WrestleMania 32

As the confetti fell at AT&T Stadium last night, myself and many other fans of WWE were left thinking, “That’s It? That’s how this story ends?”

The short answer is yes. That’s how last night’s story ended. Roman Reigns is now a three-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion. AJ Styles lost in his WrestleMania debut. Dean Ambrose lost in a lackluster street fight to Brock Lesnar. Charlotte holds the new WWE Women’s Championship. The Wyatts were buried by a return from The Rock and John Cena. The New Day ate a pin from the League of Nations. Oh, and Zack Ryder is the new Intercontental Champion.

While these booking decisions are questionable, as a fan we have to remember that while the story of Wrestlemania ended in a manner that fans my find unsatisfying, the story is far from over.

In the past, WrestleMania has seen the blow-offs to the biggest feuds and rivalries. Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, and Daniel Bryan have all gotten retribution and vindication at the showcase of the immortals. However, times are changing. There is a shift in the booking at Wrestlemania that seems to suggest that the show is no longer the culmination of a year of work by these performers, but rather, it is the kick-off to a new season.

This idea begins to show itself at Wrestlemania XXX, with the end of The Undertaker’s undefeated streak. Brock Lesnar ended the streak much to the shock and dismay of the fans in New Orleans and those watching at home. Everyone was left wondering what purpose this would serve. We can see two years later, that this moment served to finish building Lesnar into the ultimate conqueror. His dominant 8 month reign as champion would not have been as powerful without this win. His decimation of John Cena at Summerslam 2014 would not have been as powerful. The words spoken by Paul Heyman would have less meaning had he not won. You can book a match to make a competitor look strong in a loss, but for the level that WWE had wished to take Lesnar to, only the biggest victory in WrestleMania history would get him there.

This year the show ended with no real changes to the status quo in WWE. The Authority is sill in power. Reigns has recaptured the richest prize in the sport. Lesnar proved again that he is an unstoppable force. No one (except for Zack Ryder) was moved up the card by their performances last night.

However, tonight is the most important day of the year. The RAW after WrestleMania is the chance to shake things up. Tonight we find out what lies in store for Ambrose, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Sasha Banks, The New Day, and the other stars that have risen to the forefront in the last year. Today begins a new chance for them to rise up even further. The possibilities are endless over the next twelve months. Through proper booking and through great performances, these wrestlers can find themselves back on the grandest stage of them all.

Being on the main card for WrestleMania is the dream. Main eventing WrestleMania is the culmination of a life of hard work. The current roster is young. Many of them have not been on the main roster for very long. They have plenty of time to realize their dreams of their ultimate WrestleMania moment. Tonight, the page turns and another chapter begins. New talent will arrive as other talent departs. Their stories didn’t begin at a WrestleMania, and they didn’t end last night in Dallas.

The possibilites are endless tonight. The New Day could find themselves being called SAWFT for their loss last night. Reigns could finally call for the respect he feels he deserves from the WWE Universe to only be told that he doesn’t have the Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect for fans they require. An age-old battle to simply see who is better could reignite, or it could simply be a more generic story. A beast could finally come to the realization that monsters walk among us in the daylight. A lone wolf could go hunting. So many options lie before the creative team.

Tonight, when the page turns be excited for what lies ahead. Our stars will rise and continue to grow. Look at the bigger pciture and embrace their entire journey. The WWE story is never-ending. While last night may not have been the storybook ending we were looking for, there is time and those moments will come. Continue to enjoy the ride as a fan, and always remember that the story isn’t over.