5 Matches the fans want at Wrestlemania 35 and 5 they don't

WWE treated the fans to a match we all wanted last year when Nakamura challenged Styles
WWE treated the fans to a match we all wanted last year when Nakamura challenged Styles

When it comes to what matches we get at Wrestlemania, it usually a mix between what the WWE thinks is 'best for business' with some dream matches the fans want mixed in.

There are the inevitable matches - most of the championship ones involving Roman Reigns over the last few years qualify - and some that just cram as many superstars into it in order to get as many superstars on the show as possible.

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Wrestlemania 35 is no exception. One of the first matches that was thought to be a done deal was Roman Reigns vs. the Rock for the Universal Championship.

While that might have been great for fans who still love the Rock, it wouldn't have been for the WWE Universe as a whole.

Reigns was still fighting against some of the fans while the Rock simply showing up to take a spot from a full-timer still doesn't sit well with a lot of people (me included). Well, we all know that this particular plan is off the table due to Roman Reigns' leukaemia.

Another match that was almost set in stone was Triple H vs. Batista. The seeds for the match were planted at Smackdown 1,000 when Batista mentioned that Triple H has done everything in the business - except beat him.

While Triple H would tear a pectoral muscle shortly thereafter, that match can still happen depending on how fast Triple H can heal.

Would the fans still care about that match? The jury is out. But there are several matches that the fans would love to see at Wrestlemania 35 and some they wouldn't.


#5. Want: Shawn Michaels vs. Daniel Bryan

Would Michaels accept a potential match against one of his pupils?
Would Michaels accept a potential match against one of his pupils?

This match could happen due to several factors. It could involve the WWE Championship, thus providing another opportunity for Shawn Michaels to put on his 'Mr. Wrestlemania' boots.

It would be the classic case of the teacher returning to challenge his student. Bryan was one of the students who was mentored/trained by Michaels at his wrestling school in Texas. Former WWE superstar Lance Cade and Brian Kendrick also trained alongside Bryan.

Since Daniel Bryan has done a complete 180 from his former stance as hard-working, 'fight for your dreams face' to chiding, scolding environmentalist heel champion, a feud wouldn't be that hard to set in motion.

Michaels could enter the Royal Rumble and win it, although that shouldn't be the way to get to the match. He could simply confront Bryan on an episode of Smackdown and ask him what was going on with his shift in character.

Bryan would chide Michaels for his lifestyle as he has done to everyone else. The whole 'teacher returning to school the student' angle would be a great way to sell the match, but with Michaels recently stating he has no desire to wrestle again, this might not happen.

#5. Don't Want: Brock Lesnar vs. Batista

The two behemoths were a part of the famed 2002 OVW rookie class.
The two behemoths were a part of the famed 2002 OVW rookie class.

This is a match that could have happened earlier in WWE around 2003-2004. Both wrestlers came from the vaunted 2002 OVW rookie class that also included John Cena and Randy Orton.

Since they never officially crossed paths for a main title in WWE, Vince might see big money in a match between two of the bigger stars in the company.

While that might sound good to Vince on paper, it wouldn't be something the fans would necessarily be heavily invested in.

If the match would be for the title, it would simply perpetuate the problem of having a part-time champion. It's a problem WWE needs to fix.

Lesnar winning again would still mean he holds the belt hostage. Should Batista be victorious, it would give us yet another unnecessary part-time champion.

This match would work better if it was mainly an attraction match, and even then, the quality of the match would have been better many years ago. If Batista returns, it should be to close out his career versus a member of Evolution, and not to face Lesnar.

#4. Want: Finn Balor vs. The Undertaker

The Demon vs. the Phenom
The Demon vs. the Phenom

Fans have clamoured for several matches for the Undertaker that didn't come to fruition. Some wanted the Phenom to face Sting when Sting was briefly active in WWE while others have hoped for Balor and The Undertaker to face each other at the Show of Shows.

Well, you can count Balor as someone who also wants to take a crack at the Undertaker at Wrestlemania. Is this the year he gets his wish?

He teased the match himself with an Instagram post recently, possibly providing the fans with a match they'd want to see come April.

If the WWE wants to strike while the iron is hot, they should book this match for this year. Every year could be the last for the Undertaker and rather than seeing another match with John Cena in April, give the fans something they want.

Of course, the Undertaker wrestling in April isn't set in stone as of right now, but he usually rises from his crypt once the Royal Rumble has passed.

#4. Don't Want: Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch vs. Ronda Rousey/Flair vs. Rousey

It seems Charlotte Flair will be involved with Ronda Rousey in some fashion at Wrestlemania 35.
It seems Charlotte Flair will be involved with Ronda Rousey in some fashion at Wrestlemania 35.

At first, it seemed that this would indeed be the match for Ronda Rousey at Wrestlemania 35. But when Becky Lynch wasn't cleared to face Rousey at Survivor Series due to a reckless strike from Nia Jax, WWE decided to have the Flair vs. Rousey match in November instead.

While it ended in a disqualification due to an attack from Flair in order to keep her looking strong and on the same level of Lynch and Rousey, we all knew that they would cross paths once again.

Lynch is now cleared, so several people have figured that Lynch vs. Rousey might be the first-ever women's match to main-event a Wrestlemania.

But Vince McMahon loves Charlotte Flair and always wants her at the top or chasing the top of the card. He wants her to be a member of the historical match regardless of if it should simply be a singles match between the Man and Rousey.

They haven't had a singles match yet but some recent rumors suggest that WWE will probably have that match before April in order to secure the triple threat match.

Flair seems like she's a third wheel in the feud and she is. She could easily feud with Asuka again at the show and hopefully, lose this time.

Whatever the case may be, Rousey and Lynch were the ones who were on fire during their feud and adding Flair to the mix screams of WWE having to control the situation.

#3. Want: Finn Balor vs. Kenny Omega or Kenny Omega vs. AJ Styles

The possibilities would be endless if the Cleaner signed with WWE.
The possibilities would be endless if the Cleaner signed with WWE.

This is a match that is contingent upon Kenny Omega signing with WWE once his current contract with New Japan ended.

While some reports that Omega allegedly already chose All Elite Wrestling, until we hear the words from his mouth, either of these matches could feasibly still happen.

All three former leaders of the Bullet Club have not been in the same promotion at the same time, and if Omega did show up, it would rock the world. Omega and AJ Styles had various matches with each other while both were members of the Bullet Club, but most were as teammates and not as enemies.

He has stated that the only reason he would come to WWE would be for a match with Styles at Wrestlemania and who could blame him? Adding Balor to the mix or simply having a singles match between Omega and Styles would be pleasing to the crowd no matter what.

All three men deliver in the ring and would give Wrestlemania a highly anticipated match that would please the fans and hopefully the people in charge.

#3. Don't Want: Shane McMahon vs. Daniel Bryan

Could the two former leaders of Smackdown face off at Wrestlemania 35?
Could the two former leaders of Smackdown face off at Wrestlemania 35?

Ever since Daniel Bryan was made the general manager of Smackdown Live, it was widely thought that the two men would square off at some time.

While they did compete in a tag team match alongside each other last year against Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens, they will probably be forever attached to the hip due to their prior relationship.

One thing that kept them from a potential match was that they were both technically faces. Well, now we all know that the 'New Daniel Bryan' is the WWE Champion and he obtained it via nefarious means.

Since he's a heel now, would WWE potentially revisit the idea of having McMahon challenge Bryan due to the lack of main-event faces on Smackdown?

If they did, it would be a huge mistake and another spot taken from a full-time superstar by McMahon. He is the bosses' son, but he shouldn't be in a match at Wrestlemania for a major WWE Championship.

#2. Want: Becky Lynch vs. Ronda Rousey

This match has beenrumored

These two ladies had the WWE Women's division on fire prior to their match at Survivor Series in November. We all know why that match didn't happen, but lips were still salivating for a potential one on one showdown between the two.

Becky has always seemed to get the upper hand on Rousey, whether it be in the ring, backstage or on social media.

Rousey will fight anyone at any time so most people figured that it would finally come to fruition at Wrestlemania 35. The work done by both women would merit a singles match between the two and potentially the first-ever main event slot for the women.

But since WWE has gone out of their way to constantly keep Charlotte Flair in the feud and also looking strong, the possibility of this happening seems less and less likely to happen.

The story deserves a singles match between Lynch and Rousey but Flair will be thrust into the match somehow before April.

#2. Don't Want: the Rock vs. Brock Lesnar

Two part-timers for the Universal Championship

Like I mentioned with the Brock Lesnar/Batista match, this one can surely happen - as long as the Universal Championship isn't involved.

But since WWE would see oodles of money in a potential Wrestlemania match for the Universal Championship between these two, it would only likely happen with the title on the line.

Also like a potential Batista/Lesnar match, however, is that it doesn't solve the constant problem plaguing the title of having a part-time champion. Part-timers should only be brought back for big matches, but not for matches with major title implications.

I understand that WWE is a business first and a fan-pleasing endeavour second, but if they constantly say they listen to the fans and that the WWE Universe is 'now the Authority', what's the point of believing any claim they put forth.

The Rock will likely have a few more big matches in his career, but he's worried about his movie career first (as he should be). The Rock vs. Brock Lesnar can certainly happen and would help sell the PPV, but please keep the Universal Championship out of it!

#1. Want: The Revival vs. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn

Will Owens and Zayn be ready in time for April, or is a post-Wrestlemania return in their futures?
Will Owens and Zayn be ready in time for April, or is a post-Wrestlemania return in their futures?

While this is a match I would personally like to see, it would require several things to happen in order to take place in April.

Firstly, both Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn would have to be cleared for action in time to start a storyline heading into Wrestlemania. That would mean returning to television by at least February.

They could still appear on screen while not cleared, planting the seeds for a potential match. The two as a tag team wouldn't be something new like when WWE put Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre together.

Zayn and Owens tagged together in Ring of Honor and they are two guys who have wrestled with each other or against each other for most of their careers.

The Raw Tag Team Title match and division is up in the air even with Bobby Roode and Chad Gable holding the titles.

Owens and Zayn, as well as the Revival, are both credible teams who should be leading the Raw Tag Team division rather than fighting the Lucha House Party or doing less meaningful things.

The Revival has hovered around the title scene recently without much positive success to speak of.

A showdown between these two teams would also require one of the two duos to turn face since both are technically still heels.

It would be refreshing to see Owens as a face for the first time in WWE and seeds were starting to be planted when Lashley ruthlessly attacked Owens legs in a match prior to Owens departure for surgery.

Will it happen? Probably not but without too many credible and believable tag teams on Raw at the moment, this would be a great match.

#1. Don't Want: Nikki Bella vs. Asuka or any other champion

Will Nikki crawl out of the world for another title match at a big show?
Will Nikki crawl out of the world for another title match at a big show?

Since her two top challengers will likely be facing the Raw Women's Champion at Wrestlemania, who's left to challenge the Empress of Tomorrow Asuka at the Grandest Stage of Them All?

Well, if WWE has its way, they'll likely try to coax Nikki Bella back for another huge match for a potential championship.

Bella is now a part-timer who is more focused on her reality shows and her clothing and other endeavours rather than wrestling. She's one of the more recognizable female faces to the WWE Universe which is why Vince McMahon would try to have her appear again in a match.

Nikki returned for the Women's Royal Rumble and was one of the final two along with Asuka. She also 'challenged' Rousey for the Raw Women's Title at Evolution.

If WWE doesn't have faith in any of the other women being worthy to challenge for a title at Wrestlemania, then what the heck are they doing with the vaunted 'Women's Evolution'?

I'm sure Ember Moon, Ruby Riott or any other number of the female competitors on Smackdown would be more than fine for challenging Asuka in April.

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