It’s the most wonderful time of the year for any major WWE fan: the Road to WrestleMania! With the 2020 Royal Rumble a thing of the past, the path has been slightly outlined for the Super Bowl of sports entertainment, and it’s officially time for fans to gear up for the Grandest Stage of Them All!
What will the WWE WrestleMania 36 card actually look like? With one match already booked, and some feuds slowly (but, surely) being outlined, below is an early prediction around this year’s WrestleMania.
WWE Championship Match: Brock Lesnar (with Paul Heyman) versus Drew McIntyre
This one is pretty much in the bag, unless something major happens between now and April. Drew McIntyre received a huge push this past Sunday when he not only won the 2020 Men’s Royal Rumble, but also was the superstar to eliminate the seemingly unstoppable Brock Lesnar. It’s been a long time coming for Drew, but will he be able to the one of few superstars in history who can actually defeat the Beast Incarnate come WrestleMania 36? The fans are behind him, so here’s hoping the once Chosen One can finally accomplish a prophecy that was set out for him so long ago …
Edge versus Randy Orton
Raise your hand if you marked out on Sunday when Edge’s music hit? If you are a fan that reads up on spoilers and wrestling news, you may have heard the rumors buzzing around about Edge’s impending returning to the ring, but seeing it unfold right before our very eyes during the 2020 Men’s Royal Rumble was surreal. Edge is officially back in the WWE, and while fans were privy to a Rated-RKO reunion tease during the closing segment of Monday Night RAW, as it turns out, a program between these two legends is on the horizon, and just in time for WrestleMania season.
Universal Championship Match – “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt versus Roman Reigns
While Roman Reigns failed to capture the 2020 Men’s Royal Rumble win, surprising many who believed he had it in the bag, seems as if the Big Dog may still have a big match on the Grandest Stage of Them All. According to F4WOnline’s Dave Meltzer, The Fiend versus Roman Reigns is booked for WrestleMania 36, and the lead up to this match, as well as the bout itself, should be an interesting one.
RAW Women’s Championship – “The Man” Becky Lynch versus Shayna Baszler
Many fans were shocked, and a little disappointed, at fact that Shayna Baszler didn’t score the 2020 Women’s Royal Rumble. She came in at number 30, guns a blazing, but failed to be the last woman standing, getting eliminated by none other than Charlotte Flair (wwoo).
While Baszler was not the 2020 Women’s Royal Rumble winner, the former NXT Women’s Champion will be headed to WrestleMania 36, facing The Man for her RAW Women’s Championship; this according to Meltzer’s report. This is sure to offer a stellar buildup leading up to the big event, taking from Baszler and Lynch’s history during the 2019 Survivor Series (plus, Baszler’s connection to Lynch’s rival Ronda Rousey), and it should be one of the matches fans are talking about the Monday morning after WM 36.
NXT Women’s Championship – Rhea Ripley versus Charlotte Flair
Speaking of Flair, many within the WWE Universe were a little taken aback by Charlotte’s 2020 Women’s Royal Rumble win. While yes, she does seem to score plenty of opportunities (and wins), some seem to forget the incredible hard work she puts in, and her endless talent both in the ring and on the mic. Yes, Charlotte’s win was unexpected, and her WM story may offer up a unique twist. Unlike her counterpart Drew McInytre, Flair did not relay the champion she was choosing to challenge at WrestleMania this past Monday Night RAW, which leaves a ton of question marks, since she’s had many matches with Becky Lynch and Bayley over the years: so going toe-to-toe with either of these ladies doesn’t overly scream “WrestleMania-match worthy” at this point.
During Meltzer’s report on WM 36 matches that seem penned out, he also stated that Flair would be challenging current Women’s NXT Champion, Rhea Ripley.
SmackDown Women’s Championship – Bayley versus Sasha Banks
Purely speculation at this point; however, this is undeniably a WrestleMania-worthy match. While their last feud two years ago lacked luster, mainly because the powers that be didn’t push the button on it at the appropriate time, a rivalry between Banks and Bayley at this point in the game would be incredible.
There’s nothing like a championship to break up a friendship, and the anchor of Banks wanting to be at the top of the women’s division is a perfect reason to set up a program. Sasha was a complete no-show at the 2020 Royal Rumble, which puzzled many; however, as it turns out, it seems that she is injured, and according to Fightful, not cleared to compete. Banks has not been written out of storylines (as of this writing), so here’s hoping that she gets cleared soon; her and Bayley’s WM 36 moment may depend on it.
United States Championship – Andrade (with Zelina Vega) versus Aleister Black
Sure, Andrade is out for commission for 30 days, thanks to a violation in WWE’s talent wellness policy; however, as it stands for now, it really does seem as if he’ll remain U.S. Champ heading into Wrestlemania season. Another match with Humberto Carrillo seems appropriate, perhaps at WWE’s Super ShowDown pay-per-view (PPV) if the timing alotts and they can swing it, but in terms of WM 36, a program against Aleister Black would truly be an awesome watch, pulling from their past NXT rivalry.
Intercontinental Championship – Shinsuke Nakamura versus Sami Zayn
Who could ever forget the TakeOver Dallas match between Nakamura and Zayn, circa 2016!? While these two superstars are currently aligned, with Sami acting as Shinsuke’s mouthpiece, there are no true friendships or partnerships in the land of the WWE. Zayn has been a lifesaver when it comes to promos for Nakamura, and in many ways, it would be great for him to continue with this role. However, the idea of a WrestleMania match between these two on the Grandest Stage of Them All sounds phenomenal.
According to a Wrestling Observer Newsletter report by Dave Meltzer back in November of last year , Zayn was first placed with Nakamura as he was wrestling less due to a recovery around a shoulder injury, but it sounds like Zayn is okay to hit that ring now and he has been cleared for a while now. If this is the case, pitting them against each other could work. While Sami makes an incredible manager, and is highly entertaining on the mic, there are many who miss him in that squared circle as well.
SmackDown Tag Team Titles – The New Days versus John Morrison and The Miz
Who else is excited to see John Morrison back in the WWE? Nothing like nostalgia to help with a homecoming, and seeing The Miz and Morrison aligned together is simply everything right now on Friday Night SmackDown. Perhaps come SummerSlam season, a Miz versus Morrison feud might be in the books, but for now, fans want to ride the wave of remembering the good old days; therefore, booking a match with these four men is a must. A Morrison/Miz win might be feel good too, despite their heel personas (and them facing the New Day).
RAW Tag Team Championships – Seth Rollins and Buddy Murphy versus Kevin Owens and Braun Strowman
It’s a little “iffy” as to whether or not Samoa Joe will be ready for WrestleMania. According to reports, he suffered a concussion during a match on this past Monday Night RAW, which is unfortunately because K-JOE was a team wrestling dreams are made out of. Regardless, without knowing how long Joe will be out of commission, and if he will even make it to ‘Mania, Kevin is going to need some back up. Enter: Braun Strowman. Kevin Owens is no Nicholas; however, a win against Rollins and Murphy would offer up a nice WM moment for these two.
Women’s Tag Team Championships – The Kabuki Warriors versus Tamina & Naomi
That pop Naomi received this past Sunday was incredible, and it’s clear the WWE Universe has missed feeling the glow. It was great to see her in action … despite the fact that she didn’t win the match, she still offered some am-az-ing spots. Now that Asuka is done with her program against Becky Lynch, it’s time for WWE Creative to refocus efforts on storylines around the Women’s Tag Titles to help elevate the championships, and a WrestleMania 36 match is a must.
Tamina was once in the women’s tag title picture, along with partner Nia Jax; however, teaming up with Naomi would be a good fit as well. They’ve been in an alliance before, and the two have good chemistry together. As the women’s tag division is currently slim, Tamina and Naomi would certainly provide some much-needed competition to the unstoppable Kabuki Warriors.
Goldberg versus Matt Riddle
BRO! Between the social media banter, and the one-on-one confrontation between these two that was caught by WWE 24 cameras backstage at SummerSlam, this program has already really written itself. Big question is: can the WWE entice Goldberg to return to the ring for “one more match”. It’s something that many fans want to see happen!