WrestleMania 33 is in the history books and The National’s Graham Caygill was there to see it live at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Five titles changed hands on the night and here are some of the talking points from the event.
Lesnar back on top on the Raw brand
Brock Lesnar got his revenge on Bill Goldberg when he won the WWE Universal title in a match that lasted just four minutes, 46 seconds. Goldberg had shocked Lesnar in just 86 seconds at Survivor Series in November, and this was not only longer, but surprisingly good.
Lesnar overcame four spears to down Goldberg for the first time in his career, hitting 10 suplexes in the process and the former UFC champion will expect a long run with the belt now, with fans hoping he commits to more dates than his previous title reign from August 2014 to March 2015, which had only three televised title defences.
Goodbye to The Undertaker
There was no official confirmation on commentary, but The Undertaker appeared to signal his WWE in-ring career was over after leaving his hat, coat and gloves in the ring following his defeat to Roman Reigns in the main event.
It was not a classic by any means, but told a good story of The Undertaker unable to defend his yard, despite his best efforts, to a younger, stronger, and on the night, better, opponent.
It was a solemn end to the evening, but while it was not a high quality encounter to finish on, fans should remember his remarkable legacy of being with the company for more than 26 years, and continuing on arguably when he really should have stopped two or three years ago, given he is 52 and really has nothing to prove.
Things should become clearer on Raw on Monday, but if The Undertaker did plan to wrestle ever again he did a good job of convincing otherwise on Sunday night post-match.
Wyatt v Orton a big disappointment
The build-up to this had felt rushed with Randy Orton turning on WWE champion Bray Wyatt in an abrupt manner after teaming with him for more than five months.
Their showdown summed up the feud in it promised much but delivered little. The action felt disjointed, and it never really got going despite all of Wyatt’s theatrics. It is likely this feud will go on, despite Orton winning the title, but the match quality will need to improve next time out given the disappointment of this match.
Cena proposes to Nikki Bella
In between all the wrestling, violence and people going through tables and falling off ladders, there was still time for romance.
After beating the Miz and Maryse in their mixed tag match, John Cena marked the occasion by getting down on one knee and proposing marriage to his girlfriend Nikki Bella, which was instantly accepted. It was a nice moment, received well by the crowd despite their open hostility to Cena during the match.
The Hardy Boyz are back — and stole the show
The biggest ovation and reaction of the night from the crowd in the Camping World Stadium was the shock inclusion of brothers Matt and Jeff Hardy in the Raw tag team title match.
Since it had been confirmed they were leaving rival promotion TNA earlier this year, rumours of a return to the WWE, where they made their name in the late 1990s and for much of the 2000s, had been mooted. The Hardys announced their return by winning a thrilling match, arguably the best of the night for pure entertainment, and them holding the tag titles should transform the division on Raw after it had appeared devoid of momentum with Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson holding the belts.
AJ Styles cements role as best in the world
Styles has had a superb first 15 months in the WWE, but dragging a compelling match out of Shane McMahon that did not rely simply on a load of stunts, was a fine feat.
While a little slow initially, the narrative of Styles misjudging McMahon’s in-ring skills, before eventually prevailing, was well done.
Sure there were some high-flying moments, with McMahon’s ‘coast to coast’ leap across the ring to kick a trash can in the face of Styles a highlight. The right man won, and he will hopefully be back in the WWE World title picture very quickly.
Gronkowski takes centre stage in Andre the Giant Battle Royal
Catch all the excitement of #WrestleMania streaming live NOW on @WWENetwork. pic.twitter.com/pOLlVqK3yv
The WWE are always looking to get mainstream attention in the media, and certainly in the US that was achieved when NFL star Rob Gronkowski helped Mojo Rawley win the battle royal.
The New England Patriots man clashed with Jinder Mahal outside the ring, before he jumped the barrier and took down Mahal, the distraction giving Rawley the opening to prevail.
It was pretty harmless stuff. It gives Gronkowski, the Patriots and the NFL some free publicity, gives WWE more headlines, and gave the crowd something unexpected. So everyone, maybe apart from Mahal, was a winner.
WRESTLEMANIA 33 RESULTS
Pre-show
• Neville retained the Cruiserweight title against Austin Aries
• Mojo Rawley won the Andre the Giant Battle Royal
• Dean Ambrose retained the Intercontinental title against Baron Corbin
Main show
• AJ Styles beat Shane McMahon in a singles match
• Kevin Owens won the US title against Chris Jericho
• Bayley retained the Raw Women’s title against Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks and Nia Jax
• The Hardy Boyz won the Raw tag team titles in a fatal four-way ladder match against Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows, Enzo Amore and Big Cass, and Sheamus and Cesaro
• John Cena and Nikki Bella beat the Miz and Maryse in a mixed tag match
• Seth Rollins beat Triple H in an unsanctioned singles match
• Randy Orton won the WWE title against Bray Wyatt
• Brock Lesnar won the Univeral title against Bill Goldberg
• Naomi won the SmackDown Women’s title against Alexa Bliss, Mickie James, Carmella, Natalya and Becky Lynch in a six-pack match
• Roman Reigns beat the Undertaker in a no holds barred match
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