10 Biggest WrestleMania 33 Missed Opportunities

6. Samoa Joe’s Absence

Seth Rollins Triple H
WWE

WWE have done a great job with Samoa Joe since he joined the main roster. Debuting the night after the Royal Rumble, Joe has quickly become one of the brand’s top heels. His alliance with Kevin Owens (and Triple H?) looks promising, and after running through Sami Zayn and Chris Jericho, he’s well positioned for a run at the top of the card.

Despite all this, WWE opted to keep Joe off WrestleMania 33 entirely. He was by far the night’s biggest full-time omission, and the addition of the “non-sanctioned” stipulation to Triple H vs. Seth Rollins looked tailor-made for his interference. Such a move would have helped push Joe into a program with Rollins afterwards, but no: the company decided to keep him hidden backstage instead.

The fans want to see Joe perform, but were denied that opportunity in Orlando. Even a good showing in the Andre the Giant Battle Royal would have sufficed, and while some wrestlers are inevitably going to miss-out on Mania every year, Joe’s absence was criminal. Why spend time building the guy up if you aren’t going to use him when it really matters?

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Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.