Which match do you think will "steal the show" at Wrestlemania 31?

[Sexcellence of Sexecution]

The thread title says it all people. We are a week away from the biggest wrestling show of the year (although it does not fucking feel like it), and so in an attempt to get excited about the show I decided to make this thread to talk which match is going to be the best.

I expect to see a lot of love for the IC Title Ladder Match, and that's probably the obvious choice. A top guy in there with some midcard and upper midcard guys who all likely have a chip on their shoulder and want to show the office something. I think it's going to be a fun match with some cool spots, but at the end of the day this is basically Money In The Bank and looking back through the years MITB never really was the bestmatch at WrestleMania, just a nice addition to the card. So I predict the same for this, it'll get about 15 minutes, just enough time for each guy to get a big spot in before the finish. It probably won't be much in terms of psychology or storytelling because multi-man ladder matches never are.

Of the three part-timer matches, I think HHH/Sting has the best chance at stealing the show. This is Sting's first match ever in a WWE ring and the atmosphere at WrestleMania is going to be pretty crazy for it. He's in there with Triple H who knows what he's doing so it should be pretty good. The potential problem here is that it may drag out too long, because Triple H thinks that he's Ric Flair.

For my pick I'm going with Orton vs. Rollins. It doesn't have quite as much star power but it's two of the three best in-ring performers the WWE has to offer (Cena will also deliver a strong outing with Rusev I think). I expect to see some fast-paced action and high spots, but with more logic behind it and a more realistic pace. In 15-20 minutes these guys can tell a solid story and I'm looking forward to seeing it.

But what do you guys think?

Fuck, I should have made this a poll.

 

[Dagger Dias]

Well, let's take a look at each match then.



Brock Lesnar VS Roman Reigns (World Heavyweight Championship)



No. There's NO way this will steal the show. Sad how the match that is (kayfabe) the most important one is the one I am currently the least interested in.


Sting VS Triple H
Possibly. We are talking about the actual match itself here though. Not the novelty of this being Sting's first Wrestlemania.


Andre Battle Royal
Nope. This will be cool, but it's just a way to get "everyone else" onto the card who isn't already scheduled to have a match.


Bray Wyatt VS Undertaker
It all depends on how much Undertaker will be capable of. Looking back on last year's match, I doubt that this one can steal the show in terms of the in-ring action. Bray's promos can only do so much before the real match begins, especially when The Streak is gone.


John Cena VS Rusev (United States Championship)
This one very well could. Their match at Fast Lane exceeded expectations and is the 2nd most likely show-stealer for me.


AJ & Paige VS The Bellas
This isn't NXT. The divas never steal the show on the main roster. Plus, this match has The Bellas in it. It's a contender for the least possible match to be a show-stealer, and that's not Paige or AJ's fault, those two could have put on a divas match worthy of the Wrestlemania stage.


Randy Orton VS Seth Rollins
Not sure on this one. It could either end up being really good, or ultimately not live up to the quality that these two are both capable of. It comes in 3rd place for me as the most likely to steal the show behind Cena VS Rusev and my pick for the most likely match to steal the show.


Which leaves me with my pick for the most likely show-stealer....


The Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match
This thing has the potential to be brilliant. Look at the entrants. You have amazing talent in here such as Daniel Bryan, Dolph Ziggler, and Dean Ambrose. Everyone in the match with the exception of R-Truth is above average in their in-ring ability. 7 wrestlers, 6 of which are either good or very good, in a match where Ladders are in use. This will be just like when Wrestlemania used to have Money In The Bank Ladder matches, only it's for a midcard belt that has desperately needed the level of attention it is currently getting.

The Intercontinental Championship Ladder match will steal the show.

 

[FlairFan2003]

Sting vs HHH - It will be incredibly emotional and Sting may well get the biggest ovation of the night (if the return of The Undertaker doesn't) - Sting has held up remarkably well and like Flair in his 50s can still perform well even if he cant carry someone less skilled. That wont be a problem with HHH who is Mania-Machine for churning out classic matches. HHH will do everything possible to make this match as entertaining as possible, it's my bet to steal the show.

I expect the IC Title Ladder Match to be a mishmash of stupid highspots with little drama and no storytelling, like most multi party ladder matches. The actual match wont be worth much but there will be a few "Holy &^%$" moments.

Cena will carry Rusev to his best match before winning. Rusev will get a strong showing in his first loss but I haven't seen enough out of him to think he can be a "show stealer".

Reigns-Lesnar will be fundamentally solid and predictable, and if there is any hint that Reigns is lacking in the ring skills dept this match will be booked as simple as possible, like Hogan-Warrior (dealing with Warrior's obvious limitations and worries about how much Hogan could do to carry him) or Flair-Von Erich (when concerns over Von Erich's drug & alcohol use lead to a simplified, easier to follow match lay out than some of their previous high profile matches). That doesn't mean it wont be good or entertaining (in fact both of those reference matches were in fact very entertaining, if predictable) but it wont be "show stealing".

 

[Navi]

Well let's see here, from the top.

Brock Lesnar VS Roman Reigns

Build has been nothing sort of well, horrible. No one seems to care about Reigns at all, just the fact that this might be Lesnar's last match in the WWE. also what a waste of the streak only to use it on an untested wrestler. I don't have high hopes for this, unless we see a Rollins cash in at the end.

Sting VS Triple H

For pure nostalgic purposes only, this is a must see. HHH is a fantastic in ring general, and will get a great match out of Sting. Sting as already proven he can go, so I'm expected this to be good, but not the level of some of the other matches.

Andre Battle Royal

Let's face it, this is just a way to get everyone else involved and on TV. Hopefully it won't last that long. The question is what will they do with the winner? I would like to see this as some sort of step up to either the US or IC title belts.

Bray Wyatt VS Undertaker

Depending on Taker's condition will determine how this match goes. Not expecting Wyatt to win. I'm more interested in seeing how Taker looks than anything else to tell you the truth. Now that the streak is gone, Taker being there really isn't a big deal anymore.

John Cena VS Rusev (United States Championship)

This match might have the ability to surprise me, but like I've said before, I'm not interested in this one either, so won't steal the show for me. Will be watching from the other room while it's on.

AJ & Paige VS The Bellas

Diva's matches never steal the show, they are coffee and smoke breaks for me. This one is shaping up to be more of the same.

Randy Orton VS Seth Rollins

Two great wrestlers will put on a clinic, but we've seen them before, and to me this is a replay of RAW only on a grander scale. Will be a fantastic match, something the card really needs, and will get the crowd going.

The Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match

This is the match of the night. With all that talent in the ring, if they can't bring down the house then the WWE is screwed. Ambrose, Ziggler and Bryan will be throwing themselves at each other and everyone else. I expect to see some pretty awesome moves and think that either Bryan or Ambrose will walk out with the title.

 

[OYDK]

I think there are more than a few matches on the card that have the ability to steal the show this year, but I'll just go with my top 3.

IC Ladder Match: I see this match being either one of the best multi-man ladder matches of all time, or a clusterfuck of spots. If these guys get 25+ minutes I think they can do something spectacular, but they need at least that. Give them anywhere less than 15, and I have a feeling it will just be a rushed, unsatisfying spot fest. The multi-man ladder matches over the years have relatively been decent-good, but I can't remember the last really classic MITB match... maybe these guys can do something special.

Sting V HHH: Two of the best showmans in wrestling history, I don't think there us anyway this match ends up as a dud. Obsess over Sting's age all you want,I have no doubt he's going to show up at Mania and surprise the folks that have never seen him wrestle. HHH is always solid. I think this match will take the fans on an emotional rollercoaster.

Orton V Rollins: My personal pick. Both guys have so much momentum and are so over at this point, that the fans are going to eat up anything they do. All Orton and Rollins need to do is put on a good match, and the fans will make it great. I really have no doubt that this match will be one of the top 3 on the card.

 

[Mad Scientist]

I think most are expecting the ladder match to steal the show but I think it will end up being suffocated by time constraints. For one, the high profile singles matches include guys who we rarely get to see and their whole draw is based on the fact that we see them in their full glory at Mania so WWE won't be taking any time from them. Secondly, it seems like they've got a boatload of elaborate entrances planned (which I'm stoked for) so that means we are bound to get a fair few backstage segments/highlights from Mania week whilst they set all that up. Thirdly, given the public nature of the divas unrest at their creative direction there's no way they get cut this year. If anything, I'd expect the divas to get their longest Mania match in a while. So my prediction is that the battle royal is going to consist of a couple of guys clearing house from the off and that the ladder match is going to be a quick sequence of entertaining spots and as such the match quality will suffer.

For my pick I'm going with Orton/Rollins. It's got a good build, two great performers who will be able to work within the time restrictions and it's actually pretty hard to predict which way it will go. So long as they avoid making it a cluster with Authority interference I think they could put on a good show. I also think Taker/Wyatt will surprise a few people.

 

[Dave]

Good thread.

For me, it's between two or three. However, I honestly think that the match card is coming together quite nicely now. And whilst I might not be entirely fond of how the WWE have built some of the matches, I can definitely see the potential of the card. You have some pretty awesome matches that are going to deliver, as well as having a few matches that could really surprise us and deliver better than we thought.

Of the matches that will be a guaranteed success, you have to look at Triple H versus Sting as the match that will steal the show. You have to think that the WWE is going to give this match a lot of time; 40 minutes likely. With that in mind, this match should be one of the most back and forth matches that Mania has seen. I honestly think that Sting will come out on top but Triple H will be intense from the start and this match is going to be a war. If Taker is to face Sting next year, they have to deliver Sting as a credible top class wrestler. There is potential here for a five star match and I think they'll do it.

Secondly, Rollins and Orton are perfectly capable of stealing the show as well. It will be interesting to see who will come out of this match as the winner first and foremost. And secondly, it will be interesting to see how much chemistry these guys have in the ring. Rollins has a tonne of potential and Orton is a tried and tested performer. Give this match enough time and the WWE won't be sorry. Two talented guys with a point to prove, I'm excited to see where they go with it. It's the most up in the air match in terms of a winner. I fully expect the WWE to take advantage of that and give us a match worth remembering.

 

[Mustang Sally]

Okay, I'm going to take the unpopular route and pick Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns. Remember, the category is to name the match that "steals the show" which to me means the contest that stands out above the others chiefly because it wasn't expected to. Well, since no one is looking for anything great out of this one, it could be tailor made for a "theft."

I think Brock-Roman will be better than anyone expects because this is the kind of match that suits Roman more than any other he's had. Brock is a straight-ahead power wrestler who likes to mix it up and play rough. Reigns will sooner be able to deal with that than the maneuverings of Daniel Bryan or the shifty, distraction-oriented tactics of Seth Rollins. I think Reigns looks better against monster-types like Kane who meet him head-on, as Lesnar will surely do.

Again, I believe this will be a better match than anyone thought possible....a rough and tumble affair in which these guys are going to beat the hell out of each other, completely exhausting themselves and giving the contest an ebb & flow that keeps the fans guessing as to who will come out on top.

For that to occur, I hope there's no interference during the match. Yes, after one of them wins, Seth Rollins may show up with the damn briefcase, but what happens after the match won't affect what happens during.

These guys are well-suited to fight each other. Wait & see.

A show-stealer.

 

[Stone Cold Tea]

I agree with Sally here. This 2 are all out brawling war machines, not wrestling technicians. So they complement eachother perfectly. I'm expecting an all out brawl between these 2 guys. Throw in a ref bump so we get some weapons introduced, an announce tablespot and some near falls I truly believe this match will shock everyone

 

[That N Word]

I honestly don't think there will be a bad match at WrestleMania. I know i'm in the minority but I just don't. I think the diva's match will be the worst one,but I don't think it will be a bad match. I'm also in the vocal minority by saying that Lesnar vs. Reigns may just steal the show. However, that is IF WWE adds some sort of stipulation involving no countouts. People really underates Reigns worse than he really is so much it is just sad at this point. People want a reason to hate the guy, but I can't because he is trying and is gradually improving day-by-day. Right now his problem is he is not were needs to be yet. Do I think he will get there by WrestleMania??? No!, But do I think he will get there before WrestleMania 32 or even SummerSlam Yes, and if he doesn't I will actually be shocked. I can see so many spots happening here such as a F-5 through announce table, Roman doing some high flying moves such as (a dive or somersault plancha), Reigns doing his rolling pumphandle suplex move on Lesnar, F-5 countered with DDT, rolling german suplex with 5 instead of 3, Lesnar going top rope and receiving a spear as a counter,superman punch reversed into a F-5, superman punch over barricade,a brawl in the crowd, a spear to back to the ringside area though the backside of the barricade. Roman elbow dropping Lesnar through the announce table, Apron dropkick reversed into a ankle lock. They also would need to keep it going at a fast pace. I also think the ladder match will be a close-second. I didn't pick it as first place due to how many superstars in there. I think Orton vs. Rollins will be third best match, follwed by Cena/Rusev, Sting/HHH,Taker Wyatt....etc.

 

[hatehabsforever]

I think the match that will steal the show for me personally will be Bray Wyatt versus the Undertaker. Because I think we will finally get to see with our own eyes that reports of Taker's physical deterioration have been grossly over exaggerated, likely by design. I think that the Undertaker is going to be looking far better than what the critics on here have been saying, and I think his performance will be a pleasant surprise to many as well. People will get to see that he is not yet a decrepit old senior citizen being wheeled to an old age home in a wheelchair. Sure he's getting up there in age and won't be the Undertaker of a decade ago. But I think he is going to look great and is going to perform just fine as well. And he is going to give Bray Wyatt a tutorial on just how the dark, eerie, mysterious enigma is done. I think he is going to knock the shit out of Wyatt, and I for one am going to love it. And it should set up for a nice little dream match next year with the deadman and some other Iconic figure of mystery.

 

[Mad Scientist]

I think the match that will steal the show for me personally will be Bray Wyatt versus the Undertaker. Because I think we will finally get to see with our own eyes that reports of Taker's physical deterioration have been grossly over exaggerated, likely by design. I think that the Undertaker is going to be looking far better than what the critics on here have been saying, and I think his performance will be a pleasant surprise to many as well. People will get to see that he is not yet a decrepit old senior citizen being wheeled to an old age home in a wheelchair. Sure he's getting up there in age and won't be the Undertaker of a decade ago. But I think he is going to look great and is going to perform just fine as well. And he is going to give Bray Wyatt a tutorial on just how the dark, eerie, mysterious enigma is done. I think he is going to knock the shit out of Wyatt, and I for one am going to love it. And it should set up for a nice little dream match next year with the deadman and some other Iconic figure of mystery.

This. Undertaker has been in really bad health before every Mania since his match with Edge at WM24. A concussion is a serious deal but a month of rest normally has you healed up and ready to go again. I feel like the reports of Takers demise have been exaggerated beyond belief this year!

 

[MCMG]

There are a few potential show stealer's. The IC ladder match is the obvious one. There are seven talented guys plus ladders. It will be carnage, it will be exciting but to top what we have already seen will be very difficult. Mind you, Ambrose, Bryan, Ziggler, Harper, BNB and Startdust is some cast.

Triple H v Sting and Taker v Wyatt are difficult to predict. Taker and Sting are getting older and it's truly wait and see. The fact that Sting is stepping into a WWE ring and is paired with one of the best means the match will be epic.

Orton v Rollins has immense potential. It could be a truly magical match after a wonderful feud. Orton at his best belongs to an elite group and Rollins is performing at an exceptional level. I have huge expectations.

Reigns v Brock, in my opinion, could steal the show. Many expect this to be awful but the ingredients are all there. Both are superb athletes. Both have a great pain-threshold. It will hopefully be physical and intense. It may be something we have never really seen at Wrestlemania and hopefully a realistic match between the two happens. If so, this match could easily steal the show.

I'd say Orton/Rollins will steal the show. Those two are just far too talented for it not too. I'm optimistic about Brock/Reigns but it is difficult to say it will be better than Orton/Rollins.

 

[CrucifiedRaven]

I picked the IC Ladder Match, because if it gets the right amount of time, it will absolutely steal the show. However, I'm surprised with the lack of votes for Orton/Rollins, since that would be my second vote. I think these guys are going to put on a fantastic match at WM31. Both guys are excellent in the ring, and they have a good story heading into the match as well. Don't be surprised if they do in fact steal the show.

Bray Wyatt is kind of sluggish and boring in the ring. And Undertaker is old. I don't expect much from that match.

Reigns/Lesnar I expect to only be a 15 min match otherwise it could expose Reigns.

HHH/Sting I have no idea what to expect. But a five star classic is definitely not it.

 

[Sexcellence of Sexecution]

I don't see how reports of the Undertaker's condition could be exaggerated by design. We saw it with our own eyes at Mania 30 (and a little bit at 29). He looked like shit. The crowd will probably be into it because it's the Undertaker, but it's just not going to feel anywhere near as special without the Streak. The Streak was such an important part of the big fight atmosphere for Undertaker's WrestleMania matches and it's gone. Plus, I can 100% guarantee that they're gonna do a silly spot where Taker is down and Bray does the stupid upside down crab walk thing, then Taker does his sit up and stares him down. And when that happens I'm going to fucking roll my eyes.

Also seeing people with signs that say 21-2 and 22-1 is going to be humorous.

 

[CharlesKane]

For me, it is the less common choice. I considered the ladder match but expectations are too high for it to live up to. I doubt it will match Ziggler vs Harper as a match. Yes it will be a bigger spot fest but everything about Zig Harper was on point as a complete match.

So I'm going Cena vs Rusev. These guys put on a heck of a match at Fast Lane, easily Rusev's best yet, but I think these two guys still have that little bit extra hidden away for Mania.

 

[Navi]

I think the match that will steal the show for me personally will be Bray Wyatt versus the Undertaker. Because I think we will finally get to see with our own eyes that reports of Taker's physical deterioration have been grossly over exaggerated, likely by design. I think that the Undertaker is going to be looking far better than what the critics on here have been saying, and I think his performance will be a pleasant surprise to many as well. People will get to see that he is not yet a decrepit old senior citizen being wheeled to an old age home in a wheelchair. Sure he's getting up there in age and won't be the Undertaker of a decade ago. But I think he is going to look great and is going to perform just fine as well. And he is going to give Bray Wyatt a tutorial on just how the dark, eerie, mysterious enigma is done. I think he is going to knock the shit out of Wyatt, and I for one am going to love it. And it should set up for a nice little dream match next year with the deadman and some other Iconic figure of mystery.

I have to agree with this wholeheartedly. After last year Taker wouldn't show up unless he's in fighting shape. And that's what I'm waiting to see. It's not a secret I'm not a fan of the Wyatt character, so watching Wyatt get knocked to hell and back will be great.

 

[Kodo Sawaki]

Intercontinental Championship is logical choice but I agree with Sally its gona be Lesnar/Reigns. People are not gona be invested that much and wont be expecting great match but with enormous amount of time they will get and good brawl it could be pretty suprise.

 

[stonecoldstunner]

Ladder match considering the 3 best entertainers are in it with Zig, Ambrose, and the jobber D. Bryan