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Last years card had 12 matches; 3 on the pre-show, 9 on the main card (albeit one was that thing with The Rock). There are now 9 championships in WWE, all of which could do with being defended, plus a likely match of Lesnar vs Goldberg and the Battle Royal so that'd take up 11 spots unless you do a champion(s) vs. champion(s) showcase match.
Probably going to borrow some ideas from the thread, a mix of what's possible/probable and what I wouldn't mind seeing, some I'll flesh out more that others.
I really dig the idea of AJ Styles vs. HBK as a feature match on SDL side of things, as the match to rival the Wrestle Kingdom 11 main event.
HBK will be at Raw this week (along with Taker) and it'd follow on quite nicely from what AJ has going on with Cena if, the following night, he were to invoke the names of Taker (another part timer coming to hog the limelight, who's on SDL one week, Raw a few weeks later) and Shawn Michaels (this is the one that really gets AJ because HBK is already retired). AJ cuts a scathing promo on Cena, Taker, and Michaels.
Also on this show Bryan comes out to promo to the crowd about how SDL is the land of opportunity, having crowned 8 new champions since the brand split, and in order to increase the opportunities offered to all SDL superstars he is scrapping the automatic rematch for dethroned champions; so when Styles defends against Cena it's the last time unless the loser qualifies to compete for the title again.
At the Rumble in San Antonio HBK and family are invited guests and given front row seats. AJ wrestles Cena for the WWE Championship and at some point AJ ends up on the floor in front of Michaels. He gets to his feet to find Shawn smiling in his face, AJ shoves or slaps HBK in front of his wife and kids which leads to a bit of a pull apart between the two. You can either have Styles return to the ring distracted and have Cena go over, or be a bit more overt and have HBK hit SCM leading to the AA and win for Cena. This leaves you with Cena as WWE Champion, and Styles out of immediate contention.
Cena gets his 16th reign to tie the record but under less than admirable circumstances. It's the first time in 2 years he's been at the top but he's still not sure if he could have done it without the inadvertent help of HBK. This is the impetus for Cena challenging Taker to a match at Mania; to prove he can beat the very best on their best stage at the biggest night of the year. You can even do a match between Styles and Taker for #1 Contendership to give SDL a ratings bump in lieu of no PPV between Rumble and Mania if you like.
Ultimately you've a few routes and outcomes with this; if this is Taker's last match you could have him beat an increasingly desperate Cena for the belt, only to pose at the end of the show and disappear into the night leaving the belt and his hat/gloves/boots? in the ring. Cena becoming desperate during the match can lead to him taking some time off if that's the plan to reflect on what he was willing to do to prove he could still hang only to return to try to win 17 and set a new record in a more valiant way. #redemption
Or, if Taker wants to go out on his back you could do the the long sought after Cena heel turn. Or, you know, CENAWINSLOL.
Coming back to the rule about no automatic rematches, this happens next week prior to Miz getting a rematch for the Intercontinetal Championship. He cites this as further proof that Daniel Bryan is vicitimising him, he says he's making an official complaint to the "Board of Directors" and that he intends to go to Raw, but as long as he's on SDL he's going to make Bryan's life hell. He disrupts SDL/Talking Smack regularly, he continues the animosity with Renee Young, he's basically out to get anything SDL brand related.
At some point you have Miz disrupt a match by taking out both guys (maybe an "Opportunity Knocks" match pitting two new guys/NXT guys against each other for a SDL contract, or an IC #1 Contenders match). He rants and raves about wanting his opportunity at the title, or the opportunity to go to Raw, and he wants an answer from the BOD.
The BOD eventually decide that Miz should be given an opportunity to get back into contention for the belt he lost. Ultimately Miz wins the IC Title back but he continues to make Bryan's life as GM a misery. Eventually Shane O'Mac makes his return, he says he'd love to book a match pitting Miz against Bryan but unfortunately Bryan isn't cleared to wrestle. But there's a man that is, a man that bleeds SDL blue, a man that wouldn't be much of a Commissioner if he didn't stand up for his own GM. Shane McMahon vs The Miz with the IC Title on the line is booked for Mania with the added stips that if Miz retains he is free to go to Raw with the belt.
As for the Women's and Tag Titles, it's important that these belts get a little shine as they're so new and this will be the first time they're defended at WrestleMania. I'd keep it quite simple with the women; who are my top 2 priorities going forwards. That's likely going to be Becky Lynch or Alexa Bliss defending against Nikki Bella with Nikki cementing her feel good story with the win.
With the tags, I don't think there's much of an obvious match to go to with the lack of depth/over teams on SDL. Best from an in-ring would likely be Alpha defending against The Usos, or a team of Orton and Harper with Bray having helped them work together. Or this is where you do the Champions vs. Champions deal and have American Alpha face Sheasaro in what could be a bit of a barn stormer. This option gets the tag champs in a featured match but frees up another non-title focused slot on the card.
You could do Orton vs. Wyatt (vs. Harper) here. Those two guys probably deserve something outside of the ATGBR.
SmackDown Live portion
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
John Cena (c) vs. The Undertaker
GRUDGE MATCH
AJ Styles vs. Shawn Michaels
INTERCONTINETAL CHAMPIONSHIP (if Miz wins he takes the belt to Raw)
The Miz (c) (w/ Maryse) vs. Shane McMahon
SMACKDOWN WOMENS' CHAMPIONSHIP
Becky Lynch (c) vs. Nikki Bella
TRIPLE THREAT MATCH
Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt vs. Luke Harper
CHAMPIONS VS. CHAMPIONS
American Alpha vs. Cesaro & Sheamus
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