Wrestlemania Reactions

Hi guys,

Well, we've just come to the end of not only the first ever 2-day Wrestlemania but also the first ever no-vacancy Wrestlemania and who would I be if I didn't do a review of both of the shows over the weekend? I didn't know whether to do this as a post or podcast but I'll probably do a brief overview in this post and then a more in-depth podcast about it all!

Saturday Night 

The first night of Wrestlemania started off with great promise. The Kabuki Warriors v Alexa Bliss/ Nikki Cross for the women's tag titles was a great way to start the show and was proof that you can have amazing matches without a massive crowd. As always, Asuka thrived in that environment and was able to really show off her personality as a proper heel with Kairi Sane which was the perfect antidote to their babyface opponents. The match combined technical, high flying and the chaos we all expected which was amazing despite the fact that the Kabuki Warriors lost. 

However, from there, there was a period where I lost interest in the show. Elias v Baron Corbin did what it needed to but lacked any Wrestlemania significance and the Intercontinental match, although made sense, really should've showcased Sami Zayn as an amazing wrestler rather than be focused on everything on the outside. I don't even really know what to say about the Universal match except that it was over before I could even get into it and then there was Becky Lynch v Shayna Bayzler... one of the matches I was most looking forward to but disappointed me in so many ways. At the start, there was great potential seeing both women's amazing submission ability. However combining the huge number of near falls, the roll up finish and the match going less than 10 minutes, it didn't live up to the hype that's been building since Elimination Chamber. I understand that the roll up gives them the chance for Shayna to have a future spot, but they shouldn't have built it up so much and given it the Wrestlemania stage to do it on.

I’ve seen this dark before. Shoulda killed me when you had the chance.... https://t.co/XMcGV9CANI

— Shayna Baszler (@QoSBaszler) April 5, 2020

That wasn't to say that the first match was the only bout I enjoyed. The ladders match for the SD Live tag titles was great considering how they had to change the format due to the Miz being unable to compete. By picking John Morrison, Kofi Kingston and Jimmy Uso, the match gave us some amazing spots throughout and, with the creative ending where Kofi and Jimmy ultimately helped Morrison retain, it sets up the possibility for them to go back after the titles again or even a New Day/ Usos feud.

I also really liked how they did Kevin Owens v Seth Rollins. After initially being annoyed with the DQ ending, the transition into a non-DQ match was the perfect way to actually put this feud to rest. It allowed both KO and Rollins to shine with their offence and portray their characters perfectly. Seth was the cowardly heel and KO was almost like the anti-babyface who got the pin over the Mesiah of Wrestlemania. Even the Boneyard match which honestly isn't normally my thing was in my opinion the best way to end the show. With the graphics and movie like feel, it's a match that could only happen at Wrestlemania with no fans in attendance. It didn't impact either Style's or the Undertaker presence and really was a good showcase for Gallows and Anderson too!

Overall Verdict: Even though there were some very good matches, it didn't feel special at all. The Universal title match undid all the impact Goldberg had and the women's match was all hype and no results. Despite what might come in the future, they shouldn't have sacrificed the quality of these matches with the future in mind - especially not when the lead up was so huge. It just felt like an average version of a normal show.  

Sunday Night

Like Saturday night, Sunday's show really kicked off with a bang and probably my favourite match of the entire weekend, despite the result. Although a lot less hyped than the SD women's title, Charlotte v Rhea Ripley for the NXT title was exactly what I expected it to be. Two amazingly strong, fast and athletic wrestlers very similar in build beating the shit out of each other. They threw everything humanly possible at each other from kicks, strikes, elbows, forearms and moonsaults - honestly, the only thing I fault is the result because I love Rhea Ripley. However, it will be a nice change for NXT and we'll get to see a lot of dream matches a lot earlier because Charlotte v Bianca has to happen!

After that, we came to the matches that didn't really catch my attention. Otis v Dolph Ziggler did what it was meant to but shouldn't have been on a show like this because it was basically a fight over Mandy Rose. However, the ending was sweet and it's nice to see this different side to Mandy's character and is quite good building on a possible feud with her former best friend Sonya Deville who I think is amazing. Aleister Black vs. Bobby Lashley was nothing special and I always struggle to sit through a Lashley match with Lana screaming things from the sides. The one surprise I did have in terms of matches I didn't enjoy was Edge v Randy Orton. Maybe it's just because I'm not a fan of last man standing matches in general but it just went on for too long and without any rules, it was all just a bit chaotic but not in a good way. I understand why it happened but I think I wish that Edge just had a proper match for his first Wrestlemania back.

Then, we peaked again - I mean the show was basically like a mountain range or a rollercoaster in a metaphorical sense! After a few matches that really just weren't for me, WWE threw in a few good title matches. I personally liked the Raw tag title match because not only did the Street Profits bring their charisma to the ring despite no-one actually being in attendance, but it was a great match full of amazing spots. We saw the crazy athleticism of Angel Garza and Montez Ford as well as the strength of Angelo Dawkins and Austin Theory. Despite being a new team, the duo of Garza and Theory worked well under Zelina Vega but of course, the tag team chemistry of the Profits can't be rivalled and it won them the match.


We then had the fatal 5-way elimination match for the SD women's title and it was everything I wanted. There was some crazy strength from Tamina, athleticism from Naomi and solid technique from Lacey. When you put that together with the great story telling from Bayley and Sasha from start to end, it was a success in my eyes. It was also a nice change from all the traditional single or traditional tag matches of the night. Also, I'm buzzing that Bayley is still champion and let's see what happens with her relationship with Sasha after everything that went on. 

#WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/5uzy3kU7iw

— Bayley (@itsBayleyWWE) April 6, 2020

After that, I actually didn't mind the rest of the matches. Despite any real wrestling, the Firefly Fun House match between Bray Wyatt and John Cena was probably one of the funniest things I've ever seen since Southpaw Regional Wrestling. It was great to see John Cena taking the piss of himself and it really shows you a completely different side to Cena which we only ever seen a few times a year. It also made the Fiend look great not only showing off his creepiness but with this amazing story telling bringing everything over the last god knows how long and linking it to that match - it was pure magic in storytelling.

Then, with the WWE Championship match, we got to see a real life fairy tale story finally happen. After years of working his ass off and a journey that has more peaks and troughs than the whole Wrestlemania weekend, Drew McIntyre finally won his first WWE Championship. The match itself was perfect in the sense that it didn't make Drew or Brock out to be weak. Brock kicked out of Claymore's and Drew kicked out of F5s - it was the true battle of the monster men. In the end, the right person won and it ended the oddest Wrestlemania weekend we will probably ever see!

WWE Championship Match: Drew McIntyre vs. Brock Lesnar

I dreamed a broken dream, and made it come true. I made it for you 💙 #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/kHd0x7ffLq

— Drew McIntyre (@DMcIntyreWWE) April 6, 2020

Final Verdict: I didn't love or hate the shows. There were some very good matches throughout the weekend and the Boneyard and Firefly Fun House matches were a nice change and added something different to the show. With some good endings to so many of the matches, how well the shows are perceived will also depend on what they do in the coming weeks. There is the possibility for some great future feuds and only time will tell how well this Show of Kings was. However, with the lack of pyro or any big spectaculars from gear, entrances and even graphics, it's hard to see them as anything but glorified live events.

Hopefully you all enjoyed my review of Wrestlemania and that you enjoyed the shows over the weekend because I enjoyed it more than I thought I would but didn't compared to usual Wrestlemanias's. 

So, make sure to give follow me on social media (@Wrestling_Chat on Twitter and Wrestling Chatter on FB and WrestlingChatter96 on IG)! for some top quality banter! Also, keep an eye out for my fortnightly podcast where I talk a lot about all thing wrestling: https://www.mixcloud.com/WrestlingChatter/ because hopefully there will be a Wrestlemania one this week!

Until next time,

Bye