The entire WWE roster invades Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California on Sunday, March 29th, 2015 for the “Granddaddy Of Them All,” Wrestlemania 31. During its history, Wrestlemania has produced some greatest matches in WWE history, ranging from Hulk Hogan versus Andre the Giant to “Stone Cold” Steve Austin versus The Rock to most recently, Brock Lesnar versus Undertaker. In other words, it was every WWE Superstar and Diva to compete at “The Show of Shows.”
However in the last few years, the dynamic of Wrestlemania has changed, both dramatically and financially, thanks in large part of very marketable WWE Superstars who only appear on a part-time basis. In fact, the only full-time Superstar who is guaranteed to have a high-profile feud heading into WrestleMania is John Cena.
It all began with Wrestlemania XXVII, when Vince McMahon wanted to increase PPV buyrates after Wrestlemania XXVI failed to achieve the one million mark. This resulted in the return of The Rock, whose presence has helped boost PPV buyrates. Since then, The Rock, along with Lesnar, Undertaker, Triple H and Batista have competed in high-profile Wrestlemania matches ever since.
The presence of these aforementioned part-timers have resulted in anybody not named “John Cena” being pushed to the back burner by either competing in either filler matches, meaningless battle royals or just simply being left off the card altogether simply because they don’t draw or sell merchandise.
And so without further delay, here are the ten notable WWE Superstars who will be likely shafted come WrestleMania 31:
1. Randy Orton.
The Apex Predator had suddenly found himself in pins and needles as of late due to playing second fiddle to The Authority’s new “It Guy” Seth Rollins. Could Orton finally lash out against the people who have made him “The Face of the WWE” in the fall of 2013?
2. Daniel Bryan.
The Yes Man was indeed the feel good story of Wrestlemania XXX when he defeated both Orton and Batista to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship until a devastating neck injury last May sidelined him for the rest of 2014. With several up-and-comers such as Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose have surpassed him, look for Bryan to be shafted as a result.
3. Cesaro.
The “King of Swing” has become one of the WWE’s top mid-carders (as well as one of the IWC’s favorite wrestlers), but for some reason has been underutilized in recent months ever since winning the Andre the Giant Memorial trophy at Wrestlemania XXX. Look for Cesaro to be competing in yet another meaningless battle royal (the Ultimate Warrior Battle Royal, perhaps?) at WrestleMania 31.
4. The Rhodes Brothers.
It had been rumored that Cody Rhodes and Goldust were expected to face each other at Wrestlemania XXX but were nixed in favor of other big names. And now that Rhodes has been repackaged as Stardust, it seems that the Rhodes Brothers won’t be feuding against each other anytime soon now that they are the current tag team champions as well as a lack of babyface challengers other than The Usos. As a result, look for the Rhodes Brothers to compete in the Ultimate Warrior Battle Royal (along with the others with no storylines, for that matter).
5. The WWE Divas.
The smart, sexy, and powerful women of the WWE (affectionately known as the WWE Divas), will be pretty much reduced as filler heading into Wrestlemania 31. With all the attention focused on the Bella Twins, A.J. Lee, and Paige in recent months, look for a possible tag team match pitting Lee and Brie Bella taking on Paige and Nikki Bella with all of the other Divas serving as lumberjills.
6. Dolph Ziggler.
Ziggler has come a long way ever since he was one-fifth of the stable Spirit Squad as he has become one of the popular mid-carders on the WWE roster today. Normally, Ziggler would be one of the featured Superstars at Wrestlemania back in the day, but today Wrestlemania is all about celebrating the past than future and with that, look for Ziggler to be demoted.
7. Sheamus.
Like the Intercontinental Championship, don’t expect the United States Championship to be defended at Wrestlemania 31 as I expect Sheamus to be demoted in favor of the big names. But look for Sheamus to be one of the favorites to win the Ultimate Warrior Memorial trophy.
8. The Miz.
The Miz defeated John Cena to retain the WWE Championship at Wrestlemania XXVII. But in the IWC’s opinion, The Miz’s win was nothing more than the start of the Cena versus The Rock feud heading into the “Once of the Lifetime” heading into Wrestlemania XXVIII, resulting in Mr. Awesome to compete in a meaningless multi-man tag team match for battle of both RAW and SmackDown. With that being said, expect The Miz to get the shaft.
9. Big Show.
The World’s Largest Athlete has been a mainstay with the WWE for many years, but don’t expect him to have a meaningful storyline heading into Wrestlemania 31 as the focus will be on the part-timers as well as Cena. But look for Big Show to be a contender to win the Ultimate Warrior Memorial battle royal.
10. Dean Ambrose.
The Lunatic Fringe has been on a roll as of late, thanks in large part to his intense and personal feud against his former Shield brethren Seth Rollins. Look for Ambrose to compete in a match against possibly other Triple H or Kane once his feud with Rollins is over, but don’t expect this match to get plenty of hype compared to either possibly The Rock versus Lesnar or Sting versus Undertaker.
