Wrestlemania 35 Thoughts

What better way to mark my 400th blog entry than by blogging my thoughts on Wrestlemania 35 as it happens?

Yep, time for one of my 'doesn't fit the theme of my blog' posts!

Should point out this isn't exactly a live-blog as I didn't begin watching 'Mania 5
35 until 38 minutes in. So I've been spoiled on the outcome of one match. Grrr....

Also, the kickoff show isn't included. Wouldn't post until Monday morning!

On to my thoughts:

Liked the helicopters during the National Anthem!

Hulk Hogan - Alexa Bliss moment was unexpected. Very fitting to begin WrestleMania with the Hulkster.

Nice AEW reference, Heyman! Surprising, Lesnar vs Rollins for the Universal Championship opens the card. Btw, this is the outcome I was spoiled on...

 Nice Beast Slayer opener!

Really liked the story of Lesnar not allowing the match to begin by demolishing Rollins outside the ring. Story-wise, the low blow was the only believable way to change the durection of the match. Three stomps to defeat Lesnar is nice symmetry with how Lesnar match typically ends. Is it hoping too much the comment about Lesnar departing for AEW was a shoot?

Jerry the King Lawler announcing!

A.J. Styles versus Randy Orton:

Awesome match! Nice counters mixed with impact moves. Both Orton & Styles had excellent ring chemistry. Liked the story of AJ figuring out how to counter the RKO. Rating 4 out of 5 stars.

Usos vs The Bar vs Shinsuke Nakamura/Rusev vs Ricochet/Aleister Black for Smackdown Tag Team Championship:

Usos retained the belts in an action-packed, wrecking derby match. Main roster newbies Black and Ricochet were spotlighted as they wrestled much of the match. Highlight was when Cesaro swung Ricochet while Sheamus made the circuit pounding on hapless wrestlers caught on the ring ropes. Match slowly built to groups of four men inside the ring at once. Highlight 2: Ricochet rolling through a mob super plex off the top rope!
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Hall of Fame (Class of 2019) roundup was touching as always.

Miz vs Shane McMahon Falls Count Anywhere Match:

Omg the superplex off the scaffolding! Excellent hardcore/former friends/involving family match. Could of done without Miz's dad becoming physically involved in the match. The twist ending of Shane landing atop Miz and winning the match prevented the match from becoming special though.
Rating 3 out of 5 stars.

Women's tag team championship match: Boss and Hug Connection vs Nia Jax/Tamina vs IIconics vs Natalya/Beth Phoenix

Marked when Bret Hart appeared! Nice sneak victory by the IIconics to win the belts. Beth Phoenix still has it. Loved the homage yo the Hart Foundation. Double sharpshooter was cool. The champions being heavily involved felt refreshing compared to the prior four way. Nice blend of styles. Overall, it felt like an iconic, pardon the pun, Mania match.
Rating 5 out of 5 stars.

Daniel Bryan vs Kofi Kingston for the WWE Championship:

Two wrestlers I've liked for a long time locked up. Huge Bryan mark. As for Kofi, it's been far, far past due for him to wrestle in such a high profile match in my opinion. I wasn't disappointed as Bryan and Kofi wrestled a stellar match that felt different from the WWE norm. Despite Bryan being a dominant champion, he elevated Kofi to the next level in grueling match that finished dramatically with victory for Kofi. Kofi Kingston has finally become WWE champion!
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars!

Hey, Hall & Nash!

Booker T announcing!

Rey Mysterio (coming out as the Spider-Man villain Mysterio!) vs Samoa Joe for U.S. Championship:

Wow, quick match! A 619 was nailed by Rey; but Joe followed quickly with a Kaukina Clutch to beat Mysterio and retain the belt.

Drew McIntyre vs Roman Reigns:

Scottish band welcomes McIntyre to ring with our first big entrance of the night. And... fireworks for Roman...
Despite some impressive moments from Drew in a power match, this was welcome back from leukemia, Roman!
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars.

Wouldn't be a PPV without Elias... John Cena Thuganomics! Nice trip down nostalgia lane.

Batista vs Triple H No Holds Barred, Triple H's in-ring career on the line:

Uh, wasn't Triple H retired before? Okay, the Mad Max Fury Road entrance for Triple H is very cool. Brutal match. Never saw a nose ring yanked out before! Triple H spearing Batista through the German Announce Table! Sledge (Game) Hammer! Ric Flair for the distraction and Triple H finally lands a blow with the GameHammer for the win.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

Ron Simmons followed by JBL announcing!

Kurt Angle's final match vs Baron Corbin:

Nice Angle highlight reel; however he put Corbin over in his final match. Classy exit.

Bobby Lasley vs The Demon Finn Balor for the Intercontinental Championship:

The Demon descending from the air was quite the sight! Finn Balor beat Lashley to win the IC belt in a decent match meant to pump up the crowd.

R Truth & Carmella dance break  - meh

Charlotte Flair vs Ronda Rousey vs Becky Lynch for the Women's Championship (both Raw & Smackdown):

Flair arriving via helicopter - talk about a grand entrance! Meanwhile, Rousey receives the live band entrance. All three women put on a clinic during their historic main event. Furthermore, Lynch's pin of Rousey is subjective enough that the match hints strongly at whom the Winner-Take-All (Lynch) feuds with next. For the very first women's main event at WrestleMania this match set a very high bar that would be hard to top.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.


Overall:
Yes, WrestleMania ran LONG. Didn't start watching until over a half hour in and took several intermissions. Plus, transcribing my thoughts on my blog adding more time. Hence, why I am finishing this close to Monday afternoon instead of Sunday night. However, WrestleMania is the pinnacle of Sports Entertainment; and quite frankly, the best matches WWE puts on during the course of the year. On those two scores, it didn't disappoint. Furthermore, WrestleMania 35 ran long because there was lots of wrestling. Lots of it. High quality matches too. Plus, milestone after milestone. 35 was full of them. Overall, a more than solid WrestleMania with excellent booking despite some hiccups.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.