WrestleMania 35: 4 major titleholders and the impact of their previous WrestleMania encounter

WrestleMania 35 is scheduled to be held on April 7, 2019. The show has created quite some buzz due to respective reasons. The biggest pay per view of the year is also expected to be the longest one in history. There await some exciting matches for sure.

The major title bouts of the event seem promising. We can surely expect high-quality title matches due to the expertise of the champions and the contenders involved. For the first time in history, women's title match main-events the Showcase of the Immortals.

Generally, defending champions are the most significant ones in the event. To enter WrestleMania as a champion is a huge honor for any Superstar. It doesn't happen for everyone. Being a titleholder at WrestleMania means that the Superstar has earned the management's trust.

The four major title holders entering the PPV gave a spectacular showing at the previous WrestleMania. The matches obviously have an impact on this year's show. With that in mind let us have a look back at their respective encounters.

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#4 Daniel Bryan - WWE Champion

Daniel Bryan will defend the WWE championship against Kofi Kingston at WrestleMania 35. The rivalry certainly brought the best out of both these men. The match promises to be an outstanding one. Bryan is the right person to put Kofi over in a major way.

Both technically talented in-ring performers would steal the show at WrestleMania. However, if it wasn't for Bryan's miraculous recovery last year, this match wouldn't be happening. In February 2016, Bryan officially retired from in-ring wrestling due to injuries.

Bryan played the role of SmackDown general manager for a while after his retirement. Following a series of medical evaluations and tests for almost two years, Bryan's situation somehow improved and he was allowed to compete.

His return was a huge moment due to the fact that it was completely unexpected. The WWE Universe got thrilled and has completely invested in his return. Daniel Bryan alongside Shane McMahon beat Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn at WrestleMania 34.

The popularity of Daniel Bryan increased to a whole new level after the match. However, in order to adjust to the landscape of SmackDown, Bryan turned heel. Such a popular figure being a successful lead heel ahead of WrestleMania 35 shows his genius.

#3 Ronda Rousey - RAW Women's Champion

The RAW Women's Champion Ronda Rousey has received a considerable fan backlash after Becky Lynch's unexpected rise in popularity. The Man is the favorite to win at WrestleMania 35. The majority of the fans may not like to see Ronda winning the match.

Considering the fact that Rousey is entering WrestleMania 35 as a heel, the negative reaction from the audience seems acceptable. The stage is set for the 'baddest' woman on the planet to showcase her skills in playing a heel beside Charlotte Flair.

However, all this wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for her previous WrestleMania encounter. It was the WWE debut of Ronda Rousey. Along with Kurt Angle, Rousey battled Stephanie McMahon and Triple H in a mixed tag team match.

The positive crowd reactions for the former UFC star and the excellent push she received from the power couple were instrumental in establishing a good first impression. Even If things had backfired it wouldn't have hurt Rousey due to her star power but still, the match did its part in introducing the woman who would main-event the succeeding WrestleMania.

#2 Charlotte Flair - SmackDown Women's Champion

Charlotte Flair enters WrestleMania 35 as the SmackDown Women's Champion. She defeated Asuka just two weeks before WrestleMania. It was undoubtedly a controversial decision. Charlotte already had a title match at WrestleMania 35 so the decision to provide her yet another title was shocking.

When we look back at previous WrestleMania, the same Charlotte Flair defeated Asuka. The Japanese sensation won the first ever women's Royal Rumble. She also held an undefeated streak. Going into WrestleMania Asuka looked likely to conquer the gold.

However, the creative team decided to give a win to Charlotte, the defending champion. Who knows? If Charlotte had lost that match then Asuka would've even extended her streak till WrestleMania 35.

In that case, the main event of WrestleMania 35 would've looked surprisingly different. It would've been the crowd's favorite Becky Lynch vs the most hated heel Ronda Rousey vs the undefeated Asuka. Such a matchup clearly looks fit for the historic women's title match.

#1 Brock Lesnar - Universal Champion

Brock Lesnar retained his universal title against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 34

Brock Lesnar enters WrestleMania 35 as the Universal Champion. He will face the 2019 Men's Royal Rumble winner Seth Rollins. The previous WrestleMania also looked similar for Brock as he faced another Shield member Roman Reigns

He successfully defended his universal title amidst a lot of rumors that he would lose. There were reports that he was leaving WWE after WrestleMania 34. However, Lesnar retained the title at the PPV and signed a new deal with the company shortly afterward.

Maybe the management's decision to have him as the titleholder after WrestleMania impressed him to remain with them. Who would choose to leave a company that treats them like a big deal anyway?

If Brock had lost the title back then, he would've indeed left them in a short while. The company's treatment of Lesnar during the previous WrestleMania and beyond that makes us think that he might be retaining again this year.