WWE WrestleMania 36: Ranking the potential quality of all 16 matches

Disclaimer: The views of the author do not necessarily reflect those of Sportskeeda

This weekend, WWE will broadcast one of the strangest and most intriguing shows in its history, WrestleMania 36. The entire thing was pre-taped from the Performance Center and a couple of other locations last week, with the card to be spread across two nights.

A total of 16 matches are in the bag for WrestleMania, with each night likely to show eight matches each. The card is stacked with some blockbuster matches, which would have been amazing at Raymond James Stadium.

However, not every match will deliver in these challenging circumstances. It will surely be interesting to see every single one of them play out in front of no crowd.

Here is every match on the WrestleMania 36 card ranked, based on how good it may have been.

#16 Goldberg vs TBA (Universal Championship)

As of right now, ahead of the final SmackDown before WrestleMania, WWE is still advertising Goldberg vs Roman Reigns. However, it is common knowledge that Reigns pulled out of 'Mania and did not face the WWE Hall of Famer, due to his past health concerns. The Big Dog even confirmed it on Instagram.

With that being said, Goldberg did defend his title against another opponent, possibly this man. (Warning: SPOILERS). However, due to the last-minute nature of this entire ordeal, the match would not have had any story, build or heat to it. And much like any other Goldberg match, it probably did not last very long.

It might be a safe bet that the Universal Championship match at the Performance Center will not set the WWE Universe alight, although it is one of the most intriguing things about this year's WrestleMania.

#15 Elias vs King Corbin

This might be the least consequential match on the entire WrestleMania card, probably only booked so 'Mania host, Rob Gronkowski, can do something physical on the show. King Corbin and Elias are unlikely to do a lot of work in the ring, as this will probably be the comic relief on one of the nights.

Corbin gained some heat for the match with his attack on Elias on last week's SmackDown, but the heat is unlikely to persist. This match will probably be in a filler spot between two of the bigger matches, while the Gronk can get involved to make his own WrestleMania moment.

#14 Otis vs Dolph Ziggler

Otis vs Dolph Ziggler might have a better build than most of the matches on the SmackDown side of the WrestleMania 36 card, with the Heavy Machinery star's affection for Mandy Rose keeping the WWE Universe on their toes for the better part of the Blue brand's tenure on FOX so far.

The inclusion of Ziggler has given Otis a villain to vanquish on his way to Rose's heart and while the story has been told decently, the match will likely be in a similar vein to Elias vs Corbin. The shenanigans surrounding the match are probably going to overshadow the in-ring action.

#13 Bayley vs Lacey Evans vs Tamina vs Naomi vs Sasha Banks (Fatal-5-Way Elimination Match for the SmackDown Women's Championship)

Bayley vs Lacey vs Tamina vs Naomi vs Sasha

The SmackDown Women's Championship has seen better days, and it could have for WrestleMania as well, but the stacked nature of the card and the lack of time made WWE hold off on the elusive Sasha Banks vs Bayley main roster one-on-one match that everybody has been craving.

While the 5-way elimination contest could help progress the story between Bayley and Sasha, it is still a throwaway match. The eliminations will probably be rushed as there are more important things to get to on either night. These women will see better days, particularly Bayley and Sasha Banks.

#12 Aleister Black vs Bobby Lashley

In a match that was announced out of nowhere and without a concrete build or reason, Aleister Black will take on Bobby Lashley at WrestleMania. It is completely random but the lack of fans in attendance could prove to help these two.

Without any live fans to engage, Black and Lashley could pull out an entertaining contest and maybe have one of the sleeper hits of the show. They are certainly capable of it, but a pay-per-view match without a story does have a ceiling.

#11 Street Profits vs Angel Garza and Austin Theory (RAW Tag Team Championship)

Much like Aleister Black vs Bobby Lashley, this match was scrambled together last week. It was originally supposed to involve Andrade, but an injury prevented him from competing at WrestleMania. The United States Champion was replaced by Austin Theory as Angel Garza's partner.

This could be a big opportunity for the young NXT star but this match can only go so far considering all the factors surrounding it. The action will still be good, based on the talent involved. But a match like this thrives on the energy of the fans, which was not there at the Performance Center.

#10 Sami Zayn vs Daniel Bryan (Intercontinental Championship)

If this was Sami Zayn "the wrestler" facing Daniel Bryan, it would be an instant classic whether or not anyone was present for it. But this is Sami Zayn "the manager" who defended his Intercontinental Championship against Bryan, so chances are we did not get anything near the classic these two are capable of.

But there may be a possibility that Zayn surprises the WWE Universe and finally wrestles a proper match after about half a year or so. It is WrestleMania after all. That degree of uncertainty is what keeps this match around the middle of this list. It could go up or down, depending on which Sami Zayn showed up to wrestle Daniel Bryan.

#9 Kabuki Warriors vs Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross (WWE Women's Tag Team Championship)

On first viewing, a match between these two teams might not seem so exciting. But if Asuka vs Alexa Bliss from last week's SmackDown was anything to go by, the Women's Tag Team Championship match could thrive in the current scenario. Both women showed their entertaining sides in that match, which was also well wrestled.

Asuka, in particular, has been one of the MVPs of the entire empty arena situation. If she brought that energy and charisma to her WrestleMania match alongside Kairi Sane against Bliss and Nikki Cross, it could be one of the better things on the entire broadcast.

#8 The Undertaker vs AJ Styles (Boneyard Match)

The Undertaker vs AJ Styles is another match that could go either way, with the Boneyard stipulation certainly adding a lot of intrigue to this match. The Deadman did drive up the intensity of this match with an excellent promo on RAW but with the different settings, it is difficult to forecast how well it could do.

Whether or not the match delivers for the WWE Universe, it will be unique for sure. One has to hope that 'Taker and Styles put on the best match they could given the circumstances, especially since they did not have the in-ring classic that was initially intended for this program.

#7 The Miz and John Morrison vs The Usos vs The New Day (Ladder Match for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship)

This is another match that had to be changed, with the likely replacement being one member representing each team in the triple threat ladder match. This is because The Miz reportedly falling ill and being unable to participate in the 'Mania match.

While John Morrison in a ladder match against either Kofi Kingston or Big E, and one of The Usos sounds like a mouth-watering prospect, these such matches are built on fan reactions and could fall flat without that spike of adrenaline. A Ladder Match with no audience will be really weird, more than every match on the card.

#6 Rhea Ripley vs Charlotte Flair (NXT Women's Championship)

This match was particularly made for Rhea Ripley to get the rub of wrestling in front of around 75,000 fans. But now that the primary purpose of the story is lost, it remains to be seen if WWE salvaged this match. Hopefully, Charlotte Flair brought her A-game to the Performance Center.

She is probably the greatest female wrestler in the world and that could save her match with Ripley from being completely destroyed by the dire circumstances that it found itself in. This match sounds phenomenal on paper, in front of a large crowd, so it likely should deliver in front of nobody as well.

#5 Becky Lynch vs Shayna Baszler (RAW Women's Championship)

Shayna Baszler's vicious fighting style could make her one of the most comfortable Superstar's at WrestleMania in front of no crowd. She could methodically destroy Becky Lynch without having to worry about entertaining anyone in the arena.

Out of every big match at WrestleMania, this would have likely been lost in the shuffle at Raymond James Stadium. But now, the Queen of Spades and The Man can go about their business and engage in a violent brawl without any distractions from the crowd. There is enough heat for these two to have a strong contest without relying on any live reaction.

#4 Brock Lesnar vs Drew McIntyre (WWE Championship)

This is a real shame, as Drew McIntyre was pegged as the next WWE Champion and that he would have the moment of his life, celebrating with the fans after winning the main event of WrestleMania against Brock Lesnar. While the latter might still happen, it won't feel as special without a pop when he hits the Claymore to pick up the victory.

Nevertheless, McIntyre and Lesnar are both super competitive athletes who likely would have beaten the hell out of each other, despite there being no fans. These two are capable of having a tremendous brawl and are talented enough to make it work even in an empty arena. This could be one hell of a WrestleMania main event.

#3 John Cena vs "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt (Firefly Fun House Match)

With the addition of the Firefly Fun House stipulation to this match, John Cena's match against The Fiend could become a complete cinematic production, with special effects and all. This could be a mini-movie in the middle of WrestleMania, which could steal the entire show. Cena is an actor and will have thrived in this setting.

And Bray Wyatt is an absolute genius, as evidenced by the entire world he has created for himself. There will surely be many entertaining elements in this match which will make it epic and memorable for everyone watching at home. It will probably be a little over-the-top, but having it inside Wyatt's new home makes this a very exciting prospect.

#2 Kevin Owens vs Seth Rollins

Kevin Owens vs Seth Rollins is the one match that has embraced the idea of having it take place at the Performance Center. What started as gang warfare between Owens, Samoa Joe and various allies against Rollins, Murphy, and AOP has ultimately boiled down to a battle between the two former Universal Champions.

The shift in the story has been really smooth, with KO mentioning how symbolic it would be when he finally gets his WrestleMania moment in the same building where he proved his doubters wrong. Without any bells and whistles, he and Rollins going all out for 20 minutes could prove to be one of the highlights of 'Mania.

#1 Edge vs Randy Orton (Last Man Standing Match)

The best story of all heading into WrestleMania 36 is surely Edge vs Randy Orton. The psychotic nature of the torment Orton put Edge through at the start of this rivalry was excellent, with the lack of live fans not affecting this program one single bit. Every promo by both men, in the empty arena setting, was cut with more focus and intensity.

And the best part about their Last Man Standing stipulation is that falls count anywhere, giving Edge and Orton the freedom to fight anywhere in the Performance Center without having to worry about entertaining the fans in attendance. A match like this, more so than the others on the show, requires creativity and violence to be a success.

And luckily, both Randy Orton and Edge are likely to have pulled out all the stops to make it work, as shown from the past few weeks. If the former Rated-RKO members brought the same intensity and passion as in the build-up, get excited for this.

The lack of a reaction for Edge's first singles match in nine years will be unfortunate, but he and Orton will likely be who the WWE Universe is raving about once WrestleMania weekend is over and done with.

Bayley gives us a HUGE update on a top Superstar's upcoming return RIGHT HERE.