Ranking the 4 options for Triple H's Wrestlemania match

Despite Survivor Series 2017 being a mixed bag of confusion and missed opportunities, it did set up multiple options Wrestlemania 34, in particular the match involving Triple H. Yes, the COO did end up leaving his prints all over a match that could have showcased somebody like Nakamura or Bobby Roode instead, but love him or hate him, a match involving the Game at WrestleMania is always a big deal.

There appear to be four options for Triple H, each with their own set of pros and cons. Of these options, the match could either be a way to cement a new star, give a promising rookie the step up he needs, or a way to visit the past with a nostalgia-filled pop fest.

With a few months left to go before the WWE put on their biggest show of the year, here is an analysis of the four men the King of Kings could face at Wrestlemania 34

#1 Shane McMahon

One of the many reasons why the finish of Survivor Series 2017 is being so widely criticised by fans is the fact that the show marked yet another main event dominated by the McMahon family. Because Shane and Stephanie are now the two Commissioners of Smackdown and RAW respectively, we were expecting the match to have some repercussions between the two, but it now seems as though Stephanie's husband has gotten himself involved in the sibling rivalry.

After pinning Kurt Angle, The Game turned his attention to Shane, delivering a pedigree in front of a perplexed Braun Strowman. While the incident wasn't directly addressed the next night on RAW, it would come as no surprise if things are revisited later on.

Some might argue that Shane is simply no match for Triple H, making the bout between them too onesided and predictable. That being said, the Smackdown commissioner has faced both AJ Styles and The Undertaker in recent years, so perhaps a pairing with him and the Cerebral Assassin wouldn't feel that far fetched.

While the in-ring action wouldn't be that impressive, there would at least be some drama mixed in, with Shane being the obvious underdog babyface. However, anyone who has had just about enough of the McMahon family drama should pray this isn't the direction the company takes.

#2 Jason Jordan

In a perfect world, the Kurt Angle illegitimate child storyline will eventually lead to Jason Jordan becoming a huge main event star for the WWE. For a company that desperately needs some fresh talent at the top of the bill, Jordan appears to be the obvious choice. Fans might be going off him a little, but with the right booking, and perhaps a timely heel turn, son of Angle could eventually be a Wrestlemania regular.

However, this is still the WWE we're talking about. So far the signs haven't been great, as yet another promising storyline appears to be sinking into oblivion. Unless the company are planning something truly unexpected, the fans will continue to boo the young lion while he constantly gets overlooked for people less deserving.

One way this storyline can be saved is to have Jordan face the Game at Wrestlemania. Fans might scoff at the idea now, but if it helps the company make a new star then people will soon see the benefits of going this way. The storyline is already there, with Jordan being overlooked for the King of Kings at this year's Survivor Series.

While Jordan's stock is quite low at present, being associated with Triple H is normally enough to get people caring about you. Plus, the match would probably be a visual masterpiece. Jordan doesn't even need to come away with the win here. Even a heroic-looking loss would be enough to give him the momentum he needs to complete the rest of 2018 on a high.

#3 Kurt Angle

If WrestleMania is the place for big-time nostalgia matches, then Triple H vs. Kurt Angle would be the most appropriate entry on this list. Fans have been speculating about the prospect of this happening ever since Angle made his return after last year's Wrestlemania. Now, with the former Olympian back to in-ring action, the scene appears to be set.

Advocates of this option will argue that you can always go with Triple H vs. Strowman or Jordan at another PPV, but for such a marquee meeting, Mania is the only worthy stage. Also, in terms of ticket sales, Angle vs the Game is the safe option. It will draw in many of the older fans who have since left the product as well as providing the younger ones with a glimpse of how great wrestling used to be when these two were going at it on a consistent basis.

Also, the involvement of Stephanie gives this rivalry even more layers of nostalgia - who can forget the terrific feud grouping the three of them together back in the early 00s?

From the perspective of a traditional, purist wrestling fan, there might be better options than two men in their 40's trying to relive their old magic. Jordan, for example, would give the COO a better match, while somebody like Shane would turn this into an all-out fight. But Angle still has enough in the tank to put together a show, and this might be one of the last occasions we get to see it against a fellow Attitude Era superstar.

#4 Braun Strowman

If there is such a thing as a 'money match' option right now, it has to be Triple H vs. Braun Strowman at Wrestlemania. Triple H has been rather uncharacteristic of late, coming back to Mania to unselfishly lose to a young star the company are trying to turn into a main event talent.

At WrestleMania 30, the King of Kings lost to Daniel Bryan, who went on to pick up the WWE World Heavyweight Championship on the same night. Two years later it was Roman Reigns picking up the same title, this time in the main event itself against the Game. Most recently, of course, Seth Rollins received an impressive string to his bow, seeing off the COO despite a leg injury.

This is a new side to Triple H that fans have been dying to see for years. Traditionally speaking, if you were trying to cement an individual as the next big thing, you wouldn't have him face the Game - just ask Booker T and CM Punk! Thankfully, he appears to have turned a corner, and it really should be Strowman who gets the next bite at the cherry.

With the WWE Universal Title match apparently locked up already, Strowman - who some would say is the number one babyface on the RAW roster at the moment - needs the next best thing. If a match with Undertaker isn't on the cards, then Triple H is the way to go.

The only slight issue is that the quality of the match might not be up to the standards of some of the other options on this list. Both men tend to work better with smaller guys so there's a danger things might look too slow and awkward.

That being said, the occasion itself ought to be enough to give Strowman the spotlight he both needs and deserves.

Send us news tips at [email protected]