Ok, it is just over 12 months away and while I think Mania 33 is shaping up to be a good card I am already thinking about Mania 34!!!
Some of you will hate that the main events are dominated by 'part timers' but I think it is nice to see different superstars for the Grandaddy of them all. It has to feel special and not like a Raw or Smackdown B PPV.
Here is my card - rate it please.
MAIN EVENT - The Rock vs Brock Lesnar
This nearly happened at Mania 30, but the Rocks injury at Mania 29 shelved it. I don't care that neither of these are not full time. Rock vs Brock is $$$ and IS the biggest match WWE could do right now. Both are huge names and both have mainstream appeal throughout the acting and sporting worlds. Time is running out and this needs to happen sooner rather than later.
RETIREMENT MATCH - Kurt Angle vs The Undertaker
There is huge respect between these two and both are reaching the end of their careers. Despite being inducted into the HOF I think Angle will have that one last run. I think it would be fitting that both of these put their careers on the line and one of them goes out on their back. I think Taker has a few more years left yet...
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP - Roman Reigns (c) vs John Cena
Not on the same show but that can change and Reigns could easily be moved to Smackdown later this year. What a way for WWE to troll the fans though. Goldenboy Reigns as Champion vs Posterboy Cena going for number 17. The IWC would com-bust!!! One will probably turn heel though.
WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP - AJ Styles (c) vs Finn Balor
A 5 star match in the making right here and both of these have some history back in Japan. Making it for the Universal Belt would make it a bit more meaningful. Styles would need to move to Raw.
8 MAN TAG MATCH - Triple H, Randy Orton, Sheamus & Samoa Joe vs Shane McMahon, Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose & Dolph Ziggler.
Maybe if Rollins misses out this year they could continue this feud even further. They could have Rollins leave Raw and join Smackdown and have this match as some brand supremacy or the losers join the other show etc. There could be a stipulation to make it more meaningful but Triple H vs Shane writes itself. Throw in Orton and Rollins and you have a decent backstory.
RAW WOMENS CHAMPIONSHIP - Charlotte Flair (c) vs Ronda Rousey
Charlotte is now 16-0 on PPV's. I think it would be brilliant to take that into the mid 20s and have 'the worlds most dangerous woman' come into WWE to try and knock her off her perch. They could even set that up at this Mania and give Rousey a year to train with a few sporadic appearences up until.
UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP- Braun Strowman (c) vs Baron Corbin
Strowman could win the US Championship shortly after Mania 33. He could completely dominate all comers on the Raw roster and hold for nearly a year before Baron Corbin is drafted from Smackdown and is the man to finally take him down.
INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP - Bray Wyatt (c) vs Kevin Owens
I love both of these on the mic and think it would work better keeping both as heels for this match. Both are very athletic big men and I think they could have a really entertaining programme and match! Owens would need to move to Smackdown.
CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP - Neville (c) vs Rich Swann vs TJ Perkins vs Jack Gallagher
These are my four personal favourites, all four are great workers and put that title at the top of a ladder and you will have a great match!!! This would be a great show opener.
RAW TAG CHAMPIONSHIP - Gallows & Anderson (c) vs Rusev & Cesaro
I love the thought of Rusev and Cesaro as a tag team. Maybe it is because they are both European. However, they do not necessarily have to be heels, I think they would work as faces! It would probably work similar to how Sheamus & Cesaro have recently worked. Rusev is actually very funny on the mic.
SMACKDOWN TAG CHAMPIONSHIP - American Alpha (c) vs The Authors of Pain
American Alpha will be around the tag scene for at least another year. The Authors of Pain are current NXT Champions so they will get a call up in 2018.
Pre Show
ANDRE THE GIANT MEMORIAL BATTLE ROYAL - Sawyer Fulton
I don't know much about this guy but I have heard WWE has big plans for him. The guy is a monster (Strowman size) so what better way to make a splash than here.
__________________________
WWE DRAFT
Raw gains - AJ Styles, Randy Orton, Baron Corbin
Smackdown gains - Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens
Some of you will hate that the main events are dominated by 'part timers' but I think it is nice to see different superstars for the Grandaddy of them all. It has to feel special and not like a Raw or Smackdown B PPV.
Here is my card - rate it please.
MAIN EVENT - The Rock vs Brock Lesnar
This nearly happened at Mania 30, but the Rocks injury at Mania 29 shelved it. I don't care that neither of these are not full time. Rock vs Brock is $$$ and IS the biggest match WWE could do right now. Both are huge names and both have mainstream appeal throughout the acting and sporting worlds. Time is running out and this needs to happen sooner rather than later.
RETIREMENT MATCH - Kurt Angle vs The Undertaker
There is huge respect between these two and both are reaching the end of their careers. Despite being inducted into the HOF I think Angle will have that one last run. I think it would be fitting that both of these put their careers on the line and one of them goes out on their back. I think Taker has a few more years left yet...
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP - Roman Reigns (c) vs John Cena
Not on the same show but that can change and Reigns could easily be moved to Smackdown later this year. What a way for WWE to troll the fans though. Goldenboy Reigns as Champion vs Posterboy Cena going for number 17. The IWC would com-bust!!! One will probably turn heel though.
WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP - AJ Styles (c) vs Finn Balor
A 5 star match in the making right here and both of these have some history back in Japan. Making it for the Universal Belt would make it a bit more meaningful. Styles would need to move to Raw.
8 MAN TAG MATCH - Triple H, Randy Orton, Sheamus & Samoa Joe vs Shane McMahon, Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose & Dolph Ziggler.
Maybe if Rollins misses out this year they could continue this feud even further. They could have Rollins leave Raw and join Smackdown and have this match as some brand supremacy or the losers join the other show etc. There could be a stipulation to make it more meaningful but Triple H vs Shane writes itself. Throw in Orton and Rollins and you have a decent backstory.
RAW WOMENS CHAMPIONSHIP - Charlotte Flair (c) vs Ronda Rousey
Charlotte is now 16-0 on PPV's. I think it would be brilliant to take that into the mid 20s and have 'the worlds most dangerous woman' come into WWE to try and knock her off her perch. They could even set that up at this Mania and give Rousey a year to train with a few sporadic appearences up until.
UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP- Braun Strowman (c) vs Baron Corbin
Strowman could win the US Championship shortly after Mania 33. He could completely dominate all comers on the Raw roster and hold for nearly a year before Baron Corbin is drafted from Smackdown and is the man to finally take him down.
INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP - Bray Wyatt (c) vs Kevin Owens
I love both of these on the mic and think it would work better keeping both as heels for this match. Both are very athletic big men and I think they could have a really entertaining programme and match! Owens would need to move to Smackdown.
CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP - Neville (c) vs Rich Swann vs TJ Perkins vs Jack Gallagher
These are my four personal favourites, all four are great workers and put that title at the top of a ladder and you will have a great match!!! This would be a great show opener.
RAW TAG CHAMPIONSHIP - Gallows & Anderson (c) vs Rusev & Cesaro
I love the thought of Rusev and Cesaro as a tag team. Maybe it is because they are both European. However, they do not necessarily have to be heels, I think they would work as faces! It would probably work similar to how Sheamus & Cesaro have recently worked. Rusev is actually very funny on the mic.
SMACKDOWN TAG CHAMPIONSHIP - American Alpha (c) vs The Authors of Pain
American Alpha will be around the tag scene for at least another year. The Authors of Pain are current NXT Champions so they will get a call up in 2018.
Pre Show
ANDRE THE GIANT MEMORIAL BATTLE ROYAL - Sawyer Fulton
I don't know much about this guy but I have heard WWE has big plans for him. The guy is a monster (Strowman size) so what better way to make a splash than here.
__________________________
WWE DRAFT
Raw gains - AJ Styles, Randy Orton, Baron Corbin
Smackdown gains - Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens