Predicting The Quality Of All 15 WWE WrestleMania 35 Matches

6. Randy Orton Vs. AJ Styles

WrestleMania 35 Daniel Bryan Kofi Kingston
WWE.com

A potential midcard show-stealer, Randy Orton's evident motivation accounts for the positivity here.

Orton's 'Mania record is mixed, but with AJ Styles in the opposite corner, this match stands a great chance of replicating the dynamic form of his overlooked battle with Seth Rollins at Play Button. That match was more than just its finish, though that is more than can be said for Orton's subsequent body of work. This feels different.

Everybody wants to work with AJ Styles. Belying his reputation among critics and fans alike, as an apathetic nuisance at his worst, Randy Orton is also a wrestler's wrestler. And what's more, Orton looks to have channeled his inner prick throughout the build, genuinely smarting at the notion that his legacy is a myth enhanced by WWE's lens.

A war of philosophy fought at an oscillating pace - Orton's overbearing methodical control versus AJ's unregulated, impulsive dynamism - this too should be more than the inevitably 'Mania worthy RKO spot.

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!