Why WWE is setting up the destruction of MMA
This post is definitely going to be opinion based, something wrestling's fans aren't really used to. Now I have a minor hunch that WWE plan their booking very far ahead in advance. It is something proven or at least speculated on by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, an example being WWE always seeing Roman Reigns as the future of their business back when The Shield first debut.
I want everyone to think back to five years ago: WrestleMania XXX, WrestleMania 30, a huge landmark in WWE. Main evented by Daniel Bryan defeating Randy Orton and Batista to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship and celebrate in front of a crowd firmly behind him. Also on the night, the infamous end to The Undertaker's 21-0 WrestleMania Winning Streak at the hands of Brock Lesnar. It was a night still talked about to this day thanks to it's highlights and groundbreaking results.
Now think to the current age and think where everyone of the mentioned above are now: Daniel Bryan is the WWE Champion in a heel eco-friendly angle flanked by Rowan, he doesn't currently have an opponent, but booking and predictions dictate it'll be Kofi Kingston (who 100% deserves to win) and/or Kevin Owens. Randy Orton doesn't have a match either, but at the time of writing this, WWE looks like they're trying to set something up between Randy and AJ Styles. That is a match I would be very interested in seeing! Batista only recently made his return in order to set something up with Triple H. The Undertaker, although squashing John Cena last year, isn't lined up at all for this year, something I believe is for the best, regardless if his new hip can help him move better. Meanwhile, Brock Lesnar continues to dominate, being the WWE Universal Champion and currently slated to face Seth Rollins.
I will begin to explain why I believe WWE has set up the destruction of MMA with some context. I don't think this was the initial plan to begin with, but things have recently been set up this way. I do believe WWE always meant to get Ronda Rousey in, put the title on her and put her in the main event with one of WWE's biggest stars, that I have no doubt. However, Brock Lesnar still keeping the Universal title prisoner, I think we can all agree, was a last second decision after Roman Reigns' leukemia announcement and vacation of the title after defeating Brock for it at SummerSlam. So changing the future plans set up this 'destruction' in a way so WWE would benefit greatly!
WWE always wanted one of their biggest, home brand name's taking down one of MMA's greatest at the grandest stage of them all. Many speculate it was planned for it to be Charlotte Flair taking down Ronda Rousey, which I wholeheartedly agree with, since Flair is longstanding name within wrestling and WWE. Seeing "Charlotte Flair defeats Ronda Rousey" would be a straight punch to the gut to all MMA fans who are watching it for Ronda. However, since Becky Lynch's rise in popularity, WWE is most likely setting it up so she can dethrone Ronda instead, actually listening to the fans for once. So Becky Lynch beating Ronda Rousey in the main event of WrestleMania (the first of which to be main evented by woman) would be an amazing sight, and with Ronda's announcement of her intent to start a family, this would be the most logical decision. I do believe she'll continue competing after this event, just on a more limited schedule. Hopefully they can continue the rivalry of Becky/Charlotte vs. Ronda in making the WWE vs. MMA 4-Horsewoman match a thing, since all woman are in WWE one way or another.
Now with Brock, him dominating UFC put him on the map in MMA. He wasn't just a WWE transfer, he was a proper beast. Since his return to WWE, he's been built as a destroyer, implementing realistic fighting into his wrestling, especially in his matches with Randy Orton and Roman Reigns where he busted both open hardway with skull caving forearm strikes. Although his takedown was meant to be finished at SummerSlam where he lost to Reigns, since Roman had to vacate the title, Brock was kept around to pick it up again while they decided who else was worthy to conquer the beast. To everyone's excitement, Seth Rollins was chosen! Having Roman lose to Brock at last year's Mania works out well now, as Seth can now take down the beast at the showcase of the immortals.
So at WrestleMania 35, a landscape event with eyes from all around the world on it, if WWE decides to deliver big babyface victories for all, then they'll have Seth Rollins, a WWE homemade icon and architect of one WWE's greatest factions, defeat the beast of WWE and UFC to bring the WWE Universal Championship back into the spotlight. And in the main event, have WWE's arguably most popular female, Becky Lynch, defeat the undefeated (in WWE single's matches) MMA horsewoman, Ronda Rousey. Afterwards, Brock will (hopefully) leave and I wish for the 4 vs. 4 Horsewoman fight (which I'm sure WWE will come out on top). The systematic destruction of MMA at the hands of WWE's booking would be complete.
Say what you will about WWE's modern day booking, but in hindsight, this is perhaps one of WWE's best WrestleMania cards ever! With the crowd firmly behind certain wrestlers (Kofi, Finn, Seth, Becky etc.), if planned right, this could shape up to be an amazing event! Not only with WWE's future in mind, but the dissection of it's ex-MMA talent also.
With these results, WWE have set it up so the crowd goes away happy and the MMA talent are no longer holding the big championships. It's incredible how this has been put together, really.
Side note, here's how I would book WrestleMania 35!:
Preshow:
André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal: EC3. I know previous winners haven’t gone big, but give this guy a chance. He needs something to gain momentum after that crap debut.
(c) The Boss ‘N’ Hug Connection defeat Nia Jax and Tamina to retain the WWE Woman’s Tag Team Championships. I know putting the new title on the preshow is a dis-service, but that’s what they’ve been doing with the Cruiserweight title since it’s return, so it’s only fair! I want Nia and Tamina to be knocked down a peg, then have other teams like the Iiconics challenge in the future.
WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal: Ember Moon. She is amazing and needs to be the next contender to the SmackDown or even RAW Woman’s Title.
Main Show:
Jack Gallagher defeats (c) Buddy Murphy, Cedric Alexander, Mustafa Ali, The Brain Kendrick and Mike Kanellis for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship in a Ladder Match. IMAGINE the Cruiserweights in a ladder match! It would be epic! I want Jack to win because he is hell epic and needs more attention. I want Buddy and Kendrick to show off how good they are cause they’re my favourites.
Ricochet defeats Johnny Gargano. Let these two duke it out in a classic match, demonstrate NXT's awesome roster and allow these two to shine!
Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder defeat (c) The Revival for the WWE RAW Tag Team Championships. I know The Revival is epic but COME ON LET CURT AND ZACK HAVE A MOMENT. The end of the losing streak, Zack can actually do something, and if they want, The Revival leaves for AEW and a feud with the Young Bucks.
(c) Asuka defeats Charlotte Flair to retain the WWE SmackDown Woman’s Championship. I know Charlotte is ‘meant’ to be in the triple threat, but no! Have Charlotte and Becky fight for the right to face Ronda, Becky wins, so Charlotte gets pissed. ShE mAd. Asuka confronts her and wants vengeance for the streak so they fight instead. Asuka gets her victory back and proves dominance!
Kevin Owens defeats (c) Samoa Joe, Randy Orton and AJ Styles for the WWE United States Championship. Have Kevin Owens become a huge face. I want maybe a cameo by Sami Zayn so they can celebrate together.
Drew McIntyre defeats Braun Strowman. Make Drew the new epic heel on RAW by defeating Braun out of nowhere with a THICC Claymore Kick!
The Hardy Boyz defeat (c) The Usos and The Bar for the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships. I thought DIY would be a better fit here, but since Tommaso Ciampa's recent neck surgery announcement, let the Hardy Boyz have one last big run!
(c) Demon Finn Balor defeats Aleister Black and Bray Wyatt to retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship. I think 3 dark spooky dudes wrestling each other would be awesome. Also they’re all fantastic in the ring.
The Miz defeats Shane McMahon in a Tables Match. Have Shane turn heel after they cannot retain the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships. The Miz can be a new, triumphant face toppling the McMahon heel. Have him challenge Bryan at a later date for the next shot at the WWE Championship.
Kofi Kingston (with Xavier Woods and Big E) defeats (c) Daniel Bryan (with Rowan and Harper) for the WWE Championship. Have a promo on SmackDown where Daniel brags about “leaving WrestleMania 30 as WWE Champion and doing the same 5 years later”. Kofi gets his match against Daniel thanks to rallying support from the WWE Universe and beating several people on SmackDown. Kofi, Xavier and Big E celebrate, MAYBE on the SmackDown after WrestleMania, Big E turns heel and breaks up the New Day.
Seth Rollins defeats (c) Brock Lesnar for the WWE Universal Championship in a No Disqualification Match. Have Baron Corbin and Bobby Lashley interfere after being baited by Paul Heyman on RAW. During the beatdown, Roman Reigns and eventually, Dean Ambrose come in for the save. Set up Seth looking strong and beat Brock once the dust has settled. I know this leaves Roman and Dean off the card, but it can work. Have Roman still needing to take a bit more time off (plus let someone else have the big title match ya know? Seth deserves it) and Dean can be ‘not feeling it’ since he’s meant to leave in April.