Live April 1st and 2nd from Inglewood, CA at the SoFi Stadium (Rams field)
Card (subject to change):
Roman Reigns v. Cody Rhodes-Undisputed WWE Universal Championship
Charlotte Flair v. Rhea Ripley-WWE Smackdown Women's Championship
Bianca Belair v. Asuka-WWE Raw Women's Championship
Brock Lesnar v. Omos w/ MVP
Austin Theory v. John Cena-WWE US Championship
Seth Rollins v. Logan Paul
Trish Stratus, Becky Lynch, and Lita v. Damage CTRL
Edge v. Finn Balor-Hell In A Cell
Gunther v. Sheamus v. Drew McIntyre-WWE Intercontinental Championship
Braun/Ricochet v. Street Profits v. Alpha Academy v. Viking Raiders-Fatal Fourway Tag
Liv Morgan/Raquel Rodriguez v. Natalya/Shotzi v. Rousey/Bazler v. Sonya Deville/Chelsea Green-Fatal Fourway Tag
Rey Mysterio v. Dominik Mysterio
* Andre the Giant Battle Royal will air on Smackdown 3/31 (Participants spoilered for size)
Santos Escobar
Joaquin Wilde
Cruz Del Toro
Mace
Mansoor
Karl Anderson
Luke Gallows
Shelton Benjamin
Cedric Alexander
Angel
Humberto
Ashante “Thee” Adonis
“Top Dolla” AJ Francis
Johnny Gargano
Dexter Lumis
Butch
Ridge Holland
Dolph Ziggler
Mustafa Ali
Rick Boogs
Elias
Xavier Woods
LA Knight
Bobby Lashley
Karrion Kross
Baron Corbin
Bronson Reed
Madcap Moss
Last edited by Nash Diesel; March 28th, 2023 at 11:18 AM.
So we have to assume a few matches will be added like Lashley v. Wyatt, Rollins v. Logan Paul, The Usos v. KO/Sami Zayn for the tag-team titles, and something with Becky Lynch/Lita v. Damage Ctrl.
We have about a month and a half with a laundry list of talent with no clear path to Mania so I'm excited for what's next.
Reigns (c) vs. Rhodes Usos (c) vs. Zayn/Owens Charlotte (c) vs. Rhea Bianca (c) vs. Asuka
Rollins vs. Paul Theory (c) vs. Cena GUNTHER (c) vs. McIntyre vs. Sheamus Lesnar vs. Lashley (Fight Pit) Edge vs. Bálor (Hell in a Cell) Wyatt vs. Howdy Damage CTRL vs. Becky/Trish/Lita
Priest and Mysterio vs. Escobar and Mysterio
Men’s Battle Royal
Women’s Battle Royal
Split the battle royals between the two nights, split the Fight Pit and HIAC between the two nights. Women's tag titles are defended on Smackdown prior to Mania. Special appearances from Rock and Austin. McAfee does commentary, potentially teasing something for Summerslam.
Usos vs KO/Zayn
Lesner vs Lashley in some kind of no dq, cage, hell in a cell, fight pit, somehing (maybe Wyatt gets involved after the fact)
Rollins vs Paul
I thought we would get Edge vs Balor in the cell but I felt like Judgement Day needed to win the mix tag to set that up. Maybe they still go that way
Mysterio vs Mysterio in some form or fashion even if it is a tag or something
Gunther vs Drew vs Sheamus would be fun to see
Becky and maybe Lita going after tag titles. Maybe triple threat tag title match also involving Bazler and Ronda?
Andre the Gian Battle Royal even if it is on Smackdown for the 3rd year in a row.
I'd like to see either the IC or US Title defended in a Ladder Match. That was kind of a thing for a bit and I was a fan. Gets a bunch of folks on the card and has some big memorable moments. Since Theory just defended in a multiman at EC and if he does actually go against Cena, I'd be down for GUNTHER to defend against Sheamus, McIntyre, Ricochet, Knight, Escobar in a Ladder match.
Naw he's going to lose. We all need something different for a moment. The fans, the talent, the booking, having Roman lose to Cody giving us that incredible feel good moment will be worth it. Now the story for Roman gets more interesting: What now? Do we tell the story of Roman trying to regain the titles or are they possibly going to break up the Bloodline?
This also gives the World title picture a breath of fresh air if Cody fully goes over Roman. It doesn't feel like Roman is just going to be cool with losing the titles so it'll be cool to see how they keep the momentum going. Cody is ready to take the ball and truly carry it. He could be the #1 guy even with that stupid neck tat.
Yeah, I'd be surprised if Roman keeps the titles at Mania. And I agree that it's time. It is time. If it ain't Cody, who's left? Nobody. Roman's beat everybody and lapped them several times over. Personally, I think it would suit Roman if he loses his titles to go into seclusion. The king of everything losing absolutely everything and turning his back in bitter disgrace like a threatening "I'll be back." I dunno... I'm in love w/ what they've built Roman into and I'm also looking at it from a Game of Thrones apsect lol. Roman loses, looks to his Bloodline and they walk away, then Heyman just shrugs and searches for another client.
Fantasy booking, man. I haven't been this stoked for a Mania main event in years.
If Cody loses then there was zero point not adding Sammi in the main event. Cody being another guy to lose to Roman when Roman should have lost seems to be too much.
What if Lesnar gets possessed by Bray and we get Brock Wyatt? Hurt Business v. Wyatt Family 2.0 Lesnar's already been cutting promos recently in a southern accent despite living in Manitoba Canada lol.
I'm going to see how this one rides out because I trust the WWE has a plan. Lesnar is probably a pain in the ass at times but seriously does anyone think Lesnar was like yeah let's do me v. Omos..............That's like Undertaker teaming up with Nathan Jones type stupid.
I doubt Brock cares. He'll get paid the same to chuck a big lump around for a minute than having a 'dream' match with Edge or whatever. He'll be at best 7th match down the card at this rate, so unless they've got a big one up their sleave (Gunther; Lashley gimmick match) they may as well have him in a squash match where nobody relevant loses anything by getting kicked about.
I'd have Bronson Reed take out Omos one week on RAW, with ease, and have Reed vs. Lesnar at Mania. I don't know why, Bronson Reed bores me, but he's at least more exciting than Omos.
It's not so much the WWE process as much as it's me not trying to read the first 2 pages of a 500 page book and say fuck it I know the end lol.
Originally Posted by Fanny Batter
I doubt Brock cares. He'll get paid the same to chuck a big lump around for a minute than having a 'dream' match with Edge or whatever. He'll be at best 7th match down the card at this rate, so unless they've got a big one up their sleave (Gunther; Lashley gimmick match) they may as well have him in a squash match where nobody relevant loses anything by getting kicked about.
It's just so far out of the realm of opponents Lesnar has had. If Omos went undefeated and became US/IC champ after Styles, beat Lashley, etc. but Omos has kind of turned into Khali Kiss Cam. Plus he's barely been around and in terms of people who MVP manage, how do you go from Lashley to Omos?
People say it's all about the money with Lesnar but if that was the case he would have fought Jinder. But he didn't, and they literally had him drop the belt days before the match.
Any rumored celebrity/legends appearances? It seemed like we were getting Lita, Lynch and a third vs. Damage CTRL possibly. But that ties up the tag titles if so. I don't really count Logan Paul since he's been more than a one-off appearance for the company.
The hair vs. Mask Mysterio vs. Mysterio needs to be a thing. Dominik's character is really growing on me, playing up the prison thing so well. This reminds me of Sami unleashing the Ucey stuff and everyone trying so hard not to break character.
Nothing that I've heard but you never know. I'm sure there will be a shit ton in the crowd. I fully expect Mark Wahlberg and his kids at the very least.
Any rumored celebrity/legends appearances? It seemed like we were getting Lita, Lynch and a third vs. Damage CTRL possibly. But that ties up the tag titles if so. I don't really count Logan Paul since he's been more than a one-off appearance for the company.
The hair vs. Mask Mysterio vs. Mysterio needs to be a thing. Dominik's character is really growing on me, playing up the prison thing so well. This reminds me of Sami unleashing the Ucey stuff and everyone trying so hard not to break character.
There was a rumor that we might get Cena vs. Theory. I count Cena as more celebrity than rassler.
Based on Monday, a question I have circles around the women's tag titles. I think you go ahead and split the action over the two nights to cover all the bases.
Night One: Becky, Lita, and Trish against Damage CTRL - then a tag team turmoil match to establish the No. 1 contenders for Night 2
Night Two: Becky and Lita vs. Rhonda and Shayna
That is one way to make sure the titles get defended but I bet they don't defend them at the show. I can see them doing a match to determine the contenders and Ronda and Shayna winning that and getting a shot at Smackdown or Raw.
We get Rhea v Charlotte and Asuka v. Bianca for the individual titles, on separate nights. Rhea v Charlotte could even main event night one - it certainly has the best build.
It seems obvious that they will have Ronda/Shayna challenge for the tag belts against Becky/Lita. I think Trish is gonna wrestle Bayley. As for the rest of the women, perhaps a #1 contenders 10 or 8-person bout for the tag titles, to get them on the card.
So apparently the MSG Battle royal winner isn't getting the title shot against Gunther and there will now be a fatal five-way with Drew, Sheamus, LA Knight, Kross, and Kofi Kingston.
I can only imagine the five way ends up in a giant brawl with the ref losing control and DQing everyone, and then all 5 guys are gonna challenge for the title at Mania, possibly in a ladder match.
I can only imagine the five way ends up in a giant brawl with the ref losing control and DQing everyone, and then all 5 guys are gonna challenge for the title at Mania, possibly in a ladder match.
Originally Posted by MTR
That would be an interesting ladder match
Yes, please. I was pitching for this elsewhere recently so I hope that happens.
It would be interesting because none of those guys except Kofi are known for high spots. So it'd be cool seeing how they work the ladder spots, a lot of big strong dudes with a nice power move set at their disposal.
Yeah Kofi is the only one with real ladder match experience and would be willing to do various high spots. I mean I know others have done ladder matches but not as many as Kofi I think. Yeah lot of power moves at their disposal. It would be fun and interesting for sure.
Seeing rumors that the women's tag titles will be defended at WrestleMania despite the six woman match been signed. Wonder if they get the belts off Becky and Lita before then or have them work both nights.
Seeing rumors that the women's tag titles will be defended at WrestleMania despite the six woman match been signed. Wonder if they get the belts off Becky and Lita before then or have them work both nights.
Triple H loves to pass those women tag titles so I could see Ronda/Shayna winning the titles prior on a Smackdown OR for some reason we do them v. Becky/Lita Night 1. Ronda gets her win back over Becky and then the next night Becky's team wins the 6-man ending the feud with Damage Ctrl once and for all. Personally I don't want to see that, but we're less than a month away from Mania so they really need to figure it out if that's the case. Right now it does feel like they're building something involving Ronda/Shayna v. Nattie and whoever so maybe that's the tag title match for Mania?
Seeing rumors that the women's tag titles will be defended at WrestleMania despite the six woman match been signed. Wonder if they get the belts off Becky and Lita before then or have them work both nights.
It is and it would get more women on the card via the contender's match. However not sure if they would have anyone wrestle both nights.
I wouldn't be surprised to see a title defense against someone else Damage Control causes them to lose and then Shayna/Ronda face the new champs at WrestleMania and win the belts. Ronda is not at 100% so gives a bit more time for her to get better.
Liv and Raquel vs. Ronda and Shayna for the titles makes sense. Not sure how you get the titles on the former though given it would be face vs. face, and they absolutely shouldn't be giving away Becky and Ronda on TV.
Call this a hot take/controversial opinion but personally not cared about the women’s tag titles since Bayley/Sasha held them during Covid. Whether Sasha and Naomi walking out was the right option for them or not, they probably did have a point. The titles are not booked well and it’s hard to care when so little fanfare are given to them.
They have the bodies to do the tag division but they’re just so bad at booking them. Becky was at Lita’s throat last year now they’re all Buddy Buddy. Don’t care for them as champs.
I am fine with you not liking the title and title situation. But how dare you not care about Lita and the Man being a team. For shame. Becky admits she was acting weird last year and Lita forgave her.
I am fine with you not liking the title and title situation. But how dare you not care about Lita and the Man being a team. For shame. Becky admits she was acting weird last year and Lita forgave her.
Probably just gave them to them because they’re both redheads lol.
Apparently Ronda is not going to be ready for Mania. So we can probably count her out unless it's a work.
While I'm not high on the WWE's booking of the women's tag titles in NXT and the main roster, at least they're showcased much better nowadays than they were. Not saying it's always been bad there were some good moments but I feel like they've been showcased much more. Damage Ctrl are a main event act and those tag titles have been in the mix since they formed.
Call this a hot take/controversial opinion but personally not cared about the women’s tag titles since Bayley/Sasha held them during Covid. Whether Sasha and Naomi walking out was the right option for them or not, they probably did have a point. The titles are not booked well and it’s hard to care when so little fanfare are given to them.
They have the bodies to do the tag division but they’re just so bad at booking them. Becky was at Lita’s throat last year now they’re all Buddy Buddy. Don’t care for them as champs.
I'm not negative to this. A lot can change in a year, hell look at Rock N Sock.
What I wish had happened though is maybe a little more to Lita coming out and helping. I'll admit the whole segment is foggy so I don't remember if this happened but even Damage Ctrl cutting promos on legends and that's why Lita of all people showed up. Why was Lita even there? This could all be on me and I'm not going on Hulu to dig up the episode lol.
Like I said though in my previous post I do believe that the tag titles are being showcased much better. The booking is what it is, Triple H is the guy who gifted the NXT women's tag titles and then had Kai/Gonzales drop them that same night.....So my expectations for the tag titles aren't high. But the way the WWE have really showcased women's wrestling compared to other eras and where the tag titles have been storyline wise, definitely overall better than say when Nikki ASH was a champ or Carmella/Zelina.
Apparently Ronda is not going to be ready for Mania. So we can probably count her out unless it's a work.
While I'm not high on the WWE's booking of the women's tag titles in NXT and the main roster, at least they're showcased much better nowadays than they were. Not saying it's always been bad there were some good moments but I feel like they've been showcased much more. Damage Ctrl are a main event act and those tag titles have been in the mix since they formed.
Showcased and people caring are two fine lines.
Damage CTRL are given plenty TV time but they never seem like a real threat. It seems symptomatic of the division, one team wins them then seem to lose them fairly quickly. When was the last team that really went on a tear recently? Io
and Dakota just seem like props for Bayley tbh.
Damage CTRL are given plenty TV time but they never seem like a real threat. It seems symptomatic of the division, one team wins them then seem to lose them fairly quickly. When was the last team that really went on a tear recently? Io
and Dakota just seem like props for Bayley tbh.
I think in this case they're being showcased in a way that makes people care. I think that when Kai/Skye have had the belts they've been great heel champions. Do I care if they hold the belts for 8 months and run through everyone? Not really. Anyone who's been watching WWE as long as you and I have should know by now how they feel about tag titles. If the Bloodline wasn't as popular of an angle, Usos wouldn't have this mega reign imo. That's why New Day are 10x champions with like 2 runs that were longer than a few months.
So with that said I'm just glad they're being featured as opposed to drifting in the midcard. They have the bodies, but it's always going to be makeshift teams. They don't have the bodies to have a real tag division like the men do. Personally I would rather not see it knowing how WWE are about tag wrestling.
They have the bodies to do the tag division but they’re just so bad at booking them. Becky was at Lita’s throat last year now they’re all Buddy Buddy. Don’t care for them as champs.
Becky addressed this inconsistency multiple times which is generally good enough for me.
Becky addressed this inconsistency multiple times which is generally good enough for me.
Maybe just me but even if they’ve tried to cover themselves with it, essentially you’ve got someone retired and someone current way way above the tag titles holding them. Maybe a nice moment but then what?
Showcasing the belts and multiple matches is all well and good but it still feels recycled. I’m not sure anyone that beats them is going to be really elevated when they’re hot potatoing the titles these days.
When the women’s tag titles were being spread across all three shows like Bayley and Sasha were doing and actually looking like a team, that’s the last time they were looking legit. Now they just seem like a prop.
Maybe just me but even if they’ve tried to cover themselves with it, essentially you’ve got someone retired and someone current way way above the tag titles holding them. Maybe a nice moment but then what?
Showcasing the belts and multiple matches is all well and good but it still feels recycled. I’m not sure anyone that beats them is going to be really elevated when they’re hot potatoing the titles these days.
Then what? You find a team that can carry the division and stabilize it. I don't see a problem with Ronda/Shayna being that team. Having Becky/Lita have them now is to transition to a better situation. Also, having Becky and Ronda in a situation where they can square off at Mania again doesn't sound bad to me. The build for it is less than ideal but you can say that about things given much more time for this card.
Originally Posted by Badger
When the women’s tag titles were being spread across all three shows like Bayley and Sasha were doing and actually looking like a team, that’s the last time they were looking legit. Now they just seem like a prop.
It's a problem with the booking with the women across the board. They'll matter more when the women outside of the top 4-6 matter more.
This card is looking really good. There's a rumor that Wyatt v. Lashley might not happen but per usual there's a rumor that it will. Wyatt and Omos missed the MSG show and apparently that was a red flag for only Wyatt.
Was Lesnar gone by the time Khali showed up? Omos looked fucking massive I can't wait.
Putting Edge/Balor in the Cell is the best use of the Cell in years. It's weird how we put so much stock in that gimmick despite it being created for a feud that was like 2 months deep and only had 1 match. But it when you had Foley/Taker, it became the mega gimmick match. These 2 have been feuding for about a year, seems fitting.
I was looking at their records and they barely missed each other both times. That would've been cool to see him F5 Khali but looking at Omos I'm not sure how effective it will look. Lesnar can lift him, we've seen Lesnar F5 a shark. IDK if he can launch Omos enough to make it look believable.
I think Edge and Balor in the cell is an excellent way to end this feud. Good use of the cell.
I am still not liking this Lesner/Omos match. I am sure it will be better than I expect but then again my expectations are going to be really low. I am not sure Lesner can do a good F5 on Omos. I am sure he will try and hit it somewhat but not sure that yeah he can really launch him. Just because of the fact Omos is so tall and it will just be awkward to get him in that position.
I think Edge and Balor in the cell is an excellent way to end this feud. Good use of the cell.
I am still not liking this Lesner/Omos match. I am sure it will be better than I expect but then again my expectations are going to be really low. I am not sure Lesner can do a good F5 on Omos. I am sure he will try and hit it somewhat but not sure that yeah he can really launch him. Just because of the fact Omos is so tall and it will just be awkward to get him in that position.
As I've said before with Lesnar/Omos, at least it's not someone like Gunther who would've been in a 3 minute match that wouldn't do shit for anyone. This match is just a freakshow fight. It's Taker v. Giant Gonzales, it's Kane v. The Great Khali, it's not going to be Diesel v. Undertaker. It might be a little more Taker v. A-Train/Big Show but all these matches were short as fuck too.
Taker vs Gonzales was shit though and pretty much any match with Khali was shit which is what I am worried about with this match. It may be a freak show but I don't want a shit show. I don't expect all matches to be great or whatever but I don't want just an absolute shit match which is my concern. I may be proven wrong and we shall see but until then I am not liking this match.
I want to see Lesner vs Gunther so bad though. But only after Gunther finally drops the IC title which I am not in a hurry for that to happen. If there is no title on the line and they let them go for more than a few minutes that could be a fun hard hitting match. I agree that this was not the time to do that match.
Taker vs Gonzales was shit though and pretty much any match with Khali was shit which is what I am worried about with this match. It may be a freak show but I don't want a shit show. I don't expect all matches to be great or whatever but I don't want just an absolute shit match which is my concern. I may be proven wrong and we shall see but until then I am not liking this match.
I want to see Lesner vs Gunther so bad though. But only after Gunther finally drops the IC title which I am not in a hurry for that to happen. If there is no title on the line and they let them go for more than a few minutes that could be a fun hard hitting match. I agree that this was not the time to do that match.
I mean if I wanted to go down the list of every freakshow fight at a Mania and whether they're good or bad we'd be here all fuckin day lol. My whole point is I'd rather Lesnar in matches like this where it's going to be 2-3 minutes of the same 2-3 moves than a match with Gunther, which would be a 2-3 minute match with the same 2-3 moves. It's a waste of that caliber of talent to be in these matches with Lesnar. Most of us should've figured that out by now. People would walk out of Mania feeling robbed if they had Gunther v. Lesnar and it ended like every Lesnar match has gone down in the last 7-8 years.
Gunther for example....Would you rather see a 2 minute match v. Lesnar or a 15 minute match with Sheamus or Drew? Knowing what you'll get out of that 2 minute match. Be thankful it's not Gunther v. Omos for the IC title.
Like I said, I want to see Gunther vs Lesner but not at this WrestleMania. Like I said I want to see it later on after Gunther drops the IC title. I would hope it would be a bit more than the normal Lesner match. But either way I would like to see it. I feel like it would be more than just a freak show match which is what Lesner vs Omos is and I am just not looking forward to it. I will give it a chance but I don't see it being entertaining to me.
For this WrestleMania yeah I want to see Gunther vs Drew or Sheamus or both.
So far for the HOF we have Rey and Muta. I figured Muta was going in since he retired. Curious about why putting Rey in while he is still actively wrestling.
Oh yeah man I'm with you I'm just using Gunther and other names v. Lesnar at Mania as an example of why Omos v. Lesnar is a better option.
Rey going into the HOF does feel strange but it also feels like it's going to lead to him retiring this year. I mean they did induct JR and the King while they were still active at the booth.
Yeah but they weren't active wrestlers. Technically Flair was still active but he lost his match against HBK and then was retire. Sting still did some stuff after they put him in. Just seems odd. I think we all know he is at the end of his time but yeah just seems odd. Maybe he announces he is finishing up in the year or something. Or all the sudden we do get the father vs son match and he retires at WrestleMania.
Yeah but they weren't active wrestlers. Technically Flair was still active but he lost his match against HBK and then was retire. Sting still did some stuff after they put him in. Just seems odd. I think we all know he is at the end of his time but yeah just seems odd. Maybe he announces he is finishing up in the year or something. Or all the sudden we do get the father vs son match and he retires at WrestleMania.
Does it matter if they were wrestlers? They're still active, shit Lawler still hasn't retired as a wrestler and he was barely an active wrestler in the WWF/E.
Sting did stuff after in AEW, not WWE. He literally retired during his induction speech. I think with Rey it has to be him setting up something where he's going to either be semi-retired or officially retired and wants to pass the torch to Dom in some way.
I look at it though they were done with wrestling for the most part. Yeah I know Lawler is much like Funk and won't ever really stop but he was not really doing anything in beyond a random thing here and there so I was fine with that. Either way even though Lawler and JBL were still doing commentary their WWE in ring stuff was done so yeah I don't look at the them the same way.
I just looked back at Sting's run. I had it my head he did some of those matches after he was put in despite his retiring during his speech. My brain is not functioning today.
Yeah I am starting to think that we end up with the father/son match at WrestleMania with Rey passing the torch and retiring.
I look at it though they were done with wrestling for the most part. Yeah I know Lawler is much like Funk and won't ever really stop but he was not really doing anything in beyond a random thing here and there so I was fine with that. Either way even though Lawler and JBL were still doing commentary their WWE in ring stuff was done so yeah I don't look at the them the same way.
I just looked back at Sting's run. I had it my head he did some of those matches after he was put in despite his retiring during his speech. My brain is not functioning today.
Yeah I am starting to think that we end up with the father/son match at WrestleMania with Rey passing the torch and retiring.
I said JR not JBL.
Yeah Sting only had like 3 matches in the WWE. Triple H, the single against Big Show that turned into a tag, and the Rollins match.
I am surprisingly looking forward to Lesnar v Omos, certainly much moreso than I thought I would be.
But when you say be thankful that we didn't get Omos vs. GUNTHER, I feel that GUNTHER would be able to get a very watchable match out of Omos. GUNTHER brings out the absolute best in everyone.
I do wonder if we will get Wyatt / Lashley on the card. Wyatt matches are anticipated based on his ability to build the story, but the matches themselves usually don't come close to the build.
I am surprisingly looking forward to Lesnar v Omos, certainly much moreso than I thought I would be.
But when you say be thankful that we didn't get Omos vs. GUNTHER, I feel that GUNTHER would be able to get a very watchable match out of Omos. GUNTHER brings out the absolute best in everyone.
I do wonder if we will get Wyatt / Lashley on the card. Wyatt matches are anticipated based on his ability to build the story, but the matches themselves usually don't come close to the build.
I've said it before I'll say it again as others have as well so I'm trying to take credit for anything here but Wyatt is basically in the Undertaker 90's phase. I'm not trying to side by side in graphic detail compare them, it just reminds me of when I was watching in the 90's how I felt about Taker is probably how a lot of people feel about Wyatt nowadays.
Taker always had these interesting builds and lackluster matches. You could probably say that for the majority of his career when looking at it from a technical aspect. Yet Taker was always selling merch, always a draw. I mean shit go back and watch more recent stuff like him and Kane v. The Wyatt Family. The matches were not very good but I liked a lot of the mystical stuff they were doing. It would probably annoy me if there were 4-5 other acts that were similar to Wyatt. Or if the build up for a lot of his stuff wasn't good. it's also crazy to think Wyatt's been in the WWE damn near 10 years. Especially if you count Husky Harris Nexus.
So, with 9 matches officially announced, and 2 more expected (Rey vs Dom & Sami/Owens vs Usos), its 11 matches. For two nights, that's 6 on one night and 5 on the other. That seems awfully light and i can't see any other matches being added...
Maybe they do the Andre the Giant battle royal on the main card instead of relegating it do the Smackdown beforehand. Do they still do the women's battle royal? Can't remember if they did that last year or not at any point.
I mean they will probably give all those matches a bit of time so might not be as light as it seems.
There's still crazy rumors online that Austin might have a match against LA Knight.....
WWE have always been last minute with Mania it seems. Most of us can remember the early days of not even knowing the full card until Shawn Mooney or Mean Gene read it off during the pre-show. They started to get better about it as time went on but damn could you imagine if Austin v. LA Knight gets signed 2 weeks prior? That's nuts. No real build or anything but hey--the show is sold out!
I'll be sad if we don't get Wyatt v. Lashley. Especially if we only wind up with 11 matches over 2 nights. Quality over quantity is my go-to, but sometimes you have to take a step back and go-Do I want to have every match go 20+ minutes? We don't even have a band lined up!! People can shout about the Attitude Era but I want the Ruthless era when it comes to music. That SvR 2007 soundtrack with Ghostface Killa, Nonpoint, Three Days Grace, etc. might be the best soundtrack in WWE game history.
I always thought Knight would get a spontaneous match (ceiling being Austin), or he would just be a pest all weekend to the Miz. Either way, his arrow is point up.
What the fuck happened to Shanky? I was somewhat amused by the Jinder & Shanky pairing and Jinder acting like he couldn't stand his boy's attempted dance moves. But Jinder is in the right role now in NXT.
What the fuck happened to Shanky? I was somewhat amused by the Jinder & Shanky pairing and Jinder acting like he couldn't stand his boy's attempted dance moves. But Jinder is in the right role now in NXT.
Addition by subtraction (IMO), since Triple H's regime took over.
I do wonder if they're planning on doing the 2 battle royals on the main shows this year. Some big names missing out on matches, and maybe they could add a title shot for the winner - Strowman, Ricochet, Street Profits, Knight, potentially Sheamus or Drew, Gargano, Reed, Priest, Kross, Liv, Ronda, Raquel, Shayna etc. Certainly the men's would be pretty stacked. Maybe men's battle royal and the women have a tag turmoil?
So, assuming Wyatt and Lashley is still on, final cards would be:
Reigns vs. Rhodes
Usos vs. Owens/Zayn
Charlotte vs. Rhea
Belair vs. Asuka
Theory vs. Cena
Rollins vs. Paul
Gunther vs. McIntyre vs. Sheamus
Hell in the Cell: Balor vs. Edge
Lesnar vs. Omos
Lashley vs. Wyatt
Mysterio vs. Mysterio
Trish/Lita/Becky vs. Damage Control
Men's showcase 4-way tag
Women's showcase 4-way tag
That's a terrific line up. When a match like Mysterio vs. Mysterio has been built this well and is so far down the card you know it's a great one. The two 4-ways are filler but I don't hate it - gets guys like Montez Ford on the card for a, well, showcase. Must mean the Andre is shelved, maybe they'll move it to the Saudi Arabia show and give it a little more focus.
Owens/Zayn v Usos goes as the co-main on Night One, you want the crowd buzzing about the fallout for the next ~20 hours as everyone waits for Rhodes/Reigns.
Owens/Zayn v Usos goes as the co-main on Night One, you want the crowd buzzing about the fallout for the next ~20 hours as everyone waits for Rhodes/Reigns.
I think if you make this the co-main for Night One it kills whatever the main event will be. I would either open either night with this match or have it co-main under Roman/Cody.
Drifting over to Rhea v. Charlotte. I see a lot of online criticism that Charlotte Flair doesn't deserve to main event, why is she in it, etc.....But this isn't about Charlotte. This is about Rhea Ripley. Does it benefit Charlotte? Without a doubt, but this is about her putting over Ripley on the grandest stage of them all. Just like Sasha v. Bianca Belair. Two young black women main eventing Mania but it was also about Sasha putting over Belair. I feel like Charlotte's work warrants a main event. Honestly can't see anyone more worthy of getting the torch passed so to speak than Rhea.
I am looking forward to Charlotte and Rhea, but I don't think that they deserve a main event more than Sami/KO vs. Uso's do, and I am basing this on the storyline builds.
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Originally Posted by kdestiny
Becky admits she was acting weird last year and Lita forgave her. 
