WrestleMania 36 is in the books, which means it’s already time to start thinking about WrestleMania 37. Here’s a look at how that show might turn out.
WrestleMania 36 was originally meant to be seen inside Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, Florida. Unfortunately due to the “current circumstances” (as WWE insists on referring to the threat of COVID-19), it became perhaps the most unorthodox WrestleMania we will ever see. This is all the more reason to look ahead to a return to normalcy at WrestleMania 37.
The immediate future of WWE programming remains uncertain. They continued to advertise the May 10 presentation of WWE Money in the Bank, though that can’t possibly go on in its original form just a little over a month from now. Even SummerSlam 2020 seems uncertain as of now, but let’s look to Hollywood.
WrestleMania 37 will be heading to Hollywood, but what might that event look like? If WWE decides to continue with a two-night format, which honestly is a better idea that going back to WrestleMania lasting for what feels like an eternity on a single day, we could see upwards of 18 matches at the show like this year.
We can expect the modern standard of tens of thousands of fans packed into a stadium, but who might we see competing? What could the landscape of WWE become just one year from now, likely after another draft or Superstar Shake-Up?
Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
We didn’t see this half of WWE’s standard annual battle royals at this year’s WrestleMania, but there’s no reason not to expect it back as usual at WrestleMania 37. Who ends up winning the match is anyone’s guess, as WWE could try to re-establish a current star or elevate someone from NXT, but expect this to be where everyone who doesn’t make the main card ends up.
WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal
Much the same as mentioned above, we should see the WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal back as usual at WrestleMania 37. It will also become the catch-all for any women on the main roster who aren’t in other matches, as well as various NXT talents and maybe a legend or two.
Raw Tag Team Championship Match: The New Day (c) vs. The Undisputed Era (Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish)
The Undisputed Era have easily been one of the greatest factions in modern WWE history, and it’s only a question of when, not if, they translate that to success outside of NXT. I’ll get to the reason for their arrival a little bit later, but you can count on them gunning for gold.
The New Day need a change of pace, and a move to Raw could do that and see them recapture the Raw Tag Team Titles. This would be a truly fresh and new matchup, and a real challenge for The Undisputed Era against one of the most proven teams in WWE history.
SmackDown Tag Team Championship TLC Match: Heavy Machinery (c) vs. Street Profits vs. The Usos
Meanwhile on SmackDown, we should see some dominance this year by Heavy Machinery. I fully expect them to be champions in the near future, and wouldn’t be surprised to see them carry those belts into WrestleMania 37.
The Usos are the veterans here, whereas Street Profits would be coming over from Raw and looking to capture their third different set of Tag Titles. Sprinkle in some tables, ladders, and chairs and you’ve got a recipe for mayhem.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match: The IIconics (c) vs. Beth Phoenix & Natalya
In the women’s tag team division, it’s only a matter of time before The IIconics are back and holding the titles once again. That could happen as early as SummerSlam, giving them the chance to try and hold onto them all the way to WrestleMania 37.
Were they to do that, there’d be no better opponents than Beth Phoenix and Natalya. It was Phoenix’s top-rope Glam Slam that essentially helped them capture the titles at WrestleMania 35, and this could be one final effort by The Divas of Doom to capture the gold.
Falls Count Anywhere Match: Edge vs. Adam Cole
We’re sure to see Edge taking on both legends and new talent in the coming years, and there’s no match I’m more hopeful to see than Edge vs. Adam Cole. If anyone feels like the spiritual successor to Edge, it’s Adam Cole (BAYBAY).
The story isn’t difficult to craft either. Adam Cole would be looking to make his mark at the expense of a legend and prove himself, much the way Edge did to Mick Foley back at WrestleMania 21. Make it Falls Count Anywhere and mix in the rest of The Undisputed Era at some point, and this one will be magic.
Intercontinental Championship Match: The Miz (c) vs. John Morrison
The history between The Miz and John Morrison is extensive. While their return to tag team success following John Morrison coming back to WWE has been entertaining, it’s not going to last forever.
Honestly, it’s anybody’s guess who would be the face and who would be the heel here, but one turning on the other is a clear way to set the stage for these two Tough Enough alums in Hollywood. Add on The Miz capturing the Intercontinental Championship between now and then, and the stakes get even higher.
US Championship Ladder Match: Seth Rollins (c) vs. Kevin Owens vs. Roderick Strong vs. Samoa Joe vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Andrade
There’s bound to be a massive multi-man ladder match at WrestleMania 37. WWE has such a bloated mid-card that there tends to be an embarrassment of riches, and the best way to give them all a chance to shine is to hang a mid-card title above the ring.
Most of these superstars are established main roster names, while Roderick Strong would be coming up with The Undisputed Era and looking to take a step forward in fulfilling a new version of The Prophecy. There’s so much talent between these six superstars that it’s almost guaranteed to be amazing.
AJ Styles vs. CM Punk
Never say never. While CM Punk isn’t technically a WWE employee, he’s opened the door to an eventual return by becoming a mainstay on WWE Backstage and even hinting he’d be open to an in-ring return if the circumstances were right.
AJ Styles and CM Punk were both independent wrestling legends before ever coming to WWE, and both carved their own championship paths. It would be a true dream match to see Punk make his return against “The Phenomenal One,” and an instant classic.
Career vs. Career: Brock Lesnar vs. Matt Riddle
This one really isn’t that complicated. Matt Riddle needs to retire Brock Lesnar. Period. The only question is, how does Matt Riddle get Brock Lesnar to risk his career?
The most logical path is for Riddle, upon arrival on the main roster, to do everything in his power to target Brock Lesnar and make his life a living hell any time he shows up. If Brock can’t be there and make money without worrying about Riddle ruining things, he just might be goaded into risking his career, so long as if he won he’d be rid of Riddle forever.
NXT Championship Match: Tommaso Ciampa (c) vs. Keith Lee
At WrestleMania 36, we saw someone win the Women’s Royal Rumble and challenge the NXT Women’s Champion at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania 37, I believe we’ll see Keith Lee win the Men’s Royal Rumble and challenge the NXT Champion at WrestleMania.
Tommaso Ciampa may be thoroughly tied up with Johnny Gargano at the moment, but once that ends I wouldn’t be surprised to see him going after Goldie once again. If he can walk into WrestleMania season as champion, Keith Lee could bring this clash to the biggest stage in wrestling.
Boneyard Match: The Undertaker vs. Sting
WrestleMania 36 showed that WWE has finally figured out cinematic matches, and it’s also shown that they can work around the limitations of older superstars like The Undertaker. While I hope The Undertaker is done after this year’s Boneyard Match, it’s not a stretch to expect him back to fulfill this dream match.
Doing another Boneyard Match, or even something similar, would also allow them to work around the limitations of Sting. WWE could really go all-in with these characters, letting them tell the story fans wanted to see years ago despite the deteriorating in-ring stamina of both men.
WWE Championship Triple Threat Match: Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Jinder Mahal vs. Heath Slater
The Prophecy must be fulfilled. Two parts of 3MB (3 Man Band) have officially been WWE Champion. That just leaves Heath Slater to complete the trifecta, and he can do it at WrestleMania 37.
For this to work, I’d expect the title to end up back on SmackDown, with McIntyre holding it all the way into next year’s WrestleMania. If Mahal works his way back into the hunt, and Slater gets a well-timed opportunity, the pieces are here for an amazing moment where Heath Slater leaves WrestleMania as WWE Champion.
“The Fiend” Bray Wyatt vs. Aleister Black
While this could be a cinematic experience ala Firefly Fun House, we could also see a regular match here between Aleister Black and “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt. Aleister scored a strong win over AJ Styles at Elimination Chamber and followed it with a WrestleMania victory over Bobby Lashley.
If WWE is truly committed to making Aleister Black a top-tier singles competitor, going up against “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt on The Grandest Stage of Them All is a hell of a way to do it. On top of that, these two could truly create something special in both story and in-ring product.
Raw Women’s Championship Match: Bianca Belair (c) vs. Ember Moon
Bianca Belair opened the door for a jump to WWE Raw by attacking Zelina Vega at WrestleMania 36. If she were to fight her way to Becky Lynch and dethrone “The Man,” Belair would instantly be solidified as a main event star.
Meanwhile, Ember Moon has been nursing an ankle injury and seen some time on WWE Backstage. Once she’s fully healed, a return that leads to a victory in the 2021 Women’s Royal Rumble could set the stage for this epic clash between NXT alumni at WrestleMania 37.
Universal Championship Match: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Kofi Kingston
Meanwhile on Raw, where the Universal Championship would end up if the WWE Championship got moved to SmackDown, we can expect Roman Reigns to walk into WrestleMania 37 with the gold. As for his challenger, Kofi Kingston would end up getting moved along with The New Day.
This would be a rare instance of two very different fan favorites fighting over a world championship at WrestleMania, but they could surely deliver on. Roman Reigns won’t back down from any challenge, and Kofi Kingston can scratch his way to an altogether different world championship opportunity at WrestleMania.
SmackDown Women’s Championship Match: Sasha Banks (c) vs. Bayley vs. Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair
The Four Horsewomen were very clearly at the top of their respective division when WrestleMania 37 came to a close, and thus it’s finally time to do the rematch we’ve all been clamoring for since NXT TakeOver: Rival. Sasha Banks should be targeting Bayley by SummerSlam, and I expect her to leave Boston as the SmackDown Women’s Champion.
Meanwhile, Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair could both be dethroned between now and WrestleMania 37, leaving them each looking for an opportunity. However the pieces are maneuvered, this main event story writes itself and would easily be one of the greatest women’s matches in WrestleMania history.