Mania matches inverting the babyface dynamic

How incompetently has WWE set up many of its major Mania matches in terms of expected fan reaction? So many expect a face reception for the wrong superstar, ESPECIALLY given the smarky Mania crowd.

Goldberg vs. Lesnar – Babyface: Goldberg, 49 year old who squashed a champion people legitimately liked and is now carrying the belt and taking up the championship spot despite a) not needing it and b) not being able to work a proper match. He’s the babyface against heel Lesnar, who is amazing in every way when motivated and who fans have a long term relationship with in this era.

Reigns vs. Taker – Babyface: Well, both, but they’d sure love Reigns to be cheered. Reigns is still being booked as the face here, despite all of mankind and God rejecting him in that role, and he’ll likely be beating a wrestler we all hold somewhat sacred. Regins is actually going in as the overdog, and yet WWE is so optimistic about turning around his reaction that they’re still editing their Raw clips on youtube to omit boos and chants against him.

And, (becoming more and more likely) AJ vs. Shane. Babyface: Shane, a middle-aged non-wrestler who is injury (and injuring) prone, facing the best wrestler on the planet earth and certainly forcing him to work a slower, easier match.

​Not for nothing, but I don’t hold Undertaker sacred. Once the streak was broken, there was no need to have him continue beating guys at Wrestlemania. He 100% should have done the job to Bray Wyatt that year, and he absolutely should do the job to Roman Reigns now that we’re getting that match whether we like it or not. Better or worse, Roman’s the guy they want, and it serves no purpose to job him now. Plus it would be the most glorious troll-job in WWE history for him to put Undertaker down with the spear, so I’m all for it. ​