wrestling / Columns

Analyzing The Mania: Who Will Main Event the Next 10 WrestleManias?

November 3, 2014 | Posted by Len Archibald

First off, I would like to thank all for the kind words as last week’s column was a personal one for me. Thank you for sharing your stories as it’s always a blast reading about the personal lives of wrestling fans and how pro wrestling has affected our existence.

As we are now on the road to WrestleMania 31 in Levi’s Stadium, one thing is perfectly clear: we are approaching a new era in WWE. As much as it may seem at times that there is no light at the end of the tunnel and we will be stuck with John Cena and Randy Orton until WrestleMania 56, the truth is that as performers age and new opportunities arise, other competitors step up. With the next decade of WrestleManias upon us, I have decided to take a look at the talent who will impact the event from the main events down to the undercard for the next ten years until WrestleMania 40. In order to analyze this, we need to compare the first 30 years of WrestleMania, how the company grew and which talent was cultivated and rose to the top.

THE PAST WILL BECOME THE FUTURE

The one constant that fans will notice as we march to WrestleMania 31 will be the guise of the new dominant champion. As the first WrestleMania approached, Hulk Hogan had already been crowned as the star the then WWF would build the promotion around. Hogan was a larger than life superhero come to life and needed help to fight off the villainous Roddy Piper and his henchmen that consisted of “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff and Cowboy Bob Orton. To hammer home the Rock n’ Wrestling Connection that was all the rage in the mid-1980’s, Hogan brought in A-Team star, Mr. T and enlisted the assistance of Superfly Jimmy Snuka. That’s a lot of bodies involved in the main event of the biggest wrestling show of the year. There was no title defense, but it was established that Hogan was the flagbearer and a dominant champion in the WWF’s new national spotlight.

The first ten WrestleManias were main evented (either sold as a marquee/World Title matchup or closed the event) by the following:

Hulk Hogan, Roddy Piper, Mr. T, Mr. Wonderful Paul Orndorff, King Kong Bundy, Andre the Giant, Ted DiBiase, Randy Savage, The Ultimate Warrior, Sgt. Slaughter, Ric Flair, Sid Justice, Yokozuna, Bret Hart and Lex Luger. WrestleMania X also saw the rise of Shawn Michaels, Razor Ramon and Owen Hart up the card. That is eighteen different names who were used in some capacity to help sell the event. Hogan was the consistent factor and served as the main event for the first nine of those. Hogan also saw the most title matches with six (one of them impromptu ) and won three. Randy Savage won two WWE Titles at WrestleMania, main evented three and was involved in five overall marquee matches. With those two dominating the early WWF main event scene, there was not much room for other talent to move up so we were treated to a “rotating” roster of main eventers. Some broke through like The Ultimate Warrior, while others quickly fizzled out like Sgt. Slaughter.

One thing was certain, though: by the time WrestleMania VIII rolled around, the WWF was beginning the transition away from Hogan as their marquee player. Billed as “what could be his final match”, Hogan went up against Sid Justice in the final match. Vince McMahon obviously pegged Sid, The Undertaker and Lex Luger (who made an appearance “via satellite” at the event) as the future of his promotion while Randy Savage and The Ultimate Warrior would serve as the franchise players who have enough drawing power to pass the torch when the time was right. That torch was never officially passed to the next generation who was waiting in the wings. In fact, the performers who would help usher in that new generation was on the undercard; Shawn Michaels opened against El Matador Tito Santana while Bret Hart recaptured the Intercontinental Title from Rowdy Roddy Piper.

By WrestleMania IX Hart was WWF Champion, defending against a relative but dominant newcomer in Yokozuna. Warrior was again gone from the WWF, while Savage was in the announcer’s booth. The Undertaker had taken up the mantle of the WWF’s resident Giant and secondary marquee performer based on his size and character. The WWF was in a youth/transition phase as Shawn Michaels, Tatanka, Crush, Razor Ramon and Lex Luger were all given opportunities to shine. Of course we all know how WrestleMania IX ended, as the status quo returned. Hulk Hogan who started the first decade as champion would nearly close it out as such as well and soured a lot of fans who were getting used to the transition. This would get corrected by WrestleMania X, and a new tradition of using the 10th – and every 10th edition of the show thereafter as a launching pad to a new slew of stars was born.

THE PRESENT ALWAYS BECOMES THE PAST

WrestleMania XI-XX saw the following performers main event or showcase in marquee matchups:

Lawrence Taylor, Bam Bam Bigelow, Diesel, Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, The Undertaker, Sycho Sid, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Kane, The Rock, Mick Foley, Triple H, Chris Jericho, The Big Show, Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Booker T, Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle, Goldberg, Randy Orton, Batista, Eddie Guererro and Chris Benoit. John Cena had made his first impact at WrestleMania XX as well, defeating The Big Show to a raucous ovation at Madison Square Garden. That is TWENTY-FIVE names who were used in some capacity to sell the next 10 WrestleManias. It is clearly obvious that this period saw WWE create multiple new stars.

Just as the first WrestleMania was sold on a celebrity entering the ring, the WrestleMania XI atmosphere was created to witness the spectacle that was NFL linebacker Lawrence Taylor stepping into the ring with Bam Bam Bigelow. Diesel was placed into the Hogan role of new dominant champion, but the landscape was changing. Bret Hart had main evented the prior two WrestleManias and gained a following based on his ring-work. On the other hand, Shawn Michaels – who was just as equally superior as Hart in the ring, was gaining a following based on his character.

The next ten WrestleManias – which saw transitions from The New Generation to Attitude to the end of the Monday Night War to the creation of the Brand Extension and Ruthless Aggression saw Shawn Michaels and Triple H build their credibility as each main evented four WrestleManias while being involved in five marquee matches overall. For both men, four of the five were title matches. The Rock closed out three WrestleManias in a row (all title match losses), but was overall involved in five marquee matchups as he finalized his rivalry with Austin and went face to face with Hulk Hogan. Steve Austin main evented three WrestleManias – all title matches that he won and was a marquee match in five (the match with Scott Hall at WrestleMania X-8 does not count as a “marquee” match as the event was sold on Rock vs. Hogan and Triple H challenging Chris Jericho for the Undisputed WWE Title.)

Bret Hart – at the height of his popularity was quickly phased out in lieu of the events in Montreal, while The Undertaker became the consistent performer of the next decade, appearing in 8 of the next 10 WrestleMania events. Fans were treated to perhaps the most creative output of WWE during this decade as the loss of the major players who built the first ten WrestleManias found a new home in WCW. This forced WWE to make new stars and make them on an even level. While Steve Austin and The Rock were the WWE’s bread and butter, it was easy to build WrestleMania main event-caliber talent around them such as Mick Foley, The Big Show, Kurt Angle and Chris Jericho.

A major shift into looking the future of WWE was not truly apparent until WrestleMania XIX, as WrestleMania X-8 was sold on status quo (Triple H vs. Chris Jericho) and superstar nostalgia (Rock vs. Hogan). WrestleMania XIX, though saw the coming out parties for Rey Mysterio, Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle and Booker T. Hogan made his second WrestleMania appearance and Shawn Michaels would make a return to start the historic second chapter in his career. We were also unaware that a young John Cena, who opened WrestleMania XIX with a pre-show rap performance would be on the horizon. The floodgates would open up as WrestleMania XX would see the immediate rise of Eddie Guererro and Chris Benoit, while Randy Orton, Batista and John Cena were clearly showcased as the future of WWE. A pattern was beginning to emerge as the 10th editions of WrestleMania served to showcase one main champion, but several different stars who could emerge as main event talent.

THE FUTURE IS ALWAYS PRESENT

WrestleMania 21 was the culmination of this, as John Cena and Batista would win WWE titles at the event while Randy Orton feuded with The Undertaker in his first major marquee match. Edge would also make a mark as a future major player as the first Money in the Bank briefcase holder. The decade that has brought us to this current point in time was consistent in one frame: Similar to Hogan in the first decade, John Cena would dominate the third, main eventing 9 of the next 10 WrestleManias. 8 of those nine matches would be title matches and it is safe to say that every single match, including this year’s with Bray Wyatt would be considered a marquee confrontation. Coming up with Cena in this decade to act as a WrestleMania player would be Batista, Randy Orton, JBL, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, Kurt Angle, Rey Mysterio, Edge, Mick Foley, Ric Flair, The Big Show, CM Punk, Chris Jericho, Sheamus, Daniel Bryan, Alberto Del Rio, Brock Lesnar and Jack Swagger. Similar to Hogan’s dominance from WrestleMania to WrestleMania X, there was not much room to add new main event stars as there were only 20 performers who was considered main event or marquee caliber talent during the decade. Take into account WWE had two world titles for the majority of this period.

Here is where numbers become murky, and where fan discontent with the product falls into the spotlight. Even though Hogan dominated the main event scene singularly during the first ten WrestleManias, he competed against eleven different performers (two tag matches) in the decade with one rematch against Andre the Giant as one world title existed. That’s a lot of “rub” to spread around. John Cena on the other hand competed against 8 different performers in 10 years, as he faced Triple H twice (22 & 24) and The Rock twice (28 & 29). Triple H, who had his WrestleManias spread out evenly in the prior decade would main event would compete in four more title matches and nine overall marquee matches. Three of those with John Cena, Randy Orton (24 & 25) and The Undertaker (27 & 28) would be rematches. The Undertaker would win every WrestleMania he competed at until just this year, but would compete in rematches with Shawn Michaels (25 & 26) and Triple H. Randy Orton would compete in four title matches the entire decade and would serve as a marquee player in seven matches (singles bouts with The Undertaker and CM Punk and the Money in the Bank ladder match, I’m hesitant to call the Legacy triple threat or his one on one bout with Kane “marquee” matches.) Batsita would compete in four title matches himself, but getting lost in the shuffle through injuries and weird undercard battles (“Brand Supremacy” vs. Umaga) and injuries put him in a position for only four “marquee” matches. Edge would compete in four straight title matches, but including the first Money in the Bank match and his WrestleMania 22 match against Mick Foley he competed in six overall marquee matches. CM Punk would compete as a champion on one occasion (WrestleMania 28), but would be in six marquee matches (2 MitB, vs. Rey Mysterio, vs. Randy Orton and vs. The Undertaker.) Chris Jericho competed in two title matches (26 & 28), two marquee matches (21 & 25) and a dud (vs. Fandango @ 29.) Alberto Del Rio unsuccessfully challenged and successfully defended titles at WrestleMania, while Brock Lesnar seemed poised to be a bust in a loss to Triple H, but then was pushed to the moon taking down The Undertaker’s streak the following year. The Miz came and went like a fad.

So where did we see any glimpse of the current future of WWE in this decade? For me, I would surmise WrestleMania 28 as the launching pad as this is the WrestleMania that opened with Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus and the brief ascension of CM Punk in the middle of his 434-day reign as WWE Champion. This was the dawn of seeing independent talent coming to the forefront of the company.

As WrestleMania 29 rolled around, fans were treated to a show that most would consider unfortunate and not a reflection of a company who is looking ahead. John Cena would win the WWE Title from The Rock in a rematch from the previous year. Triple H would defeat Brock Lesnar in a rematch from the past SummerSlam. CM Punk and The Undertaker would bring a memorable wrestling bout, but under the radar was a six-man tag match between The Shield vs. Randy Orton, Sheamus and The Big Show. The Shield would win. One year later, The Shield would make extremely short work of the New Age Outlaws and Kane. This was also the WrestleMania that culminated in Daniel Bryan defeating Triple H, Randy Orton and Batista in the same night and Bray Wyatt’s coming out party vs. John Cena.

If the Shield’s dominance the past two years acts as an indication of anything, it’s that those three, along with Wyatt are clearly in line to carry the WWE banner at this event for the next decade.

YOUR TIME IS UP, MY TIME IS NOW

If we stick with historical precedence, for the next ten WrestleManias to move forward, WWE will need to have at least 18 stars to move in and out of the main event scene to build enough credibility so those performers can be placed into title or marquee matchups in a company with only one world title. Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose and Bray Wyatt are well on their way and I am certain they will be main eventing future WrestleManias for the next decade. John Cena, Randy Orton and Sheamus will continue to be mainstays. It is not out of the realm of possibility to envision Triple H donning the tights a few more times, nor is it unrealistic to believe Brock Lesnar, The Rock and Batista will return for at least one more marquee match in the decade each. A healthy Daniel Bryan will certainly find himself in both marquee and title matches upon his return.

In analyzing how performers have moved up the card to WrestleMania main event status, it is telling how WWE expedited certain superstars to the top. Bret Hart took seven years from WrestleMania II to WrestleMania IX to find himself in the main event. Shawn Michaels found himself in the main event six years from his WrestleMania V debut to WrestleMania XI. On the other side of the coin, The Ultimate Warrior was pinning Hulk Hogan clean a mere two years after his WrestleMania debut. Steve Austin also took two years from his WrestleMania XII debut to defeating HBK at WrestleMania 14. John Cena made an appearance at WrestleMania XIX, opened WrestleMania XX and won the WWE Title at WrestleMania XXI. Batista made his WrestleMania debut at WM XX and was in the final match one year later. Randy Orton was a mere two years removed from his WrestleMania debut to compete for the World Heavyweight Title against Rey Mysterio and Kurt Angle. Edge, who would make his WrestleMania debut descending from the rafters as part of the Undertaker’s Ministry to hang The Big Bossman, would have to wait nine years before he would main event – ironically against The Undertaker himself. Daniel Bryan was supposed to be on the pre-show of WrestleMania 27 to defend his U.S. Title against Sheamus and would lose the world title in 18 seconds a year later to the same man. It took Bryan four years to reach the top of the mountain as a solidified main event star. CM Punk would make his official WrestleMania debut as a competitor at WrestleMania 23 and would not be considered a main event talent until five years later. Timing is everything in professional wrestling.

*puts tin foil hat on*

I have a crazy theory that CM Punk’s absence – while not a deliberate “work” is certainly something to ponder as his continued visibility will eventually lead to his return. Punk is definitely making his mark known in his hometown of Chicago, making his rounds through the various stadiums in the area. Chicago is a wrestling hotbed – hosting arguably the best – or at least the most passionate fanbase in professional wrestling and it is only a matter of time before WrestleMania makes its grand return to the Second City. Is it possible that Punk is working his magic to convince those in Chicago to put in a major bid for a WrestleMania where he can make his return? A CM Punk vs. Steve Austin match at Soldier Field in Chicago would be a big sell – but I do not envision it happening. In all reality, for CM Punk to return a massive chain of events would need to occur. WrestleMania in Chicago is a start. A main event title match would be another.

I think there are only two competitors that Punk may return for if he is placed in a WrestleMania main event for the WWE Title: Daniel Bryan, to play off their competition from their independent years leading into their current WWE rivalry – and John Cena. A title match between one of those two may convince Punk to make a semi-permanent return to WWE. From there, Punk may want to visit a feud with Triple H, Bray Wyatt, Brock Lesnar and each of the former members of The Shield.

*tin foil hat down*

Speaking of the Hounds of Justice, where do they exactly fit in? I feel it is blatantly obvious that Roman Reigns is the franchise player. He has the look that is perfect for a final WrestleMania image. Reigns just may take up the mantle that Hogan and Cena enjoyed, dominating the next decade and inserting himself in WrestleMania marquee and title bouts at every opportunity. Seeing Reigns as the guy to main event seven of the next 10 WrestleManias, all seven being title matches with three high-profile non-title marquee matches certainly possible. It all depends on the continued rise and performance of his Shield brethren.

Dean Ambrose is the current #2 face in WWE right now (with some considering him the #1 face, depending.) At this time, if WWE played their cards right we could see a replay of WrestleMania 21, where Randy Orton was crowned the golden boy of the company, but sidelined by Batista. Roman Reigns is the “Chosen One” as of now, but his hernia injury has forced both Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose to step out. Some say “absence makes the heart grow fonder”. Others say “out of sight, out of mind” as well. The longer Reigns is out of action and not making a significant impact as Dean Ambrose’s following grows, the more risk WWE takes in temporarily derailing their own future star. Ambrose is a WrestleMania main event waiting to happen and just may be able to squeak out three future WrestleMania main events – more depending on how Reigns adjusts on his return. Ambrose has a character that is not easy to forget and easy to rally around or hate for a personal marquee battle as well. I think Ambrose’s involvement in a feud will be considered as a selling point for at least six of the next 10 WrestleManias.

While fans may look to either Reigns or Dean Ambrose as the players who could take WWE into the stratosphere and into the next decade for WWE, I feel that Seth Rollins just may be the proverbial kink in plans. Rollins has proven that he can play an effective slimeball heel. Once he is able to make a play as a babyface, Rollins may find new life and a new following. His in ring style is easily adaptable to nearly anyone on the WWE roster. If there is anyone right now who may want to take the pressure of being the next generation’s “Mr. WrestleMania” and run with it, it just may be Rollins. I foresee The Architect in four title matches, and all ten of his inclusions at WrestleMania will be considered a marquee event.

10 YEARS IS REALLY NOT A LONG TIME

Bray Wyatt’s involvement during the next decade of WWE is a little harder to predict. I do not think that he was thrust into a WrestleMania feud with John Cena in his first full year to be seen as only a footnote, though. Bray is slowly taking the mantle of the anti-Undertaker – a character with seemingly otherworldly powers who can serve as an evil influence or a positive conscience within WWE. His current incarnation screams “HEEL FOR LIFE” but do not be surprised if a face turn endears Wyatt to his “fireflies” and shoots him up the card in short order. Wyatt still has unfinished business with Daniel Bryan, John Cena and all three members of The Shield. Could Bray be the one to goad The Undertaker into returning for a final match? Maybe his “Cult of Personality” rubs a certain straight-edge superstar the wrong way. Barring a major injury or unfortunate events, Bray will be a marquee player for all ten WrestleManias. Do not be surprised to see him outright main event two of them; one as a vile heel champion and one as an underdog babyface who is rediscovering his way.

From there, it is honestly a toss up. Dolph Ziggler and Ryback are being re-built and re-established, but will it stick for either and parlay into main event status? Bad News Barrett was on the verge of breaking away from the midcard before his latest injury. Cody Rhodes is still only 28 years old. As long as Ceasro is in the wings, he will always be considered a contender for a main event spot. Also do not forget that The Miz won the main event at WrestleMania 27.

We still have Sting awaiting a WrestleMania payday. Goldberg has not ruled out a WrestleMania return (for the right money.) We know it is only a matter of time when The Rock returns for WrestleMania season. Since Batista’s return, rumblings of a Batista/Lesnar encounter has been suggested – a match that would definitely fill a stadium. Another match that would sell out would be Batista, a returning Hollywood star going one on one with perhaps the biggest Hollywood star to come out of professional wrestling in The Rock. Of course, the one glaring match that people have been clamoring for so long is The Rock vs. Shawn Michaels. If both competitors are healthy, could Vince McMahon (or Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, who could be wielding absolute power of WWE by that time) throw enough money and security for this dream match to happen?

If history is any indicator, we will begin to see another shift in the direction of WWE around WrestleMania 38. By this time, we will have been fully immersed in the NXT Generation of stars. Unless there is a major catastrophe with the current crop of WWE superstars, WrestleMania 40 will probably serve as the graduation party for the current batch of NXT stars. Kevin Steen, Finn Balor, Sami Zayn, Adrian Neville and Hideo Itami may all be marquee players by this point or well on their way. Baron Corben may have been crowned as the new golden boy by then. Tyler Breeze may shock the world and move up the card in rapid fashion. These will all be talents on the fast track to success as WWE builds its next set of stars to lead the company into WrestleMania 50. There may be someone who is not even on WWE’s radar that could emerge as the next big thing in professional wrestling.

What do I think will transpire?

A triple threat will close WrestleMania 40, pitting Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins against each other to finally put to rest which member of The Shield dominated the past 10 years. I feel it is the perfect story to tell, and if WWE is bent on pushing all three equally as major stars it only makes sense.

Ten years ago, Eddie Guererro was alive. Chris Benoit was honorable. Bret Hart, The Ultimate Warrior and Bruno Sammartino were still eternally pissed at Vince McMahon. In ten years, a nine year old fan will have never lived seeing the WWE parade two World titles. They will only know of The Undertaker’s WrestleMania streak in stories and video. John Cena will be 47 years old. It is one thing to see wrestling history on the web and imagine what it would have been like to be alive at that time – it is another thing entirely to witness it as it happens. While some young fans root for John Cena, there are some the same age who show just as much, if sometimes not more fire for Dolph Ziggler. Both these fans will eventually grow older. Is WWE ready to evolve with them for the next decade of the Granddaddy of ‘Em All? It is only a matter of time.

LEN ARCHIBALD’S CRAZY WRESTLEMANIA MAIN EVENT PREDICTIONS THAT HE WILL BE 90% WRONG ABOUT:
WRESTLEMANIA 31: Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar (C)
WRESTLEMANIA 32: Roman Reigns (C) vs. John Cena
WRESTLEMANIA 33: Roman Reigns (C) vs. Daniel Bryan
WRESTLEMANIA 34: Seth Rollins (C) vs. Dean Ambrose
WRESTLEMANIA 35: Dean Ambrose vs. Randy Orton (C)
WRESTLEMANIA 36: CM Punk (C) vs. John Cena
WRESTLEMANIA 37: Bray Wyatt vs. CM Punk (C)
WRESTLEMANIA 38: Bray Wyatt (C) vs. Roman Reigns
WRESTLEMANIA 39: Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose (C) II
WRESTLEMANIA 40: Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns (C) vs. Dean Ambrose

FUTURE MARQUEE MATCHES:
The Rock vs. Triple H
Brock Lesnar vs. The Rock
Sheamus vs. Brock Lesnar
Randy Orton vs. Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar vs. Batista
The Rock vs. Shawn Michaels
John Cena vs. Seth Rollins
CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan
Triple H vs. Roman Reigns
Sting vs. Triple H
Batista vs. The Rock
Roman Reigns vs. The Rock

NOTES
• John Cena will be phased out. During this period, he will turn heel. It will either be while feuding with Roman Reigns to “pass the torch” in Dallas or a WrestleMania grudge feud with CM Punk that takes place in Chicago.
• After defeating Triple H at WrestleMania, The Rock will “Finally…”call Shawn Michaels out of retirement for a “Dream Match of all Dream Matches”.
• Roman Reigns will cement his place as one of the all-time greats as the man who retires both The Rock and Triple H from active competition. He will main event WrestleMania at least six times in the next 10 years.
• Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose will spark a decade-long rivalry. They will be the only two to be granted a WrestleMania main event rematch against each other. Rollins will be the decade’s “Mr. WrestleMania”.
• Bray Wyatt will challenge for the WWE Title at WrestleMania first as a babyface, then defend the next year as the #1 Heel in the company.
• Daniel Bryan will retire following WrestleMania 35.
• Ryback, Sheamus, Dolph Ziggler, Cody Rhodes, Wade Barrett and Cesaro will all be main event mainstays, but will not main event the next 10 WrestleManias for a title shot.
• CM Punk will return to compete at only 3 WrestleManias before retiring for good.
• Baron Corben, Uhaa Nation and Finn Balor will be the next three stars WWE will plan to build around for the next 10 years.
• Brock Lesnar will take up The Undertaker’s role by only competing annually at WrestleMania.

Len Archibald is the former Executive Director of the Northwest Ohio Independent Film Festival, and is a current movie reviewer for WLIO in Lima, Ohio.

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