WrestleMania 32: The Card That Should Be
Jun 13, 2015 16:50:54 GMT -5
543Y2J, jp49er80, and 1 more like this
Post by SUPES on Jun 13, 2015 16:50:54 GMT -5
Warning: set aside some time for this, as I killed a few hours putting this together.
I'll be curious to see if anyone can top this. PPV match storylines have spoiler tags to avoid giant wall of text. All THREE preshow matches are allowed 15-20 minutes bell-to-bell to shine so as to allow the participants to shine, and also hammer home "We're giving you this for free, imagine what you'll get for $75 once the PPV starts!" Of course, I'd wanna make sure all of the participants in the latter two preshow matches paid fairly for providing PPV-quality matches.
The card is based on a few things:
- Austin does NOT appear to be booked to compete
- D-Bry has stated publicly he WILL return
- Sting was VERY vague about his status in SJ
- I sense all parties are being purposefully vague/untruthful about Rousey's status
- Assumed booking of tomorrow's MITB event in Columbus
WrestleMania 32 - April 3, 2006
AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX
Free Preshow – 2 hour slot
3rd Annual Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royale
Featuring: Sheamus, Rusev, Ryback, Wade Barrett, Goldust, Cody Rhodes, Luke Harper, Erick Rowan, Kane, Big Show, Mark Henry, and many other WWE superstars including mystery participants
Divas Title Match
Sasha Banks vs. Paige vs. Bayley vs. Charlotte vs. Natayla vs. Becky Lynch
Tag Titles – Ladder Match
The Usos vs. Big E & Kofi Kingston vs. Cesaro & Tyson Kidd vs. Dolph Ziggler & Neville
THE MAINS – 5 hour slot exclusively on PPV
Chris Jericho vs. Samoa Joe
Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton
Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens
IC Champion vs. US Champion – Unification Match
Finn Balor vs. John Cena
Brock Lesnar vs. Daniel Bryan
(Brock Lesnar accompanied by Paul Heyman)
Career vs. Authority – Mixed Tag Match
The Rock & Ronda Rousey vs. Triple H & Stephanie McMahon
(Guest Ref: Steve Austin)
WWE Title Match
Roman Reigns vs. Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins
One Last Ride
Undertaker vs. Sting
Plus: Live performances by legendary metal band and Arlington’s own Pantera, including the WM32 theme song "Cowboys From Hell"!
I'll be curious to see if anyone can top this. PPV match storylines have spoiler tags to avoid giant wall of text. All THREE preshow matches are allowed 15-20 minutes bell-to-bell to shine so as to allow the participants to shine, and also hammer home "We're giving you this for free, imagine what you'll get for $75 once the PPV starts!" Of course, I'd wanna make sure all of the participants in the latter two preshow matches paid fairly for providing PPV-quality matches.
The card is based on a few things:
- Austin does NOT appear to be booked to compete
- D-Bry has stated publicly he WILL return
- Sting was VERY vague about his status in SJ
- I sense all parties are being purposefully vague/untruthful about Rousey's status
- Assumed booking of tomorrow's MITB event in Columbus
WrestleMania 32 - April 3, 2006
AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX
Free Preshow – 2 hour slot
3rd Annual Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royale
Featuring: Sheamus, Rusev, Ryback, Wade Barrett, Goldust, Cody Rhodes, Luke Harper, Erick Rowan, Kane, Big Show, Mark Henry, and many other WWE superstars including mystery participants
Divas Title Match
Sasha Banks vs. Paige vs. Bayley vs. Charlotte vs. Natayla vs. Becky Lynch
Tag Titles – Ladder Match
The Usos vs. Big E & Kofi Kingston vs. Cesaro & Tyson Kidd vs. Dolph Ziggler & Neville
THE MAINS – 5 hour slot exclusively on PPV
Chris Jericho vs. Samoa Joe
{Spoiler}The 2016 Royal Rumble Match was a historic one with many peaks, twists, debuts, and shocking returns. Among them were the surprise return of Jericho to the main roster, as well as Joe’s debut on the same stage. They gave perhaps the most impressive performances in the Rumble, both being among the first 10 entrants and then reaching the final four before being eliminated.
The next night on Raw, Jericho brings back the Highlight Reel with Joe as his guest. The interview starts off friendly enough, with both men putting each other over for what they pulled off the night before. But after several minutes, the segment takes a heated turn. In what has been a common theme for Jericho since his 2012 return, he makes a harmless, yet cringe-worthy joke out of Joe’s stage name as well as Joe’s Samoan heritage and physical appearance.
In the weeks to come, the issue of course builds with Joe squashing jobbers left and right, and the week after Fast Lane (which Jericho is not booked for due to a “prior booking”), Joe appears on WWE.com to have a sitdown interview with Michael Cole. Less than a minute in, Joe stops the interview and says Jericho needs to quit ducking him. “I have quite a bit to say to Chris Jericho, and if he’s still a man, he’ll show up on Raw and meet me face-to-face in the ring.”
That in-ring segment on Raw turns out to be a memorable one, as Joe completely and utterly exposes Jericho in a way nobody has seen before.
Joe: “Chris, right now you need to take your own advice and shut… the hell… up! There are a LOT of questions I’ve been getting asked since I finally signed with this company last year, and tonight, I’m gonna provide the answers and also address you.
Back in 2005, I had established a legacy. Much like you Chris, I went through the grind, I paid my dues, I traveled around the world, hell, I even trained in the New Japan Dojo. I got to face so many of the best professional wrestlers in the entire world, men like CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, Cesaro, Kevin Owens, Jamie Noble before he sold out to the Authority, and an icon like Kenta Kobashi. There was another icon back then that saw me, that brawled with me, and then went to bat for me to Vince McMahon, and that man was Mick Foley. He wanted me to be here, he knew I always belonged here.
But it wasn’t meant to be because at that time, Mr. McMahon was too obsessed with his WWE superstars having pretty faces and Herculean physiques. He was too busy allowing his vision of what pro wrestling is supposed to be to unfold with guys like John Cena, Batista, and Randy Orton rising up the ranks. And as for me, I got offered an insulting deal to “develop” myself, so I went elsewhere to continue raising my legacy. Going down that road gave me the chance to wrestle more icons, guys like Sting, RVD, Kurt Angle, Jeff Hardy, and Booker T. And yet as proud as I was getting to step in the ring with some of the biggest names in the business, it still ate at me that WWE couldn’t be bothered to offer me something a man of my skills truly deserved.
Because you see Chris, when this company gave me that insulting offer back in 2005, they robbed me, they robbed these PRO WRESTLING fans, a genuine chance to see me WRESTLE in my peak years. It robbed me of facing many other icons that I salivated at the thought of stepping into this ring to face, guys who are no longer on the WWE roster. Hall of Famers like Shawn Michaels, Rey Mysterio, Eddie Guerrero, Batista, even my buddy CM Punk again. And of course, you were on that list too.
So fast forward to 2015. WWE finally comes crawling to me after a decade of my career has passed. Now after all this time, someone in authority came to the realization that they should’ve back in 2005. That Samoa Joe belongs in the WWE, a conclusion this company could only reach after stubbornly seeing my colleagues from the independent scene break this company’s glass ceiling.
Chris, you’ve traveled the roads to. You’ve paid your dues to become the Hall of Famer that you are. And for that, I do respect you. You are one of the finest grapplers to ever step foot inside this ring. But with that said, here in the year 2016, I will NOT allow you to disrespect me. I’ve had this chip on my shoulder ever since this company shunned me a decade ago, and I will be treated with respect.
Jericho: “Joe, I meant no harm…”
Joe: “I said SHUT THE HELL UP OR I’M GONNA BEAT THE LIVING PISS OUT OF YOU!
I respect you for your past Chris, but I do not respect what you have become. You’re a grating, out-dated hack that cracks jokes that my own son wouldn’t even find funny. You show up for a few months, make a complete embarrassment out of yourself, then go make God-awful rock music in your little studio, just rinse and repeat.
You have become everything that I HATE about this business, hate with a burning passion, Chris. You are a sports-entertainer. I am Samoa Joe, and I am pro wrestling. If you are still a pro wrestler, then be a step out of the studio, be a real man for the first time in years, and face me at WrestleMania, that way I can make an example out of you on the biggest stage in PRO WRESTLING history in front of over 100,000 fans in attendance.”
The next night on Raw, Jericho brings back the Highlight Reel with Joe as his guest. The interview starts off friendly enough, with both men putting each other over for what they pulled off the night before. But after several minutes, the segment takes a heated turn. In what has been a common theme for Jericho since his 2012 return, he makes a harmless, yet cringe-worthy joke out of Joe’s stage name as well as Joe’s Samoan heritage and physical appearance.
In the weeks to come, the issue of course builds with Joe squashing jobbers left and right, and the week after Fast Lane (which Jericho is not booked for due to a “prior booking”), Joe appears on WWE.com to have a sitdown interview with Michael Cole. Less than a minute in, Joe stops the interview and says Jericho needs to quit ducking him. “I have quite a bit to say to Chris Jericho, and if he’s still a man, he’ll show up on Raw and meet me face-to-face in the ring.”
That in-ring segment on Raw turns out to be a memorable one, as Joe completely and utterly exposes Jericho in a way nobody has seen before.
Joe: “Chris, right now you need to take your own advice and shut… the hell… up! There are a LOT of questions I’ve been getting asked since I finally signed with this company last year, and tonight, I’m gonna provide the answers and also address you.
Back in 2005, I had established a legacy. Much like you Chris, I went through the grind, I paid my dues, I traveled around the world, hell, I even trained in the New Japan Dojo. I got to face so many of the best professional wrestlers in the entire world, men like CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, Cesaro, Kevin Owens, Jamie Noble before he sold out to the Authority, and an icon like Kenta Kobashi. There was another icon back then that saw me, that brawled with me, and then went to bat for me to Vince McMahon, and that man was Mick Foley. He wanted me to be here, he knew I always belonged here.
But it wasn’t meant to be because at that time, Mr. McMahon was too obsessed with his WWE superstars having pretty faces and Herculean physiques. He was too busy allowing his vision of what pro wrestling is supposed to be to unfold with guys like John Cena, Batista, and Randy Orton rising up the ranks. And as for me, I got offered an insulting deal to “develop” myself, so I went elsewhere to continue raising my legacy. Going down that road gave me the chance to wrestle more icons, guys like Sting, RVD, Kurt Angle, Jeff Hardy, and Booker T. And yet as proud as I was getting to step in the ring with some of the biggest names in the business, it still ate at me that WWE couldn’t be bothered to offer me something a man of my skills truly deserved.
Because you see Chris, when this company gave me that insulting offer back in 2005, they robbed me, they robbed these PRO WRESTLING fans, a genuine chance to see me WRESTLE in my peak years. It robbed me of facing many other icons that I salivated at the thought of stepping into this ring to face, guys who are no longer on the WWE roster. Hall of Famers like Shawn Michaels, Rey Mysterio, Eddie Guerrero, Batista, even my buddy CM Punk again. And of course, you were on that list too.
So fast forward to 2015. WWE finally comes crawling to me after a decade of my career has passed. Now after all this time, someone in authority came to the realization that they should’ve back in 2005. That Samoa Joe belongs in the WWE, a conclusion this company could only reach after stubbornly seeing my colleagues from the independent scene break this company’s glass ceiling.
Chris, you’ve traveled the roads to. You’ve paid your dues to become the Hall of Famer that you are. And for that, I do respect you. You are one of the finest grapplers to ever step foot inside this ring. But with that said, here in the year 2016, I will NOT allow you to disrespect me. I’ve had this chip on my shoulder ever since this company shunned me a decade ago, and I will be treated with respect.
Jericho: “Joe, I meant no harm…”
Joe: “I said SHUT THE HELL UP OR I’M GONNA BEAT THE LIVING PISS OUT OF YOU!
I respect you for your past Chris, but I do not respect what you have become. You’re a grating, out-dated hack that cracks jokes that my own son wouldn’t even find funny. You show up for a few months, make a complete embarrassment out of yourself, then go make God-awful rock music in your little studio, just rinse and repeat.
You have become everything that I HATE about this business, hate with a burning passion, Chris. You are a sports-entertainer. I am Samoa Joe, and I am pro wrestling. If you are still a pro wrestler, then be a step out of the studio, be a real man for the first time in years, and face me at WrestleMania, that way I can make an example out of you on the biggest stage in PRO WRESTLING history in front of over 100,000 fans in attendance.”
Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton
{Spoiler}Orton looks to be directionless during the official Road to WM32, having failed to win the Rumble match and being an afterthought in his neverending battles against the Authority. He wins a meaningless match at Fast Lane, and within seconds of his victory celebration, the lights go out and Wyatt appears on-screen, cutting a vague promo.
In the weeks to follow, Wyatt sneak attacks Orton in various arena locations both inside and outside the ring. He explains that of everyone he’s ever targeted, nobody better represents what he hates than Orton, “a spoonfed, immature pretty boy who blatantly lies about having voices in his head.” Wyatt detests Orton not just for these reasons, but for having been born into the business, and being handed success like it was birthright.
Orton goes on to retort by actually exposing Wyatt. Orton points out “Bray Wyatt” is a façade, a reaction to what happens when people cross him. He shows footage from early 2011, when he punted a young member of the Nexus named Husky Harris in the skull, sending him out of action. Orton explains that this moment caused Harris, who like him is also a third-generation superstar, to not only have to lick his wounds, but caused him to lose his mind. This one punt to the skull did such physical and psychological damage to Husky Harris that he had to reinvent himself, change his identity, and formed his own group, becoming a cult leader that recruited those even more psychologically damaged than him. “And at WrestleMania, I’ll finish what we started five years ago.”
Wyatt has never been angrier, showing a mean streak and losing his mind even more upon being reminded of who he once was, targeting the Viper, who is often ready for expected surprise attacks.
In the weeks to follow, Wyatt sneak attacks Orton in various arena locations both inside and outside the ring. He explains that of everyone he’s ever targeted, nobody better represents what he hates than Orton, “a spoonfed, immature pretty boy who blatantly lies about having voices in his head.” Wyatt detests Orton not just for these reasons, but for having been born into the business, and being handed success like it was birthright.
Orton goes on to retort by actually exposing Wyatt. Orton points out “Bray Wyatt” is a façade, a reaction to what happens when people cross him. He shows footage from early 2011, when he punted a young member of the Nexus named Husky Harris in the skull, sending him out of action. Orton explains that this moment caused Harris, who like him is also a third-generation superstar, to not only have to lick his wounds, but caused him to lose his mind. This one punt to the skull did such physical and psychological damage to Husky Harris that he had to reinvent himself, change his identity, and formed his own group, becoming a cult leader that recruited those even more psychologically damaged than him. “And at WrestleMania, I’ll finish what we started five years ago.”
Wyatt has never been angrier, showing a mean streak and losing his mind even more upon being reminded of who he once was, targeting the Viper, who is often ready for expected surprise attacks.
Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens
{Spoiler}Owens enter the 2016 Royal Rumble match still undefeated in WWE, with the exception of his NXT Title loss to Finn Balor in July. He vows to win the Rumble, headline the biggest WrestleMania of all-time, and win the WWE Title in the process, thus securing the biggest safety net possible for his family.
To the surprise of many, Zayn has stayed in NXT since his return in the fall, avoiding the main roster and any questions as to why. Instead, he enters 2016 on a tear, having excellent dream matches against Balor, Joe, and the also-returned Hideo Itami, piling on to his already cemented legacy at Full Sail.
Zayn surprises everyone when, unannounced, he returns to the main roster in the Rumble match. His goal is made clear immediately, as he sprints towards the ring and goes right at Owens. It is obviously one of the highlights of the match, the arch-enemies engaging in a wild collision that has the Orlando crowd (who are VERY familiar with them for obvious reasons) in a frenzy. Temporarily losing his emotions, Owens charges at Zayn to eat a big boot, then is eliminated by his career-defining opponent.
Owens comes back in a la Kurt Angle in the 2005 Rumble, kicking Zayn (obviously playing the Shawn Michaels role) right in the nuts and tossing him to the outside, but before Owens gets out-of-hand like he usually does, officials and security led by the Authority rush to ringside to pull him from Zayn, not allowing this type of chaos to unfold again during the Rumble match after having done so earlier (which is to be detailed later in this post.)
At the following NXT supercard, Zayn makes his farewell appearance, saying a tearful goodbye to the Full Sail audience. But that is of course interrupted by Owens, who bought a ticket to the event after being banned from being a part of the show by HHH and Regal. Owens of course hogs the moment and Zayn goes after him, and the scene is utter madness, a true hatred towards each other not since since their ROH feud six years earlier.
Owens is pissed that “this pest, this so-called arch-nemesis of mine” ruined the biggest payday ever for his family, “so that’s why I ruined another sentimental moments of yours in front of those annoying Full Sail idiots.” Zayn explains that he was gonna be damned if Owens would get away with everything that’s happened between them in their careers, and especially since Owens came into the company just a little over a year earlier. Zayn also tells Owens to “quit using your wife and kids as an excuse,” which pisses Owens off.
“No Kev, it’s the truth. You’re a bitter, hypocritical, manipulative sociopath that uses your family as a shield for your deplorable actions. You’re the Walter White of the WWE, and that’s all there is to it. We’ve had our ups, we’ve had our downs, but I always ended up forgiving you because I loved you as a friend and colleague. But what you’ve done to me and so many of those guys in the back since you came here… I’ve had enough.
Years ago before we even got here, while we were still paying our dues for this business that we love so much, scratching and clawing to make it to WWE, you said something that I had hoped wasn’t true. You told me that you thought the two of us were destined to do this forever. And it pains me to admit after all these years… you were right.
Are you pissed at me for taking your big payday, screwing you out of headlining the biggest WrestleMania of all-time? Well now you know how I felt for you putting me out of action for six months, for taking away what I love most. What’s wrong Kev, does the truth hurt a little bit? You wanna do something about it? Then let’s finally settle this and put it behind us. At the biggest show in WWE history, one last time, you vs. me.”
Owens of course accepts, only to get this chilling promise from Zayn:
“Last year, you put me on the shelf for no other reason than to amuse yourself. And at the biggest WrestleMania of all-time, I’m gonna amuse myself just like I did in the Royal Rumble match. I’m gonna do what no one else on this roster outside of Finn Balor has done… Don’t bring your wife and kids to AT&T Stadium. It’s gonna be enough for you already, for I’m gonna humble you and leave you a truly defeated man in front of 100,000 people.”
Owens: “You’re on, and just keep telling yourself you’re gonna beat me. I’ll just focus on putting you out of action for good this time.”
To the surprise of many, Zayn has stayed in NXT since his return in the fall, avoiding the main roster and any questions as to why. Instead, he enters 2016 on a tear, having excellent dream matches against Balor, Joe, and the also-returned Hideo Itami, piling on to his already cemented legacy at Full Sail.
Zayn surprises everyone when, unannounced, he returns to the main roster in the Rumble match. His goal is made clear immediately, as he sprints towards the ring and goes right at Owens. It is obviously one of the highlights of the match, the arch-enemies engaging in a wild collision that has the Orlando crowd (who are VERY familiar with them for obvious reasons) in a frenzy. Temporarily losing his emotions, Owens charges at Zayn to eat a big boot, then is eliminated by his career-defining opponent.
Owens comes back in a la Kurt Angle in the 2005 Rumble, kicking Zayn (obviously playing the Shawn Michaels role) right in the nuts and tossing him to the outside, but before Owens gets out-of-hand like he usually does, officials and security led by the Authority rush to ringside to pull him from Zayn, not allowing this type of chaos to unfold again during the Rumble match after having done so earlier (which is to be detailed later in this post.)
At the following NXT supercard, Zayn makes his farewell appearance, saying a tearful goodbye to the Full Sail audience. But that is of course interrupted by Owens, who bought a ticket to the event after being banned from being a part of the show by HHH and Regal. Owens of course hogs the moment and Zayn goes after him, and the scene is utter madness, a true hatred towards each other not since since their ROH feud six years earlier.
Owens is pissed that “this pest, this so-called arch-nemesis of mine” ruined the biggest payday ever for his family, “so that’s why I ruined another sentimental moments of yours in front of those annoying Full Sail idiots.” Zayn explains that he was gonna be damned if Owens would get away with everything that’s happened between them in their careers, and especially since Owens came into the company just a little over a year earlier. Zayn also tells Owens to “quit using your wife and kids as an excuse,” which pisses Owens off.
“No Kev, it’s the truth. You’re a bitter, hypocritical, manipulative sociopath that uses your family as a shield for your deplorable actions. You’re the Walter White of the WWE, and that’s all there is to it. We’ve had our ups, we’ve had our downs, but I always ended up forgiving you because I loved you as a friend and colleague. But what you’ve done to me and so many of those guys in the back since you came here… I’ve had enough.
Years ago before we even got here, while we were still paying our dues for this business that we love so much, scratching and clawing to make it to WWE, you said something that I had hoped wasn’t true. You told me that you thought the two of us were destined to do this forever. And it pains me to admit after all these years… you were right.
Are you pissed at me for taking your big payday, screwing you out of headlining the biggest WrestleMania of all-time? Well now you know how I felt for you putting me out of action for six months, for taking away what I love most. What’s wrong Kev, does the truth hurt a little bit? You wanna do something about it? Then let’s finally settle this and put it behind us. At the biggest show in WWE history, one last time, you vs. me.”
Owens of course accepts, only to get this chilling promise from Zayn:
“Last year, you put me on the shelf for no other reason than to amuse yourself. And at the biggest WrestleMania of all-time, I’m gonna amuse myself just like I did in the Royal Rumble match. I’m gonna do what no one else on this roster outside of Finn Balor has done… Don’t bring your wife and kids to AT&T Stadium. It’s gonna be enough for you already, for I’m gonna humble you and leave you a truly defeated man in front of 100,000 people.”
Owens: “You’re on, and just keep telling yourself you’re gonna beat me. I’ll just focus on putting you out of action for good this time.”
IC Champion vs. US Champion – Unification Match
Finn Balor vs. John Cena
{Spoiler}Although he’s still the US Champion since WM31, Cena earns himself a spot in the Rumble match, as he too would like a crack at headlining the biggest show in WWE history. But it is not meant to be, as his elimination from the match is the last one before the final four.
Earlier that night, as a “make-good” for the lack of Cena not having his standard US Title open challenge, the reigning IC Champion Cesaro lays down an open challenge as one of the show’s marquee matches. The Orlando faithful (who are of course familiar with the former NXT Champion) are in a frenzy when Balor (who goes on to lose his feud and the NXT Title to Hideo Itami at the NXT supercard in February) makes his debut on the main roster, defeating the champion in a MOTYC dream match that truly steals the show. Balor also wins the rematch at Fast Lane. (The following night, Cesaro receives the great news of his partner Tyson Kidd being medically cleared in time for them to team up for the fourway ladder match.)
On the March 7 edition of Raw in Chicago, Cena is scheduled to make an announcement regarding his status at WM32. After his usual promo, which does a great job explaining how much his reign as US Champ has meant to him and of course getting the most out of the white-hot CHI audience, he states his next defense will be at the Showcase of the Immortals, and the contract to face him is open.
The Chicago audience of course erupts when Balor’s music hits and he comes down to the ring dressed in business attire and sporting the IC Title. After putting each other and milking the Windy City crowd even more, Balor signs the contract on one condition, and Cena agrees to it.
At WrestleMania 32 inside AT&T Stadium, the biggest WM of all-time will witness history, as at long last the IC and US Championships will be unified in a first-time ever matchup between IC Champ Finn Balor and US Champ John Cena.
In the remaining weeks before the biggest show in company history, both men show respect but also develop a sports-like animosity, each claiming their own respective belt means more for their own reasons.
Balor: “I’m the future of this company, and unifying these belts, belts that have been held by HOFers such as Steve Austin, The Rock, Bret Hart, Eddie Guerrero, Shawn Michaels, and Ricky Steamboat, along with a victory over a future HOFer like John Cena, will catapult me to my ultimate goal of winning the WWE Title. But do not .incorrectly assume that means I am looking past Cena. I am simply going to show the fans of WWE what so many others in Japan and Europe already know, which is that I’m the best in this business. And I’m gonna do that in front of over 100,000 fans inside the jam-packed AT&T Stadium when I unify this IC Championship with the US Championship.”
Cena: “Make no mistake, I am still the measuring stick in the WWE, and I’ve given one opportunity after another to those who have wanted to take this away from me for the past year. At WM32, I further cement my legacy as the greatest champion in the history of this business, and will be honored to step inside the ring with a fellow champion and truly world-class competitor like Balor. But when the match is over, I’ll be the one holding both this US Championship and that IC Championship high.”
Earlier that night, as a “make-good” for the lack of Cena not having his standard US Title open challenge, the reigning IC Champion Cesaro lays down an open challenge as one of the show’s marquee matches. The Orlando faithful (who are of course familiar with the former NXT Champion) are in a frenzy when Balor (who goes on to lose his feud and the NXT Title to Hideo Itami at the NXT supercard in February) makes his debut on the main roster, defeating the champion in a MOTYC dream match that truly steals the show. Balor also wins the rematch at Fast Lane. (The following night, Cesaro receives the great news of his partner Tyson Kidd being medically cleared in time for them to team up for the fourway ladder match.)
On the March 7 edition of Raw in Chicago, Cena is scheduled to make an announcement regarding his status at WM32. After his usual promo, which does a great job explaining how much his reign as US Champ has meant to him and of course getting the most out of the white-hot CHI audience, he states his next defense will be at the Showcase of the Immortals, and the contract to face him is open.
The Chicago audience of course erupts when Balor’s music hits and he comes down to the ring dressed in business attire and sporting the IC Title. After putting each other and milking the Windy City crowd even more, Balor signs the contract on one condition, and Cena agrees to it.
At WrestleMania 32 inside AT&T Stadium, the biggest WM of all-time will witness history, as at long last the IC and US Championships will be unified in a first-time ever matchup between IC Champ Finn Balor and US Champ John Cena.
In the remaining weeks before the biggest show in company history, both men show respect but also develop a sports-like animosity, each claiming their own respective belt means more for their own reasons.
Balor: “I’m the future of this company, and unifying these belts, belts that have been held by HOFers such as Steve Austin, The Rock, Bret Hart, Eddie Guerrero, Shawn Michaels, and Ricky Steamboat, along with a victory over a future HOFer like John Cena, will catapult me to my ultimate goal of winning the WWE Title. But do not .incorrectly assume that means I am looking past Cena. I am simply going to show the fans of WWE what so many others in Japan and Europe already know, which is that I’m the best in this business. And I’m gonna do that in front of over 100,000 fans inside the jam-packed AT&T Stadium when I unify this IC Championship with the US Championship.”
Cena: “Make no mistake, I am still the measuring stick in the WWE, and I’ve given one opportunity after another to those who have wanted to take this away from me for the past year. At WM32, I further cement my legacy as the greatest champion in the history of this business, and will be honored to step inside the ring with a fellow champion and truly world-class competitor like Balor. But when the match is over, I’ll be the one holding both this US Championship and that IC Championship high.”
Brock Lesnar vs. Daniel Bryan
(Brock Lesnar accompanied by Paul Heyman)
{Spoiler}Throughout 2015, the Authority have found ways to keep Lesnar away from the WWE Title ever since Rollins cashed-in at WM31 and managed to avoid the Beast’s onslaught. But even after eventually delivering the comeuppance to Rollins, the Authority managed to use loop-holes to screw Lesnar, only pissing him off even more.
In January, the Authority reach a compromise with Paul Heyman. If Lesnar wants the WWE Title again so badly, he’ll have to earn it by being the first entrant in the Royal Rumble match, AND since he proudly boasts about being a prizefighter, he’ll get the gravy of headlining the biggest WM of all-time. Lesnar agrees and goes into the Rumble as the favorite.
Lesnar gives a spectacular Rumble performance, unleashing destruction in front of the frenzied Orlando crowd, and breaks the eliminations record set by Roman Reigns two years earlier. Very few are able to go toe-to-toe with him, and some participants avoid him altogether, terrified to step inside the ring.
In another surprise for the evening (before Zayn’s entrance), Daniel Bryan makes his unannounced return during the Rumble match, this time with his hair and beard buzzed, similar to his runs in late 2005 and early 2012. But instead of entering the ring, he walks around ringside. He does not appear terrified like the others, but rather psychotically focused. He yells at the ring announcer to get up and grabs the steel chair, then enters the ring holding it.
With Lesnar distracted against a shortly-formed alliance trying to eliminate him, D-Bry makes a shocking decision. He swings the steel chair at Lesnar’s legs from behind, and the Beast screams in pain, only to turn around and look at his fellow former WWE Champion. Heyman has his usual bug-eyed look, not believing what he is seeing. D-Bry gets a smirk on his face while the other participants are stunned, only for them to capitalize and gang up on him successfully, eliminating the Beast from the match. D-Bry leans over from inside the ring to talk shit to Lesnar, only to get eliminated due to him not paying attention to the other participants.
D-Bry still smirks though, looking in Heyman’s direction and then talking shit to Lesnar again. The Beast chases the former American Dragon around the ring, only for D-Bry to have the chair again and surprise Lesnar with an attack to the knees, and they have an absolutely insane brawl. Despite the chairshots, Lesnar digs down deep, fueled by anger, chasing after the armed D-Bry, who scurries away ever so cockily, taunting the Beast, Heyman, and Orlando audience with mocked “Yes” chants.
Over the next couple weeks, D-Bry smugly ignores all questions about his actions towards Lesnar in the Rumble match, instead boasting how good it feels to be back again. He targets Sheamus for putting him out of action for so long, defeating the Celtic Warrior in a great, physical match at Fast Lane. The match though also had the most methodical, borderline barbaric amount of technical wrestling seen from D-Bry since his days on the indies, as he also mockingly teased using his high-risk maneuvers, only to go back to the “boring” portion of his arsenal.
After Fast Lane, D-Bry meets face-to-face with Heyman in the ring and finally explains his actions. He puts the fear of God in Heyman, forcing him to shut up and listen since Lesnar isn’t around that week.
“Two years ago, I was on top of the world, Paul. I scratched, I clawed, I gave absolutely EVERYTHING to be in the main event of WrestleMania XXX. In two main event matches, I defeated three of the greatest to EVER step inside this ring and left the Superdome as WWE Champion. It was the pinnacle of my career, and surely I had finally broken the glass ceiling, I would FINALLY, FINALLY, get the run at the top that I had worked so hard for, and that these people had been salivating and begging for.
But you know what, Paul? After the show, you know what everyone wanted to talk about? The office, the boys in the back, even the fans?
OH MY GOD, I CAN’T BELIEVE BROCK LESNAR BROKE THE UNDERTAKER’S UNDEFEATED WRESTLEMANIA STREAK!
OH MY GOD, I CAN’T BELIEVE BROCK LESNAR BROKE THE UNDERTAKER’S UNDEFEATED WRESTLEMANIA STREAK!
OH MY GOD, I CAN’T BELIEVE BROCK LESNAR BROKE THE UNDERTAKER’S UNDEFEATED WRESTLEMANIA STREAK!
OH MY GOD, I CAN’T BELIEVE BROCK LESNAR BROKE THE UNDERTAKER’S UNDEFEATED WRESTLEMANIA STREAK!
It didn’t matter that I defeated three future HOFers at the grandest stage, Paul. I was already an afterthought before I stepped inside the ring that night with Orton and Batista. Nothing I did could overshadow the almighty Beast defeating one guy. And don’t me wrong, Paul – like you’ve said time and again, nobody else was able to break the Streak, so you and Brock should be damn proud of that. It was a truly historic moment for this business and even I’ll admit the magnitude of it caused me for a minute to be distracted while I was warming up for the main event that night.
But then, just a month into my afterthought of a WWE Title reign, I go down to injury, having to relinquish it and not even being beaten for it. In my absence, I see Brock sweep in and claim something that he never defeated me for, then of course take another extended vacation a month later… as the WWE Champion.
So I come back a year ago, vowing to win the Royal Rumble match. It was the perfect story – the two shining stars of WM30, the ultimate David who had just headlined WM a year ealier, NEVER being beaten for the WWE Title, challenging the ultimate Goliath, the man who broke the Undertaker’s streak and stole my WM30 spotlight, your friend and client, the then-reigning WWE Champion Brock Lesnar.
But that wasn’t to be, as I got tossed from the Royal Rumble match so quickly, and then squandered away another opportunity when I lost one-on-one to Roman Reigns a month later. I took the loss as a man and wished him the best of luck. You see, like me, he had also been out of action for awhile, and he had also been here busting his ass for these fans and this business every day. So if he was gonna be the one to finally humble the Beast and thus carry this company on his back, I’d be happy for him.
Something weird happened though. Rather than continue fully supporting me as I was making my comeback, or even supporting someone who’s here every night like Roman, these fans, these fickle, bloodthirsty, hypocritical bastards, jumped on Brock’s bandwagon. Now that may sound harsh, but it’s the truth. And that’s when I learned that it wasn’t worth it anymore to scratch and claw with every since fiber of my being to get these people behind me, because they tossed me aside for your client.
Paul, you’ll be the first to agree with me. Your client Brock Lesnar is a self-admitted prizefighter. He does not truly love this business. He does not care about these fans that are now on his bandwagon so much. And that’s what pisses me off the most about this entire situation – I got tossed aside by these bandwagoners for someone who doesn’t care about anyone but himself and a select few within his own little circle. For someone who throws temper-tantrums and attacks innocent civilians when things don’t go his way, people who had done no harm to him.
THAT, Paul, is why when I returned in the Rumble match, I screwed Brock Lesnar from repeating in the headlining at the biggest WM of them all. Not only does he know how it feels to have that ripped away from him, but he understands my pain, my frustration, and my desire to finally get the match I’ve wanted since that fateful night for us inside the Superdome. And now these people, knowing that my high-risk arsenal that made them so happy put me on the shelf and robbed me of my run at the top, will be understanding of why I won’t be doing that stuff anymore, but instead showing the world that I am indeed the best technical wrestler on the planet.
Everyone knows your client Brock Lesnar will be competing at WrestleMania 32. It’s a no-brainer business decision, especially with all these bandwagaoners supporting him. Tell your client that I’ll be more than happy to be the one to finally humiliate him at the biggest WM of all-time, with the entire world watching and over 100,000 in attendance.”
In the weeks following, D-Bry plays cat-and-mouse with Lesnar when he’s booked, and further explains that he’s put away every giant and beast that has ever stepped in front of him, and Lesnar, no matter how unstoppable he may seem, how pissed off he will be when they step inside AT&T Stadium, will suffer the same fate as the rest of them. Lesnar finally gets his hands on D-Bry on the go-home Raw in DC, but it is surprised when the F5 is almost countered into a Lebell Lock, allowing D-Bry to scurry away in cocky fashion.
Note about the match itself: After having said he tired his high-risk arsenal, D-Bry gets the early advantage in this dream match, for he pulls out a tope suicida on Lesnar while the Beast is doing his entrance routine on the outside.
In January, the Authority reach a compromise with Paul Heyman. If Lesnar wants the WWE Title again so badly, he’ll have to earn it by being the first entrant in the Royal Rumble match, AND since he proudly boasts about being a prizefighter, he’ll get the gravy of headlining the biggest WM of all-time. Lesnar agrees and goes into the Rumble as the favorite.
Lesnar gives a spectacular Rumble performance, unleashing destruction in front of the frenzied Orlando crowd, and breaks the eliminations record set by Roman Reigns two years earlier. Very few are able to go toe-to-toe with him, and some participants avoid him altogether, terrified to step inside the ring.
In another surprise for the evening (before Zayn’s entrance), Daniel Bryan makes his unannounced return during the Rumble match, this time with his hair and beard buzzed, similar to his runs in late 2005 and early 2012. But instead of entering the ring, he walks around ringside. He does not appear terrified like the others, but rather psychotically focused. He yells at the ring announcer to get up and grabs the steel chair, then enters the ring holding it.
With Lesnar distracted against a shortly-formed alliance trying to eliminate him, D-Bry makes a shocking decision. He swings the steel chair at Lesnar’s legs from behind, and the Beast screams in pain, only to turn around and look at his fellow former WWE Champion. Heyman has his usual bug-eyed look, not believing what he is seeing. D-Bry gets a smirk on his face while the other participants are stunned, only for them to capitalize and gang up on him successfully, eliminating the Beast from the match. D-Bry leans over from inside the ring to talk shit to Lesnar, only to get eliminated due to him not paying attention to the other participants.
D-Bry still smirks though, looking in Heyman’s direction and then talking shit to Lesnar again. The Beast chases the former American Dragon around the ring, only for D-Bry to have the chair again and surprise Lesnar with an attack to the knees, and they have an absolutely insane brawl. Despite the chairshots, Lesnar digs down deep, fueled by anger, chasing after the armed D-Bry, who scurries away ever so cockily, taunting the Beast, Heyman, and Orlando audience with mocked “Yes” chants.
Over the next couple weeks, D-Bry smugly ignores all questions about his actions towards Lesnar in the Rumble match, instead boasting how good it feels to be back again. He targets Sheamus for putting him out of action for so long, defeating the Celtic Warrior in a great, physical match at Fast Lane. The match though also had the most methodical, borderline barbaric amount of technical wrestling seen from D-Bry since his days on the indies, as he also mockingly teased using his high-risk maneuvers, only to go back to the “boring” portion of his arsenal.
After Fast Lane, D-Bry meets face-to-face with Heyman in the ring and finally explains his actions. He puts the fear of God in Heyman, forcing him to shut up and listen since Lesnar isn’t around that week.
“Two years ago, I was on top of the world, Paul. I scratched, I clawed, I gave absolutely EVERYTHING to be in the main event of WrestleMania XXX. In two main event matches, I defeated three of the greatest to EVER step inside this ring and left the Superdome as WWE Champion. It was the pinnacle of my career, and surely I had finally broken the glass ceiling, I would FINALLY, FINALLY, get the run at the top that I had worked so hard for, and that these people had been salivating and begging for.
But you know what, Paul? After the show, you know what everyone wanted to talk about? The office, the boys in the back, even the fans?
OH MY GOD, I CAN’T BELIEVE BROCK LESNAR BROKE THE UNDERTAKER’S UNDEFEATED WRESTLEMANIA STREAK!
OH MY GOD, I CAN’T BELIEVE BROCK LESNAR BROKE THE UNDERTAKER’S UNDEFEATED WRESTLEMANIA STREAK!
OH MY GOD, I CAN’T BELIEVE BROCK LESNAR BROKE THE UNDERTAKER’S UNDEFEATED WRESTLEMANIA STREAK!
OH MY GOD, I CAN’T BELIEVE BROCK LESNAR BROKE THE UNDERTAKER’S UNDEFEATED WRESTLEMANIA STREAK!
It didn’t matter that I defeated three future HOFers at the grandest stage, Paul. I was already an afterthought before I stepped inside the ring that night with Orton and Batista. Nothing I did could overshadow the almighty Beast defeating one guy. And don’t me wrong, Paul – like you’ve said time and again, nobody else was able to break the Streak, so you and Brock should be damn proud of that. It was a truly historic moment for this business and even I’ll admit the magnitude of it caused me for a minute to be distracted while I was warming up for the main event that night.
But then, just a month into my afterthought of a WWE Title reign, I go down to injury, having to relinquish it and not even being beaten for it. In my absence, I see Brock sweep in and claim something that he never defeated me for, then of course take another extended vacation a month later… as the WWE Champion.
So I come back a year ago, vowing to win the Royal Rumble match. It was the perfect story – the two shining stars of WM30, the ultimate David who had just headlined WM a year ealier, NEVER being beaten for the WWE Title, challenging the ultimate Goliath, the man who broke the Undertaker’s streak and stole my WM30 spotlight, your friend and client, the then-reigning WWE Champion Brock Lesnar.
But that wasn’t to be, as I got tossed from the Royal Rumble match so quickly, and then squandered away another opportunity when I lost one-on-one to Roman Reigns a month later. I took the loss as a man and wished him the best of luck. You see, like me, he had also been out of action for awhile, and he had also been here busting his ass for these fans and this business every day. So if he was gonna be the one to finally humble the Beast and thus carry this company on his back, I’d be happy for him.
Something weird happened though. Rather than continue fully supporting me as I was making my comeback, or even supporting someone who’s here every night like Roman, these fans, these fickle, bloodthirsty, hypocritical bastards, jumped on Brock’s bandwagon. Now that may sound harsh, but it’s the truth. And that’s when I learned that it wasn’t worth it anymore to scratch and claw with every since fiber of my being to get these people behind me, because they tossed me aside for your client.
Paul, you’ll be the first to agree with me. Your client Brock Lesnar is a self-admitted prizefighter. He does not truly love this business. He does not care about these fans that are now on his bandwagon so much. And that’s what pisses me off the most about this entire situation – I got tossed aside by these bandwagoners for someone who doesn’t care about anyone but himself and a select few within his own little circle. For someone who throws temper-tantrums and attacks innocent civilians when things don’t go his way, people who had done no harm to him.
THAT, Paul, is why when I returned in the Rumble match, I screwed Brock Lesnar from repeating in the headlining at the biggest WM of them all. Not only does he know how it feels to have that ripped away from him, but he understands my pain, my frustration, and my desire to finally get the match I’ve wanted since that fateful night for us inside the Superdome. And now these people, knowing that my high-risk arsenal that made them so happy put me on the shelf and robbed me of my run at the top, will be understanding of why I won’t be doing that stuff anymore, but instead showing the world that I am indeed the best technical wrestler on the planet.
Everyone knows your client Brock Lesnar will be competing at WrestleMania 32. It’s a no-brainer business decision, especially with all these bandwagaoners supporting him. Tell your client that I’ll be more than happy to be the one to finally humiliate him at the biggest WM of all-time, with the entire world watching and over 100,000 in attendance.”
In the weeks following, D-Bry plays cat-and-mouse with Lesnar when he’s booked, and further explains that he’s put away every giant and beast that has ever stepped in front of him, and Lesnar, no matter how unstoppable he may seem, how pissed off he will be when they step inside AT&T Stadium, will suffer the same fate as the rest of them. Lesnar finally gets his hands on D-Bry on the go-home Raw in DC, but it is surprised when the F5 is almost countered into a Lebell Lock, allowing D-Bry to scurry away in cocky fashion.
Note about the match itself: After having said he tired his high-risk arsenal, D-Bry gets the early advantage in this dream match, for he pulls out a tope suicida on Lesnar while the Beast is doing his entrance routine on the outside.
Career vs. Authority – Mixed Tag Match
The Rock & Ronda Rousey vs. Triple H & Stephanie McMahon
(Guest Ref: Steve Austin)
{Spoiler}On the February 15 edition of Raw in ANA, Rock makes his publicized first appearance for WWE TV since WM31. His usual crowd-engrossing promo is cut short by the Authority, who remind Rock of what happened at Levi’s Stadium and are still pissed about it. Stephanie in particular is incensed and lays down a challenge, daring Rock to show up at Fast Lane and bring Rousey back with him.
At Fast Lane, Rock & Rousey accept the challenge and show up, having their second confrontation together against the Authority. This time, the battle splits, as Rock & HHH have a heated brawl that goes all over ringside, while Stephanie has personal security hold back Rousey, and then attacks the MMA star with a sledgehammer, standing over her ever so proudly.
In the weeks to follow, Rock and HHH agree that they need to face each other just one more time, this time in front of over 100,000 people as they had teased on that fateful night in Brooklyn. Rock though wants extra stipulations thrown in, and says that Rousey will be recovered in time for WM32. Rock lays down the challenge for a mixed tag match, and also says “we’re all so sick of the two of you for the past three years pushing your personal agendas over what’s best for business.” Rock dares the Authority to put their positions on the line, and they agree but want their own special condition.
Rock & Rousey must agree to put their pro wrestling careers on the line, and the Authority are happy to explain why that’s a tough decision for them. Although Rock has moved on to Hollywood, he still loves performing in front of “The People” when his schedule allows it, and so losing that privilege will bring him great shame and humiliation. Rousey is on record as saying she wants to be a pro wrestler one day, not just for one night, but as a possible career, so this would rip away a dream of hers.
Rock & Rousey agree, with a special agreement: there will be NO TURNING back on these stipulations. If Rock & Rousey lose at WM32, they will lose the right to compete in the pro wrestling business again. There will be no three-year or seven-year breaks. They will be officially retired from the squared circle. If the Authority lose, they will forfeit their positions of power they hold so dearly and no longer be in authority for matchmaking decisions ever again. There will be no loophole that allows them to regain their positions of power.
In addition, Vince McMahon makes a rare appearance to announce that a match this iconic must have an official that can handle the pressure and maintain control. Thus, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin is the special guest referee, none more fitting due to his history with both Rock and HHH, and he will be more than happy to keep anyone associated with the Authority from intervening during this historic showdown.
For this particular match, since Rock & Rousey won’t be at Raw every week, the Authority are left to cut the majority of their promos, and it’s obvious that they’re on edge, even while a bit cocky, knowing what they have at stake. But when Rock shows up with Rousey on the go-home Raw in DC... just goosebump-inducing seeing Stephanie run away in terror as Rousey glares in her direction with the focus of a Terminator.
At Fast Lane, Rock & Rousey accept the challenge and show up, having their second confrontation together against the Authority. This time, the battle splits, as Rock & HHH have a heated brawl that goes all over ringside, while Stephanie has personal security hold back Rousey, and then attacks the MMA star with a sledgehammer, standing over her ever so proudly.
In the weeks to follow, Rock and HHH agree that they need to face each other just one more time, this time in front of over 100,000 people as they had teased on that fateful night in Brooklyn. Rock though wants extra stipulations thrown in, and says that Rousey will be recovered in time for WM32. Rock lays down the challenge for a mixed tag match, and also says “we’re all so sick of the two of you for the past three years pushing your personal agendas over what’s best for business.” Rock dares the Authority to put their positions on the line, and they agree but want their own special condition.
Rock & Rousey must agree to put their pro wrestling careers on the line, and the Authority are happy to explain why that’s a tough decision for them. Although Rock has moved on to Hollywood, he still loves performing in front of “The People” when his schedule allows it, and so losing that privilege will bring him great shame and humiliation. Rousey is on record as saying she wants to be a pro wrestler one day, not just for one night, but as a possible career, so this would rip away a dream of hers.
Rock & Rousey agree, with a special agreement: there will be NO TURNING back on these stipulations. If Rock & Rousey lose at WM32, they will lose the right to compete in the pro wrestling business again. There will be no three-year or seven-year breaks. They will be officially retired from the squared circle. If the Authority lose, they will forfeit their positions of power they hold so dearly and no longer be in authority for matchmaking decisions ever again. There will be no loophole that allows them to regain their positions of power.
In addition, Vince McMahon makes a rare appearance to announce that a match this iconic must have an official that can handle the pressure and maintain control. Thus, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin is the special guest referee, none more fitting due to his history with both Rock and HHH, and he will be more than happy to keep anyone associated with the Authority from intervening during this historic showdown.
For this particular match, since Rock & Rousey won’t be at Raw every week, the Authority are left to cut the majority of their promos, and it’s obvious that they’re on edge, even while a bit cocky, knowing what they have at stake. But when Rock shows up with Rousey on the go-home Raw in DC... just goosebump-inducing seeing Stephanie run away in terror as Rousey glares in her direction with the focus of a Terminator.
WWE Title Match
Roman Reigns vs. Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins
{Spoiler}At MITB 2015, Rollins has finally defeated Ambrose by himself, But minutes into his celebration, karma intervenes and Reigns cashes-in his newly-won MITB briefcase, giving Rollins a taste of his own medicine after what happened at WM31.
In the months to follow, Reigns has grown cockier about his rise to the top and becoming the face of the company, even being recruited by the Authority but continuing to turn them down, saying he’s a man and can stand on his own feet. Ambrose is hurt that Reigns blatantly used him to soften Rollins up and then swooped in, causing them to disassociate as friends, although not in super-ugly fashion, occasionally still teaming up together for TV tags.
Meanwhile, Rollins has still been getting numerous opportunities at the WWE Title, but keeps losing to Reigns in various match types, including HIAC and TLC. Not even losing to Lesnar at Battleground would convince the Authority that Rollins should be dialed back a bit. In fact, their insistence on him as their chosen only intensifies even more, even against the advisement of Kane and J&J Security.
At the Rumble, Reigns successfully defends the WWE Title against Wyatt. In the Rumble match, the final four come down to Jericho, Joe, Ambrose, and Rollins. The former two get eliminated, leaving the match down to Ambrose and Rollins, and the crowd is firmly behind Ambrose. They kick off right where they left off at MITB 2014, having an off-the-charts finish that leads to a simultaneous elimination.
The two men argue about who won the Rumble, and the Authority come to try to regain order as Reigns watches from a VIP suite, smirking and holding the WWE Title. Ambrose and Rollins can’t keep their composure for even a brief moment to allow a decision to be made, for their emotions are at an all-time high. After all, this is for the opportunity to headline the biggest WM of all-time and challenge their former stablemate for the biggest prize in the business.
Ambrose and Rollins have an absolute brawl to close the show, leaving the Lesnar vs. D-Bry and Zayn vs. Owens segments earlier in the Rumble match in the dust. It is absolutely insane and they cannot be kept off of each other, leaving the Authority no choice but to throw the match out as the show goes off the air.
At Fast Lane, Ambrose vs. Rollins is booked to truly determine the #1 contender to challenge Reigns at WM32. But once again, their hatred for each other gets out of control, causing them to become more irrational with what’s at stake (rather than using the stipulation to manage their emotions) and the match is ruled a double countout as they brawl outside the ring with the show going off the air.
In the weeks to follow, it is made official that since it has been impossible to determine who is the sole rightful challenger for Reigns, the top prize in the business will be fought for in the match that has been years in the making. Reigns vs. Ambrose vs. Reigns.
On the go-home Raw, Reigns only gets cockier. “It’s just the three of us on Sunday. Over 100,000 in attendance at AT&T Stadium. Congratulations on the two of you finally stepping up to my level, but when the dust settles, just like when we were a team, I’ll once again be the MVP of the Shield, as neither one of you have what it takes to defeat me for this WWE Title.”
In the months to follow, Reigns has grown cockier about his rise to the top and becoming the face of the company, even being recruited by the Authority but continuing to turn them down, saying he’s a man and can stand on his own feet. Ambrose is hurt that Reigns blatantly used him to soften Rollins up and then swooped in, causing them to disassociate as friends, although not in super-ugly fashion, occasionally still teaming up together for TV tags.
Meanwhile, Rollins has still been getting numerous opportunities at the WWE Title, but keeps losing to Reigns in various match types, including HIAC and TLC. Not even losing to Lesnar at Battleground would convince the Authority that Rollins should be dialed back a bit. In fact, their insistence on him as their chosen only intensifies even more, even against the advisement of Kane and J&J Security.
At the Rumble, Reigns successfully defends the WWE Title against Wyatt. In the Rumble match, the final four come down to Jericho, Joe, Ambrose, and Rollins. The former two get eliminated, leaving the match down to Ambrose and Rollins, and the crowd is firmly behind Ambrose. They kick off right where they left off at MITB 2014, having an off-the-charts finish that leads to a simultaneous elimination.
The two men argue about who won the Rumble, and the Authority come to try to regain order as Reigns watches from a VIP suite, smirking and holding the WWE Title. Ambrose and Rollins can’t keep their composure for even a brief moment to allow a decision to be made, for their emotions are at an all-time high. After all, this is for the opportunity to headline the biggest WM of all-time and challenge their former stablemate for the biggest prize in the business.
Ambrose and Rollins have an absolute brawl to close the show, leaving the Lesnar vs. D-Bry and Zayn vs. Owens segments earlier in the Rumble match in the dust. It is absolutely insane and they cannot be kept off of each other, leaving the Authority no choice but to throw the match out as the show goes off the air.
At Fast Lane, Ambrose vs. Rollins is booked to truly determine the #1 contender to challenge Reigns at WM32. But once again, their hatred for each other gets out of control, causing them to become more irrational with what’s at stake (rather than using the stipulation to manage their emotions) and the match is ruled a double countout as they brawl outside the ring with the show going off the air.
In the weeks to follow, it is made official that since it has been impossible to determine who is the sole rightful challenger for Reigns, the top prize in the business will be fought for in the match that has been years in the making. Reigns vs. Ambrose vs. Reigns.
On the go-home Raw, Reigns only gets cockier. “It’s just the three of us on Sunday. Over 100,000 in attendance at AT&T Stadium. Congratulations on the two of you finally stepping up to my level, but when the dust settles, just like when we were a team, I’ll once again be the MVP of the Shield, as neither one of you have what it takes to defeat me for this WWE Title.”
One Last Ride
Undertaker vs. Sting
{Spoiler}The final match of the evening has perhaps the simplest story. At Survivor Series 2015, the 25th anniversary of Undertaker’s debut, an announcement is made by Vince McMahon that the Phenom will be competing in his last match at WrestleMania 32. For the next few months, many members of the roster make their pitch to be Taker’s final opponent, but those requests are ignored or rejected.
Taker makes his first appearance on Raw in two years on March 7 in Chicago, closing out the live broadcast. Before he even speaks, the lights go out, with the Stinger making his stroll to the ring, and finally laying down the challenge as the Chicago audience is just unglued, but he makes his pitch quite clear.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlZjBkX3dCQ
Sting adds that he cannot allow his loss to Triple H to be his final match. He NEEDS the redemption and bragging rights of defeating someone he views as “my true equal, someone truly loyal that would never, ever abandon ship.”
Taker agrees, but on one modified condition: this must also be Sting’s final match, a rare double farewell, so that only ONE of them will leave AT&T stadium and walk into the sunset with the bragging rights. Sting of course accepts.
Taker makes his first appearance on Raw in two years on March 7 in Chicago, closing out the live broadcast. Before he even speaks, the lights go out, with the Stinger making his stroll to the ring, and finally laying down the challenge as the Chicago audience is just unglued, but he makes his pitch quite clear.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlZjBkX3dCQ
Sting adds that he cannot allow his loss to Triple H to be his final match. He NEEDS the redemption and bragging rights of defeating someone he views as “my true equal, someone truly loyal that would never, ever abandon ship.”
Taker agrees, but on one modified condition: this must also be Sting’s final match, a rare double farewell, so that only ONE of them will leave AT&T stadium and walk into the sunset with the bragging rights. Sting of course accepts.
Plus: Live performances by legendary metal band and Arlington’s own Pantera, including the WM32 theme song "Cowboys From Hell"!
