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Rating: It's certainly no news that WWE, for the past few years, has partly shifted its media focus onto the economic factor, partly neglecting entertainment. The opportunity to have opened its official Network and offered various possibilities to users encountering this novelty for the first time, such as rewatching past matches, PPVs ingrained in the memory of every wrestling lover, and more, greatly satisfied the company's president, Vince McMahon. However, as mentioned, the advent of the Network hasn't radically altered the entertainment factor, at least not entirely. Since 2012, WWE has maintained its sales and visibility with so-called part-timers. In simple words, these are former glory figures of the federation who return for one night only, to please the most nostalgic and especially those who remain desperately anchored to the past and refuse to embrace new athletes, with the motto well structured in mind "It was better before." A return for one night only, as I was saying. Well, not anymore. For example, in 2012 and 2013, The Rock returned to challenge John Cena in Wrestlemania's 28th and 29th editions, the latter with the title on his side. Brock Lesnar also returned in 2012 after 8 years of absence. In 2014, Batista stepped back in the ring, and last year the former WCW legend Goldberg returned after 12 years. The part-timer issue, while solving the sale aspect excellently by filling stadiums, doesn't quite satisfy everyone regarding the quality of promos and especially the proposed matches. Consider Batista's match against Alberto del Rio, not even a month after the former's return, where he struggled to breathe and was gasping barely 5 minutes into the match. Or even Brock Lesnar, who, despite being an excellent fighter, always performs the exact same moves in the ring, and victory is almost always assured.
Yet, moving beyond part-timers, in the past two to three years, WWE has fostered new talents to put in the game; in other cases, they have revamped their gimmicks to make them more comfortable with the audience. Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, Bray Wyatt, the new addition (though it's been a year) AJ Styles, Cesaro, Luke Harper, Neville, Brian Kendrick, and many others come to mind. Talented individuals who have demonstrated innate skills in the ring and have all had, more or less, their moment of fame on their journey to the annual Wrestlemania edition. An edition that had considerable interest around it, unlike the 32nd edition, which seemed not only extremely predictable but also quite lacking in wrestling quality—not in all matches, but in a good part. But let's delve into it in more detail.
KICKOFF SHOW: NEVILLE (c) VS AUSTIN ARIES (CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH) :
The attention dedicated to the category by WWE, but also by the audience, has forced the federation to create a show just for them, where everyone could showcase their skills. A successful move, further confirmed when Neville made his return, becoming a champion and proving himself as a complete athlete, both in charisma and wrestling. On the other side, we have Austin Aries, a former TNA star, who, during the past months of rivalry with Neville, managed to establish a truly exceptional connection with the audience, and as for moveset... well, that too. The Wrestlemania match, though relegated to the Kickoff, delivered exactly what the audience expected. Plenty of technique, spectacular moves like the various german suplexes from Neville or the final clotheslines from Aries, saw Neville as the victor after an illegal attack on Aries’ left eye. Perhaps my expectations were a bit too high, but overall, I’m satisfied. 7
ANDRÉ THE GIANT MEMORIAL BATTLE ROYAL:
It seems to have become a tradition that WWE presents this Battle Royal every year. I call it a use of athletes who are not used regularly. The victory—a simple consolation prize. Although I was curious to watch it this year to see if Braun Strowman would confirm his monster heel push, if Sami Zayn would finally redeem himself, or if Big Show, a past winner, would win the second one to retire. But saying I was disappointed halfway through is an understatement. All the names I mentioned, especially those most likely to win, were gone, and the victory went to Mojo Rawley, a Smackdown athlete who, although he's good and someone I respect, wasn’t supposed to win this year’s edition. And if we also consider the other remaining participant was Jinder Mahal, well, that says it all. 5
DEAN AMBROSE (c) VS BARON CORBIN (INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH) :
Giving the title to Ambrose was a gamble, both because he was seen fighting very little during his title reign and because he had already lost part of the charisma he had when he was a world champion. Corbin, on the other hand, is a rising star, and Wrestlemania would have been the perfect stage for his coronation, which will happen later since he came out defeated. There are many flaws in this match, the first being the lack of a special stipulation that would have helped both athletes conduct the match with at least some audience interest. A longer duration, contrary to the mere 9 minutes of the match, and a more solid construction. Let's also consider that the match was in the Kickoff, and the arena was mostly half-empty. A missed opportunity, although I regard the match as just passable. 6
MAIN SHOW: SHANE MCMAHON VS AJ STYLES
There were many doubts about this match, but more so, there was much disdain from the fans towards the company for putting AJ Style in a match, in their opinion, not noteworthy. Shane, however, despite being 46, had already demonstrated in the past at Survivor Series, or also at Wrestlemania 32, that he still does it excellently. The construction of this match might be one of the best on the entire card, with an arrogant AJ Styles seeking revenge against the Smackdown commissioner to get the Wrestlemania main event. Put like this, it seems trivial; I know, but I invite you to rewatch episode by episode the gradual construction. I can describe the match in one word, grandiose. Styles not only proved he could handle any athlete before him but also developed a simply immense charisma. Shane, on the other hand, despite his age, produced marvelous spots such as the Diving Elbow Drop (missed) on the announcer's table, Styles' 450 Splash reversed into a Hell's Gate, or the Coast To Coast from the other side of the ring. A must-see, truly exceptional. 8.5
CHRIS JERICHO (c) VS KEVIN OWENS (UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH) :
It was known that this match would happen at Wrestlemania since October, but the gradual separation of the two from best friends to enemies forever was truly excellent. Jericho, turning face after Owens’ attack, remained more over than the entire roster together, and Owens, after losing the Universal title, regained what he lacked: guts. The outcome, though predictable, didn’t prevent showing the fans a good match, with an ending a bit too rushed, but overall made us realize that not only did Y2J help build a future Heel with the so-called, but that Owens has only just begun to make waves, and hopefully, this will last long. Noteworthy is the Pop-Up Powerbomb reversed into a Codebreaker—a joy for the eyes. 7.5
BAYLEY (c) VS CHARLOTTE VS SASHA BANKS VS NIA JAX: FATAL 4 WAY ELIMINATION MATCH (WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP)
Although the choice to give the title to Bayley was inconsistent, I would have preferred to see Charlotte with the belt around her waist. Why? Simple: Bayley’s mic performances are null, or if any, almost poor. I don't want to talk about Nia Jax since I don’t understand the reason for including her in the match after practically no fan followed her feuds with interest. Sasha Banks, on the other hand, would have been a great champion if she had turned Heel. Questions and concerns, therefore, that also translated into the match. 3 minutes of brawl, with eliminations one after another. Sasha Banks was eliminated after a hit on the exposed ring post, Charlotte eliminated last after an Elbow Drop by Bayley from the third rope, and Jax after a Suplex by all three participants. Senseless timing, eliminations also, but at least the entrances were pretty nice. 4.5
GALLOWS & ANDERSON (c) VS ENZO & CASS VS CESARO & SHEAMUS VS THE HARDY BOYZ: FATAL 4 WAY LADDER MATCH (TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP)
Fatal 4 Way that was initially supposed to be a Triple Threat, but adding the Hardys before the match greatly excited the crowd, marking a return to a WWE ring after almost 7 years, and was crowned by winning the titles at Wrestlemania. I have little to say about this match because there is little to say. In its length, just under 10 minutes, we saw it all. Spots like Jeff's Swanton Bomb from the ladder on Cesaro and Sheamus, Gallows delivering Superkicks left and right, Cesaro and Sheamus flaunting their immense talent, especially the former, and Enzo and Cass, whom I had a sincere fear of seeing as new champions. Not so much for Cass, but for Enzo, who, even after a Clothesline, seems to die...7+
NIKKI BELLA & JOHN CENA VS THE MIZ & MARYSE: MIXED TAG TEAM MATCH :
The apotheosis of rubbish. The essence of the match was the marriage proposal Cena intended to make to Nikki Bella, who would have her last match at Wrestlemania. What better way to do it than after literally humiliating Miz and Maryse? The first, during half of 2016, gave the Intercontinental title a shine, and all he deserves is to be part of a skit to make John Cena look good? Seriously? And for those who expected Maryse to wrestle, well, they were disappointed. She just took a couple of punches from Nikki Bella and stopped. I'm not a so-called hater of John Cena, make no mistake, but I find that wasting a night like Wrestlemania for these skits is truly senseless. However, the promos made on Smackdown were exceptional. I might suggest this as a new form of torture, watching this match in an endless loop... 4
SETH ROLLINS VS TRIPLE H (UNSANCTIONED MATCH) :
Injuring the same knee for the second time in a row must not have been pleasant for Seth Rollins. The fear of possibly missing Wrestlemania again was enormous, but in the end, the match was made. Triple H's role was simply fantastic, both in promos and action, and Rollins’ determination, both real and on TV, contributed to producing one of the night’s best matches. Excellent maneuvers from the former Shield member, who despite a knee not at 100%, demonstrated immense physical command and endurance. The ending was also favorable, with Stephanie McMahon accidentally falling on a table following an accidental collision with Triple H, who, in his rage, doesn’t notice Rollins securing the victory. Together with Shane vs. AJ Styles, match of the night. 8
BRAY WYATT (c) VS RANDY ORTON (WWE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH) :
One of the best feuds of the recent months, one that finally saw an active, charged, and thoroughly engaged Orton, transforming into a ridiculous match. Bray Wyatt’s champions coronation, awaited for over 3 years, ended after barely 3 months of reign. Months during which the former Wyatt Family leader dominated but ended up being ridiculed in the year's most important event. 13 world titles for Orton, while for Wyatt, only the humiliation of not convincing management, of not bringing home the satisfaction of being recognized as the federation's face remains. About the match, there's little to say—Wyatt's dominance for 3/4 of the match, with peculiar backgrounds every 2/3 minutes portraying worms, larvae, and more, but with an Orton's RKO at the finish, everything is outlined. Bray, maybe next time. 5
GOLDBERG (c) VS BROCK LESNAR (WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH) :
Unlike others, I didn't have lofty expectations for this encounter. Goldberg's age was felt already in the Survivor Series match and also in his Royal Rumble appearance, and squash seemed the only possible idea. The plan to have him reach Wrestlemania with the Universal title to make him even more over miserably failed. The first boos arrived, lasting almost three weeks, but finally, the much-anticipated rematch against Lesnar happened. The victory for the latter was predictable, but it was unclear how it would be achieved. And above all, would this encounter last more than 3 minutes without risking Goldberg's (who's 50, mind you) heart attack? We got close, 5 minutes of match but fast, fierce, and made of excellent spots, though the moves were practically 4. 7 Suplexes in a row from Lesnar, 4 Spears from Goldberg, one against the barricades, an almost botched Jackhammer, and an F-5 to determine Lesnar's victory. About these two, much has been said in recent months, but I have really liked the feud. On one side, it pleased Vince McMahon by bringing in money, and on the other, it offered great emotions. And usually, the latter never come. Strange, huh? 6.5
ALEXA BLISS (c) VS BECKY LYNCH VS MICKIE JAMES VS NATALYA VS NAOMI VS CARMELLA - SIX PACK CHALLENGE MATCH (SMACKDOWN WOMEN'S CHAMPION) :
Predictable result, predictable match. I don't think I've ever seen a match so poorly constructed, a Six Pack Challenge brought out of nowhere without any slight explanation. 8 minutes of match, 8 minutes in which the participants could only enter and exit the ring to receive one another's finishing moves, a skit with Becky Lynch (oddly dressed as an amazon) with James Ellsworth, and nothing more. There's no participation from the audience, and after a submission that lasted barely 3 seconds, Alexa Bliss yields to give Naomi the title win after she had relinquished it post the Elimination Chamber PPV due to a knee injury. Strange, nonetheless, that WWE let her win at home—it usually never happens. One of the night's failures, of which I honestly can't even understand the card positioning. 4.5
ROMAN REIGNS VS THE UNDERTAKER (NO HOLDS BARRED MATCH) :
There was much fear of seeing The Undertaker lose, of bringing his Wrestlemania losses to 2, after breaking the Streak at Wrestlemania 30 against Brock Lesnar. Roman Reigns, perhaps the most hated wrestler that WWE has had since Sgt. Slaughter times, perhaps wasn't the right man. But WWE forced this match upon us, and seeing how a 52-year-old man still manages to hold a match showed us that the Undertaker is not any wrestler. He is THE wrestler. Although at the end of the match, it was clear to everyone that Roman would win, they decided to turn the match into a squash, where Spear after Spear, move after move, Reigns put an end to the career of a legend, which lasted 27 years. As said, maybe he wasn’t the right one. Others deserved it. But WWE long ago made it clear that the Shield’s Big Dog would be the federation's future face, and what better push to position him high than making him victorious at Wrestlemania against the Deadman? Not the most correct choice, but it must be accepted nonetheless. Highlighting the Undertaker’s retirement post-match, where he placed his ring attire inside the ring, walking away for good, knowing he had played his last match. And for a man of his age, what a match. 7
An edition that has both highs and lows in equal measure. Hoping for a Wrestlemania edition that would be exactly how we want it will be impossible, that must be clarified, but WWE has realized that it can still offer us some matches with a properly constructed build behind them, and a showdown, if not a 10, then a 9. The 33rd edition of Wrestlemania will be remembered chiefly for the Undertaker's retirement, but don't stop there—there's much else that deserves our attention. Is it an edition worth rewatching someday? I'd say yes, without a shadow of a doubt. We have some shadows, but after all, where are they not found? There's always something to criticize in the end, it has always been so. See you next Wrestlemania, always hoping for the best.
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