Wrestlemania 34 Betting Tips & Preview

The pre-show Battle Royals are best left well alone considering the favourite often doesn’t even enter the match, let alone win it – my advice would be to check where the money’s going in the half hour prior, as last year’s conqueror Mojo Rawley shortened up considerably in the build-up but never became outright favourite. I am looking to get involved in the Cruiserweight Championship decider though, where Mustafa Ali looks an enticing price at 7/4. After a relatively quiet few months that probably served him well during 205 Live’s terrible stretch across 2017 and early 2018, the introduction of General Manager Drake Maverick and a stark turnaround in the show’s fortunes (likely thanks to Triple H’s influence) has hugely benefitted the Chicago-born high-flyer, as his run to the final of the Cruiserweight Championship Tournament has coincided with some particularly strong video content promoting his upbringing, experience and attitude.

His innovative, exciting style in the ring will always draw plaudits, and subsequently I think it makes sense to award Ali with the belt over Cedric Alexander, who despite being extremely talented has been unable to get his personality over with the crowds. Handing the title to Alexander would appear to be a step back for a brand that is looking to move forward, so I’m keen on Ali being chosen to lead the Cruiserweight division into a new era.

Rusev is certainly the fans’ flavour of the month right now, so it was no surprise to see him added just last week to a previously uninspiring triple threat match for Randy Orton’s United States championship. Moreover, the Bulgarian Brute has been made the odds on favourite to reclaim the title in what is now a fatal 4-way also involving Bobby Roode and former WWE Champion Jinder Mahal. Whilst a Rusev win on the biggest stage of them all does make sense, it could easily become lost amongst the slew of other main event matches that will undoubtedly take precedence.

Consequently I’m backing the rank outsider of the group in Jinder to pick up the shock win in order to pave way for a more meaningful singles encounter with Rusev down the line. The latter’s organic appeal to the WWE Universe suggests that his time will eventually come and it appears as though the company could finally be committing to turning him babyface, but we’re betting that Rusev Day will likely be postponed until after Mania.

Mahal’s turn with the flagship belt in 2017 wasn’t exactly successful, but he clearly has fans backstage and would prove the perfect fodder for Rusev in the weeks and months to come. Orton was handed the title to complete his Grand Slam and certainly doesn’t need it going forward, especially with rumours swirling of a reduced schedule for the rest of the year. Roode is something of a wildcard, but he works best as a bad guy and another bitter defeat here could provide the frustration required for The Glorious One to return to his heelish ways. In any case, let’s hope the WWE doesn’t hinder Jinder and prevent us from cashing the 8/1 available.