I wrote last week how WrestleMania was set to disappoint and as it turned out it was largely an event full of predictability. There were some unexpected events but these were limited. For instance, the freedom of the WWE Network ensured that there were no 10 second squash matches. With a card this long I didn’t expected that. Instead all the contests received an appropriate amount of time allocated to them. None were too rushed and were given chance to develop. Whilst the ‘Mania set was impressive, the 80 yard ramp was completely over the top. No wonder The Undertaker emerged halfway down it! Not just was it long but it also rose high above the audience. I can’t imagine what it must’ve been like sat in the shadow of it, looking up and still having to watch someones entrance on a big screen.
Neville (C) defeats Austin Aries
The opening match of the kickoff show fell into the unexpected category. Firstly this match was allocated more time than I was expecting and I’m glad it was. It was technically excellent, as expected, but with some particularly brutal impacts. Secondly, I confidently anticipated the show would start with a title change. Surprisingly however Austin Aries’ first appearance at WrestleMania came with a defeat. Overall an exciting, if not electric, start to the show.Mojo Rawley wins the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
Up next was the ‘get everyone contracted to appear on the big show’ battle royal. Again this threw up the surprise of having bookies favourites Big Show and Braun Strowman eliminated early. What happened after that was an utter shambles. In fairness it was telegraphed as soon as (Gronk something?) from the NFL was highlighted in the build up. After he became involved he got over the barrier and a female security guard intervened. At this point better informed individuals including the referees came over to quickly tell her that it was part of the plan. Moments like that break the illusion to viewers. Yes we know it’s predetermined but we enjoy not knowing what’s going to happen. With the illusion shattered it was therefore obvious that Mojo Rawley was going to win. Personally I don’t see anything in the guy. The ‘stay hyped’ persona frankly just irritates me. But there we go. Two matches gone, two disappointing outcomes.Dean Ambrose (C) defeats Baron Corbin
This match happened. I didn’t care. The opportunity was missed to get Baron Corbin over as a champion and to have another ‘Mania moment. It would’ve also elevated Corbin’s battle royal win from the previous year, following that up with a significant title victory. Also, Dean Ambrose is in desperate need to get back into the WWE championship picture because he’s just treading water right now. Given his popularity he should not be in a kickoff show match.
AJ Styles defeats Shane McMahon
First bout of the night on the main show and another taste of disappointment. I had been utterly engaged with the match until the referee got knocked out. Then it descended into the stunt artistry that I had anticipated. The match didn’t need it with McMahon more than holding his own in the ring exchanges. But then he is contractually obliged to put his body at risk to generate gasps from the crowd. It just came as a reminder that Styles wasn’t higher up on the card. I mean AJ v Kurt Angle on this show would’ve been phenomenal, as it were. But never mind. An entertaining contest was delivered nonetheless, just a shame they had to get the Shane O’Mac stunts in.Kevin Owens defeats Chris Jericho (C)
As anticipated this match fully delivered. Two former best friends able to deliver counter after counter and an awesome match overall. When the end finally came it came with a muted response as all the moments you thought would bring about the fall produced kick outs. Crowds then don’t anticipate the successful pinfall, denting their reaction. That aside it was a great match. It also made me consider that Chris Jericho really has been around for so long but still continues to have superb matches on the top show. Now time for him to enjoy his Fozzy break.Bayley (C) defeats Nia Jaxx, Sasha Banks and Charlotte
Predictably Nia Jaxx did her dominating thing before being eliminated first. I like Nia but everything she does looks less skilled. I don’t want to say clumsy but less refined for sure. Charlotte on the other hand is smooth and executed everything perfectly. Even the exposed turnbuckle was utilised to perfection. Sasha was however largely memorable for having a lift to the ring, a wise move given the enormity of the ramp, but I don’t really recall anything else she did with Charlotte being the standout. The finish was solid with the marketed underdog Bayley getting her WrestleMania moment, eyes full of tears, that was a nice moment.
The Hardy Boyz defeat Anderson & Gallows (C), Sheamus & Cesaro and Enzo & Cass
Where to start with this one. As many probably knew the Hardys had dropped their RoH tag titles the night before, said their goodbyes and were heading back to WWE. However few expected them to show up at WrestleMania. Personally I was convinced they were going to be on RAW. So for them to show up and win tag title gold again was an incredible moment. From the deafening ovation that greeted their theme tune hitting I don’t think the crowd came down from the ceiling at any point. The match was subsequently a bit of a blur as viewers struggled to believe what they were seeing. It’s a shame for the six other individuals involved to be usurped in such a manner but they must’ve enjoyed the electricity in that moment which only a surprise entrant of that stature can deliver.John Cena & Nikki Bella defeat The Miz and Maryse
Sooooo predictable. Even Nikki struggled to look surprised. The reality era strikes again and Total Bellas dictates booking. If you’re into that show then you probably got a kick out of it. I’m not so I didn’t. But congratulations to the future John & Nikki Cena anyway. Also Maryse did very little in the ring, has the former champ really lost all her skills?Seth Rollins defeats Triple H
In terms of story telling this was a great match. Lacking the bloody brutality the fight probably deserved it was instead all structured around a supposed knee injury. However Rollins was able to perform manoeuvres which defied a knee problem but sold it expertly. Anyway, the finish was perfectly executed with a number of smooth interchanges. Stephanie going through the table was notably quite shocking, I didn’t expect that at all, and it took her out of the picture neatly too. Then Rollins delivering a pedigree to defeat the Game provided a perfect conclusion.
Randy Orton defeats Bray Wyatt (C)
I cannot for the life of me understand this booking. A victory for Bray Wyatt would’ve cemented his spot in the main event picture for the foreseeable future. We even had an impressive wielding of Bray Wyatt’s power with some impressive projections onto the ring. But no Randy Orton wins out of nowhere. What does that even accomplish? Just to emphasise that a Royal Rumble win practically guarantees you a title? No wonder the crowd reaction was pretty much total silence.
Brock Lesnar defeats Goldberg (C)
Then we were back to the utterly predictable. We all called this way back in January/February when the Kevin Owens/Goldberg match was made. The match with Lesnar at ‘Mania had already been made. It was so obvious that Goldberg would win the title only to drop it to Brock. Part of me hoped that they wouldn’t go through with it but they did. That being said I enjoyed the physicality of the encounter and was clearly better than the Survivor Series debacle. Of course it’s WrestleMania so for the first time in history, as far as I’m aware, someone kicked out of the jackhammer. Finishing moves somehow lose their devastating impact at the big show of the year. Perhaps it’s an adrenaline thing? When that happened and Goldberg went for another spear it became all the more apparent that he only had two moves in his arsenal. However why change a winning formula? Similarly Brock had the german suplex, quite a few of them and the F5 which worked for him. Anyway, title belt handed over, job done.
Naomi defeats Alexa Bliss (C), Natalya, Becky Lynch, Carmella and Mickie James
Continuing with the predictable, hometown girl Naomi won back the title she’d had to relinquish due to injury a few weeks ago. A single fall also stopped the match going on too long. I think 4 hours in, plus the 2 hour kickoff show on top of that, and intense Florida heat the audience was getting pretty fatigued. Only one match left though…
Roman Reigns defeats The Undertaker
The clues were all there. It went on last. JR came out from the cold to provide commentary. Those observant will have noticed Taker’s wife in the crowd too. The ‘No Holds Barred’ stipulation opened things up even further. And yet Reigns kept hitting the awful superman punch. Five times I think it was in the end and it’s just absurd. It’s a rubbish move done far too often. It also took multiple spears to keep the Undertaker down for the pinfall. The crowd reaction was muted rather than being vociferously angry which I had anticipated it would be. The reality was there for all to see. The Undertaker looked old and spent. In the end the result was inevitable. The torch was passed on.
When the end came it was emotional. It was nothing short of devastating really. Quite rightly ‘Taker had his moment. For possibly the first time ever he seemed to break character as the enormity of saying goodbye washed over him, looking visibly choked up. Perhaps he should’ve gone out with a flawless undefeated streak at the biggest show at the year. But wrestling tradition is that you retire on a loss, you do the favour. The legacy of the Undertaker will live on for a long, long time. Personally I’m looking forward to an epic interview series on the WWE Network where his epic career is dissected and we finally get to hear from him properly about some of his greatest moments and matches.
RAW
Predictability returned on Monday night RAW with Kurt Angie becoming General Manager, as expected, and Finn Bálor returned from injury, as expected. The highlight however was the opening segment with the raucous crowd chanting ‘Undertaker’ for an extended period. Then Roman Reigns came out. Credit to him for simply standing there whilst the Universe vented their rage. “F*ck you Roman!” was a particular highlight. The “Roman sucks” chants also returned as the fans shared their opinions with Vince McMahon. Not that that will change things. When Reigns did speak, he nailed it. However the hangover from events at WrestleMania the night before seemed to drain the audience’s energy. The Undertaker’s retirement had had an instant impact.
SmackDown Live
Not to be outdone the blue brand also held their own post-Mania show in Orlando. The show started strong and continued throughout. SmackDownLive has consistently been delivering good television. Each segment is meaningful with no need to pad out a third hour. The highlights were undoubtedly the debuts. Tye Dillinger’s was great but Shinsuke Nakamura brought genuine spine tingling chills. There’s just something about that violin music! Styles v Nakamura is a thrilling prospect but will probably get messed up by the impending superstar shakeup. We will have to wait and see…
Watching World Wresting Entertainment (WWE) can often lead to a sense of deja-vu. In many respects another brand extension is a good idea. The idea was first introduced in 2002 when the roster was bolstered by acquisitions from WCW and ECW. It successfully served as a way of better utilising the significant talent pool available but, as is frequently the case with the WWE, the execution has been less than perfect.
RAW did make a bold statement with acquiring the WWE Women’s Champion and in possibly the match of the night Sasha Banks took the gold. The new era had its first new champion. However, despite a new roster two superstar spots were inhabited by nobodies for squash matches to introduce Nia Jax and Braun Strowman. A classic case of one step forward, two back. It will be interesting to see how Smackdown Live responds given a solid episode from RAW, Brock Lesnar making an appearance next week and the cruiserweight also coming to Monday nights.
Bedwyr Gullidge 