As WrestleMania season is rapidly approaching, it seems only logical for us fans to start thinking about the possible matches we could witness at the show of shows. From celebrity appearances to part-timer brawls, you just never know what's going to happen on the grandest stage of them all and that's the beauty of the occasion.
However, year in and year out, 'smart' fans are beginning to work out what the main event will be, months before it even takes place. In the last two years, Reigns-Lesnar and HHH-Reigns had been anticipated for months, leaving the WWE Universe a tad upset when they realised how predictable things were becoming.
As we move into the last two weeks before the Royal Rumble, however, the fog above the Citrus Bowl has yet to clear and we're no closer to finding out which Superstars will be involved in the last match of WrestleMania. It's an extremely refreshing feeling, and it leaves the door open to a number of interesting possibilities heading into the 30-man Battle Royale.
So with being said, let's take a stroll down fantasy booking lane and look at the 10 likeliest WrestleMania 33 main events.
#10 AJ Styles vs. Finn Balor
Now if you've read our fantasy booking on this match-up, you'll know how much potential there is in making this storyline happen. With the two former leaders of Bullet Club not yet rumoured to have any other kind of clash at ‘Mania, this bout could take place if Finn were fit enough and able to switch over to SmackDown.
Also read: How WWE could book a dream fight between AJ Styles and Finn Balor
In terms of grasping the main event spot, there aren't too many people more deserving. The card is certainly going to be a stacked one, but no matter how many part timers you have at your disposal, nobody can deny that the WWE Champion vs the first ever Universal Champion would definitely be on the company’s radar as a potential show closer.
These are two of the top performers in the world. If you give them 25 minutes at the end of the night to tell a picture perfect story, they’ll knock it out of the park. This one is definitely in the running and keep your eyes peeled for it as we approach Mania season.
Onto another potential championship match between two future stars.
#9 Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn
Because really, are we ever going to get sick of seeing this? Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn is one of the hottest feuds in the last decade of professional wrestling, and it's no where close to being over. As we approach the Royal Rumble match, building towards this contest shouldn't be a problem whatsoever.
If you have Sami defy the odds and win the Battle Royale whilst having Owens retain against Reigns, the match is set. Some may doubt it’s ability to draw, but given the depth involved with this rivalry, WWE is probably likely to see the light with this contest.
Plus, and it sounds petty, this would mean that Raw main events WrestleMania. That may not be considered a big deal by too many people, but Vince will likely want his precious red brand to head up the biggest show of the year. This may well be the Rock vs. Austin of the new era.
We move onto an entirely different match altogether.
#8 Triple H vs. Shane McMahon
Ever since Shane McMahon's tense interview with Mick Foley, people have been contemplating the possibility of this bout. Triple H and Shane have obviously been through alot together over the years, and the brothers-in-law could harness that tension and use it for a potential main event feud at WrestleMania.
Obviously this throws up alot of red flags for the WWE Universe due to the fact it would involve two part timers, but you can just imagine how much Vince would adore this match-up. They could put the control of the company on the line and really ramp up the idea that the two have never liked each other, which could well be true.
A No Disqualification match would probably be the way to go, mainly due to the fact that Triple H never seems to pull off the natural big match style in the main event of Mania. If you need examples, look towards the bouts with Jericho, Reigns, Orton and so many more. This is a genuine possibility right now.
Back to reality with what could be a feud for the ages.
#7 Finn Balor vs. The Undertaker
Well well well, what a contest this could be. Despite the difference in size between the two paranormal characters, Finn Balor versus The Undertaker could be a passing of the torch feud that we talk about for years to come. Both men have fascinating personas that could make for a really intriguing build leading up to WrestleMania.
Plus, it would be pretty simple to hype up too. Just have one of them interrupt the other on Raw or at the Rumble, then go back and forth with spooky and unusual promos. The Demon vs. The Deadman sounds like a money match-up, and it would probably draw in a lot of casual fans too.
There may need to be a stipulation alongside it in order to fully utilise its capabilities - a retirement match. The only way this would likely be in the main event is if ‘Taker's career is on the line, and if that were to happen it would be an absolutely massive opportunity for Balor to show what he can do.
From a character driven feud to one that's close to home.
#6 Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns
Welcome to the definition of a match that can build itself. Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins have been scrapping back and forth ever since The Architect took a chair to the back of his former Shield brothers. It’s been done time and time again, which may leave some people sick to the sight of it, but what a main event it would be.
We would finally discover which of the two men truly is the best in the business, and it would give Roman a golden opportunity to turn to the dark side. All of the elements required would fall into place perfectly, and it doesn’t need to take much setting up in order for it to take place.
Rollins wins the Rumble, Roman wins the belt from Owens. Simple. You could hype the idea that the loser won’t get a rematch, and we finally get to see what would've happened at WrestleMania 31, if things were on an even playing field. Buckle up, because the Shield is going to war.
We stick with The Big Dog for this next entry.
#5 Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar 2
WrestleMania 31, Levi's Stadium. Roman Reigns was all set to fulfil his destiny and claim the WWE World Heavyweight Championship from the Beast Incarnate Brock Lesnar until Seth Rollins showed up to ruin the moment. Ever since that night, Reigns has continued down a path of uncertainty, and things could well come full circle in Orlando.
At the Citrus Bowl, the tables could well be turned if Reigns wins the Universal Championship and Lesnar wins the Rumble. All of a sudden, it'll be Brock hunting Roman down and going after what he desires more than anything.
Reigns can play up the fact that he's more experienced now and he's learned from his mistakes, revealing that he's been watching Brock ever since that match in Santa Clara. The intensity could be ramped up to a whole new level for both men, with Lesnar showing more drive and passion than he has throughout his entire second tenure with WWE.
Given his track record, you just know Vince would be desperate to have this main event the show, and all you need is a little bit of spice and promo videos to take it to new levels. With Brock in mind, let's move back onto one of his greatest victims.
#4 AJ Styles vs. The Undertaker
The Phenomenal One AJ Styles has already publicly stated that he wants a match with The Undertaker, and he's not too far away from seeing that dream become a reality. If ‘Taker reigns supreme at the Rumble and AJ successfully fends off Cena, we could be in for a blockbuster title match at WrestleMania.
We keep mentioning the possibility of retirement for Taker, but if he doesn't face Big Match John at WM33, then you'd think he'll carry on for another year until New Orleans. With that in mind, there's a serious chance that Taker could walk away with the belt if he does, in fact, go up against Styles.
It's not entirely clear how this bout would work between the two, but given the quality that both men possess you just know it would be a classic. The WWE Championship is by far the biggest title in all of sports entertainment, and as such, you can bet it's got a decent chance of main eventing the biggest show of the year.
Now to a mammoth match that not a whole lot of people are eager to see.
#3 Braun Strowman vs. Roman Reigns
Whether you love Roman or you hate him, pretty much everyone can agree that it's a physically interesting sight to see the guy stand across the ring from Braun Strowman. In terms of a goliath match up in the literal sense, this is about as close as you could hope to get.
Reigns would obviously be defending his title, should he pick up the win over Owens at the Rumble, meanwhile it's not hard to imagine Strowman being victorious in the Battle Royale whatsoever. His booking has been so strong in the last few months that it almost feels like a guarantee that he'll with a Rumble match at some stage during his career.
Perhaps a stipulation would be best in regards to the quality of the match, but if we just sit back and enjoy the story they're trying to tell, then maybe things will work out better than we expect. After all, nobody thought Lesnar-Reigns was going to be any good and look how that one turned out.
Speaking of Brock, it's time to look at the possibility of a revenge-fueled bout at Mania.
#2 Brock Lesnar vs. Goldberg
When Bill Goldberg defeated Brock Lesnar inside 90 seconds at Survivor Series, the world was stunned. What was originally intended to be a promotional match for a video game turned into something so much more, as Goldberg became the first man to pin the Beast Incarnate since WrestleMania 29.
So from that point on, it became obvious to a lot of people that Lesnar vs. Goldberg 3 was in the pipeline for the Citrus Bowl show. It wasn't 100% clear how we'd get there, but it looked like the most obvious choice.
Now as we approach the Royal Rumble, people are going back and forth when it comes to whether WWE will pull the trigger on the rematch.
It seems like a solid way to go, with both men somehow throwing each other over the top rope being a strong and thrilling possibility. It would be interesting to see how Brock reacts to being in the ring with Goldberg again, and we could see an entirely different side of Brock that brings new life to his character.
That being said, we finish off with a dream match that certainly fits that description.
#1 John Cena vs. The Undertaker
John Cena vs. The Undertaker. We've covered it in a lot of detail over the last few months, and the reason for that is because it seems almost destined to happen. Despite reports suggesting that the idea has been scrapped by Vince, fans are still convinced that WWE is planning on pairing the two legends up for WM33.
To put it as bluntly as possible, this would be the best choice to main event the show in Orlando. It could be Undertaker's last ride and you aren't going to find a much bigger opponent than John Cena to see him out. There's no doubt in the mind of anyone that they'd put on a classic because that's what they've both been doing for years now.
All of the pieces seem to be falling perfectly into place, and the only question remaining is whether the company have the grapefruits to go through with it. There's so much potential in this match that it would seem as if not going down this route would be done just as a tactic to swerve the fans.
Step up, WWE. It's time.
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