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It is laborious to grasp why Bobby Lashley would not have a significant storyline forward of WrestleMania 39. The previous WWE United States champion had a robust yr following final yr’s occasion.
His year-long feud with Brock Lesnar had excessive factors however ended with an underwhelming match at Elimination Chamber. Their rivalry appeared prefer it was setting Lashley up for a major win on The Grandest Stage of Them All.
As a substitute, the corporate pivoted to a random matchup with Omos, leaving the 46-year-old in an much more confounding battle with Bray Wyatt.
The premise for this match was uninspiring. Nonetheless, essentially the most optimistic WWE followers believed that they may probably salvage it till the returning star was pulled from the cardboard.
WrestleVotes told GiveMeSport, “A private well being subject on Bray Wyatt’s half goes to maintain Bobby Lashley off the WrestleMania card. With that stated, I do know that there is a backup plan. I do know that they are gonna get Lashley on the cardboard in some kind.”
That is nice information, as The All Mighty star took to Twitter to verify he’ll compete at The Showcase of Immortals. So, who might be his new opponent subsequent weekend at SoFi Stadium?
Bobby Lashley @fightbobby
9 days till the All-Mighty takes over @SoFiStadium!
Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.Somebody is getting the ass-kicking of a lifetime.
I am recent and prepared for a struggle! #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/gRhPq7O8gJ
Bronson Reed
Right away, Bronson Reed looks like a stable choice. A hoss struggle with the previous NXT North American champion can be a recent matchup for Lashley.
It could additionally enable WWE to reveal the Australian wrestler to an even bigger viewers. Reed has been working via rivals on Uncooked, and he had an incredible exhibiting within the males’s Elimination Chamber match.
To that finish, it looks like the brand new regime is constructing him for one thing, and his first WrestleMania match could possibly be an effective way to show himself. The occasion typically brings in lapsed and informal followers, and a match with The All Mighty could possibly be the proper introduction.
One might argue that it is too quickly for him to take a giant loss in a one-on-one match, however a aggressive match with the Colorado native would undeniably elevate his profile. Conversely, a win over somebody who has dominated on Monday nights would give Lashley some much-needed momentum.
Karrion Kross
If WWE desires to make use of the identical tone because the Bray Wyatt feud, Karrion Kross can be a perfect WrestleMania opponent for Lashley.
He and Scarlett might play related thoughts video games, and Kross matches up properly with the previous WWE champion. Standing at 6’4″, The Herald of Doomsday might convincingly stand toe-to-toe with him on The Grandest Stage of Them All.
There is not sufficient time to craft an enticing story round this matchup, but it surely could possibly be a simple encounter. Lashley is on the lookout for a problem, and Kross is making an attempt to earn a spot on the cardboard in opposition to somebody of his stature.
The 37-year-old has potential, however his WWE return hasn’t been a lot to put in writing dwelling about. This is a chance to compete on the largest occasion of the yr in opposition to somebody who belongs on the planet title scene. This could possibly be the change of route he wants to maneuver ahead in 2023.
It is a man who returned and put Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre on discover. He wants a significant storyline or matches to get again on monitor.
LA Knight
LA Knight looks like essentially the most believable choice. After he feuded with Wyatt, his recognition is rising each week, and WrestleMania can be an fascinating barometer for him.
Based on WrestleVotes, LA Knight is reportedly concerned within the backup plan for Lashley. That will surely make sense as a result of he has been campaigning for a match on the occasion and has ties to The Eater of Worlds.
Knight might not provide an opportunity to re-enter the title image or erase the unsatisfying conclusion to his feud with Lesnar. However, he’s entertaining, and he might make the perfect out of this last-minute change.
There are additionally rumors that “Stone Chilly” Steve Austin might play a component in Lashley’s special approach, however that appears much less seemingly. The Texas Rattlesnake instructed NBC Los Angeles that his “days within the ring are finished”, and that is most likely a spot fitted to a present celebrity.
Possibly Austin will present up after the match to participate in a section with Knight and Lashley. With The Best Spectacle in Sports activities Leisure only a week away, something is feasible.