One MIND-BLOWING Secret From EVERY WWE WrestleMania

8. WrestleMania 34 | Two Cancelled Matches

Braun Strowman WWE
WWE.com

Two entries from the cancelled match files here:

Firstly, per the November 13, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE did want to do the Four Horsewomen of MMA Vs. Four Horsewomen of WWE match. Obviously, this never happened, and it doesn’t stand out as a true missed opportunity intensely mourned to this day. It was a better premise than story, but there’s only so many ways of saying “Triple H ripped us off to get you guys over”. That doesn’t make for a great episodic story, and the premise wasn’t so great that it was worth squandering Ronda Rousey as a massive deal singles attraction. (WWE weren’t to know how badly its audience would take to Ronda after her first few matches). 

Also, Ronda progressed brilliantly in training, while two of her peers took a bit more time. Marina Shafir only started to put it together in 2025; Jessamyn Duke never did. Shayna Baszler if anything might have looked more polished, which wasn’t the right way ‘round. A fun idea for a big match down the line, it was not an effective way of launching Ronda into WWE. 

Also, according to the January 29, 2018 Observer, WWE fancied running Braun Strowman Vs. The Miz for the Intercontinental title. This tracks; Strowman had failed his main event audition, since his backstage behavioural issues were considered more galling than his good matches were considered impressive. Still, he was a unit, and he was very over, so the “IC strap” was a decent way of keeping the guy warm for a few months.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!