Voodoo Booker: WrestleMania 32

Although booking the industry's most illustrious show is a dream scenario for lifelong wrestling junkies, it won't happen for most for you. Why? Because you're not Vincent K. McMahon. 

But luckily here, at Parts Unknown, we have a certain method of manipulation. When we want things changed, we recruit the help of Parts Unknown native and local voodoo practitioner Papa Shango. Sweet, huh?

With the magic of voodoo and a few hours before WWE Fastlane kicks off, here's how I'd book WrestleMania 32.

WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Triple H (c) vs. Dean Ambrose

Concept: Corporate Juggernaut vs. Rebellious Underdog

Stipulation: No Disqualifications

Order: 8 (Main event)

Pros:

- Textbook Authority vs. Anti-Authority angle

- Prior history between Triple H and Ambrose

- Clear face and clear heel; Crowd will dictate appropriate atmosphere

- Spotlighting Ambrose; Building up his spot as a soon-to-be megastar

Cons:

- Is Ambrose a credible opponent to defeat a 14-time world champion?

- Derails months of build for Roman Reigns and Triple H

Bottomline: 

The uneasiness surrounding this potential matchup is, perhaps, the believability in a world title run for Ambrose. Can he really beat out Reigns and Brock Lesnar to earn the main event spot? Can he really top a legend like Triple H at WrestleMania despite never holding the championship?

Well, why not? That's what can make this so intriguing.

The classic David vs. Goliath approach, along with an added "No DQ" stipulation, makes just about anything possible. And after all, we just sent off the ultimate underdog in Daniel Bryan. Remember what he did?

With the audience still lukewarm on Reigns, maybe it's time to see if another major player (Ambrose) can cash in on his shot with the crowd behind him.

Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar

Concept: Unfinished Business

Stipulation: Singles Match

Order: 7

Pros:

- WrestleMania 31 match between Reigns and Lesnar left some meat on the bone

- Beast vs. Beast matchup gives off a destructive, big time feel

- In terms of clout for Reigns, a match with Lesnar is second only to a WWE title shot

- Involvement of The Rock

- Possibly sets the stage for Rock vs. Brock at WrestleMania 33

Cons:

- Although there wasn't a clear winner, Reigns/Lesnar doesn't have the freshest of feels

- Sidetracks Reigns' revenge on The Authority

Bottomline:

While some believed the dynamics of this bout wouldn't mesh well going into last year's 'Mania, Reigns and Lesnar actually put on an electrifying exhibition. And what would make it even more electrifying? Yup, The People's Champ. 

Barring some unforeseen changes, Rocky won't be gearing up for a match of his own due to insurance reasons. But throwing him in here, maybe as a mouthpiece to duel with Paul Heyman in the weeks leading up (oh, the possibilities), would add another layer to this feud. Maybe it gets the folks behind Reigns and maybe it doesn't. Regardless, having the the planet's hottest star on your show certainly won't hurt. 

This time, we'll have a chance to see which beast can really outperform the other in a pure slobberknocker.

The Undertaker vs. John Cena

Concept: Dream Meeting

Stipulation: Singles Match

Order: 5

Pros:

- A match we've never seen with Cena and Taker in their current characters

- A legend vs. legend match we've never seen at a WrestleMania

- No clearcut favorite

Cons:

- Is Cena healthy enough for a quality match?

Bottomline:

Ideally, Cena/Taker would have been booked anywhere from WrestleMania XXIV to WrestleMania XXX. Cena was still in his "prime," and Undertaker's WrestleMania winning streak was still intact. 

But even a few years after that window, this remains a fantasy match for much of the WWE Universe. 

Can Cena make the event following his shoulder surgery? And if so, can he stave off that injury to prevent a sloppy match? Well, if there's one thing fans know, it's that Cena can step up to the plate when needed and this show needs it. 

A.J. Styles vs. Bray Wyatt

Concept: Good vs. Evil

Stipulation: Singles Match

Order: 4

Pros:

- Fresh feel

- Good vs. Evil concept carries plenty of potential build

- Matching dynamics

- Feud can extend beyond WrestleMania

Cons:

- None

Bottomline:

Unless Bray is slated to win, Wyatt vs. Lesnar is a lose-lose situation. Lesnar is not wrestling an opponent near his stature and Wyatt can't afford yet another loss at a pay-per-view. So how about we put him a spot to succeed?

Styles, although fairly new, is just about at the same level as Bray. And given his well known dedication to his faith, Styles' belief personal belief system can clash with "The New Face of Evil" and add a realistic element to the angle.

Tag Team Championships: New Day (c) vs. The Usos vs. The Dudley Boyz

Concept: Rehash and Rejuvenation

Stipulation: Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match

Order: 1

Pros:

- Return of a proven and beloved concept

- Elevates importance of the tag team division

- Exciting curtain jerker to set the tone

Cons:

- Time constraints?

Bottomline:

Uh, who doesn't like a good ole triangle TLC match?

In a throwback to the days the Edge and Christian, the Hardy Boyz and these very same Dudley Boyz, WrestleMania gets a match worthy of opening up for the largest crowd in sports entertainment history. 

Not much to explain here besides six (possibly seven) men, tables, ladders and chairs.

Intercontiental Championship: Kevin Owens (c) vs. Chris Jericho

Concept: Old Dog vs. New Dog

Stipulation: Singles Match

Order: 2

Pros:

- Classic past vs. future clash

- Matching dynamics

- Show-stealing potential?

- Feud can extend beyond WrestleMania

- Parallels: Canadian roots, Intercontinental champions, trash talkers

Cons:

- None

Bottomline:

Like Wyatt, Owens still needs a solid amount of meaningful wins to juice up his résumé. So why not give him some rub off the company's first ever undisputed champion?

Everything you want in a WrestleMania-worthy mid-card match is here. They can both talk well, they can both work well and there's potential for a nice investment in the future. 

Divas Championship: Charlotte (c) vs. Sasha Banks

Concept: Familiar Foes 

Stipulation: Singles Match

Order: 3

Pros:

- Match that has yet to be seen on the big stage
- Familiarity leading to a high level match
- Upping the level of performance in the Divas division

Cons:

- Showcases just two Divas

Bottomline:

Even though the WWE has been looking to feature their women even more heavily of late, we'll slate a simple singles match here. Why? Because we want to leave a clean impression.

Charlotte and Sasha know each other well from their NXT days. They've produced great matches with one another and can transition that history to the main roster. Rather than force-feeding the audience a handful of Divas in what could be a "too many cooks" triple threat or fatal-four way situation, this is a match we know will deliver.

3rd Annual Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal

Concept: Tradition 

Stipulation: Battle Royal

Order: 6

Pros:

- More superstars on the card

Cons:

- Time constraints?

Bottomline:

Understandably so, last year's annual battle royal was placed on the WrestleMania kickoff show. But in an effort to mix up the singles-heavy card and showcase as much talent as possible, we'll book it on the main four hours. 

Braun Strowman should be a heavy favorite to take home the trophy this time around. A victory from the 6'8", 360-pound monster would add onto his credibility and make the Wyatt Family a progressively dangerous entity to mess with.

United States Championship: Kalisto (c) vs. Sheamus

Concept: Proving Ground

Stipulation: Singles Match

Order: Kickoff 2

Pros:

- Showcases an upcoming talent in Kalisto
- Gives the U.S. title a defense on the biggest stage

Cons:

- Dynamics?

Bottomline:

By no means is this something folks will be paying through the nose to see. The match does, however, show proper recognition to all (even the gold) involved. 

Rather than exclusively featuring Kalisto and Sheamus in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, they're allowed a segment of their own. Kalisto is continuing to build steam, Sheamus is a recent WWE World Heavyweight champion and the United States Championship can't start to fade into irrelevance again. They lock up here and can pop up on the main card for the battle royal.

NXT Championship: Finn Balor (c) vs. Sami Zayn

Concept: Peek into the Future

Stipulation: Singles Match

Order: Kickoff 1

Pros:

- Showcases NXT; Adds to the NXT buzz

- Showcases two upcoming talents

- Potential for a great match

Cons:

- Too early to throw Balor and Zayn into the fire?

Bottomline:

NXT is rapidly turning into a force. And what better way to help expedite their growth even more than featuring their stars, although be it on the kickoff, on the 'Mania stage?

Balor and Zayn, two key cogs of the promotion, have the ability to put on quite a show here and could begin a tradition of having an NXT match booked in some capacity for WrestleMania Sunday.

Proposed Card

(Kickoff 1): NXT Championship: Finn Balor (c) vs. Sami Zayn

(Kickoff 2): United States Championship: Kalisto (c) vs. Sheamus

1: Tag Team Championships: (TLC): New Day (c) vs. The Usos vs. The Dudley Boyz

2: Intercontiental Championship: Kevin Owens (c) vs. Chris Jericho

3: Divas Championship: Charlotte (c) vs. Sasha Banks

4: A.J. Styles vs. Bray Wyatt

5: The Undertaker vs. John Cena

6: 3rd Annual Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal

7: Roman Reigns (w/The Rock) vs. Brock Lesnar

8: WWE World Heavyweight Championship (No DQ): Triple H (c) vs. Dean Ambrose