WrestleMania: 5 surprise returns on Raw after mania
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WrestleMania - Surprise returns on night after
WrestleMania is WWE’s grand season finale. A night where feuds reach their climax, and the world converges in one place to see the spectacle. Grand stages, huge entrance ways, dazzling lights, humongous arenas, special merchandise, over the top costumes – WWE pulls out all the stops to make sure the WrestleMania experience is like none other. In fact, this is one night of the year, WWE slams home their genre of operation – sports entertainment. Vince McMahon’s traveling caravan of entertainers put on a show that can only be described in their words – the show of shows.
In its 36 previous editions, WrestleMania has evolved into a global package of enthusiasm that sells itself. However, WWE has revolutionized the WrestleMania experience to maximise their financials. Today, or when the world was the old normal, WrestleMania was not just a one-night experience. In fact, it stretched over a week like an extended party. WWE would literally take over the town that hosted their annual extravaganza for a whole week.
Three days before the main attraction, WWE would throw a meet and greet party for fans with their favourite wrestlers – Axxess. Here, fans could try some moves in a ring, or their favourite wrestlers’ entrances and even get to meet them in person for photos and autographs. On the Friday, there would be the Hall of Fame where wrestlers would be inducted for their contribution to the company. On the night before WrestleMania, NXT would hijack the fans’ imagination with matches that have since gone into WWE’s wrestling royalty.
Then Sunday, it would be game day. The big one, the night – Undertaker’s streak, Brock Lesnar as a beast, Seth Rollins’ heist, Daniel Bryan’s coming of age, Hulk Hogan’s conquering of the unslayable Andre the Giant. But that would not be all. The festivities would spill over to the next week and sometimes, that night after WrestleMania would be bigger than some WrestleMania moments. It is like the season premiere immediately after the finale.
Over the years, this night – one where the WWE fans are the most raucous and unpredictable – has thrown up massive surprises. Brock Lesnar’s return after WrestleMania 28 or Rock setting up the “Once in a Lifetime” match with John Cena after WrestleMania 27. This is packaged enticingly by WWE and becomes unmissable.
2021 promises to be no different. It could throw some massive curveballs on the night after WrestleMania, especially now that there are talks of allowing fans back into the arena. Thus, here are 5 wrestlers who could make their shock return on the night after WrestleMania.
Post WrestleMania surprise – Brock Lesnar
There are very few wrestlers in the world quite like Lesnar. He is built to carry sharks around as if they were a bag of potato chips. Yet, he moves as if he were born to be an Olympic sprinter. There is something about Lesnar – he was made with care.
Thus, it comes as little surprise that he has been WWE’s marquee attraction. Someone Vince McMahon pulls out every time he needs a big game feeling. And now that fans could return to wrestling arenas, the night after WrestleMania provides an opportune moment for WWE to bring their beast back.
Lesnar has not been seen on WWE television since his title defeat to Drew McIntyre last WrestleMania. And, hence, what better time than the season premiere following WrestleMania to come back to town and aim at reclaiming a prize he has previously held with such ferocity.
Post WrestleMania surprise – Samoa Joe
Joe is similar to Lesnar in many aspects. He is big and strong. At the same time, he is quick on his feet. There is a menace about Joe’s face that makes him extremely believable. He carries himself like someone who could actually hurt you.
Joe has been missing from action due to successive injuries but has been featuring on WWE TV as a commentator. Joe’s superior skills on the microphone make him a useful asset in the panel but his favoured place is within the squared circle.
To that end, there are multiple reports stating that Joe could return after WrestleMania. And if one has to return after WrestleMania, there is no better time than immediately after. The Roman Reigns feud with Bryan and Edge is coming to a conclusion. With a new challenger required for the title, a returning Joe could be the perfect bet.
Post WrestleMania surprise – Finn Balor
The first ever WWE Universal Champion has not been seen on WWE’s main shows since his feud with The Fiend. That battle changed Balor in storyline, and he has since been a more vicious character in NXT.
However, it is now time to bring Balor back to the big leagues. He is far too good for WWE to not be used as a main attraction on their flagship shows. There are multiple possibilities for Balor when he returns. For starters, he could go after the Intercontinental or US title. He is a fine technical wrestler and a great in-ring storyteller too.
He could, in fact, carry the title till Royal Rumble, where he loses it due to The Fiend. That could, in turn, set up a rematch between Balor and The Fiend – the story is already in place for WWE to explore. In fact, Balor could bring out his Demon persona to tackle his adversary. The theatre, colours and pure showmanship of both men makes it a perfect WrestleMania match for next year.
Post WrestleMania surprise – CM Punk
Yes, it is unrealistic; and perhaps it will never happen. However, till there remains the slightest possibility, a Punk return will be rumoured. In a recent podcast, Punk reiterated that he is still open to a wrestling return. However, there were two strong conditions attached to this.
For one, a crazy load of cash – of course. Secondly, a storyline that would be too good to turn down. The first condition should not be a problem for WWE. However, the company has historically let Punk down from a storyline perspective which makes this return tricky.
Punk stated, in the same podcast, that WWE is stacked with talent at the moment. That opens up a pool of opportunities that could be explored. Bryan vs Punk is a possibility. So is AJ Styles and Finn Balor. There is Kevin Owens and even Bobby Lashley – both of whom can reference their MMA experiences.
However, the best opportunity for Punk to return is a cinematic showdown with The Fiend. A dissection of Punk, akin to Cena’s. Even if it were for one last run, that would a fitting end to Punk’s career.
Post WrestleMania surprise – John Cena
He is a Hollywood star now. He has achieved almost everything there is in the realm of WWE’s sports entertainment. He was the face that ran the place for a decade. He headlined multiple WrestleMania main events. He even came back between movie gigs to help the company when needed. What once seemed impossible, Cena also uplifted young talents as a US Champion with his open challenges.
What more is there for him to achieve? He is getting on, and the ageing body is not ideal for a full-time wrestling schedule. Well, read the second sentence of this section – almost. He is yet to achieve everything. One more world title and he becomes the undisputed king of the biggest wrestling promotion on earth.
The story is, once again, present on a plate for WWE. There is enough storyline motivation for Cena as well as personal glory. For WWE, there is the opportunity for more Hollywood and mainstream exposure with Cena carrying around their top belt across the world.
This return is unexpected. But, still very achievable for WWE given their relationship with Cena. That dynamic is exactly what makes it so intriguing. Imagine John Cena, not as a face or a heel, but as a man of Hustle, Loyalty, Respect going after – for once – personal glory and, in the process, resorting to grey areas of wrestling morality.
Storyline gold and money-making potential for Vince McMahon like never before. Make it happen WWE and blow our minds on the night after WreslteMania!
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Arinjay Ghosh
(77 Articles Published)