WrestleMania 34 - OFFICIAL hype and discussion thread

[Sixx]

So was the kid really just a fan or was this booked?

Also, wow, so stupid @ Cena vs Taker.

[Stickman]

Kind of a weird mania with few segments, no returning superstars from the good old days, no celebrities, no concert. Just a whole bunch of matches. It's fine I guess, just strange.

[Emperor Smeat]

So was the kid really just a fan or was this booked?

Also, wow, so stupid @ Cena vs Taker.

Seems he's the son of a WWE ref if F4W's Bryan Alvarez is correct.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I believe Nicholas is referee John Cone’s son <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Wrestlemania?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Wrestlemania</a></p>&mdash; Bryan Alvarez (@bryanalvarez) <a href="https://twitter.com/bryanalvarez/status/983211328394399745?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Stickman]

I do like Lesnar but he has gotten lazy with what he does in the ring. But he can only work with what he's given, and RR is pretty bad in the ring. Suplex city has more moves than RR.

[Droford]

Kind of a weird mania with few segments, no returning superstars from the good old days, no celebrities, no concert. Just a whole bunch of matches. It's fine I guess, just strange.

14 matches over 7 hours kinda needs that

[Anybody Thrilla]

I really liked the flow of the show. Just straight up matches, mostly good to great matches at that, and no stupid bullshit segments.

[Triple A]

Seems he's the son of a WWE ref if F4W's Bryan Alvarez is correct.

Replies to that thread saying it might be Shane McMahon's son... hmm... Kinda looks similar but also not really

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nope! It’s Shane’s son. Far left in this picture. <a href="https://t.co/o1LntHXtt0">pic.twitter.com/o1LntHXtt0</a></p>&mdash; ToPWrestling.com (@ToPWrestling1) <a href="https://twitter.com/ToPWrestling1/status/983212611159273472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="und" dir="ltr"> <a href="https://t.co/mp4xU03vvD">pic.twitter.com/mp4xU03vvD</a></p>&mdash; tdan (@toledodan1) <a href="https://twitter.com/toledodan1/status/983212277200572416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Fignuts]

I really liked the flow of the show. Just straight up matches, mostly good to great matches at that, and no stupid bullshit segments.

Yeah, was gonna make the same comment.

Could have done without seeing that fucking Paige clip for 87356872th time though.

Nobody who watched Mania, Takeover, and HoF is watching that movie now, out of pure exhaustion of seeing that scene along with Paige's melted face in her awkward intro.

[slik]

I had a great time and I'm glad I went!

I gathered the last half of the show came across odd on TV but the live crowd loved everything except the main-event. AJ/Shinsuke was a little odd but Nicholas was O-V-E-R!

[Sixx]

I only read the results so don't know how enjoyable the show was overall, but I didn't need to see it to know Cena vs Taker was completely unnecessary. A squash match, too? Stupid as fuck.

[slik]

I thought the layout of the show was well done, all the big matches were spread out.

[slik]

I think that was the perfect send-off for Taker, he looked good and got to do his big moves.

[Stickman]

I only read the results so don't know how enjoyable the show was overall, but I didn't need to see it to know Cena vs Taker was completely unnecessary. A squash match, too? Stupid as fuck.

I was ok with it as a squash as it does nothing negative to Cena and gives Taker a good (possible farewell) showing. They could also potentially have a rematch next year that taker also wins.

[Sixx]

I was ok with it as a squash as it does nothing negative to Cena and gives Taker a good (possible farewell) showing. They could also potentially have a rematch next year that taker also wins.

Don't even say this.

[Sixx]

I think that was the perfect send-off for Taker, he looked good and got to do his big moves.

HOW MANY FUCKING SEND-OFFS CAN TAKER HAVE!?

The way this is going, he's gonna leave his underwear in the ring next year and then come back the year after.

[Fignuts]

To be fair, Taker looked really good. Way better than last year. DDP Yoga is clearly legit.

[Stickman]

I think they realized Reigns should not have beat Taker so Taker squashing Cena is the proper send off..,.even though he will be in Saudi Arabia

[Sting Fan]

Weird Mania... I cant tell if the crowd was up and down in strange places or if they were just so busy screwing with the crowd mics it sounded that way.

Based on reading a few result packages and some posts on here sounds like the crowd mics were screwed with a lot. Watching on the Network I could have sworn Nak vs. AJ was an empty area match.

I think their is a lot of overthinking going into Reigns vs. Lesnar. Fans simply didn't want to see it, now whether thats because the fans thought they knew what they were getting doesn't matter, they simply didn't want it.

Jeez Bryan is still over like crazy. Surely he has to slot right back in at the top of the card.

[#1-norm-fan]

I assume the Taker thing was a setup to Cena being the man to ACTUALLY retire him next year since Reigns doing it last year wouldn't hold up well. Either way, it made Cena look ridiculous. Honestly, as much as people love to go the "losing doesn't hurt ____" route, how much can you job Cena in ways that make him look like shit while still promoting him as "Big match John"/"The GOAT" and not have it come off as retarded and clearly forced?

Asuka losing was a good call but the way it happened was kinda shit. The match didn't seem like any more of a challenge for Charlotte than a typical match and Asuka tapped out really quick. Makes her look like just "one of the girls". That level of credibility is down the drain.

Main event was cool, I thought. Perfect ending. It seriously looks like they've backtracked on Reigns as the face of the company. If they have, kudos to them for realizing Reigns is shit as a face of the company. If they haven't and this is all just a swerve, kudos to them for making one last good, unpredictable WrestleMania before latching onto Reigns anyway and making sure it's abundantly clear that the finish of their biggest show of the year means nothing.

[#1-norm-fan]

Oh yeah. And with all that being said, a little kid won a title tonight. Any semblance of pro wrestling that may have remained is gone now. WWE can no longer be considered pro wrestling. Falling under the "pro wrestling" pretend sport niche was its saving grace. That has officially ended with the reign of "some kid" as champion. WWE must now be judged as a general entertainment show. And by those new standards... It's REALLY terrible.

[Sting Fan]

I didn't mind Cena getting steamrolled, its not going to hurt him so I rather him over some up and comer. The weird thing for me was he called Taker out, made it personal, begged for the match. Then when he got it he was terrified.

I expected to see Cena in the ring smiling and nodding wanting the challenge instead I get Cena sniveling and wide mouthed at Takers entrance alone. It just seemed a strange reaction to a guy hes been begging to fight.

[harmsway]

VKM hates Asians but is all for the LGBT participation and transgender kids.

[Mr. Nerfect]

WWE: The only place where promoting adults fighting kids is a feel-good story.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Brock Lesnar retaining the title was always a dark-horse prediction of mine. They know what they've tried hasn't worked. I thought it would be good subversion, but I don't think people really give a fuck. Oh well, you reap what you sow.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Brock taking the belt into Money in the Bank means that he breaks CM Punk's run as they go into Chicago. Just saying.

[Droford]

Probably have to defend the belt before that..or not

[Sixx]

WWE: The only place where promoting adults fighting kids is a feel-good story.

Wouldn't it be cool if Strowman went full heel and Powerslammed that little shit?

[Mr. Nerfect]

Probably have to defend the belt before that..or not

He can beat the shit out of people until then. Fuck up Finn Balor or Owens & Zayn in a Handicap Match. Beat the shit out of Braun and make the kid cry. None of it will be really good, but whatever.

[Mr. Nerfect]

By the way, Taker vs. Cena is happening again. This was to set that up.

[My Final Heaven]

https://image.ibb.co/dF1SGc/Super_Seecrit_Booking_Document013.png

[Sixx]

By the way, Taker vs. Cena is happening again. This was to set that up.

Kill me more.

[Tom Guycott]

AJ lost his first Mania match.
Sting lost his first Mania match.
Bryan lost his first Mania match.
All three members of the Shield lost their first singles Mania matches.
And now Asuka and Nakamura have lost their first Mania match.

Asuka losing surprised me, but Nakamura losing didn't. This is how WWE books of late. Most everybody loses their first Mania shot.

Can't have anyone thinking they're going to be the next Undertaker now, can we?

[Tom Guycott]

We want Nicholas

Nicholas has to fly to Japan for a singles match with Kenny Omega first.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Yeah, that's a trend that's been going since Mark Henry beat Ryback. You lose at your first Mania to see if you're a team player.

[Tom Guycott]

Nicholas has more wins in WWE than Curt Hawkins this year.

I feel like this and all similar posts by Dark One in this thread should be presented in a Matt Hardy V1 style "Matt Facts" graphics package. Hell, even give him Live For The Moment as a theme, since Woken Matt isn't using it...

[Tom Guycott]

Hawkins is going to demand a match with that kid for 1/2 of RAW's tag belt. Maybe even Hawkins puts his career on the line to spice up interest for the match.

Hawkins loses after interference fom Nicholas' new valet: Izzy.

[Tom Guycott]

Not sure Nicholas realizes how much pussy he'll be getting once he gets into high school now.

... high school?? He'll be getting laid from 3 of his teachers TOMORROW!

[Mr. Nerfect]

I seriously doubt that.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Nicholas from WrestleMania is actually Nicholas Cone -- son of WWE official John Cone. Second generation Superstar.

[Tom Guycott]

Feels odd that the fans dislike Lesnar so much now. It's not like he changed in the past like 5 years and everyone use to love him. What the fuck happened?

Feels like it's mostly because they know he is going to leave WWE and go to UFC.

Ya but he has like 3 matches a year and brings Paul Heyman. I dunno. I guess I get being bored of him but it's not that bad. Not to receive Reigns treatment.

I don't get why they figured this would get a better response the second time around. I mean announcing Lesnar is leaving before he does, not the Reigns/Lesnar matchup itself.

That was one of the reasons why the crowd shit on Goldberg/Lesnar the first time: everyone knew both guys were going and didn't take too kindly to it. The second match was far enough removed and the dynamic was totally different - the badass gladiator on his last run meets the conquorer who is basically holding the title hostage. A lot better than "two hosses who are both leaving so there are no stakes; who gives a fuck?" from the previous match.

This time, they seemed to assume it would help Roman get over as the babyface of the equation, and that ship sailed long ago. If they would have just fucking turned the man heel ages ago, Vince and company would be reaping the rewards of an anticipated face turn now. Instead, they keep trying to manufacture the applause, and the only time the crowd looked like they were buying it was the reunion of The Shield, and that had less to do with Roman himself.

[Tom Guycott]

I seriously doubt that.

You don't read too many headlines, do you? All these hot-ass to "meh, I wouldn't say no" teachers banging their students in recent years? He shows up with that belt, and he'll likely have a train run on him in the teacher's lounge by lunch and suspiciously amended grades on his next report card.

... unless you meant the previous post about Izzy being his valet. If so, you might be right, since that would make too much sense and be some coherent booking and actually do something with Hawkins.

[Tom Guycott]

HOW MANY FUCKING SEND-OFFS CAN TAKER HAVE!?



... ask Terry Funk.

[Mr. Nerfect]

You don't read too many headlines, do you? All these hot-ass to "meh, I wouldn't say no" teachers banging their students in recent years? He shows up with that belt, and he'll likely have a train run on him in the teacher's lounge by lunch and suspiciously amended grades on his next report card.

... unless you meant the previous post about Izzy being his valet. If so, you might be right, since that would make too much sense and be some coherent booking and actually do something with Hawkins.

Those belts are ugly. No self-respecting teacher would commit statutory rape and ruin their career for them. Hell, Cesaro and Sheamus ruined their careers to get rid of them.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Brock vs. Roman actually makes sense to me, but if they were going to do that then they shouldn't have tried to heel Brock so much. People were already assuming he was leaving and that this was a foregone conclusion. Let people go into the show wanting Roman's blood -- getting it -- then Brock actually wins and they shit pants. What they did was heel both guys, tried to babyface Roman way too much for his advert failure to do what he set out to do, and basically bored people until they got "swerved." This should have just been a natural "Don't think you know everything that's going to happen," moment instead of a big, broad attempt at that shock.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Reigns has been in three straight main events that haven't really delivered now. I don't blame that entirely on him. Triple H is not a worthy headliner and there was only a small window where he ever was. Taker couldn't keep up last year. If the plan is to run with him again next year, please put him in there with someone with some gas who belongs in 2019. The older guys are just not doing what they are supposed to do in the spot.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

The only reason Reigns is talked about is because of his exposure. People don't want to see him yet they turn on the product and he's everywhere. They don't give the fans a choice but to talk about him.

[Nervous Ferret]

wow congrats to @owenbrown on getting to make the official WrestleMania thread

a tradition unlike any other

[Mr. Nerfect]

He's so fucking miscast in his role. Seeing him taking all those Germans dressed like a wannabe army man -- it's just embarrassing. Like, there are problems with the push and fans being made too smart and privy to long-term plans that they don't appreciate the scope of. That's whatever and that's not going to go away and Vince, frankly, only has himself to blame. But even within the parameters of what the leeway the fans are willing to suspend their vitriol, the WWE do Roman no fucking favors.

Get him out of the Shield gear, give him cool music, turn him "heel" so the fans finally cheer him, and try again with a version of the guy that doesn't look like it's clinging to his introductory aesthetic in 2012.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Tokyo Sports has apparently slammed the main event. I was thinking earlier, but came to the conclusion that this is too cerebral, that a big part of not going with either of the Japanese talent was to "piss off" Japan. Get talk started that way. Get "heat" with them. I don't know to what end. I don't know how desperate Vince is for competition. If he was, he probably wouldn't have a monopoly. It doesn't make any sense to me when I say it out loud.

[Tom Guycott]

Those belts are ugly. No self-respecting teacher would commit statutory rape and ruin their career for them. Hell, Cesaro and Sheamus ruined their careers to get rid of them.

You lost me at "self respecting". Besides, I don't think they'd care exactly how ugly the belt looks, especially when it will be under a pile of clothes.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Nah, everybody wrestles in a t-shirt these days.

[Bad News Gertner]

Watched the Jazz vs Lakers game instead. Probably not going to watch the show except for Lesnar vs Reigns

[Big Vic]

Seems he's the son of a WWE ref if F4W's Bryan Alvarez is correct.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I believe Nicholas is referee John Cone’s son <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Wrestlemania?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Wrestlemania</a></p>&mdash; Bryan Alvarez (@bryanalvarez) <a href="https://twitter.com/bryanalvarez/status/983211328394399745?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Would be funny if Braun grabbed the wrong kid.

[Sixx]

Would be funny if Braun grabbed the wrong kid.

That would be awesome. Just toss a random kid into the ring. Also, his opponents get the wrong script and start beating the shit out of said child.

[Jordan]

My star ratings...

Miz/Rollins/Balor - *** 1/2
Auska/Charlotte - *** 3/4
Orton/Mahal/Rusev/Roode - **
Ronda & Angle/HHH & Steph - ****
Brothers/Uso's/New Day - **
Styles/Nakamaura - *** 1/2
Braun/The Bar - *
Roman/Brock - ***

Edit. I totally forgot about Shane & Bryan/KO & Sami - **

Double Edit. Also forgot Nia/Alexa - ** 1/2

[Jordan]

Complete bullshit for Daniel Bryan. Well not "complete"... it was just not as exciting as it could've been. The end result is all that matters. Booking an injury to start the match was a crowd killer, horrible move. I'd have preferred that Bryan never even tagged in Shane and just totally squashed both guys instead of that poor attempt at mega heat. The match already had mega heat!

[Big Vic]

WWE: The only place where promoting adults fighting kids is a feel-good story.

You never saw Home Alone?

[Jordan]

I am so glad to be wrong about Kurt Angle, he looked SO MUCH better than he did in his matches last year. He was back to old form almost. Looking forward to more now. Truly think he might've been on Xanax or something the first matches back. Not like he was abusing them or something but maybe his nerves were out of whack. He did great last night.

Fuck Jinder.

[Jordan]

Also the ATGBR finish was botched due to commentary but still a good angle that I popped for. I am also happy for Matt getting a "big win" of sorts. A win lol. Plus to see Wyatt do something different is paramount for his career so I am excited. **

The Womens Battle Royal was a blur to me, and rightfully came to Sasha and Bailey, but lets be real that was the stiffest Ass shot tot he grill in history! Wow Naomi really laid it in with the ass. I love Naomi so I was happy. **

Cruiserweight was over the top. Stop with the scene work. They were pulling Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels shit but I didn't give a crap about them. Ali didn't look as strong as I thought he would and Cedric was really great, bad scene work aside. ***

[Jordan]

Nakamaura's entrance though, one of my favorite ever.

[slik]

Ronda Rousey all over tv at the airport this morning, well done WWE

[slik]

Nakamaura's entrance though, one of my favorite ever.

Best entrance of the night

[Jordan]

Best entrance of the night

Can you do a Meltzer scale match ratings of the live show?

[Mr. Nerfect]

I watched Angle & Rousey vs. Triple H & Steph. Produced about as well as it could have been. Odd to see the right people treated as the stars. Triple H was kind of hamming it, but at least he showed up. Angle looked better than I expected him too. There's something...awkward about watching him wrestle, but he was also fucking there. Ronda did a great job. Fuck's sake, she threw herself around. Great strength. Crowd fell for it. She works.

I also watched AJ vs. Nakamura. I thought it was great. As someone who gets annoyed at the indy style of kicking out of everything like it requires some skill, I enjoyed what they tried to do here. AJ was the confident champion and started off really strong. Nakamura got some back, but then Styles managed to get into the leg. It taxed Nakamura's offense and his finisher being scouted led to him getting beaten in a cool finish. I don't really know what people's problem is. I can't remember the last Mania title match I actually enjoyed more. I liked Bryan's moment at WrestleMania XXX, but this was a better match. I think you'd have to go back to Cena/Michaels, but I wasn't invested in Cena at the time, so I didn't bite on that.

The one thing I really wished it had was better commentary. Corey Graves tries really hard, and Tom Phillips seems to fancy himself; but it really could have used someone like JR -- someone that can bite into a story. The commentary we got felt a lot more superficial. And when Nakamura turned, it really could have used JR ranting about sportsmanship and how disgusted he was with Shinsuke. The silence is just annoying.

After seeing the turn, I have come around on it. He came alive for it. The yelling at Styles in Japanese. I feel it fit his desperation in the match too. He had this almost whiny tone that I think played into it well. I think his performance will really come alive through it. It's a shame that the WWE can't get that right with babyfaces from the start. I mean, Nakamura was getting cheered by the idiots at ringside already. But I'm hoping this is like Daniel Bryan's 2011/2012 heel stint. It's surprisingly entertaining after a disappointing face run that makes people talk about how they don't really have it, but then they come alive and before too long they are confident babyfaces and people love them. I felt like it helped with the "smart fans" in attendance at Mania, and I think it will help with Joe Casual who probably "didn't get the hype."

Plus, it gives them a reason to do more matches. That's fine with me, because as I said, I think the people talking like this flopped are fucking insane. That was easily a ***1/2 star match to me. And I mean that on a scale that goes up to **** and hasn't been blown out. It nearly did everything I want a match in that position to do. I dunno, I kind of liken it to Angle vs. Benoit from WrestleMania X-7. Far from their best outing, but some good actual wresting to kick off a series.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Was not big on layout of the Bryan tag match. Injury angle is lazy booking. Maybe they were just trying to protect him.

[Ruien]

Ronda Rousey all over tv at the airport this morning, well done WWE

Damn no Raw for you?

Did you go with anyone? Thinking of going to Mania next year.

[Evil Vito]

Meltzer is reporting that Strowman and Nicholas will be dropping the tag titles tonight as Nicholas has already gotten himself some backstage heat for refusing to eat his vegetables.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm curious to see how Nakamura plays The Tortured Artist on SmackDown. Is he darker? Is he the same guy just bitter? Does he wear a sweet suit and speak exclusively in Japanese? Does he have a certain advocate that I think could add a lot his presentation? Building on the "This will be my day one" thing, I can see Heyman doing a "Day 3: Shinsuke Nakamura is dissatisfied with the criticism leveled at him by fans that could never achieve what he has achieved..." running calendar kind of promos. But I don't know if Heyman...helps guys these days. It's tricky. Maybe he's better off just being an asshole on his own.

[Ruien]

Was not big on layout of the Bryan tag match. Injury angle is lazy booking. Maybe we're just trying to protect him.

Ya. Figured he just isn't in shape to do the entire match. They already did the cant wait for a tag with Ronda so this was probably there was of keeping his in ring production shorter.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Was not big on layout of the Bryan tag match. Injury angle is lazy booking. Maybe they were just trying to protect him.

I dunno, I wouldn't put it past them, but if they're concerned about Bryan, why use him? I mean, if he's cleared, he's cleared. And an apron bomb spot is probably not the safest way to do that anyway. I wonder if he is in "ring shape?" It was probably honestly just manufactured heat.

[slik]

Damn no Raw for you?

Did you go with anyone? Thinking of going to Mania next year.

Good seats to WM meant no RAW for me

Saw Takeover w Poit

Went to WM w/ one of my best friends who is from New Orleans...last time I went to 32 I went alone tho and that was still fun too

[Mr. Nerfect]

Rambling short: I'm glad Ronda Rousey did well and AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura was fucking sick in the most quaint of ways, and I want to see their next match.

[slik]

Can you do a Meltzer scale match ratings of the live show?

Ronda was MOTN...in her debut

Asuka/Charlotte runner up, great

IC title next best, also great

DBry winning best moment

Taker's send-off (I assume) next best moment

Legend Nicholas 6 stars

[Juan]

Just finished Mania

lmao @ the crowd working itself. Beautiful

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Just finished Mania. There was nothing there really, other than the main event, nothing stunk, but nothing really stood out either.


Just finished Mania

lmao @ the crowd working itself. Beautiful

How did they work themselves? They got what they wanted and just had to sit through a shitty match to get there.

[Big Vic]

Nakamaura's entrance though, one of my favorite ever.

Best entrance of the night
Braun scaring all the.... what ever you call them was the best.

[Juan]

Just finished Mania. There was nothing there really, other than the main event, nothing stunk, but nothing really stood out either.




How did they work themselves? They got what they wanted and just had to sit through a shitty match to get there.



It felt like during the match, they were shitting on it because they thought they knew who was gonna win and almost ruined that match, mostly for themselves since they paid money to be there. Either way, the finish got a pop and it saved that match.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

It felt like during the match, they were shitting on it because they thought they knew who was gonna win and almost ruined that match, mostly for themselves since they paid money to be there. Either way, the finish got a pop and it saved that match.

The 4 beach balls also got a pop. Brock winning got a "hey, Roman didn't win!" small pop because no-one really cared for part-time Lesnar either. Just a badly booked, boring to watch main event.

[Juan]

This is the first time the crowd chants actually bugged me

[Simple Fan]

Didn't really care for the IC match and thought it was going to be better.

I really liked the US match and Jinder winning did shock me, but I like Jinder.

Really glad Asuka lost, was getting tired of her. Now she can actually do something instead of just be promoted as this undefeated monster. Match was pretty good but I could care less about the women.

Ronda match was real entertaining. She looked good in the ring and so did Kurt. HHH could be doing better things on the card though in my own opinion. Stephanie really did a great job selling the moment at the end.

Both tag matches could have been better and probably suffered from the long show. Wasn't entertained by the kid at all.

AJ/Nakamura was a good match, it didn't live up to their Tokyo Dome match but the turn leaves that possibility still on the table. Didn't see that turn coming at all but I liked it.

Main event was pretty good. Lesnar winning was a shock. I'm thinking some type of co WWE UFC deal or something.

[Evil Vito]

I'm inclined to say that this was, like, the second or third best Mania of the past decade.

Unfortunately though, that's a very low bar to jump over.

Still enjoyed the show though and don't feel as though I'd completely wasted my time as I did watching the slogs that were 32 and 33.

[Juan]

The 4 beach balls also got a pop. Brock winning got a "hey, Roman didn't win!" small pop because no-one really cared for part-time Lesnar either. Just a badly booked, boring to watch main event.

I dunno man, every time I see Brock on Raw or on PPV he gets a pretty good reaction. He didn't tonight because everyone thought they knew Brock was just gonna drop the title and leave (which was pretty much the story line for this match)

Not to say the match was perfect or anything, the 6 F-5's were too much.

[KIRA]

She's taking it way better than I did

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9xtzAAIw8fU

[Loose Cannon]

after letting it all sink in, Ronda's match stole the show. I am still amazed on how well she moved around the ring for her first match. From the moment she came in, she went after it and didn't seem hesitant. she was full speed. excellent job by her.

Loved the IC Ttitle match and this was probably my second favorite, although if AJ/Shin would of went first, that probably would of been my 2nd fav. I was getting tired by 11 and was doing other things during it.

Loved the heel turn by Shin. The way he kept giving him those kicks/stomps was so disrespectful and made him look like a huge asshole. it came off great on TV. Yelling at him in Japanese was perfect too. This is going to be a great program moving forward. I wonder if his entrance changes now?

I did enjoy both women's matches and actually liked the Bliss match more. To me, the Bliss match had more psychology. I was kind of wondering how they would lay that one out because of the size difference. sometimes it's hard when you have a babyfacve 5 times the size oh a heel. But Bliss going for her eyes and legs worked perfectly. I really enjoyed that.

I thought it was also cool that Asuka showed respect to Charlotte after the match and then in the AJ match, Shinsuke acted like he was and low blowed him. pretty solid.

And then the Bryan match was the other i enjoyed. I didn't mind the injury angle. I kind of had a feeling they'd keep him out a lot. it's whatever. he got the win and a nice reaction, so it's all good. Great to see him back.


Taker/Cena was what is was. I was surprised how good Taker looked. he looked much better then his past few matches. pretty amazing considering his age.


Other then this, I didn't really care for anything else. Lots of comedy and filler. I know Brock and Roman needed to go last as they had such a huge buildup, but the match was sub par. It was just a bunch of F5's and Super man punches and Roman bleeding like a stuck pig. It was very shocked Brock won though. I couldn't believe it. Makes me think Roman is turning heel now, which should of happened a long time ago.


Fun event overall. I'll probably watch the Ronda match again later

[wwe2222]

Ronda was definitely the most entertaining match. I was shocked how smooth she was in the ring and also by the charisma she displayed.

Both women's title matches were also highly entertaining. I thought they shouldve switched spots on the card, but no complaints about either one other than Alexa losing.

IC title match was a great way to kick off the show. US Title match was ok, but other than Rusev I am not a fan of anyone else in that match.

Overall an entertaining show for one of the few ppvs I watch anymore.

[Maluco]

Pre-show stuff was trash and the men's battle royal was jobber central.

IC title match was a bit flat, although I am hoping Rollins can elevate the title. Think he has been underused recently.

Smackdown tag titles probably could have been off the card, but did what it set out to do. No complaints apart from New Day being super annoying and stale.

Asuka lost to best female. She is awesome and should recover. Whole honour thing made her look so classy in defeat too and Charlotte looked like a star. Love both of them.

Think Bliss was a great heel, but Nia sucks. She looks slow and lumbers around. It's ok to have different body types, it's not OK to fat shame or make anyone feel bad, but she looks unhealthy. Not great.

US match was badly put together. Would have been better served having a decent feud between just two of these guys. Jinder seems to be improving with time and has a better presentation now. His crazy initial push did him a disservice. If he had gradually move up the card, I don't think people would have minded.

Bryan looks awesome and should have one of the shows built around him now.

Rousey looked awesome and should be a genuine star for the company.

AJ and Nakamura pushed forward a story. I am a fan of any kind of story these days, so good they have something to go on now.

Reigns is shite and pulls down everything he is involved with. Shit character, shit attire, shit music, shit personality, shit mic work, and even his in ring stuff has become repetitive and insecure. Lesnar can be lazy, but he has been brought down by Roman. Hoping he can recover and maybe move into something with Bryan that excites him.

All in all, it was a good watch. Strange at times, nothing super compelling outside of Ronda match (which HHH and Angle deserve massive credit for), but it was inoffensive and an easy enough watch.

Hoping we get big changes at the top of the card now and something compelling. An arrogant, snide Roman is way to go. Let's hope we get it

[Frank Drebin]

Yes, clearly the only reason. :roll:

I think you're missing the context, poit.

[Anybody Thrilla]

To the people flipping out about Nicholas, it's not like the kid got offense in or anything. It was basically Braun winning a handicap match. I understand that it was frustrating to not have a great surprise partner like we all would have enjoyed, but it's not as bad as some people are making it out. It's strange. It's bizarre. But it didn't "end pro wrestling" or whatever.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Lesnar, Vince, and Roman apparently got into it according to douchebag extraordinaire, Ryan Satin. Apparently Lesnar went off script.

[Frank Drebin]

This show made me realize how much I truly miss pyro.

[DAMN iNATOR]

I'm very happy for the kid, even if his reign might not be terribly long. He had fun, won a freaking championship and was probably literally the coolest kid in school when he walked in this morning - if they're not on spring break.

[Anybody Thrilla]

This show made me realize how much I truly miss pyro.

I don't think they need it every week, but it would really help give PPVs a special feel.

[Splaya]

I could see hem running an angle where Nicholas has to be in school and can’t hold the titles so he has to relinquish his side of the championships. Therefore Brain can hold them by himself

[Maluco]

No DQ Tornado Tag title unification against the Bludgeon Brothers tonight on RAW!

[Anybody Thrilla]

It would have been tight after Cena lost if he took off his jorts, folded them up, and left them in the middle of the ring.

[Vastardikai]

I honestly feel like Strowman is the tag champions by himself, and he'll have a different partner tonight.

[Ruien]

To the people flipping out about Nicholas, it's not like the kid got offense in or anything. It was basically Braun winning a handicap match. I understand that it was frustrating to not have a great surprise partner like we all would have enjoyed, but it's not as bad as some people are making it out. It's strange. It's bizarre. But it didn't "end pro wrestling" or whatever.

It was my favorite part of the night. Screw the haters.

[Ruien]

Graves 100% helped with his commentary.

[Sixx]

I'm very happy for the kid, even if his reign might not be terribly long. He had fun, won a freaking championship and was probably literally the coolest kid in school when he walked in this morning - if they're not on spring break.

Or he fell victim to countless wedgies and wet willies.

[rez]

Stephanie and HHH tell Braun that having a 10 year old kid as tag champ isn't good for business & offer him a universal champ match tonight as long as he forfeits the tag titles

[rez]

Ref and his son are from Kansas City so I doubt he was back in school today...probably spring break like someone else suggested.

[Emperor Smeat]

Lesnar, Vince, and Roman apparently got into it according to douchebag extraordinaire, Ryan Satin. Apparently Lesnar went off script.

If I had to assume, probably for busting Roman the hard way or making him bleed too much. Last thing WWE needs is new ammo for concussion lawsuits or lose their exemption the next time they go to Louisiana.

Reigns did look somewhat upset after the show since he knew WWE plans backfired again another main event match involving him people are not going to look back fondly.

[#1-norm-fan]

To the people flipping out about Nicholas, it's not like the kid got offense in or anything. It was basically Braun winning a handicap match. I understand that it was frustrating to not have a great surprise partner like we all would have enjoyed, but it's not as bad as some people are making it out. It's strange. It's bizarre. But it didn't "end pro wrestling" or whatever.

David Arquette didn't really get any offense in or anything either. That didn't make the him holding being a world champion less of a joke/punchline for decadess to come when ragging on WCW being terrible.

[Ruien]

If David held the tag titles with Braun no one would care.

Braun beat every fucking team in 1 match by himself already. Plus he will get a real partner tonight. It was just a Mania moment to get Braun more over.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Yes they would, Ruien. It's fucking stupid.

Also, why would Kurt Angle put Braun Strowman in a match to decide the #1 Contenders for the World Tag Team Titles if he doesn't have a partner only to get confused and upset when he doesn't have a partner?

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

my marketing/P.R. brain understands why they did Braun/Nicholas thing. Look at the fucking audience response.

My wrestling brain however, is anNoid.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

PS. Noid, you should trademark and monetize "AnNoid". It fits your gimmick.

[Shisen Kopf]

Hopefully Nicolas is gonna rassle Jarius Robertson tonight. Main event.

[Ruien]

Yes they would, Ruien. It's fucking stupid.

Also, why would Kurt Angle put Braun Strowman in a match to decide the #1 Contenders for the World Tag Team Titles if he doesn't have a partner only to get confused and upset when he doesn't have a partner?

It's stupid for what reason? It made headlines. It received a crazy reaction. It's a good feel moment and will be used for the next 10 Manias PR/Marketing wise.

Going in everyone knew Braun could beat The Bar in a handicap match. That is what he did with an added bonus of having Nicholas involved. And the kid wont br going around defending the title.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

the nicholas thing makes a mockery of the belts. As a wrestling fan it's fucking disappointing and kind of boring and stupid.

BUT, unlike the David Arquette thing, it's not some c-minus celebrity like Arquette getting treated like an A-lister and being given the belt because he's from the outside world.

Instead, its a child pulled from the crowd. The visual of Braun with a tiny little 12 year old is great. It's a photo op... I understand. At the end of the day it's a calculated risk. The biggest show of the year, you have a spectacle of this loveable monster teaming with a 6th grader. Vince obviously doesn't care if the tag belts mean shit... it's more important for him to grab potential headlines of "Child wins WWE tag belt" because honestly... that's way more interesting than David Arquette winning it. And making it even more intriguing is that it's the child of a long time employee.

Again, my wrestling brain fucking hates it. But my marketing brain understands and respects it.

[Mr. Nerfect]

It's stupid for what reason? It made headlines. It received a crazy reaction. It's a good feel moment and will be used for the next 10 Manias PR/Marketing wise.

Going in everyone knew Braun could beat The Bar in a handicap match. That is what he did with an added bonus of having Nicholas involved. And the kid wont br going around defending the title.

A child prostitution ring makes headlines. School shootings make headlines. Making headlines =/= good, Vince Russo. A man fucking a dog would get a crazy reaction. Need I go on?

You know what? A kid should win Money in the Bank. Haha, that would be a great feel-good moment. Everyone can knock each other down, and because you don't actually need to do anything physical except climb a ladder to win Money in the Bank, the child should just choose the right moment, climb and win the match. Then when a heel champion is down they can cash in and technically become the World Champion and everybody can celebrate the good PR and feel good.

When I fantasy booked Renee Young to win the Royal Rumble, it was a dark joke. Now it seems like a preferred reality, because Renee Young would kick Nicholas' ass.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

I honestly think Braun has enough credibility as a monster and accumulated good will that if there is any damage to be taken from this "lovable giant" moment, it will be minimal.

[Savio]

So you think Nicholas should have fucked a dog instead?

[Ruien]

A child prostitution ring makes headlines. School shootings make headlines. Making headlines =/= good, Vince Russo. A man fucking a dog would get a crazy reaction. Need I go on?

You know what? A kid should win Money in the Bank. Haha, that would be a great feel-good moment. Everyone can knock each other down, and because you don't actually need to do anything physical except climb a ladder to win Money in the Bank, the child should just choose the right moment, climb and win the match. Then when a heel champion is down they can cash in and technically become the World Champion and everybody can celebrate the good PR and feel good.

When I fantasy booked Renee Young to win the Royal Rumble, it was a dark joke. Now it seems like a preferred reality, because Renee Young would kick Nicholas' ass.

School shootings boost ratings and help the news networks make money. Not that any of what you said really correlates with Braun and Nicholas.

[Cool King]

André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal

Yet again, this match has a shit winner.

I'm done caring about this match every year now.

Cruiserweight Championship

I didn't really watch this for reasons I've mentioned before, but Cedric Alexander? Really?

Having a charisma vacuum as champion won't really get people watching the show he's champion of, but that's just my opinion.

WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal

I was actually expecting this to be better than what it was.

I was disappointed.

Especially when Naomi won, but I will say it's better than Banks or Bayley winning.

Intercontinental Championship

Was Rollins' entrance supposed to be some kind of Game of Thrones thing?

Bálor's entrance was just lame and all it did was make me more certain than ever that he's Gay (or at least Bi), and The Miz seemed to show up looking like he was late for a Naruto convention.

All that aside and the match was pretty good. I enjoyed it.

I have no idea what it was but I'm assuming it's for the WWE VR stuff but Miz seemed to have hit that thing on the barricade pretty hard when Rollins dived on him.

It left a pretty sore looking red mark on his side.

I wasn't really surprised that Rollins won, and now I think maybe the Intercontinental Championship will be going to SmackDown. I get the feeling Rollins will be drafted.

SmackDown Women's Championship

It was a good match and I was pretty surprised that Vince actually pulled the trigger on Asuka's streak.

I did say he was crazy enough to do it at WrestleMania and he did it.

In a way, I'm happy Asuka lost, as to me, her matches will now be more interesting than what they've been as I won't have that "she'll obviously win" outlook that I had with most of her matches, depending on who she was facing.

United States Championship

It was a good match and I'm really happy Mahal won.

His win makes it two times he's won a title to everyone's surprise and two times he's done it at the expense of Randy Orton.

As I think Rollins will be heading to SmackDown with his IC Title, I think Mahal will be going to Raw with the US Title. I'm interested to see what happens with Mahal as US Champion and see what generic "Foreigner as US Champion" route they go down.

Angle/Rousey VS HHH/Stephanie

I don't know what it was but I think Rousey looked pretty hot last night. Especially wearing that mini kilt and sporran. Maybe it's because I'm Scottish?

Anyway, I now look at Rousey differently.

On to the match however, and I will say I was pleasantly surprised. I really wasn't looking forward to this match at all but I was actually really entertained by it and I enjoyed it.

I will say this though. I think Rousey is better in the ring that I thought she would be and I think she's better in the ring than on the mic.

Her mic skills are pretty "hmmm".

WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship

This was a quick match and knowing the kinds of matches The New Day and The Usos can put on. It was a bit disappointing.

It made me think that maybe this match could have taken place on SmackDown and the time given to someone else. It was like a SmackDown match and nothing about it felt "WrestleMania-y".

Undertaker VS Cena

It was good to see The Undertaker again but is he actually "back" now? We were always getting told that he was "back" but I really can't see him being "back" as in being on the full-time roster, but we'll see.

It was a really short match, the shortest of the night and I was surprised Cena jobbed like he did.

It wasn't like when he jobbed to Lesnar at SummerSlam 2014 though. That night he jobbed like a champion.

I get the feeling however that this is just the beginning of Undertaker/Cena II at WrestleMania next year.

Bryan/Shane VS Owens/Zayn

All I can say really is that Owens/Zayn are definitely going to Raw now after the next draft.

Raw Women's Championship

In a angle that made reference to the fact that Nia is "bigger" and how "it's not what's on the outside but the inside" and all those body positive messages and all that, why was her weight announced before the match and Bliss' wasn't?

Regardless of that, the match was a good one with a good outcome. Jax has deserved that title for while now and you could tell it meant a lot to her. I think her reaction to winning was legit.

We can now look forward to Nia Jax being the face of the WWE's body confidence campaign.

WWE Championship

Am I the only one that found this match to be really boring?

Nothing really happened during it and even the crowd weren't invested in it. I did have a feeling that a Nakamura heel turn was imminent though. I was thinking of something along the lines of Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho at WrestleMania XIX and I wasn't disappointed.

Maybe a heel Nakamura will manage to gain my interest.

Raw Tag Team Championship

What was this?

At first I thought it was some Make A Wish kid, but apparently it's John Cone's son?

I'm confused as to why this happened and all it made me think at first is that maybe the Tag Team Championships will be merged soon, so Vince & Co. aren't giving a fuck about the title history as it'll be scrapped soon for a new one.

But still, what?

I think maybe tonight on Raw, Strowman & Nicholas will be stripped of the titles and their reign will be ruled as void as Nicholas isn't a contracted WWE Superstar.

Something like that.

Universal Championship

I was hoping this swerve would happened but I was surprised it did.

I was wondering why it happened and then I found out that we'll be getting Lesnar/Regins III in Saudi Arabia, so that's why it happened.

I'm now willing to bet all my earthly possessions that Reigns with the title in Saudi Arabia.

And I'm not a betting man.

Overall, it was a good WrestleMania and I enjoyed it more than I was expecting to.

Some little things to mention are that I like that the little recap video is back at the end of the event and I now get the feeling that Vince isn't too keen on the Japanese, as both went on to lose title matches at WrestleMania.

Another thing I will say is that I really don't give a fuck about "Paige's movie". She looks and sounds like a crack whore more than ever and I'm just wondering what the hell happened to her voice. Sure, it was deep to begin with but now she sounds like a full-blown man.

I also found it a bit Hugh Morrus that after being introduced to sing the national anthem, the whole crowd started chanting "Who?" to those two girls.

[Mr. Nerfect]

the nicholas thing makes a mockery of the belts. As a wrestling fan it's fucking disappointing and kind of boring and stupid.

BUT, unlike the David Arquette thing, it's not some c-minus celebrity like Arquette getting treated like an A-lister and being given the belt because he's from the outside world.

Instead, its a child pulled from the crowd. The visual of Braun with a tiny little 12 year old is great. It's a photo op... I understand. At the end of the day it's a calculated risk. The biggest show of the year, you have a spectacle of this loveable monster teaming with a 6th grader. Vince obviously doesn't care if the tag belts mean shit... it's more important for him to grab potential headlines of "Child wins WWE tag belt" because honestly... that's way more interesting than David Arquette winning it. And making it even more intriguing is that it's the child of a long time employee.

Again, my wrestling brain fucking hates it. But my marketing brain understands and respects it.

You're not making wrong points, but I don't think it's as good for PR as you are thinking. I seriously doubt this makes anyone watch. If it does, I will gladly admit I was wrong, but I think it is:

* Transparent
* Pandering
* Technically endorses child abuse -- the WWE is scripted violence and you've put a kid in that situation, technically harmless or not

If I were writing an article on it, without even having a wrestling brain, I'd still tear this the fuck apart as another misguided attempt by a fickle company to try and suck the ass of idiot consumers by selling a product that doesn't make sense and no one wants to buy.

My wrestling brain hates it, and my common sense everyday life brain thinks it is fucking annoying bullshit. Even to the point "I know the kid is not going to actually wrestle anybody or get hurt," to that extent I think it is fucking dumb bullshit. If the kid isn't going to actually win then what is the point?

It's not going to sink business because nothing matters enough, and it caught up the morons at WrestleMania at the time. But it's really fucking dumb. I agree with you on the photo op and it probably made that kid's day. Invite him backstage or have him accompany Braun.

It's hollow and there is no real end-game. I'm sure Braun will go around defending with kids in each town and will smile and go and visit sick ones at hospital. But it's the cartoony, cutesy stuff that keeps real people from watching. Jerry from the pub isn't going to suddenly think wrestling is cool because a kid is the champion. Kids at school aren't going to think it's cool they're recognized at such a lame event doing such a lame thing.

I understand the stupid bullshit pandering to a limited audience. I just think it's a big miscalculation and it's not going to kill wrestling, but it's a symptom of wrestling being dead.

[Mr. Nerfect]

So you think Nicholas should have fucked a dog instead?

Is that what I said?

[Mr. Nerfect]

And it's another case of the WWE ignoring its own canon and mythos to become a parody and piss-take of itself.

[Mr. Nerfect]

As I said -- have Braun help a kid win Money in the Bank this year. Everyone believes he could beat up 6-8 guys in a Handicap Match after they've been through hell. Let him help a kid win the briefcase and possession is 9/10's of the law. The kid can cash in and become World Champion. Photo op.

It's on the same plain of ideas. There's nothing more ridiculous about it. Just like it wasn't technically impossible for David Arquette to technically win a match where he technically became the World Champion. Except you shouldn't fucking put people in that position and it's that very possibility that makes wrestling so fucking stupid and inaccessible sometimes.

I wasn't even mad about this yesterday. It was just like "Haha, of course. Oh well, it's done anyway." But it's making me mad seeing people defend it as a good idea. It's battered wife syndrome. You're so used to this shit you think it's normal and that it actually makes sense, except you're ignoring that a child shouldn't legally be able to wrestle an adult in the first place.

As #1-wwf-fan said (maybe in this thread): They can't claim to be professional wrestling anymore. They are completely scripted entertainment, and by that standard they are objectively bad.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Like, how is Kurt Angle supposed to respond to this? "That's cool, bro. I mean, Sheamus could potentially kick a child in the head and kill them. Like, that would be the goal of that thing we're putting on. Go for gold, bud." No, of course not. The official line is: "No children will be hurt in the making of this segment, because it's not real, everyone knows what is going to happen next, P.S. why are you watching? Do you like seeing kids pretend to pretend to fight?"

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

You're not making wrong points, but I don't think it's as good for PR as you are thinking. I seriously doubt this makes anyone watch. If it does, I will gladly admit I was wrong, but I think it is:

* Transparent
* Pandering
* Technically endorses child abuse -- the WWE is scripted violence and you've put a kid in that situation, technically harmless or not



PR isn't done directly to make people watch, it's just done for brand imaging.

It's not some absolutely amazing PR stunts by any means but honestly it's pretty low risk and it got over bigger with the crowd than Nakamura vs AJ (until the turn) and the main event.

[Mr. Nerfect]

With all this talk about PR too -- why do you even need that PR? Like, why not just making wrestling good? Kids will like it if it's cool. All this PR shit is pandering in lieu of a compelling product.
"Hey Timmy. Want to go to the wrestling today?"
"Nah dad. That shit is phony and lame."
"Come on, you might get to be a champion."
"No dad. I can't risk being recognized on TV by people flicking. Especially by the girl I like at school. I'd rather just stay home and watch UFC."

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

and you're busy trying to make sense out of a situation they honestly didn't care enough to make sense of. They got a relatively high reward (big reaction) for a low risk. Braun won't be hurt by this and they won't lose any viewers. They'll just gain a few headlines and trend on twitter.

[Mr. Nerfect]

PR isn't done directly to make people watch, it's just done for brand imaging.

It's not some absolutely amazing PR stunts by any means but honestly it's pretty low risk and it got over bigger with the crowd than Nakamura vs AJ (until the turn) and the main event.

Yeah, I get what you are saying. I don't know, I think it makes them look like a puppy that pisses on the carpet because it's so desperate for attention. I'm just not impressed by it. There is some fine PR stuff, but I don't think pulling a kid out of the crowd and making them a champion qualifies. It's family-friendly entertainment no one wants to watch.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

I see where you're coming from where they could be focusing their efforts on shit much cooler. But this is a company far more focused on a manufactured brand image than they are on producing a great product.

[Mr. Nerfect]

That is very true. I don't think they're very good at either, to be honest, haha.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

sorry, I should have written poorly* manufactured brand image

[Mr. Nerfect]

It was implied -- I should have read more clearly.

[Lock Jaw]

Ronda was MOTN...in her debut

Asuka/Charlotte runner up, great

IC title next best, also great

DBry winning best moment

Taker's send-off (I assume) next best moment

Legend Nicholas 6 stars

After watching the show, I would say I agree with these sentiments.....

[#1-norm-fan]

It's stupid for what reason? It made headlines. It received a crazy reaction. It's a good feel moment and will be used for the next 10 Manias PR/Marketing wise.

This is literally the exact reason Vince Russo used for why the Arquette thing was good.

It got attention. Great PR/marketing-wise. That one PR move isn't as valuable as building credibility for a title that can be used to draw on a consistent basis. Choosing shock value/easy publicity over the value of the titles are a big reason they can't use titles as a draw anymore.

[#1-norm-fan]

and you're busy trying to make sense out of a situation they honestly didn't care enough to make sense of. They got a relatively high reward (big reaction) for a low risk. Braun won't be hurt by this and they won't lose any viewers. They'll just gain a few headlines and trend on twitter.

Maybe this one thing doesn't do it but I'd also argue that it's another step in the watering down of Braun. He clearly likes to have fun now. The exact opposite of what got him over in the first place. They've officially delved into "paint-by-numbers face" with him.

[Mr. Nerfect]

This is literally the exact reason Vince Russo used for why the Arquette thing was good.

It got attention. Great PR/marketing-wise. That one PR move isn't as valuable as building credibility for a title that can be used to draw on a consistent basis. Choosing shock value/easy publicity over the value of the titles are a big reason they can't use titles as a draw anymore.

They have all these belts because Vince (McMahon) has this thing where he can't imagine running a show without championship matches, but when was the last time a match actually drew because a belt was on the line? It's really idiosyncratic.

[Mr. Pierre]

Show was good - strong start, weak finish

-Love that Taker/Cena will have a 1-year build to a true mega match.

-Brock winning was a huge shock. Match felt like a parody though unfortunately. Their WM31 match was much better and felt more real. Shame though because Roman was busted so badly.

-Rousey killed it. Wow, so entertaining. Great stuff there by all 4 involved. Probably my favorite match.

-Cool to see Rollins with the IC title. I trust that’s a good marriage and is win/win

-Unfoetunately Styles vs Nakamura fell flat. Card placement, and also the match was just heating up and it ended. Pretty underwhelmed. Post-match was excellent and unexpected though.

-Charlotte and Asuka delivered -assuming next year we see Rousey vs Charlotte

Fun Mania, but sheesh it’s hard to have a great 7-hour show. They had about a great 4-5 hour show but it just fell off a bit for me.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Maybe this one thing doesn't do it but I'd also argue that it's another step in the watering down of Braun. He clearly likes to have fun now. The exact opposite of what got him over in the first place. They've officially delved into "paint-by-numbers face" with him.

As a one-off it's fine. If they do it over and over, then yes, it'll hurt him. Knowing them, they'll do it over and over. But on its own, it worked.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Not the biggest fan of Braun, because I think he's green and goofy, but this does feel a lot like Ryback to me. I wasn't the biggest fan of him either. It seems they get someone, however limited, that the audience they have left reacts to and does their best to piss on them somehow.

Braun is obviously being put into the feature attraction of the elephant at the variety show, so he shouldn't worry. Yet. When the novelty wears off -- and it will wear off -- he'll be in surprisingly low positions in the future. But they keep everyone around forever and keep them paid. It's more insulting to the fans that are trying to emotionally invest in this shit.

[Ruien]

Braun has been going strong for over 2 years now. Eventually everyone gets bored of everyone but hes mo flash in the pan.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm not only bored...I'm anNoid. I like it, Dale.

[Jordan]

Show was good - strong start, weak finish

-Love that Taker/Cena will have a 1-year build to a true mega match.

.

Where did you get this information?

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Longest matches of the night at the last 8 Wrestlemanias:<br><br>27 - Undertaker vs HHH<br>28 - Undertaker vs HHH<br>29 - Brock Lesnar vs HHH<br>XXX - Daniel Bryan vs HHH<br>31 - Sting vs HHH<br>32 - Undertaker vs Shane McMahon<br>33 - Seth Rollins vs HHH<br>34 - Angle &amp; Rousey vs HHH &amp; Stephanie McMahon</p>&mdash; Meta (@Metatronja) <a href="https://twitter.com/Metatronja/status/983198794866184192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Jordan]

Yeah but all of those save one is a really good match.

I am talking about the Lesnar match.

[DAMN iNATOR]

Or he fell victim to countless wedgies and wet willies.

Not with Braun guarding him at all times. :cool:

[DAMN iNATOR]

Where did you get this information?

I think people just thought it was a foregone conclusion that Cena would show up on RAW last night, pissed at literally being squashed by 'Taker in under 3 minutes, challenge 'Taker, 'Taker would accept and they'd do like they did with one of the Rock/Cena match builds.

I'm sure it will happen eventually, but it doesn't need a year-long build to WM 35, nor does it even have to be that long before they fight again. I'd be fine with a grudge match at SummerSlam.

[#1-norm-fan]

As a one-off it's fine. If they do it over and over, then yes, it'll hurt him. Knowing them, they'll do it over and over. But on its own, it worked.

They already started with him being "silly" weeks ago when he did the parody of Elias. Last week he dressed up like a nerd and called himself "Brain Strowman". "Braun just loves to have fun" is definitely already going.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Hacksaw Braun Stroman

[Fignuts]

The more time that passes, and the more I think about it the more disappointed I am in the finish to Asuka vs Charlotte.

I know the match was still fantastic, but that's exactly the problem. Maybe it's just me, but when you have a match that close to perfect, that flaw just gets bigger and bigger in my head and I can't help but think what could have been.

Just a few more minutes is all they would have needed in my opinion. Where the match ended charlotte should of went for the standard figure 8, but dropped back down due to the pain in her arm. Asuka gets out, puts on the asuka lock and we can get a good 30-45 second period of drama of charlotte trying, but failing to get to the ropes, and looking like shes about to fade out, but then starts torqueing on asukas leg to make her relinquish the hold. Charlotte then gets the one armed figure 8 for the win.

That finish would have established more drama in the ending, and would have made asuka tapping more believable, as there wasn't nearly enough work done on her leg in the match for that abrupt tap out that we got.

So yeah. Great match. But shit won't stop bugging me. Like a cancerous tumor in my head.

[#1-norm-fan]

Yeah, I was cool with Asuka losing but she tapped almost instantly after not having her knee worked on at all. It made her look way too weak. It was the way some random Carmella-type diva would have gone out. The match did a way better job of bringing Asuka down to the other women's level than it did bringing Charlotte up to a world-beater level.

[Emperor Smeat]

Asuka-Charlotte and the Styles-Nakamura matches would have befitted a lot by having an extra 5 minutes. Both were starting to pick up the pace and hit peak status but suddenly ended instead.

[Fignuts]

BUT GUYS WE NEED THOSE EXTRA MINUTES TO SHOW ADS FOR THE NETWORK PEOPLE ARE ALREADY WATCHING THIS ON AND THAT SAME EXACT CLIP FROM THE PAIGE MOVIE FOR 75TH TIME THIS WEEKEND

[Fignuts]

DURRRRRR PAIGE HERE

[Mr. Nerfect]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Longest matches of the night at the last 8 Wrestlemanias:<br><br>27 - Undertaker vs HHH<br>28 - Undertaker vs HHH<br>29 - Brock Lesnar vs HHH<br>XXX - Daniel Bryan vs HHH<br>31 - Sting vs HHH<br>32 - Undertaker vs Shane McMahon<br>33 - Seth Rollins vs HHH<br>34 - Angle &amp; Rousey vs HHH &amp; Stephanie McMahon</p>&mdash; Meta (@Metatronja) <a href="https://twitter.com/Metatronja/status/983198794866184192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I am not surprised. Could have done without any of those, to be honest. I mean the match with Bryan was fun, as well Rousey, but they didn't need to be working with HHH.

[Vastardikai]

Yeah, I was cool with Asuka losing but she tapped almost instantly after not having her knee worked on at all. It made her look way too weak. It was the way some random Carmella-type diva would have gone out. The match did a way better job of bringing Asuka down to the other women's level than it did bringing Charlotte up to a world-beater level.

Why do I get this feeling that Asuka was Dean Ambrose to Stephanie's Shane?

[Fignuts]

I am not surprised. Could have done without any of those, to be honest. I mean the match with Bryan was fun, as well Rousey, but they didn't need to be working with HHH.

Enjoyed all of those tbh. Not "james Steeleish mark out" level, but I'm glad they put those matches together. Still feel that the Rollins match is particularly underappreciated.

[Mr. Nerfect]

They're not bad, but my emotional investment was not earned. They were HHH ego-strokes. There were better opponents for each guy every year.

[#1-norm-fan]

Sting vs HHH wasn't remotely memorable outside of the odd forced, nonsensical nostalgia run-ins. It certainly had no business being the longest match on the card.

[Lock Jaw]

People here seemed to love/like them, but I didn't like the Undertaker vs. HHH matches

[#1-norm-fan]

I loved the Hell in a Cell. First one's kinda overrated.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Sting vs HHH wasn't remotely memorable outside of the odd forced, nonsensical nostalgia run-ins. It certainly had no business being the longest match on the card.

I remember Sting jumping off the top rope to the outside or something. The booking infuriated me. Triple H then came out and acted like he was 100% for the Rousey stuff, haha. Fucking ass.

[XL]

They're not bad, but my emotional investment was not earned. They were HHH ego-strokes. There were better opponents for each guy every year.

Out of interest...who?

[Big Vic]

I don't feel awful about the nWo helping Sting. Sting was in the nWo with hall and Nash for a short bit.

I loved the Hell in a Cell. First one's kinda overrated.

I feel the exact opposite.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

I loved the Hell in a Cell. First one's kinda overrated.

Yeah, I thought the first one was horrible and boring.

[mike adamle]

Just got back from New Orleans. Holy fuck what a great week. Might have to make a thread about my trip.

[Lock Jaw]

You should have met and fought slik

[Luigi]

People here seemed to love/like them, but I didn't like the Undertaker vs. HHH matches

Triple H vs Undertaker from 2001 was actually a pretty good match. Both men were younger and in their primes. As Bret Hart mentioned however, their matches from a few years ago was very easy wrestling. Lots of brawling, limited creativity, and basically a giant spot fest. Now granted, Bret is almost always overly critical of HHH since Bret now holds HHH primarily responsible for the screw job, but Bret was bang on here. Shawn Michaels vs Undertaker was absolute classic. Both matches. Shawn Michaels is the greatest wrestler of all-time in my opinion.

[Lock Jaw]

Yeah, I remember liking their Wrestlemania 17 match. Was only taking about the other two.

[Luigi]

Yeah, I remember liking their Wrestlemania 17 match. Was only taking about the other two.

In the future, please be more specific. Otherwise, you do a disservice to the readers here who attempt to comprehend the meaning of your posts.

[RaginRonic]

Just got back from New Orleans. Holy fuck what a great week. Might have to make a thread about my trip.

Better get checked for measles then.

XD

[Lock Jaw]

In the future, please be more specific. Otherwise, you do a disservice to the readers here who attempt to comprehend the meaning of your posts.

I'm sorry. I will try to be more careful in the future.

[Fignuts]

Someone earlier was asking for a clean version of Nak's entrance that wasn't recorded from the stands.

Here's the best version so far. Little bit of crowd noise still, but honestly I think it actually adds to it.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lwAokc6VvXU" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Sixx]

But those are stills. :(

[Cool King]

Someone earlier was asking for a clean version of Nak's entrance that wasn't recorded from the stands.

Here's the best version so far. Little bit of crowd noise still, but honestly I think it actually adds to it.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lwAokc6VvXU" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I actually prefer that to the current version.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Out of interest...who?

Wade Barrett seemed like the logical choice to face Undertaker. It turns out he was just going to be a Triple H lackey, but Trips didn't want to turn heel yet so the plan was scrapped altogether. It may not have been a "better match," but it would have been much more interesting than Triple H playing smoke and mirrors catch-up to try and follow Shawn.

CM Punk had a fairly quiet 2010 compared to his 2009, but he would have been a lot more fun for Taker too. John Cena was there. Hell, John Morrison, while not exactly a major, major player at the time still had an amazing 2010 where he was having the match of the night at every PPV. Triple H was boring as fuck around this period (2002-present).

[hb2k]

SCG Radio returns as we discuss WrestleMania 34 Weekend and Beyond! Covering all the big topics of discussion from the biggest weekend of the year in pro wrestling, we talk all things NXT TakeOver: New Orleans and Mania itself, looking at Ronda Rousey's blowaway debut match, mind-boggling decisions, a crowd that needs to look in the mirror, the end of Asuka's streak, the fate of Daniel Bryan, the ongoing trials and tribulations of Roman Reigns, AJ/Nakamura, and some spectacular rants at The Undertaker, Paige and yes, the crowd the night after WrestleMania on Raw. Breaking down the shows to their pro and cons, big picture and nuances, check it out and let us know what you think!

https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/ah7p8r/SCG_Radio_134_-_WrestleMania_34_Weekend_and_Beyond.mp3

[Mr. Nerfect]

Great listen. "Fuck you." I also loved your rant on the crowd.

I'm with Kieran on Charlotte. When she and Ronda both won, fans were immediately talking about a match between the two. You can always build to Charlotte/Ronda later, as Karl said (he's certainly not wrong about anything), but now they've earmarked it and got their ironic fans into it.