Can you feel the excitement? We are a little over two months away from the “Showcase of The Immortals,” Wrestlemania 33, and the lineup is starting to become clearer by the day. In wrestling, the card is always “subject to change”, but Dave Meltzer reports in the latest edition of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter that as of right now there are 10 matches on the books for the big event.
Videos by ComicBook.com
According to Meltzer the card, as it stands, assumes that Rollins will be able to make the event. Rollins will likely be out of action for about 8 weeks after tearing his ACL during his segment with Samoa Joe on this past Monday’s RAW. The 8 week timetable makes it possible for Rollins to make the show, where he is slated to face Triple H.
If the 10-match card stands, there wouldn’t be much room for many more matches as WrestleMania usually has around 8-11 matches total including the pre-show. Several big names are missing from this card, which we will discuss.
Warning, there are potential spoilers ahead, so read ahead at your own peril.
Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal
The Battle Royal has become a staple of Wrestlemania and Baron Corbin won last year’s event in his main roster debut. As we’ve seen Corbin use his win as bragging rights on Smackdown, it’s possible he could enterย the eventย again to become the first two time winner or put over another emerging superstar.ย
The Big Show vs. Shaquille O’Neal
This match has been rumored for the last five years, which is probably a big reason it feels five years too late. Several other current, full time superstars will likely be left off the card to make room for this match, but the WWE always likes to throw one mainstream crossover match into the mix. Big Show was a part of another one in the past where he famously got KO’d by the 5ft nothing Floyd “Money” Mayweather.ย
John Cena & Nikki Bella vs. The Miz & Maryse
Remember those John Cena vs The Undertaker “dream match” rumors we were all so excited about for so long? Yeah, well, it appears we’re getting a stupid mixed tag match instead. Rumors are Nikki is looking to hang up her boots and wants to go out with her man by her side.ย
Still, this is quite the downgrade for Cena, who recently tied the Nature Boy’s 16 World Championships. Mixed tag matches always feel gimmicky and Cena should be used in a bigger match while he is still in his prime. On the flip side, The Miz is doing the best work of his career and should also be in a more serious match.ย
I know they will make it entertaining, but I can’t help but feel like we’re getting robbed here.ย
AJ Styles vs. Shane McMahon
Shane O Mac needs an opponent that won’t throw him off a cage or spear him into dreamland. AJ Styles will be in need of a high profile opponent to make it feel like less of a letdown for him not being in the title picture come Mania. Other than that, there isn’t a whole lot of reasoning behind this one. Bleh.ย
Kevin Owens vs. Chris Jericho
The blow off to the amazing relationship of Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho will likely come to a head at Mania. With Jericho likely to take some time away after Mania, he’ll go out as a babyface defending his US Championship against KO. Owens, who is rumored to drop the Universal championship at Fastlane (more on that later), is a prize fighter, soย he won’t have to go too long without gold around his waist. Ok, shoulder.ย
Seth Rollins vs. Triple H
Again, this one all depends on the health of Rollins’ knee. For the entrance alone, I can’t imagine any scenario where HHH doesn’t wrestle at Mania even if Rollins can’t go. The WWE called a meeting yesterday to discuss back up plans for The Game, but luckily, we’ve already come up with five suitable replacements.ย
Hopefully Seth gets his match at Mania and is able to move back into a title program where he belongs.ย
Roman Reigns vs. The Undertaker
Wow. This one is going to be huge. After we saw how mortal The Undertaker looked in this year’s Royal Rumble, we have to consider that this could be the Deadman’s last match. For as much as everyone loves Taker and conversely hates Roman Reigns, this could be the match that makes Roman’s legacy.ย
A Big Dog victory would not be surprising, but the big question is would the WWE use the crowd’s disdain for him being “hand picked” to end the Undertaker’s career as an opportunity to finally turn him heel?ย
That is a storyline I could get behind.ย
ย
Charlotte (RAW Women’s champion) vs. Bayley vs. Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax
A fatal four way for the RAW women’s championship? Yes. Sign me up. We don’t need to go any further. This could steal the show and be Bayley’s crowning moment.ย
Bray Wyatt (WWE Champion) vs. Randy Orton
Here’s the big spoiler you may already have caught wind of. Bray Wyatt is rumored to win the strap at next week’s Elimination Chamber pay per view. The WWE has been known to backout of plans once they get leaked so anything is possible, but Bray would be the perfect opponent for Randy after he won the Royal Rumble.
If Randy goes over would we really feel good about Bray only getting to hold the championship for one month? Or would this be a great opportunity for Luke Harper to realign himself with Bray and let the age of Wyatt really begin?ย
Goldberg (Universal Champion) vs. Brock Lesnar
Another big potential spoiler here. Rumors are Goldberg will be taking the Universal Championship from Kevin Owens at Fastlane and bringing the red leather into his final match with Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania. Getting a brief championship run is a nice thank you to Goldberg for returning and bumping the WWE’s ratings like crazy. After Goldberg has been so dominant in his two encounters with Lesnar, a loss here would not hurt his legacy, and getting the championship back on the most dominant man in the company, part timer or not, is always a good move.
Now that we know the rumored matches, let’s talk about who’s NOT on the card. ย
Missing in Action
We’ve long heard The Rock would be participating at this Mania. I think it’s safe to rule out a match at this point, but I’m sure he’ll pop up for a segment. As for current stars, we’re still missing Sami Zayn and Braun Strowman. I could see them resolving their feud with a feel good win for Zayn somewhere on this card. Also on RAW, the New Day and Club currently have nothing going on. Don’t be surprised to see them shoved into the Andre memorial.ย
Also, Finn Balor should be cleared to return by Mania. It’s possible the WWE wants to save his return for the Monday after Mania to kickstart the WWE’s second season.ย
On Smackdown, we’re missing Dean Ambrose and Dolph Ziggler. While they both could be included in the Andre battle royal, it would make a lot of sense to give Heel Ziggler a run with the Intercontinental championship and Mania could be the perfect place for him to get a big win over Ambrose.ย
Another glaring omission is the Smackdown women’s division. Will Alexa and company be relegated to the pre-show again?ย
Let us know how you feel about the rumored Wrestlemania card in the comments below.ย
ย
You can listen to Comicbook.com’s Over The Ropes podcast discussing the Royal Rumble, Undertaker’s Wrestlemania plans and Seth Rollins’ knee injury below:ย
MORE WWE: Seth Rollins Comments On His Knee Injury /ย Update On Seth Rollins Knee Injury Randy Orton On The WrestleMania Match “Everyone Wants To See” / Kevin Owens Scorches An AJ Styles Heckler / Championship Match Announced For Elimination Chamber /ย Details On Undertaker’s Royal Rumble Performanceย / Major Heel Turn Coming Soon / Samoa Joe Debuts /ย Brock Lesnar Issues Wrestlemania Challenge /ย John Cena Ties Ric Flair’s Championship Recordย / Kevin Owens Brings Back The Stone Cold Stunner /ย WWE Superstar Is In Poor Health /ย Is Cesaro Moonlighting As A Stripper /ย Charlotte Wants An All Female Royal Rumble /ย Paige Hits Back On “Strippers” Comment From MTV Star / Should WWE Embrace Intergender Wrestling? /ย WWE Smackdown Live Superstar Is Engaged /ย John Cena Rips AJ Styles And The Indy Wrestling Scene
