Before I get into that though, how about that Triple Threat? It was something to behold. IF nothing else, this proves that Seth Rollins is the next big star. His Wrestlemania opponent has to be a top star, like Orton or Bryan after that amazing performance. The dive through the table and the table splash were sick and his battles with Neville in the future are going to be legendary. Cena didn't take the pinfall here but he's got Rusev to deal with as the two had a bit of a face off on the aftermath show. Lesnar's continued dominance is impressive and the stretcher spot was a nice touch to show how destructive of a beast he is. Reigns is going to look like a total hero once he beats him. That brings me to the Rumble.
First off, where were the NXT stars at? How dare WWE send me a survey ASKING which NXT guy I wanted to see in the match and then not feature ANYONE from the brand. What was the point in that? I thoroughly enjoyed the Rumble match as I do every year. It's my favorite match of the year so I'm pretty bias when it comes to talking about them. Miz and Truth being the starting two was GOD AWFUL. With all the stars in the match, they chose MIZ AND TRUTH? If they were the starting two in 2012, that would have made total sense. They were both pretty relevant at the time. In 2015? It felt stupid. That was until #3 came out and it turned out to be the returning Bubba Ray Dudley! Bubba had his WWE gimmick with the stupid glasses and not his TNA Bully Ray look. Bubba got a MASSIVE pop from myself and the crowd and did some Dudley Boys things with R Truth. Bubba eliminated both Miz and Truth only furthering my claim that this was the worst starting two in history. Well, at least next to 2010's newcomers Ziggler and Bourne. #5 was the all star of this year's Royal Rumble, Bray Wyatt who lasted close to 50 minutes and has 6 eliminations, 7 if you count Rowan's unofficial entry into the Rumble. All the bigger youths had long appearances in the Rumble this year. Wyatt with close to 50, Rusev with 35 and Reigns almost at 30. Good showings by the future stars.
Daniel Bryan, the fan favorite, went out very early, only lasting 10 minutes before being eliminated by Wyatt. Wyatt has stuck it to Bryan twice in one week. They are obviously building Wyatt up for a reason. Here was one of the grievances I had with the Royal Rumble. I'm one of the only people to accept that Roman Reigns was going to win. It was the plan from early 2014 right? Daniel Bryan winning wasn't the problem at all. When Bryan was eliminated was a major issue. 10 minutes. The hottest superstar only got 10 minutes? What kind of sick joke is that? Seriously, Bryan should have lasted until the end, being eliminated by Kane and Big Show since that's the way WWE wanted to go. That's my second issue with the match as well; Kane and Big Show. Couldn't they have easily put Wyatt and Rusev in those giant men positions? That way, they get major heat heading INTO Wrestlemania. Instead, the two guys who got heat were old guys who have already had their time. They had Wyatt eliminate Bryan for goodness sake's! Why not have them do it later? Final Four should have been Bryan, Reigns, Rusev and Bryan, all four who would be the focal point of Mania. It just makes sense but when does WWE ever do that?
Instead, we got a Final Four consisting of Kane, Big Show, Rusev and Reigns. Reigns got the two giants out but they came back to beat up Reigns. Out comes his cousin The Rock to clean house. Rusev rolls back in, takes a spear and is out of the match. Reigns wins in an anti climatic showdown to win the 2015 Royal Rumble match. Once again, I'm not mad at all over the decision, I'm just mad at how it all went down. Why not have Reigns and Wyatt be the Final Two? Both represent the future of the company and it would have been a better end for Reigns because Wyatt would have gave him a fight, which Rusev didn't do. An epic 5 minute showdown ala John Cena/Batista in 2005 would have been nice. Oh well.
So, the main event of Wrestlemania 31 is set! The Conqueror, The Beast Incarnate, the reigning, defending undisputed WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Brock Lesnar will put his title on the line against the Powerhouse, the future of the WWE and 2015 Royal Rumble winner, Roman Reigns. It won't be a pretty match at all. It's going to be rough and hard hitting. The way Lesnar has been putting on matches, it could be a one sided affair until Reigns gets in his arsenal to put The Beast down. Along with Reigns/Lesnar, Rusev/Cena SHOULD happen at Mania. It was announced the two will clash at Fast Lane so I don't know what the plan is now. Cena has to be in a big match at the Show of Shows. Could a match with Daniel Bryan be in the works? What about Sheamus? I just don't think WWE would do back to back Cena/Rusev matches unless there is some type of wonky finish or something and then at Mania, the US Title is on the line. Since they're doing Rusev/Cena, I can see them doing Rollins/Orton at Fast Lane with Wyatt interferring because, you know, he's Bray Wyatt. And Orton is one of the last top faces that Wyatt hasn't feuded with yet. It's a match we need to see. That way, we can get Rollins and Bryan at Mania. That would just leave Ambrose to face a heel and corporate Sheamus. Give him something to do. And of course, Sting VS Triple H. Here's the Wrestlemania 31 card after the Royal Rumble.
Roman Reigns VS Brock Lesnar for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Sting VS Triple H
John Cena VS Rusev for the United States Championship
Seth Rollins VS Daniel Bryan
Bray Wyatt VS Randy Orton
Dean Ambrose VS Sheamus
Miz VS Mizdow
Usos VS The Ascension for the WWE Tag Team Titles
Neville VS Ziggler
Obviously, matches like Ziggler/Neville and Rollins/Bryan are just pipe dreams. I think they'll do Bryan/Sheamus, Wyatt/Taker, Rollins/Orton unfortunately. While all will definitely be good encounters, I like my options a bit better.
Wrestlemania 31 is less than 9 weeks away and the whole card is still up in the air. As long as all the youth are used correctly and the match build is good, I'll be a happy fan.
Congrats to Roman Reigns, despite the negative reaction he got. I'm a a fan of him and recognize the need to have a face like him around for the future of the WWE. Reigns has a lot of guys to to feud with once he becomes top dog and guys that will help him improve his game. Cena had the endorsements of various legends who pushed him to the limit in various matches. Guys like Triple H, Shawn Michaels, and Edge are pushed Cena in their feuds and got Cena over as THE guy. Reigns has guys like Cena, Orton, and Bryan to elevate him to the next level and guys like Rollins, Rusev and Wyatt will all have great matches with him for years to come. Bottom line is this; while the Royal Rumble may have not been booked the right way, it got to its foregone conclusion. Roman Reigns is the future star WWE wants to push and they took their first step at the Royal Rumble. Next, you make him look dominant at Fast Lane and then you have him take the title at Wrestlemania. Let the Roman Empire begin.
Bray Wyatt VS Roman Reigns will be THE feud people will compare to Orton/Cena, Rock/Austin and HBK/Bret.
One day....
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