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WrestleMania is hours away and as many as 16 matches have been confirmed for the pay-per-view with rumors still going around that John Cena will have a match as well. The show of all shows has some mouth-watering matchups on the card but they might not the ones originally planned.
Over the course of the last few months, due to various reasons, WWE had to change a lot of things. Some were forced upon them while others were made due to creative issues and differences.
However, most of the changes are usually taken place because Vince McMahon has something else in mind or he isn't happy with the idea presented to him. Here are 6 such ideas that were cancelled in the lead up to WrestleMania 35:
#6. Trish Stratus & Lita vs. Sasha & Bayley
Starting off with the one that was well known to the WWE Universe. The plan for WrestleMania, even before Sasha Banks and Bayley won the Women's Tag Titles was said to be the face-off between the Boss n' Hug connection and the Hall of Famers.
After the victory at the Elimination Chamber, when Banks kept saying that they would be glad to defend the titles vs anyone from RAW, SmackDown Live, NXT or even the past, it looked like WWE were taking the steps in that direction again.
However, come WrestleMania and the Hall of Famers are nowhere in the picture. Instead, we have another Hall of Famer fighting for the title – Beth Pheonix along with Natalya.
There is no doubt that the WWE Universe would have loved to see the Hall of Famers team up to face Sasha and Banks but it looks like the creative opted against it as they wanted to have a storyline involving the ones in action after WrestleMania too.
#5. The Revival vs. Aleister Black & Ricochet
The Revival have been facing Aleister Black and Ricochet regularly recently and even defended their tag-titles on Monday Night RAW. The titles were put on the line twice but the match ended in a DQ first time after Gable and Roode interfered and then it was a count-out victory.
It was expected that they the NXT duo would be facing off against The Revival at WrestleMania and WWE even hinted at that until the very end of RAW. However, a sudden change in plans saw Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder facing The Revival for the title at the show of all shows.
Black and Ricochet, meanwhile, are set to battle for the SmackDown Live tag titles, just a day after they lost their NXT Tag titles match at NXT TakeOver: New York. So, in the space of 6 days, Black and Ricochet would have competed for all the three men's Tag titles in WWE!
#4. Mandy Rose vs. Asuka
Before the decision for the unification of the Women's championship was made, Asuka was all set to put her title on the line against Mandy Rose at WrestleMania. At least, that is what the rumour mill had to say.
God's Greatest Creation was reportedly pencilled in to win the Fatal 4-Way on SmackDown Live that involved Naomi, Sonya Deville, and Carmella as well. The match was set to be for the #1 contender's spot and the winner was to have a match at WrestleMania.
However, a sudden change in plans saw the Fatal 4-Way cancelled and Charlotte Flair walking away with the title on SmackDown. A week later, it was announced on Raw that Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and Ronda Rousey will be fighting for both the titles when they main event WrestleMania.
#3. Roman Reigns vs. Dean Ambrose
Way before Roman Reigns took a break from WWE for his leukaemia treatment and Dean Ambrose decided not to sign a new deal, the main event of WrestleMania was set to be the Shield brothers facing off for the WWE Universal title.
The plan was to have Dean Ambrose turn on The Shield late last year or earlier this year. The Lunatic Fringe was to attack Roman and set up their match but things did not go that way, mainly because Reigns had to relinquish the title.
This is a match that could still happen in the future but for now, it looks like Dean is actually leaving WWE for the time being. Meanwhile, Roman Reigns might be off to SmackDown Live and become the WWE Champion there as Seth Rollins is set to become the next WWE Universal Champion.
#2. The Usos vs. The Hardy Boyz
The Hardy Boyz were back together in February after Matt Hardy made a shock appearance on SmackDown Live and teamed up with Jeff Hardy to defeat The Bar. It looked as though WWE were planning to have a legendary match for them at WrestleMania 35 against The Usos.
The Hardy's continued to hint in that direction time and again by throwing challenges at The Usos. It was evident that the two of the greatest tag teams were to face off at WrestleMania, but it just didn't happen.
Hardyz are not in the picture at all and are only a part of the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. Meanwhile, The Usos will defend their titles against Rusev & Nakamura, Aleister Black & Ricochet and Sheamus & Cesaro (The Bar) in a Fatal 4-way match.
#1. The Rock vs. Roman Reigns
Just imagine. The Rock vs Roman Reigns for the WWE Universal championship at WrestleMania 35. The match would have main evented the show of all shows and might have easily been one of the best ever.
The two are amazing in the right and the match would have been a crazy one. But sadly, this is not going to happen. The plan was in the pipeline, but Roman's break from WWE changed things.
The reported plan was to have Roman Reigns hold on to the title he won at SummerSlam and walk into WrestleMania as the champion. The Rock was to win the Royal Rumble in a surprise appearance and challenge Reigns for the title at the show of all shows.
Both of the things planned did not happen for various reasons and we are stuck with Brock Lesnar as the champion...for now.
