Next week, WWE’s RAW roster heads down under to the East coast of Australia for WWE Live Australia 2017. Three shows across three cities, and we’re going too!
Despite the WWE Universal Champion being absent from the card, the event looks to be packed full of superstar talent including Finn Balor, Roman Reigns, Kurt Angle, Bayley, and much more. We’ve got a full preview of the event including our predictions below.
Will there be any WWE title changes? Will Kurt Angle have more of a role than just the General Manager? Find out when WWE comes to our shores on September 14, 15 and 16.
WWE Live Australia 2017 Match Card
(All talent is subject to change)
Samoa Joe vs Jason Jordan vs Dean Ambrose vs Apollo Crews vs Titus O’Neil vs R-Truth vs Goldust vs Bo Dallas vs Curtis Axel vs Elias Samson in a Battle Royal
Interestingly we have Dean Ambrose listed in this match but it’s more likely that him and Seth Rollins will replace Rhyno and Heath Slater in the Tag Team Championship Match (given they’re the current champions) so we might see Rhyno and Slater in this match instead. It looks to be a pretty solid battle royal with the winner facing The Miz later on in the night for the Intercontinental Championship. With several friendships and rivalries in the match it will be interesting to see who comes out on top.
David’s prediction: Samoa Joe wins, after an interference from Kurt Angle costs Jason Jordan the victory.
Andrew’s prediction: We finally see a true return to form, with R-Truth stunning the competition and claiming the victory.
Akira Tozawa vs Neville (WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match)
Tozawa is an energetic Japanese superstar who made a name for himself in Dragon Gate Pro Wrestling in Japan. He goes up against the cruiserweight wall of Neville however, who seems to be an unstoppable force in that division. It should be a great battle with high flying acrobatic moves.
David’s prediction: We can’t see Neville losing here.
Andrew’s prediction: No way is Neville going to lose here.
Big Cass vs Enzo Amore
The Big Cass and Enzo Amore story continues, and it will be great to see them perform live. The realest guys in the room are not matched well, but Enzo keeps finding ways to slow Big Cass’s progress since their fallout. Will we see Big Show come to the rescue yet again?
David’s prediction: Big Cass is 7 feet tall, and you can’t teach that. If there’s no interference then Enzo doesn’t stand a chance.
Andrew’s prediction: WWE Live is all about the wild results and I can see Enzo claiming a massive scalp here.
Finn Balor vs Bray Wyatt
This is the one we’re looking forward to the most. Seeing Balor live is a cross off the bucket list, and having him in a match with the New Face of Fear makes sense. With Finn Balor easily beating Bray Wyatt at WWE Summerslam, now is Bray’s chance to redeem himself on the road to their bout at WWE No Mercy.
David’s prediction: Bray Wyatt wins, but not clean.
Andrew’s prediction: Finn Balor doesn’t appear at all, instead the Demon King does and defeats Wyatt on his way to becoming the new WWE monster.
Bayley vs Sasha Banks vs Mickie James vs Alexa Bliss vs Nia Jax vs Emma (Raw Women’s Championship Six Pack Challenge)
Only one women’s match on the card so let’s hope the arena doesn’t empty out. Plenty of fan favourites in this match, and it will be fun to watch Nia Jax at work. If the Raw Women’s Championship wasn’t on the line then I’d almost predict Australian talent Emma to win, but with the likes of Bayley, Banks and Alexa Bliss, I doubt there will be a title change.
David’s prediction: Alexa Bliss retains after some controversy with Emma.
Andrew’s prediction: Sasha Banks will get close, but Bliss will retain her championship.
Rhyno & Heath Slater vs Cesaro & Shaemus (RAW Tag Team Championship Match)
Getting down to the business end of the match card, we’re probably going to see Ambrose and Rollins vs Cesaro & Shaemus here. For the point of the current match card available though we’re not going to officially slot their names in just yet. If it is the SHIELD reunion then seeing this match live will be one to remember.
David’s prediction: No change in the titles, but a great physical bout.
Andrew’s prediction: The title might not change, but you’ll get to see plenty of Brogue Kicks.
The Miz vs Winner of Battle Royal (Intercontinental Championship Match)
It would be great to see how The Miz works around Samoa Joe in the ring, however it’s hard to know exactly who the opponent will be in this match given how many WWE Superstars are in the batle royal. If Joe isn’t in this match then the crowd will probably be a bit disappointed.
David’s prediction: Miz retains by using several cunning stunts.
Andrew’s prediction: R-Truth puts in more of a fight than anyone expects, before The Miz succumbs to the crowd taunts and does something dodgy to win.
Main Event: Braun Strowman vs Roman Reigns in a Street Fight
Whilst fans can easily get behind Reigns and Strowman, seeing them 1 on 1 in the main event of the night with no title on the line isn’t really an ideal way to finish WWE Live Australia 2017. Unfortunately Brock Lesnar apparently has a fear of flying, so it’s unlikely we’ll ever see him in Australia again, which means no interference from the WWE Universal Champion here. The two can put on a good show, and it will be great seeing the raw power of Strowman as he tosses Reigns around like a ragdoll and maybe throws another office chair at him.
David’s prediction: This is the end of WWE Live Australia 2017 and typically they put something special on for the final moments of the show. While Reigns will probably win clean, there’s bound to be some sort of final moments after the match possibly involving more than just the two superstars.
Andrew’s prediction: I’m loving the push Strowman has been receiving in recent times, so I expect to see him get his hands on some weapons and pummel Reigns into submission.
Let us know in the comments section if you’re attending WWE Live Australia 2017, and don’t forget WWE 2k18 is launching next month on October 17 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. WWE 2k18 features current tag team champion Seth Rollins on the front cover.
