Normally I don’t really write reviews for wrestling events but I really feel like I have a lot to say about this one (as did most of the internet). That said, I will kinda keep it as brief as I can. I’m not really going to talk too in depth about individual matches, rather try and paint a broad picture of my overall experience.
They set the mood at the beginning perfectly with an amazing pre-show (and I want all of my wrestling fans to count how many times they’ve been able to use the phrase amazing pre-show), and an excellent, and frankly a little under appreciated, opening match. I’m insanely excited to see where this duo of Hardy and Wyatt go, I legit jumped out of my seat when Naomi won the women’s battle royal, and Cedric and Mustafa put on a great match themselves. The Intercontental triple threat match, again like I said was really well done. I personally wouldn’t have been mad no matter who won, however I do think I would’ve most liked to see Finn take home the gold.
Charlotte and Asuka put on what many people are calling match of the night, and while I don’t agree with that statement, I do understand why people think that. I’m also not hipster enough to believe that it wasn’t top 3 of the night. People are kinda split on the result. I personally think that it’s a good thing the Asuka win streak came to an end (although I wish it was via pinfall rather than submission), but Wrestlemania was honestly the best place for it to happen, and I can’t think of too many better people to do it than Charlotte.
The night hit it’s first lull during the US Title Fatal Four Way, which to be fair Fatal Four Ways imo are rarely classics and often end up being at best, okay. And that’s what this match was, was simply okay. I think if WWE really doesn’t want to give up on Jinder than it was a smart idea for him to win here, I just hope they don’t do the typical thing were someone (in this case Rusev) gets super popular, and the company waits waaaaaay too long to capitalize on it.
Angle/Rousey vs. HHH/Stephanie started slow but I think well surpassed many people’s expectations. I think any doubt that Rousey wasn’t going to have a decent WWE career ended here, and it was nice that everyone got their moments to shine.
Another one of few matches that I feel like never really took off the way they should’ve was the Smackdown tag title match, especially in comparison to the absolute classics that the Usos and The New Day have put on in the last year. But that being said, I think it is nice that the Usos finally got to compete on the main stage at Mania, a fact that made me entirely okay with the idea of them retaining. But its also nice that Rowan and Harper finally got a chance to win tag gold, even if the end result was a little predictable.
The Cena/Taker squash match was just... perfect. Whether or not this sets up any future feud I don’t know, but what we got was booked perfectly, from Cena having his “be careful what you wish for” moment, him hanging out in the crowd beforehand wondering if he was even gonna show up, and even the Elias fakeout was great.
I dont really have much to say about the Bryan/Shane vs. Owens/Zayn match, outside of it was honestly probably my favorite match of the night. From Daniel’s entrance on I legit could not stop smiling through the entire thing. I only just wish the crowd got behind Shane a bit more.
Again, not much to say about Alexa vs. Jax, aside from I’m really happy for Nia, and Alexa honestly had a great run as champion.
The WWE championship match though... I think a lot of people would agree with me that this should have been match of the night. We know what both men are capable of, especially against each other. WWE kept calling it a dream match and it absolutely was one. But it just never really felt like it got going. I know people are saying this was just a setup match, which I guess is fine, but it also feels weird to have a setup match at Mania. Nakamura as a heel is something I’m kinda split on, but I was honestly ready to see Nakamura’s coronation. I like Styles as much as the next guy don’t get me wrong, but I am ready to see someone else be WWE champion again. And it would be nice to see Nakamura become WWE champion with the crowd on his side, rather than against him.
Braun’s tag team match is honestly one of those matches that people on the internet are gonna be split on. Its either something you love or hate, and I personally loved it. No The Bar aren’t “buried”, and the Internet Wrestling Community uses that phrase waaaaaay too much. No the tag titles aren’t a joke, the idea is that Braun is just that damn good. Plus the crowd seemed to absolutely love it. I’ve said before that I think wrestling is at its best when it doesn’t take itself too seriously, and I think this was a perfect example of a moment that was silly in the absolute best way.
What was silly in the worst way however is the main event. Already WWE had an uphill battle since nobody was super interested in seeing Roman/Lesnar again, plus it came at the end of a really long Wrestlemania so the crowd was already burned out. The build to the match was honestly super great, and got a fair amount of people behind Roman. I think, for once, WWE had a moment where fans actually wanted to see Roman win a world title (even if it was only because he wasn’t Lesnar), so its so bizarre to me that they chose this moment to not go through with it. It wouldn’t have even been as bad if the match was a little better, but what can you do.
Overall, it’s a little weird to see so many storylines kinda start here (Wyatt/Hardy, Heel Nakamura, Braun and partner, Cena/Taker) at a show that is traditionally where storylines tend to end. Thats not really a bad thing mind you, just a bit strange. Kinda curious who is gonna take the title off of Lesnar but at this point I think the fans would be happy with just about anyone. But, overall, while there were a few dull spots, I would honestly say that this was the best Mania since the even hit its 30s, and I would give it a solid 4-4 1/2 stars.
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