These 2 Matches Should Headline WrestleMania 31

As we approach the Royal Rumble, speculation of who the winner will be seems to be filtered down to just two people: Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan. For many weeks, Reigns seemed to be a shoo-in to claim that accolade. However, the WWE Universe received some great news that Bryan will be an entrant in the Royal Rumble, which was followed by deafeningly positive applause.

As we saw last year, the biggest heel of that night was Rey Mysterio, due to Bryan not getting the opportunity to compete in the match. Thankfully, the resounding voice of the WWE Universe could not be muted, and Bryan went on to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 30.

This brings us to the person who will most likely be the face of the WWE after John Cena passes the baton: Reigns.

While only having a few years under his belt as a professional wrestler, Reigns is quickly ascending the main event ladder. It's not because of his wrestling ability, although people who jeer him should be more patient and allow him to grow and improve (Exhibit A: The Rock). However, inserting him in the title picture without winning a midcard championship does not give his potential growth and development as a character proper timing.

WrestleMania 31 may be Brock Lesnar's last WWE match. The title should still be on him at the event, as it gives his opponent a moment to carry the banner and get the rub. While Reigns engulfs the WWE look and mold, it is not his time to claim that banner.

Here are what the two main event matches of WrestleMania 31 on March 29 should be.

Brock Lesnar vs. Daniel Bryan

Roman Reigns is being carved out to be the next face of the WWE. With that, come time, growth and development. That could—and should—happen after WrestleMania 31. Daniel Bryan still has the WWE Universe in his corner, and his promo on a recent Raw showed that the Yes! movement is in full force.

Whether WrestleMania is Brock Lesnar's last match is yet to be determined. However, Lesnar's reign in the WWE has not been stable, and the absence of the WWE Championship, except a few pop-ups here and there, is not going unnoticed.

If one person should get the rub from Lesnar's last potential match, it should be Bryan. The "underdog pop" is a tried-and-true method that prevents a character from being stale. Bryan's victory would also leave many people happy about the conclusion of WrestleMania, as we saw last year.

We have seen the David vs. Goliath angle work in many instances: Shawn Michaels vs. Sid, Bret Hart vs. Diesel and Ric Flair vs. Vader, to name a few. Bryan vs. Lesnar would be another feel-good match where the smaller and massive underdog defies all odds to become victorious. 

John Cena vs. Roman Reigns

Nearly 18 years ago, Bret Hart competed in a non-title grudge match against Steve Austin at WrestleMania 13. Although Hart won the match, it launched Austin to be the "Stone Cold" fan favorite and WWE Hall of Famer we know of today. This match was a pivotal mark in Austin's WWE career, and it was used to propel him into main event status.

With nearly 13 years in the WWE—spending most of them as a top guy—now is the time for Cena to pass the torch. Seeing how WWE is molding Reigns to be the one who succeeds Cena, Reigns' position at WrestleMania 31 should be to extend his hand to receive said torch by competing against Cena in a non-title match.

Reigns would get the majority of the pops just for competing against Cena, and neither of them should be a heel heading to WrestleMania. In fact, face vs. face matches at the event have a high success rate.

Cena has been proclaiming that foes are going "face-to-face with the man who runs the place." This is a perfect foundation to lead into a feud against Reigns, who is trying to dethrone Cena in order to ascend into main event status. 

The Torches Need to Be Passed at WrestleMania 31

Brock Lesnar and John Cena are the perfect two competitors to propel the WWE legacies of Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns. Both are multi-time WWE champions and undoubtedly the two biggest names in the company. With the new wave of talent seeking to grab the "brass ring," both of them need to position themselves to assist in developing the next top guys of the company.

Reigns still needs some time to assume that position of top guy. However, with more character development, he fits the mold of what WWE prefers to be the face of the company. Give him more time, and he will fit into that role comfortably. 

Bryan is the most over superstar the WWE has experienced in years. Defying the Authority—similar to what Steve Austin did to Vince McMahon—quickly built him into being the perseverant underdog that fits his character well. Winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship from Lesnar would cement his tenure as a top star in the company and give him the chance to carry the WWE banner that he unexpectedly lost due to injury last year.

With the help of Lesnar and Cena, WrestleMania 31 could be the dawning of the new version of Austin and The Rock.

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