WWE.com and Pat McAfee Show contributor Mark Kaboly shares his predictions for the first-ever Sunday Night's Main Event, set live from State Farm Arena in Atlanta. SNME will stream live at 8 ET/5 PT on Peacock in the United States and on YouTube internationally.
Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton
How many times has Cody Rhodes hinted at turning turning "bad"? Perhaps too many to count. But it’s going to happen when you least suspect it. And this is not that time, even though Randy Orton has something to Cody to change him into some kind of madman who can’t control his actions. But assuming a "bad guy" role in front of his hometown of Atlanta at a non-PLE feels like a longshot. This is a matchup that many fans have said is worthy of WrestleMania, without any outside distractions. So, it is guaranteed to deliver inside the ring. The question remains about the outcome. Cody has done a fabulous job of straddling that line as a good guy who sometimes does some shady things but always comes away with a squeaky-clean image. Although that is something he has mastered, Sunday could prove to be his virtuoso performance. Rhodes isn’t going to lose in front of his hometown of Atlanta. No way. Plus, his reference to Paul Heyman during a war of words with The Viper wasn’t by accident. Heyman is desperate to find the new money cow, and it stands to reason that Rhodes is in his sights, even if it might be behind the scenes. Heyman will help Rhodes beat Orton, and then Rhodes will go on to shut down Heyman’s offers to become his advocate/oracle/wiseman. Straddle that line, Cody. Nobody does it better.
Prediction: Cody Rhodes pins Randy Orton
Oba Femi vs. Bron Breakker
The future of WWE lies in the balance of this match, which instantly gives Oba Femi the advantage. Bron Breakker has had a massive chip on his shoulder with everybody fawning over The Ruler after what he did to Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam. And actually, it is a warranted chip. Breakker was in Femi’s place before suffering a couple of ill-timed injuries, and now he feels overlooked and is quite hurt over that. Nobody can afford to lose this match, and just maybe nobody will. I don't want to see Breakker losing the match again or Oba hindering the growth as the emerging face of the company. The fact that Heyman has stuck his nose in the situation, but that he hasn't really taken a side, should worry Breakker more than Oba. But what is Heyman’s motivation? Some fans have speculated that Bronson Reed might be making his long-awaited return after more than six months of inactivity due to injury, which very well could happen, especially with a handful of upcoming shows on the schedule to Reed’s home country of Australia. Reed will return, and he will determine the outcome of this match, although I imagine it will not necessarily be in the way most people anticipate it.
Prediction: Oba Femi defeats Bron Breakker with help from Bronson Reed.
Baron Corbin vs. Lil Yachty (with Trick Williams)
It’s a huge mismatch on paper, and some believe that Grammy-nominated music artist Lil Yachty has no business in a ring other than in a supporting role for Trick Williams. When one of the competitors has a dozen years of experience and nearly 1,200 matches under his belt, and his opponent has nothing, it’s hard to argue with that. But we’ve seen crazier things happen. We’ve seen Bad Bunny put on a wrestling clinic, so don’t write off Lil Yachty yet. The stipulation is that if Lil Yachty wins in less than five minutes, then Trick gets a U.S. Championship Match later in the program. With four matches on the card, is there time for that? Yachty should have the backing of his hometown fans, but in reality, he should not be able to beat Corbin unless there is some kind of chicanery that happens. You can’t ignore that fact. In the end, even though it is all set up for Yachty to last the five minutes and then Trick to win the title, it’s more of a smokescreen than anything else.
Prediction: Baron Corbin pins Lil Yachty
Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Tatum Paxley vs. Jade Cargill, Michin, B-Fab
A Six-Woman Tag Team Match involving three high-end talents in Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss and Jade Cargill, along with the newbie Tatum Paxley, instantly creates interest. Even though Cargill and Flair have had their issues over the past year, the wildcard of this match will be Paxley. Flair is still skeptical of the strange up-and-coming Superstar, and regardless of Bliss acting like the glue to the group, it’s not going to work. I see this as a way to reignite the Flair vs. Cargill program by an unassuming Paxley.
Prediction: Jade Cargill pins Charlotte Flair
