WrestleMania 31
For the first time ever, WWE’s WrestleMania will descend on Levi’s Stadium when the 2015 edition hits Santa Clara on March 29. The home of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers opened this past summer and has already been tapped to host historic Super Bowl 50, but WrestleMania 31 will be arguably the biggest non-football event to be held at the venue.
Also notable for WrestleMania 2015, it will be the first time since 2008 that the event won’t be held in April, and the second time in three years that it will take place outside. It also will be returning to the West Coast for the first time since 2005, when it was held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
With eight weeks to go, WrestleMania and WWE will have several opportunities to showcase something memorable for fans. Check out some of the highlights and emerging storylines produced from Royal Rumble 2015, which took place on Jan. 25 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
Roman Reigns Wins Royal Rumble
After spending a short time in NXT (the developmental branch for WWE) Roman Reigns was brought up to the main roster by WWE. Reigns made a statement alongside Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose as members of The Shield in 2012 setting records at the 2013 Survivor Series and the 2014 Royal Rumble. The WWE will have many opportunities to turn this hopeful “babyface” (fan favorite and/or good guy) into a true memorable star at the main event of WrestleMania 31.
Daniel Bryan “Unceremoniously” Dismissed
Daniel Bryan, the fan favorite of the match, was brought in early and knocked out of the ring without a storyline. He will be featured in a Casket Match against Kane on Jan. 29. Fans will be looking for answers in every live match starting from this one until WrestleMania. Get ready to be surrounded in a massive “Yes! Yes! Yes!” cheer for every entrance now to WrestleMania.
Dolph Ziggler, Ryback, Erick Rowan “Lose” Jobs
A storyline was built around John Cena standing up The Authority. Punishing Cena for defending his team, The Authority “fired” his friends. All three men had to fight and win a matchup in order to compete in the Royal Rumble. Ryback and Ziggler won their matches but were lightly tossed out of the Rumble without a storyline or memorable battle.
Bray Wyatt Prevails, But Without a Storyline
Bray Wyatt was an early entrant into the ring kicking out big stars like Daniel Bryan. The former NXT star was given a massive storyline staying in for over 45 minutes showing that he can take on anyone who comes into the ring. After all of that build up, he was tossed with ease by Kane and Big Show. Regardless of his send off in the Rumble, Wyatt is one to look out for in the coming months; after all he is the “Eater of Worlds.”
Potential WrestleMania 31 Matchups
Though not confirmed by the WWE, the following have circulated as potential WrestleMania 31 matchups:
Lesner vs Reigns
Triple H vs Sting
John Cena vs Rusev
The Undertaker vs Bray Wyatt (If The Undertaker Returns)
Seth Rollins vs Randy Orton
Ziggler vs Bryan (as evidenced by the Twitter exchange below)
Yo DB, was pulling for you, brother. but if you really want to steal the show #Wrestlemania Im right here & way angrier #RAW
— Dolph Ziggler (@HEELZiggler) January 27, 2015
I’m in! “@HEELZiggler: Yo DB, was pulling for you, brother. but if you really want to steal the show #Wrestlemania Im here & angrier #RAW”
— Daniel Bryan (@WWEDanielBryan) January 27, 2015