This article should start with a caveat: it is being written just a few days before WrestlemMania 34 kicks off in New Orleans. However, the fact that it is being written without knowing the results of the ‘Showcase of the Immortals’, makes an even more worthy exercise. If you are reading in post-Mania, then you can judge for yourself.

Traditionally, bookmakers have always shied away from offering odds on wrestling matches – the sport is ‘scripted’ after all. However, a handful have decided to cover the matches, especially events like Mania and Royal Rumble. Of course, some cover more than others and some offer better odds than others. You can check this guide to New bookmakers for 2018 to get an idea of who are the best for all sports.

Going against Reigns at this point seems foolish

But, for the most part, wrestling fans will have a fair idea of how the big matches will turn out, so it is understandable that you could use it to your advantage. The problem is, if we know a wrestler is going to win so will the bookmakers, so the odds are going to be shorter than a traditional sports match. However, at times, you are betting on a sure-thing, so it’s a no brainer.

Let’s consider Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship this Sunday. We know Reigns is going over, with the likelihood that Lesnar is leaving for UFC. Is there any way that Reigns doesn’t win this? He is given odds of 1/4 by Betway, meaning you will increase your outlay by 25% for the ‘Big Dog’ to win. Lesnar, by the way, is given odds of 51/20. Remember, there is no Seth Rollins with a briefcase to swerve the fans for this one.

WWE will not let Rousey be defeated at her first WrestleMania

So, if you are sure about Reigns, why not double it up with another lock? Can anyone really see WWE giving Ronda Rousey anything other than a win in the mixed tag team match? She and Kurt Angle are 1/5 to beat Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. It would be a big swerve – and incredibly stupid – to see anything else but a win for the former. Doubling that up with Reigns would increase your outlay by 50%.

Now, one to swerve from a betting perspective: Asuka vs Charlotte, Smackdown Women’s Championship. In this one, Asuka is given short odds of 1/3 (1/7 with some betting companies), with Flair 9/4. Bu the problem from a betting perspective is Carmella and that Money in the Bank Briefcase. No odds are provided for the ‘cash-in’. Definitely one to avoid.

Some matches are tougher to call from a betting perspective

There are also some matches that are more open from a betting perspective, meaning neither we or the bookmakers are sure of the result. The Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal is no sure thing this year. Big Cass is the current favourite at 3/1. The Triple Threat Intercontinental Title match also sees Finn Balor (5/4), Seth Rollins (13/8) and The Miz (9/4) all priced at odds against. In that respect, it resembles a traditional sports match.

What should we takeaway from all this? It is simply that there are times when we know who is going to win, yet there are still bookmakers odds offered for the event. Both Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura were the betting favourites before the last two Royal Rumbles, which they promptly won. Put simply, you can cash in to put your own money in the bank, if you know what you are doing.