WWE Roadblock 2016: B/R Expert Match Predictions and Analysis

WWE Roadblock: End of the Line is upon us, ushering out the year with more of a whimper than a bang.

Since the brand split in July, WWE has churned out multiple pay-per-views on a two-week schedule in order to accommodate both Raw and SmackDown Live. While this has given additional opportunities to Superstars further down the card, it has also led to repetitive booking. 

Nowhere is this more apparent than Sunday's pay-per-view. From the top of the card down, there are few fresh ideas in either the matches or the storylines. 

Roman Reigns will once again get a chance at one of the top prizes in WWE. The New Day will face Cesaro and Sheamus for the tag team titles for the third time this month. Sasha Banks and Charlotte Flair will once again do battle for the Raw Women's Championship, leaving the rest of the women in the division to once again wait their turns.

Even the new cruiserweight division is leaning too heavily on three Superstars—The Brian Kendrick, TJ Perkins and champion Rich Swann—instead of developing more storylines. 

Hopefully WWE Creative turns a corner in the new year when it begins the long road to WrestleMania 33 with January's Royal Rumble. Until then, all WWE fans can do is sit back and try to enjoy the last pay-per-view event of 2016 and wonder who will walk out of WWE Roadblock: End of the Line with victories. 

The Bleacher Report team is here to sort through the muck, giving you expert opinions on the biggest stories heading into Roadblock and predictions on which Superstars will be victorious. 

Let's meet the team.

B/R Expert Panel Lineup

Bleacher Report's lineup answers the tough questions about the WWE landscape and provides predictions for each match on the Roadblock: End of the Line card.

This team features the following:

• Anthony Mango (@ToeKneeManGo), founder of SmarkOutMoment.com and host of the podcast Smack Talk.
• Kevin Berge (@TheBerge_).
• Ryan Dilbert (@ryandilbert), lead writer for @BR_WWE.
• The Doctor Chris Mueller (@BR_Doctor).
• Yours truly, James Moffat (@jamesmoffat).

It's time to tie up those laces and get ready to rumble. The predictions start now.

Big Cass vs. Rusev (Kickoff Match)

Credit: WWE.com

Q: True or False: Big Cass will have enjoyed a spirited singles push by SummerSlam 2017.

Anthony Mango (AM): Leading into WrestleMania, WWE frequently throws a bunch of names out into the ether, only to lose faith in them quickly. Big Cass has a ton of potential, but he still has a lot to learn, and it's too soon for him to get too much traction. After SummerSlam would be better suited for him rather than beforehand.

Match Prediction: Big Cass wins with some help from Enzo Amore.

Kevin Berge (KB): False. While it is hard to predict that far out, Cass still looks uncomfortable whenever he isn't being backed by Enzo Amore. Unless the singles push is just Cass going for gold with Amore as his manager, I cannot see the two separating anytime soon. Plus, they still need to have a run with the tag titles first.

Match Prediction: Big Cass takes a huge win, thanks to a distraction from Amore.

Ryan Dilbert (RD): True. Size matters in WWE in a big way. Cass is the kind of talent the company has long coveted. Having Enzo Amore at his side gives him an added element of charisma, too.

Match Prediction: Big Cass.

James Moffat (JM): True. I thought it was telling when Big Cass announced himself to Rusev on Raw as "I'm not Enzo." WWE finally drew a line in the sand and admitted Amore is the weak link of the duo. Cass has performed well enough in singles matches, especially as a member of the Fatal 4-Way for the vacant WWE Universal Championship the night following SummerSlam. It's not a matter of if for Cass' push; it's when. And that time will come in 2017. 

Match Prediction: Big Cass wins.

Chris Mueller (CM): I have to say false—for now. He is a good hand in the ring, but he doesn’t quite have what he will need when he no longer has Amore to do most of the talking. He needs more time to mature between the ropes and on the mic before WWE even thinks about splitting up one of its most entertaining tag teams.

Match Prediction: Big Cass.

The Brian Kendrick vs. TJ Perkins vs. Rich Swann (Cruiserweight Championship)

Q: Who is the most exciting cruiserweight in the division?

AM: TJ Perkins and Cedric Alexander are the most talented performers since Kota Ibushi isn't in the mix anymore. Thankfully, even my least favorites like Mustafa Ali are still entertaining to watch, so anytime the purple ropes come out, it's a good sign the next segment will be fun.

Match Prediction: I'm rooting against him, but I expect Rich Swann to retain.

KB: Just counting the guys signed and performing on Raw and 205 Live, I get the most thrill from watching TJ Perkins. He's a dynamic performer who knows how to adapt to his opponents. He's unbelievably athletic and technical. I was a fan of his before the Cruiserweight Classic, and I still am.

Match Prediction: Rich Swann retains and moves on to new competition.

RD: It's Jack Gallagher. There are more thrilling athletes in the division, but he's the most unique and interesting character of the bunch. The Extraordinary Gentleman's shtick puts him a cut above his peers.

Match Prediction: Swann retains, and Perkins turns heel in defeat.

JM: On sheer ability and watchability, I'd say Cedric Alexander. He does things in the ring, blending both power and speed, that other cruiserweights simply cannot do. If WWE would just allow him to be himself and move away from the Alicia Fox storyline, he'd be a superstar. Recently, I've been most impressed with the development of Ariya Daivari, who has benefited most from the cruiserweights being featured on 205 Live. 

Match Prediction: TJ Perkins reclaims the cruiserweight title. 

CM: When it comes to character, The Brian Kendrick benefits from having years of prior exposure in WWE to give him credibility. Almost everyone else is working from the ground up to gain fans. When it comes to wrestling styles, Jack Gallagher is the guy I look forward to seeing the most every week.

Match Prediction: Rich Swann retains.

Sami Zayn vs. Braun Strowman

Q: Following up on the trade plot twist from this past Monday night, which show could best utilize Sami Zayn?

AM: Either show would be great for him if it would just make him a priority in the midcard-title scene. There's no reason Sami Zayn shouldn't be contending for the Intercontinental Championship or United States belt on a regular basis. All it would take is a consistent push, and he'd be gold.

Match Prediction: Zayn withstands the 10 minutes but gets the bigger beating out of the two.

KB: I think Zayn would fit better on SmackDown, especially with the brand in need of a credible rival for AJ Styles, but I have loved every second of his feud with Strowman so far. It has led to many of the best written segments on Raw each week.

Match Prediction: Match goes to a draw at the 10-minute time limit, with Strowman retreating from the fight at the end rather than Zayn.

RD: SmackDown. He fits the aura of the blue brand better as an underdog. He would make a great rival for AJ Styles, or he'd be a terrific intercontinental champion after besting The Miz.

Match Prediction: Strowman pins Zayn just short of the 10-minute mark.

JM: Sami Zayn is a perfect fit for SmackDown Live, and I stick by my prediction that Roadblock will be his last match on Raw. Seeing Zayn battle Dolph Ziggler, Dean Ambrose, The Miz and AJ Styles would be a dream come true. On Monday nights, he's mismatched against larger competitors such as Rusev, Strowman and Roman Reigns and more talented Superstars such as Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens and Finn Balor. He's a man without a spot on Raw, while he could be a main event talent on SmackDown.

Match Prediction: Zayn goes the distance, but the match ends in a draw. Strowman then destroys Zayn for showing him up. 

CM: I don't think it matters which show he appears on as long as he is able to win a few big matches. WWE knows it has something special with him, but for one reason or another, nobody in a position of power has pulled the trigger on a serious push. He might be a bigger fish in the smaller pond of SmackDown, but Raw is still seen as the flagship show, so it's probably better if he stays put.

Match Prediction: Sami Zayn.

The New Day vs. Cesaro and Sheamus (Raw Tag Team Championship)

Q: To honor the new longest-reigning tag team champions in WWE history, what is your favorite New Day moment?

AM: I've been a fan of this stable since the first sign the three would be teaming up, so I've enjoyed the ride for a long time. The first thing that comes to my mind about a favorite moment would probably be Kofi Kingston in the time machine, saying 2007 was his best year.

Match Prediction: Cesaro and Sheamus win the Raw Tag Team Championships.

KB: I'd probably go with any interaction between The New Day and Seth Rollins, as its fawning over him during his WWE World Championship reign was hilarious. Rollins will always be the unofficial fifth member of the group (Francesca and her replacements being the fourth) and the one who brought the best out of the trio on the mic.

Match Prediction: Cesaro and Sheamus finally overcome The New Day’s numbers advantage and win the Raw Tag Team Championships.

RD: The trio's WrestleMania 32 entrance was spectacular. It's not often that we have seen wrestlers jump out of a giant cereal box. And they were having so much fun that one couldn't help but grin.

Match Prediction: Cesaro and Sheamus. The historic reign has to end at some point, right?

JM: How do you choose between the SummerSlam entrance that introduced the WWE Universe to "Booty," any moment with Seth Rollins, a Kazoo battle with Edge and Christian and The Dudley Boyz, the country jamboree in Nashville and any of the group's other gut-busting antics? I won't. For all the hooting and hollering, my favorite moment was when the trio dragged a limp Dolph Ziggler from backstage on Raw just prior to The Showoff's United States Championship match with John Cena. It showed a dark side to the heels when everyone had settled into the group as a comedy trope. It solidified their status as the bad guys WWE needed at that time.

Match Prediction: I don't think the title reign is ending just yet. The New Day triumphs.   

CM: The New Day has been in some great matches over the past few years, but its promo with the time machine keeps coming to mind for some reason. It was one of those moments that could have gone horribly wrong, but because The New Day's members are so good at what they do, it turned into something hilarious.

Match Prediction: Cesaro and Sheamus win the titles.

Seth Rollins vs. Chris Jericho

Credit: WWE.com

Q: With news of Fozzy going on tour just after WrestleMania 33, per Raj Giri of Wrestling Inc, what is the best use of Chris Jericho through WrestleMania season?

AM: Chris Jericho needs to face Kevin Owens at the Royal Rumble. At Elimination Chamber, in an attempt to earn another shot at Owens, he needs to lose to Finn Balor. But as far as a WrestleMania opponent goes, that depends on the other matches WWE needs to book around. Jericho is best suited in a midcard match against someone fresh.

Match Prediction: Seth Rollins is victorious.

KB: They should turn Jericho face and have him feud with Owens—at least through the Royal Rumble. The dynamic between the two has been the best part of Owens' championship reign, and Jericho could help KO take another step forward. If that can't go all the way to WrestleMania, let a face Jericho put over a rising heel such as one of Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson before he leaves.

Match Prediction: Seth Rollins wins clean.

RD: He has to feud with Kevin Owens before he goes. They have so much history and chemistry to tap into. Plus, Owens ousting Jericho from WWE would be huge for him.

Match Prediction: Rollins in a thriller.

JM: It seems inevitable that Jericho will match up against former best friend Kevin Owens during the buildup to WrestleMania 33. Is that the best use of the aging Superstar? Probably, as losing a feud to Owens would establish the universal champ as a solo act. No matter what happens, everyone should sit back and enjoy the ride, as Jericho has been at the top of his game over the past year. 

Match Prediction: Rollins wins in what should be the match of the night. 

CM: He needs to be in a singles feud with Kevin Owens. There's no way WWE can pass up on the opportunity after everything the two have built between them in 2016. I would even go as far to say Jericho should win the title from him at the Royal Rumble, only to drop it back to him before or at WrestleMania.

Match Prediction: Chris Jericho.

Kevin Owens vs. Roman Reigns (Universal Championship)

Credit: WWE.com

Q: True or False: Roman Reigns will become WWE universal champion in 2017.

AM: True. Hopefully, if that does happen, he does it as a heel. WWE has tried to get the crowd to embrace him as a babyface for too long, and it just isn't working. Therefore, a heel turn is a necessity for 2017. Then, with a renewed character, he should be in a better spot to lead the charge.

Match Prediction: Kevin Owens retains the title one way or another.

KB: True. It's inevitable, as WWE will always turn back to Reigns. He can put on a quality main event match, and he'll only get better. I just hope that Reigns' character changes before he gets the Universal Championship, adding more attitude or aggression.

Match Prediction: Kevin Owens uses every trick in the book to survive and retain against Reigns on his own.

RD: True. WWE is enamored with him and continues to push him as a main event star despite all the negative fan reactions.

Match Prediction: Kevin Owens.

JM: True, but I can only hope WWE is smart enough to crown him champ in a surprising fashion. Whether that's on a random Raw or as part of a larger match with a screwy finish, having Reigns win in an unaccustomed way would soften the blow for fans who continually believe Reigns is the company's hand-picked successor to John Cena.

Match Prediction: Somehow, some way, Owens retains.

CM: True. WWE doesn't seem to care how the fans react to him. Management knows he is over with kids and casual fans, and those are the people who bring in the big bucks in merchandise sales. Reigns, despite the opinions of his haters, is main event material.

Match Prediction: Kevin Owens.

Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte Flair (Iron Man Match, Raw Women’s Championship)

Q: If Roadblock is their final showdown, who is the best challenger for each woman heading into WrestleMania season?

AM: Sasha Banks and Bayley is a given. Those two have had such great matches in the past that they're expected to do so again. Flair, from my perspective, can sit this out. I'm tired of seeing her as the focal point. If she has to have another feud over the next few months, though, it should be with Dana Brooke to pay off their tension that went nowhere.

Match Prediction: Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. I want Sasha Banks to win, but judging by WWE's track record, Flair probably takes the title back a third time.

KB: I would have Banks fight off Nia Jax as champion while Bayley feuds with Flair until WWE Elimination Chamber in February. Then Bayley can finally get a one-on-one title shot against Banks at WrestleMania. That way, all four major women are being utilized and time is spent building up to a match that could steal the show at The Showcase of the Immortals.

Match Prediction: Sasha Banks retains in overtime.

RD: Revisiting the Banks-Bayley NXT feud is a no-brainer. They meshed so well together, and Bayley is one of Raw's most promising talents. For Flair, Emmalina would make a good foil when she finally comes back to the red brand. We haven't yet seen what Emmalina's character will be, but her ring skills would be a good match for The Queen's.

Match Prediction: Banks wins 4-3.

JM: I believe Emmalina and Bayley will tangle in the build to WrestleMania 33, so it would seem best to match Banks and Flair with Nia Jax and Dana Brooke, respectively. Both would be fresh matchups for WWE fans to enjoy while giving WWE a break from the typical Four Horsewomen storylines. It would also allow the company to hold off on a potential blockbuster (Bayley vs. Banks) until WrestleMania 33. 

Match Prediction: Banks finally breaks Flair's solo pay-per-view winning streak, retaining the title in the final moments of the match. 

CM: The obvious answer for Flair is Bayley. WWE has already been putting them together on television, and we know they can put on some great matches. As far as Banks is concerned, it’s a toss-up between Nia Jax and Emmalina—if she ever returns. Jax is the kind of opponent who can dominate anyone, so a victory over her looks impressive. Emmalina needs a return storyline, and chasing the title would instantly give her a boost in the eyes of the fans.

Match Prediction: Sasha Banks retains.

Bonus Question

Credit: WWE.com

Q: As always, who are you most disappointed is NOT scheduled to appear at Roadblock?

AM: It's a shame Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson can't still be in the hunt for the Raw Tag Team Championships, but after already seeing a Triple Threat on Raw with those teams, it's not the end of the world. Still, having Big Show make his return just to miss the go-home Raw and not be at Roadblock is kind of a strange choice, too, isn't it?

KB: I am more impressed with Gallows and Anderson as a duo every time they step in the ring, and I don't know why WWE has trouble finding ways to use them. They make a great powerhouse team and could be dominating singles competitors. It's not surprising they are off the Roadblock card, but it is a shame.

RD: Bayley. Her storyline with Alicia Fox is silly, but a PPV battle with her current rival would be a boost for the former NXT women's champ. Bayley is the next logical contender for the winner of Banks vs. Flair.
WWE is missing a chance to set her up for that meeting here.

JM: I'm still utterly confounded at how Neville isn't a major player in the cruiserweight division. If WWE wanted to make the division a major part of its Raw programming, having someone like The Man That Gravity Forgot headline would be a masterstroke. It's just unfathomable. 

CM: Most of the people who deserve to be on the show have a spot, so I am going to go with my favorite cruiserweight, Jack Gallagher. It’s only a matter of time before we see him fighting for the title, but it would have been nice if he and Ariya Daivari would have been given the pre-show match to further their developing feud.