*Rumors, speculation, maybe even spoilers are in here – read at your own risk*
Wrestlemania 34 is right around the corner. We’re already on the esteemed “Road to Wrestlemania” which kicks off come Royal Rumble season. Unlike years past, there’s still a lot up in the air. Then again, I don’t think we should really be surprised by that. It used to be that the WWE would start building programs as early as Survivor Series. A “big five” was put together every year – five feuds culminating at “Showcase of the Immortal” that had been building for months. Wrestlemania 22 is always my go-to example for this – you had Triple H-Cena, Michaels-McMahon, Edge-Foley, Angle-Mysterio-Orton, and Henry-Undertaker.
But, those days seem to be gone, if we’re judging by the last couple of Wrestlemanias. I actually wrote for Wrestling News last year that there seemed to be a shift in philosophy on Wrestlemania. It’s becoming less about the wrestling and more about the overall spectacle. That being said, it’s not going to stop the internet from running wild with rumors and speculation about the biggest show of the year.
For the most part, we’ve been left in the dark about Wrestlemania 34. There are two big rumored matches right now, but nothing is set in stone. So, with that in mind, I’m going to look at some of the rumored matches, and provide a little foresight of my own into matches that could foreseeably happen.
Do Want
A.J. Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura – Call me a mark, I don’t really care. But, this is the main match I’m hoping for. It’s been rumored for a while, but we’re still awaiting confirmation. It was teased back in June when these two came face-to-face for an exchange during the Money In The Bank ladder match – a moment that made me the smark kingdom collectively orgasm. But, let’s be real – the match would be fantastic.
Shane McMahon vs. Daniel Bryan – This broadly encompassing saga between Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, and the Smackdown Live management team has been the biggest program on the show for the last several months. Some believe it’s leading to an eventual return to the ring for Bryan. When I initially thought about this as Bryan’s return match, I groaned. I’m over McMahon as an in-ring performer. But, by the same token, if it means Bryan gets back in the ring, and if it goes well enough to warrant future programs for him, then I’m all for it. I’ve changed my mind on this one.
Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns – I’m sure I’m in the minority here. But, the first main event between these two was fantastic even without the Seth Rollins interference. Is this the biggest money match possible? I don’t know. But, given Lesnar’s recent string of fantastic matches and Reigns’ status as one of the best workers in wrestling today, I expect this will be a physical, old school main event. I would actually love for it to be champion vs. champion, but it looks like The Miz will be walking into Wrestlemania with the IC gold. Regardless, it’s time to get the Universal Championship on Raw regularly, and Reigns is the workhorse to make it work.
Dolph Ziggler and the “U.S. vs. U.S.” Champion angle – A few weeks ago, the news sites started kicking around this rumor that the WWE was planning to pay homage to the old ‘Champion vs. Champion’ angle that led to the Shawn Michaels-Razor Ramon ladder match at Wrestlemania X using Ziggler. He walked away from the ring after winning the United States title at Clash of Champions, leaving the belt in the ring. We haven’t seen from him since, and they’re currently running a tournament to crown a new champion. Ziggler would, of course, come back to challenge the new champ’s credibility as champion and boom – ladder match. It doesn’t matter who holds the belt – it would be awesome to see this angle played out again.
The Usos vs. The Bludgeon Brothers -AND- The Bar vs. The Revival – Neither of these matches are actually rumored, but I am sick and tired of seeing these multi-team matches with tag teams at Wrestlemania.
Wrestlemania 33: No Smackdown tag title match, multi-man ladder match for the Raw tag titles
Wrestlemania 32: Tag titles not on the line (New Day vs. League of Nations)
Wrestlemania 31: Fatal 4-way
Wrestlemania 30: Fatal 4-way
Wrestlemania 29: Team Hell No vs. Dolph Ziggler and Big E
You have to go back FIVE YEARS to find a traditional Tag Team Championship match. And, that match at Wrestlemania 29 was largely underrated. I want a couple of good old fashioned team-on-team match-ups. I miss those. These multi-team matches are just a lazy way of getting more superstars on the show. This year, you have two tag teams that could be built up no differently than you’d push a world championship contender this time of year. That could make for a couple of really good matches. Let’s GOOOOO!!!
Don’t Want
Kurt Angle vs. Triple H – I grew up watching Triple H vs. Kurt Angle. I don’t need to see it in 2018. There are much more interesting opponents for these guys in today’s WWE. Why not go with the ‘father vs. son’ storyline? Turn Jason Jordan heel and let’s get the payout at the biggest show of the year! What about what transpired at Survivor Series? We just gonna forget that happened? Let’s get Strowman vs. Triple H! Just seems like there are more creative ways to use these guys.
UFC Four Horsewomen vs. WWE Four Horsewomen – How do you even get to this point? I mean, to be fair, news has come out in recent weeks that the match is off due to logistical issues. But, why would I want to watch a match with a bunch of people who just learned to wrestle? Ronda Rousey alone is one thing – that’s a spectacle. And, it looks like she’ll be involved in the show in some manner. ‘Rousey vs. Flair’ has a great ring to it. I’m on board with that. But, to have this match, you’d have to get all four of the Four Horsewomen together somehow.
And, I hate to say this, but are the Four Horsewomen still even really a thing anymore? Like, they sparked a revolution three years ago, but the Women’s Division is much, much more than just those four ladies now. Alexa Bliss, Naomi, and Natalya have all had Women’s Championship reigns, and now it looks like Asuka, Nia Jax, Ruby Riott, and more are going to become cornerstones of the division, too. I just think the timing is off on this – I’d much rather see two Women’s Championship matches, a ‘Flair vs. Rousey’ match, and another Women’s Division match on the card.
Braun Strowman in the battle royal – This one hasn’t been rumored yet, but I’m trying to read the writing on the wall. For the second year in a row, Strowman has staked his claim as one of the WWE’s fastest-rising and most-marketable stars. And, for a second year in a row, there don’t seem to be many plans (at least coming out) that would indicate a big match for Monster Among Men. Unfortunately, that leads me to believe he’ll wind up in the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal again. I just don’t want that to happen.
In my opinion, Strowman is an excellent candidate for a big inter-promotional battle. Maybe a hoss fight opposite Baron Corbin?
Seth Rollins vs. Jason Jordan – It was rumored back in the fall that The Shield reunion would eventually lead to a Dean Ambrose heel turn and a match with Rollins at Wrestlemania. I would’ve been okay with that. But, now with Ambrose’s injury, it looks like Rollins’ opponent is up in the air. Recently, the possibility of a Jordan heel turn could lead to a match with Rollins has been discussed, especially if they decide to roll with Angle-Triple H. I don’t care to see it, plain and simple. Sure, the match would be good, but I don’t think Jordan is really ready for this type of spotlight. Maybe build him up to go after the Intercontinental Championship again.
Undertaker vs. John Cena – It’s been rumored for what feels like 10 years now, and for whatever reason, it just never happens. This match would have been legendary at Wrestlemania XXX….or 31…32…even 33…but, again, they just never ran with it for some reason. Now, it looks like they’ve completely missed the boat.
Would it still be a spectacle? Sure. But, would it even be good? I don’t know. People don’t like when you say this, but Roman Reigns absolutely carried the Undertaker at last year’s Wrestlemania. It was painfully obvious that the Undertaker was not in the “great shape” that he was reportedly in last year, and I fear that may end up being the case again this year.
That Reigns-Taker match was still pretty damn good, too. So, just don’t mess with it. Let that moment sit in history for what it was – the real passing of the torch. I know Vince McMahon isn’t happy with the current crop of WWE superstars, but what does another Undertaker match really do for the fans? Are people excited about this? Am I just a grumpy old man?
Who knows? One thing is for sure, though – we can all get excited about the Royal Rumble and Wrestlemania season.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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