WWE WrestleMania 31: Matches Under Most Pressure to Deliver

WrestleMania is the biggest night of the WWE calendar, and thus the event that puts the most pressure on the company's Superstars to perform.

A showcase match on The Grandest Stage of Them All can legitimize a career as long as it goes well. However, a dud will be remembered forever. It's a double-edged sword that can make or break an up-and-comer.

This year sees several prospective Superstars who seek their first real WrestleMania moments—as well as some legends looking for another great one.

These are the matches that will come under the harshest scrutiny come WrestleMania weekend.

Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship

Credit: WWE.com

It's no secret that WrestleMania's main event is under pressure to deliver—it is every year.

However, rarely has there been a match with the ramifications of Lesnar vs. Reigns. It seems that Lesnar might have one foot out the door, and Reigns is already earmarked as the heir apparent to John Cena.

If things unfold as they are likely to, this will have to be an excellent match to avoid the wrath of the crowd.

The other option is, of course, a big swerve. Even then, it would need to be something truly shocking to distract fans from a guy they don't want to see up against the most dominant world champion in recent memory.

WWE are between a rock and a hard place and need to deliver. A clean win simply won't establish Reigns as the face of the company, as was planned. Thus far, we haven't seen anything from The Juggernaut to suggest he's got what it takes to hang with The Beast Incarnate.

In a strange way, this makes the main event all the more exciting. WWE pumps out its most creative ideas with its back against the wall, so we might be in for something truly memorable.

If not, the Raw after WrestleMania should be a very interesting night indeed.

The Ladder Match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship

Credit: WWE.com

Whatever you think of the build, it's difficult not to be excited about the prospect of the likes of Daniel Bryan, Dolph Ziggler, Luke Harper, Dean Ambrose and more sharing the ring at WrestleMania.

Many should agree that this bout will be something of a disappointment if it's anything less than the best match of the night. There's simply too much talent in there for it to be anything else—and if the bout disappoints, fans will be ready to air their grievances during the main event.

The outcome is the hardest part to get right, as every man involved could make a case for deserving the win. Barrett needs to make up for his weak run with the belt, Ambrose needs to make up for his weak run without a belt, Bryan needs to bounce back from missing out on the main event—the list goes on.

Whoever wins, there are bound to be legions of disappointed fans. That only reinforces the fact that the in-ring action here will need to be off the charts. The talents involved are going to have to throw everything at the wall to make sure that the crowd is satisfied.

Luckily, the competitors set to contest the Intercontinental Championship are among the best wrestlers anywhere in the world. There's undoubtedly a lot hanging over this match, but it would be a real shock if the wrestlers involved failed to deliver.

Bray Wyatt vs. The Undertaker

Credit: WWE.com

Shawn Michaels, Triple H, CM Punk, Brock Lesnar—it takes a certain level of talent to meet The Undertaker at WrestleMania in recent years.

Even now that The Streak is dead and buried, a showdown with The Deadman in his yard is a marquee match by default. This sort of bout has been reserved for well-established talent for some time, but Bray Wyatt will break that particular streak at WrestleMania 31.

The question remains: Is he ready?

The New Face of Fear has been inconsistent in the ring since his debut, and The Undertaker's condition remains uncertain after his performance last year. Any WWE fan would love to see a classic, but there's plenty of reason to doubt that we'll see one.

It's clear that Wyatt is being positioned to inherit Undertaker's position as the WWE's resident representative of the supernatural. However, if he looks out of place facing The Phenom at WrestleMania, it will be difficult for him to inhabit that role in the years to come.

Thankfully, it's clear that Bray is well aware of the stakes. We've seen some scintillating promo work from him in recent weeks; let's just hope he can deliver the same intensity in the ring when the pressure is really on.

Rusev vs. John Cena for the WWE United States Championship

Credit: WWE.com

Like the main event of WrestleMania 31, this bout sees an icon of the last decade take on a star of the future—but unlike Roman Reigns, Rusev has already demonstrated that he is the complete package.

Every aspect of Rusev's performance has improved since he debuted on the main roster—and it's easy to forget that he hasn't even been a regular on WWE television for a full year. He's had great matches, developed his character and has risen up the card quite organically.

Now he faces his biggest test yet.

John Cena has undermined the legitimacy of rising talent before by beating them at inopportune times. This match could be the launchpad Rusev needs to reach the main event, or it could be a stumbling block that undoes much of his good work.

There are plenty of candidates that could step into Roman Reigns' spot should he stutter. However, there's no one waiting in the wings that's quite as suited to being a big, dominant villain as Rusev—the fact that Big Show and Kane are still in regular use should confirm that fact.

Rusev has the potential to be a major superstar for years to come and is indeed on the verge of achieving greatness. However, it'll take a combination of a good match at WrestleMania and some good booking to make sure that he doesn't fall victim to Cena.

Which bout do you think is under the most pressure to deliver at WrestleMania? Let us know in the comments section below.