WrestleMania 33: 10 Matches That Should Have Happened

1. AJ Styles Vs Shinsuke Nakamura

John Cena Undertaker
New Japan Pro Wrestling

As the two most successful WWE/NXT debutants in 2016, the timing seemed perfect for a WrestleMania 33 superclash between AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura as they reached the peak of their tenures thus far.

Despite both losing major titles in January, the pair were the hottest stars on their respective brands, with Styles arguably the top wrestler in the world and Nakamura electrifying United States audiences through his dominance on the enjoyable developmental show.

Styles' route to his divisive encounter with Shane McMahon has been arduous thanks to a constant chase for equality and a fair rematch for his WWE Title, but a blockbuster encounter with Nakamura would have certainly created a more believable distraction for the 'Phenomenal One' at 'The Showcase of the Immortals'.

Similarly, Nakamura has felt surplus to requirements on NXT since losing the top strap to Bobby Roode back in January. Though the booking formula has long-insisted on a rematch, it would have suited him to quietly slink off the show and appear with a bang on the main roster.

As it stands, a post-WrestleMania debut seems to beckon for 'The King of Strong Style', and a key opportunity for a major first programme has already been lost.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett