Latest WrestleMania 33 rumors - UPDATED in Post 817

[Evil Vito]

I actually have no idea what's in store for Cena if there is truth to the latest rumors that he won't be in the WWE Title match because Orton/Wyatt will be.

Maybe Cena enters the Rumble after losing to AJ and eliminates Undertaker from the Royal Rumble? I mean, he WOULD be the heel in a Cena/Taker match, surely.

[Maluco]

Stars need to be squeezed in, I don't think Shane is a star as a wrestler in 2017. No need to force him in.

It is fascinating though, I will say that. I don't remember, even at the peak of the attitude era, having so many possible Rumble winners and combinations for matches at Mania.

Undertaker, Lesnar, Goldberg, Cena, Triple H, Rollins, Reigns, Angle, Braun, Jericho, Miz, Joe, Balor and probably a few others I am forgetting, could all conceivably be in the match and win it. That is crazy when you compare it to years when it was out of two guys.

It really is fantastic and WWE should be commended for it.

[Evil Vito]

Out there idea - but maybe Cena ends up going for the Intercontinental Championship? First off, SmackDown's done a good job of making the belt seem important, it very often main events the weekly television shows.

WWE seem to at least be aware of the hype NJPW is getting, and their Intercontinental Title is viewed as a true 1-A belt with main eventers gunning for it. Having Cena go for that belt just as he did for the US Title a few years ago is something I could see doing.

Also, WWE like "completeness" in a wrestler's resume. Jericho winning the US Title was just made a big deal because it was the only singles belt he hadn't won. Well Cena hasn't won the Intercontinental Title yet so it gives him another accolade.

[Blonde Moment]

Have the Miz beat Ambrose at the Rumble
Have Shinsuke Nakamura win the Rumble but have him go for the IC title instead at WM and throw Ambrose in with Rollins and Zahn against HHH/Jericho/Owens.
Have Miz lose but feud with Nakamura until its time for Summerslam and then have Cena in the picture leading to Cena/Nakamura for the main title at Wm

[Big Vic]

Also, WWE like "completeness" in a wrestler's resume. Jericho winning the US Title was just made a big deal because it was the only singles belt he hadn't won. Well Cena hasn't won the Intercontinental Title yet so it gives him another accolade.

If WWE liked completeness the would have Christian win the WWE title :rant:

[#1-norm-fan]

I'm not above lying to make it look like I know what I'm talking about.

Get the hell outta here.

[XL]

Not really on board with Orton/Wyatt with the title on the line.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

It feels very rushed. Feel like Styles deserves to walk into Mania as champ. They should've held off the Cena match till then.

[#1-norm-fan]

Have Shinsuke Nakamura win the Rumble but have him go for the IC title

Why would he do that?

[Jordan]

Why would he do that?

Because there were some good matches for that belt in the 90's!

[The CyNick]

I actually have no idea what's in store for Cena if there is truth to the latest rumors that he won't be in the WWE Title match because Orton/Wyatt will be.

Maybe Cena enters the Rumble after losing to AJ and eliminates Undertaker from the Royal Rumble? I mean, he WOULD be the heel in a Cena/Taker match, surely.

Taker and Cena run into each other at the Rumble,:. You've been hot for like a decade, I've been hot for almost three. Respect that kid.

Taker could eliminate Cena at EC. Or try to help him against The Wyatts, but it backfires and he costs Cena the belt.

[Emperor Smeat]

Possible post-Rumble and Mania plans in regards to RAW:

Updated advertising for post-Royal Rumble WWE RAW live events features Roman Reigns facing Braun Strowman for shows heading into WrestleMania, so that appears to be Reigns next feud. Strowman is in this Sunday's WWE Royal Rumble match, while Reigns will be facing WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens for his title.

As of this writing, while Kevin Owens is listed for the shows with the updated advertising, no opponent is listed for either himself or Chris Jericho.

Between that and the possible news of Balor's return being sooner than expected, Balor-Taker and Reigns-Strowman could end up being two of RAW's big feuds for Mania.

[AirJordanFan93]

Would they blow off the historic Cena title win only to have him drop the belt the next month?

Does Orton turn face again and dethrone Styles, then drop to Bray at Mania?
How many times have they made a big deal out of Cena winning the title only for him to drop it in the ensuing 2 months.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Why would he do that?

Because the last belt he had in Japan was IC title.

[#1-norm-fan]

Well that would be a horrible reason.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

No thanks on Balor v Taker. Number1, can someone tell me if and how much so was Balor over when he was on the Raw roster?

Number 2, I don't like the mismatch in size. I know that's a very old school way to view it, but it would bother me, for a big time Mania match.

Reigns Stroman makes sense. Two of the new generation guys going into a big program.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

No thanks on Balor v Taker. Number1, can someone tell me if and how much so was Balor over when he was on the Raw roster?

Number 2, I don't like the mismatch in size. I know that's a very old school way to view it, but it would bother me, for a big time Mania match.

Reigns Stroman makes sense. Two of the new generation guys going into a big program.

He was mega-over. Everybody loves doing that lights gimmick thing.

[Sepholio]

The entrances for Balor vs Taker would be longer than the match itself.

[slik]

Per the new Wrestling Observer today...


Goldberg vs. Lesnar
Undertaker vs. Roman Reigns
HHH vs. Seth Rollins
Jericho vs. Owens
Wyatt vs. Orton
Show vs. Shaquille O’Neal
Charlotte vs. Bayley vs. Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax

Dave is not certain on plans for Cena, Strowman, Balor or Ambrose. He said Cena vs Samoa Joe was pitched at one point recently however. He feels confident they are leaning towards AJ Styles vs Shane and Nikki Bella in the SD women's title match. He also said Wyatt and Orton could be the SD Title match.

[DAMN iNATOR]

Per the new Wrestling Observer today...


Goldberg vs. Lesnar
Undertaker vs. Roman Reigns
HHH vs. Seth Rollins
Jericho vs. Owens
Wyatt vs. Orton
Show vs. Shaquille O’Neal
Charlotte vs. Bayley vs. Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax

Dave is not certain on plans for Cena, Strowman, Balor or Ambrose. He said Cena vs Samoa Joe was pitched at one point recently however. He feels confident they are leaning towards AJ Styles vs Shane and Nikki Bella in the SD women's title match. He also said Wyatt and Orton could be the SD Title match.

Meltzer sheep,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[DAMN iNATOR]

If WWE liked completeness the would have Christian win the WWE title :rant:

They had Flair win the IC belt off Carlito @ Unforgiven 2005...

[Emperor Smeat]

In regards to Bray vs Orton, this is what the Observer had to say about that potential match and the Rumble winner being the biggest wildcard left on if Mania plans get another big change or not.

The key is the Rumble winner is likely, although they could swerve, to be the person who will challenge for either the Universal title or WWE title.

The only Smackdown match on that list is Orton vs. Wyatt, and it’s not a secret that Wyatt was scheduled for a title run in 2017. That immediately puts both of them in contention, and if one wins, the other would be favored to win the Chamber match. There’s a story that just started going around about Orton winning the Rumble and Wyatt winning the Chamber match. If that doesn’t happen, it would be because plans changed. Even though historically the booking before Mania always gets out and it almost never changed (it changes for other reasons, such as injuries or guys quitting, but that’s usually known as well), with the increase in social media, my feeling is nothing is a lock until it happens. I doubt we’ll see major destination changes, in the sense the top of the card will probably be pretty close to as is slated now, but how to get there could change."

Even if neither win the Rumble, WWE can still use the Chamber match to trigger that feud into a WWE title feud.

[Big Vic]

They had Flair win the IC belt off Carlito @ Unforgiven 2005...
Maybe Undertaker will challenge Ambrose for the IC title at Mania.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Wyatt getting help from the fam, Orton included, to win the Rumble, only to have Orton win the belt at the Chamber, makes sense.

Have Wyatt force Orton to show his devotion to the family and hand over the belt, only for Orton to turn the same way he did on Triple H.

[The CyNick]

Per the new Wrestling Observer today...


Goldberg vs. Lesnar
Undertaker vs. Roman Reigns
HHH vs. Seth Rollins
Jericho vs. Owens
Wyatt vs. Orton
Show vs. Shaquille O’Neal
Charlotte vs. Bayley vs. Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax

Dave is not certain on plans for Cena, Strowman, Balor or Ambrose. He said Cena vs Samoa Joe was pitched at one point recently however. He feels confident they are leaning towards AJ Styles vs Shane and Nikki Bella in the SD women's title match. He also said Wyatt and Orton could be the SD Title match.

What we know from this is that Meltzer watches the TV and guesses the Mania card every week. Let's see if any of his guesses change in the coming weeks.

[Rebecca Reigns]

Roman will defeat everyone he faces at WrestleMania.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

If the plan is to have the Smackdown top champ drop the belt at the Chamber match, may I suggest Styles actually beats Cena, only to pushed into a chamber match against Orton, Bray, Cena, Corbin and Ziggler. Prob not enough faces in there. So I guess Ambrose could fit in.

Nonetheless, have Styles drop it there, but not be the last elimination. Then he can go after Shane and Bryan for forcing him into the match. Maybe attack Shane at the next show.

[Emperor Smeat]

In regards to the Rumble winner, early betting odds are pointing to Taker as the heavy favorite overall, Strowman as the favorite from RAW, and Orton as the favorite from Smackdown. Won't be till mid-Sunday when the WWE tips their hand from the smart money bets flowing in from their employees.

In regards to the Mania card speculated by the Observer, a former WWE writer with contacts he still has inside the company said Meltzer is very close to the real current card but off a bit on certain matches.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">close but not quite <a href="https://t.co/KglcG1ms3i">https://t.co/KglcG1ms3i</a></p>&mdash; Brian Maxwell Mann (@BrianMaxMann) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrianMaxMann/status/824635594039001089">January 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
For some reference, he co-hosts a podcast show for LAW.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Taker v Reigns for the title feels big. Reigns has to go over though. And I wonder if they pull the trigger on him going heel.

It'd work in the long run if they wanna keep Rollins as the main event level face, turning Reigns heel and building to a clash at Summer Slam is a good direction.

[Big Vic]

WrestleMania commentators
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/timeline/60d532b38811e38650faf815b9fed9d6.png
Thought this was interesting.

[Evil Vito]

Cole's being short changed on that list, actually. Was the lead SmackDown guy pretty much from the start of SmackDown, so mid 1999 through 2003 should all be red.

[Big Vic]

I'm not sure but I distinctly remember Paul Heyman and JR calling 2001. I'd be surprised if King and JR weren't the ones calling 2000.

Oh sorry the name of the graph is cut off, this is WrestleMania commentators.

[Evil Vito]

Ah okay, makes sense then. :y:

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm not big on Orton winning the Rumble and challenging Bray, but I can definitely see it happening. The WWE loves putting their Rumble Winner in mid-card programs. Welcome to the brand split era!

[Mr. Nerfect]

It sounds accurate because it also has that "zone out" effect on me, where I genuinely do not care about it. WrestleMania 32 was a surreal card like too. Feels very tone deaf. If Cena is not facing Taker, then I expect him to wrestle Joe. I also expect this show to go 7 hours.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm still not entirely convinced that Owens and Jericho split before Mania. The show is going to be long enough as it is, and there are so many "big" singles matches that I can see everything struggle to keep everyone awake. Triple H, Owens & Jericho vs. Seth Rollins and two partners seems like something that could definitely happen. I can see them saying "nuts" to alternative programs and just throwing The Shield back together for the match. And that would be hotter than most things they have planned.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Ah, fuck, the more I think about it the more I don't like this. It's not even that it's bad, it's just...meh. Like an upper mid-card program has just had the WWE Title thrown into it to try and give it more validation for even making the final card.

[Droford]

Wyatt getting help from the fam, Orton included, to win the Rumble, only to have Orton win the belt at the Chamber, makes sense.

Have Wyatt force Orton to show his devotion to the family and hand over the belt, only for Orton to turn the same way he did on Triple H.
Orton toss out Bray to win the Rumble and Bray wins EC seems more probable to me

[Droford]

I'm also still convinced that the Miz/Daniel Bryan stuff will lead to a match but to take some pressure off of Bryan they make it a tag match with The Shane/Styles match.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Orton wins the Rumble after refusing to eliminate himself when he's left there with Bray. It might even be all three Wyatt Family members at the end. The crowd will go apeshit for it and Orton has won before, so it's not like he's not worthy or anything. It just doesn't feel...right.

[Mr. Nerfect]

By the way, Miz is not wrestling Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania. I am willing to bet money on that. If Bryan is medically cleared, why would you waste him on a mid-card heel act? He might be in Shane's corner as a coach/trainer to try and transfer his babyface energy into Shane so that he doesn't get booed against AJ Styles at Mania (he will).

The Miz might be in some sort of Ladder Match for the IC Title, or in a mixed tag with Maryse against Dean Ambrose & Renee Young or using his tremendous mid-card heel talents in the mid-card against a babyface they desperately want to get over. A match against Apollo Crews or Kalisto isn't exactly out of the realm of possibility. Miz has been pretty magic and could get that shit justified for Mania. Miz vs. Kalisto - Hair vs. Mask would drum up some interest. A pissed off bald Miz might even get serious and enter the Andre Battle Royal later in the show to get some of his back, only to get tossed out by another babyface.

But do not go into Mania expecting Daniel Bryan to wrestle The Miz with anything other than a surrogate.

[slik]

Dirt Sheets were mostly right.

I think we are looking at:


* Bray/Orton/Cena (nothing else for Cena)
* Undertaker/Roman Reigns
* Goldberg/Lesnar
* Shane/AJ Styles
* Woman's Fourway - Nia vs Sasha vs Charlotte vs Bayley
* Jericho/Owens

[XL]

Wondering how Raw get a #1 contender? Not like they've got the EC in 2 weeks. Tourney?

[Lock Jaw]

Honestly didn't give any of the Orton winning the Rumble rumours much "credit" because it seemed "ridiculous" to me...... guess I was wrong......

[Savio]

Wondering how Raw get a #1 contender? Not like they've got the EC in 2 weeks. Tourney?

Reigns will say he was screwed and be #1 contender again.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Tournament. Best way to fill television the next month.

[slik]

Potential Massive Scoop for WM. I also preface this by saying it's a bizarre idea, but...

John Cena/Nikki Bella vs Miz/Maryse was also a pitched idea for WM

[The CyNick]

Wondering how Raw get a #1 contender? Not like they've got the EC in 2 weeks. Tourney?

RAW has a PPV between now and Mania. I'm sure all roads to Wrestlemania will go through there.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

I'd like to see Miz do something else. He makes more sense in a match with Shane then Styles does.

Cena needs a program. But if the rumors of Joe are true and he comes up, that's the match to put Cena in. Gives Joe a big opponent on the biggest stage and Cena gets another marquee matchup.

I'm not sure what they do with Nikki. Maybe put her with Mickey James? Becky can reclaim the title from Banks at Mania in a separate match.

Reigns Undertaker, to me, is about as big a match they could do with Reigns. It'd be his biggest win ever. I would hope they embrace the crowd and turn Reigns heel. I think it'd go a long way for him.

No idea where Strowman goes in that scenario, or where Taker goes if Reigns goes with Strowman.

Any idea on what Owens is gonna be doing now? Who do you put with him? Balor? Not sure I care for that.

[XL]

Erm, Jericho?

[Maluco]

Dirt Sheets were mostly right.

I think we are looking at:


* Bray/Orton/Cena (nothing else for Cena)
* Undertaker/Roman Reigns
* Goldberg/Lesnar
* Shane/AJ Styles
* Woman's Fourway - Nia vs Sasha vs Charlotte vs Bayley
* Jericho/Owens

Would be terrible squeezing Cena into a story that doesn't make sense for him

Both Reigns/Taker and Styles/Shane also wouldn't interest me at all, not even a little.

I have to say, if that is the final card, I would be very disappointed

[The CyNick]

Would be terrible squeezing Cena into a story that doesn't make sense for him

Both Reigns/Taker and Styles/Shane also wouldn't interest me at all, not even a little.

I have to say, if that is the final card, I would be very disappointed

A fan on a message board, disappointed? Anything can happen in this great sport.

[Maluco]

A fan on a message board, disappointed? Anything can happen in this great sport.

Lol, why can we not be disappointed sometimes though? There were a lot of positives, but I just think there were better matches they could be doing. Rumble was fun and all, just not fussed on that card. Not a big deal!

[The CyNick]

Lol, why can we not be disappointed sometimes though? There were a lot of positives, but I just think there were better matches they could be doing. Rumble was fun and all, just not fussed on that card. Not a big deal!

Just an overall comment about the state of some of the people on here. Not necessarily you specifically.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

There have been plenty of people who've openly stated they enjoyed the Rumble. Not everyone is going to love everything that's put on in front of them.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

I watched with non fans and it was really fun seeing their reactions

[slik]

What was their favorite stuff @Dale Nude STud

[Simple Fan]

My brother was real disappointed that Samoa Joe wasn't in. He doesn't even watch NXT and only watched TNA everyone once in a while but kept waiting for Joe because he seen a list of something posted by WWE on his Facebook and Joe was on it.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

lol if true:

Per the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, the plan for the next Raw pay-per-view (PPV), March 5’s Fastlane, calls for Goldberg to get a Universal title shot against Kevin Owens. And win the belt, so his long-planned match with Brock Lesnar in Orlando will be for the championship. This fits with earlier reports that neither of the men who took the WWE titles into Royal Rumble would carry them to WrestleMania. Meltzer also points out that this would mean the Universal title will not be on the road with Raw live events heading into the Show of Shows, something which is becoming standard operating procedure. In three of the past four years, the top prize from Raw (or all of WWE, pre-brand split) has been brought to Mania on the shoulder of a part-timer: Rock in 2013, Brock in 2015 and Triple H last year. With Goldberg not working house shows leading up to Fastlane, either, WWE will reportedly fill the time on live events with Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens for the Universal title. And that will be a beneath the main event of Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman, itself a filler feud since, Roman’s alleged Mania opponent, Undertaker, only works television, too.

[slik]

So whoever leaves WM as champ prob won't be on TV for long after.

[Evil Vito]

Since it appears that Roman's now tied up with Taker leaving him without an opponent, I'm guessing Braun Strowman is the odds on Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal favorite, then.

Hopefully they can a title shot to it as an extra incentive for the GMs to try to motivate people to win the match. Braun/Lesnar or Braun/Goldberg for the title down the line can be fun.

[Evil Vito]

Actually, Corbin and Strowman could be touted as the favorites for their respective brands and they'll show Corbin eliminating Strowman a billion times in the build-up.

[Jordan]

Agh finally I am ready to post my prediction card....

World Championship
Bray Wyatt (c) vs Randy Orton

Universal Championship
Goldberg (c) vs Brock Lesnar

Roman Reigns vs The Undertaker

Samoa Joe vs John Cena

Triple H vs Seth Rollins

AJ Styles vs Shane McMahon

Baron Corbin vs Braun Strowman

US Championship Match
Chris Jericho vs Kevin Owens

Raw Womens Championship
Charlotte vs Nia Jax vs Sasha Banks vs Bailey

20 Man Andre The Giant Battle Royal
Featuring... Big Show, Shaq, Dean Ambrose, The Miz, Rusev, American Alpha, Cesaro, Sheamus, Heath Slater, Rhyno, Dolph Ziggler, Big Cass, Enzo, Kane, The Uso's, Sami Zayn, Titus O'Neal, Tyler Bate

PRE SHOW

Cruiserweight Championship
Neville vs ???

Raw Tag Championship
Gallows and Anderson vs The New Day

Smackdown Womens Championship
Multi Woman Match

[XL]

Probably not a million miles off. I'd try to run a SD Tag Title match though. Not having them on the Rumble card at all won't have helped establish the titles/Alpha.

[Sixx]

lol if true:

gotta love when they give the belts to guys that show up like once every 3 months or so.

[Sixx]

also, please tell undertaker to stay backstage.

he should really call it a day already.

[#1-norm-fan]

I prefer that to watering the titles down on a weekly basis with midcard guys. Honestly, Brock Lesnar and John Cena as champions make the titles come off as a million times more meaningful heading into WM than AJ Styles and Kevin Owens. Until they can manage to build new stars AND THEN put the title on them instead of acting like just throwing a title on a guy makes him crazy over, that's the way to go.

[screech]

Really want the winner of the Andre Battle Royal to get a future title shot.

The trophy is neat, but give the guy some kind of follow-up story.

[#1-norm-fan]

I guess this means Owens turns face though to face Jericho. Wouldn't make sense to have it heel vs heel when they could have just given Reigns the title to drop to Lesnar.

[Sixx]

I prefer that to watering the titles down on a weekly basis with midcard guys. Honestly, Brock Lesnar and John Cena as champions make the titles come off as a million times more meaningful heading into WM than AJ Styles and Kevin Owens. Until they can manage to build new stars AND THEN put the title on them instead of acting like just throwing a title on a guy makes him crazy over, that's the way to go.

that's why cena was actually a good champion, best of both worlds - a huge star but always there.

[#1-norm-fan]

I don't really mind the title not being on Raw every week either actually. Feels old school. Makes it feel more special. Especially since the current weekly booking only serves to make everything bland.

[Rammsteinmad]

I prefer that to watering the titles down on a weekly basis with midcard guys. Honestly, Brock Lesnar and John Cena as champions make the titles come off as a million times more meaningful heading into WM than AJ Styles and Kevin Owens. Until they can manage to build new stars AND THEN put the title on them instead of acting like just throwing a title on a guy makes him crazy over, that's the way to go.

They'll never truly have new "stars" if the spotlight at the biggest show of the year is always on part timers who are ten years past their prime.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

And no doubt if Goldberg is squashing Lesnar twice in a row, KO will also be squashed.

[#1-norm-fan]

They'll never truly have new "stars" if the spotlight at the biggest show of the year is always on part timers who are ten years past their prime.

They've gotta build new stars the rest of the year and then have them headline at WrestleMania once they're over. As it stands now, they can't spotlight a bunch of glorified midcarders over massively over main eventers. High profile WrestleMania spots are the same as titles. You don't give them to a guy hoping he gets over. It just looks bad. You put some actual effort into getting them over AND THEN give it to them. WrestleMania main event spots and titles should be used as a coronation when someone gets over. That's how you keep them meaningful.

[Simple Fan]

Really want the winner of the Andre Battle Royal to get a future title shot.

The trophy is neat, but give the guy some kind of follow-up story.

But then it would just be another Royal Rumble essentially. I'm fine with the trophy and maybe a mid card title shot because most the entrants are mid carders or jobbers.

[Simple Fan]

And no doubt if Goldberg is squashing Lesnar twice in a row, KO will also be squashed.

Would be dumb if they had it any other way though. Would make Lesnar look even weaker if Owens had a 10-15 minute match with Goldburg.

[XL]

I prefer that to watering the titles down on a weekly basis with midcard guys. Honestly, Brock Lesnar and John Cena as champions make the titles come off as a million times more meaningful heading into WM than AJ Styles and Kevin Owens. Until they can manage to build new stars AND THEN put the title on them instead of acting like just throwing a title on a guy makes him crazy over, that's the way to go.
...like they're about to do with Bray Wyatt.
I guess this means Owens turns face though to face Jericho. Wouldn't make sense to have it heel vs heel when they could have just given Reigns the title to drop to Lesnar.
Jericho is more over/closer to getting a face reaction right now. So you're probably right.
They've gotta build new stars the rest of the year and then have them headline at WrestleMania once they're over. As it stands now, they can't spotlight a bunch of glorified midcarders over massively over main eventers. High profile WrestleMania spots are the same as titles. You don't give them to a guy hoping he gets over. It just looks bad. You put some actual effort into getting them over AND THEN give it to them. WrestleMania main event spots and titles should be used as a coronation when someone gets over. That's how you keep them meaningful.
Trouble is they're not finding the balance. Styles is the closest thing they've got to an over Main Event level talent on SDL and he'll likely be feuding with his boss, a non-wrestler instead of having a barn stormer of a match with a Cena or Orton.

[Simple Fan]

Yeah I don't see what they are thinking with the Shane/AJ match. Yeah AJ has had problems with somethings like the poster and John Cena but Shane said Steph and Mic made the poster and Cena has been referenced as DB brother in law. Really no heat between them and what ever they come up with would probably feel weak. Ambrose has more heat with Shane than Styles really does but the perfect opponent for Shane is the Miz.

[Sixx]

wait, what the fuck?

shane vs aj?

makes just a very tiny bit more sense than shane vs taker

[The CyNick]

Assuming they go in the Shane v Styles direction, my assumption is it's a way to keep AJ in a high profile program coming off losing the title.

Dean vs AJ was the Fall program, so not sure about randomly bringing it back for Mania. I like the idea of Mania being a blow-off, so if they do Miz vs Ambrose, I think that makes sense.

[screech]

But then it would just be another Royal Rumble essentially. I'm fine with the trophy and maybe a mid card title shot because most the entrants are mid carders or jobbers.

It being for an IC/US title shot would be great for the competitors and the titles. Makes the match feel bigger since it was earned, and gives the battle royal winner something to do for at least the immediate future.

[The CyNick]

I think they gotta do something big with Corbin at Mania. I would like to see him walk out with the IC title. Ideally just one on one with Ambrose, although it would suck for Miz to but have a program. So maybe make it a three way.

[Evil Vito]

I still think a multi-man Intercontinental Title Ladder Match is in play. Yeah it's been done the last two years but I could see Bryan wanting to keep the tradition alive especially since it was his last "WrestleMania moment".

Dean Ambrose, The Miz, Baron Corbin, Dolph Ziggler, and Luke Harper all feel like strong candidates to be in the match. Maybe Kalisto is in there too since he'll help you fill some of the required crazy spots they have in every ladder match.

Not sure if they'd make it exact 7 guys for the third year in a row. If they do and Tye Dillinger is actually with the main roster, he'd be a good choice for that last spot.

Failing that I could actually see Mojo Rawley getting the nod for the last spot over a guy like Apollo Crews. I think they see potential in Mojo and with his tag team partner being the winner of last year's ladder match I can see why they'd work him getting into this year's into the story.

[Maluco]

If Reigns goes for Taker, Braun needs something bigger than the battle royal. He easily looked the most impressive in the Rumble and will be one of the guys featured after Mania.

What about Stephanie getting pissed at Smackdown winning streak and challenging Shane to put up a wrestler from Smackdown to go against someone from Raw at Mania.

Maybe do Strowman vs Ambrose.

[XL]

Corbin?

[Simple Fan]

Yeah I Corbin would be better. Corbin vs Strowman with bragging rights or something like first pick in the upcoming draft on the line. Corbin eliminated Braun so it could happen.

[Simple Fan]

I think they gotta do something big with Corbin at Mania. I would like to see him walk out with the IC title. Ideally just one on one with Ambrose, although it would suck for Miz to but have a program. So maybe make it a three way.

Nah, Miz and Shane is were the money is at with Bryan not being able to compete. Would really suck to not have one of the best storys of the year not have a payoff at Mania. Bryan could even be special guest referee.

[The CyNick]

Nah, Miz and Shane is were the money is at with Bryan not being able to compete. Would really suck to not have one of the best storys of the year not have a payoff at Mania. Bryan could even be special guest referee.

I would be fine with that for Miz, but would want to see Styles in something more high profile than Ambrose.

[Simple Fan]

Same here, keep him attached to Cena, they pull off great matches and work well together on the mic. Throw in Samoa Joe and you got a high profile match at Wrestlemania.

[Sixx]

ambrose should fight for the belt and win it, cause he's the only one that actually wears pants.

[Simple Fan]

Luke Harper wears pants.

[Emperor Smeat]

lol if true:

Pretty much needed for their feud especially if its going to be the real main event of Mania. Right now there is no logical reason why Goldberg would want to fight Lesnar again and WWE already blew their load with the back-to-back domination Goldberg had against Lesnar.

Only real positive is at least on paper the US belt should get a boost in importance if the Universal title won't be around as much but then again it would also be typical WWE and RAW Creative to find a way to mess up.

[Sixx]

Luke Harper wears pants.

shuuuut uuuup

[Simple Fan]

shuuuut uuuup

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/kgeGypFlPuU/maxresdefault.jpg

[XL]

Pretty much needed for their feud especially if its going to be the real main event of Mania. Right now there is no logical reason why Goldberg would want to fight Lesnar again and WWE already blew their load with the back-to-back domination Goldberg had against Lesnar.

Only real positive is at least on paper the US belt should get a boost in importance if the Universal title won't be around as much but then again it would also be typical WWE and RAW Creative to find a way to mess up.

Dunno. If I could get paid a hefty payday to squash a guy in seconds I think I would. The premise could always be Lesnar pushing for another match.

[XL]

So Joe's on Raw. What now for Cena?

[#BROKEN Hasney]

So Joe's on Raw. What now for Cena?

... Orton V Cena for the belt is still a possibility.

[XL]

I don't want none!!

[XL]

They're not gonna do that.

[Maluco]

Cena vs Nakamura?

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Meltz says that someone told him he wouldn't like Cena's planned mania matchup.

http://33.media.tumblr.com/4327509bf6cec41a9090f3afd6f05c57/tumblr_nel6c0ir7z1tzsj00o5_400.gif

[The CyNick]

Meltz says that someone told him he wouldn't like Cena's planned mania matchup.

http://33.media.tumblr.com/4327509bf6cec41a9090f3afd6f05c57/tumblr_nel6c0ir7z1tzsj00o5_400.gif

Mysterious "reporting" from Meltz

[The CyNick]

For the record, I'm good with Orton vs Cena. I don't remember the last big match they had, they are two of the all time greats, and as far as I can remember they never had a one on one Mania match. Kinda reminds me of HHH and Rocky. They had tons of matches, but never had that one on one match at Mania.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

For the record, I'm good with Orton vs Cena. I don't remember the last big match they had, they are two of the all time greats, and as far as I can remember they never had a one on one Mania match. Kinda reminds me of HHH and Rocky. They had tons of matches, but never had that one on one match at Mania.

It was at everyones favourite event, the 2014 Rumble.

The negative reaction of the fans attending the event in Pittsburgh was so great that it was reported as one of the major news items coming out of the show, and described as the live audience engineering a "takeover" of the final two hours of the show. During the title match between John Cena and Randy Orton, fans booed both men and chanted for Daniel Bryan, amongst other chants such as "this is awful".

I can't blame you for not remembering it, it wasn't very memorable.

[The CyNick]

I'm not even sure if I watched that show.

Goldberg vs Lesnar wasnt well received in 2004, seems to be doing well now. So I wouldn't be too worried about a Cena v Orton match (if that's even the direction).

We'll have to wait for more scoopz from the"reporters". Maybe once they shoot the angle, the "reporters" will break the story on the direction. Much like the hot scoop about Sasha turning heel after she cuts a hell promo on Bayley on TV.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

What was their favorite stuff @Dale Nude STud

Honestly, they pretty much liked everything.

The girl loved John Cena. The guy kind of popped for everything, he just like the showmanship and the dedication. He got a huge kick out of it. I think he was like "holy shit" when Owens fell through the chairs, and just kind of how ridiculous all of it was. I think it was novel watching it for the first time.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

If Cena vs Orton doesn't close it could be alright. If it closes that is lol

[#BROKEN Hasney]

If Cena vs Orton doesn't close it could be alright. If it closes that is lol

And there's some stipulation that says they will never face each other ever again. It would be the 79th time they'd be involved in the same match.

[Big Vic]

According to profightdb it'd actually be the 152nd.

[Jordan]

Well now that this story of a potential Orton/Cena match at Mania is breaking, I'm gonna join the "i'm down with that" bandwagon. Cena/Orton is one of my favorite contemporary feuds ever, those guys are made to work together. So yeah I'm down with that, but I don't think it's happening. I think that Cena is going to drop the title at Elimination Chamber, Wyatt get's the belt and whomever it is that causes Cena to loose is who he goes against at Mania. I'm thinking it might be Baron Corbin now, since Dave said it's a match we probably aren't going to like.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

BTW, Cena/Orton was just me speculating. Noone has hinted at that

[#BROKEN Hasney]

I did go back to watch the 2014 Rumble title match though, it's hilarious and the match is so bad.

2014 Rumble title match amazingly hasn't been edited. Loud Daniel Bryan chants.

JBL: "I don't think the fans realise that Daniel Bryan wrestled earlier in the night. And lost!"

We want Angle chants now.

"You both suck" chant aimed at the Orton V Cena match.

Cole, during the chant: "This crowd is electric!!!"

This is slow paced and seemingly building to nothing. The only thing that got a positive reaction so far was Orton kicking Cena to stop the 5 knuckle shuffle. And rightfully so.

Ref bump, STF, Orton taps out, Orton hits him with the belt, expected kickout.

Prolonged un-needed waiting around, AA outta nowhere, kickout at 2.

"We want refunds" chant breaks out

Lawler: "Haha, you gotta love the WWE Universe, they're doing anything to distract Orton!"

Orton has a stroll around the ring for a while and looks like he smelled a fart. Locks in a better STF than Cena does.

Reversed into a crossface by Cena...

Orton hits an AA for 2

Orton takes a year to stand up, shakes his head. Feels like more pointless delaying for some reason.

Cena hits an RKO OUTTA NOWHERE for a 2 count

Slowly walking to the turnbuckle for a super AA spot, blocked, another STF.

Wyatts have finally shown up to a huge pop to save this tortured crowd

RKO, pin, woo.

[Jordan]

BTW, Cena/Orton was just me speculating. Noone has hinted at that

I subscribe to the observer so when Dave told me that I may not like the match for Cena at WM, I thought he would be referring to Cena/Corbin or Cena/Orton. It's a natural thought progression, and moreover to me, it's a great idea. (Cena/Orton)

[#BROKEN Hasney]

There was a rumor that Cena was pitched several ideas such as Joe, Taker or him and Nikki V Miz and Maryse.

I mean, it could be the last one.

[#1-norm-fan]

Love Cena and Orton but they seem to have awful chemistry with each other. It never turns out well.

[slik]

It won't be Cena vs Orton. It will be:

Orton vs Bray
Cena/Nikki vs Miz/Maryse

[Jordan]

I never thought of the mixed tag, man that's a horrible idea.

[Jordan]

I would be very interested in having Luke Harper go over Orton and insert himself into the inevitable Orton/Wyatt clash, making it a triple threat. Sure he's kind of a nobody, more or less but his work is so fucking good, even just that one lariat to Bray made mark out during the Rumble. I think it's a cool concept, the Wyatt Fam's explosion, plus I really think that match could be great. Better than without Harper, that's for sure.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

He got one of the biggest non-elimination/entrance pops at the Rumble teasing that Sister Abigal on Bray.

Even if not at Mania, I think it could be a fun feud.

[Big Vic]

Cena vs Miz could be pretty good, no tag match though please.

[#1-norm-fan]

It seems like a letdown at the moment but they could, in theory, build up a story that makes Cena vs Miz feel like a big deal. Miz manages to eliminate Cena from the chamber match somehow but loses the match. Allows him to turn the cocky douchebag character up to 11 and gives him a legit gripe when he demands a title shot at WrestleMania since he beat the champion and Bryan's like "Sorry. Orton's already got the title shot." Adds heat to that feud. Miz could turn his attention to being jealous of Cena's celebrity status (which is obviously what Miz has always really wanted since before even coming to WWE) and uses eliminating Cena to at least get himself a high-profile WrestleMania match to prove he deserves all the attention. They could sell the match on promos alone. Which would be preferable to the two of them just constantly fighting each other in tag matches which will probably happen.

[Evil Vito]

Cena/Miz would've made more sense if Miz had won the Rumble in chickenshit fashion, I feel.

[#1-norm-fan]

Eh. Now that I've written it out and thought about it, I like the idea of an organic build for Cena/Miz. I think the title could add more fuel to the Wyatt-Orton match than it could Miz-Cena. If they were to book it like that, Miz-Cena would be set with no title necessary. Meanwhile, the tension built with Wyatt having the title and Orton being #1 contender would be better than just another "tag partners explode!" feud.

[slik]

Cena and Miz will stem from Miz/D-Bry as Cena will get tired of Miz picking on D-Bry. #BeAStar in full effect.

Promos between Cena/Miz I would expect to be pretty good tbh.

[Sixx]

I did go back to watch the 2014 Rumble title match though, it's hilarious and the match is so bad.

2014 Rumble title match amazingly hasn't been edited. Loud Daniel Bryan chants.

JBL: "I don't think the fans realise that Daniel Bryan wrestled earlier in the night. And lost!"

We want Angle chants now.

"You both suck" chant aimed at the Orton V Cena match.

Cole, during the chant: "This crowd is electric!!!"

This is slow paced and seemingly building to nothing. The only thing that got a positive reaction so far was Orton kicking Cena to stop the 5 knuckle shuffle. And rightfully so.

Ref bump, STF, Orton taps out, Orton hits him with the belt, expected kickout.

Prolonged un-needed waiting around, AA outta nowhere, kickout at 2.

"We want refunds" chant breaks out

Lawler: "Haha, you gotta love the WWE Universe, they're doing anything to distract Orton!"

Orton has a stroll around the ring for a while and looks like he smelled a fart. Locks in a better STF than Cena does.

Reversed into a crossface by Cena...

Orton hits an AA for 2

Orton takes a year to stand up, shakes his head. Feels like more pointless delaying for some reason.

Cena hits an RKO OUTTA NOWHERE for a 2 count

Slowly walking to the turnbuckle for a super AA spot, blocked, another STF.

Wyatts have finally shown up to a huge pop to save this tortured crowd

RKO, pin, woo.

sounds ELECTRIFYING

[Rammsteinmad]

Cena and Orton are both the kinda guys that can have five-star matches if they're working with the right guys. It would be interesting to see what they can do together, in 2017, with both of their "legendary" statuses, especially since they haven't really had any high-profile singles matches in a few years. Just not really too excited about it possibly headlining Wrestlemania but I guess we'll see how the booking for it goes if that were the case.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Honestly, they pretty much liked everything.

The girl loved John Cena. The guy kind of popped for everything, he just like the showmanship and the dedication. He got a huge kick out of it. I think he was like "holy shit" when Owens fell through the chairs, and just kind of how ridiculous all of it was. I think it was novel watching it for the first time.

Also, he thought Jericho in the cage was fucking amazing. We all died laughing when Jericho and Owens started beating on Roman before the match. I think he took a shine to Jericho and his scarves and effeminate walk to the ring.

He liked how dudes like the Undertaker (who he actually knew) were treated with respect, like they actually had "legend status". Also just in general how ridiculous all of it was.

[Evil Vito]

Cena and Orton are two of the best ever but they've never had any chemistry together in the ring. They were just always put up against each other because for ages they were the two biggest names the company had.

[The CyNick]

I subscribe to the observer so when Dave told me that I may not like the match for Cena at WM, I thought he would be referring to Cena/Corbin or Cena/Orton. It's a natural thought progression, and moreover to me, it's a great idea. (Cena/Orton)

You would think Dave would just reveal Cena's opponent if he claims to know. Hell since he feels like "we" won't like it, he could go back to his statement a couple weeks ago and reveal the match so it gets changed.

Oh but wait, he's full of shit, so he can't do that.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm not entirely sure that they're not going to do Cena vs. Orton at this point, with The Wyatt Family adding a "fresh dynamic" to the feud. Orton vs. Wyatt does not feel like a WWE Title match. All signs point to it happening though.

Cena & Nikki vs. Miz & Maryse? Ugh. Cena is so much better than that at this point, but I guess it does keep Nikki out of a Women's Title program. It just kind of sucks that we need to sacrifice Cena to get that.

[Emperor Smeat]

Cena and Orton are two of the best ever but they've never had any chemistry together in the ring. They were just always put up against each other because for ages they were the two biggest names the company had.

Think a big reason is they rarely bothered to make Orton feel like Cena's equal whenever those two would feud. Part of it is due to his really poor win percentage against Cena and part due to Cena getting the Hogan or Super Cena treatment which makes it tough to build a real rival.

They wanted Orton-Cena feuds to be their new Rock-Austin mega feud but in reality Edge fit a lot better as Cena's "Rock" rival. Even the feud with Punk came off as being better as a mega type feud than Orton-Cena feuds before it.

[Emperor Smeat]

According to recent rumors if Cena/Nikki vs Miz/Maryse ends up happening at Mania, it would be due to Nikki pushing for that match and as her retirement from the WWE. Wants to have a match with Cena and retire in a similar way Brie did with Mania as her final event.

Also being rumored WWE has plans to turn Roman Reigns heel after Mania which is why they want Taker-Reigns to happen.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Oh thank God. I think heel Reigns has all the potential in the world

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Orton vs Cena could work if they make it less storyline driven and more personal/rivalry driven.

THere's always the "WWE effect" when they wrestle. It's never just Orton vs Cena.

[Jazzy Foot]

I anticipated Goldberg would be going into Mania with a title of sorts but this is now just confusing.

I don't want to see him lose to Lesnar though it seems that way maybe for good reason: Goldberg will probably leave soon afterwards whereas Lesnar will still be back if somewhat sporadically.

Or perhaps in an "out of character" moment, the two wrestler a longer and decent match, Goldberg gets the better of Lesnar once again, Lesnar reluctantly shakes Goldberg's hand as a way of saying "I had to know for myself" and that draws a line under that feud? Lesnar already had his major WM moment and even another loss to Goldberg wouldn't harm his profile. But if Goldberg did win the title at Fastlane then Orton would be facing Cena for sure?


Cena v Taker would have been the dream match though. If my above scenario played out then I'd want Taker to win the belt, come out on Raw the next night and announce his retirement with him citing there's nothing left to do. Lesnar hurting from his loss to Goldberg comes out and reminds Taker of the one blemish on his record and referring to the fact Mania 34 will be back in NO, he challenges Taker to one last match at WM. Taker accepts after acknowledging he wants to avenge that defeat at WM so he can retire saying he beat all his WM opponents and like we had Rock v Cena at WM 28, we will have this confirmed a year in advance billed as Taker's last ever match.

It's no coincidence Taker was involved with the promo/launch of WM 34 PR a few weeks back given the venue and I suspect this could be on the cards.

[Jazzy Foot]

Maybe Orton puts his title shot on the line against Taker, Wyatt seething with jealousy comes out and costs him the match. Orton then returns the favour in the EC match and the two feud with each other.

It would be ridiculous yes and in which case they ought to have allowed Taker to win the RR.

I see Reigns and Strowman heading for a collision course too and maybe Reigns and Taker at a later date depending on whether he is still wrestling afterwards.

[Emperor Smeat]

WWE might be considering the idea of Lesnar and not Goldberg be the one to take the Universal title off of Kevin Owens. Has to do with a recent post-Fastlane card for MSG meant to be a Smackdown brand show but has a special RAW match included.

If that happens, the potential Goldberg-Lesnar Universal title match could have Lesnar as the champ and not Goldberg as previously speculated.

http://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/wwe-advertising-brock-lesnar-vs-kevin-owens-msg-house-show-229406

[Damian Rey 2.0]

I like the idea of Lesnar getting the belt. Right now, Goldberg has little reason to continue on with Lesnar. Put a belt on him, and the "one more run" as champ goal for Goldberg all of sudden presents itself, with Lesnar/Heyman using the title as a way to lure Goldberg into one more match.

Lesnar wins, great. He's a dominant champ and the belt becomes special again because he's only showing up for the big fights.

Goldberg wins? Great. He's s dominant champ and the belt becomes special again because he's only showing up for the big fights.

[slik]

From the newest Wrestling Observer







Samoa Joe made his main roster debut in the final segment of RAW doing an attack on Seth Rollins just when it appeared Rollins and HHH were going to go at it. The plan was to set up Rollins vs. Joe at the Fast Lane PPV (2/22 in Milwaukee) and for that to lead to Rollins vs. HHH. Joe threw Rollins around outside the ring and more inside the ring. The injury, believed to be a torn MCL, happened as Joe took Rollins down to deliver his choke finisher and Rollins legs were flailing around rather than planted and his right knee went out. That was the same knee that he had reconstructive surgery on in 2015, which caused him to miss his scheduled 2016 WrestleMania match with HHH.
Rollins was getting an evaluation on the knee on 2/1 in Birmingham and the early word was that he’d be out about eight weeks, meaning that Mania was possible but not definite. Obviously he’ll want to do it under any circumstances when it’s that close of a call but WWE these days, for legal reasons, is far more cautious about throwing talent back into the ring before they are ready than has been the case historically.


So this is the current WrestleMania lineup with notes:


*Bill Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar for the Universal title. Goldberg should win the title at Fast Lane, the next show he’s appearing on. WrestleMania is the final match of Goldberg’s current contract, but given that he’s been a big success so far, there is no reason that can’t be renewed. Nevertheless, given the way the build has gone, one would expect Lesnar to come out as champion. And if that’s the case, the speculation would be on who he loses it to, with the latest pushes indicate Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman leading the pack.


*Undertaker vs. Reigns. They shot the angle in the Rumble, where Reigns eliminated Undertaker. As noted before, Reigns will be booed out of the building against Undertaker. It was noted to us that Vince McMahon had been wanting to make this match for some time. With Undertaker’s condition the way it is, this could have been the last chance to do it. There is the idea of a generational passing of the torch. That could mean a Reigns win and a heel run with the idea the fans turned on him, since long-term the goal is still to be the face of the company. It could mean an Undertaker win as a way to humanize Reigns, and get endorsed by Undertaker (which also could come if Reigns wins and they are dead set against the heel turn even though the crowd reactions at least on TV’s and PPV’s will continue to be strongly negative). Undertaker was clearly not in shape in the Rumble. From what we understand, even though he did very little in the match, his hip was hurting badly after his recent surgery. He needs hip replacement surgery, but he’s been putting it off until he ends his career. Hopefully with two more months he can be in good enough shape to be able to do a solid lengthy singles match.


*HHH vs. Seth Rollins. Obviously this is in jeopardy right now. Plans for an alternate feud for Triple H were discussed earlier today. When we have more information about those discussions we will share the information.


*Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton for the WWE title. The first part of the planned set up came through with Orton winning. Wyatt is scheduled to win the Elimination Chamber match and win the title at this stage I can’t see that changing. Orton is to be the babyface in this program. Either way, it’s likely the two will continue their program after WrestleMania, which also takes A.J. Styles out of the title picture for now.


*Chris Jericho vs. Kevin Owens. No word if the U.S. title will be at stake. Jericho’s run was supposed to originally end a long time ago, but things worked out well for him and he’s inked new short-term deals. He does have some concerts scheduled for 5/27 to 6/9, but that’s it, so it’s not a lock he’s leaving after WrestleMania as it once appeared.


*John Cena & Nikki Bella vs. The Miz & Maryse. This is notable in a lot of ways. When this match came out, a ton of people internally were rolling their eyes about it. On one hand, it does feel like a waste for Cena, who was originally to face Undertaker, and there was also talk of Samoa Joe and others. But there is also a lot of talk that it would be Nikki Bella’s last match (there are reports of that but nobody we’ve asked about it internally either had any knowledge or confirmed it). If so, you can see her wanting to go out with her boyfriend at WrestleMania and see him maybe wanting that as well. Miz has done a great job of late and the Miz & Maryse couple are a near main event level act. With the storyline where Natalya pushed that “John will never marry you,” I keep thinking this could lead to a proposal, and if that’s the case, in the big picture, this match makes sense. I don’t know that’s the case. That would be a far bigger thing as far as something memorable than anything, even a great match with A.J. Styles, that Cena could be to the majority of fans.


*Big Show vs. Shaquille O’Neal. It really doesn’t matter what they do here. O’Neal should lose since it’s not like he’s coming back and Show is, but in these types of situations, the rule of thumb is to put the celebrity over because it’s all about the post-show coverage, and to the real world, clips of Shaq winning play better than Show winning. Show is 45 years old and his winning or losing means nothing in the long run.


*Charlotte vs. Bayley vs. Nia Jax vs. Sasha Banks for the women’s title. They are pushing the Charlotte PPV winning streak hard. WrestleMania would be the time to lose it. Bayley is obviously the person to win it. To me, that’s actually too soon for the story, but WrestleMania is so obviously the place to do it. Plus it would enable a Bayley vs. Banks match at SummerSlam in Brooklyn. But given the work Charlotte has done in building up the value of the title in recent months, and her presence on interviews which none of the other women have, it’s hard for me to see her out of the title picture for any length of time.


The other match that is rumored that looks likely, but not confirmed is A.J. Styles vs. Shane McMahon.


That pretty much takes care of most of the show. There could be an IC title match with Dean Ambrose. With Miz in the Cena match, that puts either Baron Corbin or Dolph Ziggler as the leading contenders for it. There are also both brand tag team titles and the Smackdown women’s title. Corbin also makes sense in the Andre the Giant Battle Royal, where Braun Strowman, at one time scheduled to win it last year, would be the favorite. As far as top guys go, with the exception of Finn Balor, that seems to take care of everyone.


credit - Dave Meltzer

[Emperor Smeat]

From the newest Wrestling Observer

*John Cena & Nikki Bella vs. The Miz & Maryse ... But there is also a lot of talk that it would be Nikki Bella’s last match (there are reports of that but nobody we’ve asked about it internally either had any knowledge or confirmed it). If so, you can see her wanting to go out with her boyfriend at WrestleMania and see him maybe wanting that as well ... With the storyline where Natalya pushed that “John will never marry you,” I keep thinking this could lead to a proposal, and if that’s the case, in the big picture, this match makes sense. I don’t know that’s the case. That would be a far bigger thing as far as something memorable than anything, even a great match with A.J. Styles, that Cena could be to the majority of fans.

Going to laugh if this just ends up being one big stunt for Total Divas or Total Bellas instead of being this gen's version of the Macho-Liz WWF proposal and marriage.

[Corkscrewed]

So both brands' top titles will be on the line at WM after one month feuds each?

These are rumors, but that just sounds dumb. Plus, if they take the belt off Cena after only a month, then they should have given Styles a third win over Cena to keep the streak alive, have Styles lose the belt in the Chamber after not being pinned, and save Cena beating Styles for a moment that can last longer.

Give Lesnar the belt so that Goldberg has a reason to face him. That seems obvious...

[Evil Vito]

http://i.imgur.com/Uk4qpRl.jpg

[XL]

Yeah the Berg/Brock thing does seem backwards. But it's been built for more than a month. Bit of an unfair criticism.

With you on the SDL thing though. Really not into Orton/Wyatt for the belt, or a potential AJ/Shane match. The latter would have made more sense if AJ had retained against Cena, then lost 2 weeks later in the EC, AJ would have a bigger axe to grind with Shane. Although AJ can't lose the belt in the EC "without being pinned", unless he gets injured out of the match.

[slik]

Update on Ambrose/WrestleMania from Dave Meltzer this morning:




"Dean Ambrose is kinda like, well he doesn't have anything for Wrestlemania at this point. I suppose they could do something for the IC title, I mean like a multiple person match or something, but y'know we'll see. There's already a lot of matches on the card and there's the battle royal and everything, but they could still add something. He may be subjected to being on the pre-show at this rate unless he's in that battle royal"

[Volare]

Well fuck.

[Evil Vito]

But the Intercontinental Title is supposed to be the most prestigious its been in years!

[Simple Fan]

With the rumors of them wanting to make New IC and US belts and also Dean wanting a new one they should just unveil the new one at Wrestlemania and have the ladder match for it. Not sure about the US though maybe Jericho or Owens turn it into the Canadian championship and who ever beats them gets a new one.

[Lock Jaw]

Dean said he wanted a new one on Smackdown one week, but then on the Royal Rumble pre-show they asked him in the social media lounge about an IC title redesign and what his ideal title would look like, and he answered that he loves his current one and it is the design he grew up with and that it was his ideal belt design already.

[The CyNick]

So both brands' top titles will be on the line at WM after one month feuds each?

These are rumors, but that just sounds dumb. Plus, if they take the belt off Cena after only a month, then they should have given Styles a third win over Cena to keep the streak alive, have Styles lose the belt in the Chamber after not being pinned, and save Cena beating Styles for a moment that can last longer.

Give Lesnar the belt so that Goldberg has a reason to face him. That seems obvious...

Assuming the above is correct, the Universal title will be on the line in a program that has been going on since the early Fall, and the WWE title in a program that started around the same time.

It's funny when people complain about stuff that is just plain wrong.

[The CyNick]

But the Intercontinental Title is supposed to be the most prestigious its been in years!

Ambrose hurts any program or title because he has this I dont give a crap aura about him.

I would look to get the title on Corbin or back to Miz ASAP.

[rockman725]

With Seth seemingly out of the picture and the reveal that Foley is having surgery and will have to give up the GM job, I could see this as the opportunity for Kurt Angle to come in as the new Raw GM.

Here's a potential possibility: If the WWE grants clearance for Kurt Angle and Daniel Bryan for one last match, you can have the battle of the GM's at Wrestlemania. And if it can't be one-on-one, you can have Kurt Angle & Triple H (fighting for Steph) vs. Daniel Bryan & Shane McMahon.

I, for one, would love to see that as opposed to AJ vs Shane.

[Evil Vito]

Daniel. Bryan. Is. Never. Wrestling. For. WWE. Again.

Amazing to me that people think they would ever clear him.

[Emperor Smeat]

Even if the WWE wanted to consider the idea, they are never going to do it as long as the class-action lawsuit involving concussions is active. WWE got lucky the general public doesn't care as much about wrestling as they do with NFL or else they'd be dealing with a lot more public pressure.

[Droford]

Daniel. Bryan. Is. Never. Wrestling. For. WWE. Again.

Amazing to me that people think they would ever clear him.

they've been building to him wrestling the Miz since the brand split. There's no reason to have the Miz mocking him every week if its never going to happen.

Shane/Bryan vs Miz/Styles would work

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Sure there is. It gets the Miz heat for picking on a guy who can't defend himself anymore.

[Lock Jaw]

Yeah. Bryan is not rassling.

[Droford]

Which is the kind of thinking that will cause the biggest pop ever for when he does

[Lock Jaw]

Will he outpop DX?!

[Mr. Nerfect]

Given the way things currently are, I'd have John Cena retain the WWE Championship in the Elimination Chamber. Everybody is expecting him to lose it. Have him beat Wyatt in the final fall and actually retain. AJ Styles, who never got his one-on-one rematch and gets shafted in the EC somehow (or maybe he's just the first entrant and is worn out by the end) says he wants to be in the WWE Title match at WrestleMania. Shane McMahon is reluctant, but Daniel Bryan understands what Styles is going through and places him in the match.

* John Cena (c) vs. Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles for the WWE Championship

This would be a cathartic "End of an Era" match. Cena and Orton represent the WWE since the shift from the Attitude era, and AJ Styles coming in as a man less than two years into his WWE stint but already regarded as the best wrestler in the world makes a great story. The fans want to cheer AJ Styles so much, and this positions him as the change Shane McMahon promised. They finally have a guy that can do it.

As for the Universal Title, I'd actually put it on The Undertaker at Fastlane. Taker isn't looking good, but in the fans' eyes he carries a lot of respectability. He will help wash the mid-card stank off the RAW Title. Something Court Bauer said in his podcast gave me the idea for a really good angle to take on the Taker/Reigns story. Taker is the "conscience of the WWE" and a man who shows up to right the wrongs. Reigns used to fight for justice, but right now has become an injustice. The fans do not feel he is worthy of his spot and Undertaker is here to test him. "Endorsing" Reigns will not work, given that they've already had The Rock do that and it backfired. But Undertaker symbolically acquitting Reigns of being a failure might have some story value.

* The Undertaker (c) vs. Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship

Brock/Goldberg doesn't need the title. They are two men fighting for personal pride. I don't know what you have Goldberg do at Fastlane, but I honestly don't really want him there. Maybe he can squash Handsome Rusev? I dunno. I also don't want Brock beating Goldie. I think the story should be that Brock never truly gets one over him. I like the rock/paper/scissors dynamic between Taker/Goldberg/Brock that they could sort of get going -- Taker always trumps Goldberg; Goldberg always trumps Brock; Brock always trumps Taker. Whatever. I'd keep Goldberg as a special attraction and I don't particularly want to see him lose if that is the case. That being said, I don't really know if beating Brock again is particularly smart. Many will hate this, but a thought I keep entertaining is the idea of SAnitY interrupting the match. It'd be a great way for Eric Young to grab the world's attention. I've long felt that the act should grow on the main roster. I don't know if you back pocket Brock and Goldberg after that or you have them form a super team to face SAnitY in a Handicap Match at the next PPV, but you can certainly play with some intriguing dynamics.

* Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar III

Finally, fuck Triple H, I'd have Samoa Joe vs. Seth Rollins at WrestleMania. If Seth is not good to work a long match, have him re-injure the leg in a valiant effort and put Joe over that way. Triple H's promo on RAW was apparently pretty good, but the content implied that he was done creating -- yet here is a Samoa Joe? To me, the story should be that Joe is now Triple H's pet project and there's no reason for The Game to get into the ring while that is the plan. Triple H could gain major political points by sitting out a WrestleMania when he is not needed. He can pop a show later in the year if he really wants to. Seth should sit out and be forced to contemplate retirement at the hands of Joe, only to make his valiant return and to go into a fight against the odds at Mania.

* Samoa Joe vs. Seth Rollins

As for what Bray Wyatt does? I think the tensions between Wyatt and Harper can be fostered into a successful program, with Harper finally breaking free and fighting his former mentor. I'd like to see this be the IC Title program at WrestleMania. Neither guy seems like a great fit for the title, but given how flat everything else is, I think it would at least be a little extra incentive for Harper to fight Bray.

* Bray Wyatt (c) vs. Luke Harper for the Intercontinental Championship

[mike adamle]

The more I think about it, the more I like AJ Styles vs. Shane McMahon, there's no one better for Shane to face. Don't understand why people wouldn't wanna see it

[RP]

Not sure it matters, but i'm going to Smackdown on March 7th and the local tv is advertising Cena vs Styles for the main belt and Ambrose vs The Miz for the IC belt.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm also feeling The Revival being in that Tag Team Turmoil as the last team in to dethrone Alpha, leading to Hulk Hogan backing them up for a Tag Title rematch at WrestleMania. I'd leave the RAW Tag Team Titles off the card then, unless they can get The Hardy Boyz back to do a TLC and Matt can bump his head and tease a better version of the Broken Matt stuff, since people are dorks enough to eat it up.

I can buy Matt Hardy as an insane veteran who breaks after never achieving the success he wants in professional wrestling. That much is easy. It's just the backyard shit and special effects. I'm fine with Matt Hardy getting eerie piano music as a theme, dying part of his hair grey and acting like a master of all men in the RAW mid-card. Give Matt creative input and lay out some key dates and matches for him (like a bout against his brother at SummerSlam) and win him from TNA. Give him and Jeff a RAW Tag Team Title run (something they have never had) and let them drop the belts to The New Day in that TLC Match or something.

* The Hardys (c) vs. The New Day vs. Gallows & Anderson vs. Sheamus & Cesaro in a TLC Match for the RAW Tag Team Championship

The SmackDown Women's Title can be on the line in a Scramble Match between the six girls that are currently involved in that division. You might as well have Naomi head in champion at this point, because who really gives a fuck, right? I want the final fall to be between Becky and Mickie so that Alexa and Mickie can split off and Becky can move into a feud with Sasha Banks when she jumps over to SmackDown.

* Scramble Match for the SmackDown Women's Championship: Naomi (c) vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Mickie James vs. Becky Lynch vs. Natalya vs. Nikki Bella

Neville should defend the Cruiserweight Title against Kota Ibushi, the best cruiserweight in the world today. Really simple build-up, no shenanigans -- simply a great little wrestling match that Dave Meltzer would give seven stars if it happened in the main event of a Japanese show.

* Neville (c) vs. Kota Ibushi for the Cruiserweight Championship

The final match I would include on the main show is Dean Ambrose teaming with Renee Young against The Miz & Maryse in a mixed tag. Renee Young, given how endearing she is, could make a tremendous babyface, and I am sure she is at least somewhat prepared for some sort of physical involvement. The Miz and Maryse are perfect antagonists for her and Dean Ambrose, who can be the aloof loner fighting with the woman that some know he is secretly involved with, but probably doesn't want involved in his physical business (in this sense). Probably the most "heavyweight" thing Dean deserves at this point in time.

* Dean Ambrose & Renee Young vs. The Miz & Maryse

Oh, and then there is that Andre Battle Royal. I still maintain this is where Big Show and Shaq should be. Baron Corbin and Braun Strowman too. Enzo & Cass can do some hype work heading into it. This could be Mark Henry's "retirement match" too. Will they give it to him just because it is his last night with the company? There could be some drama mined in there. A pissed off bald Ziggler from a Hair vs. Mask Match with Kalisto on the pre-show could come out and participate and do quite well. You can have some surprises and some veterans in there too. Given who would currently be scheduled, I'd have it come down between Sami Zayn and Strowman with Strowman winning.

* Andre the Giant Battle Royal; Sceduled Winner: Braun Strowman

[Maluco]

The more I think about it, the more I like AJ Styles vs. Shane McMahon, there's no one better for Shane to face. Don't understand why people wouldn't wanna see it

Honestly? Because Shane couldn't really wrestle before and is 10 years older. There is nothing he can do that we haven't already seen, and the current best in ring guy in the company deserves a match against a high caliber opponent.

Shane is a 47 year old non-wrestler. I am the exact opposite to you. I don't understand why anyone would want to see it.

But yeah...I guess if he has to wrestle...

[Mr. Nerfect]

Final card:

(edited to include two more "opening portion" matches to get it to five a-piece)

Main Event Portion:

* John Cena (c) vs. Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles for the WWE Championship
* The Undertaker (c) vs. Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship
* Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar III
* Neville (c) vs. Kota Ibushi for the Cruiserweight Championship
* Charlotte (c) vs. Bayley vs. Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax for the RAW Women's Championship

Middle Portion:

* Bray Wyatt (c) vs. Luke Harper for the Intercontinental Championship
* Samoa Joe vs. Seth Rollins
* The Hardys (c) vs. Anderson & Gallows vs. Cesaro & Sheamus vs. The New Day in a TLC Match for the RAW Tag Team Championship
* Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal: Final two are Braun Strowman and Sami Zayn
* Chris Jericho (c) vs. Kevin Owens for the United States Championship

Opening Portion:
* The Miz & Maryse vs. Dean Ambrose & Renee Young
* Dolph Ziggler vs. Kalisto in a Hair vs. Mask Match
* Naomi (c) vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Becky Lynch vs. Mickie James vs. Natalya vs. Nikki Bella for the SmackDown Women's Championship
* Tyler Bate (c) vs. Jack Gallagher for the WWE UK Championship
* The Revival (c) vs. American Alpha for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship

In between the blocks they can do Network commercials, adds for future PPVs, show folks training in the back, cut to the panel, etc. Basically an intermission. Edge & Christian can do some entertaining during the first break with Enzo & Cass and maybe a heel team like Rusev & Jinder Mahal. The Rock can take over the second segment and segue into the RAW Women's Title match.

[XL]

The more I think about it, the more I like AJ Styles vs. Shane McMahon, there's no one better for Shane to face. Don't understand why people wouldn't wanna see it

Because they shouldn't be looking for someone for Shane to face? He came in last year to make up the numbers on a depleted roster, this year they're going to struggle to get all of the champions on the card. The mentality of "there's no one better for Shane to face" is backwards; they should be looking for the best opponent to showcase AJ.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

SETH ROLLINS UPDATE, THE MATCH THAT HAS BEEN PITCHED AS A POTENTIAL REPLACEMENT FOR HHH VS. ROLLINS (POTENTIAL SPOILER)
By Mike Johnson on 2017-02-03 10:16:00

WWE announced on their website that Seth Rollins has been pulled from this weekend's live events as he is not medically cleared to wrestle after injuring his knee again this past Monday. Rollins was in Birmingham, Alabama getting the knee examined.

WWE promised a medical update on Rollins for this Monday's Raw, so they are saving that news for TV.

Should Rollins not be able to work Wrestlemania 33, there will obviously be a change in plans. One pitch that has made the rounds over the last 24 hours is for Triple H to wrestle Shane McMahon at the show. We will see if that ends up being the direction if Rollins' injury requires an extended period of absence from WWE storylines.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Because they shouldn't be looking for someone for Shane to face? He came in last year to make up the numbers on a depleted roster, this year they're going to struggle to get all of the champions on the card. The mentality of "there's no one better for Shane to face" is backwards; they should be looking for the best opponent to showcase AJ.

:y:

There are pros to AJ Styles facing Shane McMahon. It's a trusted spot. Vince is obviously impressed with the work AJ does if he's going to let him wrestle his son at WrestleMania. And whether or not we like it, Shane is also over. AJ Styles vs. Shane McMahon is a more important match than, say, AJ Styles vs. Dean Ambrose, and that's just a fact of life at the moment.

That being said, I'd actually rather see Triple H vs. Shane McMahon. Let me scrap that, I'd rather Triple H sit off the WrestleMania card entirely, but if we do need him on there, it's a match between two non-wrestling characters with a lot of emotional stakes.

[Evil Vito]

SETH ROLLINS UPDATE, THE MATCH THAT HAS BEEN PITCHED AS A POTENTIAL REPLACEMENT FOR HHH VS. ROLLINS (POTENTIAL SPOILER)
By Mike Johnson on 2017-02-03 10:16:00

WWE announced on their website that Seth Rollins has been pulled from this weekend's live events as he is not medically cleared to wrestle after injuring his knee again this past Monday. Rollins was in Birmingham, Alabama getting the knee examined.

WWE promised a medical update on Rollins for this Monday's Raw, so they are saving that news for TV.

Should Rollins not be able to work Wrestlemania 33, there will obviously be a change in plans. One pitch that has made the rounds over the last 24 hours is for Triple H to wrestle Shane McMahon at the show. We will see if that ends up being the direction if Rollins' injury requires an extended period of absence from WWE storylines.

God I hope they go with this. If Triple H and Shane have to be on the card I'd rather they face each other and let AJ Styles do something of actual consequence.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Even if Seth Rollins is healthy, they should still go with Triple H vs. Shane McMahon and Seth Rollins vs. Samoa Joe.

[Mr. Nerfect]

It would also be a good way to get Seth over to SmackDown, where I think he could have a more interesting and less mired run as a babyface.

[Emperor Smeat]

Triple H vs Shane as a possible match sounds very interesting solely based on the supposed real life backstage heat between the two ever since Shane returned.

Pretty much would be trading away a better in-ring match with Styles in return for a better story with Triple H for Road to Mania.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

I find it crazy that there's heat between the 2. Though I know Shane was never fond of H getting with Steph but jeez y'all are familia. Shouldn't be anything anyone knows about.

[Emperor Smeat]

If I remember the heat itself is pretty small but mostly regarding the post-Vince plans for the WWE. Triple H has way more heat against those who brought Shane back like Kevin Dunn since those people were planned on getting fired once he officially took over.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm actually wondering if the US Title will be on the line in some sort of Ladder Match. It seems "too gimmicky" for the station that Owens and Jericho are at, but Owens loves his spotfests and Jericho is a team player. I could see Jericho vs. Owens vs. Zayn vs. Strowman vs. Sheamus vs. Cesaro with Rusev possibly being in there. It seems random, but given that seeds are being planted for a Sheamus/Cesaro split again (and I doubt they give him time for a proper Mania program) and that Zayn and Strowman kind of get left in the dark when it comes to rumored scheduled Mania plans, a Ladder Match gives them a chance to all get some shine and fight over the RAW mid-card title.

I dunno, it's just a suggestion. I just still think that Jericho vs. Owens is going to be one "personal grudge over a title" too many when it comes to the PPV in terms of tone. I mean, Orton and Wyatt will already likely be doing the split thing.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Also, allegedly The Hardys have not re-upped with TNA yet. I can see them going to the WWE in return for that greater creative control. Or at least with major tentpoles set up -- ie. Matt hitting his head at Mania, coming back as Broken Matt, feuding with Jeff, converting him, going back after the RAW Tag Titles, PPV in Raleigh, etc. Why not accommodate some of Matt's wishes in order to snag him away from TNA and get those giant merch movers back into the company and helping to pump up that mid-card of yours?

The Hardys winning the RAW Tag Titles from Gallows & Anderson (I can see Matt being the sort of guy that would request to work with them) before feuding with The New Day heading into WrestleMania seems like something that would really spice up the card. I originally had them in a TLC Match, but I can see them just wrestling a plain tag and Big E's Spear through the ropes to Matt being what causes him to go ga-ga. Gallows & Anderson can go into the Battle Royal.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

I think with how it's been said of Strowman's push, her deserves better than a multi man cluster fuck match for a secondary title.

Really the roster is so seemingly thin there's not a lot of options for him. An inter promotional match was mentioned but who from Smackdown do you put him against?

[Rammsteinmad]

20 years later and we're still getting Wrestlemania feuds built around the McMahon family for fucks sake.

[Blonde Moment]

I think with how it's been said of Strowman's push, her deserves better than a multi man cluster fuck match for a secondary title.

I actually enjoy watching him and I think its rather interesting how his personality is developing the more he is on camera

[Ruien]

Hell, Strowman vs Henry (just start building Henry up now) will get him a 1 on 1 victory at Mania. Of you could even do a Henry and Zayn vs Strowman to make it a more solid win.

[Jordan]

Stowman totally has earned a big spot on the card so I really hope his story is big on the show of shows. Also with Nakamura not on the NXT tapings I'm thinking he may be called up, but for what? Well Strowman and Nakamura would probably be awesome.

[XL]

Strowman vs. Corbin based off of the Rumble.

[Jordan]

Strowman vs. Corbin based off of the Rumble.

I agree that would make sense, but I was rewatching the Rumble the other day and after Corbin elimated Strowman, they didn't do a staredown or anything, Braun just left. I do think that would be a good idea but I don't think they alluded to it at all beyond the elimination.

[XL]

The elim did sort of come out of nowhere so I wouldn't be surprised if nothing comes of it, or if it just leads to a thing (final 2?) in the ATGMBR.

[#1-norm-fan]

Hell, Strowman vs Henry (just start building Henry up now) will get him a 1 on 1 victory at Mania.

Or he can job to Mark Henry clean at WrestleMania and then immediately start a program for the world title the next night. LOL JK. WWE would never be that dumb...

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

The key is, Stroman would actually go over in this scenario.

[#1-norm-fan]

I edited my post to be more subtle.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

lol

BRETHART#1!!!!!

[Damian Rey 2.0]

I think Corbin winning the IC title off of Ambrose would be good progress after winning the battle royal last year.

We've seen Strowman in the Rumble. I'd rather have him compete in a match with decent stakes. Maybe a number one contenders match for universal title.

But then again who the fuck do you put him against that's a legit title contender and can make him look good in going over?

[Mr. Nerfect]

I think with how it's been said of Strowman's push, her deserves better than a multi man cluster fuck match for a secondary title.

Really the roster is so seemingly thin there's not a lot of options for him. An inter promotional match was mentioned but who from Smackdown do you put him against?

The thing is, you put him in something long and he is going to get exposed and the heat will be off. By throwing him into an environment like that you can guide him, protect him, make him seem like a big deal and keep those wheels spinning.

Everybody in the match could attack him from the start. He could start tossing them around left and right and then go nuts with a ladder. Eventually numbers effect him and everybody works together to get him through an announce table. Everybody else battles and then eventually Strowman returns in KILLMODE again. There can be some cute power spots with him, but eventually he gets taken out again. But you can ultimately have him win the match or lose without being pinned or submitting. Given that it's the US Title, I wouldn't actually mind a Strowman title reign. Owens and Jericho can feud coming out of WrestleMania without the title on the line, or by having a Triple Threat with him at the next PPV. The things he would pick up just working with these guys. He eventually pins one and keeps the belt, then you have Owens turn on Jericho or whatever you have planned.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Not a realistic card, but putting the pieces together as neatly as I can, I've concluded on this (and this is without The Hardys returning), in reverse match order:

Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship
John Cena (c) vs. Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles

Universal Championship
The Undertaker (c) vs. Roman Reigns

Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar III

Fatal 4-Way Match for the RAW Women's Championship
Bayley (c) vs. Charlotte vs. Nia Jax vs. Sasha Banks

Intercontinental Championship
Bray Wyatt (c) vs. Luke Harper

Mixed Tag Team Match
Dean Ambrose & Renee Young vs. The Miz & Maryse

Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
Featuring Big Show, Shaq, Baron Corbin, The New Day, Gallows & Anderson, Enzo & Cass, Mark Henry, Kane, Bald Dolph Ziggler, Apollo Crews, the cruiserweights and, hopefully a returning Rey Mysterio

Samoa Joe (w/ Triple H) vs. Seth Rollins

Cruiserweight Championship
Neville (c) vs. Kota Ibushi

Ladder Match for the United States Championship
Chris Jericho (c) vs. Kevin Owens vs. Braun Strowman vs. Sami Zayn vs. Sheamus vs. Cesaro vs. Rusev

SmackDown Tag Team Championship
The Revival (c) vs. American Alpha (w/ Hulk Hogan)

Kickoff Match: Hair vs. Mask
Dolph Ziggler vs. Kalisto

Kickoff: 10-Woman Tag Team Match
Alexa Bliss, Mickie James, Natalya, Victoria & Molly Holly vs. Becky Lynch, Naomi, Nikki Bella, Carmella & Lita

Kickoff Match for the WWE UK Championship
Tyler Bate (c) vs. Jack Gallagher

Kickoff Fatal 4-Way Tag Team Match for the RAW Tag Team Championship
Gallows & Anderson (c) vs. The New Day vs. Enzo & Cass vs. The Golden Truth

[DAMN iNATOR]

LMFAO @ posts #655, 656 and 659. Clearly, The Three Stooges know better than the average man how WWE would react if presented with a situation potentially involving DB wrestling ever again that would make them beaucoup bucks and drive ratings and potentially buyrates way up. :roll:

[Mr. Nerfect]

What buyrates? WWE isn't on PPV anymore. They abandoned that business because they couldn't draw like the UFC or big boxing events. Would ratings really go up? Maybe the spectacle of a guy "coming back from the dead" since Bryan's career was buried, but Bryan isn't exactly Rock or Austin.

If he were cleared, why wouldn't he have been in the Royal Rumble? Why wouldn't you drive up ratings and buyrates by having him win the 2017 Royal Rumble and build to that match with his brother-in-law for WrestleMania's main event? No, of course if Bryan is returning he's going to be wrestling in the mid-card with Miz.

It. Makes. No. Sense.

Bryan's main event look -- the scrappy bearded guy -- has also been traded in for a new clean-cut Bryan appearance. If he were growing out his hand and beard, maybe the average bloke would think "He's getting ready for something." But he's not. He's still presented like civilian Bryan.

Regardless of whether Bryan can or cannot get independent doctors to clear him, if something goes wrong after they reverse themselves, holy shit would the backlash be huge. He also retired due to concussions. We are nowhere near close enough to being able to navigate that volatile subject and clear dudes who weren't previously cleared. It's not like he has a broken bone that can get better. He has had brain injuries that we don't fully understand. For the WWE to say "Hey, we're going to change our stance of this" invites so much negative attention, it might actually hurt business. You're more likely to see wrestlers that have had a history of concussions, like Dolph Ziggler, being asked to step into different roles than Bryan being asked to come back.

Daniel. Bryan. Will. Never. Wrestle. For. The. WWE. Again.

UNLESS they find a way to totally regenerate the brain and completely negate any potential side-effects of concussions. They probably have a better chance of rebuilding Edge's neck.

You MAY get a random segment one day where Bryan is being punked out by a heel and he gets them in a LeBell Lock and a referee rings the bell and they call it a "match." See the way The Rock "wrestled" Erick Rowan at WrestleMania last year. It's possible that The Miz could do that to Bryan at WrestleMania this year as a nugget to people. But do not expect any real work from Bryan. Ever.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I was thinking today -- if Triple H vs. Seth Rollins is the go ahead (and it seems like this is inevitable, sadly) and you need something for Samoa Joe to do -- what are the chances they do that Shawn Michaels match? Once HBK said he'd wrestle Joe if it were anyone, maybe Triple H called him up and said "Hey dude...". There's nothing for Joe past Rollins right now, and that leaves him in the dark for Mania.

Doesn't seem realistic and sounds really random -- but Joe's gotta do something. Probably Battle Royal, right?

[Evil Vito]

LMFAO @ posts #655, 656 and 659. Clearly, The Three Stooges know better than the average man how WWE would react if presented with a situation potentially involving DB wrestling ever again that would make them beaucoup bucks and drive ratings and potentially buyrates way up. :roll:

More like even WWE are well aware of the fact that a man who developed lesions in his brain shouldn't be wrestling when he has a whole life ahead of him and a child on the way.

[Big Vic]

As much as I want the match to be Orton vs Wyatt I really want them to stay together longer.

[Emperor Smeat]

Update in regards to the rumored Cena/Nikki vs Miz/Maryse match at Mania:

Pro Wrestling Sheet has learned there’s some truth to rumors claiming Nikki Bella will be done in the ring after WrestleMania 33 … but we’re told she won’t be leaving WWE.

Sources with direct knowledge tell us Nikki had been trying her best to deal with the pain her neck has been feeling while also traveling a full-time schedule … however, it’s become too much.

As we previously reported, she had only intended to be a part-time performer upon her return.

We’re told the pain often causes numbness to one side of her body, so she’s hoping some time away will allow her to wrestle every once in awhile for WWE at big events in the future.

Our sources say Nikki’s contract is also up around the same time as Mania, but those close to the deal believe they’ll agree to a new one before WM33 that would keep her around for the foreseeable future.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm digging Orton and Wyatt together. It gives Orton this freshness he just doesn't have on his own. You can babyface them together down the line. I really do think the Triple Threat between Cena, Orton and Styles and a singles match between Bray and Harper is the way to go. If I could change anything about the tentative Mania card, it would be that.

[Mr. Nerfect]

If you do Orton vs. Wyatt and Owens vs. Jericho, you're basically running the same storyline twice. Something about it just seems odd. Save the blow-off between Orton and Wyatt for a later date.

[screech]

I'm digging Orton and Wyatt together. It gives Orton this freshness he just doesn't have on his own. You can babyface them together down the line. I really do think the Triple Threat between Cena, Orton and Styles and a singles match between Bray and Harper is the way to go. If I could change anything about the tentative Mania card, it would be that.

Normally prefer singles matches for big belts at Mania, but I'd take it given the potential alternative.

Who goes over in Harper vs Wyatt? Would be a good way to really propel Harper, but Wyatt rarely wins bigger matches.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'd like it to be straight on-one-on for the big belt too, but of all the possible scenarios, it seems like the "biggest" and best thing they can put forward.

Wyatt/Harper is a tough one, and I've gone back and forth as to who I'd prefer to win. I feel like Harper would need to go over if fans are going to believe in him as a babyface. I also have this general belief that if you turn a performer and put them against an old ally, then the person who has turned should go over, in order to justify the change of disposition. That's not hard and set, but in most circumstances it would make the most sense.

The nagging problem is Bray Wyatt's win-loss record at Mania. I'd put that in the back of my head for a little while, simply because if you book to that record, you miss opportunities to make certain talent. Wyatt is heading into that match on higher ground. Jeff Hardy NEVER won at a WrestleMania. It's more important that Wyatt respond to the loss than he just never suffer it in the first place.

You could have Erick Rowan saunter out and segue into Harper vs. Rowan, but there's no guarantee that will be a good program, and it's downgrading Harper and just spinning your wheels with Bray. I do think the payoff to the story with Harper hitting Sister Abigail on Bray. Just go with that, then have Bray blame Randy for the failure of The Family lately. Orton goes after the IC Title, he also puts over Harper (go strong with him) and then Bray is furious and Orton RKO's Wyatt and they move into their regularly scheduled program.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I haven't fleshed out this idea too much in my head, but instead of doing Money in the Bank as its own PPV in this split-branded era, I'd rather see them bring it back for WrestleMania to knight a guy on their biggest show. At least trial it as a once off.

It does seem that Jericho vs. Owens one-on-one is the way they are going, but it still leaves quite a few guys without programs, and there are just so many singles matches on this card. Sami Zayn, Cesaro and Sheamus from RAW; Dolph Ziggler, Kane and Dean Ambrose from SmackDown. Four former winners; four former World Champions; two hungry young competitors. I dunno. Fuck.

[Mr. Nerfect]

As for the SmackDown Women's Title, Lance Storm had an interesting suspicion that the double contract signing will lead to shenanigans that prevent a title change at Elimination Chamber (Naomi signed the wrong contract which means her title win isn't valid). This could be used to vacate the SmackDown Women's Title and do a tournament heading into WrestleMania, where the final two girls will compete in the finals to crown the SmackDown Women's Champion. Tournaments a thing again these days, and it narrows the stories down so you don't have two clusterfuck women's matches.

The girls invited to participate:

* Alexa Bliss
* Becky Lynch
* Beth Phoenix
* Eva Marie
* Mickie James
* Naomi
* Natalya
* Nikki Bella

In the first round, Becky makes Alexa submit to the Dis-Arm-Her. Eva Marie doesn't show up for her first match, selling that she is scared of Beth Phoenix, and Beth advances via forfeit. Mickie James beats Naomi and then Nikki pins Nattie. This leads to the semi-finals on the Kickoff show. Becky manages to roll-up Beth out of a Glam Slam and advances to the finals. Nattie helps Mickie best Nikki to keep their heat and Mickie, who beats Becky at Elimination Chamber, is now the favorite to walk away with the SmackDown Women's Title.

Of course, Becky wins and gets to hold the belt high. Mickie James swallows her pride and shakes Mickie's hand. Alexa starts mocking Mickie and Mickie turns babyface by starting a brawl with her. Nattie attacks Becky from behind claiming she wants the belt, but Nikki makes her way out, and things turn into a crazy brawl to give all the girls some spots on the main show. Finally, Asuka comes in and kicks the crap out of all of them and she and Becky stand tall and face-to-face to end the segment.

[Mr. Nerfect]

While I do think Kota Ibushi would still be the bigger deal, they have a good thing with Akira Tozawa right now. I think he'd make a great challenger for Neville at WrestleMania.

[Emperor Smeat]

Rumor going around the net involves Neville vs Austin Aires as a possible match for the Cruiser title at Mania. Aires recently got medically cleared from the eye injury suffered months ago.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Oh god, heel vs. heel? Babyface Aries? I'll skip on both, thanks.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'd be fine with Ibushi challenging Neville in the "big match" and Aries facing Akira Tozawa on the Kickoff show or something. Or some sort of giant tag with Aries leading a heel team against some babyfaces. I haven't really cared about Aries since he showed up in WWE though.

[XL]

They're not gonna put Ibushi on the Mania card.

[The CyNick]

Rumor going around the net involves Neville vs Austin Aires as a possible match for the Cruiser title at Mania. Aires recently got medically cleared from the eye injury suffered months ago.

The 'net really starts to catch up once WWE starts shooting angles on TV.

[Emperor Smeat]

The 'net really starts to catch up once WWE starts shooting angles on TV.

:|

You do realize the WWE hasn't done anything in regards to Aires besides him just being an announcer and commentator for 205 Live.

This only got rumored as a possible idea because Aires recently got cleared to return to the ring and he spilled the beans months ago about wrestling in the Cruiser division.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Hahaha

[The CyNick]

:|

You do realize the WWE hasn't done anything in regards to Aires besides him just being an announcer and commentator for 205 Live.

This only got rumored as a possible idea because Aires recently got cleared to return to the ring and he spilled the beans months ago about wrestling in the Cruiser division.

Guess you missed TV this week

[Mr. Nerfect]

They're not gonna put Ibushi on the Mania card.

It's a little unlikely, especially with Tozawa impressing out the gate and Metalik coming in. I doubt they'd let Ibushi jump ahead of them. That being said, he is the best choice and if Tozawa and Metalik cool like everything else, I can see Vince saying "fuck it."

More chance of it happening than Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz.

[Emperor Smeat]

Guess you missed TV this week

Saw both shows involving the Cruisers and the only thing Aires did of note was announce a Fatal 5-way match. Then quickly failed at the rest of the interview because a bunch of other guys decided they wanted their own talkie segment.

Even just rewatched the stuff from RAW to give you the benefit of the doubt and once again, no the WWE didn't set or tease anything in place in regards to a potential Aires-Neville match at Mania.

[Droford]

He's been interviewing the cruisers post match to set up an interview with Neville getting physical and leading to a match so it doesn't look completely set up.

[Droford]

What buyrates? WWE isn't on PPV anymore. They abandoned that business because they couldn't draw like the UFC or big boxing events. Would ratings really go up? Maybe the spectacle of a guy "coming back from the dead" since Bryan's career was buried, but Bryan isn't exactly Rock or Austin.

If he were cleared, why wouldn't he have been in the Royal Rumble? Why wouldn't you drive up ratings and buyrates by having him win the 2017 Royal Rumble and build to that match with his brother-in-law for WrestleMania's main event? No, of course if Bryan is returning he's going to be wrestling in the mid-card with Miz.

It. Makes. No. Sense.

Bryan's main event look -- the scrappy bearded guy -- has also been traded in for a new clean-cut Bryan appearance. If he were growing out his hand and beard, maybe the average bloke would think "He's getting ready for something." But he's not. He's still presented like civilian Bryan.

Regardless of whether Bryan can or cannot get independent doctors to clear him, if something goes wrong after they reverse themselves, holy shit would the backlash be huge. He also retired due to concussions. We are nowhere near close enough to being able to navigate that volatile subject and clear dudes who weren't previously cleared. It's not like he has a broken bone that can get better. He has had brain injuries that we don't fully understand. For the WWE to say "Hey, we're going to change our stance of this" invites so much negative attention, it might actually hurt business. You're more likely to see wrestlers that have had a history of concussions, like Dolph Ziggler, being asked to step into different roles than Bryan being asked to come back.

Daniel. Bryan. Will. Never. Wrestle. For. The. WWE. Again.

UNLESS they find a way to totally regenerate the brain and completely negate any potential side-effects of concussions. They probably have a better chance of rebuilding Edge's neck.

You MAY get a random segment one day where Bryan is being punked out by a heel and he gets them in a LeBell Lock and a referee rings the bell and they call it a "match." See the way The Rock "wrestled" Erick Rowan at WrestleMania last year. It's possible that The Miz could do that to Bryan at WrestleMania this year as a nugget to people. But do not expect any real work from Bryan. Ever.

I think they have the match at WM but its "unsanctioned" by WWE like WCW used to do. And the Miz will kick him or something that will force the match to stop and it'll force him to leave his post as GM (conveniently in time for his kid to be born) and then he'll eventually come back around the Royal Rumble next year and toss the Miz out setting up Miz vs Bryan in a final match for him at WM34 in the Superdome. That could literally be the Main Event due to the nearly 18 month build plus Bryans history in the dome plus it being his final match plus the Mizs great heel work. Wouldn't even need to be for a title..even pull a Flair have him go in the HOF the night before.

[Emperor Smeat]

He's been interviewing the cruisers post match to set up an interview with Neville getting physical and leading to a match so it doesn't look completely set up.

That or Neville boasts too much about beating all the bests in the division and Aires reveals himself as a surprise great Neville hasn't beaten yet.

Thing is, those are only assumptions on what might happen and not what Cynick implied the WWE already made it obvious those two are wrestling next for the title. He'd argue that was always the plan with the interviews when in reality the WWE did them to give Aires more screen time while he recovered.

To be really specific on what the rumor was, its just Aires is getting a future shot at the Cruiser title since he finally got cleared to return. The stuff about Mania and Neville is just speculation since Mania is the next big event after Fastlane and Neville because he's the current champ. WWE could end up doing neither and save Aires for the next Cruiser champ or as the first big post-Mania feud for the belt.

[Nicky Fives]

I love Aries, but have zero interest in seeing him as a face. So much better as a heel. Unfortunately, he has to stay away front he championship until Neville loses it, which I don;t see or want to see happen for quite a while....

[Evil Vito]

Let's give this another go. Trying for a "realistic" card, listing matches one brand at a time:


WWE Universal Championship
Brock Lesnar vs. Goldberg (C)

Roman Reigns vs. The Undertaker

Triple H vs. Seth Rollins

WWE United States Championship
Kevin Owens vs. Chris Jericho (C)

Raw Women's Championship
Bayley vs. Nia Jax vs. Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte (C)

Raw Tag Team Championships
Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs. Sheamus and Cesaro vs. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson (C)

Big Show vs. Shaquille O'Neal

For the most part, the Raw stuff all seems likely except for maybe the Tag Title match, the only thing stopping me from making this a fatal four way with New Day included is the fact that I already have a four way on a card loaded with multi-man matches.


WWE World Championship
Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt (C)

John Cena and Nikki Bella vs. The Miz and Maryse

AJ Styles vs. Shane McMahon

SmackDown Women's Championship - Lumberjill Match
Becky Lynch vs. Alexa Bliss (C)

WWE Intercontinental AND SmackDown Tag Team Championships
Baron Corbin and The Usos vs. Dean Ambrose and American Alpha (C)

Seems a bit sloppy to have two titles contested in a six man tag but I think they'll actually try to get every belt on the show and it's already a 14 match show.


WWE Cruiserweight Championship Ladder Match
Akira Tozawa vs. Austin Aries vs. The Brian Kendrick vs. Gran Metalik vs. Rich Swann vs. TJ Perkins vs. Neville (C)

205 Live gets the token clusterfuck ladder match. It features the four men who have held the title, plus Tozawa, Metalik, and Aries as the "wild card" entrants. It also frees up SmackDown guys for the battle royal.


42-Man Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal - Winner Gets a World Title Shot
Big E, Bo Dallas, Braun Strowman, Curtis Axel, Epico, Finn Balor, Goldust, Jinder Mahal, Kofi Kingston, Mark Henry, Primo, R-Truth, Rusev, Sami Zayn, Samoa Joe, Sin Cara, Titus O'Neil, Xavier Woods, Aiden English, Apollo Crews, Curt Hawkins, Dolph Ziggler, Fandango, Heath Slater, Jack Swagger, James Ellsworth, Kalisto, Konnor, Luke Harper, Mojo Rawley, Rhyno, Simon Gotch, Tyler Breeze, Viktor, Ariya Daivari, Cedric Alexander, Drew Gulak, Jack Gallagher, Lince Dorado, Mustafa Ali, Noam Dar, and Tony Nese

The title shot is added to raise intrigue. This is promoted as the biggest battle royal in WWE history, hence it ends up with 42 participants breaking the record they set in that 2011 SmackDown battle royal.

I'd imagine New Day get some mic time before it starts, and I'd envision Finn Balor as a mystery entrant. Balor and Joe wind up taking each other out of the match to set up an eventual feud. Either Braun or Zayn win it, depending on who they want facing Brock next.

[The CyNick]

Saw both shows involving the Cruisers and the only thing Aires did of note was announce a Fatal 5-way match. Then quickly failed at the rest of the interview because a bunch of other guys decided they wanted their own talkie segment.

Even just rewatched the stuff from RAW to give you the benefit of the doubt and once again, no the WWE didn't set or tease anything in place in regards to a potential Aires-Neville match at Mania.

Okay...

[The CyNick]

That or Neville boasts too much about beating all the bests in the division and Aires reveals himself as a surprise great Neville hasn't beaten yet.

Thing is, those are only assumptions on what might happen and not what Cynick implied the WWE already made it obvious those two are wrestling next for the title. He'd argue that was always the plan with the interviews when in reality the WWE did them to give Aires more screen time while he recovered.

To be really specific on what the rumor was, its just Aires is getting a future shot at the Cruiser title since he finally got cleared to return. The stuff about Mania and Neville is just speculation since Mania is the next big event after Fastlane and Neville because he's the current champ. WWE could end up doing neither and save Aires for the next Cruiser champ or as the first big post-Mania feud for the belt.

In your mind, have they shot any angles in TV to turn Sasha Banks heel? I'll let you know they have.

An astute observer doesn't need to be hit over the head with an angle to see where things are going. But that's why guys like you read my stuff, to learn.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Of all the potential challengers for Neville at WrestleMania, I think Aries is really quite far down the list. More likely he ends up in a Kickoff match with a lot of the guys not involved in the main show title match. Aries, Kendrick, Nese, Gulak, Dar & Daivari vs. Tozawa, Tajiri, Metalik, Swann, Alexander & Ali or something. Neville in the title match seems like a safe bet, and I imagine that it'll be a babyface challenging him and Neville will just beat them if they aren't over by that point in time.

[Mr. Nerfect]

As for how they get rid of Daniel Bryan, I imagine they'll just have him announce he is taking time off to be with Brie and his new child. Or Shane will start getting booed once he is interacting with AJ Styles, and Shane will go on a power trip, turning heel and firing Bryan.

I think your card is very close to what it will be, Vito, except I think the SmackDown Women's Title ends up on the Kickoff, as does the RAW Tag Team Title match (and I think it involves New Day who do double-duty in the Battle Royal) and that Neville defends the belt one-on-one versus someone. My guess is that it might be Tozawa. I think the Kickoff will also have a WWE UK Championship match. Change the SmackDown Tag Title match to Alpha challenging The Revival and Ambrose defends the IC Title in the Ladder Match. Ambrose, Corbin, Kalisto, Crews, Ziggler, Kane and Harper. Aries leads a heel team against some babyfaces on the Kickoff to pimp 205 Live and the division as being "crazy" and add Emmalina into the RAW Women's Title match to make it a Fatal 5-Way. I'm also not entirely convinced Goldberg wins at Fastlane. I can see Brock costing Goldie to further their "personal" issues, while Owens heads into the title vs. title scenario with Jericho to give it some extra "oomph" and make sure both "World Titles" are firmly planted in the mid-card.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm also going to go against rumors and predict that Goldberg vs. Brock isn't the main event. I think Reigns/Taker headlines just to piss people off and send the point loud and clear.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Oh, and I think it is Miz & Natalya vs. Cena & Nikki. The heat between Nikki and Nattie is good, well established and provides a really good throughline to WrestleMania. They've been feuding since November. Maryse can be at ringside.

While the WWE is very careful to not have women get beat up by the men, they are not opposed to having the women beat up the men. Do not be surprised if there is a segment of the match where Natalya does some cool shit to John Cena (rolling Germans and a Sharpshooter or something). At this point in his career, Cena is bulletproof, so "selling for a girl" won't hurt him. It'll get a big pop and will be a WrestleMania moment in and of itself. I also expect The Miz to go into overdrive with his promo work for the match, talking about how he beat Cena in the main event of WrestleMania 27 and it is now his kingdom. While this seems low for Cena, and it is, they will do their best to make it "heavyweight."

It wouldn't be the strangest thing WWE has ever done to get it to headline either. I'm not going to go as far as predict that will happen, but given that nothing really jumps out as a true main event (Goldberg vs. Brock will be shorter than people are expecting, and they might not want to end with Reigns vs. Taker), Cena proposing to Nikki to close the show is a "fairy tale" ending. The WWE will also be able to tick off the box of having women main event a Mania.

I mean, there's no reason for it to headline in kayfabe terms, but kayfabe is dead and sodomized at this point.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Kind of think that WrestleMania is eventually going to become an all-day thing. They seem to have this mentality that "more is better" which makes me wonder if they are going to break off even all of the "let's amalgamate these issues into one match" matches into separate bouts.

For example, I would not be flabbergasted to see Sasha Banks turn on Bayley heading into WrestleMania and for them to have a singles match away from the Women's Title. They can still do the Charlotte/Emmalina/Dana Brooke stuff I have been predicting for ages, with Charlotte turning face and challenging. She is the star of the division at this point -- I wouldn't put it past the WWE to book Emmalina to get the belt off Charlotte just to give Charlotte a WrestleMania moment where she wins it back.

Ambrose vs. Corbin might not be exciting enough to appeal to most of us, but does it find its way onto a 7-hour WrestleMania? Possibly. It'll probably be forgotten about by Monday, but people need a place other than intermission to piss.

I'm also not entirely convinced that they're going to do Jericho vs. Owens either. Occam's razor would suggest that is the plan, but I can see Vince just changing his mind on that. Given that both men are such heels, I can see their teases of the match just being heels grabbing each other's ass in the locker-room. Given that he's taken out Seth Rollins, it doesn't really make sense for Joe to be not be rewarded, and what would his price be? A shot at the Universal Title at WrestleMania makes logical sense. Sometimes logical writing gets in the way of natural booking, but that's the era we live in. If Balor is healthy for WrestleMania, and that seems to be the plan, then having him crash whatever party is going on around Owens and the Universal Title is the most obvious outcome.

Coming out of Fastlane, I imagine that Strowman will still be a focus too. He seems like an obvious choice for the Battle Royal winner, but he's been "hot" lately so I can see them doing something more featured with him. Strowman vs. Joe makes sense in a "who is going to break through to the main event first?" sort of deal, but Strowman being in that Universal Title/US Title scene makes sense too. Ultimately, I can see five men floating around that Owens/Jericho stuff -- Balor, Joe and Strowman all being in the conversation. If they split the RAW women's programs up, they could throw them into a multi-man, or do a WrestleMania X deal where Balor vs. Joe vs. Strowman happens with the winner taking on the winner of Owens vs. Jericho later in the night. Owens makes it past Jericho but then loses the belt to Balor? I dunno, I just feel that WrestleMania could be a different kind of beast. More likely that it's just going to be what Vito posted though.

[Mr. Nerfect]

At this point, given that there doesn't feel like a "true" main event, Orton vs. Bray might very well close the show. :-\

[Mr. Nerfect]

These will not be accurate predictions, but look at the potential length of this card from RAW matches alone. You can almost do two WrestleManias:

Triple Threat Match for the Universal Championship
Kevin Owens (c) vs. Chris Jericho vs. Finn Balor

Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar III

The Undertaker vs. Roman Reigns

Triple H vs. Seth Rollins

Big Show vs. Shaquille O'Neal

Braun Strowman vs. Samoa Joe

RAW Women's Championship
Emmalina (c) vs. Charlotte

Cruiserweight Championship
Neville (c) vs. Kota Ibushi

RAW Tag Team Championship
The Hardys (c) vs. The New Day

Sasha Banks vs. Bayley

United States Championship
Sami Zayn (c) vs. Rusev

Cesaro vs. Sheamus

Gallows & Anderson vs. Enzo & Cass

12-Man Cruiserweight Kickoff
Austin Aries, The Brian Kendrick, TJ Perkins, Noam Dar, Drew Gulak & Ariya Daivari vs. Akira Tozawa, Tajiri, Rich Swann, Cedric Alexander, Gran Metalik & Mustafa Ali

[Mr. Nerfect]

SmackDown's counterpoint could be:

WWE Championship
Bray Wyatt (c) vs. Randy Orton

AJ Styles vs. Shane McMahon

Mixed Tag Team Match
John Cena & Nikki Bella vs. The Miz & Natalya

SmackDown Women's Championship
Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Becky Lynch

TLC Match for a SmackDown Tag Team Championship shot
The Usos vs. The Fashion Police vs. The Ascension vs. The Vaudevillains

Triple Threat Match for the Intercontinental Championship
Dean Ambrose (c) vs. Baron Corbin vs. Luke Harper

Hair vs. Mask Match
Dolph Ziggler vs. Kalisto

WWE UK Championship
Tyler Bate (c) vs. Jack Gallagher

Kane vs. James Ellsworth

Hardcore Match for the honorary ECW Championship
Rhyno (c) vs. Heath Slater

Mickie James vs. Naomi

Apollo Crews vs. Mojo Rawley

SmackDown Tag Team Championship
The Revival (c) vs. American Alpha

Kickoff Match
Pete Dunne vs. Trent Seven

Admittedly that's not the most heavyweight card, but if you throw in things like Alpha being accompanied by Hulk Hogan and you really let AJ Styles, it could deliver and help some of those undercard guys who are struggling find places. Kane vs. Ellsworth would just be a squash. Rawley has got heel potential. The TLC match seems like it has odd placement and is a generally weird addition, but I think it would call back to that time they first gave Edge & Christian and The Hardys a ladder and gave them the chance to try and get over. It also allows you to place The Revival in the actual title match without politically stepping over everybody else's spot. I suppose you could not do Slater vs. Rhyno and have them in there if you want a babyface team people care about, but you could also call up The Dudleys and just trim The Ascension and Vaudevillains from the match, but I think it would be kind to give them a shot here. Overall, that means you'd be getting 26 main show matches across a weekend.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I doubt they'd put him in there because of his age, but I would mark the fuck out for a Johnny Saint appearance in the Battle Royal to interact with Jack Gallagher.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I also want Dean Malenko to be in under the Ciclope mask.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Road Dogg, D'Lo Brown, X-Pac and Too Cool add some more Attitude era flavor.

[Droford]

These will not be accurate predictions, but look at the potential length of this card from RAW matches alone. You can almost do two WrestleManias:

Triple Threat Match for the Universal Championship
Kevin Owens (c) vs. Chris Jericho vs. Finn Balor

Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar III

The Undertaker vs. Roman Reigns

Triple H vs. Seth Rollins

Big Show vs. Shaquille O'Neal

Braun Strowman vs. Samoa Joe

RAW Women's Championship
Emmalina (c) vs. Charlotte

Cruiserweight Championship
Neville (c) vs. Kota Ibushi

RAW Tag Team Championship
The Hardys (c) vs. The New Day

Sasha Banks vs. Bayley

United States Championship
Sami Zayn (c) vs. Rusev

Cesaro vs. Sheamus

Gallows & Anderson vs. Enzo & Cass

12-Man Cruiserweight Kickoff
Austin Aries, The Brian Kendrick, TJ Perkins, Noam Dar, Drew Gulak & Ariya Daivari vs. Akira Tozawa, Tajiri, Rich Swann, Cedric Alexander, Gran Metalik & Mustafa Ali

SmackDown's counterpoint could be:

WWE Championship
Bray Wyatt (c) vs. Randy Orton

AJ Styles vs. Shane McMahon

Mixed Tag Team Match
John Cena & Nikki Bella vs. The Miz & Natalya

SmackDown Women's Championship
Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Becky Lynch

TLC Match for a SmackDown Tag Team Championship shot
The Usos vs. The Fashion Police vs. The Ascension vs. The Vaudevillains

Triple Threat Match for the Intercontinental Championship
Dean Ambrose (c) vs. Baron Corbin vs. Luke Harper

Hair vs. Mask Match
Dolph Ziggler vs. Kalisto

WWE UK Championship
Tyler Bate (c) vs. Jack Gallagher

Kane vs. James Ellsworth

Hardcore Match for the honorary ECW Championship
Rhyno (c) vs. Heath Slater

Mickie James vs. Naomi

Apollo Crews vs. Mojo Rawley

SmackDown Tag Team Championship
The Revival (c) vs. American Alpha

Kickoff Match
Pete Dunne vs. Trent Seven

Admittedly that's not the most heavyweight card, but if you throw in things like Alpha being accompanied by Hulk Hogan and you really let AJ Styles, it could deliver and help some of those undercard guys who are struggling find places. Kane vs. Ellsworth would just be a squash. Rawley has got heel potential. The TLC match seems like it has odd placement and is a generally weird addition, but I think it would call back to that time they first gave Edge & Christian and The Hardys a ladder and gave them the chance to try and get over. It also allows you to place The Revival in the actual title match without politically stepping over everybody else's spot. I suppose you could not do Slater vs. Rhyno and have them in there if you want a babyface team people care about, but you could also call up The Dudleys and just trim The Ascension and Vaudevillains from the match, but I think it would be kind to give them a shot here. Overall, that means you'd be getting 26 main show matches across a weekend.

Wrestlemania should be a 2 night thing now with the brand split

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm in agreement there.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I just fantasy booked a more succinct card. There's no way it happens, obviously, but I managed to get it down to 11 matches, with basically everybody important getting a spot. I purposely left off guys that would be pushing a return because they'll be back from injury. Hold them off. I also passed on a Triple H match, which is completely unrealistic.

Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship
John Cena (c) vs. Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles

Universal Championship
Roman Reigns (c) vs. The Undertaker

Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar III

Big Show vs. Shaquille O'Neal

The Rock's Segment
The Miz comes out and complains about now having a WrestleMania match. Rusev comes out and he and Miz bicker about who are the best power couple in WWE. James Ellsworth and Carmella join the fray. The Rock and Ronda Rousey come out and beat everyone up.

Cruiserweight Championship
Neville (c) vs. Kota Ibushi

Snake Bight Street Fight
Bray Wyatt vs. Luke Harper

Fatal 4-Way for the Unified Women's Championship
Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks vs. Bayley

Unified WWE Tag Team Championship
Chris Jericho & Kevin Owens vs. American Alpha

United States Championship
Sami Zayn (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

Six-Man Tag Team Match
Braun Strowman, Sheamus & Cesaro vs. The New Day

Intercontinental Championship
Dean Ambrose (c) vs. Samoa Joe

* Joe wins the IC Title after forcing Ambrose into the Coquina Clutch.

* The New Day pick up the win when Cesaro is clocked by the trombone while he has a New Day member in the Sharpshooter. Strowman Chokeslams Sheamus and Cesaro after the match.

* Nakamura successfully completes his journey to the United States by capturing its championship in his main roster debut.

* American Alpha, backed by Hulk Hogan, unify the RAW and SmackDown Tag Team Championship. Jericho & Owens beat Hogan down at ringside at one point, but this allows Gable to tag out and Jordan to clean house and force Jericho to submit to the Ankle Lock.

* Becky Lynch unifies the Women's Championship in a Clash of the Four Horsewomen. Sasha Banks taps out away Charlotte's PPV streak for her.

* Luke Harper wins a wild brawl against Bray Wyatt when he finally connects with Sister Abigail to his former mentor.

* Kota Ibushi and Neville tear it up and deliver what is surely to be a MOTY candidate. Ibushi wins the CW Title, making it a great night for Japanese stars in the WWE. Prior to the match, we are shown many cruiserweight legends in the crowd, including Dean Malenko who pulls off a Ciclope mask. I want that spot, dammit.

* The Miz complains right after such a great match about how he is too good a wrestler to be left off WrestleMania. Rusev comes out, Ellsworth comes out, The Rock cleans it all up and introduces the special attraction match.

* Shaq beats Big Show in a carefully put together match.

* Goldberg beats Brock Lesnar defying the odds once again.

* Roman Reigns successfully defends his custom-made belt against The Undertaker, getting huge heat in the process. This is his yard now.

* AJ Styles wins the WWE Title in the true main event when he forces Cena to submit to the Calf-Crusher.

[Jordan]

Good lord these cards are way too goddamn long. Not every team gets to play in the Superbowl.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Good lord these cards are way too goddamn long. Not every team gets to play in the Superbowl.

Unfortunately these days everybody does get on the WrestleMania card. You also have a whole bunch of legends that come out of the woodwork to get the spotlight, even if their scheduled opponent has to pull out due to injury.

[Rammsteinmad]

Good lord these cards are way too goddamn long. Not every team gets to play in the Superbowl.

I was thinking the same. I remember when Wrestlemania really seemed like a show for the best of the best... now everyone's booking matches to cater to everyone on the roster.

Kalisto, Apollo Crews, Jack Gallagher, Mojo Rawley, the Ascension, the Vaudevillains etc should be nowhere near Wrestlemania at this point unless it's the clusterfuck battle royal match.

[Rammsteinmad]

Also, unless it's a surprise entrant in said battle royal, no NXT matches or superstars should be on the show.

[The CyNick]

I was thinking the same. I remember when Wrestlemania really seemed like a show for the best of the best... now everyone's booking matches to cater to everyone on the roster.

Kalisto, Apollo Crews, Jack Gallagher, Mojo Rawley, the Ascension, the Vaudevillains etc should be nowhere near Wrestlemania at this point unless it's the clusterfuck battle royal match.

Most of the filler guys are used in the battle royal.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Ex writer who has been leaking shit:

https://mobile.twitter.com/kirisatha...93839053381633
if Mania's got you down, the night AFTER Mania will lift your spirits. I might have to extend my trip a day

[RP]

Ex writer who has been leaking shit:

https://mobile.twitter.com/kirisatha...93839053381633
if Mania's got you down, the night AFTER Mania will lift your spirits. I might have to extend my trip a day

This isnt working

[Emperor Smeat]

https://twitter.com/kirisatha96/status/830893839053381633

Its the same stuff Hasney wrote below the link.

I'd assume some combo between Revival, DIY, Asuka, Dillinger, and Nakamura are getting called up that night.

[Jordan]

IMO aside from the obvious there are several guys who have EARNED a spot at Mania this year that aren't likely to get a big spot. Mostly notable The New Day. They are stale as week old bread and that is on WWE. The biggest black performers they have had and there is no obvious spot on the card this year, in addition to that, one of the most over acts by far of the whole year. They need to be positioned well. Enzo and Cass have earned at least an opening match spot, they are absolutely worth it. The women deserve and have earned at least two spots on the card. I'd make one a singles championship match and it must include Charlotte, and the other I'd make a brand vs brand multiwoman tag. If they are going with Cena/Niki vs Miz/Maryse, those are absolutely the wrong choices they haven't done shit all year. Caesaro and Sheamus also deserve a spot being long time solid hands and capable of a great match. Perhaps a three team tag team title match with New Day vs Caesaro and Sheamus vs Enzo and Cass would be a fantastic opener to WM this year.

I have no issue with Legends taking spots at WM, they are Legends and I enjoy seeing them, they earned their spot years ago, that doesn't evaporate with time.

I DO NOT care to see Shane McMahon wrestle on this card, that is absolutely a waste of talent. Last year he wanted to jump off a 40 foot Cell and you could argue that was a worth while moment, however did it mean anything? Did it come close to the bump Foley took? Absolutely not, lesson learned, keep him off!

Styles should wrestle Cena, it's been done and done but then again so was Tanahashi and Okada and each time it just got better and better.

Bray has not EARNED a title push but he does have the potential to make that work and Bray vs Orton is fresh and interesting, not my first choice but I'll take it.

Goldberg and Brock is going to be the shortest WM main event of all time but who cares, it's gonna be charged and fucking awesome.

Owens and Jericho is a great story and that absolutely must happen.

Rollins and Triple H is a a must happen, the story is years in the making. Even though it's dried like old paint by now, I know when that video package rolls and Rollins hits the ring and turns it on like never before, and Triple H starts locking in his moveset from 1999, we will see again why he is a league above about anybody in the company right now.

Shaq and Show... agh... I could care less, I mean Meltzer says it's a lock but I just don't care and I don't think the mainstream will either. I'd put them in the battle royal but whatever, just keep it short and for fucks sake give Show the win.

Reigns and Undertaker does nothing for me, I'd rather that Taker causes a schmoz at Fastlane and that match ends up a Triple Threat. Undertaker looked horrible at the Rumble and I don't expect much at Mania, throw another guy in there and make it interesting. Strowman wins over Taker, after the match Roman turns legit heel on Taker.

Sami Zayn has totally earned a spot, I'd throw him against Ambrose for the IC after leaving Raw for whatever creative reason they could come up with.

If Nakamura is to be on the card I'd put him against Styles, Joe, or Cena. But I don't think he will be.

[Jordan]

Oh just had a thought about Nakamura. If he were to come up to a main roster this season it should really be Smackdown. Joe went to Raw, Raw has a lot of talent and Smackdown is skim right now. Put Nakamaura on Smackdown and have him challenge Ambrose for the IC Title and win, turn Ambrose heel after losing or during the build up and have them feud for a few more months to acclimate Nakamura to the main stream audience. Have Nakamaura win as punishment to Ambrose being a sucker in his interviews and lazy in the ring.

[Jordan]

My ideal card since I was so critical of everyone else.

Universal Championship
Goldberg (c) vs Lesnar

WWE Championship
Wyatt (c) vs Orton

Reigns vs Undertaker vs Strowman

Cena vs Styles

Triple H vs Seth Rollins

United States Championship
Jericho (c) vs Owens

Intercontinental Championship
Ambrose (c) vs Nakamaura

Raw Womens Championship
Charlotte (c) vs Becky Lynch (challenges from Smackdown Live!)

Smackdown! Womens Championship
Alexa Bliss vs Sasha Banks (challenges from Raw)

Raw Tag Team Championship
The New Day vs Caesaro & Sheamus vs Enzo and Cass

KICK OFF SHOW

Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal
Featuring ... The Big Show, Shaq, Baron Corbin, Luke Harper, The Miz, American Alpha, Andreson & Gallows, The Uso's, Samoa Joe, James Elsworth other cruiserweights etc...

WWE Cruiserweight Championship
Neville (c) vs Austin Aries

[DAMN iNATOR]

Also, unless it's a surprise entrant in said battle royal, no NXT matches or superstars should be on the show.

I dunno, I could go for Asuka straight murdering a bitch during or after the SD! LIVE Women's Championship match. :-\

[The CyNick]

Noid has some especially terrible ideas in this thread.

[Big Vic]

^Agreed

[Mr. Nerfect]

Noid has some especially terrible ideas in this thread.

Hombre, most of them are in response to what the WWE is actually building.

[#1-norm-fan]

Yeah, Noid. You need more genius ideas like rivals wishing death on each other and then making up off camera and randomly being BFFs again without any explanation. Ideas like that really show how much thought WWE puts into their ideas and how willing they are to adapt to the situation to please the audience. Get on their level, please.