The Build to WrestleMania 41 Was Disappointing, But These 8 Matches Will Save the Show
Some have called the build-up to WrestleMania 41 one of the worst in WWE history, and it's hard to disagree. At the end of the day, WrestleMania will always be WrestleMania, and it's hard to lose excitement for the Super Bowl of Sports Entertainment. However, one too many storylines for WrestleMania 41 have lacked intrigue, while others waited too long to become intriguing.
Meanwhile, other storylines have showcased WWE at its storytelling worst, as some rivalries are missing big pieces to their puzzles. Others, though, are just lacking in sense in favor of being contrived. There has been a lot wrong with Maniaseason this year, but thankfully, in all cases, the bell still needs to sound off. No matter if a storyline is good or bad, there still needs to be actual pro wrestling at the end of the day. Not only are WWE Superstars some of the world's best wrestlers, but the mecca of wrestling that is WrestleMania brings the best out of everyone in the ring. Here are 8 matches that will hopefully make WrestleMania 41 worth remembering.
8 Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Charlotte Flair
WWE Women's Championship Match
Charlotte Flair vs. Tiffany Stratton is a prime example of a wrestling match that may exceed expectations based on the actual storyline. Before their Attitude Era-esque shoot promo segment gave their feud the shot in the arm that it needed, the storyline at the center of this rivalry has been widely considered underwhelming. With that said, readers can't forget that the exact same thing was said about Rhea Ripley vs. Charlotte Flair heading into WrestleMania 39. There was little to no fanfare surrounding their match as a result, but when the bell rang, it produced what many considered to be the best match of Maniaweekend.
Rhea Ripley vs. Charlotte Flair effectively exceeded expectations, almost as if the doubt cast on them by fans uninterested in their onscreen booking motivated them to a great match. Tiffany Stratton vs. Charlotte Flair has a strong possibility of doing the same, especially after their shoot promo. That promo has led many fans on social media to predict that the harsh taunts at each other could come back to haunt either competitor if either is looking to deliver a receipt at their opponent. Receipt or no receipt, Flair vs. Stratton could surprise a lot of viewers.
A receipt in wrestling terminology refers to someone getting proverbial payback on their opponent in the ring during a match in shoot fashion. This is usually the case when one of the performers accidentally connects with a strike during the match or hits them harder than intended.
7 Damian Priest vs. Drew McIntyre
Sin City Street Fight Match
There is a term in wrestling that's best referred to as a hoss fight. A hoss fight references two heavyweight or super-heavyweight competitors who don't necessarily have a technical wrestling masterclass as much as they just violently wail at each other, throwing every ounce of their weight into every punch. One recent example was Oba Femi vs. Moose when TNA's biggest star invaded WWE NXT. Such a hoss fight captures the magnitude, spectacle, and sheer excitement as watching Godzilla vs. King Kong, and Drew McIntyre vs. Damian Priest is every bit of that magnitude, especially considering the Street Fight stipulation of the match.
Audiences have gotten a taste of what to expect through the two former World Heavyweight Champions' numerous brawls on Friday Night SmackDown in the build to Mania, not to mention their collisions at recent Premium Live Events. These two look as if they are running at each other with the velocity of a locomotive and the impact of a cannonball. In short, these men are beating the unholy tar out of each other, and that's all just in the build to Mania. Assume it'll intensify once they are inside a ring in Las Vegas in front of thousands in attendance.
6 Rey Mysterio vs. El Grande Americano
Singles Match
It's unfortunate to think that Chad Gable will be missing out on being on this year's WrestleMania 41 card after the year he has had, but representing him is a more than suitable replacement in the form of the legendary El Grande Americano. Beyond his impressive pedigree as a lucha libre star from the Gulf of America, El Grande Americano's smooth in-ring acumen is reminiscent of Chad Gable. They move so similarly that one would make the mistake of thinking Gable was the man under the mask. Funny that.
In all seriousness, his match against Rey Mysterio was a late addition to the WrestleMania card with less than two weeks to go, but it has the potential to steal the show for the entire weekend. These are both of the most skilled in-ring competitors that either Raw or SmackDown has to offer, with the Master of the 619 still somehow managing to move like he did 30 years ago in WCW. Even the story has been entertaining going into the Show of Shows. This match has all the ingredients to be a match that audiences walk away from calling an instant classic.
5 Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins vs. CM Punk
The Main Event of WWE WrestleMania Night One
The storyline for this Triple Threat Match has arguably afforded WWE its hottest feud heading into WrestleMania. The story elements of the match are enough to be invested in what happens, as the winner will decide the trajectory for what happens post-Mania. Namely, there are a lot of questions surrounding who Paul Heyman aligns with on the Grandest Stage of Them All. Yes, per his favor, he will accompany CM Punk to the ring, but there's no telling if that's enough to warrant Punk a win. There are questions regarding the future of The Wiseman and The Tribal Chief, as well as the validity of Seth Rollins' favor request.
Enough has been said about the story ramifications of the match, but not enough has been said regarding the actual in-ring work that can be expected. These aren't just three of WWE's best wrestlers, but WWE's best showmen. This trio of talent understands how to milk every second of a match to turn it into a Mania moment worth remembering. The actual maneuvers and feats performed will surely earn them the main event spot, but it'll be just as worthwhile to see how all three men have the crowd eating out of the palm of their hands.
4 Bron Breakker (c) vs. Penta vs. Dominik Mysterio vs. Finn Bálor
WWE Intercontinental Championship Fatal Four Way Match
No matter how a storyline transpires, a multi-man match typically amounts to a fun match. The unpredictable chaos of a match like this never ceases to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Truly, anything can happen and anyone is capable of winning, especially in a match with four other men. Not to bring Steiner Math into the equation, each man has a 25% chance of winning, and the math certainly adds up for these four men. Bron Breakker, molded as WWE's next big thing, could have his first big Mania moment, but the same can be said for Penta.
WWE WrestleMania 41 Predictions: Here Is How Every Match Should End
WrestleMania 41 is almost here, and here are our predictions on the announced card and who will win each match.
Meanwhile, "Dirty" Dom and the de facto leader of Judgment Day (in his mind at least) could struggle to co-exist before an inevitable collision. This is quite literally anyone's ball game, and there's a lot of fun to be had in that kind of surprise factor.
3 Jade Cargill vs. Naomi
Singles Match
The storyline for this match dates back to weeks before last year's Survivor Series event and has continued to grip audiences almost six months after the fact. The mystery surrounding Cargill's parking lot attack has paid off by making Cargill's run more interesting while giving Naomi a fresh start through a heel turn. The story has been highly praised by many, particularly those impressed by the acting on display from all parties involved, but it can't be overlooked just how great their actual wrestling match could be. Jade Cargill and Naomi are both two of the most athletic members of the WWE roster.
Some will argue against Jade Cargill for her inexperience in the ring, as she's been wrestling for just over four years at this point, but Naomi is a bona fide veteran of her sport. Her TNA run proved that she's capable of having a great match with anyone from any company and in any style. She'll likely find a way to get a great match out of Naomi, too. Expect strong shades of athleticism throughout the match, but given the bad blood between their characters, don't be surprised if that athleticism quickly descends into a full-fledged brawl before the final bell rings.
2 Iyo Sky (c) vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Bianca Belair
WWE Women's World Championship Triple Threat Match
It's ironic to think that one of the most heavily criticized storylines heading into WrestleMania 41 could also make for one of the better matches of the weekend. Going back to an earlier point, a storyline can be bad every single week until the Show of Shows, but nothing matters more than what happens in the ring. These are three of the best women's wrestlers in all of WWE. Ripley and Sky's one-on-one bout from earlier this year was one of the best of the year, so adding the EST of WWE into the equation should only amplify the match quality.
Speaking of, there is also the caveat that Bianca Belair boasts the best winning record at WrestleMania on the current WWE roster. That includes the men's and women's divisions. She is currently 4-0 and could extend her record to 5-0. The drama surrounding if her Streak continues carries its own weight to add to the match. Considering that her Streak could be ended without even being pinned, per Triple Threat rules, makes the story all the more exciting. This could be a nail-biter for a lot of fans curious to see if Belair ends the night 5-0 or 4-1.
1 Cody Rhodes (c) vs. John Cena
WWE Championship Match
John Cena's heel turn adds several layers to the match beyond any story elements. This will mark the first wrestling match that Cena will be wrestling since he aligned himself with The Rock at Elimination Chamber. Audiences have seen Cena play the de facto heel in front of crowds that hated him, like at ECW One Night Stand 2006 and Money in the Bank 2011, but he didn't work as a heel so much as he played the bad guy by default. No one has seen Cena actually be the bad guy for a match.
5 Moments When WWE Foreshadowed Cena's Heel Turn (That You Probably Missed)
While John Cena joining The Rock and turning heel on Cody Rhodes was shocking, WWE had been dropping hints for quite some time.
To see how Cena commits to being a bad guy for the entire match will make for an interesting story. Speaking of, the story of Cody Rhodes trying to save wrestling from John Cena, who is determined to ruin it, is a fascinating one to see unfold in real time, and it should be especially interesting to see that story play in match form. Then there are elements that haven't even been considered, like what role The Rock plays at ringside. It may not be an in-ring masterpiece, but it might be the most important match that WWE puts on for WrestleMania 41 weekend.
