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WrestleMania 34 is around the corner, and the marquee matches are almost set in stone. As usual, the critics have a lot of questions about the show, many of which are warranted. Does Roman Reigns deserve to be in another main event? Should The Undertaker actually wrestle again? Can WWE establish Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn as top heels?
However, one thing is for certain: there are a number of talented performers on the card who have the ability to put on great matches and come out of WrestleMania with genuine momentum.
Without further ado, here are 5 ways WWE can make its biggest show of the year one to remember.
#1 Turn Roman Reigns heel
Roman Reigns has been pencilled in to win Monday Night Raw's biggest prize from Brock Lesnar for over a year; in fact, several outlets reported this story even before WrestleMania 33.
Seemingly hell-bent on making the former University of Georgia Yellow Jacket his company's next poster boy, Vince McMahon has done everything in his power to make Reigns a compelling babyface but to no avail.
While he has proven to be a competent in-ring worker over the last few years, the fans are still largely apathetic towards the 32-year-old and are not likely to receive his umpteenth coronation in good spirits.
However, if Reigns were to turn heel and side with Paul Heyman at the Showcase of the Immortals, WWE would immediately have a hot commodity on its hands — one who could hold the Universal Championship until WrestleMania 35 and lose it to either Dean Ambrose or Seth Rollins in a triple threat match featuring all of The Shield's members .
#2 Give AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura enough time to shine
A dream match almost a year in the making, AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura is arguably the most anticipated bout on the WrestleMania 34 card. Prior to joining WWE, the two former NJPW standouts put on a classic for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 10.
However, they now have an opportunity to recreate their magic at the biggest stage professional wrestling has to offer.
Should Styles and Nakamura live up to expectations, their encounter will earn a place in the pantheon of great WrestleMania matches, alongside classics such as Bret Hart vs. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, "Macho Man" Randy Savage vs. Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat and Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker.
There is also a lot more on the line as Nakamura could become the first Japanese WWE Champion since Antonio Inoki, whose reign isn't even officially recognised by the company. A number of pundits and fans would consider this to be Vince McMahon's acknowledgement of a professional wrestling culture that has become increasingly popular in North America since the boom of NJPW.
#3 Have Johnny Gargano win the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
Ever since his 5-star match with Andrade "Cien" Almas in the main event of NXT Takeover: Philadelphia, Johnny Gargano has emerged as one of the developmental territory's most popular Superstars.
While it would be blasphemous to suggest that the Cleveland native is the second coming of Daniel Bryan — one of the finest professional wrestlers since the turn of the century — he certainly has the talent to make an impact as an underdog babyface.
If Gargano were to win the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on the same weekend as his grudge match against friend-turned-foe Tomasso Ciampa, he would instantly become a legitimate star on the main roster. Not to mention a mere sighting of "Johnny Wrestling" would make the hardcore fans who throng WrestleMania giddy with excitement.
#4 Bring back "The American Badass"
In the main event of WrestleMania 33, Roman Reigns inflicted a crushing defeating on The Undertaker, handing the 4-time WWE Champion only his second loss at professional wrestling's signature event. After the match, The Undertaker left his hat, trenchcoat and gloves in the middle of the ring, seemingly bidding adieu to the squared circle.
The Houston native then re-emerged at Raw 25 and cut a cryptic promo which further hinted that he would never wrestle again. But now that John Cena has challenged him to one more match, The Undertaker must retire "The Deadman" gimmick and return as "The American Badass".
This would not only make for a more coherent narrative but also give The Undertaker an edge, something he has lacked since his WrestleMania 30 defeat at the hands of Brock Lesnar.
#5 Establish Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn as top heels
Even though he has arguably been SmackDown Live's most consistent performer since the Superstar Shake-up, Kevin Owens has fallen victim to WWE's erratic booking.
The former Universal Champion looked poised to shatter the proverbial glass ceiling after his assault of Vince McMahon and subsequent union with long-term rival Sami Zayn, but he was lost in the shuffle after the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view.
Owens and Zayn looked to be on course for a break-up but a well-timed swerve saw them lay waste to Shane McMahon after the 48-year-old announced that he was stepping down as Commissioner of SmackDown Live.
Owens and Zayn are now poised to face Shane and a partner in a tag-team match at WrestleMania. There is no question that the two Ring of Honor products must claim a convincing victory in this bout, one that would permanently elevate them into the main event scene.
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