WrestleMania 36 Preview: Less than two weeks until the Showcase of The Immortals

Ed: We’re going in hard on our coverage of WrestleMania 36 because, well, there’s not a ton else out there to write about. I’m a big wrestling fan, which means I know diehard wrestling fans, so to assist us as we get closer to The Biggest Night in Sports Entertainment we’ve enlisted some help. Twitter personality and lifelong wrestling fan Andy Taylor is here to guide you through what we know about ‘Mania 36 already. Follow him on Twitter @andytaylor6.

WrestleMania 36 was supposed to be April 5th from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. But due to the coronavirus bringing the entire world to a screeching halt, The Showcase of the Immortals will now be in front of no fans, but still take place now on April 4th and 5th at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando. And former New England Patriots star Rob Gronkowski will host this year’s WrestleMania.

Here’s a quick look at the matches confirmed for WrestleMania 36 two weeks out. But remember the oldest saying in pro wrestling: Card is always subject to change.

The Fiend Bray Wyatt vs John Cena

Bray Wyatt and John Cena are telling an incredible story full of psychological nuance and callbacks to their WrestleMania 30 match in 2014. Wyatt deserves an Emmy for his ability as a performer. Watch this segment from the March 13th SmackDown. Cena is now a full-time actor and only makes the occasional WWE appearance, will he finally put someone over on the biggest stage?

Charlotte Flair versus Rhea Ripley for NXT Women’s Championship

This match will be good, but may be hurt by the lack of a live crowd responding. Flair won the women’s Royal Rumble match allowing her to pick which title she wanted to go after. WWE thinks the world of Ripley with her impressive performance at 2019 Survivor Series followed by ending Shayna Baszler’s dominant run as NXT women’s champion.

Bayley versus Lacey Evans versus Dana Brooke versus Tamina versus Naomi versus Sasha Banks for SmackDown Women’s Championship

This match was set up on the March 20th SmackDown via Skype appearance by Paige. I’m always glad to see more people get a ‘Mania payday, but the only story that matters here is Bayley and Sasha Banks. Hopefully those two will get the opportunity for another showcase one-on-one match like they had at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn.

The Undertaker versus A.J. Styles

Even in his 50s, what is a WrestleMania without The Undertaker? WrestleMania 36 may be The Deadman’s most surreal entrance ever in front of no fans. Styles has made the feud personal with comments about Taker’s real-life wife, former WWE Diva’s Champion Michele McCool. So far, Taker has dominated the build to this match and we aren’t fully sure why they are fighting.

Kevin Owens versus Seth Rollins

Two talented workers going at it on biggest show of the year. Rollins now leads a stable as the Monday Night Messiah with Murphy, AOP and the occasional random referee. No matter the story, Owens and Rollins have the ability to steal the show.

Roman Reigns versus Goldberg for WWE Universal Championship

The match that crosses over into college football’s clean old-fashioned hate rivalry! Former Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets lineman Roman Reigns versus former Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Bill Goldberg. Goldberg ran through The Fiend for the Universal title in Saudi Arabia because WWE struggles to create new stars.

Becky Lynch versus Shayna Baszler for Raw Women’s Championship

This has the chance to be an incredible match. “The Man” Becky Lynch going against one of the most dominant women ever in NXT in Shayna Baszler. The build to this match included Baszler biting Lynch, which was weird, but everything seems back on track now with Lynch’s solid promos leading the way.

Drew McIntyre vs Brock Lesnar for WWE Championship

Remember what I said about WWE struggling to create new stars? They are attempting to build McIntyre with this run. Lesnar dominated the first half of the men’s Royal Rumble, McIntyre came in halfway through and eliminated him, and later won the match. The sky is the limit for Drew McIntyre if he can beat Brock Lesnar for the title at WrestleMania 36.

Expect some more matches to be added in the final two weeks for a surreal WrestleMania experience with no fans. Which match are you most looking forward to on the card?