WrestleMania stands as the pinnacle event in the realm of professional wrestling, a stage where legends are made and iconic battles unfold.
Throughout its storied four-decade history within WWE, fans have witnessed a plethora of remarkable matches gracing the grand spectacle.
However, amidst the triumphs, there lie a handful of main events that failed to captivate audiences and left a sour taste in the mouths of wrestling enthusiasts.
Let’s delve into five WrestleMania main events that, in retrospect, perhaps should have never come to fruition.
#5. Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar (WrestleMania 34)
The clash between Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns is a saga that has unfolded across multiple WWE events. At WrestleMania 34, the two behemoths collided once more in a battle for the Universal Championship.
8. Brock Lesnar W/Paul Heyman vs Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship (WrestleMania 34) – Lesnar vs Reigns II was a move spam fest the likes of which you’d see in a WWE 2K game. Finishing moves were further devalued as it took Brock six F5’s just to beat Roman. This failed… pic.twitter.com/7hzRn2MQJp
— Super Saiyan Jason (SSJ) (@Shoryuken91) March 4, 2024
Regrettably, this encounter is often cited as one of the most lackluster WrestleMania main events.
Fans felt overwhelmed by WWE’s persistent push of Reigns and the repetitive nature of the matchup, with this being their second headlining bout in three years.
The match itself failed to live up to expectations, delivering a rather underwhelming performance. Moreover, the one-sided nature of the contest, with Lesnar dominating Reigns throughout, left much to be desired.
The chaotic conclusion, marked by Reigns failing to secure the title amidst a flurry of F5s and ensuing bedlam, only added to the disappointment.
#4. The Miz vs. John Cena (WrestleMania 27)
The main event showdown between John Cena and The Miz at WrestleMania 27 is often dismissed by fans as a missed opportunity.
The Miz vs. John Cena – WWE Championship Match: WrestleMania 27 pic.twitter.com/k4dBxpLGlP
— WCW ECW WWE (@otdz_t) January 5, 2024
WWE seemingly lacked a clear direction for the two superstars contending for the WWE Title, overshadowed by the animosity brewing between Cena and The Rock, who served as the event’s host.
The interference of The Great One further soured the match, eliciting a chorus of boos from the audience. Consequently, what should have been a marquee matchup devolved into a lackluster affair, drawing widespread criticism from fans.
#3. Drew McIntyre vs. Brock Lesnar (WrestleMania 36)
Amidst the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, WWE sought to elevate Drew McIntyre as its premier babyface in 2020.
Brock Lesnar Vs Drew Mcintyre : WWE Championship – WWE WrestleMania 36 Part 2 pic.twitter.com/BR8Qbczoqa
— WCW ECW WWE (@otdz_t) October 31, 2023
McIntyre’s showdown with Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 36 was intended to be a crowning moment.
However, circumstances surrounding the pandemic forced the match to take place in an empty arena at the Performance Center, diminishing its impact.
While the quality of the match itself wasn’t the issue, the lack of a live audience dampened the significance of McIntyre’s triumph.
Many fans believed that WWE should have reserved such a monumental bout for a time when the atmosphere could match the magnitude of the occasion.
#2. Kofi Kingston vs. Daniel Bryan (WrestleMania 35)
In contrast to the aforementioned matches, the WrestleMania 35 main event between Kofi Kingston and Daniel Bryan garnered widespread acclaim.
1. Daniel Bryan vs. Kofi Kingston — WWE Championship Match (WrestleMania 35) pic.twitter.com/OBwV85q8a3
— Wrestlemaníacos (@wrestlemaniacos) May 20, 2020
However, the match’s success was primarily attributed to fan demand rather than WWE’s initial plans.
Despite the resounding cheers and overwhelming fan support, WWE’s handling of Kofi’s subsequent title reign left much to be desired.
The lackluster nature of his championship run, coupled with Brock Lesnar’s swift victory over Kingston, underscored the company’s failure to capitalize on the match’s momentum.
#1. Roman Reigns vs. The Undertaker (WrestleMania 33)
Arguably one of WWE’s most ill-fated matches, the main event clash between Roman Reigns and The Undertaker at WrestleMania 33 was met with vehement backlash from fans.
Roman Reigns vs. The Undertaker – WrestleMania 33 – The passing of the torch pic.twitter.com/yzVHKOXrrF
— tribal chief ☝🏻🩸 (@luireigns) February 21, 2024
Many viewed the matchup as a misguided attempt to solidify Reigns as the company’s top face at the expense of The Phenom.
The chorus of boos that echoed throughout the match epitomized fans’ disdain for Reigns’ perceived forced ascent. WWE’s decision to have Reigns triumph over The Undertaker backfired spectacularly, alienating audiences and tarnishing the legacy of both superstars.
While WrestleMania has witnessed its fair share of unforgettable moments, these five main event matches serve as cautionary tales of missed opportunities and misguided creative decisions.
