With just under two weeks to go before WrestleMania 34, WWE this week is ramping up every show. Highlights for this week include John Cena vs. Kane, another week with Daniel Bryan as a wrestler, and a Fatal Four Way #1 Contender’s Match on 205 Live.
Monday Night Raw (3.26.18)
This week, Monday Night Raw is trying to tie up some loose ends before WrestleMania rolls around. There is only one confirmed match for tonight, that being John Cena taking on Kane. Cena called out the Undertaker again last week after receiving nothing but silence, but Kane showed up instead and chokeslammed the former 16-time World Champion.
Braun Strowman is scheduled to challenge The Bar for the Raw Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania, but he needs a partner. He still has not decided on one with only 13 days to go, so he might make his choice this week.
Nia Jax wants to destroy Alexa Bliss for using Jax for her own gain and she wants to start the destruction before their clash for the Raw Women’s Championship. Bliss narrowly escaped last week, leaving Mickie James to take the damage. Bliss still has to survive two more weeks before possibly retaining her title.
Last week also saw Brock Lesnar’s long-awaited return when he assaulted a handcuffed Roman Reigns. This could leave Reigns less than 100% for his Universal Championship match against Lesnar, but we should get an update on him this week.
SmackDown Live (3.27.18)
Last week was probably SmackDown’s biggest episode in months when Daniel Bryan officially announced his return to the ring. However, he still had to act as a General Manager and that came back to bite him. He fired Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn for assaulting Shane McMahon and he ended up getting attacked as well (ending with a powerbomb to the apron). Bryan got stretchered out of the arena so it is unclear if we will see him this week, or what SmackDown will be like without any present authority figures.
There are no specific matches or segments being advertised for SmackDown this week, but there are a decent amount of things to look out for. The least exciting of the bunch is that we will probably get two matches, one building up the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal and the other building up the first-ever WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal. Last week’s version of this saw another meaningless women’s tag match and Baron Corbin soundly defeating Tye Dillinger.
The United States Championship picture is not that interesting, but they are trying to make it so. Randy Orton, Jinder Mahal, and Bobby Roode are all Superstars with little characterization, so hopefully, this improves all of their current positions. It might just be a bunch of filler until Orton has a meaningful challenger, though.
Perhaps the most interesting thing to look out for outside of Daniel Bryan is the SmackDown Tag Team Championship feud. The Bludgeon Brothers are on a tear, destroying the Usos and the New Day almost every week. This is likely to lead to a Triple Threat SmackDown Tag Team Championship match at ‘Mania, and this week could be critical in putting the pieces together.
WWE Mixed Match Challenge (3.27.18)
This week’s Mixed Match Challenge bout pits the Robe Warriors (Charlotte Flair and Bobby Roode) against Finn Balor and Sasha Banks, who won a fan vote to get a second chance in the tournament. The winners will go on to face the Miz and Asuka in the finals.
205 Live (3.27.18)
The Cruiserweight Championship Tournament finals are set for WrestleMania, but 205 Live is not slowing down. This week features a #1 Contender’s match with post-WrestleMania implications, with TJP vs. Kalisto vs. Akira Tozawa vs. Buddy Murphy.
WWE NXT (3.28.18)
NXT continues to deliver great episodes and this week should be no different. Two Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic matches take place, with Street Profits vs. The Authors of Pain and SAnitY vs. Roderick Strong and Pete Dunne. Also, General Manager William Regal has promised a huge announcement that will change the landscape of NXT.
