One could only image how chaotic it is inside the WWE Headquarters during this time of the year. As we get further into Wrestlemania Season, preparations are on the forefront of everyone's mind. This is the one time of the year when all the pieces must come together perfectly. There is absolutely no room for error.
Along with all of the planning that goes into making the year’s biggest event a success, all eyes have to be honed in on the health of all Superstars, especially those who will likely take part in a major match at Wrestlemania.
While injuries simply come with the territory, the medical staff will be working closely with the strength and conditioning coaches, making sure all precautions are taken, in order to minimise the odds of freak or sudden injuries. Even if there are no sudden injuries, there’s still a massive amount of work to be done, all while making sure the day-to-day creative side keeps rolling along.
Now that there are less than two months until show-time, the question is- what must happen between now and the time that first bell rings inside Camping World Stadium? Along with the expected crowd of 75,000 fans in attendance, the rest of the world will be tuned into the WWE Network, with all eyes on the action.
With that said, there’s still a lot of variables left to work out. Let’s take a look at seven things that seriously need to take place before Wrestlemania 33.
#7 Shinsuke Nakamura debuts, booked for Wrestlemania
Shinsuke Nakamura may very well be the best signee in NXT history. At one time, wrestling “experts” called him untouchable. They claimed there was no way Shinsuke would ever leave Japan. Well...yeah, that happened.
Since arriving in NXT, Nakamura has not let anyone down. His work has been absolutely flawless. He is without question, the most charismatic, technically sound NXT champion in the Yellow Brand’s short history.
Now that he has dropped the gold into the glorious lap of Bobby Roode, the NXT Championship is in perfectly capable hands, leaving Shinsuke with nothing left to prove.
While some may argue that NXT needs Nakamura on its roster, I would suggest you take an in-depth look at the depth of the NXT roster. NXT is as strong as ever, with a tonne of top-tier talent, ready to carry on with the standard left by those like Shinsuke Nakamura.
Having Shinsuke make his main roster debut prior to Wrestlemania would not only be good for the talent, but great for the potential Wrestlemania performance he will bring if he’s booked on the card.
#6 Seth Rollins returns
Not many Superstars have run into as much bad luck as Seth Rollins. He also seems to find himself in these situations at the worst times. Rollins was actually having one of his very best runs when the Samoa Joe altercation took place.
The WWE medical staff and trainers are amongst some of the very best in the world. If there’s even the slightest possibility that Rollins will be healthy enough to return in time for Wrestlemania, they will go into overtime mode, making sure that all options, as well as resources, are exhausted, in order to ensure the best chance for a prompt, and healthy return.
#5 Jericho and Owens clash
The storyline involving Kevin Owens and his best friend, Chris Jericho, has been the most entertaining angle on Raw. It’s obvious that the two Canadians are having the time of their lives, and the chemistry is undeniable. However, as the old saying goes- all good things must come to an end.
As far as this particular situation, many of us may not want it to ever end, though.
If the rumours prove to be true, Chris Jericho will once again be taking some time off soon, so he can devote his attention to his music career. If that is the case, a split between the two buddies will be in the works, sooner rather than later.
After everything they have given us throughout this angle, it would be wrong to end things any other way.
#4 Bryan cleared to face The Miz
It’s no secret that The Miz and Daniel Bryan loathe one another. This was made evident during an episode of Talking Smack, several weeks ago after SmackDown Live. During this episode, Bryan and The Miz went back-and-forth with intense verbal jabs. By the time the segment ended, I was actually questioning whether this was a work or not.
Since that epic encounter, the fire between the two has been fueled, week-after-week. During this week’s episode of SmackDown Live, you could almost see the match coming together, right before our very eyes.
As we all know, Daniel Bryan had to walk away from in-ring action, due to a series of significant injuries. There may very well be no chance whatsoever that Bryan could ever compete again. But, if there is a possibility, if he could get the medical clearance, there’s only one match that makes sense, that match being with The Miz.
#3 Finn Balor returns to action
Much like Seth Rollins, Finn Balor found himself in a really unfortunate situation, when he was injured at SummerSlam while en-route to becoming the inaugural WWE Universal Champion. Unfortunately, his big title win came with a major shoulder injury, subsequently putting him on the shelf for a number of months while he rehabbed the injury.
Since suffering that injury last August, Balor has been working tirelessly to get back into the ring as quickly as possible. Several reports have been circulating, which suggest that Balor could be returning in time for Wrestlemania, possibly right after The Elimination Chamber.
If he does, which I believe he will, Kevin Owens, or whoever has the Universal Title at that time, should keep their head on a swivel, because The Demon wants redemption.
#2 Chyna is announced for HOF induction
She was the most dominant female athlete in the history of professional wrestling. She conquered not only everyone in the women's division but also destroyed any and all male talent that got in her way.
Chyna was a spectacle in her own right, and while she lived a rough life, her personal problems should not overshadow her accomplishments inside the ring. Chyna held not only the Women's Championship, but she also carried the Intercontinental Title not once, but twice, which is a feat that will likely never be duplicated.
It’s no secret that there was some bad blood between Chyna and Triple H. However, in this situation, it should all be water under the bridge. If the right thing gets done, Chyna’s legacy will be honoured, posthumously, by allowing her to take her rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame.
#1 Bray Wyatt wins the WWE Championship
It’s been a long road for The Eater of Worlds. Since making his main roster debut as Husky Harris, which was an ultimate failure, he went back to NXT, in order to find his true identity. After the Husky debacle, he could have very well folded under the tremendous amount of pressure, but he didn't.
In fact, the third-generation Superstar was repackaged into one of the most prolific personas in wrestling today.
With the way things are right now with The Wyatt Family, Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton are barely hanging on to what's left of the once dominant faction. With Orton set to headline Wrestlemania, all he needs now is an opponent.
This Sunday, Bray Wyatt will be as close as he’s ever been to winning the WWE Championship. I, like many fans, certainly feel now is the time to pull the trigger, and put the gold around the waist of the one person who deserves it more than anyone else....Bray Wyatt.
Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton at Wrestlemania would be a perfect way to cap off what has been one of the best angles going today. We often hear about how we need change. Well, put the gold on Wyatt, and you'll have the exact change we have been begging for, not to mention a huge Wrestlemania payoff.
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