Wow. That's the word I continued to utter throughout Wrestlemania XXX last night. It was a fitting word as there was a lot to behold on pro wrestling's biggest stage of the year. From the two-hour pre-show on a still fresh WWE Network which never wavered all night (which deserves a "wow" in it's own right), to the final moment of the night with Daniel Bryan atop the world. Time and time again last night, you just had to say that very word - wow!
- As a professional in the Collegiate athletics, sports, and entertainment industry, I'm always enamored with WWE events. Not because I am a addict fan of pro wrestling, but because the WWE really is impressive when it comes to this aspect.
Their ability to take any venue, any facility, or any area, and make it look, sound, and feel phenomenal for their television product is impressive. I spent most of my Wrestlemania experience last year looking at the event from a professional perspective.
This year's event seemed to ramp it up event more. The Wrestlemania 30 set was impressive. One of my favorites, really. The structure, the LED lighting, the ramp, the whole deal was amazing.
Also, the Superdome (Not the Silver Dome, more on that in a bit...) and it's structure really added to the overall ambiance of the event. The circular architecture, the ability to add flood spotlights around the building, in addition to the already in-place house lights, which goes around the upper deck of the dome, really brought to life the atmosphere. This was especially impressive in the camera angle that panned behind Steve Austin as he made his way to the ring.
I won't rant on about my nerdy, obsession with event logistics and production. But the WWE, especially the men and women who never make it on camera, deserve plenty of credit.
- The Pre show four way tag match was a good way to kick off the event. The Usos again were impressive, and you just had to know the official babyface turn of Ceasaro was a prelude of what was to come later on in the night.
- Again, the opening production package was phenomenal. The company really has done a great job over the past few years in connecting the company's generations and presenting the WWE as a time honored tradition.
- What can you say about having Hulk Hogan, The Rock, and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in the ring at once? Wow. That's all. And you have to love Austin's ability to turn Hogan's "Silverdome" flub into a light hearted joke. Again, only the WWE can pull a moment like this off. I'm glad they gave it the time it deserved. And I'm glad it was kept a secret.
Wow. #WrestleMania
— Dome Pondering (@DomePondering) April 6, 2014
- Triple H and Daniel Bryan as the first match really reminded me of Bret Hart/Owen Hart at Wrestlemania X all over again. Big match. Right away. And it eventually became my favorite match of the night. You knew the Bryan win was coming. But let's be honest, you somehow left that 1% chance of something weird (bad) happening.
- I wish The Shield had a more meaningful match on the card. I have no idea why the New Age Outlaws are back. I have yet to understand their appeal. Either way, it is what it was, to get the trio on the card.
- I have to admit, I was a bit worried about the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal because battle royals at times can feel cluttered. Don't get me wrong, this one at times was to, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The Kofi Kingston "feet never touched" bit a little over-the-top in my opinion. I'm not sure if he was supposed to land on the steps, but him laying on his back with his feet sitting on the first step seemed rather cheap. But whatever, no biggie.
There were some other interesting tidbits in this such as Fandango. After all, I was at Wrestlemania 29, and his debut was a huge deal. Now he is just fodder. Rey Mysterio used to be a hot act, and now is also an after thought. Dolph Ziggler, well...if you know me, you know I like Ziggler, but apparently the WWE doesn't. Regardless, I like the idea of the battle royal in honoring Andre, while also getting plenty of names on the card, all while starting a new tradition. However, seeing the names in there were thought provoking.
But nonetheless, it was Cesaro's time. And speaking of "wow" moments, how damn impressive was Cesaro picking up Show and tossing him out?
Again - wow!
Speaking of Show, it was nice to see him breakout the one arm singlet in honor of big Andre.
- If there is one guy I completely respect in pro wrestling, it is John Cena. He's this generation's Hulk Hogan, and his charity work for the Make-A-Wish foundation is unprecedented. Which is why I thought this program with Bray Wyatt about embracing the monster within felt a little empty.
The psychology of the match with Cena not looking to use chairs and other "cheap tactics" seemed a bit cliche. And to be honest, rather confusing. Especially, with the focus on Cena's "legacy" which I never really got. Regardless, I enjoyed this match, and all that it presented. I know Wrestlemania is usually an ending for many feuds, but I'm hoping this one continues.
- I might as well just come out and say it - I agreed with ending the streak last night. I actually thought the story of Undertaker losing tonight was a good one. Over the last few Wrestlemanias we've seen opponents get closer and closer to ending the streak. We've seen 'Taker pull wins out of no where to survive. It only makes sense for him to finally break after bending for so long, especially to a monster in Brock Lesnar.
Now, on the other side of things, I'm pretty sure Undertaker signed off on this. So I'm not sure I am buying the blame placed on WWE booking by some fans. As for the idea of having a younger guy break the streak, I couldn't disagree more. The young talent to break the streak has to be a guy the WWE can 100% trust, or else, it's all for naught. And that's no sure thing. Exhibit A, CM Punk.
In a perfect world, Cena would have been the perfect guy to end the Streak. A Cena/Undertaker main event would have been epic. But let's be honest, if Cena broke the streak, everyone would be complaining.
Brock was the guy. So what?
In my opinion, the streak "jumped the shark" after his "End of an Era" match with Triple H. It was time to end it. Especially, when you look at his obvious poor physical condition. I also think "the streak" began to cheapen the legacy of the Undertaker. He should be remembered for many other reasons and moments other than the Wrestlemania streak.
Last night was the beginning of a tour for which should provide a proper send off for a man who belongs on the WWE Mount Rushmore.
Either way, streak over - wow!
- The Diva's match was just there for me. I'l be honest, it's hard for me to take the Divas seriously.
- I loved the Piper/Orndoff and Hogan/Mr. T backstage segment. Again, only the WWE can pull things like this off.
- And finally, the moment we've all been waiting on. To crown the new face of the WWE as officially the guy. You had to know Bryan would win. After all, could you imagine following the shock of 'Taker losing if this main event were Batista (who wore Jordan's with his ring gear, what the...?!) and Randy Orton.
That was pretty cool. That's the kind of stuff you pull in video games. RKO/Batsita Bomb combo. #WrestleMania
— Dome Pondering (@DomePondering) April 7, 2014
The match was decent. Again, I didn't mind the extra curricular stuff with Triple H and Stephanie. The Batista bomb/RKO combo through the table was epic. The things you and your buddies come up with while playing video games best describes it. A definite wow moment. Actually, more like a holy-you-know-what moment.
Overall, as a whole, I loved the entire Daniel Bryan Story. I'm not sure if it was planned or not, but the emotional ride from Summerslam until now was really worth it.
Gotta give @WWE their due. Whether they called an audible or not, the Daniel Bryan story was a terrific one. #WrestleMania
— Dome Pondering (@DomePondering) April 7, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed Wrestlemania 30. I really, really did. I thought it was a fun night, filled with plenty of "Wrestlemania moments" that left you saying, "wow" all night long. The show had plenty of nostalgia, a bit of today, and of course, highlighted the future to come. From that epic Rock, Austin, Hogan moment, to the streak ending, to finally watching the confetti fly as the Super Dome collectively thew their arms in the air chanting "Yes!", in my opinion, so far, one of the better Wrestlemanias of all-time.