We are one night removed from what may go down as the most *controversial* WrestleMania in history.
Since FastLane, the IWC buzzed about the significance of the forthcoming ‘Mania. Anticipation was high. And in the biggest anticlimax since my graduation night, the show closed out with disappointment, general anger, and a devastating sense of sadness. The People’s Champ and resident Big Dog closed out the night with another WrestleMania loss.
The last hour of the show has been scrutinized, and met with heavy debate over match quality and unsatisfying conclusions to story arcs. Braun Strowman’s rag-tag tag team with Nicholas seems like something out of Make-A-Wish. Roman Reigns bled like a pig but failed to win the Universal Championship, and the RAW Women’s Championship match has been subject of much debate as well. Some sadists wanted the Unstoppable Force to dominate the Goddess - what does that say about the character of the WWE Universe?
This in mind, the first 3 hours of the main card were fantastic - but let’s keep that for the article.
A Quick (WrestleMania) Recap
Pre-Show
- “Woken” Matt Hardy wins Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royale with help from Bray Wyatt
- Naomi wins Women’s Battle Royale
- Cedric Alexander def. Mustafa Ali to win Cruiserweight Championship
Main Show
- Seth Rollins def. Finn Balor, The Miz (c.) to win Intercontinental Championship
- Charlotte (c.) def. Asuka to retain SmackDown! Women’s Championship
- Jinder Mahal def. Rusev, Bobby Roode, Randy Orton (c.) to win United States Championship
- Kurt Angle & Ronda Rousey def. Triple H & Stephanie McMahon
- Bludgeon Brothers def. New Day, Usos (c.) to win Smackdown! Tag Team Championships
- Undertaker returns, opens a can of whoopass on John Cena
- Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon def. Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens
- Nia Jax def. Alexa Bliss (c.) to win RAW Women’s Championship
- AJ Styles (c.) def. Shinsuke Nakamura to retain WWE Championship
- Braun Strowman & Nicholas def. The Bar to win RAW Tag Team Championships
- Brock Lesnar (c.) def. Roman Reigns to retain WWE Universal Championship
Tonight’s Predictions
This isn’t a dissection of Wrestlemania, but a look at what could happen tonight. Don’t live in the past.
The biggest shock coming out of the 34th edition of Wrestlemania is Brock Lesnar‘s successful defense of the Universal Title. Most thought it a foregone conclusion that Roman Reigns would win his first Universal Championship in a Wrestlemania 31 rematch - but no dice. Lesnar decimated Reigns in a similar fashion to John Cena at Summerslam 2014. 6 F-5’s later, and Lesnar retains.
WWEAs of writing, it has just been announced Brock Lesnar has resigned with WWE - though specific contract details have not been revealed. Reigns has an upcoming rematch for the title at the Greatest Royal Rumble on April 27th - maybe the magic will happen there.
Title changes in mind, there were a myriad of new champions crowned last night.
- Seth Rollins won the Intercontinental Championship
- Nia Jax won the RAW Women’s Championship
- Braun Strowman & Nicholas won RAW Tag Team Championships
- Cedric Alexander won Cruiserweight Championship
Let’s break it down.
Seth Rollins’ victory is the greatest one of them all. Though a perennial MVP, Rollins has been untouchable on RAW as of late - and that streak is bound to continue while he is in his first reign with the Intercontinental Championship. Look for him to settle up with his Wrestlemania opponents before he embarks on new challenges - The Miz won’t be far behind, and Finn Balor is angry, upset, and confused about being screwed out of the title. That said, I’d love to see Seth head to SmackDown and defend the title there. As of writing, no SuperStar Shakeups or draft picks have been announced - everything is up in the air.
Braun Strowman and Nicholas were victorious last evening, and though Nicholas did precisely jack squat, he is still an official titleholder. What?
Logically, having a 10 year old boy as your partner is a sound move. I mean, who outside of Barbara Galanek wants to beat up a 10 year old? However, it takes a toll on the single being defending the titles. Perhaps a certain luchador who returned in the Royal Rumble could still come an make an assist - though I am banking on Alberto Del Rio to be announced and subsequently no-show.
Sheamus and Cesaro are guaranteed a rematch for the Tag Titles - but they’ve done everything they possibly can on RAW. This author thinks it time for The Bar to slowly walk over to SmackDown so they can beat the hell out of the Bludgeon Brothers; though it wouldn’t surprise me to see the two amicably part ways.
Nia Jax and Alexa Bliss are bound to face off tonight, one night removed from the ass whooping Nia laid upon her former best friend. Now, with confidence restored, we can all look to Nia as the confident, sassy, yet gentle monster amongst women she always wanted to be. However, this author would find no greater joy in the newly beloved Ronda Rousey laying the proverbial SmackDown on Nia, and taking the title from her grasp.
That’s it for this article; but what are your thoughts? Let us know. See you next week, and as always, thanks for reading!
WWE Last 5:
- Monday Night Hayden: Predictions for the Raw After WrestleMania
- WrestleMania Preview and Predictions
- NXT TakeOver: NOLA Preview and Predictions
- Fry and the Guy: The WrestleMania Edition, Part Four
- Over the Top Rope: Episode V | The WrestleMania Extravaganza
