WWE WrestleMania 31: Feuds Most Deserving of Midcard Spot

While the main event has dominated much of the discussion surrounding the build to WrestleMania 31, the state of the show's undercard should perhaps cause just as much controversy.

The WWE roster is arguably the strongest that it has been in some time, but we continue to see talent underused more often than not. WrestleMania could be a star-making event for anyone on the card, but at present, it seems the obvious feuds are being overlooked.

It's a situation that only seems to frustrate the wrestlers and disappoint the fans. There are rivalries on the table that could effortlessly bolster the show's card, but they're being overlooked for reasons unknown. Here are the feuds that deserve their spot at WrestleMania 31.

Damien Mizdow vs. The Miz

If there's any wrestler on the WWE roster capable of conjuring something from nothing, it's Damien Mizdow. Working with the same gimmick given to Big Show and Charlie Haas when Creative had nothing else for them, the former Intellectual Saviour managed to produce a wholly original act.

Of course, there's a limited lifespan on his theatrics as a stunt double. His relationship with The Miz will all be for nothing if there isn't any payoff to the tension between them. The fans will undoubtedly lose their minds when we finally see the imitator take down his oppressor—so why not make that happen at WrestleMania?

While many are disappointed that this feud would seem to be set for a climax in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, it may be the best thing for it. The Miz isn't a wrestler known for his match quality, but he's excellent as a villain waiting for his comeuppance.

Seeing The Miz dumped over the top rope by Mizdow might be ever more satisfying than seeing him beaten in a singles match. This isn't a feud based around wrestling skill; it's more about seeing the downtrodden Damien get one over the man who's been piggybacking off his popularity.

Hopefully Miz and Mizdow will have their time to shine in the Battle Royal. This storyline has unfolded so naturally and had such an impact on the fans that it would be a shame to see it end without the big moment that it deserves.

Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens

Credit: WWE.com

Over the past year, NXT has gone from a promising upstart to the best and most consistent show that WWE puts out. The developmental territory is now a brand in its own right, and it would be a smart move for WWE to establish that with a title defence at WrestleMania.

This hotly anticipated match would be lapped up by NXT fans in attendance and be a great way of exposing a far broader swathe of the WWE Universe to what NXT has to offer. The performers deserve it, the promotion deserves it and the NXT title deserves it.

The biggest drawback here is time. The rematch between Owens and Zayn deserves to run longer than the time a midcard match at WrestleMania is allotted. However, even with a decent 10-15 minutes, this pairing could certainly deliver fireworks.

There are obvious reasons for keeping NXT and mainline WWE as separate as possible. That being said, WrestleMania is meant to be a showcase of the very best that the company has to offer—and at the moment, that describes NXT perfectly.

Stardust vs. Goldust

Credit: WWE.com

It seems that every time Cody Rhodes is set to make good on his limitless potential, he's undercut. This is an athlete who has performed as several very different characters, elevated the Intercontinental Championship better than anyone else in recent memory and delivers the goods between the ropes every time he enters the ring. And he's only 29.

The idea of a Rhodes brothers WrestleMania feud has been floated every time the show comes around for the last few years, but it seemed that this time things had finally come together. Cody, now wrestling as Stardust, had turned on his brother at the climax of a storyline two years in the making.

However, we've now learned that Stardust is set to be part of the multiman Intercontinental Championship match. He'll no doubt shine in that bout, too, but it's difficult to shake the feeling that a huge opportunity is being squandered.

It's easy to argue that crowd reaction to the Stardust vs. Goldust match as Fastlane nixed plans for the pair to meet at WrestleMania. But, then again, lukewarm responses to Roman Reigns haven't done much to alter the show's main event.

Once again, it seems that Cody won't have the breakout moment he needs to ascend from the midcard—and, equally as disappointing, Goldust won't have the sendoff he deserves after a truly remarkable career.