This year is the fourth consecutive year that the WWE will hold their annual Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at "Wrestlemania 33." The event, which honors the greatest big man in WWE history has dropped in importance as the years go on and the WWE reports that it will take place on the pre-show for the second year in a row. Not only that, but the pre-show will be free for everyone to watch on the USA Network.
Andre the Giant battle royal history
The Andre the Giant Memorial battle royal started out as a way for the WWE to help push a new star and that seemed like the case in the first year when Cesaro not only won the match but did it by eliminating Big Show, the modern day equivalent to Andre.
However, after a couple of weeks, the push from winning the event died down and Cesaro was pushed back into tag team action. The second year, it was Big Show who won, a nice call-back to Andre, but Big Show has not needed a push in years so the win was basically a nice moment that meant nothing after WrestleMania ended. Last year, it was similar to the first year with Baron Corbin winning. However, just like with Cesaro, the WWE soon ignored the win and Corbin floundered until the WWE brand split allowed him to get his recent push on SmackDown Live. One has to wonder if the winner at "WrestleMania 33" will fare any better?
The 'WrestleMania 33' battle royal
In 2016, the biggest moment came when Shaquille O'Neal showed up and stood face to face with Big Show.
At "WrestleMania 33," Big Show will be making his fourth straight appearance in the event, as that seems like all the WWE has plans for him anymore. However, there is little chance he wins unless the WWE wants to reward him at his final WrestleMania, as his contract expires soon and has teased retirement. The big choice to win the Andre the Giant Memorial battle royal this year is Braun Strowman.
He was pushed as an unbeatable monster until Roman Reigns beat him last month and he needs something to get his push restarted again. Winning this event could be what Braun Strowman needs more than anyone else. With the event free on the USA Network, everyone can see him win if that is what the WWE chooses to go with.
