10 Matches WWE Could Have Booked For WrestleMania 38

Where to start?

First, the positives. The triple threat tag team championship match between The Alpha Academy, RK-Bro and Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens on 7 March 2022 was outstanding. The latter in particular were running on all cylinders in recent weeks. Orton and Riddle’s ensuing WrestleMania defense against the Academy and the Street Profits was the best possible remaining call.

While not as woeful as SmackDown’s WrestleMania undercard status, there are aspects of RAW’s tag division raising some questions. Regardless of RK-Bro’s popularity, WWE’s decision to pocket their eventual split rather than host a WrestleMania blockbuster is somewhat baffling. Beyond champions and prospective challengers, things move from confusing to just plain absurd.

Despite steadily climbing traction, support and chemistry, Rollins and Owens diverged following the tag title match. Owens launched an admittedly enjoyable weeks-long campaign against Texas in a successful effort to provoke Stone Cold Steve Austin into an interview segment. Meanwhile, Rollins embarked on a convoluted course of losing streaks, a bizarre qualifier for the aforementioned interview segment and attempted WrestleMania match theft. The presumed endgame is a ‘Mania showdown against the worst kept secret in recent wrestling history.

Then there’s the matter of Robert Roode assisting Dolph Ziggler to the NXT Championship. After 15 years of winning titles, he’s the developmental brand’s lead champion. Sure, why not?

Rollins conquering a four-way melee against the Alpha Academy, Street Profits and Dirty Dawgs while wrangling gold with his sixth different tag partner is a MUCH better use of everyone’s time.