WWE WrestleMania 30: Breaking Down Historical Implications of Biggest Matches

Every bout at Wrestlemania 30 has the chance to thrill, but four matches stand out as ones with the power to greatly affect WWE history.

How long the undefeated Undertaker can keep competing, a monster's trajectory and whether the Daniel Bryan era is born are all storylines that will be affected by how WrestleMania plays out. Beyond entertaining fans for a single night, the following matches have more lasting things at stake:

• Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar
• Bray Wyatt vs. John Cena 
• Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal 
• Daniel Bryan vs. Triple H/WWE World Heavyweight Championship

Years from now, fans could look back on those performances and outcomes the way they do about the first Money in the Bank Ladder match, Ultimate Warrior defeating Hulk Hogan or Ric Flair's farewell bout.

The Streak's Longevity

Lesnar isn't likely to halt Undertaker's run of 21 consecutive wins at WrestleMania. The streak is too valuable an asset to end at this point, so victory for "The Deadman" at least feels like a certainty.

It's how Undertaker looks physically in this match that fans should be paying attention to, in addition to the outcome.

Credit: WWE.com

He will turn 50 this year. His first WrestleMania was in 1991. Even if he continues to mostly just work one date a year, his body is going to give in at some point.

Will he have one more WrestleMania match in him, or can he stretch his streak to 25-0?

If he pulls off another stellar match as he has done for seven WrestleManias in a row, it ups the chance that he'll have enough stamina to add Sting, Cena and perhaps a rising star like Wyatt or Roman Reigns to his list of foes at the marquee event.

Should he struggle to perform or suffer a major injury, expectations for how long he can continue wrestling have to go down. 

This could also end up being his last match, whether he plans on it or not. The Rock's nasty injury last year showed how damaging a single bout can be.

Having something similar happen to "The Phenom" could inspire him to call it a career. That decision would instantly affect the historical impact of this match. 

Monster on the Top Tier

WWE is selling Wyatt vs. Cena as a battle for Cena's legacy, but in reality it is a potential launching pad for "The Eater of Worlds." Thriving in the spotlight against the company's franchise player would push Wyatt from up-and-comer to headliner.

After a Match of the Year candidate at the Royal Rumble against Bryan, Wyatt now has an opportunity to add to his collection of greatest hits. Should he and Cena steal the show, look for him to be featured more, sliding up the WWE totem pole.

He has a chance to join The Rock as the only men to beat Cena in one-on-one action with no help. The fact that WWE has even pitted him against Cena is a major sign of its confidence in him.

The Miz's headlining status didn't stick, but his match against Cena propelled him to the high point of his career. He main-evented Extreme Rules and Over the Limit in 2011, battling the company's top star.

It's Wyatt's turn now. Count on him grabbing tighter to the top rung once he touches it, which he can do with a memorable performance on WWE's biggest stage.

Battle Royal Tradition

The 30-man Battle Royal has a chance to be a single-serve match or become a part of WrestleMania lore.

At WrestleMania 21, WWE introduced the Money in the Bank ladder match. It then became an expected part of "The Show of Shows."

For six years, WrestleMania featured the gimmick bout. The company so fell in love with the concept that it became the centerpiece of an annual pay-per-view event.

There's little chance the WrestleMania 30 Battle Royal becomes that popular, but it has a shot at becoming a new tradition. 

It allows WWE to cram a large number of Superstars into one match. The more years it is a part of the show, the more prestige winning it will have. It can boost a resume in the way that the King of the Ring tournament used to.

Before any of that happens, though, it must be a success in its first year.

Should it be boring, awkward or forgettable, look for WWE to scrap it. Should Sheamus, Alberto Del Rio, Big E, Dolph Ziggler and company produce a dramatic work between the ropes, officials will have plenty of reason to return to the format for WrestleMania 31 and beyond.

The Bryan Era  

Bryan can win two matches in one night, gain revenge on his tormentor and win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. There is more at stake for him on April 6, though.

That night can be the official beginning of his era.

The storyline has been that Bryan is not big enough or good enough to be the face of the company. He has spent the past few months proving his courage and turning up the temperature on his already red-hot fanbase. WWE can turn all of that angst and drama into a cathartic moment.

The company may also show that it is ready to name Bryan its true king.

WrestleMania has been the site for many a megastar's crowning moment. Ultimate Warrior had his at WrestleMania VI, Shawn Michaels ascended the throne at WrestleMania XII and Steve Austin followed suit at WrestleMania XIV.

Winning the world championship means plenty for a Superstar's career, but to end WrestleMania victorious, hoisting gold above one's head, is a special honor.

Either Bryan gets that honor or else WWE keeps the belt around the old guard.

If WWE is planning for the latter, it will miss out on a rare opportunity. Bryan is so deeply connected with fans, he can't be anything else but the top guy. 

Believing in him and giving him this opportunity has an element of risk to it, but WWE's history proves that the same men can't keep standing on the mountaintop. A new conqueror, flush with promise, has to take their spot at some point.

At WrestleMania 30, Bryan is that conqueror.