WrestleMania is the biggest show of the year for WWE, which usually means that they’ll be bringing in the biggest names possible to sell the event as much as they can.
This has been a major component of WrestleMania for years: they want to bring in big names that don’t usually show up so that people who don't usually care about wrestling tune in out of sheer curiosity.
Within WWE as well, they usually put in as many big names as possible for the WrestleMania matches. Whether it’s the regular singles matches or the multi-person battle royals, there’s likely to be some big names that are supposed to arrive to help generate more interest.
However, this year’s going to be different.
Despite having one of the biggest cards in WrestleMania history, this year’s event will be missing many big names. These missing names will be wrestlers that have built WWE up but weren’t able to make it to the show for one reason or another.
It will include the names of wrestlers that fans think should be on the WrestleMania 33 card, but for some reason have not been pencilled into the event in any way. It will also include some high-profile non-wrestlers that WWE wanted to appear on the show but instead, will not.
Here are five names that will not be appearing at WrestleMania 33.
#5 Kane
There are few names in WWE more synonymous with the word ‘loyalty’ than Kane.
This will be his 20th year in WWE under the Kane name and the man has been a company stalwart during that entire period. So much so, in fact, that it has become something of an expectation to see Kane appear in some capacity at every big show, just because of his loyalty.
Surprisingly, this will be the first time in many years that Kane is not likely to appear at WrestleMania.
He is reported to be dealing with several nagging injuries and is looking to focus more on non-wrestling related ventures back home in Tennessee. He does deserve the time off, however, given his many years of dedication and willingness to do whatever was asked of him.
#4 Shaquille O’Neal
WWE have been wanting to put on a WrestleMania match between Shaquille O’Neal and the Big Show for years.
We got a sample of that last year when the two behemoths clashed in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, and Big Show appears to have been training hard to lose weight and get into better shape for what might be his final WrestleMania.
The seeds for a confrontation between these two men had been planted at last year’s event, and rumors of their eventual confrontation were fueled over the past few months through online banter and taunting between both of them.
Also read: WWE WrestleMania 33: 5 predictions you can bank on for the post-WrestleMania 33 edition of WWE Raw
Unfortunately, it looks like the planned match between them appears to have been nixed.
With so many matches on the card already, there simply isn’t any more room for a singles match between Shaquille O’Neal and the Big Show. This is why Big Show is now in the Battle Royal again; as his planned singles match for WrestleMania couldn’t be finalised.
It’s a shame for him, really. He had been training so hard for so many months to have one final WrestleMania moment, and now he’s in the forgettable battle royal spot.
#3 Kurt Angle
When Kurt Angle was announced as the first member of the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2017, speculation began almost immediately over whether he’d participate at WrestleMania in some capacity.
After all, Angle is and has always been, a wrestling machine that can do things that most others simply cannot do.
While WrestleMania 33 is likely to continue with the tradition of having Hall of Fame inductees appear briefly on stage during one segment, this is a relatively poor way to make use of Kurt Angle’s continuous popularity and respect.
If there was ever a WWE Hall of Famer that needed to be used in some capacity at this year’s WrestleMania, it would be Angle.
Whether it would’ve been as some kind of matchmaker, a ringside enforcer, or even as a referee, Angle’s addition to any match on the ‘Mania card would’ve been much appreciated.
Instead, he’ll likely be seen for thirty seconds before disappearing along with the rest of the HOF inductees, robbing the fans of an opportunity to use someone great to help build up an otherwise underwhelming-looking WrestleMania card.
#2 Shinsuke Nakamura
Nakamura made his NXT debut almost one year ago to the day, and the fact that he has not been promoted to the main roster is surprising, to say the least. His WWE signing was met with widespread curiosity and interest, and his debut match against Sami Zayn was the best match of the entire WrestleMania weekend.
Clearly, this man should’ve gone down the same path as A.J. Styles and have debuted on the main roster right away.
Instead, he has made a name for himself in NXT and has been getting huge reactions on a consistent basis. There was hope that his NXT tenure would be a short one, and that he'd debut on one of the main rosters within a few months.
However, he’s still scheduled to wrestle at NXT TakeOver: Orlando, instead of being on the bigger stage at WrestleMania 33.
He could’ve been in a marquee match very easily, but will be missing WrestleMania 33 this year instead. That said, he’s likely to still be at ‘Mania in spirit, as the fans will chant his name during less-entertaining segments at WrestleMania anyway.
#1 Finn Balor
When Finn Balor was drafted to RAW as one of the earliest draft picks, it was an obvious sign that he was destined to be a major player on the program. Sadly, his sudden and unfortunate shoulder injury at SummerSlam 2016 put a major monkey wrench in those plans.
Balor vacated the championship 24 hours after winning it, and underwent shoulder surgery. Since then, he has made sporadic appearances here and there, staying in the public eye just enough for people to keep speculating on his eventual in-ring return.
But with each passing PPV, there was more concern that he’d miss one big show after another.
There was hope he’d be a surprise entrant in the 2017 Royal Rumble match, but it never happened. Fans wished for him to return around Fastlane so that he could reclaim the championship he never lost, but he never showed up.
Now, there are less than two weeks left until WrestleMania 33, and Balor is nowhere to be found.
He has not appeared on any show, nor has his name even been mentioned. He will, for all intents and purposes, miss WrestleMania 33, which is a huge disappointment. His involvement would’ve led to a great match, regardless of who his opponent would’ve been.
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