From the 23rd to the 30th fans are going to be treated to some great wrestling action. Even though this Wrestlemania build up has been a bit off key to say the least, the overall magnitude and setting of the show is usually quite memorable. Here’s a recap of what will be some of the most interesting shows to watch this week to get fans ready.
Raw 3/23
Usually the go home show going into a PPV has low expectations. By this point the WWE is usually just fanning the flames of the many feuds they have primed for their event. In this case the WWE might be well served to do a little something more. The past four Raws have undelivered by Road to Wrestlemania standards.
It would probably be wise for WWE to have Sting on the show to speak and clarify exactly why he’s after HHH. If WWE doesn’t do this then the whole thing makes Sting look silly like he’s really after HHH for putting WCW out of business. It would make ton of sense for Sting to simply state he’s actually here to make sure that HHH doesn’t put WWE out of business with his abusive use of power. That would really take up the intensity of the feud and give fans a direction.
The WWE also needs to add some seriousness to the IC title match. This could perhaps be achieved by allowing some of the competitors to talk about the importance of winning the match and eliminating the comedy angle of stealing the belt.
Reigns and Brock will go nose to nose. That whole segment seems like it will be pretty straight forward, but it will be interesting to see how the crowd reacts to each guy. It’s likely the WWE brass will be paying close attention as well.
As usual, and one of their big failings, there are no matches promised for Raw. WWE has to change this habit.
NXT 3/25
NXT is taped, but will feature Bálor versus Owens for the title. This match has the potential to be a classic if given the time. Both guys are probably the future of the WWE. It has seemed like the WWE wants to quickly get past this feud since they are likely bringing Bálor up right after WM31. So fans may get a B quality level match. It will be interesting to see if Bálor is painted up or not considering this is for the title.
Sasha Banks will meet Alexa Bliss in a rematch from last week’s show, but this time the title is on the line. There’s probably no chance that Bliss wins, but it should be a solid in ring match and Banks is on fire right now. She also has the best entrance theme in the business.
NXT has announced that they will hold a quick tournament to determine who will take a slot in the Andre the Giant Battle Royal. The safe bet is it will either be Neville or Bálor. It’s not clear if this will be something featured on the network or not. The matches will be happening at fan Axxess.
Lucha Underground 3/25
The temple will play host to two title matches as well this week. Texano will get his shot at Champion Alberto El Patron and his AAA Heavyweight title. Texano is the former Champion and has been feuding in both promotions with Patron over the belt. This will be a bull rope match, which should favor Texano. Fans might get treated to a title change.
In what should be their best match yet Cage will battle Prince Puma for the LU Heavyweight title. Dario has been shown with a new version of the belt that Cage famously tore in half the first time these two met. The new belt looks way better than the old one. Puma and Konnan are promising that they will out strategize Cage this time. Konnan is also brandishing a new cast iron cane that will likely be involved in the finish.
These two are yet to disappoint and the highlights they are using to tease this match show they are again going to hit it out of the park. They have a tough act to follow after the legendary Grave Consequences match last week. It will be big ask, but these two are likely up for it. This is a can’t miss show.
WWE Hall of Fame 3/28
The WWE Hall of Fame tends to be pretty canned, but last year the reason to watch was to hear and see the Warrior who really delivered. This year it will be about Lanny Poffo and what he may or may not say. He will be inducting his brother the Macho Man Randy Savage.
HHH continues to slide his good buddies in as Kevin Nash is reported to be announced on Raw this week as the last entrant. Nash is deserving, but it seems there a quite a few guys not in that should go ahead of him. He will go in as Diesel as WWE will likely put the NWO in as a group down the road.
For fans really looking to get their WM31 fix this show will be mandatory watching.
Other Notably Items
The WWE will be running content all week on the Network that will be exclusive coverage of WM31. Usually this stuff does nothing to advance any angles, but fans might be treated to a few interesting backstage goodies.
Max Landis produced a Youtube video about the career of HHH. The video seems to be suggesting fans should enjoy wrestling for the great story telling, but at the same time pokes a lot of fun at HHH. It features some celebrities and a bunch of independent wrestlers that probably don’t like HHH all that much. HHH tweeted that he enjoyed it and that Landis gets it, but it’s very unclear if this was not Landis shooting pretty hard on HHH. Have a watch and be the judge for yourself.
NJPW will feature the rematch of the Wrestle Kingdom 8 main event between Nakamura and Tanahashi. The result of this is obviously well known, but the timing of this match for WM31 week couldn’t better. This match is considered by many to be better than the WK8 match they had. It’s a great treat and yet another great way to show off the NJPW product.
Rey Mysterio will be a doing a podcast this weekend to talk about leaving the WWE and his experiences there. Many are expecting this to be a shoot, but in light of recent events the tone might be a bit tempered.
Keep an eye out for the Vavel WM31 preview coming later this week. There will be a complete review of all the matches and predictions for the event that the entire wrestling world will tune in for.
Fans needs to get strapped in as Wrestlemania week is about to be in full flight!