WrestleMania is one of the biggest entertainment events on the calendar, and this weekend marks The Showcase Of The Immortals’ 32nd year. This Sunday, Dallas plays host to the WWE’s grandest annual event, and while the current card might not appear to be the most exciting in the history of the event, it is shaping up to be one of the more unpredictable WrestleManias.
Who’s going to win? For that, we turn to the next best thing after a crystal ball: the official WWE videogame. We’ve simulated every announced match on the WrestleMania 32 main card using AI participants, plus we’ve thrown in a pair of bonus matches from NXT TakeOver: Dallas (an event that threatens to outshine WrestleMania itself), to discover who will be the big winners and losers at The Grandaddy of Them All.
WWE United States Champion Kalisto battles Ryback in a singles match for the US title. While we’re glossing over most of WrestleMania’s pre-show bouts, it’d be wrong to sideline a scrap for a title strap, which is why we’ve begun with this David v Goliath encounter.
Predicted result
Kalisto defeats Ryback via pinfall off the Salida del Sol in 4:40.
Highlight of the match
It’s a subtle one, but Kalisto manages to counter Ryback potentially setting up his Shellshock finisher from 3:03.
The GR+ verdict
A couple of spills outside of the ring makes this an intriguing first match, though the lack of steel steps or table involvement is a shame. Expect the big guy/little guy dynamic to be played on more in the real match, but don’t be shocked if Kalisto manages to retain as predicted.
2/5
The match
Sami Zayn, Dolph Ziggler, Sin Cara, The Miz, Stardust and Zack Ryder challenge Kevin Owens for his WWE Intercontinental Championship in a seven-man ladder match. Well, that’s the plan in real life. Sadly, WWE 2K16’s superstar cap is six, so Zack Ryder sits out this prediction on account of being absent from the WWE PPV scene since 2015’s Royal Rumble.
Predicted result
Dolph Ziggler successfully climbs the ladder to become the new WWE Intercontinental Champion in 5:44.
Highlight of the match
The Miz powerbombs Dolph Ziggler to the mat as he dangles from the cable at 4:18.
The GR+ verdict
Ladder matches guarantee high spots (just look at the triple threat tag team ladder match at TLC 2015), but WWE 2K16 predicts a much calmer fight than most for this year’s WrestleMania ladder event; we think it’s called the match intensity wrong. Champion Kevin Owens is likely to play a much bigger part in the real match along with Sami Zayn, and while a Dolph Ziggler win isn’t an insane suggestion, it’s not the outcome that makes the most sense in terms of story, either.
2.5/5
Kevin Owens' reaction
The match
WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day face off against The League Of Nations in a non-title, 3v4 handicap match. Again, WWE 2K16’s six-man limit scuppers this one, so while Kofi Kingston, Big E and Xavier Woods all take place for The New Day, only Sheamus, Wade Barrett and Rusev are taking part for The League Of Nations. Alberto Del Rio misses out on account of his absence from the game.
Predicted result
The New Day defeats The League Of Nations when Kofi Kingston pins Sheamus using the Midnight Hour in 12:53.
Highlight of the match
Ordinarily, Xavier Woods kicking out of Sheamus’ Brogue Kick (11:53) would steal it, but a frankly insane, unprotected superplex from the top turnbuckle to the outside of the ring by Kofi Kingston to Wade Barrett at 10:05 – massively no-sold by Michael Cole – is the real WrestleMania moment here.
The GR+ verdict
This is more like it. A long, back-and-forth affair with hot tags, last-moment kick-outs and clear narrative beats, this tag-team match has all the hallmarks of a great encounter. The New Day are the hottest thing in WWE right now, and the predicted WrestleMania win would be well deserved. Criminal lack of Francesca, mind.
4/5
The New Day's reaction
