The Royal Rumble has come and gone yet again, and just like every year, people are not happy about the result. Randy Orton won the Royal Rumble, and will have a shot at the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 33. While everyone is bemoaning the fact that we’ll see Randy Orton vs. John Cena again, I don’t think that’s the match we’re going to get. Before the big four pay per view, I wrote a piece about some matches that will be made in the Rumble. Some were right, some were wrong. Here is the updated WrestleMania 33 card post Royal Rumble.
Updated WrestleMania 33 Card Post Royal Rumble
Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar
This match is almost a lock for WrestleMania 33 but it shouldn’t be. Goldberg beat Brock Lesnar back in the day, he beat him at Survivor Series, and then he easily eliminated him at the Royal Rumble. What does Goldberg know about Vince McMahon that he keeps getting booked to squash the biggest name in combat sports?
In any event, this match will happen at WrestleMania 33, and it should probably be the main event. The last time there was a WrestleMania that wasn’t between two part-timers, it was 2011 and John Cena was going after the Miz and his WWE Championship, and even then, the Rock was involved. We’ve been promised a massive clash of the titans with Lesnar and Goldberg, and WWE had better deliver at WrestleMania 33.
Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton for The WWE Championship
This one is a little controversial. Everyone has already decided that Randy Orton and current WWE Champion John Cena will be facing off at the event, but that just doesn’t make sense. Cena and Orton have barely interacted since the draft, and while they’ve wrestled eight trillion times, it would be odd to start a program from scratch. Especially when there’s a red hot one just waiting in the wings.
Instead, imagine a world where Bray Wyatt wins the WWE Championship at the Elimination pay per view, and carries it to WrestleMania. The partnership of Orton and Wyatt has always been built on sand, and with the duo destined to face off at WrestleMania, there’s a fun story to be told. Wyatt could be expecting Orton to roll over for him, only to have the viper strike. Playing the tension of two teammates as loyalties are questioned and the seductive shine of the championship glows brighter than ever? Could be fun.
Kevin Owens vs. Chris Jericho for The United States/Universal Championship
Is there a theme developing here? This WrestleMania season, no tag team is safe. And foreshadowing, this isn’t the last time we’ll see friends become foes. This one is almost overdue. Jericho is leaving after WrestleMania and the best friendship in pro wrestling needs to come to an end. Either Jericho will turn on Owens or vice versa, and they’ll either fight for the United States or the Universal Championship, but one way or another, it’s going down in Orlando.
Undertaker vs. Roman Reigns
Talk about a deflating moment. When Roman Reigns came out as #30, it deflated the crowd so badly that Tom Brady was suspended for the Super Bowl. However, when Roman Reigns eliminated the Undertaker, there was a moment. The two stared each other down, and there was hellfire in Taker’s eyes. Taker doesn’t start fights with just anyone, and this is likely the last time we’ll see the Big Dog face off with Big Evil. Get ready for lots real estate talk as both men who argue who the yard (aka the WWE) belongs to.
Triple H vs. Seth Rollins
This match is obvious. This match has been in the works since 2014, and started picking up momentum when Seth Rollins interrupted NXT TakeOver to call out Triple H. It was weird that WWE left arguably their best young star out of the Royal Rumble match, but then again, there were a lot of weird things about the Royal Rumble. Besides that, the Architect will play The Game at WrestleMania.
Cesaro vs. Sheamus
See? It was foreshadowing. If you include Triple H and Seth Rollins, four of the matches on this card are between former friends. One ambitious writer predicted these two would drop the belts at the Royal Rumble, and then turn on each other during the match. That’s exactly what happened, and they continue to tease a break-up. This is a match that might get cut when the bigger names show up, but could be outstanding.
Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal
This match is part of WrestleMania now. So instead of trying to justify it’s obvious inclusion, I’m going to throw out the names of a few potential winners. Baron Corbin (again), Samoa Joe, Braun Strowman, Tye Dillenger, Shelton Benjamin.
Dolph Ziggler vs. The Miz. vs. A.J. Styles vs. Dean Ambrose for The Intercontinental Championship
Would it really be WrestleMania without a ladder match for the Intercontinental Championship? It has been for the last two years, and in both years, the match has been a real show-stealer. There’s an argument to be made for Baron Corbin being in this match, but since WWE has liked to go with the “wrasslers” in this match in recent years, it just makes sense. With the main belt going from Styles to Cena to Wyatt, they’ll probably lay off on big reigns for a while, so maybe the Phenomenal One can get his first I.C. Title?
Missing Superstars
You may have noticed that a few big names are missing. Don’t worry, I didn’t forget them, I just didn’t know where to put them. With names like John Cena, Kurt Angle, Finn Balor, and Samoa Joe still up in the air, the main event picture of WrestleMania could completely change by the time April rolls around. Most of these are just guesses, but for the time being, anything could happen. WrestleMania isn’t for another three months.
One thing is for sure, we are finally on the road to WrestleMania.
