The 411 Wrestling Top 5: The Top 5 Desired WrestleMania Matches

The 411 Wrestling Top 5: Hello everyone and welcome to 411 Wrestling’s Top 5 List. We take a topic each week and all the writers here on 411 wrestling will have the ability to participate and give us their Top 5 on said topic. So, onto this week’s topic…

Week 299 – The Top 5 Desired WrestleMania Matches

If you were booking WWE, what would your top 5 WrestleMania 31 matches be? Make sure to play along in the comments section kids, this is supposed to be a fun topic.

Alex Crowder
5. John Cena vs. Roman Reigns -My answers may please Triple H’s good friend Mark. Since this is my booking choice, I can do any crazy idea I want. Hopefully, my ideas even if you disagree with them or think they are stupid get you thinking about your own crazy WrestleMania card. It is a fun thing to think about as a fan. Also, keep in mind I’m not putting my matches in any specific order. The WWE wants Roman Reigns to be the face of WWE, so why not have Reigns face the current face of WWE. I may not be a Cena supporter, but let’s not kid ourselves. John Cena usually brings it. I think only 2 people could get an excellent match out of Reigns being Bryan and Rollins. However, I have different plans for them. John Cena is one of the few people who will get a good match out of Reigns, hell or high-water. I think with Reigns not being the main focus, he would not have the backlash he has now. The fans would probably support Reigns against John Cena especially with no titles on the line. Even if the match is bad, the reaction will be fantastic and make it an entertaining spectacle of itself. John Cena after having a mediocre match with Bray Wyatt last year wants to prove that he can carry Roman Reigns to something worthwhile.

4. Triple H vs. Sting – I know many want to see The Undertaker vs. Sting, but I’m not one of them. This match we will get and I can’t wait to see it. Triple H proved last year with Daniel Bryan that he has something left in the tank. I know it is common to hate Triple H, and I get that. I respect Triple H and don’t hate him as much as everyone else. I mean Triple H does a fantastic job booking NXT, so even if his past transgressions are bad…I forgive for the quality of NXT. Triple H always tries his best at WrestleMania and Sting will bring his best too. Sting can have a good match with the right opponent. Triple H is the best opponent for Sting unless The Undertaker had an aberration match last year. If we can get The Undertaker that faced Shawn Michaels or CM Punk, then sure Undertaker vs. Sting would be awesome. I don’t think we will, so Triple H vs. Sting is a damn good second place match. Triple H pulled out a tiger suplex last year at WrestleMania. I’m pretty sure he’ll expand the moveset to make Sting look good. Also, Triple H is willing to lose to Sting. That moment will be awesome seeing Sting in a WWE ring. I want to see it.

3. Money in The Bank: Dolph Ziggler vs. Bray Wyatt vs. Cesaro vs. Bad News Barrett vs. Tyson Kidd vs. Sami Zayn vs. Finn Balor vs. Kevin Owens – I have always loathed Money in the Bank as a PPV. I prefer my gimmick matches to be a big deal and come only once a year. I would replace The Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal and bring back Money in the Bank. I don’t mean that as disrespect to Andre the Giant. I wouldn’t scrap it for good just from this edition of WrestleMania. I would love to get a good IC, Tag Team, and US title match on the card, but I only have 5 choices and I need to make sure that the best wrestlers are represented in some way on this card. I want to have a few NXT guys on the card, so I added three to this match. Bray Wyatt and Dolph Ziggler would be the candidates for the victory, and everyone else would try to steal the show. We all know Dolph Ziggler wants to steal the show, so I give this man a ladder and tell him to go steal the show. Bray Wyatt has slowly gained momentum back, let’s keep it going. Cesaro and Tyson Kidd aren’t going to get on the WrestleMania card otherwise. I added them to fill the match because they perform well, and they make everyone look great. Bad News Barrett is pretty over and could possibly win the match. Sami Zayn is one of the most consistent performers in the world (Titus O’ Neil excluded). Finn Balor is a star. Kevin Owens has that IT Factor and is feuding with Sami Zayn, so it makes perfect sense. I know wrestlers like Sheamus, Randy Orton, Ryback, Damien Mizdow, and others are not on my card, but that is because the limited spots. If I were to expand my card, they would be included, so I’m not keeping them off my WrestleMania they just are not in the top 5 matches.

2. Brock Lesnar with Paul Heyman vs. Rusev with Lana – Rusev sells beatings better than most big men. How many other big men sell as well as Rusev? Remember Rusev selling Swagger’s ankle lock? Rusev is a time capsule and brings back memories of athletic big men like Vader and Bam Bam Bigelow. He’s athletic like AJPW ace Suwama. On the other hand, Brock Lesnar gives beatings better than anyone. I’m a Rusev fan and it is not just because of Lana. I wanted Rusev to win the Royal Rumble. I think Rusev is extremely underrated by most fans. Most fans love Lana and some like Rusev, but I feel like no one realizes how good he really is. How many bad Rusev matches on PPV are there? Rusev is athletic, good at selling, and his moveset is good by WWE standards. Lesnar always brings it, and this would be a clash of titans. The undefeated (in singles competition), unmovable object Rusev and the beast incarnate, the irresistible force, Brock Lesnar. An angry Brock Lesnar that got screwed out of his World Championship. The fans seem to be turning Brock face, so obviously Rusev can be the heel in this one. Imagine the microphone battles between Heyman and Lana. That alone would be reason enough. This would be spectacle and an excellent wrestling match. It is so rare that we see two skilled big man wrestlers clash anymore in the WWE. I think even people who think this match is stupid would enjoy it if they saw it. Lesnar would win but Rusev would push his limits and be a star from this performance. Anyone that can stand toe to toe with Lesnar is an instant star at this point, I mean look at Rollins. Heyman, Lana, Rusev, Lesnar, what’s not to be excited about?

1. WWE World Heavyweight Championship Daniel Bryan vs. Seth Rollins (c) with J & J Security (Jamie Noble and Joey Mercury) – I must make a confession in that I saw nothing in Tyler Black when I used to watch ROH. That is until he had a match with this wrestler named Bryan Danielson. All of the sudden, I understood why ROH pushed this guy. Still, I must admit I thought he would fail in the WWE, but Seth Rollins made me eat crow again. Seth Rollins is the best wrestler on the roster today and one of the few to be booked well besides Brock Lesnar, Rusev, and John Cena. Seth is a good enough heel to get the crowd to boo him. Daniel Bryan is known to get the best out of Seth Rollins and the crowd loves Daniel Bryan. Daniel Bryan isn’t even my favorite, but smart business means you ride the wave of momentum. For instance, I wasn’t the biggest Rock fan in the Attitude era, yet if you gave me the book in 2000, I would have pushed him heavily, featured him prominently, and made him the focus in 2000. Surprise, WWE did that and it was one of the best years in WWE history. Love him or hate him, Daniel Bryan is over. Seth Rollins as a heel is over. I don’t see booking as rocket science. I think simplicity works the best. Seth Rollins and Daniel Bryan want to be the best wrestler in the world and the World Champion. It writes itself and it needs nothing flashy added. NJPW books their shows in a simple manner and look how well it turns out. This would be two men, wrestling for the top prize, and stealing the show.

Scott Rutherford
5. Triple H & Shawn Michaels vs Sting & The Undertaker – This is completely pie-in-the-sky stuff. Everyone was hell bent on matching Sting vs. Undertaker but I always felt they would be more suited to being tag team partners against a super-team like DX. A tag match like this would hide the weaknesses of all involved and since UT no longer has the streak to hang his hat on, then a match like this makes a lot more sense for him to be getting in the ring again. The people involved know how to work a match and not have to do that much (witness HHH/UT from WM27) to get the crowd invested.

4. Kevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose – Give these guys 15-20 minutes, let them have their way in terms of how the match is put together, stand back and watch the world burn. Seriously, these two may be the most natural opponents in the WWE right now. It wouldn’t take much to get Owens up to the main roster and on a collision course with Ambrose. His type of character is needed badly right now (ditto Sami Zayn but that’s another story). The soulless, brutalizer that can back you down with a stare or fuck you up with his offence. Ambrose as the unhinged opponent will keep up with him and both guys can create exciting exchanges. Again, file this one under “Highly Unlikely” but a guy can wish.

3. The Usos vs. Tyson Kid & Cesaro – Word in the ‘hood is that Kidd and Cesaro have been working on tandem moves at the Performance Center in the hopes of making the most of their pairing. I tell you, if they’re allowed to stretch their wings and do everything they can, put them in the ring with The Usos who can keep up with anyone…it would be the popcorn match of the show.

2. John Cena w/Steve Austin vs. Roman Reigns w/The Rock – Who would the crowd cheer for? While the respective seconds for each man have the potential to derail the heat of the match, if you have the right guy booking (**cough**Pat Patterson**cough**) you could build this into something historic. Of course you want Reigns to go over because if you want him to be the next John Cena and you want him to get there yesterday, then have him beat the man himself. Reigns would be in safe hands with three of the biggest stars of the past 20 years surrounding him and making sure he comes out looking like the star they want him to be.

1. Brock Lesnar vs. Daniel Bryan – Yeah, yeah. Never happen but only those not in their right mind couldn’t see the potential of this match. The unstoppable beast vs. the biggest underdog in years…take my money now! Now factor in that Bryan would be able to have a fantastic match with Lesnar as his offence would look extra brutal as Bryan and his hair flail about the ring. Right now, no-one does better hope spots than Bryan and to have every one of them cut off by Brock throwing him across the ring…take my money now! So after 15 minutes of Lesnar rag-dolling Bryan, Bryan can build the ascendancy and just kick the ever-loving crap out of Brock. Literally 20 leg strike to the head (worked of course) until Brock and just get up off the ground, running knee strike. Bryan wins…take my money now!

MICHAEL WEYER
5. Money in the Bank: Cesaro, Kofi Kingston, The Miz, Mizdow, Bad News Barrett, Keith Owens, Luke Harper and Tyson Kidd I’ll join the consensus that MITB is much better at Mania than its own PPV, something to give the show a more special feel. A mix of guys like this can be great, Kofi doing show-stealing spots, Cesaro the power and you can just imagine the comedy of Mizdow trying to “do the stunt” of getting the briefcase and Miz trying to stop him. The younger guys can get a good rub here taking nasty shots and great fights and winning the briefcase can help elevate someone up big-time as it’s meant to be. I’d actually go for Cesaro of that bunch to boost to the bigger time but either way, it would be a terrific battle to remind you how cool the concept is and why it’s better off at Mania than on its own.

4. AJ Lee vs Charlotte This just seems so damn obvious. AJ is obviously the best Diva on the roster, a damn good wrestler and awesome on the mic. Charlotte is rising higher, clear how she’s the one who inherited her father’s wrestling genes big time and using it well for her own good character. Give them actually decent time and this could be one of the best Divas matches ever, Mania or otherwise and elevate Charlotte to the stardoms he deserves while reminding fans how great women’s wrestling really can be.

3. Tag Team Title Fatal 4-Way TLC: Usos vs the Ascension vs Goldust and Stardust vs the Dudleyz The tag scene has gotten a nice boost in WWE the last year and this would be a good way to elevate it even more. Pretty clear the Dudleyz are due for a full-scale return and a TLC at Mania? That just writes itself. This would be a huge clash of four great teams in massive and nasty spots, plenty of crashes and hard shots and admit it: You’re dying to hear thousands of people chanting together “GET THE TABLES!” If anything, this would be just the thing to sell the Ascension at last as a true great tag team, get a huge rub winning the belts here and be a spectacle to rock the crowd and a spotfest for the ages to remind you how cool Mania can be.

2. Daniel Bryan vs Brock Lesnar It’s not going to happen, ok? I know we want it but it’s clear Vince is set on Reigns as the new face and taking on Brock and it’s not likely he changes his mind two years in a row. So yes, keep dreaming as it does make total sense Bryan and Lesnar go at it in a huge fight, the monster and the underdog, a clash of styles that can have the crowd in the palm of their hand. It can be a serious Match of the Year contender, something we all want to see and thus more aggravating that WWE can’t recognize that. We can hope but highly unlikely it goes on, a damn shame to miss such a great battle that could have become a Mania classic.

1. Undertaker vs Sting To me, the last true “dream match” left. The recent Monday Night War series had a great episode highlighting how each man was the stable force of their respective companies who never walked and remained icons. With Taker losing a bit of mystique after the Streak ended last year, he needs something big for a Mania battle and Sting is it. They may be slower and older but I think both guys can bring it big time to pay off on years of fan dreams and give us a sensational show. Plenty of brawling but good spots as well to highlight a fun battle and remind fans of how great icons both men are. It may be late but better than never and just the classic hook Mania can use.

Kevin Pantoja
5. Roman Reigns vs. Rusev – This is something that I would like to see and I think it would have worked best in Roman Reign’s interest. The issue that most people seem to have with his push is that he’s simply not ready to be the top guy in the company yet. I mean, the guy has only had one singles PPV match in his career. Having John Cena potentially be the guy to end Rusev’s undefeated streak is something he doesn’t need on his already lengthy resume. Roman Reigns on the other hand, could use that rub and hell, even a United States Title run for him could be beneficial. And don’t just have him wrestle in 50/50 booking matches where he gains no traction. Book him strong (CM Punk podcast joke intended) and allow him to develop over the next year. By the time WrestleMania 32 rolls around, he could have some dues paid under his belt.

4. Triple H vs. Sting – Yes, this is the only match on my list that we will probably actually see but that’s besides the point. I’m looking forward to this. Most people have wanted Sting vs. Undertaker for so long, but I think this will offer the better match. Even if Sting isn’t in ring shape at 55, Triple H is still in really good shape and both guys know how to make sure the match comes off well. I know some fans may view this as the lesser of the two potential matches we could have gotten, I think this will be the better one. During the feuds with Bryan and the Shield, Triple H proved that he can still go with the best of them, and he’ll show it again this year.

3. Money in the Bank – This is my completely fantasy pick for what I want. I dislike the idea of a yearly battle royal as it is lazy booking that puts the vast majority of the roster into a meaningless situation. At least with Money in the Bank, you can take 6-8 of the only guys who deserve to be on the show and put them there. No David Otunga or Fandango. Put Dean Ambrose, Dolph Ziggler, Bad News Barrett, Ryback, Luke Harper and maybe someone from NXT or even throw in a John Cena to really have people doubt the outcome. I would leave Bray Wyatt and guys like Cesaro out because in this fantasy card I have Taker/Wyatt and the Usos/Kidd and Cesaro. I can dream can’t I?

2. Randy Orton vs. Seth Rollins – I was racking my brain to figure out what Seth Rollins should do at WrestleMania and I realized that I forgot that Randy Orton has been out of action for a while. When he left, he turned on the Authority and was taken out by Seth. Enter his upcoming return and I fully expect him to shock Rollins and ignite a rivalry that will be worthy of WrestleMania. Yes they have faced off before but it’s still a relatively fresh matchup. Give them the proper build and the right amount of time on the biggest stage and they could pull out a great match. Think CM Punk vs. Randy Orton at WrestleMania 27. I expect Orton to win because Seth took him out originally and the heel has to get his comeuppance.

1. Brock Lesnar vs. Daniel Bryan – I, like tons of WWE fans, want Daniel Bryan to get the WWE World Heavyweight Title run that he deserves. I’ve been a huge Daniel Bryan fan since his indy days in the mid-2000’s and seeing him stand tall at the end of WrestleMania XXX is one of my favorite moments in history. I’ve heard people say they don’t want to see a repeat of that and to that I ask, “why not?” We’ve seen guys come out on top of multiple WrestleManias before so what is so wrong with Bryan doing it. This is, as Bryan stated on Raw this past week, the perfect David and Goliath story. And hell, if you don’t want him on top again, have Seth Rollins cash in to close the show.

YOUR TURN KNOW IT ALLS

List your Top Five for this week’s topic in the comment section using the following format:

5. CHOICE: Explanation
4. CHOICE: Explanation
3. CHOICE: Explanation
2. CHOICE: Explanation
1. CHOICE: Explanation