The injury to Seth Rollins has had a chaotic domino effect on the WrestleMania card, taking away the Seth Rollins vs Triple H match and possibly the AJ Styles vs Shane McMahon match. There is also talk that John Cena’s mixed tag may be switched to Cena vs Samoa Joe, to improve the number of high quality of matches on the card.
As it stands, the rumored WrestleMania 33 card appears to be:
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- Goldberg (Champion) vs Brock Lesnar
- WWE Title Match
- Bray Wyatt (Champion) vs Randy Orton
- The Undertaker vs Roman Reigns
- Triple H vs Shane McMahon
- Kevin Owens vs Chris Jericho
- John Cena & Nikki Bella vs Miz & Maryse
- WWE Intercontinental Ladder Match
- Ambrose vs Corbin vs TBA vs TBA vs TBA vs TBA
- Big Show vs Shaq
- WWE Raw Women’s Title Match
- Charlotte vs Nia Jaxx vs Bayley vs Sasha Banks
- The Andre the Giant Battle Royal
- WWE RAW Tag Team Titles
- Gallows & Anderson vs Enzo & Cass
- WWE Smackdown Women’s Title Match
- Alexa Bliss vs Mickie James
- WWE Smackdown Tag Team Title Match
- American Alpha Vs TBC
As you can see, the card is pretty much full, with some major players missing. The Ladder Match is likely to be filled by Smackdown mid-carders, such as Dolph Ziggler, Kalisto, Luke Harper and Apollo Crews.
While American Alpha will probably face the Usos, as they are unlikely to be in another multi-man tag match, after already being booked in one at the Elimination Chamber. The Raw tag titles could be defended in a multi-man match, but regardless, the current plan is seeming to have Enzo and Cass win the titles.
Let’s have a look at the 10 most significant names missing from the card and where they might fit in on the card, if AT ALL.
#10 AJ Styles
The biggest omission from the list and seemingly the main casualty of the Seth Rollins injury, other than Rollins himself. It’s hard to see where AJ fits in. Vince McMahon seems set on doing Randy Orton vs Bray Wyatt, so changing to Orton vs Styles or booking a triple-threat, doesn’t seem viable. AJ has just come off a WWE Title run, so being added to the Intercontinental Ladder match would be a huge step-down and a waste of AJ.
The Battle Royal would be even worse. My idea would be to book a RAW vs Smackdown match, where Daniel Bryan and Mick Foley would both pick a representative for a WrestleMania match. Smackdown would opt for AJ and Raw could opt for Finn Balor, as AJ vs Samoa Joe would be two heels. Raw could also opt for Sami Zayn.
#9 Finn Balor
The dirt sheets keep telling us Finn Balor will be ready for WrestleMania, but it’s hard to see where he fits in. Unless they do implement my idea for Balor to represent Raw, against Smackdown, I think we may see Finn return the night after WrestleMania.
#8 Braun Strowman
Braun has been pushed heavily since the brand split. However, after he loses to Roman Reigns at Fastlane, he won’t have anywhere to go, plus his aura may be damaged from the loss. I feel that Strowman may be a lock to win the Andre the Giant Battle Royal.
#7 Samoa Joe
Joe debuted this week on Raw, however, his debut will be looked at as a disaster, after Rollins’ injury. He could end up facing Cena in a dream match or he could be off the card completely. Sources tell me the original plan was for Joe to face Seth Rollins at Fastlane and then Sami Zayn at WrestleMania, for the United States Title, which Joe was slated to win. As it stands, WWE has put the skids on Joe vs Zayn. It’s now possible that Zayn may not win the title at all, and it may be on the line in the Jericho vs Owens match.
#6 Sami Zayn
As I just mentioned, Zayn was set to win the US Title and drop it to Joe. If Zayn doesn’t win the US Title at Fastlane, he could seriously end up in the Battle Royal, where he will probably finish runner-up to Strowman. As I also mentioned before, he could also represent Raw, should WWE do a RAW vs Smackdown singles match.
#5 The New Day
The New Day broke Demolition's record in December, but have been treading water ever since. It’s likely that they will end up on the card, be it in the Battle Royal or in the Tag Team Title match, which will most likely be turned into a Tag Team Turmoil match, as the Raw Women already appear to be doing a Fatal 4 Way.
#4 Rusev
Rusev faced John Cena at WrestleMania 31, however, last year, he wrestled in a tag team handicap. Despite growing as the performer this year, Rusev won’t be reaching the heights of WrestleMania 31 again this year. He is likely to be stuck in a Battle Royal or stuck teaming with Jinder in a multi-man tag match, where Enzo and Cass are likely to become the new RAW Tag Team Champions.
#3 Cesaro and Sheamus
These two seem like they were the wrong the choice to end the New Day’s run as Champions. They got nothing out of it, as they held the belts for just 6 weeks. Now the pair is stuck in limbo with a Battle Royal looming or a pre-show multi-man tag match. Sheamus is a former WWE Champion and Cesaro is rated by many as one of the best wrestlers in the WWE. Yet, at WrestleMania 33, they are set to do little or nothing.
#2 Becky Lynch
Becky will be hoping the Smackdown’s Women’s Title match becomes a Triple threat, although the WWE are clearly planting the seeds for Mickie to turn on Alexa. It’s likely that the Mickie James vs Becky Lynch feud will be wrapped up after Fastlane and Becky Lynch may be left with nothing to do at WrestleMania, except watch the other 3 Horsewomen wrestle in a Fatal 4 Way. This would be a big fall from last year’s spot, especially since Becky was considered the face of the Smackdown women’s division.
#1 Dolph Ziggler
Dolph Ziggler’s heel turn has been very good. Unfortunately, it won’t get him anything relevant to do on the WrestleMania card. He’s 95% likely to be one of the men in the Intercontinental Ladder Match, a spot he’s pretty used to. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
