The sports entertainment spectacular known as WrestleMania is set to emanate from Santa Clara California on Sunday and there is no shortage of excitement surrounding the 31st edition of the Showcase of the Immortals.
Some might argue that the build has been lackluster or that the card isn't as strong as it could be but WWE finds a way to deliver at WrestleMania more often than not. In addition to that there is more incentive to watch the Show of Shows than ever before due to the fact that it will air live on WWE Network.
With professional wrestling's version of the Super Bowl on the horizon here is everything you need to know about when where and how to watch WrestleMania 31.
Where Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara California
When Sunday March 29 at 7 p.m. ET (Pre show begins at 5 p.m. ET on WWE Network)
Watch Pay per view
Live Stream WWE Network
WrestleMania 31 Card
WWE WrestleMania 31 Match Card Title on the Line Match Stipulation WWE World Heavyweight Championship Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Roman Reigns Singles N/A Sting vs. Triple H Singles N/A The Undertaker vs. Bray Wyatt Singles Intercontinental Championship Bad News Barrett (c) vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Luke Harper vs. R Truth vs. Stardust Ladder Match N/A Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal Battle Royal United States Championship Rusev (c) vs. John Cena Singles N/A Randy Orton vs. Seth Rollins Singles N/A AJ Lee Paige vs. The Bella Twins Tag Team Tag Team Championships Tyson Kidd Cesaro (c) vs. The Usos vs. Los Matadores vs. New Day Fatal 4 Way Tag Team KickoffWWE.com
Top Matches to Watch
Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns
In the main event of WrestleMania 31 Brock Lesnar will defend the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Royal Rumble winner Roman Reigns. It not only has a chance to be entertaining from an in ring perspective but it is also extremely unpredictable.
The long running assumption has been that Reigns is in line to take down the Beast Incarnate but that may no longer be the case. Lesnar seemingly complicated manners when he announced on SportsCenter that he re signed with WWE rather than making a return to UFC according to WWE Universe on Twitter
My legacy in the Octagon is over. However my legacy at WrestleMania this Sunday will NOT be my last. BrockLesnar pic.twitter.com/T0ai5nezGi
WWE Universe ( WWEUniverse) March 24 2015With Lesnar attached to WWE for the long haul perhaps the decision makers will decide to keep the title around his waist. At the same time if a plan was already in place for Reigns to become the new champion WWE could just as easily stick with that.
Regardless of the behind the scenes possibilities Paul Heyman made it clear in his promo on the go home edition of Raw that his beast would walk out of WrestleMania with the championship in tow per WWE's official Twitter account
Roman Reigns you say 'I Can and I Will.' This Sunday ... BrockLesnar says YOU CAN'T ... and YOU WON'T RAW pic.twitter.com/XIUhCNxLoo
WWE ( WWE) March 24 2015Perhaps Heyman will prove to be prophetic just as he was last year when he said Lesnar would end The Undertaker's undefeated streak. The potential for a massive swerve to end WrestleMania is very much present as well though.
With fans continuing to give Reigns a lukewarm reaction perhaps WWE will embrace that by turning Reigns heel and aligning him with Heyman. Also the threat of a looming Mr. Money in the Bank Seth Rollins means that both Reigns and Lesnar could leave Levi's Stadium without the title.
It is anyone's guess how the main event will play out and that is a very exciting prospect.
Triple H vs. Sting
Sting has been part of the professional wrestling business for 30 years but he has never had a match in WWE. At long last that will finally change at WrestleMania when The Vigilante goes head to head with Triple H.
The Stinger and The Game have been at odds ever since Sting made his WWE debut at Survivor Series by helping John Cena's team beat The Authority. Sting has continued to get the better of Triple H ever since then and he intends to dethrone the King of Kings on the Grandest Stage of Them All according to WWE on Twitter
I'm not here to fight for WCW ... I'm here to TAKE TripleH DOWN StingOnRAW RAW pic.twitter.com/0SvMPJ5yZA
WWE ( WWE) March 24 2015Conventional wisdom would suggest that Triple H should win since Sting has dominated the feud but it is tough to envision that happening. Sting's first WrestleMania match has been such a long time in the making that having him lose just wouldn't feel right.
Also despite Triple H's undeserved reputation for being a burial machine he has put over a number of Superstars in recent years including Daniel Bryan and The Shield in 2014. Knowing how accomplished Sting is in the professional wrestling business Triple H won't have any problem extending him the same courtesy.
Even though this match is fairly predictable it is a can't miss encounter for longtime wrestling fans due to how surreal it will be to watch Sting competing in a WWE ring.
It will undoubtedly be one of the most memorable moments in WrestleMania history and both Sting and Triple H figure to do everything they can to put on a fantastic match as well.
IC Title Ladder Match
It is certainly fair to question WWE's decision to place stars like Daniel Bryan Dolph Ziggler and Dean Ambrose in a multi man ladder match at WrestleMania but that doesn't change the fact that the Intercontinental Championship ladder match has a fantastic chance to steal the show.
In addition to Bryan Ziggler and Ambrose the bout will also feature the likes of Bad News Barrett Luke Harper R Truth and Stardust. All of them range from good to great in the ring and it is easy to see them using the match as a platform to prove why they deserve to be higher up on the card.
Most wrestling fans are seemingly aware of this contest's potential but the same can be said for a host of WWE Hall of Famers as well. Bret Hart is among those who are excited to see the chaos that the match is sure to create
The LadderMatch will always be special I remember my matches but this one will be something to watch at WM31 ictitle WWE WrestleMania
Bret Hart ( BretHart) March 13 2015The same can be said for Scott Hall who took part in one of the greatest ladder matches ever as Razor Ramon against Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania X
I look for the Ladder Match for the IC Title at WM31 to be the highlight of the PPV. Make your WM Moment young men...
Scott Hall ( SCOTTHALLNWO) March 17 2015The Money in the Bank ladder match is routinely among the most entertaining matches of the year and the IC title ladder match should be quite similar in that regard.
At least five of the competitors look like credible threats to win with Bryan Ziggler and Ambrose standing out as the obvious candidates. If any of them manage to grab the belt then there may be reason for optimism when it comes to restoring the title's prestige as well.
The Intercontinental Championship will finally receive a true showcase on the WrestleMania stage and that is an exciting thought for wrestling fans.
Follow MikeChiari on Twitter
No comments:
Post a Comment