April 10th and 11th will mark that time of the year when World Wrestling Entertainment superstars will transcend into immortality courtesy of the one moment that defines their career.
Yes, that moment is called the WrestleMania Moment which each and every WWE superstar dreams of having to make their wrestling careers relevant.
Such is the magnitude and longevity of this event that generations have evolved watching 36 years of Mania with the one constant being the undying passion to enjoy moments, matches, rivalries and triumphs.
A true spectacle created by the God of Wrestling, Vince McMahon.
The Super Bowl of Sports Entertainment has given us so many moments to treasure, right from Hulk Hogan body-slamming Andre the Giant in 1987 to the epic 60-minute Iron Man Match between the legendary Bret Hart and the Heart Break Kid, Shawn Michaels in 1996. Yes, this was the event where a certain Michael Shawn Hickenbottom achieved his boyhood dream by winning his first WWE Championship.
Talking about Mania classics, who can forget the much-esteemed Icon v Icon match at WrestleMania 18 where an icon of the past in Hulk Hogan battled the greatest icon of the present, The Rock.
There are so many Mania matches that have enthralled me over the years that one article would be much too less to mention them all.
Having said this, one person who truly defines Mania or should I say the Showcase of the Immortals for me is the Legend, the Phenom, the Deadman, a true immortal, with respect galore, I take his name, The Undertaker.
Yes, that’s right, his legendary career speaks for itself at The Show of Shows with a 25-2 winning streak. This after 21 straight wins. Is that even fathomable?
Suggested Read: The Legend of The Undertaker Will Never Rest in Peace
Some of his Mania matches that give me the chills even today are these epic encounters, twice against Shawn Michaels followed by two more against Triple H to the gruelling match against Brock Lesnar which saw the streak end and the latest offering, The Boneyard classic against AJ Styles at Mania 36.
WrestleMania truly is the event where dreams are made and there is a lot to look forward to this year as the show hits Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, with a live audience in attendance for the first time since the onset of the pandemic amid certain restrictions.
Is there a better time for fans to come back and watch a WWE event in person than WrestleMania 37?
I would certainly think not.
So, without further ado let’s dive into the match card for both the nights at The Grandest Stage of Them All hosted by none other than the WWE Hall of Famer, Hulk Hogan and giving him company, The Warrior Award winner, Titus O’Neil.
Night 1 – Saturday, 10th April
1. Sasha Banks v Bianca Belair (WWE Smackdown Women’s Championship)
Bianca Belair, the Royal Rumble winner will challenge the Boss, Sasha Banks for the Women’s Championship. An enthralling contest in the offering.
2. Bad Bunny and Damien Priest v The Miz and John Morrison (Tag Team Match) – WrestleMania 37
This contest would serve more as an entertainment quotient than a wrestling match itself pinning a musician and singer in Bad Bunny against a self-obsessed Miz.
3. Braun Strowman v Shane McMahon (Steel Cage Match)
The Monster Among Men battles Shane-O-Mac in this one. Shane McMahon’s high octane moves would be a treat against Braun’s pure strength in a structure that is as brutal as they come.
4. Women’s Tag Team Turmoil Match
Dana Brooke and Mandy Rose vs. Lana and Naomi vs. Natalya and Tamina vs. The Riott Squad (Liv Morgan and Ruby Riott) vs. Carmella and Billie Kay
5. The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) v AJ Styles and Omos (WWE Raw Tag Team Championship)
Another epic encounter that would see the crowd favourites and current champions, New Day battle AJ Styles and the towering Omos, who would be debuting at WrestleMania.
6. Cesaro v Seth Rollins
In truth for me, Seth Rollins would be underused at this year’s Mania as the man of his stature should be given a bigger match card. Having said this, Cesaro is a very good technical wrestler and surely if the swing connects, Seth Rollins would more than have his head spinning.
7. Bobby Lashley v Drew McIntyre (WWE Championship) – WrestleMania 37
The main event of night one would see the All-Mighty, Bobby Lashley who finally has become a main eventer defend his title against the crowd favourite and ex-champion Drew McIntyre. A battle of the heavyweights should give us a contest worthy of every thrill.
Night 2 – Sunday, 11th April
1. Asuka v Rhea Ripley (WWE Raw Women’s Championship)
The NXT stalwart would lock horns against the Empress of Tomorrow in this one.
2. Big E v Apollo Crews (Intercontinental Championship) – WrestleMania 37
A mid-card match pitched as a Nigerian Drum Fight to induce interest. Well, let’s hope it lives up to the hype.
3. Kevin Owens v Sami Zyan
I quite like Kevin Owens as a wrestler and a performer and would hope to see him kick some sense into the rather delusional Sami Zyan obviously in the storyline.
4. Riddle v Sheamus (US Championship) – WrestleMania 37
Hey, Bro takes on the Celtic Warrior in this bout on a recently developed rivalry.
5. Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler (c) (with Reginald) v Tag Team Turmoil winners
The Tag Team Turmoil winners of night one will battle this formidable Tag Team Champions in this bout.
6. The Fiend v Randy Orton
My first out of two matches to look forward to in this year’s event. The Fiend, Bray Wyatt would be out to get a measure of revenge after being burnt by Randy Orton at TLC last year albeit in the storyline. Alexa Bliss in The Fiend’s corner will add the much-needed supernatural charisma to this larger than life encounter.
7. Edge v Roman Reigns v Daniel Bryan (Triple Threat for the Universal Championship)
My second match to look forward to as The Rated R Superstar after winning this year’s Royal Rumble will battle against the heel champion, The Head of the Table, Roman Reigns and add to this mix, an underdog in Daniel Bryan who has more than justified his inclusion in this contest and what you get is a battle of the ages. A mesmerising encounter to keep me and possibly millions around the world enthralled.
If this match card isn’t enough to keep you glued, we surely would see some legends of the past also grace the event to add the cherry on the cake, a sheer treat to the creation that is Vince McMahon’s pride.
Suggested Read: Roman Reigns: A Conqueror Inside and Outside the Ring
So, be sure you tune in on Saturday and Sunday night in the western countries and Sunday and Monday early morning in India to witness an event that defines wrestling, WrestleMania 37.
I know I certainly would be!