Preview: WWE – WrestleMania 36: (Raw Matches)

WrestleMania 36 is going to be nothing like we have ever seen before. So, understandably this preview will be like nothing we have ever done before. WrestleMania is seen as “The Grandest Stage Of Them All,” “The Showcase of Immortals.” This year, it’s a show that will not be breaking attendance records, dazzle with a beautiful stage and pyro. It will instead be held at multiple locations, with the Performance Center serving as the main home. There will not be a single fan in attendance and the chance that it’s all recorded already is very high. COVID-19 has struck down and taken away much of WrestleMania Week as a whole. But in the WWE, the show must go on.

Fans wanted the show postponed, reportedly wrestlers did as well. But its a decision no one would want to make in their lifetimes. Instead of postponing, it will be a two night spectacular. “WrestleMania 36: Too Big For One Night.” With two shows going on and no schedule announced as of yet for what will happen on Saturday or Sunday, we here at LWOPW have taken it upon ourselves to preview all 16 matches based off-brand with both having eight matches, respectively. Sit back, relax, and enjoy these previews that could be just as much of a problem to talk about as the show itself! Kicking off with the Raw brand of matches.

WrestleMania 36 – RAW

Aleister Black vs. Bobby Lashley w/ Lana

This match has no build to it. None. Can’t even name the last time Bobby Lashley and Lana were on television. But here we are. And to be perfectly honest, those two don’t matter much in this case. This is about the rise of “The Dutch Destroyer.” Aleister Black has been the rising star of Monday Night Raw, with his only loss in the past year coming against AJ Styles after having to wrestle both Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson in two separate matches prior. Black should have his ultimate showcase this Saturday (or Sunday) night when he defeats Lashley, only adding to his list and more than likely propelling himself to championship glory sooner rather than later.

Kevin Owens vs. Seth Rollins

A long-lasting rivalry will finally come to an end perhaps at the show of shows. Kevin Owens has been chasing “The Monday Night Messiah” since November and he gets a chance at fighting him one of one. these two have fought plenty of times before, but this is WrestleMania. It’s weird to see these two both not being in title matches but here we are. For Seth Rollins, this is yet another shot at greatness at WrestleMania. For Kevin Owens, it’s a chance for retribution. Retribution after missing last year’s WrestleMania and retribution to fight against the man who has stood in his way for months now. And for all of us, the hopeful end of this long, slow-burning feud.

Raw Tag Team Championships: The Street Profits (c) vs. Angel Garza & Austin Theory w/ Zelina Vega

This is a match that given the time can be among the best on the entire WrestleMania card. But, there’s not too much background to it. The Street Profits won the Raw Tag Team Championships a month ago and have been among the best performers on Raw since. Angel Garza debuted only a few months ago on the main roster when Andrade was taken out by Humberto Carrillo and Zelina Vega needed someone to represent. The go-home edition of Raw changed up this entire match. The United States Champion, Andrade, has suffered a rib injury that leaves him out for the foreseeable future. Enter Vega’s new free agent signing: Austin Theory.

Austin Theory prides himself on being the future of pro wrestling. The 22-year-old has everything it takes to be “the guy” in the WWE and only had a number of matches in NXT before being summoned to fill in for Andrade. If he is to show that he is the real deal, winning tag team gold in his first WrestleMania, the same week he was called-up? Some would say that is perfect. This one shall be interesting.

Boneyard Match – The Undertaker vs. AJ Styles

What’s to think of this match? A Boneyard match. AJ Styles has hinted at it somewhat being like a Buried Alive Match and a Street Fight combined. Either way, Styles has done everything under the sun to try and get into the head of The Undertaker. He has attacked him and his wife, saying his main job is to do what Michelle McCool wants him to do. This all kicked off at Super Showdown when Styles’ win was stolen by him and then The Undertaker aided Aleister Black at Elimination Chamber. So here we are. Maybe Undertaker’s most anticipated match in years due to the uniqueness of the match and who he is facing.

The promo that was cut by Undertaker on Monday saw more of the American Badass than we have seen in almost two decades. There is no guarantee of what kind of Undertaker we get in this match, but this certainly is one of the biggest matches in the WWE career of AJ Styles. Brace yourselves, there really is no telling what this match will be.

Last Man Standing Match – Edge vs. Randy Orton

If there is a match that fans may be most anticipating, it’s going to be the Last Man Standing Match between Edge and Randy Orton. Their rivalry has been the hottest thing on TV since Edge returned. Add the fact that this is his first singles match since returning and the stakes only get higher. No one needs to be sold on the greatness when these two tell a story. These two are going to beat the life out of each other at WrestleMania 36 in hopes of putting the other on the shelf. Edge fights for his career, his family. Randy Orton fights in the name of survival and the “love” for his long-time friend. Sounds crazy. But crazy is what sells greatness. The possibilities are endless with this one.

NXT Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Charlotte Flair

Goodness gracious what a match this could be. The future and the present going head to head to be called the NXT Women’s Champion. The first time ever that an NXT title is on the line at WrestleMania, making this all the more special. Charlotte Flair won the 2020 Women’s Royal Rumble and didn’t seem too interested in fighting Bayley or Becky Lynch again. Two women she has fought in title matches the past year. So, it was time for Rhea Ripley to step up. And that she did, making it clear that she is the one that wants Flair at WrestleMania 36. The same woman who broke the undefeated streak of Asuka on the grandest stage. The same woman who main evented WrestleMania a year ago.

Rhea Ripley’s NXT Women’s Championship takes a higher precedent following this match. It will be viewed as an equal to the Raw and SmackDown Women’s Championships. That is what this means for her. But if she is able to pin Charlotte on the grandest stage? It could be massive for her career. Even if it’s not the same stage as any other year.

Raw Women’s Championship: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Shayna Baszler

A make or break moment goes down on Saturday or Sunday. Becky Lynch will defend her Raw Women’s Championship against Shayna Baszler in a match that could main event one of the nights. When we say make or break, that’s what it is for Baszler. She has a chance to be an absolute monster in the division for years to come. But to do that, she has to beat the best in her first-ever WrestleMania. Baszler has to do something that not even Ronda Rousey could do a year ago. If she walks out with the Raw Women’s Championship, a new women’s headliner is made. But if not, the division takes another definitive hit. There is a story here from the biting to the attacks. In the end, if Baszler doesn’t put out Lynch, this was a failure. And Lynch rolls on to over a year as the champ.

The domination shown in the Elimination Chamber by Shayna can not go unanswered. This is a must-win when you look at it. Anything else is a failure on the part of the WWE. But it does place Lynch at the top of the all-time list with another huge win in her dominant championship run. “The Man” always seems to come around. “The Queen of Spades” needs to make sure that isn’t the case this time.

WWE Championship: Brock Lesnar w/ Paul Heyman (c) vs. Drew McIntyre

The most anticipated WrestleMania match for Brock Lesnar in years. He will defend the WWE Championship against the 2020 Royal Rumble winner, Drew McIntyre. It really is a moment to sit back and soak it all in for McIntyre. Unfortunately, it won’t go down the same way as he expected when he won the rumble. Either way, the one time chosen one has a shot at proving those who called him that right. McIntyre has shown no remorse in fighting Lesnar but has shown he is as confident as ever. Lesnar, on the other hand, will look to stomp out the dreams of McIntyre and the WWE fans who have pushed “The Scottish Psychopath” to this moment. This match will main event one night and rightfully so. It’s only a matter of time before we know if its McIntyre’s time or not.

Let’s hope that the trigger is finally pulled for McIntyre at WrestleMania 36.

Be sure to check back for the SmackDown side of things when it comes to the WrestleMania preview, as that brand has more question marks than anyone can really imagine.