The one thing that stood out to me more than anything about WrestleMania 32 was, it was longer than it should have been. It was evident that Vince McMahon has tried to squeeze every bit of opportunity out of the six hours that he could.
For the most part it worked, but it also left many questions still to be answered. As with all pay-per-view events, nothing is perfect and the imperfections of an event like this are magnified because a premium is placed on this being the biggest event of the wrestling year. For those of us who expected this to be one of the worst WrestleMania events of all time, we were pleasantly surprised. But again, we still want to know what the thinking was behind Zack Ryder winning the Intercontinental Title, Chris Jericho going over AJ Styles and Shane McMahon basically taking a bump for The Undertaker?
Add to the list who steps forward to face Roman Reigns at Extreme Rules and basically the entire night was summed up in 175 words.
Seriously, there were some solid moments in Dallas. But now there is a push towards the heat of the middle of the year. SummerSlam is 16 weeks away. A lot can happen in that time frame and usually does. For now, let’s just focus on what happened on Sunday night and the questions that have to be answered moving forward.
4). WHO STICKS THEIR NOSE IN DEAM AMBROSE’S FACE?
Ahh, the question was bound to come up. It seems that Brock Lesnar is about to go back into hibernation for a while, so another trip to Suplex City is highly unlikely. There are a few names to keep in mind. And should Roman Reigns finally jump to the dark side, another run at the WWE World Title is not out of the question.
Alberto Del Rio could be an option, as could Ziggler. I would love to see a series with AJ Styles, but that won’t happen any time soon. The name I continue to lob back and forth in my head is Chris Jericho. It makes so much sense on so many levels.
Jericho has become the “go to” guy when the company needs to put a superstar over. Ambrose is already over with the fans, but now that he does not have an opponent. WWE needs to hand him a feud that keeps him at or near the top of the food chain.
Jericho could provide that as well as anyone.
3). WHO GETS THE FIRST CRACK AT THE NEW WOMEN’S CHAMPION?
I so want to see Charlotte, Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks in another Triple Treat match. Honestly, WEW could do the fans a great service by having the three of them meet again at Extreme Rules. It probably will not happen.
My money is on Sasha getting the chance with Becky waiting to see who falters. There is so many solid things to say about Sunday night’s match, I am not sure where to begin. It was clearly the best match of the night (with Jericho/Styles a close second).
While watching the title match the other night, I could not help but think Banks had become the new generation version of Lita – which is the best compliment I could give her. There is so much to like about her ability and her game. I also could not help but think every time Charlotte gets in the ring with Ric Flair at ringside, which remindes so much of the old 4 Horsemen, that this division will certainly rise as the summer heats up.
2). WHAT HAPPENS TO THE AUTHORITY NOW?
It would appear the brain trust of WWE will fight the good fight and try to take the title away from Roman Reigns. It probably won’t be Triple H who does the honors. Seth Rollins is still probably four months away from returning to action. John Cena looked like he was winded in his cameo with The Rock, and Bray Wyatt and his family appear to be on life support. There has to be a new contender to come forward to help the cause.
Samoa Joe makes sense once he moves to the main roster. So does Kevin Owens, if he is not in the middle of a feud with Styles. The name I like, and makes sense if he is accompanied to the ring by Triple H is Dolph Ziggler in a heel role. Ziggler sells like no one else, is charismatic enough and has an ego that spells heel all over it.
A feud between Ziggler and Reigns would be epic.
1). WHO DOES ROMAN REIGNS FACE AT SUMMERSLAM?
Yes, like I said it’s four months away, but it’s also never too early to plan.
In the interim, let Reigns fend off the likes of the League of Nations, maybe Braun Stowman and anyone else thrown his way. But in the end, either John Cena or Seth Rollins. Rollins will return to action to claim what he never lost and should Reigns still be in purgatory with the fans, a Rollins babyface turn and a Reigns heel run would work well.
The other idea is Cena and Reigns with Reigns finally turning heel and Cena winning his 16th WWE World Title. The idea was kicked around last year and at some point will have to be addressed. The name that we have not mentioned is Randy Orton, who will need an opponent once he returns to action. Any way you look at it, there will be plenty of takers if asked to step up and face the new champion.
