Tonight will see the go-home RAW (and go-home Smackdown, as Smackdown will be taped before RAW tonight as well). So we’ll know the final set-up for Wrestlemania 30 by 11:15 pm ET or so tonight.

Before I go into my uneducated guesses as to what will happen, a reminder that there are a ton of independent events taking place that weekend as well, along with the many WWE events:

All but four of these independent events are in New Orleans itself; so with a little bit of planning, you can get to most events via the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority. A regional map can be found at this link (Adobe Acrobat required). The Ring of Honor and Mid-South Fanfest events are not accessible via NORTA.

Thursday, April 3

8:00 pm – EVOLVE, McAlister Auditorium at Tulane University, New Orleans, LA

Friday, April 4

8:00 am – Mid-South Legends Fanfest, Frederick J Sigur Civic Center, 8245 West Judge Perez Drive, Chalmette, LA.

3:00 pm – A Wrestling Odyssey, McAlister Auditorium at Tulane University, New Orleans, LA

7:30 pm – Mid-South Legends Fanfest “Battle Lines”, Frederick J Sigur Civic Center, 8245 West Judge Perez Drive, Chalmette, LA

7:30 pm -Ring of Honor presents: SUPERCARD OF HONOR VIII, John A. Alario Sr. Event Center at the Bayou Segnette Sports Complex, 2000 Segnette Blvd., Westwego, LA

8:00 pm – Dragon Gate USA, McAlister Auditorium at Tulane University, New Orleans, LA

April 5

10:00 am-5:00 pm – WrestleCon, The Sugar Mill, New Orleans, LA

2:00 pm- Ring of Honor TV taping at the John A. Alario Sr. Event Center at the Bayou Segnette Sports Complex,000 Segnette Blvd., Westwego, LA

3:00 pm – SHIMMER – WOMEN ATHLETES, McAlister Auditorium at Tulane University, New Orleans, LA

8:00 pm – Dragon Gate USA Mercury Rising, McAlister Auditorium at Tulane University, New Orleans, LA.

8:00 pm – Combat Zone Wrestling, Ring of Honor, WildKAT and $5 Wrestling joint showThe Sugar Mill, New Orleans, LA

April 6

8:00 am-3:00 pm – WrestleCon, The Sugar Mill, New Orleans, LA

Now…to the uneducated guesses:

Daniel Bryan vs. Triple H

Above all matches, this has had the longest build. Many feeling it’s been WAY too long. If this is going to be a Wrestlemania quality match (and the main event is as well), this match either needs to lead off or go second to give Danielson time to recover for the main event. Needless to say, you can guess which way I think this is going. Daniel Bryan wins by pinfall, after some sort of screw-job finish (HBK picked tonight by HHH as the special guest referee…and “making things right”?).

Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal

Pretty much a old school 30-man over-the-top-rope battle royal with a “statue of Andre the Giant” on the line. Announced so far are: Rey Mysterio, Zack Ryder, Sin Cara, Great Khali, Darren Young, Brodus Clay, Justin Gabriel, R-Truth, Santino Marella, Mark Henry, Kofi Kingston, Christian, Cody Rhodes, Goldust, Sheamus, Jinder Mahal, Heath Slater, Drew McIntyre, Fandango, Dolph Ziggler, The Miz, Damien Sandow, Titus O’Neil, Big E, Alberto Del Rio, Big Show

Here’s the one I don’t really have a clue on. Maybe Ziggler wins and starts FINALLY getting the push he’s long deserved.

The Shield vs. New Age Outlaws/ Kane

Over the past 2-3 weeks, The Shield have gone against the orders of the Director of Operations within The Authority, Kane, and he’s teamed up with the Outlaws for a six-man.

Something almost has to happen to set up the breakup of The Shield. New Age Outlaws win by screw, presumably involving Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins going with The Authority, and turning on Roman Reigns, who is rumored for a babyface singles run. Kane and New Age Outlaws win after Reigns accidentally spears either either Ambrose or Rollins.

Vickie Guerrero Divas Invitational Challenge – a glorified Andre the Giant battle royal with lipstick

The idea here is to get all the Divas in for a Wrestlemania payoff, same as the Andre The Giant battle royal. All 14 “Divas” are in the ring. Whoever scores the pin, becomes champion. Tamina Snuka takes the belt from AJ Lee, without actually pinning her.

Fatal 4 Way – Usos vs. Ryback/Curtis Axel vs. Real Americans vs. Los Colon…er….Los Matadores

Not such a good thing that the WWE Tag Team titles are almost an afterthought. I’m going to guess the Usos retain.

Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar

The basic story (altogether it’s kind of changed along the way) is that Paul Heyman wants to end The Undertaker’s streak. Since he-who-shall-not be named-in WWE who was with Paul Heyman last year (sarcasm mode off) didn’t do it at Wrestlemania 29, Paul Heyman will put up his monster, Brock Lesnar.

Since Lesnar isn’t a full-time WWE performer, no way The Streak ends tonight. Undertaker by pinfall over Brock Lesnar.

John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt

The Wyatt Family has cost Cena a chance at the WWE title twice. It’s gotten a great build, having Wyatt gets inside Cena’s head and having him show some vulnerability. The visial of Cena being hung from the ropes with the sheep head was of the more classic visuals on WWE TV we’ve seen for a long time.

Wyatt SHOULD go over by interference finish, to get the rub, and to keep this feud going. But the cynic in me sees Super Cena somehow overcoming the odds again. Better to save the feel-good finish for the main event.

Randy Orton vs. Batista vs. Daniel Bryan

This WWE World Heavyweight Championship match has been on the books since Batista won the Royal Rumble. There’s no way in hell this PPV can end without the feel-good moment of Bryan Danielson and 60,000 plus fans doing the “Yes” chant to close Wrestlemania 30. There is no way WWE can blow this one. I hope.

Until next time….

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