WWE WrestleMania 31 Matches: Power Ranking Anticipation Level for Each Bout

Although the buildup for WWE WrestleMania 31 has ebbed and flowed in recent weeks, the fact that the event is just a few days away leaves fans chomping at the bit for the curtain to rise.

With plenty of star power involved and some matches that could genuinely be exceptional, hopes are high that WrestleMania will eclipse the rather disappointing buildup for the pay-per-view.

Naturally, as with any WWE pay-per-view, there are varying levels of excitement, interest and anticipation surrounding all eight matches scheduled on the card.

With returning stars, stipulations and a certain debut after years of waiting, WrestleMania has all the ingredients to be a special show.

Here's how each match ranks in terms of anticipation just days away from the show.

8. AJ Lee and Paige vs. The Bella Twins

Perhaps unsurprisingly, it's the match involving the Divas which has generated the least excitement and anticipation heading into WrestleMania.

That's not to say there isn't any intrigue or excitement surrounding AJ Lee, Paige and The Bella Twins, because the four leading lights of the female division have had their moments.

At least AJ and Paige's implosion on Raw this past week was a nice angle which generated a level of intrigue regarding how the match will play out.

But in truth, when you compare this contest to the rest of the bouts on the card, it certainly has to rank at the bottom when it comes to anticipation.

7. Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal

Credit: WWE.com

After Cesaro's incredible win last year in this match, many would have assumed the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal would have a lot more momentum heading into its second edition.

Unfortunately though, that just isn't the case. That may be for a number of reasons, including an awareness of how little it influenced or impacted Cesaro's career following the win last year.

Given who the match is named after, the contest was promoted and hyped hugely last year. As well as Cesaro, the likes of Alberto Del Rio and Dolph Ziggler were involved last year, which made for a good level of star power.

But this year, it hasn't been the same. There have only been the odd snippets of promotion in comparison to other matches, so the contest hasn't really generated much excitement.

A surprise win would certainly make it memorable, as well as a couple of potential returns in the match. But as we head toward WrestleMania, the Battle Royal doesn't seem to be moving too many mountains.

6. Rusev vs. John Cena

Even though it's a match which involves John Cena, his bout against Rusev this Sunday ranks fairly low in terms of anticipation and intrigue.

Of course, that's largely due to the fact that many people are assuming Cena will be the winner, dethroning Rusev and ending the impressive streak he's been on since he arrived on the main roster.

It's hard for people to get too invested in a match where the winner seems inevitable, although WWE could shock us all and have Rusev continue in his role as U.S. Champ here.

However, with Cena seeming more and more like the obvious eventual winner, there's little anticipation surrounding this match.

5. Randy Orton vs. Seth Rollins

Credit: WWE.com

We're moving toward the contests which have impressive levels of momentum and anticipation surrounding them now, and Randy Orton's tussle with Seth Rollins is certainly one.

The next few matches on this power ranking were hard to split, and it seems harsh to place a match involving a white-hot Orton and a supremely talented Rollins so low down.

But as we'll see in the following slides, there are factors which just nudge this contest down a couple of spots.

Orton's late turn and brutal assault of Rollins left plenty of interest and excitement for fans in this match, a contest that genuinely has no clear ending.

With Rollins potentially cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase later in the night, though, attention for fans of the former Shield man could drift toward the end of the night.

Expect this to be a solid and interesting match on the card, though.

4. The Undertaker vs. Bray Wyatt

To be perfectly honest, there's a fair few reasons why this match has a decent level of anticipation attached to it.

First and foremost, there's the mystery surrounding The Undertaker's return, given how we haven't seen him on WWE TV for nearly a year. Hopefully it will create a similar buzz as when Taker returned against Kane at WrestleMania, having been off TV for a lengthy period in the build to the match.

Bray Wyatt has done a sterling job in terms of promoting this match, topping things off with a quite incredible promo in the go-home edition of Raw this past week.

What happens in this match will be incredibly intriguing, too. On the one hand, you have Wyatt, a young upstart whose career could hit the next level with a win. But then again, would WWE really have The Undertaker lose two years in a row at WrestleMania?

It will be fascinating to see what happens.

3. Sting vs. Triple H

Credit: WWE.com

Just in case you hadn't quite believed it yet, we're just a matter of days away from Sting's debut inside a WWE ring.

That alone creates enough anticipation for this match to rank high up on the list, but the work invested in promoting this match in the final couple of weeks before WrestleMania has been well-executed by all parties involved.

Stephanie's robust promo with Sting on Raw this past week led to another fiery confrontation between the WCW legend and his opponent this Sunday, Triple H.

The sheer prospect of seeing Sting wrestle one of the most iconic WWE stars of the past two decades is reason enough for it to rank at No. 3.

Throw in the unpredictability surrounding what will happen in the match concerning The Authority and the eventual victor, and you've a match that could be a real showstopper.

2. Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns

A few days ago, this match would have probably ranked nowhere near second spot on a list of this type.

After a dismal ending to the go-home edition of Raw featuring Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar, a report from ESPN.com's Brett Okamoto that the latter has re-signed with WWE has just made this match a whole lot more interesting.

Had Lesnar been departing the company after WrestleMania, it would have been obvious how the main event, and the show, would have concluded. But since he's sticking around, will he manage to hold on to his championship against Roman Reigns?

The crowd reactions toward both men have been interesting heading toward WrestleMania, and how Reigns will be received on the biggest show of the year will make for fascinating viewing.

Throw in the prospect of Seth Rollins cashing in, and the main event could potentially be better than some expect it to be.

1. Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match

Credit: WWE.com

Who would have predicted a few months ago that the match involving the Intercontinental Championship would be the most fascinating and highly anticipated one heading into WrestleMania?

The title, long considered the WWE's second-most prestigious championship, wasn't even on the card at last year's WrestleMania.

Yet due to WWE's decent level of investment in pushing the IC title, we've been left with a Ladder match that is highly likely to steal the show.

The storyline surrounding the title switching hands illegally has been enjoyable viewing and has added a level of intrigue to the championship. Then there's the star power involved in the match.

And what star power it is. Seeing Daniel Bryan, Dolph Ziggler and Dean Ambrose compete in the same match is a simply mouthwatering prospect, and when you throw ladders into the mix, it will be sensational.

The best thing is that nobody is quite sure who will prevail, which makes for a WrestleMania match that cannot be missed.