Wrestlemania season is in full effect, and rumors are coming out almost daily surrounding the big event scheduled for April 2, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. Whereas the past couple of years have felt relatively quiet, this season has seen a barrage of rumors circulating throughout all of the major dirtsheets and amongst industry insiders alike. Let’s take a look at some of the more prominent rumors:
Seth Rollins vs. Triple H – Doesn’t it feel like this match has been scheduled for the last eight Wrestlemanias?! This is undoubtedly the longest-rumored match on deck, and considering the seeds have already been sown, I’d say it’s pretty likely. Just, y’know, we’re all still waiting to see Triple H and hear from him as to why he helped Kevin Owens wins the Universal Championship months ago. WWE is definitely taking the slow burn approach with this one.
Undertaker vs. John Cena – Another match that has been rumored for quite a while, this match has the potential to be the biggest main event in Wrestlemania history, and that’s saying something. But, think about it. If done properly, the implications of this match would be historical. Let’s say the rumors are true, and Taker returns to the WWE in January to vanquish AJ Styles and capture the WWE Championship. He puts his career on the line against John Cena who is attempting to tie Ric Flair’s record for World titles. Cena wins, gets the record, and Taker rides off into the sunset with an appropriate sendoff. I’m already willing to say that that would be the biggest match in Wrestlemania history.
Big Show vs. Shaq – As long as Wrestlemania exists, there will always be celebrity involvement. I don’t know how many people are clamoring for this match to take place, but I feel like this is one the WWE is going to try and get pushed through for the promotional push it’d give the show. As for the entertainment value? Well, meh – who knows?
Brock Lesnar vs. Shane McMahon – Remember when this rumor was floating around after Lesnar delivered the F5 to McMahon? Considering Lesnar appears set for a rematch with Goldberg and they may be heading in a different direction for McMahon (more on that later), I don’t know how likely this is to happen anymore. Good thing, too, because if you thought Shane vs. Taker was unbelievable, how would a date with Lesnar look?
Bayley vs. Sasha Banks – I’ve only seen this one mentioned sparingly, but was still intrigued enough to include it here. Obviously, these two have had some epic matches in the past, and could conceivably top them all on a stage as big as Wrestlemania. There doesn’t seem to be a real commitment to Banks, though, given her injury history, so it depends on how some other things shake out in Raw’s Women’s Division (more on that later).
Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman – Another relatively new rumor, but it’s one that I can get on board with. I think it’s still a safe call to keep Reigns out of the title picture, but this could be a huge United States Championship match. Strowman has improved significantly, and has been one of 2016’s biggest breakout superstars.
Brock Lesnar vs. Goldberg – Both of these guys could do wonders for younger, newer talent. I mean, why not go for Lesnar-Owens and Goldberg-Wyatt or something? Alas, that’s not WWE. For some reason, they think this is the best route to take. But, they’ve done a good job in setting up round three. Personally, I was a fan of the Survivor Series bout and think it did more to create a desire for a third match than anything else they could have done.
Kevin Owens vs. Finn Balor – This makes a lot of sense. Owens is the champion. Balor never lost his title. The match is instantly set up. Does the WWE want these two competing for Raw’s title? I don’t know – just another rumor that’s been passed around.
Charlotte vs. Bayley – Regardless of who she faces, it’s starting to look like Bayley will get her big moment at the upcoming installment of Wrestlemania. Considering it looks like Bayley and Charlotte are already beginning to feud, I have a hard time believing this thing could stretch all the way to April. I’d consider this nothing more than a rumor that surfaced after some sort of brainstorming session.
Kevin Owens vs. Chris Jericho – I would be surprised if they ran with this story, but it makes a lot of sense for obvious reasons. The question is whether or not these two get a featured slot on the show. I’d give it a thumbs up.
Charlotte vs. Ronda Rousey – If they can book Rousey, this is the match to have, and it’s an easy way to get Bayley-Banks for the title. The major issue is obviously whether or not WWE can afford Rousey, and whether or not she actually wants to do it.
Dean Ambrose vs. Shane McMahon – The latest match to hit the rumor mill is a contest between the Lunatic Fringe and Smackdown’s commissioner. I’d be really intrigued to see how this shapes up, and deep down, I’m actually rooting for this to happen. Can you imagine the crazy stunts these two would pull? Make it happen.
Official prediction time:
WWE Championship: Taker-Cena
Rollins-HHH
Universal Championship: Owens-Jericho
Ambrose-McMahon
Reigns-Strowman
Bayley-Banks
Lesnar-Goldberg
Big Show-Shaq
Andre Battle Royal
Tag team fatal 4-ways (one for each show)
Becky Lynch-Nikki Bella?
Charlotte-Dana Brooke?
So, where do AJ Styles, Finn Balor, and Bray Wyatt fall? That’s the big question, but I don’t know that any of these guys are going to be priorities for WWE. I’d love to see Styles added to Taker-Cena, but that’s unrealistic, and I can see an argument as to why that detracts from how epic the match would be. I’d love to see an interpromotional showdown between Wyatt and Balor, but who knows?
There’s still plenty of time for things to shape up before April. I’m just along for the ride.
Stoney Keeley is the editor of the SoBros Network, Tennessee Titans Featured Analyst for Pro Football Spot, Contributor to FanSided’s Bama Hammer, and covers the WWE for WrestlingNews.co. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley, @PFSpot, @WrestlingNewsCo, @Bama_Hammer
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