think that we saw a WrestleMania together at like a Buffalo Wild Wing. So do I have that right? No, it was the 40-man Royal Rumble.

3:38 Oh, okay, in Boston. That Dale Rio won, that we all thought Santino was going to sneak away with the win at the very end, but it was you me and Bauer at a Buffalo Wild Wings in, oh, I can't remember. It's somewhere in Connecticut. Yeah, somewhere in Connecticut. Because that's when I was working for the Hartford affiliate. Yeah, they were the radio station I worked for was like very much anti-wrestling coverage. And I basically forced their hand on wrestling coverage like we did live shows from the XL Center for heading into raw, the CM Punk interviews that we did always think gangbusters. So yeah, I mean, this to me is it's a blessing to sit here and do this each and every week and have the ability to have a platform.

4:20 And I know nowadays everybody has a platform that they can go to and and spew their whatever fandom that they have or thoughts that they have. And we were first starting it. It wasn't as much as it is today and how indicted it is. So to be able to do this for, you know, since WrestleMania 26 and preview and predict WrestleMania is truly just a blessing to just have that opportunity and that platform. And it's obviously a choice that we make to completely pull back the curtain. I booked my vacations 11 months in advance, legitimately 11 months in advance. And last May I sat down with my family and we booked our vacation for April and we booked it for the week after WrestleMania which I tried to tend to do.

5:07 We like historically on the show will do like the WrestleMania coverage and then like the week after we usually do like a pre-recorded to give us like just a little bit of a break from the WrestleMania coverage that we've done since the first of the year. And that's it was going off the date that they were in New Orleans. And if you remember, because that was the original location for WrestleMania 42 was going to be New Orleans Louisiana back in the Super Dome. Well, they moved it back to Las Vegas as we know. I've heard back in the saddle again by Aerosmith way too many more times than I could ever count. I'm sure all of you feel the same exact way. And they moved WrestleMania a weekend back or forward however you want to look at it and it's now landing on my vacation. So Dr. Trey has known this for the last several weeks.

5:48 You are all hearing this for the very first time. I will be away on vacation doing the show next week to recap and review WrestleMania 42. I mean, it's legitimately this is two of the most important shows that we do. And of course, I land on actually going away on vacation like the very short amount of times I do each year, Dr. Trey. So stay tuned with me as I don't know. Maybe you hear like birds chirping in the background on next week's show. But yeah, first world problems, Dr. Trey. Well, and then for us like usually WrestleMania lands on either the second set like the second weekend or the fourth weekend in April usually right around there. So Rockets City runs the first and third Saturday.

6:28 And this the 18th is our go home show before wrestling con nine. So we have a huge show plan for Saturday and it was like, oh wait, that's the third Saturday. We're going to have people that are literally like trying to watch WrestleMania from their phone while they're at Rockets City watching the show before wrestling con. So I guess that's not first world. That might be second world problems. I'm not sure how independent wrestling relates to first and third world. But that's what we're dealing with this weekend. Yeah, so thank you. Thank you to we going back to Las Vegas and screwing everything up for a lot of people and more ways than one. But with that said, Dr. Trey, I think we talked we've talked about this several times.

7:10 But I feel like this is just a nice way to really kind of kick things off as we preview predict WrestleMania. We look at the Hall of Fame class is quite frankly you and I were older now. The very first WrestleMania I remember is WrestleMania 10 and everything else afterwards has always been a really big memory in my life. I've talked about it on the show. I watched WrestleMania 18 and 19 from the cafeteria of WWE headquarters. One of my best friends growing up his dad worked for WWE. And that was such a surreal experience. And I don't know if I really understood it then like I do now how cool that was. And obviously we've talked about the coverage we've done here. Being in the arena for WrestleMania, both of us now in our lives. And I always suggest everybody if you have the opportunity though I wish you probably did it a lot earlier like Dr. Trey and I did when the tickets were affordable.

7:57 Then they are now go to a WrestleMania you have to you have to do it once in your life if you're a die hard wrestling fan and obviously you are because you're listening to a wrestling podcast you have to go to WrestleMania weekend. So Dr. Trey I ask you what does WrestleMania weekend mean to you we're going into it this weekend it definitely feels a little bit more different to me than and normal weekend in more ways than one I'm very excited for WrestleMania like I always am but what does WrestleMania weekend mean to you? It's a little bit of nostalgic is the first one I really remember I remember them hyping up WrestleMania one I got remember Mr. Eric making a big deal of Mr. T. But really the first one I really remember was three.

8:44 And you know Hogan Andre the build up to that as a little kid that got me super invested into pro wrestling and then watching it evolve and change over the years to where it's at now is just so dramatic of a shift. But that nostalgia of sitting around watching it with my parents are watching it with my friends are now watching with my kids and that consistent link I mean you as a Yankees fan music comes fan we have that with you know our family and friends in baseball we have it with football with the Packers and the Niners wrestling is kind of that bridge as well. And then also it reminds me of my kid because he was conceived that weekend of WrestleMania that I was in New Orleans that's when Sammy Franklin was conceived so every time we have WrestleMania season I kind of smart especially like during the main event I'll kind of smirk it my wife and go hey this is what we went this is what we left New Orleans like we left the super dome and we made a baby so just remember that.

9:47 Yeah I mean that's what Brock Lesnar and Roman Ranswell duty right Dr. Trey. I mean you know me is Paul Heyman true true yeah you remember if you remember that I stayed for Paul Heyman's introduction and as soon as he got done talking that's when we left the building. Hey fair enough fair enough and then all of a sudden here comes young Sammy Franklin coming down the ramp one way or another he is coming down the ramp. Yeah to me it's it's it's a celebration right a professional wrestling it's it's what got us into wrestling for me in the Northeast is everything that is WrestleMania I mean it's been a huge part of my life for the longest time I'm turning 40 in a couple of months and to be able to have watched.

10:34 She's what are we at 42 so 32 WrestleMania is probably in a row everything else pre-Restl Mania 10 I was too young to stay up for the I remember I think WrestleMania 10 like air to like four o'clock in the afternoon which is absolutely wild when you think about it so it's it's just one of those things that I always remember is is watching WrestleMania and and it's just something that you know brought the family together so feel free to chime in let us hear your thoughts on what WrestleMania weekend means to you and how much of an impact is had on your lives I'd love to hear it over at patreon.com/srtu podcast over on our Patreon page alright Dr. Trey next thing I'd like to discuss here before we get to the main card of WrestleMania 42 is obviously looking at the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2026 we've shared our thoughts throughout the last several weeks of the announcements have come out.

11:33 We've got AJ Styles Stephanie McMahon demolition Dennis Rodman Psycho said bad news Brown and Hulk Hogan versus Andre the Giant and WrestleMania free as the immortal moment that will be captured here during the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2026 it airs on Friday night or at least Saturday morning at 12 a.m. Eastern on ESPN Dr. Trey when you look at this WWE Hall of Fame class of 2026 what comes to mind. Consistency I guess is a good way of putting it like I don't know if it has maybe the star power of previous classes like we all love AJ but you know AJ's not triple AJ's not Sean Michaels AJ's not on that level he's arguably one of the greatest in ring wrestlers of all time but maybe not on the household name list of some of the other folks you've seen the past Stephanie like once again like everybody that we talked about coming in his class other than maybe Dennis Rodman just very consistent very good I don't want to say B plus but a minus people perhaps and then Rodman is just going to be interesting to see what he says on the microphone see if he's the same Dennis Rodman that you and I saw growing up or if he's actually with short over the years and become a little more sensible in his older age but like I'm really excited these are a lot of folks that you know I grew up watching I grew up bad news Brown and psycho said when I was a kid those guys were legitimately scary and getting to meet you know Sid once was kind of cool but overall like just very excited for this very solid class

13:17 yeah I agree with you it's a very solid class I think it's a lot of at least half the class I look at our folks that is long time coming for me like demolition should have been in years ago psychos said bad news Brown should have been in years ago and it's really unfortunate that Sid and bad news Brown are no longer with us so they can enjoy this moment their families will be getting celebrated but it's a long time coming for demolition who I know I believe has had some issues with WWE management in the past so it's nice to see one of the greatest WWE tech teams of all time getting their rightful place during the Hall of Fame class to the 2026 if you obviously asked to see your go and not have thought that AJ Styles would have been in this class but here we are obviously extremely deserving and she really hasn't been a television figure probably now for the last 10 plus years I would say but I mean Stephanie McMahon was one of the best heels in wrestling in the early 2000s for the attitude error that Pat McAfee likes to bring up Stephanie was an amazing character as a heel partnered up with Hunterhurst Helmsley triple H her now husband she was fantastic in the general manager world briefly for Smackdown she was the raw GM for a period time with Mick Foley I believe as well when them it was Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan leading as she was the commissioner of raw for a period of time she's just always been a very enjoyable character and seems like a very nice and genuine human being

14:52 so obviously really pumped for that the Dennis Rodman stuff when it comes to celebrities not really my favorite thing but it is something that gains attention over to what they're trying to do this weekend the more moment Hogan and Andre I mean you can make an argument that this probably should have been the very first a more the moment that was captured in the W Hall of Fame class when they introduced this last year instead of Brett versus Steve Austin from WrestleMania 13 last year but you know I mean this is this is this is the immortal you know was the removal object see the line now escapes me here is this the whole force and the whole object yeah I mean that is you can make a case that that's what put me on the map and really solidified itself overall as a spectacle was WrestleMania 3 that was headline by this match so W Hall of Fame class the 2026 it'll be airing this Friday night slash early Saturday morning 12 am east over on ESPN the United States Netflix international for everybody else outside of the US doctor that takes us now to WrestleMania 42 or preview predictions it's this Saturday and Sunday from a Legion Stadium in Las Vegas Nevada also known as Paradise Nevada so they're back in Las Vegas once again I don't know if you have heard but they're back in the saddle again let's look at night one also known as WrestleMania Saturday in the first match that will be airing on ESPN 2 will open up WrestleMania it's the Uso's and LA night taking on Logan Paul Austin theory in I show speed

16:25 doctor trail let's start with you my friend who do you like in this one to win at WrestleMania Saturday this one's kind of tricky for me because you just put the tag belts on the vision you got the celebrity mix but I think I'm going to go with the Uso's and LA night just because I think that gets the crowd really hyped you get the YETS going on you get the Yaz going on you get the crowd really really energize for us so I'm going to go with the LA Uso's the LA Uso's I like it yeah it's a tandem that I did not think was going to be put together for WrestleMania and quite honestly it's it's unfortunate I think I think the Uso's and LA night is better than this match but here we are I'm actually going to go with Logan Paul Austin theory in I show speed I think that this stuff with I show speed is a little bit more legs is can be put on free television so that people could check it out and I think they want to showcase I show speed and I think that there's some storylines use right there with the Uso's and LA night that could be carrying itself forward in the weeks to come I don't think that this partnership with LA night in the Uso's remains and it wouldn't surprise me if this is setting up for some foreshadowing of a storyline that's a little bit bigger later on in the year it could be pretty much close there you go our first match that we've covered here both Dr. Trey and I on different pages which is a good thing here because one of us has to win this prediction record Drew McIntyre versus Jacob F2 is up next it's an on sanction match that'll be airing on ESPN 2 Drew McIntyre right now is filming the Highlander movie

18:02 overseas right now so he's been going back and forth according reports I feel like this is an opportunity to showcase Jacob F2 and I fully expect him to be a big player in 2026 or at least that's my hope so I'm going to be going with Jacob F2 and this one Dr. Trey. Yeah I mean typically an on sanctioned matches I like to go with the heel because they can cheat more but Jacob F2's character is unhinged and willing to do anything and you know between trying to elevate Jacob F2 and then Drew McIntyre's movie schedule I'm with you I'm taking Jacob F2 as well. Then you've got the irresistible forces Nia Jax and Lash Legend they defend the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship against Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss the Bella Twins possibly we don't fully know what's going on with Nikki Bella's injury and that's one of the reasons why I expected and rumor match between Asuka and EO Sky has not been formally announced quite yet because the Kabuki Warriors may feel the void and then you've got Bailey and Lyra Valc here in this one Dr. Trey who do you like in this one?

19:04 This one's really really hard because the Bella Twins thing because if Nikki was healthy I I was leaning on taking the Bella Twins and she still may be healthy so in my head I don't know who to go with here so I think I'm going to take Charlotte and Alexa just you know babyface is typically winning WrestleMania so I think I'll take Bayer as you be Charlotte and Alexa getting the win. If Nikki and Breake can go if Nikki and Breake can go I'll take Nikki and Breake but if not I'm taking Charlotte and Alexa. I'm in agreement with you that I think that there's going to be a title change at WrestleMania 42 with the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship for me it's a different tag team.

19:47 I think that there is some growing interest at least for me as a viewer watching at home with the Bailey and Lyra Valcuria tandem I'm intrigued to see where things go with both of them. I think Bailey gets the the the come up in after last year's storyline debacle where she gets taken out for the return of Becky Lynch and then becomes an afterthought and but Bailey is one of the best female wrestlers of this generation so I'm going to be going with Bailey and Lyra Valcuria to win the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship. Dr. Tray the next match here to me you know you and I have talked about this for a long time and we do these WrestleMania previews and I'd love to get your thoughts on this along with your prediction.

20:32 We always pick out a wrestling fans match and I think this one is one of the wrestling fans match at WrestleMania 42. I wish we got a better build for it. It is Gunther versus Seth Rollins. There's a lot that's playing on the background here Gunther is doing this because he's tired of Seth Rollins saying that he is the best in WWE their paths have not crossed. He's also looking for a favor from Paul Heyman which I believe will ultimately lead to a match with Brock Lesnar lots of Rumblin to it that Lesnar's career is coming to a close and it would make sense to continue this career killer path that Gunther has been on. This is the wrestling fans match for me. Can't wait to hear what Dr. Tray thinks about this one. I'm going to be taking Gunther. I think Gunther wins this match. He continues to build off his momentum and it would not shock me if the returning Braun Breaker gets involved in this one and helps Gunther win this match.

21:24 So I'm taking Gunther over Seth Rollins Dr. Tray. Yeah, storyline wise in Mason's but yeah for as far as wrestling matches I mean arguably with AJ every time there's no better seller in WWE than Seth Rollins like he makes everything look good. I'm already picturing his face sholes after he takes the first job from Gunther. These two guys are two the best in-ring workers in WWE. It should be a fantastic match storyline wise I'm going with Gunther also because of Braun Helps when Gunther goes to collect the favor Paul can say no because the only reason you want is because you got Breaker's help which then leads to Gunther kind of turning baby face to then go after Brock.

22:08 So in my head I can book that storyline and make sense and then Seth can go back to his battle with the vision so I'm going to take Gunther getting the win as well. If that is the male wrestling fans match Gunther and Seth Rollins this may be the female wrestling fans match as AJ Lee defends at the WWE Women's Intercom little championship against Becky Lynch. Dr. Tray, let's go with you here first. Who do you like in the Women's Intercom little championship match? This one's a little tricky because AJ is kind of a part timer but Becky's kind of a three quarter person but Seth's back around so I'm going to take Becky because AJ's dominated this feud.

22:49 I just think the I think Becky with a belt helps elevate the division. We saw her do with Maxine. We saw her with AJ coming back and getting AJ's feedback under. So I'm going to take Becky stealing the win and regaining the Intercontinental title. I'm with you in this one. I'm going to be taking Becky Lynch as well when AJ Lee returned to WWE in September of last year. I thought she was going to be pretty regular on programming each and every week and it's been kind of the opposite. Even during this feud she is hit or miss when she's on WWE television. There's a lot of backstage vignettes that are aired. There's a lot of hype videos that are aired not as much stuff in the ring. Then we've seen comparable to a lot of the other matches for WrestleMania 42's build.

23:38 So I think Becky Lynch gets the title back. Finally gets some revenge on AJ Lee. I mean when you look at the grand you take a step back from this entire feud that they've had dating back to September last year. AJ Lee has done nothing but wipe the floor with Becky Lynch to help get her back up to the status that she is today maybe for some newer fans. Kudos to WWE Creative on that if that was the purpose of the entire thing of making AJ look so good since she's come back. It's to get to this point and say yeah they are equals because maybe some folks that I've watched WWE ever or in the last 16 years didn't know who AJ Lee was. I wonder why the hell should I care about CM Punk's wife. Taking on Becky Lynch who is one of the all time greats. They've done a good job of leveling that out.

24:20 Fans like Dr. Trey and I obviously knew how good AJ Lee is. Again with that said I am also in agreement with Dr. Trey and I'm taking Becky Lynch to win and retain regain the WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania 42. Next match here Dr. Trey is Stephanie Valkor defending the Women's World Championship against Liv Morgan. The build for this has been like ebbs and flows for me. Dr. Trey it's at one point it's like dormant and very minimal and then there's points where it's vicious and violent and very good. The integration of Kathy Kelly into the storyline on Monday night was something I did not see coming where she gets knocked down and I wonder if that's foreshadowed in a way or maybe just a way for Kathy Kelly to get a bump in the ring.

25:06 With that said the music video that was released on Monday I'm sure Dr. Trey has watched and listened to the song trouble by Liv Morgan a million times. That to me screams that they are ready to turn the page from Stephanie Valkor and put the title on Liv Morgan as the Women's World Champion so I'm taking Liv Morgan. Stephanie Valkor I have also felt like may have been injured this entire time or for a period of time because she is barely wrestled. She had an ankle injury towards the end of the year and I wonder if they've just been protecting her all this time. That momentum that Stephanie Valkor had heading into 2026 is kind of all been lost during this entire thing unfortunately not a lot of matches for Stephanie. So I am taking Liv Morgan to win the Women's World Championship Dr. Trey.

25:47 Yeah I'm with you I've only watched the video twice but both times it was muted. So I don't know if that means anything I didn't know Liv could dance I didn't know Liv could dance we learned something from this. But you're right like Stephanie's momentum has been basically evaporated since you know for the last three or four months I mean the feud's been good I've enjoyed I don't know about you but just overall like the somebody's few is like they've gotten very vicious and very physical which I love because that's what kind of makes me want to watch the matches more. And then I think you can do more with Liv as champion with either turning rocks and returning Raquel afterwards and giving Stephanie some time to refresh.

26:33 This is Booker T's Dream Match also because they have two of the best assets in in WWE as well so I'm with you I'm taking Liv Morgan to and plus you live on the rubble and usually rumble winners win the title so I'm taking Liv as well. Just to recap our predictions as far as WrestleMania Saturday I have Logan Paul Austin Thierry and I show speed Dr. Trey is the Usos in LA night in their match. We both have Jacob Fattu in the Drew McIntyre on Sanction match. I have Bailey and Lyre Valqueria, Dr. Trey Shullard, Flare and Alexa Bliss in the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship match. We both have Gunther in the match versus Seth Rounds, Becky Lynch in the match for AJ Lee and we both picked Liv Morgan to win the Women's World Championship WrestleMania 42.

27:14 Now let's get to the main event match of WrestleMania Saturday Dr. Trey is for the Undisputed WWE Championship as Cody Rhodes defends against Randy Orin. Who do you like in this one? This one's been tricky, I don't know about you, I kind of got back in fourth. I kind of feel like Cody was just a transitional champion to get to this. It's really difficult to kind of pick this one because I can see it going either way. I'm just going to go with my heart, my heart says go with Randy Orin. I don't think you play off the Pat McIffy stuff and get him involved. If you don't really want to piss off the crowd, if you really want to piss off the crowd, you have Randy Orin go over to help a Pat McIffy. So if we go that route, that makes sense to me. So I'm going to take Randy Orin becoming a 16 time World Heavyweight Champion.

28:00 I'm moving Dr. Trey, I'm going to be taking Randy Orin to win this match as well. I believe it's a 15 time. He becomes a 15 time champ? Yeah, I think it's a 15 time. I don't know, there's been a lot. There's been a lot going on. I agree with you. I don't think you bring Pat McIffy into this entire thing for him to just return for two to three weeks and Randy Orin to lose. I think they've kind of spoiled this match with a stipulation that Pat McIffy is thrown out there where if Randy Orin loses this match, he will leave professional wrestling forever. There's rumblings that the backlash pay per view in Tampa. I believe it's in Tampa. Maybe that's where it was last year. Anyway, I don't think it's in Tampa. It was in St. Louis last year. It's going to be headline or part of the headline will be Cody Rhodes and Jelly Roll taking on Randy Orin in Pat McIffy, also known as Dr. Trey Franklin's Dream Tag Team Match.

28:47 That to me screams that this is not resulting in Cody Rhodes retaining and Pat McIffy leaving professional wrestling forever and less. Like Ari Manuel becomes an on-screen character and he's like, "I'm the CEO of TKO and this is not happening. I rule over WWE." I don't think they're going to go in that direction. They've certainly dipped their toe in that a little bit. But I'm with you, Dr. Trey. I too am going to be taking Randy Orin to become the industry WWE Champion for a 15th time and to close out WrestleMania Saturday. All right, Dr. Trey. Now it is time to preview and predict WrestleMania Sunday night two. Let's start with the very first match that'll be airing on ESPN or as Michael Cole calls ESPN proper.

29:32 It'll be Brock Lesnar versus Oba Fee. I know I heard multiple times on RAW. Brock Lesnar versus Oba Fee. Dr. Trey, I think you... I went first the last Cody Rhodes Randy Orin match. So why don't we start with you, man? Who do you like in this battle of the monsters? Brock Lesnar versus Oba Fee. By the way, if you go back a few months ago, when this match was first announced, I came up that crazy idea that Paul turns on Brock and sides with Oba as the next big thing or the next big thing or the future big... whatever it is. I'm still leaning into that because Paul did the whole like he was opening a door, Oba said, "I don't need that door."

30:18 But you never know. So I'm taking Oba Fee, which I think is maybe only the second time in our history I've picked against Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania. When do you think is the first time out of curiosity? Under-taker Brock Lesnar. At 30. Yeah, I think I'm pretty sure I picked under-taker that one. Yeah, I think we all did, right? I mean, we felt like he was going to retire. Boy oh boy, you want to go out WrestleMania moments. That is certainly one of them that lives for the annals of time. I'm with you, Dr. Try. I'm going to take Oba Fee as well. I think this is Brock Lesnar, Swan Song. I think this is Lesnar's last WrestleMania. He's kind of indicated that he's around for a short time.

31:00 I think he has two matches in him. I think he's got this match and I think he has an eventual match with Gunther. I still believe that he is going to be retired by Gunther. And that is the whole purpose of the Seth Rohn's Gunther match that we previewed for WrestleMania Saturday. So I'm going to be taking Oba Fee as well. I know that there are some thoughts out there. I think creative. There was a report that creative didn't want him to look weak heading into a potential final match with Gunther. I think that is the complete opposite here. I think Oba Fee, if he loses to Oba Fee, nobody's going to bat an eye and say like Brock Lesnar is done. He's terrible. He stinks. This is just the right time for this to happen. And this is going to be a huge year for Oba Fee. He has really earned and garnered fan support since he's come up to the main roster. It's been very organic and fun and great.

31:47 And there should be no reason whatsoever unless they're going to be doing like a trilogy of matches that Oba Fee takes the loss at WrestleMania. So both Dr. Trey and I are taking Oba Fee to defeat Brock Lesnar to kick off WrestleMania Sunday. The next match here is the ladder match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship, also Aaron on ESPN. Pented offends against Dragon League, Javan Evans, Rusev, JD McDonough and Rey Mysterio in this ladder match. I see title hanging above the ring. This should be a fun one, Dr. Trey. It's a mixmosh. It's the match that like received very little build up and came out of nowhere because there was quote qualifying matches on WWE main event that nobody knew about. I think this is a breakout moment for Javan Evans. I'm going to go with Javan Evans to win this match. And when the Intercontinental Championship, I think this is a way that they could protect a lot of those guys to not look like they look any less than for Javan Evans and it showcases his abilities.

32:43 So he's Penta's shoulders not going to be pin. Ram Mysterio's shoulders not going to be pin. Rusev, Dragon League, JD McDonough. I know they ran with Rusev cleaning house on Raw in a nice segment. I wish they did this weeks ago to build towards this. I think this is Javan Evans moment similar to Oba Fee. I mean the match against Brock Lesnar. It is time to start putting some firepower in Javan Evans. He is going to be a major player for the company. He is my choice to win the ICT title, Dr. Trey. Yeah, I love the report that Shawn Michaels when they said they were calling up Javan Evans to Shawn Michaels. Like, can I have for six months? Can I have for three months? Can I just can I build NXT around him for a little bit? So if Shawn sees something and I'm Hunter sees something in him, then there's usually something there.

33:28 I did want to ask you something. Does this be JD McDonough want to match that I didn't see? I guess. Yeah, I don't know. I don't remember JD winning a match. Same with Rusev. Yeah, I mean Rusev though, I can see Rusev winning some random match on main event that I didn't see. But I don't think other than when they win the tag team titles, I don't remember JD winning a singles match since coming to the main roster really. So other than in the early days of joining Judgment Day. But I'm with you. I'm taking Javan as well. This is his time to shine, stand out. Penta's already over. Doesn't need a belt. As much as you love to push Dragon Lee or, you know, up that way you don't need to.

34:13 He kind of feels like, I mean, hell, I get to use the styles clash. You may not get to win the inner kind of title. But you get to use the styles clash going forward. That's a win for you, Dragon Lee. So I'm taking Javan Evans. Next match here is the triple AM mega champion, Dominic Mysterio, not defending the title against the Demon returning Finn Balor. Dr. Trey, who do you like in this one? The Demon has only lost what once? Yes, I think it was in NXT. Well, he lost the match with Roman Reigns when the term buckle belt fell. Yes. And then there was, did he lose once in NXT? I think he did. I don't remember. I'm getting old.

34:54 And then did he was either was either demon when he lost to Edge? In Hell in a Cell at WrestleMania, I don't believe he was. I don't believe so. I don't think he was either so. They've kept this pretty dormant for a while. Like I think pre-pandemic. Oh no, no, we've talked about this last week. It was conjure. Yeah. But if he's only lost once, I don't see him losing now. This is kind of his way of establishing himself as a main event level guy again. Kind of breaking out of the agenda. So I'm taking the demon Finn Valor and Valor Club. And thank God they brought back the old music because I love that old music.

35:35 Dom doesn't need to win. Dom's shitty. We love him because he's so shitty. He doesn't need this belt. Plus, he'll get to celebrate with Liv Morgan when she wins on Saturday nights. I like you, Dr. Trey. I'm taking the demon Finn Valor as well. I don't think you roll out the demon for him to take a loss at WrestleMania. I'm almost wondering if this is going to be a squash match because of that. I could be pretty quick. The Sunday card has one less match on it than the Saturday card, which I guess it's everything still up in the air depending on the Bella Twins or Nikki Bella status. And if they're going to go with EO and Oscar at some point. So I too am going to take the demon Finn Valor. I don't think you bring back that gimmick for him to take a loss to Dom's stereo WrestleMania.

36:15 Then that takes us to the next match here, Dr. Trey. And this is a tough one, I think. Sami Zayn defending the United States Championship against Trick Williams. It has felt like, if you look at the last three weeks for this build, it has felt like that we were going to get a double turn at WrestleMania where Trick becomes a babyface, Sami Zayn becomes a heel. Sami's been getting booted pretty heavily. Trick Williams is getting cheered pretty heavily. When it to like last week's Smackdown, Sami was not as booted as much as he was previously. He was kind of, it was definitely a more mild reaction. I felt like there was more cheers than booze. He was talking about everybody that's been behind him and has supported in this entire time.

36:56 And it felt like maybe they want to a double turn. I still feel like they do. I think Sami becomes a heel on this match. I think Trick Williams becomes a babyface. And the way that they do that is by Sami Zayn cheating to retain the United States Championship. Obviously, the creative booker in me would say this should be a great time to bring back Kevin Owens and he could help Sami Zayn win and they could turn evil and all this stuff. But I'm not going to go down the direction, but I did say it out loud for the podcast. None of us. I'm going to be taking Sami Zayn to retain the United States Championship. Yeah, this might be the first one on Sunday. We disagree on. I think we're going Trick Williams. I think we get the Sami heel turn that they flip the following Friday on Smackdown.

37:42 If they do it at WrestleMania, it will always be compared to Austin, Brett Hart. I don't think anybody really wants that comparison. So I think you let Trick win and then come back Saturday night or to me the following Friday and do the double turn then. I would love to see KO return. Him, Sami and Randy be a faction on Smackdown. I think that'd be awesome. Along with Pat McAfee or McAfee as CM Punk called them. But yeah, I'm taking Trick to win. Plus, if you get Trick, Javon and Oba winning, that also tells me you've kind of fixed your NXT call up problem. Yeah, I guess that could be. I mean, that could be the play there. I mean, these next matches are very hard to to protect here.

38:28 I think the Sami Trick Williams won a certainly difficult and you could hear it in both of us trying to discuss who we think is going to be the winner there. So I went Sami Zayn, Dr. Tric, goes Trick Williams. I'm struggling with these next two matches, Dr. Tric. The first one is Jade Carhill, defending WWE Women's Championship against Rio Ripley. I went first in the last match with Sami and Trick. I now send it over to you. For me, this is a tough one to call. Who do you think walks out with the WWE Women's Championship? It is tough to call. My issue this spin has been all along. Is that Rio is technically on RAW? So is he. So having a Smackdown is great because you get to see her in Damien Priest, but I think you're still trying to build up Jade as credible.

39:13 And you don't put beefab and Mieschen around her heading into WrestleMania season unless your plan is to have Jade come out being on top. So I am taking Jade Carhill to retain, which sends Rhea back to RAW to battle with Liv Morgan coming out of that as well. So I'm taking Jade Carhill to retain. So you and I once again hear different opinions. I am taking Rio Ripley in this one. Part of me was wondering, you know, it makes sense. The logic that you're saying is, have Jade get the victory, Rhea goes back to RAW, they kind of do their own thing. The feud has been kind of weird because this probably wasn't the original plan. It feels like I felt like Jade was was a line once you won the championship with another person to take on.

39:58 And I've always felt like Bianca Belair because they have the history with one another would be perfect. Part of me doesn't want to see this feud end. I don't want this to be a one match feud where Rhea loses goes back to RAW, Jade continues her stuff on Smackdown. I think that there's some likes to this. And I think the way that they continue this to keep going is by having Rhea Ripley win the Women's Championship at WrestleMania 42. I'd love to see a couple more matches. I think this can really help get the best out of Jade Carhill who for all purposes since she's won the championship has just kind of been mild. Like you can see the star quality for sure. Her in-ring stuff has always been one that we've critiqued as long as she've been in professional wrestling here on the podcast.

40:40 She's definitely improved the characters always been flawless and great. So I think that Rhea could be someone that gets the best out of her because if Rhea loses goes back to RAW, then what do we do with Jade Carhill on Smackdown? Do you reopen the feud with Tiffany Stratton? That doesn't feel interesting to me. Is Bianca on her way back from the surgery she had. It certainly doesn't appear that way in social media, but it's social media who knows. So I'm taking Rhea Ripley to walk out of it with WWE Women's Championship, fully going over to Smackdown and hopefully continuing on a lasting feud here with one Jade Carhill. And now that takes us to the main event here, Dr. Trey, it's CM Punk defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Roman Reigns.

41:21 And if I struggle with Jade and Rhea and Sami Intrek, I am really struggling with this one. To try to figure out which way this is going to go is hard. The back and forth that they've done where they tussle, cut these skating promos I want another, have been kind of flat. I felt like in the last couple of weeks up until this past Monday, I love the opening segment with Roman Reigns. This is endorsed by your tribal chief like the political thing. And then Punk going out there and basically saying that I envy you and this is the truth and I apologize for all that stuff was dehumanizing to Roman Reigns. And I think there's a little bit more of a mental game in this build, which I dig. And I think him apologizing and trying to get Roman off of his gain verbally is what could be some some foreshadowing that we've seen the match on Sunday's WrestleMania match, main event match.

42:17 So I think he's disarmed him and has lowered the anger levels on the OTC Roman Reigns. And that is why I'm taking CM Punk to win this match and to retain the World Heavyweight Championship, Dr. Trey. Reigns, if you win the title, is he going to be sticking around for a little bit longer, a backlash and whatever matches come come after that, probably not. So I don't want to see the World Heavyweight Championship come off television, which we know is something that happens often with the OTC. Part of me wants to say that there's going to be like this big angle where Reigns and the Usos and the MFTs all gang up to one with one another to take out CM Punk. I was feeling that vibe and that that interesting little storyline twist at one point, but I don't think it's happening now.

43:01 So I am going to take CM Punk to retain the World Heavyweight Championship and defeat Roman Reigns in WrestleMania 42. So this one and you base the address the Elf in the room, it comes down to the visibility of the title. And I don't think we ever want to get back to a point where you have a champion we don't see for months. I don't think anybody wants to have a show being held hostage by a part-time World Champion again. I'm taking Punk for that reason mainly. I also still feel there's a J.U.S.O. He'll turn coming at some point. That could happen on the Raw after WrestleMania, Roman loses, J.T.H.L.S.M. how he let everybody down that he's no longer the rifle tribal chief.

43:49 And that creates a whole different set of dynamics as well, which also gets Roman off to his next feud, which would take him out of the World title picture. So I'm taking Punk because I think logistically and storyline-wise you can do more with Punk retaining than you can with Roman winning. So I'm taking CM Punk to close out of WrestleMania and live out his boyhood dream. His boyhood dream of winning the main event match at WrestleMania and celebrating with all the people. I'm taking CM Punk winning. Dr. Tray, I think that there's going to be a big angle played out on the Raw after WrestleMania when it comes to Roman Reigns and his family.

44:29 That is my vibe right now. I don't think that there's a big angle that plays out at WrestleMania. I think that it closes out. I think it's more likely that a big angle plays out at the Raw after WrestleMania that has people talking. I think they wanted to happen on Netflix. I think if you do that, it makes sense. And also, we still got to build towards, and I know Pat McIntyre said, "Rocks never wrestling again." At some point you have to do rock and roll. And the way you do that is a Samoan family feud. And Jay turns heel, joins up with the MFTs as the new travel chief. And then on the other side you got Roman, Jacob, Tomatanga, and Jimmy Usso.

45:10 And you could lead to rock and roll at WrestleMania 43. So that would be in Saudi Arabia. I don't know if the rock wants to go to Saudi Arabia. It's great to have you watch. I think he's more inclined to take that money if you ask me. Yeah, it's possible. So there you go. The movies haven't been doing as well, and that Moana movie looks horrible. I'm sure my kids excited for it. I don't know. We'll probably see it. We'll see. That'll probably do box office. But that's for Moana cast when Dr. Trein and I do that. So there's our WrestleMania 42 preview and predictions for this weekend. Once again, we will recap it on next week's show when I am live on vacation folks. My family will love me for this one.

45:52 Dr. Trein, we did this last year. What are the headlines? What are the headlines Monday morning when we look back here at WrestleMania? What are the things that were predicted for some headlines? I mean, CM Punk defeats Roman Reigns. That'll be big news. Randy Orton wins World title number 15. It'll be big news. I still think even though they say tickets sales have been down, that will come back saying that they'll come back saying WrestleMania 42 was also the largest gate they've ever had as well. I don't know, man. I saw a report from Brenn Thurston last night that last year they were over like 62,000, 65,000. And they've only sold as of right now, you and I are recording this Wednesday evening before dynamite.

46:38 And they've only sold like 45,000 tickets for both nights. Yeah, I think they will cut pricing to try to get the walk. To try to get the walk up. They did that 25% thing. Yeah, but you guys have to remember how many indie shows are going to be running in the city at that time. And people are going to like, oh, you're going to get I can get I can get in for 150 bucks into the nosebleed just to say I've been in WrestleMania. I think they'll have a good, a good late gate push on this. But you know, WWE and their investors in TKO will spin it as do somehow because of those ticket prices. It was the largest money gate they've ever had.

47:20 So I still think that'll be in the conversation. And I think the big headlines will be this is like the Oba Femi era, Randy Orton with the help of Pat McAfee wins his 15th World Championship. And I like your line there about CM Punk achieving the boyhood dream. I think those will be the big things that are discussed there the next the morning after WrestleMania Sunday. I have a feeling that talked about angle takes place raw after WrestleMania. That's my prediction last year. I had predicted the Paul Heyman turn as the big, big angle. There will be something that is people will be buzzing and talking about. You can't go in there without a viral like holy crap moment. So I think that's going to be one of them. And of course, this is hosted all by the one and only John Cena come WrestleMania weekend.

48:03 Dr. Treby, before we close up shop here, I do want to touch upon AW Dynasties. So like I mentioned before, you and I are actually recording this before Dynamite. So we have no idea who who has won the MJF Darby Allen match. The AW World Championship match will be here and on Dynamite. So we're going to make the show available. It'll drop midnight east on the east coast for Thursday morning. So it'll be up there pretty quickly. And that's why we're not covering everything for AW right now. But AW Dynasty MJF defeated Kenny Omega, Tecla defeated Jamie Haydor, John Moxley defeated Will Osprey. Kevin Heiders our new AW TNT champion. Orange Cassie Rodgers strong on the returning Kyle Riley defeated the dogs to win the World Trios Championships.

48:46 Gabe Kidd's out with a shoulder injury, FTR defeated Adam Copeland and Christian Cage. Darby Allen defeated Andrade Andre Alilo to have this match with MJF. Ricochet defeated Chris Cherico, Young Bucks defeated Ocata and Tecresca. Let him do the Meltzer driver to Ocata. I love the Ocata and Tecresca stuff there. They're awesome. Divine Dominion defeated, Hyann and Maya World Jack period of Feet of Mark Davis, a routine. The AW National Championship Camille returned and defeated Big Anne. And Alex Windsor defeated Marina Shea, Shea Fear in the zero hour match. Any takeaways from AW Dynasty that you want to touch upon here before we close up shop? Ricochet beating Chris Jericho, mildly surprising.

49:29 Especially the other training call. Yeah, FTR getting the win over Cajun Copeland in Canada is a pretty big deal to me. I was really kind of surprised that they had Moxley beat Osprey. And that's also, you know, in a sense also Osprey return is pay per view return. But Moxley gets the win. And then that MJF Kenny Omega match was really, really good. I don't care that people are bitching about the finish. Normally I would bitch about the finish like a two stone through a table. But overall match was really good. Excited to see what happens on Dynamite tonight. As we're only about two hours from it going live.

50:10 So interested to see if they're going to pull the trigger on putting Darby over. Especially if you have Darby win so close to MJF beating Kenny Omega is that the right move to make. But this was the plan a year ago was to put Darby on top. So it's going to be interesting if that's the if that's the direction they go. But overall top to bottom like I didn't know who the hell Jeff as you said the name. I still don't know who big Ann is. Yeah, no. But it's if she related to large large from the Pee Wee Herman movie from years ago. I don't think you're dating yourself here. I am actually I name one of my one of my chickens large March because of her. But yeah overall I thought it was a really, really good show really enjoyed it.

50:54 WrestleMania's got to kind of make sure they they're hitting on all cylinders because that that. Dynasty was a damn fine pay for you to watch. WWE has been doing phenomenal. It's unfortunate that we're not given the maladal love on this edition of the podcast. But it is WrestleMania. It is one of the biggest shows that we cover throughout the year. But go out of your way and check out Dynasty if you have it and enjoy Dynamite on Wednesday night. Because by the time you all listen to this you'll know who won the AW Roll Title match between MJF and Darby on it. I'm shocked they're not saving that for double or nothing. So it makes me wonder Dr. Trafe MJF has a movie coming up and can't make double or nothing. Or if this is setting up for something bigger at double or nothing.

51:34 I don't know. I think it's time to put the title on Darby. That's that's my two cents on the matter. Anyway, with that said let's get a couple of plugs and spots. It's out of the way you can download a show at patreon.com/srtupodcast and the still real touch show feed on Apple Spotify. Wherever you download this podcast don't forget to rate, review and subscribe. You can follow us individually on X for myself at SRTUJF and for Dr. Trafe Frank and at the Dr. Trafe. And of course don't forget to follow the show on X at SRTU podcast. With that being said what is going on the wonderful world of Dr. Trafe Franklin this week. Well like Jeff said you can follow me on X at the Dr. Trae. You can find me on Facebook and Instagram Dr. Trafe Franklin. When you're on Facebook be sure to check out Rockets City Championship Wrestling.

52:17 As I mentioned earlier we are on our go home show before wrestling con nine. Coming up May 2nd from the beautiful Rockets City Arena in Hazeldrian, Alabama. Sinboa, Lance Annoi, Johnny Swinger, Mike Jackson, much of other people coming in for the show. Really looking forward to it. Most importantly get out there and support your own local independent wrestling shows. Where you two can find your next big and yes big and I don't know if that means she heard her name is Ann and she's big or she's just a big and I don't know. But go out and find your local independent wrestling shows because they're probably going to sign large march. So go out there and support all the great things that support SRT you.

53:00 Thank you for making us part of your week. Thank you for making us part of your WrestleMania coverage. We will be back next week to recap everything for you from WrestleMania weekend week, etc. I don't know how I'm going to do this yet. Being on vacation. But stay tuned folks. This should be a fun one. This is added to the annals of time and of course once again it's the WrestleMania recap show because you know I can't make it. If for whatever reason like it's the show's delayed next week it's not dropping on Thursday. That's because I had some sort of issues downloading the show or doing the right. It's called Jeff had to get divorced because his wife got mad for recording the show on vacation.

53:40 It won't be the first time with wrestling has gotten in the way. So until next week enjoy WrestleMania have fun be a wrestling fan this weekend. Don't take it too seriously. Have a great weekend. Enjoy WrestleMania for Dr. Tray Franklin. I'm Jeff Pack. This has been The Storelis Show.