'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
WrestleMania is the WWE's flagship show. The grandest stage of them all is the biggest show in wrestling and draws enormous crowds both in person and at home each year. This year promises to be no different, but with a reasonable amount of time left before the big day, there a still plenty of questions as to the matches that will take place and, of course, who will come out on top. Here is how I would book each match, both pre-show, and main card
Pre-show match 1:
Competitors: Aleister Black, Apollo Crews, Big Show, Bobby Lashley, Cedric Alexander, Cesaro, Curt Hawkins, Dash Wilder, Doc Gallows, Dolph Ziggler, Drew Gulak, Erick Rowan, Finn Balor, Gran Metalik, Heath Slater, Johnny Gargano, Kalisto, Karl Anderson, Keith Lee, Lince Dorado, Otis, Ricochet, Riddick Moss, Robert Roode, Rusev, Scott Dawson, Shorty G, Tommaso Ciampa, Tucker & Zack Ryder
Match type: Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
Reasoning: The Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal has proven an effective way of establishing new stars and introducing new faces to the main roster as well as ensuring hard-working superstars are given a spot on the WrestleMania card. This year it can serve the same purpose as always.
Build: Aleister Black should continue his run of destruction to establish himself as one of the favorites for the match. Lashley can announce his entry into the event only to be attacked by his former rival Rusev.
Match: The majority of the early eliminations should come from Big Show, Lashley, Lee, and Rusev. As the ring begins to clears, Lee and Big Show should square off before ultimately eliminating each other. Rusev should finally get one over on Lashley and eliminate him from the match as the ring begins to clear only to be eliminated himself by Ciampa. This leaves an NXT-dominated last four of Balor, Black, Ciampa, and Gargano. Gargano can eliminate his long time rival in Ciampa, only to be taken out by a more recent foe in Finn Balor. Finally, Aleister Black can deliver black mass to Balor before eliminating him to win the battle royal.
Winner: Aleister Black, who begins to challenge for championship gold in the weeks that follow.
Pre-show match 2:
Competitors: Kabuki Warriors, IIconics, Fire & Desire, Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross, Jessamyn Duke & Marina Shafir
Match Type: Gauntlet match for the women's tag team Championship's
Reasoning: The women's tag team Championships have plummted into irrelevancy at an alarming rate. Placing this match on the main card would be taking opportunities away from more deserving superstars and more exciting programs. This match can showcase some of the depth this division does have and hopefully gain the belts some momentum heading forward.
Build: The Kabuki Warriors can complain about the lack of competition for their belts and successfully defend their belts in a number of championship matches heading into the event. Ultimately, the duo can announce they are willing to take on all-comers in a gauntlet match for the titles.
Match: The confident champions can start the match and comfortably dispatch the comedic duo of the IIconics. The champions can next defeat Fire & Desire but in much less convincing fashion and ought to be clearly showing signs of fatigue after getting the pitfall. Next, Nikki Cross and Alexa Bliss can, after a lengthy battle, defeat the Kabuki Warriors guaranteeing new champions and seemingly winning the match up. However, during their premature celebrations the pair ought to be blindsided by Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir who can claim the belts in unlikely fashion.
Winner: Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir, while these two may not be the strongest tag team on the roster yet, placing the belts on these two can ensure the titles become relevance once more as this duo can be henchmen to Shayne Baszler or maybe even Ronda Rousey.
Pre-show match 3:
Competitors: The Street Profits vs. Mojo Rawley & Rob Gronkowski
Match Type: Tag team match for Raw tag team Championship's
Reasoning: The street profits are a very promising team and desrving of their current run with the belts. However, they are likely not main card talent at WrestleMania just yet and this match will get plenty of eyes on them, the belt and the event in general. Gronkowski brings mainstream attention with him and given recent reports suggesting he could make an appearance at the event, this seems like the perfect opportunity.
Build: The fun in this one is the surprise of the Gronkowski appearance and so little build is necessary. All that needs to happen prior to the event is the Street Profits to continue there run of form and defend the belts and Mojo Rawley to appear on Raw in some capacity to keep him in the minds of the audience.
Match: Rawley can dominate the match early before the champions can take control and excite the fans with their high-speed offense. With Rawley in trouble, he can ultimately make the tag to Gronkowski he can put together a brief hot sequence before picking up the win.
Winner: Mojo Rawley & Rob Gronkowski, while it would be a shame to see the street profits lose, this result will have people tuning in in their masses and the duo can drop the belts the next night to allow Gronkowski to go off and train at NXT.
Pre-show match 4:
Competitors: Aliyah, Bianca Belair, Candice LeRae, Carmella, Dakota Kai, Dana Brooke, Io Sharai, Kacy Catanzaro, Kay Lee Ray, Lacey Evans, Lana, Liv Morgan, Natalya, Naomi, Ruby Riott, Sarah Logan, Tegan Nox, Toni Storm, Vanessa Borne & Zelina Vega
Match Type: WrestleMania women's battle royal
Reasoning: The WrestleMania women's battle royal can help establish new stars and introduce new faces to the main roster. This year it can serve the same purpose as always.
Build: Previous winners Naomi & Carmella should announce their desires to become the first repeat winners of the match, whilst the likes of Natalya can state how she wishes to add this accolade to her already impressive resume.
Match: Belair and Evans should rack up most of the early eliminations, establishing themselves as the dominant forces in the match before the former can eliminate the latter to set up the final four. Belair, Carmella, Natalya and Riott ought to be the final four with Belair continuing her dominant run and eliminating Carmella. After Natalya eliminates Riott to set up the final showdown, Belair can prevail and get the win.
Winner: Bianca Belair, who moves on up to the main roster following this win and immediately heads towards the top of the division.
Main card match 1
Competitors: Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Elias, Jeff Hardy, King Corbin, Sami Zayn, Sheamus & Shinsuke Nakamura
Match Type: 8-man ladder match for the Intercontinental title
Reasoning: This match can showcase the depth of talent in the WWE and, at the same time, get the crowd excited for the show to come. This can be a fun bit of chaos to kick off the show and provide WrestleMania moments to some of the WWE's most deserving stars.
Build: It can be announced that Zayn's Intercontinental title will be defended in a ladder match at WrestleMania. This can set up a number of qualification matches to determine his opponents with: Strowman vs. Ziggler, Bryan vs. Gulak, Elias vs. Cesaro, Hardy vs Roode, Corbin vs. Otis, Sheamus vs. Shorty G, Nakamura vs Tucker.
Match: This one should be chaos with all of the men getting their chance to shine and Strowman on the receiving end of a lot of the action early. While Strowman can begin to get rolling and take out each of his opponents, he should ultimately be denied before Bryan can climb the ladder and win the title to open the show.
Winner: Daniel Bryan, who can begin a weekly open challenge for his belt.
Main card match 2
Competitors: Charlotte vs. Rhea Ripley
Match Type: Singles match for the NXT women's championship
Reasoning: Ripley and Charlotte are currently involved in a feud and Charlotte's far too big a star to keep away from WrestleMania. It only makes sense to elevate Ripley and make a star of her in the process.
Build: Ripley ought to continue to goad Charlotte into a match. This should continue to play out on Raw before Charlotte can viciously attack Ripley on NXT, taking the fight to her and making clear her choice for her WrestleMania match.
Match: These two should put on a wreslting clinic given their talent and this place on the card. With the brawl having been taken to the outside, Ripley can look to launch her opponent into the barricade only to pause momentarily as one masked fan doesn't back away from the guard rail. Charlotte can then seize the opportunity to down her opponent and stare down the fan who can slowly reveal herself as a returning Ronda Rousey. Rousey can lay waste to both women and then storm to the back.
Winner: No contest, this keeps both women strong, protects the belt and brings back Rousey with a bang.
Main card match 3
Competitors: Andrade vs. Angel Garza vs. Humberto Carrillo vs. Rey Mysterio
Match Type: Fatal-4-way for the U.S. Championship
Reasoning: Andrade is a star on the rise and Mysterio simply must appear somewhere on the card. This set up would produce an amazing match and allow WWE to put a spotlight on some of the top Mexican talent on the roster.
Build: In the coming weeks, Andrade should defend his belt against Humberto Carrillo, Angel Garza and then both in title defenses, coming out on top each time. His associate Zelina Vega can then announce how the WWE universe must hate how their U.S. Championship has become a showcase for the best Mexican talent in wrestling. Rey Mysterio can then take exception to this and challenge Andrade to a title match stating he'd like to win the belt against the best Mexico has too offer and then defend it against the best Mexico and the United States have, the two countries closest to his heart. Garza and Carrillo can then get in on the action to set up this match.
Match: These four performers are undoubtedly capable of putting on a quality match. Both Rey and Andrade are very credible threats to win the match, so a number of false finishes can take place. While there are no disqualifications in a fatal-4-way match, this one should be a pure wrestling display without the use of weapons, differentiating this match between a number of matches before and after.
Winner: Andrade, who could then reignite his feud with Aliester Black with whom he had such great chemistry with in NXT.
Main card match 4
Competitors: Seth Rollins, Buddy Murphy & The Authors of Pain vs. Kevin Owens, Samoa Joe and The Viking Raiders
Match Type: Hell in a cell elimination tornado tag match
Reasoning: The rivalry between these 8 has carried Raw in recent times and while it is a stretch to carry their current momentum through to WrestleMania, this match gives everyone involved a major WrestleMania moment without sacrificing the card elsewhere by shoehorning them into other storylines with less substance.
Build: WWE would definitely have to get creative for this match up to still be exciting come WrestleMania but it does seem achievable. A Raw tag team title match can be the feud's focal point at Elimination Chamber before the action can spill outside of the arenas in the build up to WrestleMania. These segments should be over the top and ridiculous with brawls, kidnappings and home invasions all driving the narrative as it spirals out of control. This can set up this monstrous 8 man match to settle the score once and for all.
Match: This should be a spectacle, fitting of the enormous stadium and setting that WrestleMania commands. There can be plenty of weapon use inside the cell here with ladders and tables littered around the ring. Ultimately, the tag team's can eliminate each other, Murphy can come up a little short leaving the most established stars in Owens, Joe and Rollins remaining. Finally, Rollins can get his comeuppance, receiving a serious beating from the duo before finally being pinned.
Winner: Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe, both of whom should continue to climb up the card following the event.
Main card match 5
Competitors: Bayley vs. Sasha Banks
Match Type: Singles match for the SmackDown women's championship
Reasoning: Bayley does seem to lack a clear challenger and while there is plenty of talent on the Women's roster, Banks turning on her current friend seems the only match worthy of being a WrestleMania match up.
Build: Bayley can continue to goad the women's roster with Banks by her side and beg one of them to provide her with a challenge worthy of WrestleMania. She can build up how big an opportunity this is and lament her rivals for not stepping up to the plate. Banks can then take the mic and go "You know what? You're right", before striking Bayley and setting up a clash between the two at WrestleMania.
Match: These two can brawl for a while given the history between the two that has never been paid off to any degree of satisfaction in recent years. While Bayley can appear close to stealing a win on a number of occasions, Banks can ultimately take home the belt.
Winner: Sasha Banks, who can continue to feud with Bayley for some time.
Main card match 6
Competitors: AJ Styles vs. The Undertaker
Match Type: Singles match
Reasoning: Styles deserves a major WrestleMania match and while facing The Undertaker at WrestleMania may not be the honor it once was it is still another moment to add to his already Hall-of-Fame-worthy career. The story is already written so this one is bound to happen.
Build: Undertaker's storyline with Styles doesn't need to be developed much following the Saudi Arabia event and then Elimination Chamber. All that is necessary is Undertaker to eventually accept the challenge to set up the match at the show of shows.
Match: We've seen The Undertaker can't sustain a high level like he used to so this one should be relatively short. Styles can sell like crazy for UnderTaker's offense before taking control and seeming close to picking up the victory. Having attempted all his typical finishers on the dead man Styles can become frustrated before ultimately Undertaker can sit up and deliver a tombstone for the victory.
Winner: The Undertaker, since Styles doesn't need this win to further his career.
Main card match 7
Competitors: Lesnar vs. McIntryre
Match Type: Singles match for the WWE Championship
Reasoning: This one was set up at the Royal Rumble. McIntyre is finally getting the push many have called for for some time and Lesnar remains at the top of the heap on Raw. This match is already being promoted heavily on Raw so it's doubtful anything will change it until then.
Build: Lesnar or more likely, Paul Heyman, can question McIntyre's worthiness as an opponent in the lead up to WrestleMania. McIntyre can agree to take on all comers in the build up to the event to continue to establish himself as a star headed into WrestleMania. Lesnar can seem actively wary of McIntyre and shy away from confrontations heading into the big show.
Match: Lesnar matches are often a little formulaic so McIntyre ought to really take it to the beast in the early going. McIntyre can appear dominant before Lesnar finds his footing later on in the match. With Lesnar seemingly closing in on victory, McIntyre can catch Lesnar with a claymore but then while trying to hit another one to secure the win, Lesnar can catch him with an F5 to retain the title.
Winner: Brock Lesnar, while this will be unpopular, McIntyre doesn't feel like a big enough star to dethrone the beast just yet.
Main card match 8
Competitors: John Cena vs. The Fiend
Match Type: Singles match
Reasoning: While it seems a shame that The Fiend won't be defending his title heading into WrestleMania, this is still a massive honor for Wyatt and a chance to right the wrong result from WrestleMania XXX.
Build: In the weeks heading into WrestleMania, we can see a number of Firefly fun house vignettes where Wyatt can taunt Cena and warn him of what is to come. At one SmackDown before the show Cena can shrug off the mind games and state how focused he is ahead of the challenge only to be ambushed by The Fiend who can lock on the mandible claw.
Match: There ought to be a number of call backs to their previous WrestleMania match but each time The Fiend can demonstrate how he has progressed and get the better of Cena. This time around, Wyatt needs to pick up the victory.
Winner: Wyatt, who continues to terrorize competitors not involved in the championship picture.
Main card match 9
Competitors: The New Day vs. Morrison & Miz vs. The Uso's
Match Type: TLC Ladder match for the Smackdown Tag Team Titles
Reasoning: The Usos and The New Day have carried the WWE's tag team division for a while now. They have both earned a main card match at WrestleMania and the chaos of a TLC match is the perfect vehicle for this to happen. Miz is also deserving of a prominent WrestleMania spot and given his team with John Morrison has recently won the championships they are obvious choice for the third team to be included in the match.
Build: Miz and Morrison should carry the belts into WrestleMania, avoiding challengers and scheming their way through title defenses. They can declare neither opponent worthy of a championship opportunity only for matters to be taken out of their hands and this dangerous WrestleMania match to be booked.
Match: This should be everything we've seen from the great tag TLC matches in the past. Each team can appear close to winning on multiple occasions and in all fairness any of these teams could win this match as they are all good enough to carry the tag team division heading forward.
Winner: The Uso's, they have been great alongside Roman Reigns in recent weeks and them winning here allows more singles opportunities for the likes of Miz, Morrison and Kofi.
Main card match 10
Competitiors: Edge vs. Randy Orton
Match Type: Hardcore match
Reasoning: This is a match we thought we'd never see again. Edge's return and Orton's subsequent betrayal have all-but-guaranteed this match will take place and while it's not clear just how active Edge will be able to be in his matches, a hardcore seems most fitting between these two.
Build: Most of this story has already written between these two. After the viper slithered away on Raw, Edge can continue to try and attack Orton before accepting a match against his rival at WrestleMania.
Match: This match ought to be slow and methodical, which is why it seems to lend itself to the hardcore stipulation. Again, the action will likely be dictated by just how much Edge is able to do. If possible, a call back to Edge's flaming table spear on Mick Foley only for Orton and deliver and RKO would provide a fitting WrestleMania moment to cap off this feud.
Winner: Orton, with Edge only likely to compete a few times per year, Orton winning here can propel him into the title picture whilst giving Edge a break before a potential third run with the Money in the Bank briefcase
Main card match 11
Competitiors: Goldberg vs. Roman Reigns
Match Type: Singles match for the Universal championship
Reasoning: While Goldberg winning the title recently was a questionable decision, WWE have now commited to him being a part of the Universal title match at WrestleMania. Reigns is a worthy opponent as face of the company and this match would complete his comeback following a challenging few years for him.
Build: Goldberg needs only to put together a few "Who's next?" promo's and announce an elimination fatal-4-way match to determine who will challenge him for his title at WreslteMania between. Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, King Corbin and Reigns. Corbin can be quickly eliminated leaving the more credible winners remaining. After a lengthy battle, Strowman can eliminate Bryan but ultimately fall to The Big Dog who can book his ticket to WrestleMania. Reigns can talk up what a journey he's been on in the last few years and state that given the challenges he's already overcome, Goldberg doesn't intimidate him at all. A typical wrestling contract signing can see Goldberg jackhammer Reigns through a table at the go home SmackDown prior to WrestleMania.
Match: Goldberg has shown he is only really capable of quick sprint matches at this stage of his career but that's not to say that they can't be fun as evidenced by his 'Mania match against Brock Lesnar. These two can attempt finisher after finisher on each other before Reigns finally wins the gold.
Winner: Roman Reigns, who goes on to have a lengthy reign with several title defences.
Main card match 12
Competitiors: Becky Lynch vs. Shayna Baszler
Match Type: Singles match for the RAW women's championship
Reasoning: Lynch has been arguably been the most exciting member of the roster since her win last WrestleMania and deserves the opportunity to headline the show once again. Baszler has a ton of momentum having been called up to the main roster and so we'll see if she will be able to defeat the man.
Build: Lynch should spend the next few weeks feuding with Baszler ahead of this duel. Brawls can break out and beatdowns can take place with Baszler receiving assistance from her friends Jessamyn Duke & Marina Shafir. Baszler should come out on top each of these skirmishes before the event.
Match: These two can battle with Baszler dominating the early going. Having thrown everything at Lynch, Baszler can seem to be wilting before a collision between both competitors and the referee left everyone on the mat. Duke and Shafir can rush down the ramp and beat down on the champion seemingly setting up Lynch for the win only for Becky to kick out. They can then try to distract the referee and provide a steel chair for Baszler only for Lynch to reverse the attack and pick up a near fall of her own. Next the new Women's tag team champions can take out the referee deliberately and surround three sides of the ring. Ronda Rouesy's theme music can then hit and she can storm down to the ring to completely surround the champion. After a lengthy beatdown from the group, a second referee can run down the ramp and ultimately crown Baszler the new champion.
Winner: Shayna Baszler, who should take on new rivals whilst Lynch and Rousey can transition to their own program away from the title picture. Rousey's four horsewoman stand tall to end the show.
Do you love to play crosswords, Wordle or other exciting games? We'd like to connect with you. Fill the form here!
