10 Positive Signs Going Into WrestleMania 33
6. Reigned-In Stipulations
As of writing, there is only one ‘stipulation’ match on WrestleMania 33’s card of 13. While it’s rumoured and entirely possible that Corbin vs Ambrose will be given a hardcore rule set of sorts, WWE has shown a surprising amount of restraint in not throwing tables, ladders, and chairs at every wrestler who asks.
The Triple Threat Ladder match for the RAW Tag Team Championships has pretty much only been booked to scratch the ladder match itch we all get around this time, but they led into it nicely on RAW, and Corbin vs. Ambrose is at least a feud that has been predicated on backstage brawls, forklift attacks, and weapon ambushes. It’s also possible that the ‘non-sanctioned’ match between Seth Rollins and Triple H will have a No DQ stipulation, almost like one of Ring of Honor’s ‘Fights Without Honor’. If so, this makes sense too, since their feud has been all about Seth being injured and Triple H attacking him with crutches in order to keep him on the shelf.
For every other match on the card though, no-stip singles matches work perfectly, and will hopefully allow the wrestlers involved to tell coherent stories by, y’know, actually wrestling.