As much as I want to say otherwise, Wrestlemania 32 was a flop. While there were a number of great performances and moments such as Zack Ryder winning the Intercontinental Title and Mick Foley, Shawn Michaels and Stone Cold Steve Austin beating up The League of Nations, there was also a lack of depth on the card and a number of baffling booking decisions.
This wasn’t exactly the company’s fault, as most matches planned months before the event had to be scrapped due to injuries to John Cena, Seth Rollins, and Randy Orton. But, overall, it still disappointed the vast majority of the WWE Universe.
In order to rectify this flop, the WWE must put on one hell of a Wrestlemania to make us forget about the poor show last time around. Here are some matches that can help WWE avoid another bad showing at Wrestlemania, as I list seven Matches we must see at WWE Wrestlemania 33...
7. Triple H vs Seth Rollins
Starting off with the most rumoured match on this list. Ever since Triple H turned on his former prospect from The Authority on the August 29th episode of Raw, rumours have been running rampant on when the two will finally face off. Many people have shared their opinion on the topic, with some people of the opinion that it could happen at Survivor Series or Royal Rumble.
But, the majority (including highly respected Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer) are stating that the match will be held off until Wrestlemania 33 as this would be a fitting stage for the much-anticipated showdown. This match was originally planned for Wrestlemania 32 but was cancelled due to Rollins’ knee injury.
Therefore, it is only right that the WWE have the bout at Wrestlemania 33. In what is sure to be one hell of a match, Rollins and Triple H’s bad blood can finally be settled on the ‘Grandest Stage of Them All’, and unlike the Wrestlemania 32 main event between Reigns and HHH, this is a match the fans are eager to see and will most likely get at Wrestlemania 33.
6. The Undertaker vs John Cena
Another heavily rumoured match, The Undertaker vs John Cena was supposed to happen at Wrestlemania 32 but was scrapped after Cena suffered a shoulder injury. With Shane McMahon vs The Undertaker not being as memorable as the planned Cena vs Undertaker match would have been, there is still time to rectify this missed opportunity.
If WWE were to pit The Face that Runs the Place against the Deadman at Wrestlemania 33, the two men would be sure to have an incredible match, and it would be a perfect scenario for Taker to pick up one final win on the Grandest Stage of Them All and retire after a magnificent bout, rather than retiring with the lacklustre Hell in a Cell bout from Wrestlemania 32 as his last match.
The two men have surprisingly been kept apart ever since Cena debuted back in 2002, with The Deadman congratulating Cena after his first match. The two have only faced off twice, once at Vengeance in 2003 and again on an episode of Raw in 2006. For their third encounter, the Grandest Stage of Them All would be a deserving platform for the two men, and it would certainly be a dream match for the WWE Universe.
5. Bill Goldberg vs Brock Lesnar
Goldberg vs Brock Lesnar II was always near the top of the list for rematches at Wrestlemania, mostly because their first Wrestlemania encounter turned out to be horrible due to both men leaving the company after the event. Ever since Goldberg and Brock Lesnar were both selected to be lead cover superstars for WWE 2K17, there have been widespread rumours about Goldberg potentially returning to the company to face Lesnar at Wrestlemania 33.
These rumours intensified when Goldberg and Lesnar began to take shots at each other through separate interviews and videos, with the most recent video depicting Goldberg using a Lesnar t-shirt to blow his nose. Obviously, fans have been loving it, and if WWE were to capitalise they could have one of the most anticipated rematches in Wrestlemania history on the card for Wrestlemania 33.
In the past, The Ultimate Warrior and Stone Cold have both returned to the company in some way after being featured in WWE 2K, and hopefully, WWE can do the same with Goldberg. Although WWE appears to be creating tension between Shane McMahon and Lesnar, it would be more beneficial to use Shane as an authority figure who introduces a returning superstar to challenge someone.
Just imagine, McMahon announces he has a surprise superstar in line to face Lesnar rather than taking him on himself. Who is this surprise star? Bill Goldberg. In what would be a much better bout than their last encounter at Wrestlemania 20, this would be a match that can appeal to both hardcore and casual WWE fans.
4. Dean Ambrose vs Roman Reigns
This match might just be fuelled by my desire to see Roman Reigns turn heel in front of a huge crowd, but nonetheless, this would still be a wonderful match to have on the card. Reigns and Ambrose have shown in past encounters (Survivor Series 2015, Shield Triple Threat) that they have the in-ring chemistry to pull off something magical, given they are provided with a proper storyline.
Although I have my reservations of Reigns as a character, his quality in-ring work is undeniable, as seen in his series of matches with AJ Styles and Seth Rollins. Similar to Reigns, I also have my reservations about Ambrose’s character from time to time, as he drifts into goofiness too much for my liking.
But, his quality in-ring work is also undeniable, as seen in his series of matches with Kevin Owens,Seth Rollins, and AJ Styles. Overall, both men are great workers, and could produce an incredible contest if given a well-built story and a possible stipulation. Rather than having both men act like babyfaces in the build-up to the match, have both Reigns and Ambrose show signs of turning heel by talking or fighting like one.
This way, the fans can pick who they want to cheer for leading up to the bout and the WWE can give the win to the man receiving the most cheers. For the other superstar, well, they will turn heel on their opponent. Bashing down the other man, the huge Wrestlemania 33 crowd would be sure to boo them out of the building. Now, this scenario really only sounds plausible if it were Reigns turning heel, but it could still possibly work with Ambrose.
Either way, these two, if given a fascinating story like the one I just described, could steal the show. Also, although both men are currently serving on opposite brands, that could only add to the story as the two wrestlers could invade each other’s show, confronting their opponent. Overall, this would be a great match to have on the Wrestlemania 33 card and would be extremely intriguing for the fans who want to see either a Reigns or Ambrose heel turn.
3. Sasha Banks vs Bayley vs Charlotte (Raw Women’s Championship)
As much as I want to make this a fatal four-way between the four horsewomen, I don’t see WWE moving Lynch to the Raw Women’s Title picture, as she is sorely needed in the Smackdown Women’s scene. A potential triple threat between Lynch, Nikki Bella and Natalya for the Smackdown Women’s Title would be great for the Smackdown women’s match.
As for the Raw Women’s Title match, the ideal bout would be Charlotte vs Sasha Banks vs Bayley. Although this leaves out names such as Nia Jax, she can always find an opponent to face, maybe even a cross-brand women’s match with someone from Smackdown Live. But, simply put, a triple threat between Banks, Bayley and Charlotte would be incredible, and would most likely top the women’s triple threat from Wrestlemania 32.
As of now, Bayley is still in her first month on the main roster, Banks is a one-time women’s champion, and Charlotte is a two-time women’s champion. For the build-up to this bout to be amazing, the focus of the story would have to be on Bayley’s underdog quest to the top of the mountain. Imagine, throughout late 2016 and early 2017 Bayley is given title shots against Banks or Charlotte (whoever is champion at the time) and keeps coming that close but never being able to capture the gold.
On the build to the triple threat, Bayley is completely undermined and disregarded by both Banks and Charlotte, much like the build-up to the beloved triple threat at Wrestlemania XX where Chris Benoit was undermined by Shawn Michaels and Triple H. More determined than ever, with the crowd firmly behind her, Bayley could have a career-defining moment by capturing the gold, much like Benoit did.
This would be an insane way to make the match feel even more special, and would be the pinnacle of Bayley’s underdog story that began in NXT. Adding on to this amazing build and storytelling would be the in-ring action, as the three women could produce a show-stealing match if given enough time.
After the match, Becky Lynch could come out, and the four horsewomen could embrace just like they did after Bayley’s win at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn, only this time it would be at Wrestlemania 33. If you aren’t excited about the prospect of that all occurring, I don’t know what will excite you.
Overall, if this match were to take place, it could be one of the most important in women’s wrestling history and would be an incredible continuation of the four horsewomen story that began in NXT.
2. AJ Styles vs Finn Balor, WWE World Championship
So, I know these two are on different brands right now. But, wouldn’t it be awesome if Balor returned on Smackdown attacking Styles, with Gallows and Anderson? Rather than going the predictable route and having Balor return on Raw and chase the Universal Champion, why not execute a double turn by having him form the Balor Club and be the new heel leader by attacking AJ, while Styles is targeted by the heels and turns babyface in the process?
A face Styles vs heel Balor for the WWE World Championship at Wrestlemania 33 is a money match in most people’s eyes, and would be a guaranteed classic. Another way of bringing back Balor would be to have him return in the Royal Rumble, and win the whole match. On Raw the next night, instead of choosing to face the Universal Champion (who should still be Kevin Owens), he decides to choose to face Styles, which wouldn’t seem odd considering AJ would still be a heel.
What would be odd is when he shows up on Smackdown Live with Balor Club, blindsiding Styles and executing the always awesome double turn. This would be a great way to kick off the feud, and this match would be special no matter what pay-per-view it takes place on. But at Wrestlemania, for the WWE World Championship? If that were to occur, it is fair to say it would be one of the best matches in recent WWE history.
The two would be sure to represent the Smackdown Live brand’s world championship scene well, and this match would be a lot more anticipated than yet another Styles vs Cena bout where Cena picks up the win for his 16th world championship.
Sure, we would get a great contest out of it, but in the end, it would be another predictable Cena title win at Wrestlemania. If Balor vs Styles happened instead, fans around the world would be much happier and the Smackdown world title match for Wrestlemania 33 wouldn’t have John Cena written all over it.
Overall, Balor vs Styles for the WWE World Championship, regardless of who is face and who is heel, would be an instant classic.
1. Kevin Owens vs Shinsuke Nakamura, Universal Championship
Ok, so I know Nakamura isn’t even on the main roster yet, but I am hoping he will be by early 2017. Owens vs Nakamura is a rivalry that is incredibly appealing, as not only would the series of matches between the two men be insane, but the clash of personalities would create an awesome story. The storyline of an arrogant Owens vs the charismatic, flashy Nakamura would be a sight to see, and if Nakamura’s debut is explosive enough, he could be riding a wave of momentum heading into the actual match.
Picture this: Nakamura enters the Royal Rumble at #30 in his debut, winning the match. He picks Owens as his opponent for Wrestlemania 33 as AJ Styles already has his hands full with Balor Club. But, Stephanie McMahon and Mick Foley (or Triple H, depending who is running Raw then) don’t think Nakamura has proven himself and think his Royal Rumble victory was a fluke.
So, at Fastlane, he has to face Sami Zayn in a No 1. Contenders Match for the Universal Title. In the rematch from their Takeover: Dallas classic, they steal the show once again, and depending on if Zayn has anything else planned for Wrestlemania 33, they could execute a double pinfall and it will become Zayn vs Owens vs Nakamura at Wrestlemania 33.
But, to keep in line with my match, Nakamura defeats Zayn and goes on to face Owens at Wrestlemania 33 for the Universal Championship. Riding a huge wave of momentum after a massive Royal Rumble win and another Match of the Year contender with Zayn, Nakamura, and Owens steal the show in a 25-30-minute bout that tops the Nakamura-Zayn contest at Fastlane.
Finally, after Owens kicks out of 2 Kinshasa’s (looking strong in defeat), Nakamura delivers a 3rd one to Owens, winning the Universal Championship at Wrestlemania 33. If this storyline were to occur next year, I think everyone would go berzerk. Owens vs Nakamura for the Universal Championship at Wrestlemania 33. What more could you want?
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