5 things WWE got right on the road to WrestleMania 37: Reason for fewer part-time legends, Major mistake avoided

Roman Reigns and Edge
Roman Reigns and Edge

There has been a bit of criticism for the two-day WrestleMania 37 event this weekend. One of the big arguments made is that the card simply isn't "WrestleMania-worthy" enough and that the build has been relatively poor.

While this isn't the first year we've heard those complaints about WrestleMania (nor will it be the last), there are a lot of things that WWE did right on the road to WrestleMania 37 and it must be acknowledged. Here are five examples:


#5. The lack of part-time legends at WrestleMania

Edge will main event WrestleMania
Edge will main event WrestleMania

WWE is hardly utilizing part-time legends for WrestleMania in 2021. This year, there are only two part-time legends who will compete at WrestleMania - Edge and Shane McMahon.

It's a big change from the usual norm of WrestleMania. Last year, Edge, The Undertaker, Brock Lesnar, and Goldberg were the part-time legends utilized. For the last eight years, WWE has been using part-time legends in big spots to sell WrestleMania match cards.

One could argue that "WrestleMania" is a name that sells itself, but that doesn't stop WWE from pulling out all the stops every year to have some of the biggest available legends in the industry.

It's an interesting situation this year, and although a part-time star in Edge is headlining WrestleMania, nobody is complaining. One could argue that the only other part-timer who would have truly added to the card is Brock Lesnar.

With Bobby Lashley winning the WWE Championship, fans hoped to see a dream clash between The Almighty One and Lesnar. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and WWE opting not to bring Lesnar back for empty arena shows, it meant that The Beast Incarnate would miss out on the whole year.

Brock Lesnar technically isn't even on a WWE contract, as it expired in the summer of 2020. While there were likely different reasons for WWE not utilizing part-time superstars, one thing seems certain - there's an understanding that part-time legends are simply not needed for this year's WrestleMania card.

While WWE is likely aware that WrestleMania now sells itself, this year, in particular, doesn't have any requirement of legends on the card. WWE is going to have 45,000 fans attending both days, and they don't need to put out their strongest card.

We don't expect that to happen in 2022, however. WWE has to sell 100,000+ tickets at the AT&T Stadium for WrestleMania 38 - assuming that COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease.

#4. Not forcing everybody onto the WrestleMania card

There won't
There won't

This is the second year in a row where WWE hasn't been trying to force everybody on the WrestleMania card. While there are examples of superstars who should be on the card but aren't (Bayley, for example), we aren't having either of the traditional Battle Royals.

We understand the purpose of the Andre the Giant and the Women's Battle Royals at WrestleMania. They're normally on the Kickoff Show (or on a "breather" spot on the main card), but last year, WWE couldn't go through with that because of COVID-19 restrictions.

To add to that, several superstars were given time away and had the option of sitting out and taking a hiatus. It made sense in the limited arena to have a more limited card.

This year, WWE has made sure that not everybody is on the card. While it is unfortunate for many superstars, it's one of the best decisions WWE made heading into WrestleMania.

It would be easy to force several names onto the WrestleMania card, but that hasn't happened. It gives a more natural and organic feel to the build of several WrestleMania matches this year.

#3. Well-utilized celebrity appearance for WrestleMania

Bad Bunny and Damian Priest
Bad Bunny and Damian Priest

With WrestleMania being the biggest show in the professional wrestling calendar year, WWE pulls out all the stops - and it isn't just with part-timers. WWE has a long history of associating with celebrities at WrestleMania, and this year, it will be the Puerto Rican star singer Bad Bunny.

While there is a part of the fanbase that is against a celebrity like Bad Bunny having a spot at WrestleMania, it's easy to understand WWE's perspective. The Puerto Rican celebrity has a following of 40 Million+ across the three big social media platforms, as well as 33 Million subscribers on YouTube.

A celebrity like Bad Bunny adds casual interest to the product, and there will be a new set of fans tuning in to see Bunny teaming up with Damian Priest to take on The Miz and John Morrison.

Not only has Bad Bunny been great throughout the build, but as a lifelong fan of WWE, he has done enough to justify his spot on the card. We don't doubt that his run will go down as one of the best that a celebrity has had for WrestleMania.

To add to that, it also shines the spotlight on Priest - who is still new to the WWE main roster.

#2. A great choice of defending Champions at WrestleMania

Roman Reigns will be the defending World Champion for the first time in his career at WrestleMania
Roman Reigns will be the defending World Champion for the first time in his career at WrestleMania

These are the defending Champions heading into WrestleMania 37 this year - Bobby Lashley (WWE title), Roman Reigns (Universal title), Riddle (United States title), Big E (Intercontinental title), Asuka (RAW Women's title), Sasha Banks (SmackDown Women's title), The New Day (RAW tag team titles), and Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler (Women's tag team titles).

This is the first time in years that WrestleMania doesn't have a part-time superstar as a defending Champion. While Brock Lesnar is in that spot most of the time, he isn't there this year.

Looking at the list of Champions heading into WrestleMania this year, it's clear that WWE got it right on that front. It's an exciting list of Champions, particularly the two World Champions. Bobby Lashley and Roman Reigns both enter WrestleMania defending a World title for the first time.

While this is unchartered territory for Lashley, Reigns has competed in World title matches three times in his last five WrestleMania appearances.

#1. Good utilization of most women at WrestleMania

The two Women's Champions
The two Women's Champions

Sasha Banks and Asuka are the two Women's Champions heading into WrestleMania. They both deserve that spot, especially since they were among the biggest and most important stars in all of WWE during the pandemic era.

The biggest shame, as mentioned before, is the fact that Bayley isn't even on the card despite claiming that she pitched many different stories and ideas. Otherwise, WWE has done a good job in utilizing the women without needing a Battle Royal.

The RAW Women's Championship match will feature Asuka defending her title against the newest star on the Red brand, Rhea Ripley. Sasha Banks will defend the SmackDown Women's title against the fourth Women's Royal Rumble winner Bianca Belair.

It's the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions, however, who have enjoyed the most TV time. Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax will compete at WrestleMania Night Two. The first night will determine their title contenders, and there are four teams (so far) that are vying for that spot.

It's a clever way to get the women on the card without a Battle Royal.

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