WWE and Vince McMahon’s idea to continue Wrestlemania this year despite the ongoing epidemic is slightly taking a toll on them. Currently, 8 superstars are dealing with illness or quarantined at home.
Roman Reigns' Replacement
It’s a challenging 72 hours, to say the least, especially to WWE’s creative team as they need to rewrite their storylines due to these superstars being pulled off. Among the growing list, The Big Dog, Roman Reigns is still the biggest. The multiple champions and the face of the company made it clear that he won’t be participating in this year's Wrestlemania.
It’s been fully documented that Reigns was diagnosed with leukemia before and he’s not gambling his health with the epidemic which is the coronavirus disease.
The plan for him to face the current Universal Champion Goldberg will still push through. However, WWE hasn’t decided on who will replace The Big Dog. Names such as Braun Strowman, King Corbin, Sheamus, Dolph Ziggler, Samoa Joe, Robert Roode, and Kevin Owens are in discussion. Probably the most believable opponent that Goldberg can work with is Braun Strowman. Unlike with the other names mentioned, Goldberg can work new things with Strowman. Also, it’s only fitting for WWE to do it since Strowman hasn't had his revenge when he was double speared by Roman Reigns and Goldberg.
The Empress of Tomorrow not participating
Although it was not announced yet, there’s a plan for the Kabuki Warriors to defend their tag titles against the team of Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross. This is already in jeopardy as Wrestling Inc. has reported that Asuka is now taking safety precautions. There’s no word on what The Empress of Tomorrow is dealing with but WWE is not taking any chances with any health-related issues.
If this match is pushed through, we might see Asuka’s replacement in the form of NXT’s Io Shirai. A fellow Japanese wrestler who is a supreme technician and high flyer, this compliments Kairi Sane’s offensive prowess.
Another superstar who was struck with illness is The Miz. They were supposed to defend their WWE Smackdown Tag Team Championship with John Morrison against the Uso’s but this was already scraped off.
John Morrison will still have a match but it is now changed to a singles match against either Jimmy or Jey Uso. Buddy Murphy, The Monday Night Messiah’s henchman is also not part of any tapings as of late due to undisclosed illness. It was almost guaranteed that he will interfere with the match against Kevin Owens and Seth Rollins but now, WWE’s creative team will make the necessary adjustment. Cesaro, Dana Brooke and the soon to be Hall of Famer, Rey Mysterio who was the very first superstar to be quarantined are also not taking part in any WWE programming due to safety and health procedures.
Superstars Reaction with Wrestlemania
WWE has 6 days left to recreate their original plan or they need to pull the plug.
Even the avid fans of WWE, the WWE Universe is already calling it off due to the danger that is eminent to the superstars and to the line-up that they have. Wrestlemania is the biggest stage or show in wrestling history and rushing it won't do it better. Various superstars have shared their opinion about Vince McMahon giving the go signal and they are certainly not happy about it. On a wrestling podcast, McMahon was called out of being selfish and greedy. Others have tried to defend Vince as he is just showing his love and dedication to his brainchild which is Wrestlemania. Probably, there's a fine line between being greedy and dedicated. The hardest part about the ongoing pandemic is anybody could be a target and on the same note, anybody can be a carrier.
