Fantasy Book Wrestlemania 32

[jakecronus8]

Time to fantasy book Wrestlemania 32. Keep in mind I'm trying to keep it semi realistic.

Andre the Giant memorial battle royale:
Throw away gimmick so roster guys can get their mania pay day. Don't care who wins as clearly wwe doesn't either. This can be the pre show main event.

The Rock opens the show and gives the generic opening promo.

Dudleyz vs Usos vs New Day vs Lucha Dragons- TLC tag team title match: this match or some iteration of it is inevitable in my opinion. I'd love to see the Usos go over just to start a new feud with New Day, and maybe Samoa Joe eventually joining the Usos to even the odds.

Kevin Owens vs Sami Zayn- Intercontinental Title match: Pretty simple build here. Zayn is a surprise entrant in the Royal Rumble and in a rage eliminates both Owens and himself as they fight to the back. Sami demands a match with Owens who refuses, and then proceeds to cost Zayn his US title match against John Cena at Fastlane. Owens is finally forced to give Zayn a match at Mania. Owens wins via dirty tactics (we'll say using the ropes for leverage on a pin), thus continuing their 10 year long feud on the main roster, and succeeding in getting the crowd hot. I initially thought Sami should win the belt in this spot, but in my fantasy scenario, they have bigger long term plans for him and Mania the following year. Zayn goads Owens into a rematch on the post mania Raw and wins the IC belt.

Sasha Banks vs Charlotte vs Paige- Divas championship. Banks wins clean and the following night on Raw coins the term "Divas are Dead," tosses the Divas championship in a trash can and unveils a new Women's championship belt.

Undertaker vs Finn Balor
After defeating Brock Lesnar at Hell in a Cell by further channeling his demon side and some interference from his brother demon Kane (who gets a beat down from Brock afterwards) Taker declared himself reborn as the most evil entity WWE has ever seen and will re-emerge at Wrestlemania to cement his legacy. Taker makes his entrance and implores someone to take his challenge. Enter Finn as the surprise opponent via his awesome best in the business entrance. As Punk proved a few years ago, when paired with a real worker Taker can still be helped to a good match. No one better than Finn to coach him through it. The debuting Balor emerges as the victor in a clean win. Afterwards, a teary eyed Taker breaks kayfabe and says his final goodbye to the fans and without saying a word announces his retirement. The following Raw is a Taker appreciation show. This allows Taker to leave the business on a good match, pass the torch to a future main eventer, and give Finn the rub of beating the legend in his final match.

John Cena US Open challenge-
Cena promo. "Champ is here, come get some, blah blah blah." Dolph comes out with Nikki Bella on his arm in the culmination of the stupid Total Divas crap feud they're having. Dolph wins via Nikki interference. Crowd goes ape ****.

Seth Rollins vs Dean Ambrose vs Roman Reigns-#1 Contenders Match. While they've been teasing Trips/Rollins, I'd love to see them hold off for awhile. A more silent but vicious Rollins has lost the championship at Royal Rumble to Lesnar and had vowed along with the Authority to get it back. In the swerve of the night, Trips turns on Rollins, hospitalizes Ambrose with a sledge hammer and helps Reigns win the #1 contendership cementing him as the new face of the Authority and the obvious turn that the stale failure Reigns needs.

Brock Lesnar vs Daniel Bryan-World Heavyweight Championship match: Bryan was a surprise entrant in the Royal Rumble and won after a trips interference attempt backfires. Trips just slyly smiles at Bryan and says he's not worried as Bryan has no chance against Lesnar, who joins up with the Authority along with Heyman. They hype the squash that is destined to happen at Mania. Just before the entrances Trips declares the match a no DQ match. Brock dominates the entire match until Bryan miraculously turns the tide. In the finish, the Authority, with Reigns now in tow come out and start a ruckus just as it looks as Bryan might pull the upset with an outta nowhere cross face in the middle of the ring. Trips and Reigns attack and are about to seal the deal for Lesnar, then Cena's music hits. Super Cena hits the ring but is eventually overcome. "If ya smeeeelllllll!!!!!" music hits and Rock flys out to help Bryan but the numbers game and a now recovered Lesnar are eventually too much. As Rock, Cena and Bryan are eventually subdued and Brock is setting up an F5 you hear the...GLASS BREAK!!!! The Rattlesnake himself, Steve Austin hits the ring (who arrives mid show to keep it a secret) and whoops wholesale ass, hitting stunners left and right. He hits Brock with a stunner who staggers and turns into Bryan's running knees and the 1,2,3! Bryan, Rock, Cena and Austin celebrate in the ring with the classic Steveweiser salute. Austin drinks beer, Rock drinks a protein shake, Cena drinks a limited edition wwe Mountain Dew with his face on the bottle, and Bryan drinks a kale and spinach smoothie.

That's the best I've got with the theme being passing the torch. Anyone else wanna take a crack at it?

[Stanford]

I don't like the idea of a triple threat Divas match. Every year the Divas get stuck in some multi-girl match that doesn't showcase anyone. I would prefer they focus on two girls (Charlotte and Banks preferably) and build, from the Rumble, towards Wrestlemania. As you increase the number of girls in a storyline, you decrease the gravity.

I like your Dolph-Cena idea, but there's no way Cena goes into Mania without an advertised opponent. It's more likely that what you suggest happens at the Special Event before Mania, and Cena gets his win back at the larger show.

[iMoreland]

Rusev wins the Pre-Show Andre the Giant Battle Royal

1. WWE Tag Team Championships: Enzo & Cass def. The New Day (c) and The Dudley Boyz

2. Tyler Breeze def. Dolph Ziggler

3. Intercontinental Championship: Kevin Owens (c) def. Daniel Bryan

4. Randy Orton def. Baron Corbin

5. United States Championship: Samoa Joe def. John Cena (c)

6. Finn Bálor def. Bray Wyatt w/ The Wyatt Family

7. Brock Lesnar w/ Paul Heyman def. The Rock

8. Divas Championship: Sasha Banks def. Charlotte (c)

9. Undertaker def. Sting

10. WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Seth Rollins (c) def. Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns

[Dunthreevy]

Brock Lesnar vs Daniel Bryan-World Heavyweight Championship match: Bryan was a surprise entrant in the Royal Rumble and won after a trips interference attempt backfires. Trips just slyly smiles at Bryan and says he's not worried as Bryan has no chance against Lesnar, who joins up with the Authority along with Heyman. They hype the squash that is destined to happen at Mania. Just before the entrances Trips declares the match a no DQ match. Brock dominates the entire match until Bryan miraculously turns the tide. In the finish, the Authority, with Reigns now in tow come out and start a ruckus just as it looks as Bryan might pull the upset with an outta nowhere cross face in the middle of the ring. Trips and Reigns attack and are about to seal the deal for Lesnar, then Cena's music hits. Super Cena hits the ring but is eventually overcome. "If ya smeeeelllllll!!!!!" music hits and Rock flys out to help Bryan but the numbers game and a now recovered Lesnar are eventually too much. As Rock, Cena and Bryan are eventually subdued and Brock is setting up an F5 you hear the...GLASS BREAK!!!! The Rattlesnake himself, Steve Austin hits the ring (who arrives mid show to keep it a secret) and whoops wholesale ass, hitting stunners left and right. He hits Brock with a stunner who staggers and turns into Bryan's running knees and the 1,2,3! Bryan, Rock, Cena and Austin celebrate in the ring with the classic Steveweiser salute. Austin drinks beer, Rock drinks a protein shake, Cena drinks a limited edition wwe Mountain Dew with his face on the bottle, and Bryan drinks a kale and spinach smoothie.

That's the best I've got with the theme being passing the torch. Anyone else wanna take a crack at it?

That's completely over the top and I love it. The Cena Mountain Dew **** cracked me up.

[improper]

Pre-Show

NXT Title Match - Samoa Joe (c) def. Apollo Crews
After Joe's heel turn, he eventually takes the title from Balor, leading to Balor's call-up. The WWE decides to showcase some of their developmental talent with an NXT title match on the pre-show at 'Mania. Crews seems like the next guy in line to get a run at the belt, and this would presumably be the first match in a feud that ends with Crews as champ and Joe moving on up to the main roster.

Becky Lynch def. Paige in a Number One Contender Match
The women's division is deep enough now for more than one rivalry, and since I think Charlotte will be busy with Sasha by the time 'Mania rolls around, give me Becky and Paige for the number one contender spot.

Main Card

US Title Match - Finn Balor def. John Cena (c)
I'm assuming that Cena will drop the title sometime in the near future before going on his hiatus, but I also think the WWE is creatively bankrupt and will promptly give him the belt back when he returns. Which is fine. Regardless, Cena has to drop the title eventually for good, right? Right? Why not drop it to the most popular face in NXT and a guy who's a lock to be called up in the next couple of months after he feuds with Joe and eventually loses the title.

Women's Title Match - Sasha Banks def. Charlotte
This one is self-explanatory. Sasha is the best female wrestler on the roster and could easily become the best heel in the entire company. She got an NXT crowd that loves her to boo her. Give her the title at 'Mania and then please, for the love of god, give her a feud with Becky.

The Rock def. Triple H
Triple H needs something to do at Wrestlemania besides screw over Rollins in the main event. Might as well do a throwback match versus the Rock, and the Rock ain't coming back to lose.

Intercontinental Title Match - Kevin Owens (c) def. Sami Zayne
At least one title has to stay with the same person. I think we all assume that Zayne will come back and feud with Owens. It's basically inevitable. It's such an easy story that I feel like even the WWE will be able to figure it out. I think this is the first match in a feud that ultimately ends with Zayne taking the belt and Owens moving into the main event picture.

Brock Lesnar def. Randy Orton in a Number One Contender Match
I wasn't really sure what to do with Brock, so let's say Orton eliminated him at the Rumble through some nefarious means and he wants revenge. The right to wrestle the champ at a future PPV is on the line to give the match additional weight.

Tag Team Title Match - Jordan/Gable def. The New Day (c)
I think the Dudleys will be gone by Wrestlemania. I think they get a month or two run with the belts following the inevitable table match that they'll win versus the New Day and then drop the belts back to them. Even if they're still around, I can't see their rivalry with New Day lasting six more months. The tag division needs some fresh blood, and the hottest team in NXT right now is Jordan and Gable, who are totally over despite being nominal heels. Bring them in and give them a feud with the champs and we'll all revel in some great back and forth promos.

Daniel Bryan def. Undertaker in a Retirement Hell in a Cell Match
Taker goes out on his back with his career on the line. Honestly, I wasn't sure who to put against him for this one. Bryan was really the only guy I could think of who wasn't already on the card and could believably beat the Undertaker at Wrestlemania, especially since his feud with Lesnar will likely be resolved at Hell in a Cell. This also gives Bryan something to do without involving him the title picture, as I think WWE will be wary of giving him a belt with his injury history.

Rusev def. Bray Wyatt
Honestly, I just needed a match to toss in here. This could basically be any two guys. We just need a nice ten minute match to bridge the gap between the Undertaker's retirement and the main event. I'm going to guess that Rusev turns face after Ziggler steals Summer Rae, so we'll give him a rivalry with Wyatt heading into Wrestlemania because why not?

WWE Title Match - Roman Reigns def. Seth Rollins (c) and Dean Ambrose
A Shield triple threat match is another inevitability, and 'Mania seems like as good a time as any to do it. During the Rumble, Reigns and Ambrose found themselves as the last two people and eliminated each other at the same time, thus forcing the Authority to make the main event of Wrestlemania a triple threat elimination match. Ambrose is the first guy to fall, leaving Rollins and Reigns fighting for the belt. Triple H comes out to ensure Rollins' victory, but instead turns on him, causing Reigns to win the belt and become the new face of the Authority. A Reigns heel turn is basically an inevitability, and I think it's really the only way to give him the title at this point. I also think he'd be a much better shill for the Authority than Rollins is, and this would easily pave the way for a Rollins/Trips feud that we all know is coming at some point. We'd also undoubtedly get an Ambrose/Reigns feud out of this too.

[skbucks1985]

I love that main event visual in my head. I'll be a little bit of a dick though and say I think you should go fully in one direction or the other. Either act like some Freaky Friday stuff has just happened and you and Vince McMahon switch bodies for the next 6 months and you do whatever you want or based on what you know you try to predict what will happen. For example, I think if I'm being optimistic and semi-realistic I'd say Lesnar-Bryan has a 3-5% chance of happening. So why don't I pretend I'm Vine McMahon and after I indefinitely cancel my 4am workouts, because I'm not completely insane, I call up Shawn Michael and say I want Bryan-Michaels at WM what's it going take to make that happen. Same call to Austin, but I'd do Austin-Kevin Owens. Not the whole card but my top matches:

Austin-Kevin Owens
Hollywood Rock-Brock
Shield Triple Threat for the WWE Title
Bryan-HBK
Cena-Samoa Joe
Zayn-Ziggler title unification match
Undertaker-Sting

[improper]

I don't think Owens/Austin is a good fit stylistically. Owens has a really physical style that doesn't mingle with Austin's injury history. It's the same reason I couldn't see Austin coming back and fighting Brock. There's just too much risk to him going up against guys who have a lot of moves that involve dropping opponents on their back and neck.

Honestly, I'm not sure who Austin would fit all that well with given his health situation. He'd be good with the Rock, but I can't see the WWE having the two most popular faces from the Attitude era facing off at Wrestlemania. Triple H would be a solid choice as well. If we're talking younger guys, maybe Daniel Bryan. Seth Rollins or Dean Ambrose wouldn't be bad fits either.

[skbucks1985]

You gave that way more practical thought than I did or that it deserved. I literally put two constrictions on myself, I wouldn't have somebody work multiple matches and only people that would get medically cleared and are within the WWE family. Without those I'd be suggesting a Shield vs Bullet Club match. Otherwise I basically did it like I would a video game.

As a thought exercise, I think an Owens-Austin match could absolutely work. Owens worked the style he did against Cena and Cesaro because those guys could keep up and that's the style they thought would result in the best match it was not because that's the only style of match Owens can do. And yeah Austin at his age can't work that style, but I have zero doubt they could find a way to make it work, whether that's a match heavy on psychology, maybe doing a street fight and taking certain shortcuts. Whatever it is, I have zero doubt they'd make it work.

[improper]

Kind of seems like a waste of Owens' considerable talents to do that, though. I'd rather see Owens booked against another dynamic star like Rollins because it would open up so many more possibilities.

[skbucks1985]

I love the Young Bucks as much as anyone but the only path to a great match isn't a super-athletic multiple moves a minute type match. Owens-Austin would have a great match without a doubt as would Owens-Rollins. Because there's more than one way to skin a cat and just because the two matches and programs would be very different doesn't invalidate one or the other.

And if Austin ever got back in the ring that would be a moment that felt like it could only happen at a Wrestlemania. Rollins-Owens feels like a Smackdown main event right now.

[Dr Positivity]

Pre show

Andre the Giant Battle Memorial: Ryback wins: I guess because he needs it by then

4 way tag title match: Neville/Cesaro (c) defeat The Usos, The New Days, the Dudley Boyz. Cesaro/Neville team looked good on Raw. Neville as his new Tyson Kidd?

Main show:

Intercontinental title ladder match: Kevin Owens (c) defeats Sami Zayn, Dolph Ziggler, Rusev. Don't know where to put Ziggler and Rusev so I threw then into IC match. I guess Zayn is a player by then too. Overall a nice workers match to start the night

Sheamus defeats Chris Jericho: Sheamus goes against someone very good at telling him he looks stupid and Jericho is a draw. Could be a pretty decent match

Big Show defeats Kane (double retirement match): A theme throughout my night is Attitude era storylines to help fill up Cowboys stadium. While from a wrestling perspective this is a zero for one of the lower card matches it would draw interest leading up to the event. Kane loses and retires

Daniel Bryan defeats Bray Wyatt: Yes movement picks up the energy after Show/Kane (if they aren't already chanting yes right after the pinfall in that one ) and wasn't sure what to do with Bray's match.

US title: Brock Lesnar defeats Randy Orton (c): A effective first time match. I threw in the US title part cause I didn't know where else to put the belt. I think Orton as US champ is not a bad place to put it on both sides after Cena moves on.

The Undertaker defeats John Cena: Makes most sense as Undertaker WM match right now, an opportunity to do this while they can.

The Rock defeats Triple H: Started feuding last WM, lots of history to look back on, Rock should be a major draw to fill up AT&T

Divas Title: Sasha Banks defeats Charlotte (c): The most natural enemies of the Divas revolution. Is this match too exciting to be the bathroom break match? Maybe Big Show and Kane would be a better fit here

WWE title match: Roman Reigns defeats Seth Rollins (c), Dean Ambrose: Shield triple threat, I can see Reigns and Rollins as WM opponents while Dean winning Rumble makes it so Reigns doesn't have to win two in a row

[skbucks1985]

I gave my fantasy card. But I'll give a prediction as to what I think will happen because I think we may have a pretty good idea of what the top match or two will be after tonight.

Rock-Brock
Ambrose-Reigns for the title
HHH-Rollins
Cena-Undertaker
Zayn-Owens
Orton-Wyatt

I think those are the main matches. If Bryan's healthy I could see him and Cesaro or maybe they bring back Kurt Angle and its Bryan-Angle.

[Dr Positivity]

Apparently The Rock is out, as insurance policy for a movie is blocking him

No Rollins, Rock and Orton(?), makes it hard to figure out their card now. Best guess right now - Roman vs Brock for the title, Undertaker vs Cena, HHH vs Ambrose, Sting vs Bray Wyatt

[skbucks1985]

JR offered up Batista-Lesnar as an idea a few days ago. If the issue with Rock is time and/or insurance, I imagine those same issues are relevant with Batista as well. I know Guardians of the Galaxy is supposed to start filming in the lead-up to WM so that probably precludes him entirely and even if it didn't he'd be absent for most of the build. But on a show that seems to lack star power, he'd offer up some. Batista's also mentioned wanting to do a match with HHH so there's a couple different directions you can go with him.

I've seen HHH-Ambrose suggested a few places and it seems like its more because everyone else at that level would be otherwise occupied. I gotta say I don't love the idea, in fact I kinda hate it. I think HHH has long since crossed over into that territory where wins and losses no longer really matter, but I don't think they feel the same way. And whenever he comes back I think they're doing Rollins-HHH and I could definitely see them having HHH go over Ambrose with the logic of keeping him strong for a match with Rollins. If HHH isn't wrestling someone like The Rock or Batista I'd say keep him off this year and save him for the match with Rollins.

[improper]

Zero chance Triple H doesn't wrestle at 'Mania. I'm pretty sure his contract guarantees him a million dollars if he wrestles there.

[skbucks1985]

I'm sure HHH will wrestle. But I really hope its against another old guy because with the Rollins match looming I'm thinking he's probably winning.

I hadn't really thought about this until you pointed that out, but its a good thing its this era where a guy wrestles and is also in charge of the talent relations department. I can't imagine Bruiser Brody or even HHH's buddies Hall and Nash being too happy about seeing there PPV checks cut because the boss has to get a piece of our pie.

[improper]

I'm sure HHH will wrestle. But I really hope its against another old guy because with the Rollins match looming I'm thinking he's probably winning.

I guess it depends where they intend to have the Rollins match. If they plan on doing it before next year's Wrestlemania, you might be right. But if they want to wait until next year's Wrestlemania for the Rollins/HHH match, I doubt most people would even remember whether Trips won or lost a year earlier.

[skbucks1985]

I think the 6-9 month timeline WWE gave is probably optimistic but if that is indeed the timeline Seth should be ready by Summerslam in even the conservative estimate. Unless they bring him back as a heel and he's basically just a heel for a few months and they start turning him babyface a little over a year from now. But that would essentially waste the momentum of his return.

[improper]

I think the 6-9 month timeline WWE gave is probably optimistic but if that is indeed the timeline Seth should be ready by Summerslam in even the conservative estimate. Unless they bring him back as a heel and he's basically just a heel for a few months and they start turning him babyface a little over a year from now. But that would essentially waste the momentum of his return.

Well, Rollins may not be matched up against Triple H right when he gets back, even if he's a face. They may opt to hold off on that feud until the lead-up to the 2017 'Mania.

[skbucks1985]

I think the 6-9 month timeline WWE gave is probably optimistic but if that is indeed the timeline Seth should be ready by Summerslam in even the conservative estimate. Unless they bring him back as a heel and he's basically just a heel for a few months and they start turning him babyface a little over a year from now. But that would essentially waste the momentum of his return.

Well, Rollins may not be matched up against Triple H right when he gets back, even if he's a face. They may opt to hold off on that feud until the lead-up to the 2017 'Mania.

I think its almost impossible to bring Seth back as a babyface, not aligned with the authority and not have him and HHH cross paths soon thereafter. I suppose you could have him win the title pretty much immediately and the next several months are them throwing challengers at him until HHH just gets fed up and decides to take matters into his own hands. Or the authority could be gone and HHH is no longer a regular part of the show and they have some story that brings him back to face Rollins. But that muddles it too much because it waters down Rollins' rationale to be resentful of HHH and if he's gone for an extended period of time HHH will be received as a babyface when he returns.

I don't think I'm going out on much of a limb when I say if Rollins, and for that matter HHH, are healthy for Summerslam next year that match is happening.