WWE: 5 cinematic matches that should become reality
By Bryan Heaton
Arguably two of the biggest highlights from the two-day WrestleMania 36 were the Boneyard Match and the Firefly Fun House Match. With the generally positive fan reception, what other cinematic matches could WWE produce in the future?
Heading into WrestleMania, odds are that very few people thought WWE would hit a home run. Between the global pandemic, venue changes, lack of a crowd, and talent unable or unwilling to compete, the company was facing an uphill battle. But at the end of the day, there were plenty of positives coming out of the show — perhaps none bigger than the “cinematic matches” that took place in a unique setting.
On the first night of WrestleMania, the main event featured AJ Styles facing the Undertaker in a Boneyard Match. Filmed over several hours on a closed set, the bout saw the return of Biker Taker, eerie lighting and sounds, and supernatural tricks from the Deadman en route to victory. Many praised the segment for its creativity and how it could potentially breathe new life in the Undertaker’s career.
Night two brought the Firefly Fun House Match between Bray Wyatt and John Cena. In the end, it was less of a traditional match and more a mental trial for Cena, who was forced to endure twisted versions of major milestones of his career before The Fiend incapacitated him with the Mandible Claw — then made him vanish. This was more polarizing than the Boneyard Match, but still one of the highlights of WrestleMania.
But where can this concept go from here? WWE — and professional wrestling as a whole — are no strangers to off-site matches. WrestleMania XII featured a Hollywood Backlot Brawl between Goldust and Roddy Piper, complete with the timely OJ Simpson in a white Bronco reference. And who can forget Matt Hardy’s BROKEN Universe?
The potential is there for future cinematic matches to allow for a truly creative blowoff to a major feud, or give a superstar a signature venue to torment an opponent. But who could those superstars be? Here are five potential cinematic matches WWE could produce to great acclaim.