At this stage in WWE history, it really doesn’t matter anymore what WrestleMania match gets the main event spot because there’s such a high level of anticipation for the entire event. As long as fans are emotionally invested in the story the superstars are telling, it doesn’t matter where on the card the match is positioned. If this was 15 or 20 years ago, it might matter a lot more.
Whether it’s Lesnar-McIntyre or Goldberg-Reigns in the main event, it’s not a huge deal to me. I would be extremely passionate about seeing Brock Lesnar and Drew McIntyre going last if this were 15 or 20 years ago, but it might get the WWE universe talking and be a significant point of discussion if Goldberg and Roman Reigns end up in the main event slot because it would be totally unexpected.
One other element to consider that would obviously support Reigns-Goldberg being the main event is that WWE is making a concerted effort to continue to establish SmackDown as the new “A-show” as opposed to Monday Night Raw. WWE has been working on this since October when SmackDown’s TV deal with FOX began.
However, Mr. McMahon would also have to consider that there may be quite a bit of fan backlash if this happens. WWE fans might voice their displeasure if Roman Reigns is thrust into his fifth WrestleMania main event and turn on The Big Dog. We all know this would be the exact opposite of Vince McMahon’s intention, so he will do anything to avoid this again. From that perspective, Lesnar-McIntyre as the main event is the way to go.
No matter what goes down at WrestleMania 36 in Tampa Bay at Raymond James Stadium, most WWE fans can agree that they would all love to see Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre walk out as Universal and WWE champions respectively. This would officially end the era of part-time champions in WWE and starting the new decade off fresh. WrestleMania season is like WWE ending one year and beginning another.
Overall, I’m very optimistic about how the reboot of Roman Reigns will play out the second go-around after it felt forced. Vince McMahon was simply making the WWE universe submit to his will by pushing the guy he wanted to be WWE’s top star rather than letting fans decide for themselves who that would be. No one wanted another face of the company who was so heavily endorsed by Mr. McMahon after over a decade of John Cena. This time with Roman it actually feels organic, which is what the WWE universe wanted all along. Booker T seems to agree with my optimism as he talked about it on his Hall of Fame podcast this past week.
Now Roman’s being allowed more freedom out there to be authentic to himself – and it’s working!