Competing on the WrestleMania stage is the pinnacle of every WWE Superstar’s career. It’s a platform where careers can soar to new heights or come crashing down in an instant.
While a memorable WrestleMania moment can propel a wrestler to superstardom, a devastating loss can have long-lasting repercussions, derailing their trajectory irreparably.
Here are three WWE Superstars whose careers took a hit after a crushing defeat at WrestleMania:
#3: Rusev’s WrestleMania 31 loss to John Cena halted his ascent to becoming WWE’s next top heel
Rusev burst onto the scene as a dominant monster heel, bulldozing through opponents until he faced John Cena at WrestleMania 31.
The fact Bray Wyatt lost to John Cena at Wrestlemania 30 remains a perplexing decision.
Sadly, Rusev suffered the same fate one year later at Wrestlemania 31 and his momentum was completely derailed. #WrestleMania #SmackDown
— Chris Toplack (@christoplack) March 21, 2020
Despite the anticipation that a victory over Cena would catapult him into the main event scene, Rusev suffered his first pinfall loss, stalling his momentum.
Despite attempts to regain traction, Rusev’s career veered off course, leading to his eventual release from WWE.
#2: Shinsuke Nakamura’s defeat at WrestleMania 34 marked the peak of his WWE journey
Arriving with much fanfare, Nakamura’s clash with AJ Styles at WrestleMania 34 was anticipated to be a career-defining moment.
What if Shinsuke Nakamura won the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 34? 🤯
The Rewriters Room (@RewritersRNC) boys are back to plot the course for what could've been for Shinsuke's reign, the build, his heel turn & more!
Tune in: https://t.co/XzXHZ3Z5IV pic.twitter.com/yeSKPWNnK1
— The A Show on RNC RADIO (@TheAShowRNC) April 20, 2021
However, despite a valiant effort, Nakamura fell short, losing the match and subsequently fading from the main event scene.
While he enjoyed success in the mid-card and held multiple championships, fans couldn’t help but wonder what could have been if WrestleMania 34 had gone differently.
#1: Shayna Baszler’s unstoppable momentum hit a roadblock at WrestleMania 36
Entering WrestleMania 36 as a dominant force, Shayna Baszler’s defeat to Becky Lynch halted her ascent as the division’s top heel.
Despite her formidable skills and background, Baszler’s loss led to a shift in her trajectory, relegating her to the tag team division.
While she found success as a champion, Baszler struggled to recapture her initial momentum, leaving fans to ponder what could have been.
These Superstars serve as reminders of the unpredictable nature of WrestleMania and its potential to shape careers in ways both triumphant and tragic.
