Four years ago, WWE kicked off the Network Era with Wrestlemania 30 from the Superdome in New Orleans LA, the first show ever broadcast on their new service. They made their return this year with a new away of talent in the spotlight and new power shifts since then, so here are my overall thoughts on WrestleMania 34- a show that’s gotten a pretty intense reaction. It’s not hard to see why, given some of the creative choices- some that were apparently made at the last minute.
One of the premiere matches showcases MMA fixture Ronda Rousey teaming with Kurt Angle, who’ve gotten on Stephanie McMahon and Triple H’s ’s bad side enough to where she won’t be “putting smiles on their faces”. Of course if you’re Minoru Suzuki, the one thing at WrestleMania that could make you smile is if you were fighting in the ring yourself.
He, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kazuchika Okada and Tomohiro Ishii are in the audience to watch former fellow New Japan star Shinsuke Nakamura challenge AJ Styles for his WWE Championship, following Shinsuke’s win in the Men’s Rumble. Ric Flair’s daughter Charlotte defends her title against Women’s Rumble winner Asuka and her undefeated streak, while Brock Lesnar put his Universal title on the line against Roman Reigns. My immediate thoughts during the event are in italics.
The Andre the Giant Men’s Battle Royale
Goldust is rocking the Dusty polka dots tonight, paying homage to his late great father. Were he on the commentary team with JR tonight, I’m certain he’d be talking about the WWE Muthaship Network, daddy. Tyler Breeze is eliminated way too early for my tastes, which breaks my heart. Dolph Zigger gets a couple of close near-eliminations, still drawing influence from HBK. Mojo pounces Zack Ryder out of the ring hard, in a beautiful elimination. Karl Anderson gets knocked out unceremoniously, which sucks because I loved his match against Okada in the G1 finals and I think he should be pushed a lot harder. John Cena is in the crowd having a dandy time, and it’s clear he’s not expecting Undertaker, but the night is still young.
Corbin and Kane have a brief faceoff before everyone else attacks them, which is pretty funny. Ziggler takes out Titus and then Goldust, before Matt Hardy and Tye Dillinger have a Delete-versus-Ten chant-off. Kane takes out Ziggler, then Corbin takes out Kane. Kane and Rawley double team on the Broken One, but then Bray Wyatt reappears to take out Kane. Corbin hits Wyatt with the Deep Six, then Hardy takes out Corbin to get the win as Wyatt was never a legal participant.
Wyatt’s been in a bit of a funk for a while, especially after his feud with Randy Orton last year bombed and the “Sister Abigail” makeup he was given looked ridiculous. Pairing him with Broken Matt gives him something fresh to do, so I’m fine with the outcome. This was what it was.
When I compare this to other WrestleManias, I do think this was one of their better set-ups in some time. Renee Young handled the kickoff show pretty nicely, and Booker T was his usually goofy and charming self. The Mardi Gras set and overall lighting was very detailed, and it felt more inviting to the audience watching on the Network.
Tournament final for the Cruiserweight Championship: Cedric Alexander vs. Mustafa Ali
“Show me that heart!”, yells Cedric to his friend Mustafa to hype him up as the match begins. Ali’s kip-up after a hurricanrana is gorgeous, but Alexander follows with one of his own before a dropkick and an armbar, then Ali dropkicks him in the face. Alexander then tope con hilos Ali HARD, then throws him back in for a two count. Cedric is laying into Ali with some stiff shots, then he gets a high backdrop for two. A facebuster from Ali gets two. He rocks Cedric with a nasty heel kick, then Alexander counters with a Spanish Fly.
Mustafa then responds with a Spanish Fly from the top rope, which earns him an impressed thumbs up from Cena in the audience. A hard kick to Cedric, but Ali just counters the 0-5-4 by just flinging Ali from the top rope to the outside. This ad break in the middle of the match is kinda annoying, I must say. Ali then hits a tornado DDT and the 0-5-4, but Cedric puts his foot in the ropes to break the count. A frustrated Ali stomps away, but a second splash attempt misses. The two trade elbows, then Cedric finally hits the lumbar check for the win and the Cruiserweight title!
For the time they were given, this was a solid and enjoyable opener. It’s something I think both guys will be able to look back on fondly, and it was the kind of match that can make the pre-show feel like a big deal in itself. Ideally, I don’t think these WrestleManias should be so long in the first place. But If I have to sit through a marathon show, at least let the wrestling be good, and this was good.
Women’s Battle Royal
Well, Carmella didn’t last long, everyone gangs up on her and throws her out, and there goes Dana Brooke! It’s not a good idea to go to the top rope in a battle royal, but don’t tell that to Bianca BelAir as she hits a 450 splash. Kairi Sane got thrown out during a commercial break and they have to show her awesome flying elbow drop to Ruby Riott through a replay. But the Riott Squad quickly take control of the match, while BelAir viciously whips Becky Lynch with her hair, but then Lynch kicks her out.
Sasha Banks takes out Kai, then Riott takes out Mickie James. The Squad booted out Peyton Royce, and Natalya shows off to the crowd. Double suplex on Riott and Logan. Bayley and Sasha team up for some eliminations despite their feud, then Riott goes out. Logan and Banks fight on the corner, then Bayley knocks off Logan.
It’s the long-awaited showdown between the two former best friends! Sasha offers her a hug, but Bayley throws out Banks. She celebrates, but wait- Naomi was never eliminated. The queen of glow then Rear Views Bayley and throws her out to win!
At this point, maybe Bayley should consider that long-rumored heel turn, because it seems like her character can’t catch any sort of break. The final sequence made this match pretty fun after a slow start, and while the Battle Royale winners usually don’t get much of a push, it was still nice to see Naomi get another good Mania moment.
WWE Intercontinental Championship: The Miz © vs. Finn Balor and Seth Rollins
It’s no shock that Balor’s got a big LGBT following as is evident during an inclusive entrance, he’s not a bad looking man. And not a bad wrestler either, as he hits an early tope con hilo onto both guys on the outside. Miz’s sunset flip is countered with a dropkick for two. Rollins’s crossbody has some insane air time on it, and Miz’s double axehandle is not flashy but it’s practical. He neckbreaks Balor for two and works the neck for a while.
Balor comes back with forearms and stomps to Miz’s chest, then kicks Miz off the turnbuckle to the outside. Rollins gets a sling blade, then suicide dives Rollins and Miz back to back. Finn gets his own blade, then eats a superkick. A DDT from Miz gets a close two. His figure four is blocked, but he boots Rollins outside. A dragon screw and figure four from Miz onto Balor, but Seth hits a frog splash on Miz, with even crazier elevation for two.
Seth’s buckle bomb attempt is blocked by Finn, and he dropkicks both his opponents into the barricade. Finn tries 1916, but the two trade forearms. Enzuigiri, but Balor gets an overhead kick followed by 1916 for two. Miz returns with a superplex attempt, but he just gets bucklebomed. (Bret Hart won’t like that. 4/10.)
Seth gets his superplex, but the falcon arrow is blocked with a small package. Miz hits a Skull Crushing Finale onto Seth for a dramatic two count. Another rollup from Finn for two, but Miz crotches Finn on the top rope. Rollins stuns both with an enzuigiri, but Miz gets an SCF from the top for two. Balor breaks the pin with a Coup De Gras, then sling blades Miz.
Corner dropkick and a Coup De Gras to Miz, but Rollins comes in with a Curb Stomp! Another Curb Stomp to Miz, and Rollins wins the Intercontinental title in a fun opener for the main show, making him a Grand Slam Champion!
Rollins and Balor were their usual amazing selves, but I personally think Miz is underrated as a wrestler. He’s not the most crisp or athletic guy on the roster, and he doesn’t have tons of moves or high-impact offense. What he is, though, is a crafty character who knows how to tell a good story. He more than held up his portion of the match, A pretty kick ass opener to the main show.
Smackdown Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair © vs. Asuka
I can’t say enough good things about Charlotte’s entrance, she reminds me so much of her father. The way the lighting and smoke machines were used gave me shades of Ric’s entrances at Starrcade 1985. The Empress of Tomorrow’s aisle walk isn’t too shabby either. She does have a background in graphic and game design, so it’s no shock her look is so colorful.
Some fun exchanges early and Flair works in her dad’s strut. She goes for a figure four early but gets kneed by Asuka for two. Flair tries a german, but gets rolled up again before she brings in the chops. Asuka hip attacks her to the outside, damaging Charlotte’s shoulder. She works the arm back in, and Flair favors her arm as she flings her off.
Asuka locks in a sleeper with body scissors, but Flair hits a backpack stunner and a knee drop to Asuka’s neck. A top rope moonsault is countered by an Asuka lock, but Flair works it into a Boston Crab, followed by a pinup exchange. Backfist, a kick and boots to Flair’s face, and Cena is very concerned. The hip attack misses, and Charlotte gets a hard kick, but Asuka suplexes Flair off the apron.
A strike war, and Asuka gets a missile dropkick for two. Stomps to the shoulder, but Flair replies with chops, then a top-rope Spanish Fly for a two-count. Damn, everyone’ paying tribute to Will Ospreay tonight. Natural selection, but Asuka counters into an Asuka Lock. Charlotte tries to roll through, but Flair tries for a figure four. Chops, but Asuka fireman carries back into the Asuka Lock! Flair gets a pin for two. A BRUTAL spear from Flair gets two.
Flair immediately locks in the figure four, then tries to transition for a Figure Eight- and ASUKA TAPS. I was not expecting that at all. My jaw is literally on the floor. Great match, but I’m…wow. That’s an upset. Asuka is humble enough to congratulate Asuka for finally snapping her streak, so I don’t think the loss will hurt her too badly. Meanwhile, a referee says something to John Cena, and he suddenly runs up the ramp…
This was probably my second favorite match on the show. I’m not sure if I would have ended Asuka’s streak here, I feel she’s over enough to carry the Smackdown title. But her and Charlotte both looked considerably strong, and if the plan was for Carmella to cash in all along then I’m fine with the decision.
Fatal Four-Way for the WWE United States Championship: Randy Orton © vs. Rusev vs. Jinder Mahal vs. Bobby Roode
There’s no doubt Rusev is the crowd’s top babyface going into this match, as Rusev Day and Aiden English’s singing entrances for him has rapidly caught fire over the last several months. I can’t say the same for Mahal, whose reign as the 50th WWE Champion was largely panned before he dropped the belt to Styles. He’s got a pretty sweet ring jacket tonight, though.
He gets thrown out early, but he blocks a Rusev suicide dive. But the flipping apron senton doesn’t miss on Roode and Jinder, and Roode blockbusters Rusev for two. Orton and Roode wail on Jinder, then Roode turns on Orton, but Randy gets a powerslam for two, followed by a superplex for two before Rusev and Jinder break the pin.
Rusev stomps Jinder in the corner, then hits a back suplex for two. Orton gives Rusev his patented guardrail suplex while Roode spinebusts Jinder for a near fall. Orton breaks up another near fall and posts Roode, but Rusev lays in the kicks. The spinning heel kick misses, and Orton hits his rope-assisted DDT. The Viper begins to pound the mat as he hears the voices in his head then RKOs English, Rusev and Mahal for two before Roode breaks the pin.
Roode hits the DDT before Mahal breaks, then Rusev gets the Matchka Kick on Jinder. He knocks Sunil Singh off the rope, but Mahal manages to hit the full nelson slam for the three count and the United States Championship. They’re just not giving up on this dude, are they?
Mahal looks a bit more comfortable in the ring lately, but I really think this would have been the perfect time to pull the trigger on another Rusev US title run. Rusev Day’s caught fire, so I don’t understand the logic of going back to Jinder so soon after his world title run flopped. But everyone performed well, and this was an enjoyable albeit quick title match.
Mixed Tag Team Match: Stephanie McMahon and Triple H vs. Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle
The King of Kings and his wife bring back their gang of bikers from the last Mania, complete with his trademark green laser lights. Haha, Stephanie is such a little shit. She yanks Rousey’s hair before the match begins, then Angle clotheslines HHH down hard. He works Hunter’s arm, but Steph pulls the rope down as HHH hurls him to the outside, then she slams Kurt’s head into the stairs. HHH suplexes him back him and lays in the fists, followed by more Steph cheating. She’s a damn fine heel, you gotta give her that.
A spinebuster from Hunter gets two, and he keeps the Olympic gold medalist at bay with a facelock. Angle breaks it with a boot and HHH almost knocks out Steph in a callback to last year’s show, then Angle catches the 14-time champion with a back suplex- but Steph pulls Rousey off the apron. Angle gets HHH to the outside, and finally tags in Rousey.
She throws Steph in and clotheslines her, then hits a uranage. Strikes in the corner, and Ronda has the executive cowering. She rolls Steph into an armbar, but Stephanie tries to block it. Steph rakes Ronda’s eyes to MASSIVE boos, then gives her a hard kick and DDT for two. Kicks to the back and Steph works her over.
Ronda then grabs Steph by the throat, stalls, then hits the samoan drop for two. HHH yanks out the ref, then yanks Rousey out herself. Angle pummels him outside, then attempts a german through a table, but Hunter blocks it. He goes to revive Steph, and Ronda wants a piece of the Game. The ref tries to stop it, but HHH puts him aside and decides to square off. Ronda rocks him in the corner, rolls over, and tires to samoan drop Hunter, Steph makes the save with the slap, then Ronda chases her and throws her into the barricade. Steph then hurls Ronda into the post.
Angle hits HHH with belly to bellys back in the ring, then a series of germans. HHH goes for a pedigree, but Angle counters with an angle lock, then Pedigree attempt, then Angle hits an Olympic Slam for two. Steph breaks it up to yell at Angle, but her kick is blocked, and she eats an Angle lock. HHH gets a Pedigree on Angle, then Rousey makes the save. This match is far more dramatic than I thought it would be, damn. HHH teases a Pedigree on Rousey, but she hits a hurricanrana and armbar on Hunter. Steph then cinches in a really deep sleeper, but Rousey counters into an armbar. Angle locks in an anklelock on Hunter, and both McMahons are in submissions! HHH rolls through to breaks up all the near falls.
Angle gets posted by Hunter, and Steph posts Rousey. The two villains go for double pedigrees, but HHH is backdropped to the outside Rousey rolls through and locks back in the armbar yet again, then totally SNAPS Steph’s arm for the submission! Finally, the wicked witch gets her comeuppance!
This was an incredibly fun match that thankfully went against the rules of most mixed tag team matches. If there was ever a moment to try some intergender spots on a major scale, WrestleMania was the place to do it. And I was quite impressed by Ronda’s debut efforts as well, she looked strong against both McMahon-Helmsleys. Kudos to Trips for convincing selling for Ronda- he does have an ego, but when he’s high on someone, he’ll try to make them look great.
For more of my opinions on this crazy event, click here for Part 2 of my WrestleMania 34 review!