WrestleMania 35: 5 blockbuster matches that Vince McMahon cancelled

WrestleMania 35 is quite a stacked card. In fact, some have argued that it's one of the most stacked cards in WWE history, and this is despite the fact that several top stars have been left out of it.

It's perhaps because the main title challengers are generally fresh and exciting, and the fact that there aren't too many part-timers occupying a place on the show. However, as with every year, it hasn't been perfect, and there has been a lot of criticism.

For one, there's been criticism with the build for a lot of matches, especially the main event. No one ever claimed that the women don't deserve to main event, but rather, fans were critical to how the match was being set up.

Even so, there have also been a lot of superstars left off the card. It's understandable to some extent, because there can't be a spot for everybody. However, it's sad to see certain superstars who work hard the whole year, only to be put in a bad spot.

Either way, here are some matches that WWE reportedly cancelled for WrestleMania 35.

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#5 Asuka vs Lacey Evans

This was a rumour going around quite a bit, started by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. It seemed as though Lacey Evans was being primed to be pushed as one of WWE's top females going forward in the post-Rousey era, but WWE has done absolutely nothing with Evans apart from just having her walk out, only to walk back in.

Essentially, the only match she's been a part of was the Royal Rumble, where she entered first. However, Asuka losing the SmackDown Women's Championship also dashed any hopes for the match, and it came as a surprise to many (who were also angry) that The Empress lost her title to Charlotte Flair in such abrupt fashion.

#4 John Cena vs Lars Sullivan

John Cena's original WrestleMania 35 opponent was set to be former NXT title contender Lars Sullivan. Sullivan had been hyped to debut since late 2018, and he was supposed to debut in January, but suffered a major anxiety attack, and was sent home.

This threw a wrench in WWE's plans, and had they not had prior experience of mental health issues with Mauro Ranallo, Sullivan's career may well have been done for good. While his debut has been delayed for months, and not a peep has been heard out of him, he's still very much expected to debut in a matter of time.

While it's unfortunate, and mental health issues are no joke, it's good to see the positive impact that Mauro Ranallo has had on the company. Hopefully, Sullivan and Cena can have their feud at a later date when both are ready.

#3 Finn Balor vs The Undertaker

There were reports going around in 2018 and even early 2019 that Finn Balor was set to debut the Demon at WrestleMania 35 to take on The Undertaker in a dream match. However, that isn't the case anymore, because Balor is set to challenge Bobby Lashley for the Intercontinental Championship.

It's been a whirlwind of a few months for Balor, who challenged for Brock Lesnar's Universal title at Royal Rumble 2019. The Undertaker, on the other hand, seems to be done with WrestleMania for now, or even for good.

He was open about the fact that he needed to be more selective of his dates, and from the look of things, he'll only be appearing at the two Saudi Arabia shows that will take place annually.

If that is the case, then we can only say that it's a good thing for The Undertaker. It's a relatively easy payday for him, and nobody can say that he doesn't deserve it.

#2 Sasha Banks & Bayley vs Trish Stratus & Lita

Sasha Banks and Bayley were always meant to become the inaugural WWE Women's Tag Team Champions. In fact, Sasha Banks revealed in an interview that she and Bayley had to annoy Vince McMahon every week for months to introduce the tag team titles.

Some weeks it would be a no, some weeks it would be a yes, but their relentlessness paid off, and they got the tag titles at Elimination Chamber. Being the inaugural champions, it was reported even before that they were scheduled to face Lita and Trish Stratus in a dream match, presumably one that would see a passing of the torch.

Unfortunately, that match never came to be, and instead, they got another legend in Beth Phoenix, who reunited with Natalya to reform The Divas of Doom. Sasha Banks & Bayley will defend the title in a Fatal-4-Way match at WrestleMania.

#1 Shawn Michaels vs Daniel Bryan

Vince McMahon has tried so many times to get Shawn Michaels out of retirement, whether it was a match against AJ Styles at WrestleMania, or otherwise. What did finally convince Michaels, however, was Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia, where he came back to reform DX against The Brothers of Destruction.

Naturally, it was too good a payday to give up, but Michaels admitted that he was pressured into doing so, and was stern about the fact that he is never getting back in the ring again.

WWE reportedly tried to get him back for a match at WrestleMania 35, according to Joe Peisich of Barnburner's No Holds Barred Podcast.

While this would have obviously been the dream match come to reality, the truth is that we need to respect Michaels' decision to do so. It's highly likely that he never wanted to do the Crown Jewel match in the first place, and right after the match, he was seen mouthing to Triple H, saying "We're too old for this".