If you did not already know, the Road to WrestleMania 33 has already begun. I know the Royal Rumble usually begins WWE’s trek toward its biggest night of the year, but now that there are two brands and plenty of possible winners at “the event” in January, it’s ok to begin talking about April in Orlando.
Regardless of the fact that the company is not enjoying the ratings it wants, there are some solid performances the WWE can build upon heading toward 2017. There are also a few feuds that might help increase ratings if the creative team could see its way toward making them happen.
These are five feuds fans should witness before the talk of WrestleMania 33 really starts to ramp up.
#1 Rusev vs. Seth Rollins
This match is out of necessity more than anything else. With Rollins and Owens set to battle at Hell in a Cell, what happens after the feud? There is nowhere for Rollins to go if he loses to the current Universal Heavyweight Champion.
By the same token, Rusev doesn’t have a dance partner after his feud with Roman Reigns.
WWE would be foolish to take the United States Title off his waist. So, with Rollins firmly entrenched as a babyface, he gets the mad Bulgarian as the company moves toward the Royal Rumble. How will the Architect plan to escape Rusev’s raw power?
#2 AJ Styles vs. Nakamura
At some point, the current NXT Champion will make his way to the main roster. Which brand the international star is assigned to is anyone’s guess. This is a matchup I have spoken about for months with fellow wrestling writers and its the one with the most appeal and a potential main event at WrestleMania.
A couple of things have to happen first. Styles must hold on to the WWE World Title, which is no easy task. Next, Nakamura has to drop the NXT Title and move forward. The latter seems more likely than Styles remaining champion with John Cena, Bray Wyatt and Dean Ambrose chasing him.
#3 Brock Lesnar vs. Kevin Owens
Lesnar is the biggest bully on the playground. Owens is the man who wants to claim that moniker. This is one of those matches we look at and see the present meeting the future.
We all know Owens wants to work a program with Lesnar. If the Universal Title is on the line, how sweet would that be? There are few wrestlers who can honestly go toe-to-toe with Lesnar. Owens’ size and agility would be a bonus. What I wouldn’t give to hear Owens and Paul Heyman exchange pleasantries.
If Owens keeps the Universal Title at Hell in a Cell, could this be a program on the horizon?
#4 Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax
If Banks is going to move forward as the greatest woman’s champion of all time – and she is well on her way toward becoming one of the best ever – she will have to stare down the intimidating Jax.
Like Braun Strowman, Jax is a wrestler without a true position on Raw. I could see her make the move to SmackDown Live where she could have better success. But like Kharma, Jax is certainly a main event star. WWE has to decide what it wants to do with booking her.
#5 Roman Reigns vs. Chris Jericho
I have wanted to see this feud for some time now. Jericho is clearly the best performer on WWE’s roster right now. His promos are top draw. His skills in the ring haven’t eroded and he continues to put talent over.
Reigns has looked solid in his feud with Rusev and could be nearing another chance to gain the Universal Heavyweight Title. Jericho continues to move from opponent to opponent without hesitation and gives the fans the best he has to offer.
In this case, the six-time WWE World Champion does not have to win, rather he has to make Reigns look good.
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