The calendar continues to move forward faster than ever as we approach the end of the year. WrestleMania 34 is inching closer and closer and will be here in no time. WWE has been reportedly putting together matches for the biggest event of 2018 ever since WrestleMania 33 ended. Many rumors have been changing with certain names now being in new plans for the big event. However, there are a few plans that have been rumored since April and still are stronger than ever. We'll take a look at both the best and the worst things regarding this show in the news.
Fans collectively want to see certain matches and people on the show. These positive rumors provide hope and optimism for WrestleMania 34 to be a better 'Mania event than most others in recent years. Some other rumors add the opposite effect of pessimism and doubt regarding the card on the biggest night of the year. Both sides will be examined along with the explanation as to how likely these matches, appearances and segments go down. Hopefully WWE only rides with the best ideas and erases some of the worst ones. These are eight rumored plans for WrestleMania 34 that we want to see and another seven that we don’t.
15 15. Want: Dean Ambrose Turning Heel to face Seth Rollins
We are all enjoying the duo of Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose teaming together for the first time since The Shield ended. However, both guys have way more potential and should be singles wrestlers in the long haul. This is clearly the right call for them to be together during a time period where there’s nothing better for them.
The rumors claim that Ambrose is the one expected to turn heel this time around. We have never seen Ambrose as a singles heel on the WWE main roster, but it was his greatest strength on the independent circuit. Rollins is an extremely popular face making him better suited for this role this time around. A heel Ambrose facing a fan favorite Rollins is the perfect story to give them heading into WrestleMania 34.
14 14. Don’t: John Cena vs. Jinder Mahal for WWE Championship
The idea of John Cena making history by winning his 17th WWE World Championship at WrestleMania 34 is great in theory. However, a problem arises when you hear the other half of the rumor would place Jinder Mahal in the top match. Mahal has been a rather disappointing champion with zero breakout performances during the six months he has held the title so far.
Any scenario that has Mahal being the champion heading into WrestleMania is just not good. This could also be one of the final few WrestleMania matches for Cena in his prime. The potential of wasting it and his big title record in a forgettable match against Jinder just makes no sense. WWE needs to put the title on a better performer if they want to go this route with this Cena at WrestleMania 34.
13 13. Want: Sasha Banks vs. Bayley
WWE has teased the idea of Sasha Banks turning heel on Bayley for a long time now. WrestleMania season and the road to Summerslam this year each showed signs of it happening. Banks showing signs of jealousy at Bayley getting opportunities set the table but it just never happened. Rumors indicate that WWE wants to hold off on this story until the time is right.
Both ladies will need a noteworthy match at WrestleMania to get their momentum going for a strong 2018. If WWE is truly waiting for this stage to give us this feud done right, they may have the right idea all along. Sasha turning heel would give us the character we all loved first in NXT. Bayley needs to oppose a strong heel to get her face character going. This could be a genius idea to save it for WrestleMania 34.
12 12. Don’t: The Rock Appearing Again
The Rock is one of the biggest stars in the world but he manages to hurt WWE many times when he returns. This was shown most at WrestleMania 32 when Rock showed up to have a surprise conformation with The Wyatt Family. Rock defeated Erick Rowan in a matter of seconds and mocked the rest of the members of the faction.
Rusev was another victim of Rock on Raw when he made another surprise appearance to trash him among others. An argument can be made that The Wyatt Family and Rusev saw their careers destroyed by Rock coming back for no reason at all. Unless WWE has a match set up well in advance that they can book, there’s no reason to have The Rock come in for little to no reason.
11 11. Want: Big Show Winning Andre Memorial in Final Match Before Retiring
Big Show is clearly at the end of his career. Various interviews have seen him admit that this will be his current contract will be the final one. WWE has spotlighted Big Show in a handful of segments this year, especially during his feud with Big Cass. Jinder Mahal revealed that Big Show giving him a strong live event match before his push helped him out a lot.
The best role of Big Show in WWE right now is helping young talent both in the ring and backstage. Kevin Owens and Finn Balor are two top names to reference the veteran helping them on the main roster. If Big Show is retiring in 2018, the special moment of winning the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal one more time is the right way to go. It doesn’t hurt anyone and gives the legend a great farewell.
10 10. Don’t: Big Cass Returning in Major Way
The push of Big Cass as a singles heel after he turned on Enzo Amore was a huge disappointment. Enzo may be more annoying but he has shown to provide some interest, even if the interest wants to see him get beat up. Big Cass didn’t even do that as he was the prototypical generic big man. Aside from wrestling a boring style, he showed zero character.
Big Cass ended up suffering a terrible injury that has him out for the rest of the year. There is no official timetable for his return, but there is some speculation that Big Cass will be back in time for WrestleMania 34. Vince McMahon is a huge supporter of Cass and giving him an important match on the biggest show of the year wouldn’t be a big surprise. Hopefully he takes his time and builds Big Cass up before pushing him to the moon.
9 9. Want: Rey Mysterio Returning for Cruiserweight Match
The Cruiserweight Division definitely needs a big name to add relevance in the big picture. Vince McMahon’s desire to make this division special and unique has been a disaster. Main roster talent like Neville, Enzo Amore and Kalisto have helped the division, but no one has been able to truly lift it into something exciting.
Rey Mysterio is now on the free agent market and has a good relationship with many people in WWE. There is no doubt that Mysterio is the biggest realistic name that can join the division to make an impact. Mysterio facing Enzo, Kalisto or any other Cruiserweight for the title at WrestleMania 34 would be the moment needed to give it some momentum. The legend can move into other programs afterwards but having him compete for the Cruiserweight Championship at WrestleMania makes it a more credible title instantly.
8 8. Don’t: Finn Balor vs. The Miz
A fan theory online has seen the rumor of a big match for the Intercontinental Championship take off. The Miz is close to the all-time record for most days spent as Intercontinental Champion. WWE can take the title off Miz for a few weeks and set it up so Miz could break the record at WrestleMania 34. Finn Balor is one of the most popular faces on Raw and the theory would have him dethrone Miz.
This is a good idea on paper, but Balor should definitely be in a bigger match. Finn never received a rematch for the Universal Championship and needs to be ready to challenge after Brock Lesnar drops it. A match for the mid-card title on the biggest show of the year just portrays him a lower spotlight. Balor needs a bigger match to get where he belongs.
7 7. Want: Asuka Winning Raw Women's Championship
Asuka joining the WWE main roster after a two-year undefeated run in NXT is a huge move. The talented Japanese star has been one of the best women’s wrestlers in the world for many years now. WWE is looking to cash in by making her a huge star right away with momentum from her NXT tenure. A rumor of her undefeated streak going into WrestleMania 34 would see her win the Raw Women’s Championship.
Alexa Bliss would likely be the champ heading into this match and doing the honors of putting over Asuka. This is a great match on any show, but it would have the big match feel on a WrestleMania stage. Asuka defeating such an established heel is also the perfect way to make sure she starts her first main roster title reign in great fashion.
6 6. Don’t: Carmella Cashing In MITB
Carmella has held the Money in the Bank briefcase for many months now. Most wrestlers have cashed in their title shots by now, but WWE seems to have a long term plan for Carmella. Speculation of her winning the belt at WrestleMania 34 is a bit disappointing for many reasons. As great a job as Carmella has been doing in her role, she’s not at a level where it makes sense for her to have such a high profile win.
This would also take away from the iconic moment of Seth Rollins cashing in his title shot at WrestleMania 31 in the main event against Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar. Carmella would be better suited winning the title at any point between Survivor Series and Royal Rumble. The heels usually are best utilized losing a title to a popular face on the biggest show rather than winning it.
5 5. Want: Kurt Angle Having Another Major Match
Kurt Angle returning at TLC is tremendous news for all fans. However, this isn’t necessarily a big match for him when looking at his overall career. Angle needs to have a singles match on the biggest of stages at WrestleMania 34. The fact that WWE feels comfortable enough clearing him for a random TLC match with no build means they believe he is fit to compete.
WWE fans have been waiting over a decade to see Angle have a big match. WrestleMania has grown into an even bigger phenomenon since he left. This rumor of him wrestling at WrestleMania 34 would give a great moment and Angle the respect he deserves as a major legend ending his career in his true home promotion of WWE.
4 4. Don’t: Kurt Angle Wrestling Triple H or Jason Jordan
The rumor of Kurt Angle facing one of two specific names doesn’t provide the dream scenario fans hoped for when thinking of his big match. Angle and Triple H have a feud going all the way back to 2000. This rumor is based off the belief that Stephanie McMahon will oppose Angle when returning as his boss on Raw. Triple H representing Stephanie to face Angle makes sense, but there are more exciting matchups.
Jason Jordan also isn’t the right call as WWE rushing him into a major role doesn’t seem to be working. Most fans don’t even remember the Jordan/Angle father/son storyline, let alone care about it. Names like Finn Balor, A.J. Styles, Kevin Owens and countless others on the roster would benefit WWE and get the match we all want to see out of Angle in potentially his last Mania match.
3 3. Want: Ronda Rousey Appearance
One of the more buzzworthy rumors to circulate for a long time now regards the future of Ronda Rousey. The former UFC fighter is seemingly done with MMA. Aside from acting, Rousey has her eyes set on the world of WWE. Professional wrestling is a huge passion of hers as seen from her attending many WWE shows and using the Four Horsewomen nickname for her and friends.
The recent appearance at the Mae Young Classic and teases of a match has everyone wondering about her future. Three rumors for Ronda appear to be out there regarding WrestleMania 34. One is about the Four Horsewomen of MMA vs Four Horsewomen of WWE after a segment filmed at the MYC. The other two would see her face Charlotte Flair or Stephanie McMahon. All options could provide great television and Rousey is a major addition regardless of who she faces.
2 2. Don’t: Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar
The one match that fans have been complaining about since the rumor broke after WrestleMania 33 is the potential of Brock Lesnar defending the Universal Championship against Roman Reigns next year. Lesnar winning the title appears to be solely for him to have a long reign that establishes him as the unbeatable beast that loses to Reigns.
We have witnessed the last three years of WWE television built around the rise of Roman. The fact that Vince McMahon feels he needs another major win is pretty silly. Reigns and Lesnar had a great match at WrestleMania 31 before Seth Rollins cashed in his MITB, but we don’t need to see it here again. It just feels like the entire Raw brand is built around two stars which hurts everyone. Hopefully there’s a last minute change to freshen things up.
1 1. Want: A.J. Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
A rumored match with the complete opposite reaction to Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar focuses on two world renowned wrestlers currently on SmackDown. A.J. Styles and Shinsuke Nakmaura could be argued as the two best wrestlers on the SmackDown brand today. Both men had incredible runs for New Japan and one classic match there on the company’s biggest show Wrestle Kingdom.
WWE could provide something even more special if they face off here given the presentation on WrestleMania every year. Styles has stated that his dream match is facing Nakamura at a WrestleMania and he is trying to convince Vince McMahon of it. Neither wrestler has an obvious route to WrestleMania 34. We may just get a classic bout between these two stars on the biggest show of the year.