Wrestlemania 33 Rumours

Still talk that Orton will be having his title match at Mania, despite "giving up" his shot, as it would be a pointless Rumble win otherwise. I'd imagine that since it's AJ Styles vs Luke Harper next week, that Harper wins to become number one contender and Orton throws a little bitch fit and the whole thing becomes a triple threat.

I think it's pretty obvious Orton will still fight, I didn't realise it was ever in doubt.. Did anyone actually think when he dropped the shot, he was actually gonna drop it? They wouldn't have bothered having him win the Rumble if he wasn't going to be in the eventual main event of WrestleMania,.

Shane vs AJ has moved a step closer. After the year that Styles has had, Shane McMahon is the best that they could do for him at Mania? Such bullshit. Fully expect Shane to take the Styles Clash wrong since he's less than a part-time wrestler.

Still can't believe what they're doing with the Universal Title. How little confidence can they have in everyone on Raw that they have two guys that work less than part-time? Especially when the feud doesn't need the title and they could have made it better by having Lesnar cost Goldberg the title, saying that he now has the upper hand and is in Goldbergs head. Instead they go with "give me a handshake" shit. They've actually made me have no interest in a major title match at Mania.

At this point, the only match I'm looking forward to is the Cruiserweight Title match and that's been one of the most poorly booked divisions in recent years. Yet they are putting on a match that not only will be good/great, but already has given me more interest than any other feud.

Shane vs AJ has moved a step closer. After the year that Styles has had, Shane McMahon is the best that they could do for him at Mania? Such bullshit. Fully expect Shane to take the Styles Clash wrong since he's less than a part-time wrestler.

Still can't believe what they're doing with the Universal Title. How little confidence can they have in everyone on Raw that they have two guys that work less than part-time? Especially when the feud doesn't need the title and they could have made it better by having Lesnar cost Goldberg the title, saying that he now has the upper hand and is in Goldbergs head. Instead they go with "give me a handshake" shit. They've actually made me have no interest in a major title match at Mania.

At this point, the only match I'm looking forward to is the Cruiserweight Title match and that's been one of the most poorly booked divisions in recent years. Yet they are putting on a match that not only will be good/great, but already has given me more interest than any other feud.

Agreed with all.

The Raw Womens Title match is now meant to be only a triple threat, despite talk that it would be a four way. Reason being that they're not impressed with Nia Jax. Not seen much on what will happen with the Smackdown Womens Title though... I guess they don't matter as much. Only rumours I can see is that they're expecting Naomi to be fit, but can't guarantee that she will be. Why hedge your bets on that? If she doesn't pass fit then they've wasted time on feuding Bliss with someone else.

No news on who Strowman is getting either which is a surprise given how he's been booked lately - even if Raw did make him look like a chump backing down to Taker and not bothering with Reigns like he said he would.

Shane vs AJ has moved a step closer. After the year that Styles has had, Shane McMahon is the best that they could do for him at Mania? Such bullshit. Fully expect Shane to take the Styles Clash wrong since he's less than a part-time wrestler.

Still can't believe what they're doing with the Universal Title. How little confidence can they have in everyone on Raw that they have two guys that work less than part-time? Especially when the feud doesn't need the title and they could have made it better by having Lesnar cost Goldberg the title, saying that he now has the upper hand and is in Goldbergs head. Instead they go with "give me a handshake" shit. They've actually made me have no interest in a major title match at Mania.

At this point, the only match I'm looking forward to is the Cruiserweight Title match and that's been one of the most poorly booked divisions in recent years. Yet they are putting on a match that not only will be good/great, but already has given me more interest than any other feud.

Agreed with all.

The Raw Womens Title match is now meant to be only a triple threat, despite talk that it would be a four way. Reason being that they're not impressed with Nia Jax. Not seen much on what will happen with the Smackdown Womens Title though... I guess they don't matter as much. Only rumours I can see is that they're expecting Naomi to be fit, but can't guarantee that she will be. Why hedge your bets on that? If she doesn't pass fit then they've wasted time on feuding Bliss with someone else.

No news on who Strowman is getting either which is a surprise given how he's been booked lately - even if Raw did make him look like a chump backing down to Taker and not bothering with Reigns like he said he would.

They announced on SD last night that Alexa ia defending her title against every women on the SD roster.

Ah, I've not seen Smackdown yet or read spoilers like I usually do. Against everyone lol, so about 5 people then just to get them all a Mania pay day.

Does that include Nikki though if she's having a match teaming with Cena?

Doesn't include Nikki.

This might be the first Wrestlemania where I don't stay up all night to watch it. Just can't be bothered with taking a day off for it so thinking just watch it after work on the Monday. I can't remember a more poorly booked Mania. Ooh, that could be a game, which has been the more poorly booked Mania lol.

Kinda hard to judge the booking of this one since we're still four weeks out. Alot can happen in four weeks.

Kinda hard to judge the booking of this one since we're still four weeks out. Alot can happen in four weeks.

Very little can also happen, and that's what I'm betting on. They could have done so much more than they have to build towards their biggest show. No point in cramming it all in now as then it just seems rushed. I miss the days when Mania was pretty much all set up when there was 4 weeks left. That's just been WWE of late though, booking PPVs right up until the actual event.

On last night's Raw during a backstage segment, it was announced that Big Show would be participating in the Andre the Giant battle royal. This would pretty much officially confirm that his match with Shaquille O'Neal is not going to happen.

I think I speak for everyone when I say thank god for that.

In the women's Smackdown match, WWE has been trying their best to keep the participants of the match a secret, however, Mickie Jamies, Carmella, Natalya and Becky Lynch will definitely be involved against Alexa Bliss.

Other possible participants include Naomi, if she is cleared from her knee injury, Summer Rae, who is training at the WWE Performance Center, Tamina, who is on the road full-time and possibly Eva Marie.

As we first reported a few days ago, it's also possible that the women stars of the past that WWE has reportedly contacted to be part of WrestleMania could also figure into this match. No names are really clear at this point except Kelly Kelly, though Lisa Marie Varon and Lita are also names that have been tossed around.

News on the Bliss title match

#WWE Hall of Famer #ShawnMichaels Reveals He Was Offered #AJStyles For #WrestleMania
"I guess I'm breaking something with you and I don't even know if I should, but I could have had that match," Michaels said. "They didn't have an opponent for AJ at #WrestleMania33. I said that I hadn't been asked because I hadn't—but then I was. I said, I wish that young man was here 10 years ago, man. I honestly do. I think he's very talented."

Not really a rumour as it came straight from the horses mouth but it belongs here more than the actual Mania thread. It would have been great to see but HBK will never come back. He's done and I think his retirement was legit.

Yeah his retirement is legit. This is one match that I would be happy to see him come back for, but it will never happen. He is properly done wrestling.

Another unlikely but possible return is Shelton Benjamin. He announced today he is 100% cleared to compete.

Another unlikely but possible return is Shelton Benjamin. He announced today he is 100% cleared to compete.

I forgot all about him lol. He didn't actually sign a contract though did he? Pretty sure at the time he said he was going to sign it the day later so the injury was really unfortunate timing... something like that. He will be a good addition to the roster though if he's fit now and WWE are still interested.

There are "hints going around" that the Brock Lesnar vs. Bill Goldberg match will not be a two-minute match but also that it wouldn't be too long either. WWE has pushed the idea that everything between the two so far has been short because they are saving the "real match" for WrestleMania.

I would hope so too. You gave them the title and made it the proper main event so it had better be more than a two minute match. Hover between the 5 and 10 minute mark and then it will be long enough without getting boring - and it's quite sad to be able to say that about the main event.

Another unlikely but possible return is Shelton Benjamin. He announced today he is 100% cleared to compete.

I forgot all about him lol. He didn't actually sign a contract though did he? Pretty sure at the time he said he was going to sign it the day later so the injury was really unfortunate timing... something like that. He will be a good addition to the roster though if he's fit now and WWE are still interested.

I'm pretty sure he's contracted under WWE.

I thought he signed the contract but then backed out of it because he got injured a day later. Who knows. Would be good if he is under contract. Doubt we'll see him at Mania, but would be cool to see him on one of the shows straight after.

I'm pretty sure he was under contract and they just froze the deal when he became injured.

He wouldn't be able to sign a contract and back out, it doesn't work that.

You can if both parties agree to it. They could easily have agreed to cancel it for the time being else WWE were paying him for nearly a year for doing nothing at all so soon after signing a contact.

Last edited by Ninjak_XO (Fri-31-Mar-2017 13:25:41)

We noted last year how Shelton Benjamin was set to make his return to the WWE SmackDown brand but that return was being delayed due to an injury. Shelton noted on Twitter that he has been cleared to compete. No word yet on when he will return to WWE but it’s believed the return was never taken off the table.

Sounds like he's still under contract.

Yeah I've just looked it up. Some people reporting that it cancelled his deal, but the offer is still on the table for when he's fit and others are saying that the contract was signed and so remains in place. Definitely seems like he's coming back to WWE TV whatever the case is, which is great news. Always been a fan of his work. Can't see how he'd fit in to Mania, but I'd mark out if he appeared.

Thinking about it, I'd say it's more likely that he is still under contract. He definitely signed is as WWE announced his return and aired a vigilante. They wouldn't do that unless a contract was actually signed. Would be harsh to cancel it due to injury before making an appearance. They're a ruthless company, but that would be a bit too harsh and shows no support.

I'm pretty sure he was under contract and they just froze the deal when he became injured.

He wouldn't be able to sign a contract and back out, it doesn't work that.

You can, but I'd say it was unlikely. It's more likely to be what you said first - the deal is frozen until he's fit again. That's probably what I read and I'm just remembering it wrong. Definitely seems that he is still under contract.

Highly doubt we'll see him at Mania though.