Preview: WWE — WrestleMania 36 (SmackDown Matches)

The weirdness continues as WrestleMania 36 will go down as the most… different show in history. The bells and whistles that usually come with the grand stage in such a huge stadium are irrelevant this year as we see this show take place from the Performance Center and other locations. Who knows what to expect besides a little bit of chaos, a whole lot of confusion, and anything else you can think of. Here we preview the SmackDown side of things for the two night WrestleMania 36 with plenty of “who knows” in-store rather than surprises.

Otis vs. Dolph Ziggler w/ Mandy Rose

The Otis–Mandy Rose–Dolph Ziggler love triangle has gone on for months and it is getting the proper match to complete it. The hacker that has been teased about for months revealed what happened all those weeks ago on Valentine’s Day. Sonya Deville went out of her way to work with Ziggler, making Mandy and Otis turn on each other. Deville sent the text that she would be late and now we know that Fire ‘N’ Desire is not on the same page any longer.

EXCLUSIVE: @WWE_MandyRose is at a loss for words following shocking reveal on #SmackDown. pic.twitter.com/hxFrqP7Je7

— WWE (@WWE) April 4, 2020

Otis will not get the cheers that he deserves inside an empty Performance Center, but maybe he will finally get his “peach.” Ziggler has done all he can to get Otis angry, upset, or anything else you can think of. Don’t expect this to be a technical classic, but instead a fight where Ziggler retreats and uses his speed to stay away from Otis. The only positive result is Otis and Mandy Rose sharing a moment at the end. It’s a good chance that this is one of the most anticipated matches of WrestleMania 36.

Elias vs. King Corbin

Elias keeps playing his guitar every time King Corbin shows up. King Corbin knocked Elias off the platform inside the Performance Center a few weeks ago. Again, this match is happening. There really isn’t much of a story here. If anything, don’t be stunned to see WrestleMania 36 host Rob Gronkowski somehow be included in this one.

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match
The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane) (c) vs. Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross

The WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships debuted just over a year ago and have not been respected as much as they should have. However, this isn’t all negative. Asuka and Kairi Sane have been one of the best parts of WWE TV from week to week and there is no exception here. At WrestleMania 36, they will take on the former champions and the same women they defeated for the titles, Nikki Cross and Alexa Bliss. Bliss defeated Asuka in a singles match to clinch them this opportunity. Who will walk out WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions after WrestleMania?

SmackDown Tag Team Championship Ladder Match
John Morrison & The Miz (c) vs. The Usos vs. The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Big E)

If reports are to be believed, this match did not go down exactly how it was scheduled to do. Following SmackDown on Friday night, they would make you think differently. If this three-way does go down, expect plenty of jaw-dropping, dangerous moves that should have absolutely happened in front of a live crowd. No matter who competes in the match, it should deliver as the three best teams on the WWE main roster go head-to-head-to-head for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships.

Intercontinental Championship Match
Sami Zayn w/ Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro (c) vs. Daniel Bryan w/ Drew Gulak

Here’s a match that people can — and should — get excited for this weekend. Sami Zayn is the Intercontinental Champion after winning the title one month ago at Elimination Chamber. He will take on Daniel Bryan, who is still one of the best to do it inside the squared circle. The coaching of Drew Gulak is supposed to make Bryan even better somehow, so if he is to lose at WrestleMania 36, their relationship may need to get reconsidered. On a technical level, this bout should be among the best, if not the best. When Zayn is wrestling to his full potential and the same with Bryan, these two can steal the weekend without breaking a sweat.

SmackDown Women’s Championship
Fatal 5-Way Elimination Match
Bayley (c) vs. Sasha Banks vs. Tamina vs. Naomi vs. Lacey Evans

Who doesn’t love a Fatal 5-Way between five women for a championship? Without any Women’s WrestleMania Battle Royal on the card, getting as many women in this match seems to be the next best thing. It is improved by the fact that it’s elimination, giving the world a chance for the perfect final two between Bayley and her best friend Sasha Banks. That’s the real story here. Bayley has held the SmackDown Women’s Championship longer than anyone in history. Perhaps this is where the cracks begin, leading Banks and Bayley apart instead of together.

WWE Universal Championship Match
Goldberg (c) vs. Braun Strowman

Roman Reigns pulled out of the Universal Championship match one week ago due to health concerns. This past Friday on the go-home edition of SmackDown, we learned who Goldberg’s new opponent will be. Braun Strowman is a match that could have been interesting for Goldberg with the proper build. But the fact that Strowman hasn’t been a serious contender in over a year brings a completely different feel to it. WWE decided to not to share why this was change was made on-air, nor did they acknowledge Reigns’ pulling out of the event. There’s about zero chance this match goes longer than five minutes or so, meaning we can only hope it does not main event WrestleMania 36.

Firefly Fun House Match
John Cena vs. “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt

This match is likely the main event of one night of WrestleMania 36. John Cena spoke right to the fans at home talking about these times and how this WrestleMania may be the most important. No one knows what to expect. It will be the talk of the town. He has to step into a match he was not expecting to against Bray Wyatt. Then he picked up the pace, letting Bray know that he is going to finish the job that he started six years ago. Cena informed “The Fiend” that he is not on the level of him and never will be. This weekend, he ends it once and for all. That’s when the Fun House friends came out to play before “The Fiend” and Bray both showed up to spook a determined Cena. This match is going to be something.

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You can view the WrestleMania 36 Raw matches preview here.