There is rarely a quiet moment in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). You can bet that the next few months are going to be hectic as the company makes its way down the ‘Road to WrestleMania.’ They head to Ottawa in February, what could we expect for Canadian wrestlers in the coming weeks and months?
WWE has seen many top Canadian wrestlers prosper in the company. Bret Hart, Roddy Piper and Trish Stratus are just three Canadians who have been big hits in WWE. Fast forward to 2022 and when it comes to a big event, US online sportsbooks regularly find themselves giving odds on the new (and not so new) generation of Canadian wrestlers.
WrestleMania 39 takes place in Los Angeles next year on April 1 and 2. It’s the biggest show of the year for WWE and one that US sportsbooks will be offering odds on. Now players from US can legally bet in most part of the States, including New York, Florida, New Jersey and even Ohio from January 1. Professional wrestling results may be predetermined but the results are known to only a few. Sometimes the planned result even changes during a match, so a bet with a US or Canadian sportsbook isn’t as easy as you may be thinking.
This year saw Sami Zayn involved in a highly entertaining comedy match at WrestleMania. The Canadian wrestler was feuding with Johnny Knoxville, who was busy promoting hit American film ‘Jackass Forever.’
Ayn has often been the figure of fun in WWE and he plays the part well. However, the wrestler formerly known as ‘El Generico’ is a highly talented performer. He’s currently part of the Bloodline faction that is dominating WWE.
That includes the Undisputed WWE Universal champion Roman Reigns and tag champions, The Uso’s. By the time Raw is held at the Tire Center in Ottawa on February 19, everything could have changed for Zayn.
You sense that his days with the Bloodline may well be numbered. There’s an uneasy relationship in the faction, particularly with Jey Uso. Zayn is probably one mistake away from the Bloodline turning on him. Or might he turn on them?
January 28 sees the Royal Rumble being held in Texas, USA. The Royal Rumble match sees 30 men attempting to be the last man left in the ring and earn a title shot at WrestleMania. Zayn is high on the list of US sportsbooks who are offering odds on the match.
While it’s unlikely that Zayn will win that match, something could happen that will affect his relationship with the Bloodline. Who knows the relationship between Zayn and The Bloodline might even be over by then.
Whatever happens, it looks as if Zayn might be involved in a more meaningful feud at WrestleMania 39. No being put in a mousetrap this time but a feud that could put him in title contention.
Another Canadian wrestler hoping for a major match at WrestleMania 39 is Kevin Owens. He’ll find it difficult to top the match he had at this years’ WrestleMania. The biggest wrestling show in the US saw Owens in a street fight against the returning Stone Cold Steve Austin that topped the bill on the second night of the weekend-long event.
Owens has had some time out due to injury since then but has recently returned to in-ring action. He’s a fan favorite at present but that might not last too long if his past behavior is anything to go by.
Who knows, he could even feud with Sami Zayn again. The pair have had many battles in the past and the odds are we haven’t seen the end of that feud yet.
One Canadian wrestler who has had many memorable WrestleMania moments is Edge. The WWE Hall of Famer retired due to neck problems but has since made his ring return. He’s been feuding with Damian Priest (who he beat in Canada in August), and the other members of The Judgement Day faction this year, a group he originated before being turned on.
There’s plenty of time for him to set up a big match at WrestleMania 39. US sportsbooks don’t fancy him getting into title contention but he’s just too good not to have a key match at WrestleMania. Look for him to be on the Raw show in Ottawa in February.
As for the women’s division, Natalya (a future WWE Hall of Famer) is never that far from a title shot. Betting on her to win the Women’s Royal Rumble in January isn’t too crazy an idea. Trish Stratus is a likely participant in the Rumble match. Her full-time WWE career may be over but when they head to Canada, the odds are Stratus will make an appearance.
Canadian wrestlers have an exciting time ahead of them. They also have shows at the Bell Center in Montreal on February 17 and 18. By then it’ll be a matter of weeks until WrestleMania 39 and what happens in Canada that week could have a major influence on what happens in April.
