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WrestleMania 35 is just days away, as wrestling fans around the globe wait anxiously and breathlessly for WWE's biggest show of the year. The card looks stacked with 13 matches already confirmed and more expected to be announced soon. As far as Wrestlemania is concerned, the 'Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal' has become a traditional feature of the show, with the first one taking place way back at Wrestlemania 30.
The Battle Royal has had great moments over the years, with Cesaro sending Big Show over the top rope to win the inaugural Battle Royal; Shaq and Big Show going head-to-head at Wrestlemania 32; Rob Gronkowski getting involved at Wrestlemania 33; and many more.
However, over the course of the six years, the Battle Royal hasn't really brought in huge success for the winners. Fans expect the winner to go on to get some mid-card push but that hasn't been the case always. Hopefully this year around, WWE adds some real stakes in order to get fans invested. It could involve the winner getting a shot at a Championship of their choosing on either the post-Mania RAW or SmackDown Live.
Braun Strowman became the first official entrant into this year's match after he announced the same in a backstage interview on last week's episode of RAW. In an interesting turn of events, Saturday Night Live stars Colin Jost and Michael Che made it official on this week's episode of RAW that they will be entering this year's match. It is expected that more Superstars will join the fray as this is the way for WWE to get all the Superstars on the Wrestlemania card. Considering the fact that the match will take place on the pre-show, WWE must make it a point to make the match-up a fun-little affair to get fans pumped up for the main show.
In the following list, we will cover the most probable candidates who should take the 'big trophy' home, come Wrestlemania.
#4 Braun Strowman
If there is one Superstar who has lost the most momentum during the course of this year, it is Braun Strowman. From challenging Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship to winning the 'Money in the Bank' briefcase, 'The Monster Among Men' has now become a comedy act of sorts.
The only positive thing in all this has been that the WWE Universe has not stopped loving him, as he still garners huge reactions from the live crowds. Being the only Superstar to have been confirmed for the match, Strowman will definitely be highly featured in the Battle Royal. There is no doubt that there will be some big spot involving Braun and the celebrity guests from SNL, who are also participating in the match .
WWE must be wise enough to not let a celebrity win the Battle Royal as part of some comedic gag, as it would hurt the match and the Superstars involved. Strowman needs to pull off the win at Mania, and that too, in a dominating fashion, throwing Superstars left, right and center. WWE needs to realize that Strowman is a main-event player and any further disruptions in momentum could hurt his prospects in the eyes of the fans.
#3 Kevin Owens
Following his return from injury, Kevin Owens was involved in the fantastic triple-threat WWE Championship match at WWE Fastlane. Unfortunately, he was unable to seal the victory. Since then, Owens has been wandering aimlessly and it seems most likely that he will be entering the Battle Royal this year at Wrestlemania.
Owens seems to have been lost in the shuffle and that's not a good thing for someone as charismatic and talented as Owens. He needs to be involved in some big angle at Wrestlemania in order to get fans buzzing about 'the Prizefighter' again.
Winning the battle royal would be a great way for Owens to kick-start his babyface run on the main roster. It would also make for a 'feel good' moment for fans to kick-off Wrestlemania. A win at Mania would provide a huge boost to Owens and make him a top viable contender for the WWE Championship in the post-Mania season.
Despite the card being so stacked, WWE hasn't been able to place the former Universal Champion in a big match at Wrestlemania. It would've been for the better that WWE had delayed Owens' return for either the post-Mania RAW or SmackDown, but now that he's here, WWE must cement his position as a main-event player. WWE could start by having him win the 'Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal' at this year's 'Show of Shows'.
#2 Sami Zayn
Fans expected Sami Zayn to return at the Fastlane PPV to turn on his best-friend Kevin Owens and cost him the WWE Championship, leading to a showdown between the two at the 'Grandest Stage of Them All'. However, that wasn't how it turned out to be. In fact, the 'Underdog from the Underground' has not made his return yet but is expected to do so shortly.
Imagine the pop if Zayn were to return at Mania and end up winning the 'Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal'. The New Jersey crowd would go into a frenzy seeing one of their favorites making a heroic comeback. It would also put Zayn on the path to some upper mid-card push following his return from the shoulder injury he suffered back in the summer of 2018.
Zayn hasn't enjoyed much success on the main roster and is yet to win a singles title. A win in the Battle Royal would give Zayn a huge Wrestlemania moment, which many fans would cherish. Zayn is a talented wrestler and its high time that WWE realizes his true potential. To make things interesting, WWE could have Zayn and Owens as the last two in the Battle Royal and let them enchant the MetLife Stadium with their magic.
#1 Ali
In a surprising turn of events, Ali returned to WWE TV on the Fastlane PPV to make the WWE Championship match between Owens and Bryan, a triple threat. Despite the best of his efforts, Ali ended up coming short.
Ali hasn't featured much on SmackDown Live following his return, and it seems that WWE creative has no clear direction for him at this point. But all that could change at WWE's biggest show of the year if WWE were to attach a skyrocket to Ali and give him the big Battle Royal win.
In a land of giants, Ali, despite his size, has been able to turn heads with his spectacular in-ring athleticism and awesome babyface promos. It would make for an unbelievable moment if he ends up winning the 'Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal' as it would definitely cement his legacy.
Ali stole the show last year following his incredible match with Cedric Alexander for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship, and he would be willing to do the same this year as well. As skillful as Ali is, he sure needs some wins in his early career to make his case for the top spot on SmackDown Live, and Wrestlemania 35 is the right stage to move ahead in that direction.
