5 Wrestlemania matches everyone is terrified will happen

WrestleMania 24
WrestleMania 33’s match card is still up in the air

WrestleMania is a time for celebration, during which every wrestling fan around the world sits back and basks in the glory of the show of shows. We get to watch with smiles on our faces as some of the top superstars in company battle it out for supremacy in the so-called season finale of the sports entertainment year.

What it is also a time for, however, is moaning. No matter what happens year in and year out at the showcase of the immortals, there is always something that doesn't quite please everyone in attendance.

Whether it's an odd booking decision or a blown spot, it would be a miracle for everyone to make it through an entire Mania without picking out some flaws here or there.

Now whilst some may shrug that off and claim it's to be expected, the superstars need to be given more credit than that. Nonetheless, anything we say isn't going to help the matter so instead, we'll look in more detail at some potential warning signs for the upcoming edition of the show in Orlando.

With sweat dripping down the faces of everyone reading, let's have a quick glance at five potential WrestleMania matches that could leave people hitting the cancel buttons on their WWE Network subscriptions.


#1 Braun Strowman vs. Roman Reigns

Braun Strowman Roman Reigns
Strowman and Reign aren’t ready for a match of this magnitude

Oh, the horror. Just twelve months ago people were moaning to their hearts' content about the possibility of Braun Strowman having a marquee match at WM32, and in the present day we find ourselves in the same situation.

It's a shame really, because Braun really has come on leaps and bounds especially since the brand split.

But the problem isn't him - it's Roman Reigns. Whilst some people choose to just bash The Big Dog regardless of his abilities, it's important to be objective about this. The real problem doesn't lie with Roman because his illogical booking over the last few years has indicated that WWE actually want him to fail.

Also read: 5 Matches that should happen at WrestleMania 33

It seems baffling that his alignment hasn't even been altered in the slightest.

In regards to the actual match itself, there's certainly potential there. If Roman was made to look like a careless monster who is just out for blood, this could be a fun barbarian-like brawl similar to the former Shield member's match against Brock Lesnar in Santa Clara.

As it stands, however, the position of both men in the company doesn't warrant a bout of this magnitude. You can tease it in the Rumble all you want, but for now stay well away.

Speaking of staying away, these two had avoided each other quite well until last week.

#2 Baron Corbin vs. John Cena

Baron Corbin John Cena
Corbin and Cena could main event a PPV together one day, but not yet

Baron Corbin's rise up the SmackDown Live ranks has been an impressive one since the brand split, despite WWE's insistence upon him wearing a top whilst wrestling that doesn't really suit his character.

Regardless, the former NFL star is on the up in the company and it seemed like only a matter of time before Big Match John would step up to be his next opponent.

This match is actually set to take place on this week's edition of the blue brand's show, following a heated encounter during the WWE Championship contract signing.

Whilst this may be seen by many as a sign that this definitely won't take place at WrestleMania, WWE could just be testing the waters before pulling the trigger on their favourite booking technique - rematches.

Now this wouldn't necessarily be a bad match, it's just that everyone's heart is set on Cena vs Undertaker finally taking place at WM33 in Orlando.

In order for that to happen, Cena obviously can't get tangled up with anyone else at the big event, and if Corbin were to be the man that prevented the dream match then his heel heat may well turn into "go away" heat.

"Heat" certainly isn't something that these next two gents will be lacking.

#3 Big Show vs. Shaq

Big Show Shaq
A match that is literally seven years in the making

It might be considered bizarre to put this on the list when the encounter has supposedly already been confirmed, but either way, it isn't something fans are particularly looking forward to.

Back when this was initially teased many people were into it, thinking that the crossover potential between WWE and the NBA would be right up there with the Mayweather match. Unfortunately, that was over seven years ago.

Here in 2017, we aren't too sure about it. Whilst Big Show has managed to get himself into the best shape of his life, the questions still remains regarding whether or not the calibre of the contest is worthy of WrestleMania.

Show certainly deserves another big moment, but he's already had his fair share of "special" matches at the granddaddy of them all.

Perhaps some are starting to warm up to the idea, but the majority of fans would much rather see this position go to stars of the future. Then again who knows, maybe this will entice some basketball fans that otherwise wouldn't have even thought about ordering WrestleMania.

Onto a showdown involving one of Show's greatest rivals.

#4 Brock Lesnar vs. Shane McMahon

Brock Lesnar Shane McMahon
Brock vs Shane would not be best for business

Having been first teased back at SummerSlam, the WWE Universe was split down the middle when it came to a contest between the Beast Incarnate and Shane-o-Mac.

Many chose to believe that it would have been a dull one-sided massacre, whilst others genuinely feared for Shane's health. Whether you fell into either camp or a third, you can't deny it would bring some casual viewers back to the product.

That being said, there isn't much of an upside potential here. As we've seen in his two matches since returning, Shane isn't afraid to risk his body, but this would be taking things to a whole new level.

Lesnar is absolutely relentless and his beating of Randy Orton could well have been a foreshadowing of what's to come for Shane should the two step in the ring together at WrestleMania.

It seems like the smart money is on Lesnar vs Goldberg in Orlando, but you can't rule this out.

Many fans want to see Brock go up against newer talent or at the very least just look like he cares about the feuds that he's involved in. Either way, this potential match up doesn't really set anyone's world on fire.

That being said, let's move on to a match that has indeed got the fans buzzing in years gone by.

#5 Intercontinental Title Ladder Match III

Intercontinental Titte Ladder Match - WrestleMania 32
The IC title ladder match should not return for a third instalment

For the last two years we have witnessed an Intercontinental Championship ladder match at WrestleMania, and to be honest they've both been pretty solid. At both 31 and 32, they opened the show and an underdog reigned supreme in the form of Daniel Bryan and Zack Ryder.

Whilst they may have been good fun, it would be a mistake to replicate that idea for a third consecutive year.

In the last twelve months, the development of the IC Title has been extraordinary. Despite changing hands on a number of occasions, the one man who should be praised like no other for raising the prestige of the belt is The Miz.

The Awesome One has easily been one of the top heels in the company as of late, and as a result of that, the championship is in a position where it needs to be featured on the biggest show of the year.

But that doesn't mean throwing a bunch of guys together for a spot-fest. This needs to be a one on one contest, perhaps a triple threat, where every man involved is after one thing - the honour of being called an Intercontinental Champion.

The closest we've got in the last decade or so was when Cody Rhodes defended the strap against Big Show, and even then the focus was more on Show's comedy of errors at Manias gone by.

In this instance, the third time is most certainly not the charm.


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