Lookback: WrestleMania XXX

3/9/2015 6:37:18 PM

http://www.wrestlingnewsreport.com/

As WrestleMania 31 is just around the corner, let’s take a lookback on some of the hits and misses on last year’s edition of the “Superbowl of Sports Entertainment.”

Since I started following pro wrestling (specifically, WWE) in 2012, this was the third time I personally watched WrestleMania in full circles, and perhaps the same number I watched the said event at all. (I could have told “as it happens” since  TV channels aired it just a few hours to within a few days from the WM event itself, but anyway...). 

Perhaps setting the fatal four-way as part of the two-hour pre show was a botch – if you are an international cable watcher. You’re lucky if you managed to steal one via livestreaming. I can sense that one was a marketing strategy. Of course, WWE Network was at the verge of rising way back then, considering WrestleMania XXX was the online network’s very first LIVE special program to air then.

But the match, I bet, is really awesome thing to watch, especially exciting performers like the Usos, Cesaro, and even El Torito taking the stage for almost an entire hour.

The pyros? Nothing much I can say. Some might express their disdain because the pyros from other PPVs this year were much exciting than WMXXX, but only the fans inside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome can express words enough to serve as a judgment. In fact, seeing the Opening Billboard itself (not the 4:30-ish montage prior to this clip) already gave me goosebumps; what more when the lights go out and the fireworks do the talking instead – with Kid Rock’s Celebrate playing on the background and the cameras panning from close range to the wide shot angle?

The opening segment with the legends may consider as miss by some considering these three legends can do the talking to close out WrestleMania instead of seeing the celebration after the main event. However, that case would take place in a “fallout” segment. 

But, man? Legends’ segment? A botch? You’ve got to be kidding me. For any wrestling fan – especially the old school ones – who would not love to see Hulk Hogan gracing WrestleMania XXX? And to be joined (in an obvious, typical, interfering manner) by Attitude Era’s iconic Stone Cold Steve Austin, and another long-tenured-yet-always-electrifying Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson?

Say, good thing Hogan’s mistake of pronouncing “Silverdome” was a hit, after he himself corrected that into “Superdome.”

Seeing Stephanie McMahon doing the introduction to his wife is some kind of respectful; but if you ask me though, I’d still prefer Justin Roberts doing the chore itself; maybe because it was his job. And unless you put Howard Finkel and Tony Chimel with him right there, Roberts will go down as one of the male iconic ring voices of the WWE.

A lot of people said the Daniel Bryan-Triple H match was the top of WM30. I’ll say though, it was a perfect way to kick off the show of shows; consdiering this: Triple H was at his always-form of being a heel – though this time around, he was on a ring gear and not on a suit-and-tie. The match was overall awesome; though my two cents: there are more matches which can top this one out.

Also, DB-HHH's promo was the best promotional package clip I had ever seen here in WM30. The execution proved how the storyline fared well with excellence.

The second match was totally a one-sided squash. The SHIELD won their previous WrestleMania fight against also a three-man faction by Sheamus, Big Show and Randy Orton. While that match earned a fair play, this one obviously did not. Besides, the only guy who stood out the most was the Juggernaut Roman Reigns; next to him? Dean Ambrose? And whatever happened to Seth Rollins? Aside from assisting the crew into a triple powerbomb? He set the finish with a pin? Is that all? Nah. 

It was so quick that all I can remember is that Reigns slicing their opponents – the veterans Kane and the New Age Outlaws with a spear. That’s it.

I hate to think, but the bookers should have set script of the Andre the Giant memorial battle royal in its more formal form; I’m pertaining to Lilian Garcia introducing each and every single competitor inside the ring. Considering these: Sheamus and the Big Show were the last entrants for the match. The ending was unprecedented as Cesaro tossed the 400-pounder out of the squared circle to take home the larger-than-life-sized trophy. But then, what’s next for the Swiss Superman? So what if he won the trophy? Did that implicate a career change for him? Yes, unfortunately though, in a downslide slope.

The match between John Cena and Bray Wyatt was more of a psychological warfare for me. The voodoo versus the mainstream kids. Bray didn’t really care to psychologically lose to Cena via pinfall; though at times, he tempted Cena to put the game in his own hands. 

At the end, Cena may have physically won, but the damage has been done. He looked like an exhausted solider after a horrendous battle. It’s like Wyatt totally dominating the match. Somehow, on the flipside, what’s new? In every John Cena’s match, it’s like the other guy’s dominating than him. Perhaps, a sign of putting the other young guys over him. It doesn’t matter for the bookers and creatives if the opponent loses to Cena, as long as the match goes on, the WWE’s top face will build chemistry with that guy, helping him to elevate his status in the company by all means.

The live version of Mark Crozer and the Rels’ Broken Out in Love was an epic though I prefer the three should have ended up the song first before Bray hushing his lamp.

Still, I admire how Wyatt scared the hell on Cena. It’s like John saying “You can’t see me!” while was on the verge of putting off his five-knuckle shuffle; and Wyatt unleashes his crab pose/walking spider as response to neutralize the momentum in an instant.

Brock Lesnar versus the Undertaker. It started as an open challenge. Until a certain familiar man came along. Nope, he was the deadman. But unlike his last showing with CM Punk, The Undertaker has shown signs of fatigue. No wonder why he end up having a concussion later on. And even if Taker still pulled some signature moves like Hell’s Gate, Chokeslam and Tombstone Piledriver – plus the fact that he survived Brock’s two F5s and German suplexes, seems like age definitely played a factor right there. Mark Calloway’s 49, while Brock Lesnar, 36. 

The ending was really a heck-of-a-shocker. Be it live or on televised special (but really, the LIVE really made the Undertaker the world’s household name). Even yours truly could not believe it like reactions from Paul Heyman and the notable fans inside the Big Easy. Say, did that really happened? Yes, yes, and unfortunately, yes.

The Divas invitational match was quick though. We hoped it could have gone longer.

But the inductees in the WWE Hall of Fame segment was really awesome at all. You can’t go wrong with Howard Finkel announcing their names.

The triple-threat championship match was also an instant classic, though it can’t defeat Brock-Taker and even the HHH-Daniel Bryan match in terms of storytelling and intensity. But the ending was somehow, favorable; something that indeed – as Jerry Lawler said – was Yestlemania!

Who could deny Daniel Bryan’s sudden rose to the occasion for that evening? Battling three opponents in a four-hour program? All that with an injury (kayfabe) as the part of it? Man. He deserve the title.

I admire the two segments where WrestleMania legends were present. There’s one thing that is lacking though: Mr. WrestleMania himself. Or maybe, I just missed it?

Anyway, overall, WM XXX lived to its expectations. No BS ending, and despite the flaws, the show rolls the way it should be – favorable both to Vinny Mac and company, and to the worldwide audience as well. 

The verdict: 9.85/10

Author: slickmaster | © 2015 september twenty-eight productions