Mania 36 Anticipation Station

[Jordan]

It's Valentine's Day and we in the WWE Universe find ourselves spiraling down the long and winding road to Tampa Bay and WRESTLEMANIA!

The eleven matches currently planned for WrestleMania 36 are:

Universal Championship
Roman Reigns vs. Goldberg (c)

WWE Championship
Drew McIntyre vs. Brock Lesnar (c)

John Cena vs. “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt

Edge vs. Orton with a special stipulation(s) expected to be announced soon

The Undertaker vs. A.J. Styles

RAW Women’s Championship
Shayna Baszler vs. Becky Lynch (c)

NXT Women’s Championship
Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley (c)

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
Natalya & Beth Phoenix vs. The Kabuki Warriors (c)

Otis vs. Dolph Ziggler with Mandy Rose’s involvement in some form

Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal

Women’s Battle Royal match

.................................................................................................... .................................................................................................... ...

In regards to the remaining five rumored matches for WrestleMania’s card, Meltzer reported that one is currently expected to involve Seth Rollings either as a singles match against Kevin Owens or as a RAW Tag Team Championship match with Rollins & Murphy defending their titles against Owens & a partner or against multiple teams.

Bayley is also currently expected to be defending her SmackDown Women’s Championship at the event although it is currently not known who her opponent will be. Meltzer reported that WWE likely will be holding a third Elimination Chamber match featuring SmackDown’s Women’s division at their upcoming Elimination Chamber event to determine Bayley’s official challenger.

Meltzer reported that an Intercontinental Championship, SmackDown Tag Team Championship, and United States Championship matches are also currently expected to be on the card for WrestleMania 36.

It was reported that there have been rumors during this past week of a potential match involving Tyson Fury being included on the card as well.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I haven't been excited for a WrestleMania since 30. This one has got me intrigued enough to watch. Brock is still the best worker in the world. Drew has got a ton of potential and is young enough to feel like the start of something. Rhea Ripley vs. Charlotte Flair is pretty much the biggest marquee women's match you can do, and gives a great rub to NXT. Orton vs. Edge was set-up beautifully. AJ Styles will be Taker's last great match. I know people are doubting that one, but it's AJ fucking Styles.

The more I think about it, the more I want to see Goldberg win the Universal Title and defend it against John Cena. That's a GIANT match. Roman Reigns and Bray Wyatt can have an undercard match which Bray can win, then Roman can go heel and be the guy who beats Goldie for the belt.

I'm still hoping for Daniel Bryan vs. Shinsuke Nakamura at this show. People don't like Nakamura's WWE run, but every time I see him, the man is still gold. Bryan strikes oil whenever he's out there.

[Droford]

Hogan vs Cena

[RaginRonic]

If Taker does hit the ring at Mania this year, I could see him winning this one, but then, at WrestleMania 37 next year, end up with his 3rd and probably final loss at the event, and then call his retirement on the mic at SoFi Stadium.

Why is that? It's because WM 37 would have been the 30th year since his 1st match at that event, and in the same city of Los Angeles. It'd be the end of Taker's 30th 'season' which would start this November at the Survivor Series. =P

[Stu Hart]

He will keep returning .
Next will be tag teams to come in . After that it will be a choke slam spot . He will never retire.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I think Taker is going to call it quits at Survivor Series. A 30 year WWE career is enough.

[Jordan]

I think Taker is going to call it quits at Survivor Series. A 30 year WWE career is enough.

I won't bother trying to predict this. Remember way back at the beginning of 2000 this story was about, that it was Taker's last ride? I won't hate on Old Man Taker coming back, I certainly enjoy it and he I able to compete to a point that is acceptable for now.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I've never been a big fan, and I'm kind of annoyed that he keeps doing these retirement things to just push it out. But Taker vs. Styles is probably going to be pretty epic. Styles is fucking amazing and if Taker is going to have one last great match, it'll probably be this.

[Jordan]

Is it true that Drew hasn't ever wrestled for the WWE Championship? That's cool if so. This is his time. I worry that he could fall behind things to come. What I mean is if Rock and Roman is actually going to happen at SoFI next year, I'd hope they can come up with a solid choice for Drew. Probably would be Triple H.

[Droford]

Is it true that Drew hasn't ever wrestled for the WWE Championship? That's cool if so. This is his time. I worry that he could fall behind things to come. What I mean is if Rock and Roman is actually going to happen at SoFI next year, I'd hope they can come up with a solid choice for Drew. Probably would be Triple H.

Just 5 years ago Matt Hardy, EC3 and Drew fought in a triple threat match for the TNA world championship at BFG. He lost that match (Matt won) but he ended up beating Matt for the title later on, only to lose it to Bobby Lashley about 3 months later.

That was his only world title reign. Which, given the people involved is hilarious looking back now with how Hardy, EC3 and Bobby Lashley are doing in WWE.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Is it true that Drew hasn't ever wrestled for the WWE Championship? That's cool if so. This is his time. I worry that he could fall behind things to come. What I mean is if Rock and Roman is actually going to happen at SoFI next year, I'd hope they can come up with a solid choice for Drew. Probably would be Triple H.

I can't remember Drew ever wrestling for the WWE Championship.

I don't think Rock is going to wrestle.

[Droford]

I bet they set up Rock vs Cena for 37. It's too much of a missed opportunity not to have WWEs two big Hollywood stars wrestling in LA.

[Jordan]

I can't remember Drew ever wrestling for the WWE Championship.

I don't think Rock is going to wrestle.

I understand your feeling on The Rock, but I'm sure I can include you when I say we all thought that... Bret would never return or wrestle again, Sting to WWE, Edge wrestle again, Goldberg, Warrior, Punk ... they always return.

[Jordan]

Eye roll. Cena vs Elias rumored from Dave on Wrestling Observer Radio last night.

[#1-norm-fan]

Drew McIntyre of 3MB and Impact fame being crowned WWE champion is definitely gonna be the dawning of a new era.

[#1-norm-fan]

Eye roll. Cena vs Elias rumored from Dave on Wrestling Observer Radio last night.

I can see them just giving Cena a nice “moment”. WrestleMania’s card is becoming less important. They understand that the name itself is what draws but they don’t seem to have the foresight to understand that you can actually lose name value if you spend enough time drilling it into people’s heads that it’s only a name.

The Saudi show’s are basically the cards that should be WrestleMania now because they’re obligatory make those a big deal still.

[DAMN iNATOR]

I understand your feeling on The Rock, but I'm sure I can include you when I say we all thought that... Bret would never return or wrestle again, Sting to WWE, Edge wrestle again, Goldberg, Warrior, Punk ... they always return.

Well...two out of the 3 names you dropped still being able to return ain't bad, huh?

[Mr. Nerfect]

I understand your feeling on The Rock, but I'm sure I can include you when I say we all thought that... Bret would never return or wrestle again, Sting to WWE, Edge wrestle again, Goldberg, Warrior, Punk ... they always return.

Oh yeah, but I think with Rock's it's more that insurance companies won't insure if there's a chance he'll be holding up productions with injuries and the like.

[Jordan]

I feel you but... 100,000 ppl appearing to watch you in the main event is a pretty big deal to anyone especially someone with the business in their blood.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I can see him being involved, definitely. If the match happens, kudos to you for calling it.

[Mr. Nerfect]

The John Cena comes home video is just too dramatic for it to be a match with Elias. I think that’s a fake piece of information leaked, or a placeholder replacement. They can do that on a SmackDown anytime.

I’m thinking Cena is going to have a bigger opponent. The three possibilities jumping out at me are Goldberg, Velveteen Dream and Bray Wyatt.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I wonder if the WWE are more eager to do something with Tyson Fury now? I can see Fury & Strowman vs. Corbin & Sheamus.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Here's a leaked WrestleMania card. Could be fake, but it seems pretty reasonable:

https://www.wrestlingforum.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.wrestlingforum.com/attachments/wm-36-leaked-card-png.83088/

The big story here is that, at least according to this, Bray Wyatt vs. Roman Reigns would be headlining the show. Daniel Bryan being in the IC Title match is a bit of a bummer, but he's got a pretty good chance of winning that, I think. The Tag Title match is a bit of a hodge podge, and I doubt The Revival make it in if they are leaving. Could see them being replaced with The Usos or Nakamura & Cesaro.

[Droford]

The only way cena v Elias makes sense is full blown heel cena showing up friday

[Evil Vito]

I’m not buying The Usos being kept of the tag title match.

If the Revival actually are in I might wager on them to win as a last ditch “pleeeeeease re-sign with us” move. They’ll drop them on a random Smackdown in the next month if they don’t.

[Mr. Nerfect]

The only way cena v Elias makes sense is full blown heel cena showing up friday

I don’t like the match, but Cena has picked a fight with Elias at the last two Manias. Meltzer is now reporting that the match is off though. So is Wyatt vs. Roman, apparently. Looking good for another Goldberg win.

[slik]

Major WM news being reported by both John Pollock of POST wrestling and Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer



The SD card has been completely tossed out. Vince changed his mind and all the rumored WM matches on the SD side are being changed.

[Jordan]

Potentially 17 matches for Mania. That's nauseating.

[rez]

meh

I usually go visit friends in Tampa yearly. Work is gonna send me down there anyways for a training class (not WM weekend). I doubt there's a coherent pirate theme for the ppv. He hates the Asian pirate princess.

LOL how's that XFL Tampa Vipers team going, Vinny Mac?

[slik]

So weird they set up Goldberg/Roman, Cena/Fiend and AJ/Taker seemingly without a story.

Edge/Orton set up with lots of story. Charlotte/Rhea has a story. Becky/Shayna has a story.

[Mr. Nerfect]

So weird they set up Goldberg/Roman, Cena/Fiend and AJ/Taker seemingly without a story.

Edge/Orton set up with lots of story. Charlotte/Rhea has a story. Becky/Shayna has a story.

AJ/Taker has a story. AJ is running around like a punk and took out Rey to steal the “prestigious” new trophy and Taker put a stop to it. There’s always time for Wyatt and Cena to tell something. If it plays into their original program, it’s got about six years of history to draw upon. I can see Bray pointing to that loss as where things “all went wrong.”

Goldberg/Roman is just two icons facing off for the belt. It’s a simple story, but it’s there. They’re also trying to position people against Goldberg which I think is unfortunate, if effective.

[Sepholio]

Roman Reigns...an icon. LMAO k.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Roman Reigns...an icon. LMAO k.

That's how they will promote it. He's been pushed as a top guy for longer than Goldberg has been an active wrestler. You can slam the effectiveness of WWE's initiatives there, but unless he commits some sort of atrocity, he's going to be lionized by WWE forever and a day.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Roman Reigns would also be more recognizable than anyone in AEW, including Chris Jericho and Jon Moxley (obviously in Mox's case). Let's not pretend he's not a huge star by wrestling standards.

[Droford]

https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/national/coronavirus/two-presumptive-cases-of-coronavirus-reported-in-tampa-bay

Ruh oh

The DC defenders might have caught it last night

[slik]

Corona Virus new 24/7 Champ

[Black Widow]

Taker vs Styles

Reigns vs Goldberg

Edge vs Orton

All 3 involve guys that aren't full time but yet are the only ones I care about Ha!

[#1-norm-fan]

Cena vs The Fiend is on now, too.

Do you care about John Cena, Black Widow?

Would be funny if that was but yet ANOTHER match where but yet the part timer was the only one you care about.

[#1-norm-fan]

I wish Cena was going for the gold against Bray Wyatt and Goldberg vs Reigns was just a “special attraction”.

Bray is an awesome monster heel. If you’re gonna let an older guy be the one to take him down, it should have been YOUR guy at WrestleMania.

[Sepholio]

Would be funny if that was but yet ANOTHER match where but yet the part timer was the only one you care about.

This line is making me have a stroke every time I try to read it for some reason.

[Black Widow]

Cena vs The Fiend is on now, too.

Do you care about John Cena, Black Widow?

Would be funny if that was but yet ANOTHER match where but yet the part timer was the only one you care about.Nah never liked Cena except for thinking he was hot in his 1st few years.

Like The Fiend's Physco Mr Rogers stuff though

[screech]

I wish Cena was going for the gold against Bray Wyatt and Goldberg vs Reigns was just a “special attraction”.

Bray is an awesome monster heel. If you’re gonna let an older guy be the one to take him down, it should have been YOUR guy at WrestleMania.

I was thinking about this the other day. Reigns challenging Goldberg would still be a "big deal" without the title.

[Evil Vito]

WWE Championship
Drew McIntyre vs. Brock Lesnar (C)

Universal Championship
Roman Reigns vs. Goldberg (C)

Raw Women's Championship
Shayna Baszler vs. Becky Lynch (C)

SmackDown Women's Championship
Sasha Banks vs. Bayley (C)

NXT Women's Championship
Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley (C)

United States Championship
Rey Mysterio vs. Humberto Carrillo vs. Angel Garza vs. Andrade (C)

Intercontinental Championship
Daniel Bryan vs. Baron Corbin vs. Sheamus vs. Braun Strowman (C)

Raw Tag Team Championship
AOP vs. The Viking Raiders vs. The Street Profits (C)

SmackDown Tag Team Championship
The New Day vs. The Usos vs. John Morrison and The Miz (C)

Women's Tag Team Championship
Natalya and Beth Phoenix vs. The Kabuki Warriors (C)

Bray Wyatt vs. John Cena

AJ Styles vs. The Undertaker

Randy Orton vs. Edge

Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens

36-Man Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
Akira Tozawa, Aleister Black, Bobby Lashley, Cedric Alexander, Curt Hawkins, Eric Young, Erick Rowan, Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows, Mojo Rawley, Murphy, No Way Jose, Ricochet, Riddick Moss, R-Truth, Shelton Benjamin, Titus O'Neil, Zack Ryder, Apollo Crews, Bo Dallas, Cesaro, Curtis Axel, Dash Wilder, Dolph Ziggler, Drake Maverick, Drew Gulak, Gran Metalik, Heath Slater, Kalisto, Lince Dorado, Otis, Robert Roode, Scott Dawson, Shinsuke Nakamura, Shorty G, Tucker

20-Woman Battle Royal
Lana, Liv Morgan, Ruby Riott, Sarah Logan, Alexa Bliss, Carmella, Dana Brooke, Lacey Evans, Mandy Rose, Naomi, Nikki Cross, Sonya Deville, Tamina, Bianca Belair, Candice LeRae, Dakota Kai, Mia Yim, Tegan Nox, Toni Storm, Xia Li

WM36 Host
Elias

[Evil Vito]

16 matches which would tie last year.

Fatal four ways for both midcard titles and triple threats for both tag titles is so clunky and unimaginative but it definitely works given WWE's penchant for trying to cram everybody onto the card.

[Splaya]

I can see the two battle royals on the pre show with one of the tag title bouts squeezed in between them

[Emperor Smeat]

Been thinking about it for a while and probably would put my anticipation or hype at a solid 5 out of 10 like for most Manias in recent years.

Outside of Rhea vs. Charlotte and Lesnar vs. Drew, not really interested in the other matches confirmed or teased so far. Maybe Edge vs. Orton as well but feel its going to be one of those instances where the build ends up being way better than the match itself.

[Droford]

Personally I was excited for last year (even outside of the fact I was going) and I'm really grateful that I'm not going this year because the card sucks donkey balls.

[mike adamle]

I hope since Bryan asked to work with Gulak they just keep letting Bryan pick his opponents. Hopefully since neither are really in a program they just do a Daniel Bryan vs. Shinsuke Nakamura dream match.

[#1-norm-fan]

Coronavirus is threatening to CANCEL WrestleMania this year. However the threat is small as the people heading to Tampa for the show are all nerdy virgin fucks who will have spent the months leading up to the event in their parents’ basement and the closest they’ve come to China is jerking off to hentai in said basement. In fact, Raymond James Stadium may be the safest building in the world to be that day.

Noid can attest

[Sepholio]

Noid gets laid bro. Stop being a dickface and show him the proper respect. FFS.

[Droford]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A source tells me the plan for the SD women’s title at WM36 is a six-pack challenge right now. <br><br>Bayley v Sasha v Naomi v Lacey Evans v Carmella - that’s five of the six names.</p>&mdash; Alex McCarthy (@AlexM_talkSPORT) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexM_talkSPORT/status/1236653895860080643?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Droford]

Coronavirus is threatening to CANCEL WrestleMania this year. However the threat is small as the people heading to Tampa for the show are all nerdy virgin fucks who will have spent the months leading up to the event in their parents’ basement and the closest they’ve come to China is jerking off to hentai in said basement. In fact, Raymond James Stadium may be the safest building in the world to be that day.

Noid can attest

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Masturbation boosts your immune system and raises your white blood cell count, helping you fight off infection and illness: <a href="https://t.co/NH8QmrLw7P">https://t.co/NH8QmrLw7P</a> <a href="https://t.co/9XzaI5FnvJ">pic.twitter.com/9XzaI5FnvJ</a></p>&mdash; Big Think (@bigthink) <a href="https://twitter.com/bigthink/status/1235587280204595208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A source tells me the plan for the SD women’s title at WM36 is a six-pack challenge right now. <br><br>Bayley v Sasha v Naomi v Lacey Evans v Carmella - that’s five of the six names.</p>&mdash; Alex McCarthy (@AlexM_talkSPORT) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexM_talkSPORT/status/1236653895860080643?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Two things:
1) SD's women's division has been a huge mess creative-wise
2) Should have done this as a Chamber match tonight and use it to find a real challenger for Bayley at Mania.

Also guess that means the Women's Battle Royal match at Mania is either having more former stars showing up or rely even more on NXT to fill up the spots.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Coronavirus is threatening to CANCEL WrestleMania this year. However the threat is small as the people heading to Tampa for the show are all nerdy virgin fucks who will have spent the months leading up to the event in their parents’ basement and the closest they’ve come to China is jerking off to hentai in said basement. In fact, Raymond James Stadium may be the safest building in the world to be that day.

Noid can attest

Some of them would have jerked off to Xia Li, which has to put them closer to China than Japanese porn.

[Gerard]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Masturbation boosts your immune system and raises your white blood cell count, helping you fight off infection and illness: <a href="https://t.co/NH8QmrLw7P">https://t.co/NH8QmrLw7P</a> <a href="https://t.co/9XzaI5FnvJ">pic.twitter.com/9XzaI5FnvJ</a></p>&mdash; Big Think (@bigthink) <a href="https://twitter.com/bigthink/status/1235587280204595208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I must be immune to every possible disease ever if that's the case :shifty:

[DAMN iNATOR]

Let's face it, Vince isn't cancelling WM unless told to by the government, and given that he has a friend in the highest position of our government, that just isn't happening.

[slik]

Thought just hit me --- Mania is largely a fly-in crowd most years -- from all over the world. That might be a big factor if Tampa says "No" to the event.

If they do I expect WWE to move it to the performance center and use nxt talent as the audience.

[DAMN iNATOR]

Thought just hit me --- Mania is largely a fly-in crowd most years -- from all over the world. That might be a big factor if Tampa says "No" to the event.

If they do I expect WWE to move it to the performance center and use nxt talent as the audience.

Anything is possible. I've heard that the officials of the city of Tampa are scheduled to meet at noon tomorrow to determine whether the show will be allowed to go forward.

Also, as ridiculous as it might sound, the thought occurred to me that they might be crazy enough to run the show in Tampa without a crowd, although I'm kind of doubtful how willing Vince would be to give up his profits, especially since certain superstars are paid a not unsubstantial sum for performing at the granddaddy of them all, and at least part if not all is paid out of the gate from ticket sales.

Also, this whole situation sort of reminds me of the time there was no RAW due to a volcano in Iceland erupting at a time when many superstars and other company officials were to return to the US from a European tour.

[Shisen Kopf]

I bet they cancel it tomorrow. City of Tampa is having a meeting tomorrow. I may not be going to rasslin. That's ok though I was at WM18 in case you didnt know.

[Lock Jaw]

I bet they cancel it tomorrow. City of Tampa is having a meeting tomorrow. I may not be going to rasslin. That's ok though I was at WM18 in case you didnt know.

I just hope COVID doesn't delay The Gormies

[Evil Vito]

Thought just hit me --- Mania is largely a fly-in crowd most years -- from all over the world. That might be a big factor if Tampa says "No" to the event.

If they do I expect WWE to move it to the performance center and use nxt talent as the audience.

Trump just banned non-US residents from flying in from Europe for 30 days. So that’s a big chunk of attendance gone anyway

Zero chance the event goes on as scheduled. Only question now is if it’ll be rescheduled, empty arena, or cancelled entirely.

[Sepholio]

Feel like I dodged a bullet by deciding to not buy tickets this year.

[DAMN iNATOR]

The Show of Shows is safe...for now, at least. (https://www.forbes.com/sites/alfredkonuwa/2020/03/12/wwe-wrestlemania-36-to-move-forward-for-now-amid-coronavirus-concerns/#17ad69106867)

[Emperor Smeat]

Seems both dumb to not cancel it and also to leave the decision up to WWE for a week.

WWE already mentioned before they are not cancelling without being told so by the government and everywhere else is already enacting bans on large gatherings.

The mayor also blundered when she mentioned last night that money was a big factor in cancelling Mania or not.

[Gerard]

Doubt that Wrestlemania will go ahead, at the least it might be postponed, having 70,000 or so people in an arena together (or 150,000 if it's wwe doing the "counting") is hardly a good idea with this virus doing the rounds.

They've even moved smackdown to the performance center this week, if they're doing that for a far smaller show i really can't see Wrestlemania getting the go ahead.

[Mr. Nerfect]

It will be postponed. There's no way it's not postponed.

[Mr. Nerfect]

At this point, are fans even going to go? Which fans can? Fans from the UK and Europe can't. Are other fans going to risk it?

[Gerard]

At this point, are fans even going to go? Which fans can? Fans from the UK and Europe can't. Are other fans going to risk it?


Even if they get a quarter of a stadium full no doubt they will still say it's an attendance record. :wtf:

[Mr. Nerfect]

Even if they get a quarter of a stadium full no doubt they will still say it's an attendance record. :wtf:

:lol: