WrestleMania 35 Preview: United States Championship Match

The champion: Samoa Joe. The challenger: Rey Mysterio. Only one will walk out of WrestleMania 35 holding the United States Championship. Let’s break everything down ahead of their clash.

July 4, 1776: The 13 American colonies declare independence from the British Monarchy. The United States is born. March 5, 2019: The United States has a new ruler, his name is Samoa Joe. After pinning Andrade in a fatal four-way that also included Rey Mysterio and then-champion R-Truth, Joe ascended to the Office of the United States Champion, his first title reign on the WWE main roster. Later that month at Fastlane, he successfully defended his United States Championship against the same trio of opponents.

But, after being pinned in a tag team match, Joe suddenly had a contender to his throne, Rey Mysterio. Standing alongside his son Dominick, Mysterio announced that due to his pinfall victory, he would be challenging Samoa Joe for the United States Championship at WrestleMania 35.

Joe: A

considerate gentleman who just wants to help the tired go to sleep

sadistic killer who will do whatever it takes to win. Mysterio: A living legend and the embodiment of the underdog.

It’s an ideal matchup that can go either way. Joe has always done great work with smaller guys he can knock around, and Mysterio has made his career off of prevailing against overwhelming odds.

A question that could — depending on the answer —  swing the outcome of this match is what is Mysterio’s role right now in WWE? Back when Mysterio first re-appeared on WWE programming, you could be forgiven for dreading another past-their-prime veteran coming in to take a spot from younger talent. But he has more than delivered in the months since he’s been back. He’s probably in the best shape of his life, turning in some great matches and throwing out Canadian Destroyers like it’s nothing.

But, is this match a chance to give Mysterio one last title run before he’s gone for good? Frankly, it’s not hard to see a future where Mysterio wins the title, only to drops it and pass the proverbial torch to Andrade somewhere down the road. Or, is this where WWE fully commits to Joe as a monster and gives him a dominant run with the United States Championship? Lord knows, it’s a role Joe could pull off with ease.

It also feels worth noting that Dominick is going be ringside for this match, meaning he will likely have some influence on its ending. Whether that will be getting involved and helping his father win, or fueling Joe — a man who loves mentally torturing his opponents by targeting their families — remains for be seen.

One last thing to tune in for is the potential fashion. Mysterio has a history of donning comic book-inspired ring attire at WrestleMania (Daredevil at 19, The Flash at 20, The Joker at 25, Captain America at 27.) With Avengers: Endgame just around the corner, and this particular hero being positioned as the savior to bring down Thanos, look for Mysterio to wear something Ant-Man-esque. As for Joe, this will be his very first ‘Mania, after missing the previous two due to a pair of untimely injuries, so you know he’s going to go big. That’s right: Joe is going to wear three-toned trunks.

Who will walk out of WrestleMania 35 as United States Champion? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.