We are only weeks away from the biggest show of the year in WWE, WrestleMania 33. With any show that WWE produces, fans around the world love to speculate on which matches should be part of the card, with WrestleMania being a particular scenario where dream matches can become a reality.
But every year, WWE seems to miss the boat with some of the clashes that fans would clamour to see take place, 2017 will be no different.
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We already have a good idea of some of the matches that will take place at this year's ‘Mania. Goldberg has already accepted Brock Lesnar’s challenge for a third match. We know that Randy Orton will be in the main event since he has won the Royal Rumble, potentially taking on John Cena for the WWE World Championship.
There’s growing turmoil in the relationship between current WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens and his best friend, the United States Champion Chris Jericho, could they stand across the ring from each other at the show of shows?
It’s the time of the year where we can all dream about seeing a returning Legend have a big match at WrestleMania. Or where an underutilised talent can be pushed right to the top with a bit of clever booking.
So now, let’s take a look at 5 matches that could take place at WrestleMania 33, but for various reasons they probably won’t.
#1 Finn Balor vs The Undertaker
The legendary Deadman, The Undertaker, has made his name synonymous with WrestleMania. Holding a 23-1 record at the biggest show of the year, 2017 should be the year where he uses his influence to really rocket someone into the top spot on the WWE roster. Step forward Finn Balor.
Balor has been out injured since the Autumn of 2016, having suffered a shoulder injury in the match where he won the WWE Universal Championship only days after his main roster debut.
Also read: 5 opponents for Finn Balor when he returns in 2017
Balor looks set to return to action imminently, but what if he made his mark during an Undertaker in-ring promo? The Undertaker has made his impressive ring entrances a massive part of his character over the past couple of decades.
Balor has become a cult figure throughout his career, as much for his various characterisations during his ring entrance as for his in ring work. Both men could produce something really special on the biggest night of the year.
There’s the potential for WrestleMania 33 being The Undertaker’s last, this should be the match where he passes the proverbial torch to a younger man. A man who can fill his boots as a performer on all levels and that man should be Finn Balor.
#2 Daniel Bryan vs The Miz
This is a match that fans have been clamouring to see for months, probably dating right back to last year's WWE Draft, where The Miz ended up on SmackDown Live under Daniel Bryan as the General Manager.
We all know that Bryan had to retire just over a year ago due to injuries sustained over his stellar career, but could WWE have him face his greatest antagoniser in an “Unsanctioned” match?
The Miz has done so much to run down Bryan and his illustrious career over the last year. From running him down during promos to stealing his signature moves and getting in Bryan’s face during backstage segments, Miz has done everything possible to rile Bryan up.
So far, Bryan has managed to keep his calm and has been able to remain professional in his role as the SmackDown GM. That could all change though if The Miz continues to push Bryan to the limit.
Due to the fact that Bryan had to retire due to injury, it is highly unlikely that WWE would let him step into the ring again.
But if there is even a 1% chance that Bryan would be allowed to make a return to action, then the match needs to happen against The Miz, and WrestleMania is the only place fitting enough to host such a match.
#3 Samoa Joe vs Brock Lesnar
This could be a true match of two massive strikers that would be way more interesting than another Lesnar vs Goldberg match. It’s also a sensational way to properly introduce Samoa Joe to the WWE Universe.
Samoa Joe has made a big impact since making his debut on the main roster a few weeks ago. He came in as Triple H’s destroyer to attack Seth Rollins, but would end up injuring Rollins and putting him out of action.
Joe was then thrown into a match with Roman Reigns on his second appearance, talk about being thrown in at the top.
Lesnar is still a big draw for the company. There’s little real reason to not throw him in with a full-time roster member, instead of having him face a fellow part-time superstar in Goldberg.
This match could be a hard hitting, strongman battle for the ages, a match which can give Samoa Joe a massive footing on the main roster. But there’s little chance of it happening, not this year anyway.
#4 AJ Styles vs Shinsuke Nakamura
It’s a match that tore the house down in New Japan Pro Wrestling, and it’s a match that could steal the show at WrestleMania in Orlando. If WWE wants to give the WWE Universe some of the best matches in the world in 2017, then this would be a good place to start.
Styles lost the WWE Championship to John Cena at the Royal Rumble and it’s extremely unlikely that he’ll get that title back before we get to ‘Mania. Nakamura lost the NXT Title to Bobby Roode at NXT TakeOver: San Antonio and looks to be set for a potential chase to get that title back.
Why not have Nakamura skip the title hunt and make a big impact on SmackDown Live instead?
Nakamura could immediately drop in right at the top of the show and challenge his former foe Styles to an attraction match at WrestleMania. Fans will be clamouring to see a new matchup for Styles, not just a rehash of his feud with Dean Ambrose or something we’ve seen many times before.
Nakamura vs Styles in a WWE ring would definitely get the attention of the professional wrestling world.
#5 Rusev vs Kurt Angle
Kurt Angle is one of the headline inductees in the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2017. On the other hand, Rusev has shown in the past that he can be one of the top heels in WWE. This is the perfect clash of the American Hero vs the despicable foreigner.
Angle has stated more than once that he would love to set foot in a WWE ring again and wrestle, he has also stated that if he did it, it would need to be a meaningful match and not just a throwaway.
Rusev would only have to start going on an anti-U.S.A. tirade again and have Angle turn up as a surprise opponent to defend the honour of his country, before making a big match for WrestleMania official between the two.
Angle may not be able to have a 30-minute classic, but that’s not what would be needed. Have him throw around some Suplexes, lock on an Ankle Lock and have Rusev tap out to send the crowd home happy.
This would be the perfect way to complement Angle’s Hall of Fame Induction and to make the weekend one worth remembering for him and all his fans.
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