WWE WrestleMania 31: Best Moments from Buildup to PPV Event

This year's Road to WrestleMania seemed to run far longer than the norm, with most of the biggest matches on the card being set up many months in advance.

That has given WWE plenty of opportunity to pepper the build to the biggest show of the year with memorable moments. There have been plenty of twists and turns along the way, but the climax to each man and woman's journey to the Showcase of the Immortals is upon us.

As ever, certain events from the buildup to WrestleMania will endure alongside the show itself. These are the moments we'll remember when we look back on WrestleMania 31 in years to come.

5. Roman Reigns Beats Daniel Bryan at Fastlane

Credit: WWE.com

The outcome of Roman Reigns versus Daniel Bryan at Fastlane was a disappointment to many, but the match itself did exactly what it had to.

Reigns needed an opportunity to show that he can put on a match worthy of the main event, and he did just that. Admittedly, Bryan played a major role in making that happen, but there have been plenty of main eventers in the past who have needed good company to put on a great match.

Moreover, this bout made up for one of the biggest problems with this year's Royal Rumble match. Keeping Bryan and Reigns separate there hurt the credibility of the Juggernaut. Quite rightly, top brass were worried that the crowd's admiration for the Yes Man would hurt Reigns, but their tact was ultimately completely transparent.

Fans saw Reigns being chosen ahead of their favourite, and they weren't happy about it. Turning that into an engaging main event on the Road to WrestleMania was a very canny move—and one that helped cover up some of the inconsistencies on Reigns' journey to face Brock Lesnar.

4. John Cena Passes out in the Accolade

Credit: WWE.com

The problem with John Cena is that he's too much of a superman, which is why Rusev cutting him down to size worked so well.

Seeing Cena helpless in the grip of the Accolade was a huge moment for Rusev. Fans are much more likely to see him as a real threat because he gave a man who's mantra is "never give up" no option but to pick up a loss at Fastlane.

Of course, it would have been even more impactful to see Cena tap out—but if that is the eventual the plan, it's a moment that's best held back for the grand stage of WrestleMania.

Nevertheless, in an era when submission holds have been devalued for the most part, it's great to see such a technique being built as hugely destructive. It's good for the move, and it's especially good for the man who keeps it in his arsenal.

3. Randy Orton Gets His Hands on Seth Rollins

The ongoing feud between Randy Orton and Seth Rollins has been one of the best things about the build to WrestleMania 31.

Over the past year, the Viper has done some of the best work of his career—and it's difficult to imagine a better opponent for him than the Architect. It's a rare example of a long-term, slow-build storyline hitting all the right notes, and the climactic match should be a highlight of the pay-per-view.

Seeing Orton finally manipulate Rollins into a situation where he could let his frustrations loose was a great moment, and the subsequent beatdown added some real intensity to the feud. No other match on the WrestleMania card feels as personal as this.

Months and months of plotting came to a head in this segment on Raw. Rather than blowing off the rivalry too early, however, the encounter only served to heighten expectations for the match. Fortunately, this pairing is more than capable of outdoing any sort of standards they're held to when they meet at WrestleMania.

2. The Undertaker Responds to Bray Wyatt

Credit: WWE.com

It seems that the end of the Streak might have been just what the Undertaker needed to refresh his WrestleMania regime.

Back when the Deadman was undefeated, his WrestleMania matches followed a very standard pattern. The onus was always on the challenger to break his Streak, which put the focus straight on the Phenom.

This year has been quite different. With the Phenom firmly established as having been damaged last year, he's been kept under wraps for the most part, giving Bray Wyatt ample opportunity to deliver some wonderful sermons to his congregation of fireflies.

Wyatt has shone in the spotlight, delivering the best character work since his debut. When he finally got the response he wanted from the Undertaker, the energy in the arena was palpable. It was a hugely legitimizing moment for the Eater of Worlds—hopefully, the match on Sunday will be just as beneficial.

1. Sting Arrives at Survivor Series

Credit: WWE.com

One of the biggest moments in the build to this year's WrestleMania came months ago—and it'll be remembered for years to come.

After endless speculation as to whether Sting would ever turn out for WWE, the end of Survivor Series 2014 saw the Crow make a decisive appearance to thwart the Authority. His actions would provide the spark for one of the biggest matches at WrestleMania 31.

Looking back, it was a great move to sow the seeds for this encounter so early. Sting versus Triple H deserves a big-fight feel, and almost six months of steady build toward the eventual clash has done a good job of making sure the stakes seem high.

Subsequent Stinger sightings have been great—his moment with Randy Orton was a particular highlight—but nothing can quite beat the impact of seeing a WCW legend step into a ring owned by Vince McMahon for the first time.