I saw that hashtag on WWE's website after the show ended and while it's a really broad statement and something that can be disputed, it was a great Wrestlemania. WWE did a great job of starting off the next line of Wrestlemanias very well and by next line, I mean the 30s. While I wished some things were different about the show, it all clicked. Everything worked. From Daniel Bryan winning the IC Title and being endorsed by some of the greatest IC Champions to Orton's AMAZING RKO to Triple H and Sting reigniting the war between WCW and WWE to Cena bringing the US Title back home to Ronda Rousey actually stepping in a WWE ring to Undertaker returning to Wrestlemania triumphant over Wyatt and the doubters to an unpredictable main event, Wrestlemania 31 had IT ALL. I don't know if it was the best ever, but it's easily one of the best Wrestlemanias of the PG/Reality Era. It could be remembered what WM17 is remembered as for the Attitude Era. Maybe. I'm going to talk about things out of order but it's all about Wrestlemania.
The Ladder Match could have went a lot longer but in the time they go, they used it effectively. Ambrose took the bump of the night. Harper did a powerbomb on him to a ladder set up on the ring barrier and ring. It looked as nasty as it sounds. Ambrose's neck snapping on the ground looked horrible and added shock value to the match. Barrett was on fire near the end and the closing moments between Bryan and Ziggler was great but Bryan would not be denied as he won his first ever intercontinental Championship, completing the Triple Crown achievement in WWE as well as being only of the only men on the roster to hold EVERY championship available for men to win, sans the NXT Titles. In another match, John Cena did what we all knew he was going to and gave Rusev his first loss and captured his fourth United States Championship, his first since he entered the SuperCena phase 10 years ago. With both Bryan and Cena winning the mid card titles, I fully expect both of them to do their best in raising the prestige that many have felt both titles have lost over the years. Daniel Bryan literally could feud with everyone in the IC Title match for the rest of the year while Cena has Rusev and any other big up and coming superstar. This will be key into helping both titles reach the status that they had in the past. It was a smart move by WWE as they allowed the future of the company to feud for the main championship. Hopefully, it won't be long before Bryan and/or Cena go back to the main event where they belong but for the time being, it's an awesome step in the right direction.
Orton's RKO though....My feed cut right near the end of the match and for some reason, cut to Big Show standing near the trophy he won earlier and then it cut back to Orton celebrating. My friends and I were heated! They showed the replay and that RKO was seriously one of the greatest of all time. The elevation of Rollins and for Orton to catch him perfectly, AHHHHHH. THAT'S a Wrestlemania moment folks! Great match that led to an epic moment.
Triple H has the BEST entrance in Wrestlemania history, hands down. He looked so bad ass coming out. I never saw something so grand and amazing like that in professional wrestling. While I thought that was going to be the high point of the match, it certainly wasn't it as the match actually delivered. I had no idea that WWE would use this match to ignite a 15 year old feud between WWE and WCW but they did and it was amazing. When DX's music hit and they came running to the ring, I was going crazy. Then, the nWo did the same! It was electric! THEN, HBK hit a Sweet Chin Music at Wrestlemania onto Sting. Let me type that again. SHAWN MICHAELS HIT A SWEET CHIN MUSIC ONTO STING AT WRESTLEMANIA. The battle lines were drawn and after a exciting match up, Sting ran at Triple H for a Stinger Splash, only to be caught with a sweet sledgehammer hit. Triple H covered and defeated Sting, finally ending Triple H's conquest of killing off the remains of WCW. I don't think many people realize just what Triple H has accomplished. He defeated almost every WCW star that came to WWE. That's an insane thing to do. Sting VS Triple H wasn't my most anticipated match to see but it ended up being one of the best matches of the night, due to the fact that WWE had a great storyline in place. This match could truly only have happened at Wrestlemania.
(sigh) Really WWE? You just couldn't have had Bray Wyatt win? After building him up so high in the last couple of months, you just put him down like that? I completely understand why Taker got the win. He had to redeem himself from his first ever loss at Wrestlemania last night. I'm not mad at that as it made sense and I'm all about making sense when it comes to the world of pro wrestling. It just, I don't know, sucks. I'm a HUGE Wyatt fan. Out of all of the NXT upstarts on the main roster, he's by far my favorite and he just suffered his 2nd straight loss at Wrestlemania. I'm always thinking long term and I think to myself now; what's next? Who's left for Wyatt? Randy Orton definitely but he's busy with Rollins. Wyatt losing puts him on an uncertain path now. What's Bray Wyatt to do now that he loss to The Undertaker, a 50 year old man who lost the year prior? It's not going to hurt his career as the best of the best have loss to Taker at Mania, but it's a huge step backwards right now. Hey, I could be wrong and WWE could have major plans for him tonight on the mega Raw, but for now, I'm disappointed. I'm not going to stop watching though as Wyatt's character is top notch and I truly believe he'll be World Champion one day. This is just a bump in road for him.
In one of the most entertaining in ring promos in Wrestlemania history, UFC Champion Ronda Rousey actually stepping into a WWE ring to confront Stephanie and Triple H, who were taunting The Rock. Stephanie even slapped Rock, which led to Rousey getting involved. It was a little long for my tastes but seeing Rousey get physical in the squared circle was amazing. The judo flip to Triple H though....Was this just a cheap promotional trick for Furious 7 or is a match between Rock/Rousey VS Triple H/Stephanie in the works for a PPV? I mean, Wrestlemania 32 needs something to fill the seats and that could be it. I'm all for Rousey in the ring. I like her in UFC and she's a huge fan. Why not have her compete in WWE? She certainly wouldn't get hurt and it's good promotion for both brands. Dana White is the only problem in all of this though. I know of his disdain for WWE and all other competitors but I'd love to see something with Rousey and WWE in the near future. Great Wrestlemania moment.
The main event was a Wrestlemania quality main event. In the scheduled main event, Brock Lesnar continued to do what he does best; conquer. Lesnar and Reigns scrapped for a while and maybe 45 seconds in, he drops Reigns with a F-5. Lesnar proceeds to suplex Reigns all over the ring and hit two more F-5s but Reigns wouldn't stay down. Lesnar even took his gloves off and SMACKED Reigns. HARD. Some of the hardest slaps I've ever seen. Reigns would channel that inner golden boy powers as he started to rally after busting Lesnar open from the ringpost and giving him a combo of Superman punches, then he got caught with a F5. I prepared for the inevitable Lesnar win but Reigns kicked out! Amazing! Reigns continues his comeback with another punch and a pair of Spears. The match looks to be over but LESNAR KICKS OUT! Both men are down and we're treated to the music of Seth Rollins, who is coming down to cash in the Money in the Bank contract, the first ever cash in attempt at Wrestlemania in the 10 history of MITB. The match turns into a Triple Threat! Curb stomp to Lesnar, it's a no go. He tried for another, gets caught in the F5, same like at the Royal Rumble. Reigns comes back with a Spear to Lesnar but he eats a Curb Stomp. With that, Rollins covered and got the three count! Rollins made plenty of history with his win. I already said it but this was the FIRST EVER MITB cash in at Wrestlemania. He's the first former NXT Champion to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. He's also the first NXT alumni to win the WWE Title as well. Ring of Honor must be happy as for the 2nd year in a row, a ROH alumni won the WWE World Heavyweight Title in the main event. Future is bright for Zayn and Owens.
For months, Reigns was looked as the one who was going to be the future. He was the one people were going to look at as a shining beacon to the future but all along, it was Rollins. The man everyone overlooked is now the one carrying the torch. NXT's Twitter account posted a very telling picture of Rollins when he first won the NXT Title to his amazing win at Wrestlemania, saying NXT is taking over. It's very telling to the people who are in NXT. Rollins winning is hope for all of those waiting to be called up to the main roster. It's like, this could be you one day in the main event. I wanted Reigns to win and I'm sure he'll still be champion one day down the line but for now, The Authority's golden boy is on the top of the mountain. So, Seth Rollins is WWE Champ, Daniel Bryan is IC Champ and Kevin Owens is NXT Champ. Ring of Honor is producing power players in their company.
One thing to point out is that Lesnar didn't get pinned in the match so while losing the title, The Beast still hasn't been pinned since Wrestlemania 29. There's a lot that could mean. It could be WWE's way of doing the needed title switch while still having Lesnar look strong. It could also be WWE's way of not having Lesnar conquered yet. Everyone still remembers that Lesnar ended the Streak last year because it was so shocking and Paul Heyman WON'T let us forget. They could still be saving a big push for the one to actually DEFEAT Brock Lesnar. To many, myself included, as of right now, Undertaker's streak ending was not in vain because it led to the rise of a new star. A star that it may have not been intended for, but it's the one we got.
Overall, like I said in the beginning, WWE Wrestlemania 31 was an amazing show from top to bottom. While Wyatt didn't win, it didn't bring down the overall event for me, like it would have for many fans if Reigns walked out as champion. I'm very impressed that WWE was able to top themselves after last year's great show and I'm really looking forward to what WWE does next now that Rollins is finally champion. He didn't break Edge's MITB record but he did win the championship! It was a much deserved ending to such a great show!
The Raw after Wrestlemania is usually like a PPV itself. Let's just talk about memorable moments in the past couple years. Rock and Cena agreed to their match at Wrestlemania 28 on this show. Rock declared his intention to become champion again on this show. Brock Lesnar made his shocking WWE return on this show. Dolph Ziggler cashed in MITB to critical acclaim on this show. Paige won the Divas Title in her first night on this show. There are so many great memories that are made on the Raw after Wrestlemania. This one will be no different. The crowd will be electric the whole night and the pop Rollins is going to get, MAN. I can't wait to here it. Will there be any debuts? Charlotte was featured on that TapOut promotion commercial during Mania last night so maybe her? Adiran Neville has done all he can do in NXT. Will he be called up? Whatever happens, DON'T miss this show. It sets the pace for the rest of the year.
Fantastic Wrestlemania! Keep it up WWE!
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