With every passing WrestleMania, WWE gets underway on their next set of storylines as quickly as possible.
Post-Mania WWE is when we see new stars,new storylines and new match-ups. So, here are five takeaways from WrestleMania 38 that will set the tone for WWE in the coming months.
5. Austin Theory is destined for WWE stardom
Austin Theory wrestled in one of the more wild segments of WrestleMania weekend when he faced off against Pat McAfee. Theory soon found himself surrounded by Vince McMahon and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, and one Stunner later found himself laid out.
Although he may have lost, the match and post-match shenanigans showed everyone just how highly McMahon rates Theory. McMahon even went out of his way to announce Theory as the “future Universal champion” as he made his way to the ring.
Theory, despite only being 24 years old, has all the characteristics needed to succeed in WWE. He is charismatic, has the in-ring ability to match his egotistical demeanour, and he makes you want to watch him.
Theory is seemingly being thrust into the United States Championship picture, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the A-Town Down man holding championship gold soon.
4. Edge’s new Brood is coming
In Edge’s eagerly anticipated match-up with AJ Styles, the longest match of WrestleMania weekend, Edge secured the victory with help from Damian Priest.
There had been whispers, that Edge was going to form a new group, and it seems the nucleus of this occurred at the Showcase of the Immortals. Edge, sporting a Brood-styled look, was joined with Damian Priest, who has leaned more into the darker side of his character in the past few weeks.
Edge and Priest, once fan favourites, have turned against the WWE Universe, and it doesn’t seem to be stopping there. There are rumours that in the coming week’s Edge’s group is set to expand, so expect to see more dark and mysterious WWE Superstars aligning with the Ultimate Opportunist.
3. Cody Rhodes is here to make up for lost time
Wrestling’s worst kept secret finally came to fruition at WrestleMania Saturday when Cody Rhodes returned to WWE to defeat Seth “Freakin” Rollins.
With an extreme amount of discourse surrounding Rhodes’ return, people wanted to know why he returned to WWE. After much rumour and speculation, Rhodes made his intentions clear in several post-Mania interviews and at RAW after Mania.
Simply put, Cody is here to win the big one. Something Cody’s dad, Dusty Rhodes, could never do was win a World Championship in the WWE, and Cody wants to fulfil that dream instead.
It is yet to be seen if Cody is going to be thrown into the World Championship picture, but he seems adamant that he will do everything it takes to fulfil his destiny.
2. Bianca Belair is WWE’s next mainstream Superstar
WWE Superstars rarely transcend the world of sports entertainment. The Rock and the John Cena’s of the world are few and far between. We’ve seen Sasha Banks break into the mainstream in recent years, and soon to join her should be Bianca Belair.
Bianca Belair is a star. She is the perfect women’s champion. She is an incredible athlete, super charismatic, and she is so easy to get behind. She has an aura that is hard to qualify, but it screams star.
She has already won the Royal Rumble, the SmackDown Women’s Championship, the RAW Women’s Champions, an ESPY in 2021 for “Best WWE Moment”, and don’t be surprised if more success comes her way.
The EST of WWE has been pictured with mainstream celebrities like Megan Thee Stallion, has performed at Rolling Loud, main-evented WrestleMania, and is destined for a life larger than the WWE.
Roman Reigns is WWE’s final boss
Roman Reigns has been the top dog of WWE for a while now, but the closing scene of WrestleMania 38 cemented the fact that he is WWE’s final boss.
WWE has been dreaming of the day they can have Roman Reigns represent their company. It is hasn’t been an easy journey, with numerous forced babyface runs and health scares halting any serious momentum, but at SummerSlam 2020, everything changed.
Before SummerSlam 2020, Reigns had been the main event of four WrestleMania’s, yet nobody cared for him. Since then, he has held the WWE Universal Championship for 582 days, main-evented two more WrestleMania’s, hasn’t been pinned, and finally beaten Brock Lesnar.
It was the latter that cemented Roman Reigns’ status as the top dog in the company. Beforehand, Brock Lesnar had been seen as the final hurdle Superstar’s needed to pass before reaching lofty heights in the WWE, but Roman Reigns is now that guy.
Whoever defeats Roman Reigns for either the WWE World Championship or Universal Championship is getting the ultimate rub, but until then, it is clear that Roman Reigns is the new final boss.