I really don’t want to rub it in, but even a guy with brain damage (cerebral palsy) like myself gets something right every now and then.
In my article last week, I said that WrestleMania had the potential to blow the critics away, despite the somewhat underwhelming build up. I’m happy to say that the 31st installment of the annual wrestling spectacular did just that. Easily the best WrestleMania of the decade, WWE showed that it still has the ability to create a truly special card, from top to bottom.
The Intercontinental Championship match was a wild one. Everyone from Luke Harper to R-Truth risked it all to not only give us an unforgettable performance, but to deliver a match that would help give the I.C. title the prestige it once held so lo no ago. After Dolph Ziggler was knocked from the top of the ladder via multiple headbutts and Daniel Bryan pulled down the championship, I’d like to think the mission was accomplished.
Randy Orton vs. Seth Rollins. It was a solid match, and the finish was unforgettable. I love Diamond Dallas Page, and he had some incredibly unique ways to get into The Diamond Cutter. After ‘Mania, I think it’s safe to say Orton has taken his version of The Cutter and made it that much cooler.
Sting vs. Triple H gave us imagery that was surreal. Sure, the New World Order fighting DX would have been something we all would have much rather have seen in, say, 2001. Come to think of it, The Icon vs. The Game would have been something we would have preferred seeing in 2001 as well. In this case, though, I’d chalk it up as “better late than never.” When you talk “WrestleMania Moments,” this match alone had more than it’s share.
The Divas were given their chance to shine at WrestleMania in Tag Team action as AJ Lee and Paige battled The Bellas. The match was pretty sweet, and you can’t give all the credit to A and Paige. It takes two, or in this case, four to tango, and the twins really brought their A game.
John Cena fought for the United States Champion ship for the first time in a decade, taking on the undefeated Rusev. I got two words for ya: Springboard Stunner. For all the crap people give him about his wrestling, you have to admit that Cena is constantly trying to improve and add ridiculous moves to his move set. You never saw that from Hogan– though I will say that I popped hard when he hit an enziguri on Muta back in ’93. Cena won the belt (I can call it a belt because it’s my article) after an intense match.
Triple H and Stephanie McMahon confronting The Rock and Ronda Rousey screamed “ESPN Highlight Reel”— as if the publicity they got with Brock’s re-signing earlier in the week wasn’t good enough. I think we only got a small taste of something bigger down the road. Seeing Ronda in a WWE ring has “New $9.99 WWE Network subscriptions” written all over it.
Two long, methodical walks to the ring set the stage for Bray Wyatt vs. the returning Undertaker. The bout started slow, but had incredible storytelling throughout. By the time Bray did that creepy back bridge and ‘Taker sat up, I was hooked. The Tombstone Piledriver sealed Bray’s fate, and The Phenom’s winning streak began once again. The question now is– just how long does ‘Taker plan on extending it?
Brock vs. Reigns was physically intense, and with Lesnar involved, you knew that would be the case. Reigns got his ass kicked, so bad that when he mounted a bit of offense, you kind of wanted to have him put the beating back on Brock– kind of. The IWC read this week that if Lesnar re-signed with WWE, they were thinking about putting the Intercontinental and U.S. belts on Bryan and Cena so that Lesnar could retain the WWE Championship, and Bryan and Cena could headline live events. Bryan and Cena winning the secondary championships made the internet crowd forget about The Architect. When Seth Rollins cashed in, it was the perfect scenario.
Raw the next night was strong. You wanted to see Brock get redemption on Rollins. When they announced the Rollins/Lesnar match on free TV, you wanted to believe it would happen. When it didn’t, you were content with Michael Cole getting assaulted.
Now– we wait for the follow up. Can WWE TV always be this good? What are your thoughts?
See ya later in the week.
-Greg
