Friday, June 5, 2020

WrestleMania XXXVI

WrestleMania 36 - Wikipedia
WWE WrestleMania XXXVI
Orlando, FL - April 2020

CHAMPIONSHIP RUNDOWN: Coming into this historic WrestleMania, the WWE Universal Champion was Bill Goldberg, the WWE Champion was Brock Lesnar, the Intercontinental Champion was Sami Zayn, and the United States Champion was Andrade. The RAW Tag Team Champions were The Street Profits, the SmackDown Tag Team Champions were The Miz and John Morrison, and the Women's Tag Team Champions were The Kabuki Warriors. Finally, Becky Lynch held the RAW Women's Championship, Bayley held the SmackDown Women's Championship, and Rhea Rhipley was the NXT Women's Champion (the only NXT title defended on the show). Oh, R-Truth was the 24/7 Champion too. Phew.


WrestleMania XXXVI began with a video message from Stephanie McMahon and then a mix of all the different performances of "America The Beautiful" over the years. This was followed by a lengthy, lengthy Pirates of the Caribbean-inspired hype video. I didn't mind the former, but the latter was just way too long.

Rob Gronkowski began the show with the most cliche-ridden hype speech ever. I saw no "star power" in Gronk at all. 

Nikki Cross and Alexa Bliss then made their way down the aisle in the empty Perfomance Center to challenge Asuka and Kairi Sane, The Kabuki Warriors, for the Women's Tag Team Championship. As big a fan I am of all four of these wrestlers, it baffles me why the WWE was so driven to put on two 4+ hour shows in such an awkward setting. Anyway, this match had the benefit of featuring Asuka and Cross, two larger-than-life performers whose maniacal screams are so ingrained in their gimmicks that it didn't seem weird to hear them doing it in an empty gym. On the negative side, whenever they weren't screaming, the dead air was jarring and a stark reminder of the unfortunate times. In terms of the action, there were some great spots, unsurprising considering the talent level, experience, and chemistry between the teams, but in this context, having a "tight" match that delivered all those awesome moments in 9-10 minutes rather than stretching things would've made for a more enjoyable match. The finish felt a bit flat after Asuka and Sane's Doomsday Device on Cross, which felt like it should've been how things wrapped up. (3/5)

Sami Zayn cut a promo backstage with Nakamura and Cesaro. The WWE made quite a few statements about how important the safety of their roster was but, between Gronk and Mojo Rawley hosting the show together and Zayn having Nak and Cesaro at his hip, it didn't seem like they were taking any of the social distancing protocol seriously. 

Baron Corbin made his way to the ring next. Why in God's name is he even on this show? Corbin played to the invisible audience, which was stupid and further exposes how much Corbin comes off as a guy "playing" wrestler rather than a real three-dimensional wrestler/character. Before Elias arrived, Corbin cued up the laughably poorly-edited video of Corbin sending Elias off a balcony onto a concrete floor. (Elias wouldn't sell any damage from this whatsoever, mind you.) Corbin, expecting a countout victory, was shocked to see Elias arrive, guitar in hand. Elias bashed the guitar over Corbin's back before the bell began. Once they got in the ring, the bell rang and we got a match that, even with a stadium full of onlookers, would've felt needless and like filler. Elias got the win with a hand full of Corbin's tights. Like the opener but moreso, this one should've been shaved down in post. (1/5)

Becky Lynch defended the RAW Women's Championship against Shayna Baszler next. The build to this match featured Baszler biting the neck of Lynch like a vampire, but that level of graphic ultra-violence was not revisited at all in what was actually a fairly straight-forward, competitive championship match. That's not to say it wasn't physical or special; Lynch and Baszler obviously wanted this to feel like a title fight and there were some sharp sequences built around submissions and clever counters and jaw-rattling knees. Things just didn't really get too hardcore - aside from Baszler swinging Becky's head into the announce table at one point (that Lynch almost immediately no-sold once they got back in the ring leading to an underwhelming flash pin finish). If this ending, which seemed to come for Lynch too easy, was the design of the match from the start, one has to wonder why Baszler was built so strongly in the build. On what grounds could she even demand a rematch? These two had good chemistry and I loved the intensity they brought to every sequence, but this all just seemed disconnected. The build-up was over-the-top and bloody, the "meat" of the match was no-frills competitive wrestling, and the finish was an out-of-nowhere, anti-climactic pin -  three pieces that don't feel like they came from the same cloth to me. A disappointment partially because I was expected (and felt like they nearly accomplished) something better with a finish that would give us more intriguing storyline implications. (3/5)

Daniel Bryan vs. Sami Zayn for Zayn's Intercontinental Championship was next. Bryan was accompanied by Drew Gulak and Zayn had his Artist Collective with him. At first, their presence was a huge plus as it made this match seem a bit like a sparring match that might happen at the end of wrestling practice, when most everyone has left for home except two rivals and their buddies. Unfortunately, for some reason, they had Gulak jump Nakamura and Cesaro, "taking them out" in an unbelievable way. Aside from that, I really enjoyed this. Zayn's pleading for mercy early on was great and Bryan didn't hold anything back with his offense. It really is incredible how little he has toned down his style since returning from retirement. As Cesaro and Nakamura continued to play dead off-camera, Bryan leveled Zayn with a series of forearms and then some huge slaps to the face. This is how you run an empty arena match - you make it like the scene from They Live and break up spirited, tight action with meaningful dialogue and character-appropriate schtick. After Zayn laid some chest chops of his own into Bryan, Bryan rallied, connecting with some devastating Yes Kicks and then some nasty head stomps. As Gulak started a Yes chant (for no one), Nakamura and Cesaro jumped him only to get taken out again. As Bryan came back into the ring, Zayn caught him with the Helluva Kick for a bit of an upset victory. I wish they wouldn't have had Nak and Cesaro play dead for so long as they could've done this exact same finish without having them "taken out" at the start of the match. This would've allowed them to provide even more "commentary" from the outside, which would've given this match even more flavor. That criticism aside, this was really, really good and almost a "must see." (3.5/5)

Next up: Kofi Kingston vs. John Morrison vs. Jimmy Uso in a triangle ladder match for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships. Yes, a "singles" match for the tag team championship due to The Miz getting sick (though this was never explained by the commentators). Yes, a dangerous ladder match for absolutely no one with wrestlers trying to "pop" an invisible crowd watching from home and risking injury during a global pandemic. Kingston, Morrison, and Uso went big throughout the match, showing off their athleticism and even if I came into this match with a sour taste in my mouth, I'd be lying if I said wasn't entertained. Morrison hit a Starship Pain on Uso on a ladder from scaringly close range at one point. Minutes later, Kofi hit a springboard flying headscissors on Morrison as he attempted to grab the belts. We also got Uso eating a ton of ladders at a high velocity. In front of a live crowd, this match might've been one of the better 3-way ladder matches ever as the pace was just right with just enough innovation. However, a glaringly poor edit substantially hurt it. Towards the end of the bout, Morrison dumped Uso off a ladder onto the arena floor where, I'm guessing, a crash pad was waiting for him (as Uso actually hitting the concrete wasn't shown). What should've been a match-ender for him was then basically no sold as he had to make it back into the ring for the "finish" (which saw all three men struggling to grab the titles). With the titles unhooked, Uso and Kofi hit Morrison with a headbutt, knocking him back-first onto a ladder (a devastating bump), while still holding both titles in his hands! It was a remarkable closing image, but why did Uso take that phony mega-bump if it wasn't going to be sold? Parts of this were really good, but the last few minutes prevented it from being great. (3/5)

"The Monday Night Messiah" Seth Rollins did battle with Kevin Owens next. I think I was actually looking forward to Corbin/Elias more than this. I must admit, I totally dug Seth Rollins coming out looking like a Yogi, really leaning into the messianic aspect of his new character. I also must admit that I enjoyed this match more than I thought I would - Owens and Rollins really laid into eachother and Rollins' offense on the ring apron sounded and looked absolutely vicious. Even Rollins repeated dives, a sequence I usually loathe, worked better in a context where it didn't come off as an attempt to pop the crowd and was broken up by Rollins' trash-talking. The match still felt like a dress rehearsal at times, but there's no denying the effort these two put in to not only deliver every signature move in their respective arsenal but make them count, including the would-be final strike - a bell straight to the skull from Rollins to KO. Rollins' decision to take the DQ loss was surprising, but I would've accepted it after what they had done (plus, its kinda nice to see Rollins actually acting like a chickenshit heel). Instead, though, Owens begged him to come back in the ring and restart the match under No DQ rules. The referee took this as perfectly acceptable because why not and Rollins immediately took over the match, nailing Owens with a knee to the face and then, later, walloping him with a chair. Owens taking such a beating for absolutely no one was wince-inducing, but he at least got some revenge by grabbing the ring bell and bashing Seth in the head with it. Owens then went to the top of the WrestleMania sign and hit Rollins with an insane elbow drop from it! Wow. Credit to them too because that looked great and, unless it was digitally removed, unaided by any sort of crash pad. Rollins and Owens' groaning and moaning also felt real as they beat the crap out of each other from beginning to end. (3.5/5)

I was browsing the WWE Shop so I missed R-Truth dropping the 24/7 Championship to Mojo Rawley. Not gonna bother rating it as a match because it wasn't one. This was followed by Paul Heyman cutting a promo backstage.

Goldberg defended the WWE Universal Championship against Braun Strowman in the next match. This was supposed to be Roman Reigns' big WrestleMania moment but, due to Reigns' medical vulnerability, he was pulled from the match and not mentioned a single time on commentary. Goldberg and Strowman's pre-match roars got a chuckle out of me. Goldberg hit 3 huge - and surprisingly decent - spears, but only got a 2 count. He followed it with a 4th one and then attempted a Jackhammer, but Strowman turned it into a powerslam and then hit him with 3 more before getting the pin. In front of a live crowd this might've worked as a slow-moving "sprint," but in an empty gym, it was absolute shit and exposed the "fakeness" of pro-wrestling to an appalling level. I'm going to give it a point just for Goldberg's spears, which actually looked good. (1/5)

The main event of Night 1 was AJ Styles vs. The Undertaker in an on-location Boneyard Match. Styles came out in a casket, a great entrance. Undertaker then showed up on his motorcycle to an overdubbed soundtrack byy Metallica. From here, this match was just incredible - shot like a bad movie and featuring the dialogue of one too. Undertaker's trash talking was ridiculous, as was his Leather Daddy look. After getting beat down for awhile, Styles eventually got the upper hand thanks to a low blow and tried to put Taker into a grave as the Deadman made weird faces to sell that he was "dazed." Styles ended up in the hole, but before the Undertaker could actually bury him, the rest of the OC showed up to the sound a blues guitar. And the OC wasn't alone either as they had seemingly hired the Undertaker's own druids right out from under him! The Undertaker then said, "If you wanna do this, let's do this" and proceeded to beat down each druid with one punch before Anderson and Gallows double-teamed him. The druids then disappeared. Even the former RAW Tag Team Championships were no match for Leathertaker. As Undertaker looked to finish off Gallows with a stick, Styles came out of nowhere and shattered some sort of ceramic thing (a headstone?) across Undertaker's upper back. It was awesome (as was AJ Styles shouting, "You made me break my finger!" after punching the Undertaker too hard). Styles pleaded for the Undertaker to give up and retire before charging him through a fence. The Undertaker's groans after were amazing. After calling him a bitch, Styles grabbed a shovel and broke it across the Undertaker's back before sending him into the grave. At this point, Styles looked like he had the match won and tried to use a tractor to cover Taker's body. Of course, the Undertaker appeared right behind him in a huge beam of light and kicked his ass. It was insane. Styles tried to get away by climbing up onto a nearby roof, but the Undertaker followed him up. As Styles tried to get away, Undertaker raised his arms and huge flames shot up behind him! Holy shit! Gallows and Anderson climbed up too but got dealt with too, Anderson even eating a Tombstone on the roof. Styles tried to punch his way out, but Undertaker no sold him and then sent him off the roof with a chokeslam! At this point, logic would dictate the match was over...but the Undertaker had different plans, trash-talking and choking AJ as the Phenomenal One groveled and apologized. The Undertaker then made like he wasn't going to bury him but did anyway, the match "ending" with the visual of the Undertaker using a tractor (?) to unload dirt on AJ Styles' lifeless body. It was then also revealed that the grave of AJ Styles was already marked with his name! And he still had a hand up coming out of the dirt because why the fuck not! The Undertaker left on his motorcycle but not before causing more explosions, making the Undertaker logo appear, and Metallica playing him out! That was as good as anything I've seen in years. (5/5)

Rob Gronkowski welcomed back the audience for night 2, setting up the audience for Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Rhipley for Rhipley's NXT Women's Championship. Rhipley usually sports black and red but for whatever reason was rocking white and blue for this. Flair is one of the more vocal wrestlers on the roster, so it wasn't surprising to hear her talking trash within the first minute. Rhipley hit a Riptide early, but only got 2, forcing Flair to retreat. Rhipley then talked some trash of her own, calling Flair "princess" and begging her to get back in the ring. Like the Lynch/Baszler match, this one was highly physical and ultra competitive, though maybe not quite as stiff. Though the strikes didn't land as hard, it was nice to see someone actually work a limb, Flair targetting Rhipley's knee to set her up for the Figure 8. Rhipley sold the knee damage after her hope spots, shrieking in agony after each sequence. The match turned once Flair attempted to go the top rope, giving Rhipley enough time sneak back in the ring and hit her with an Electric Chair for 2. Flair tried to regain control and re-focus on Rhipley's knee but the NXT challenger had her scouted and nearly got the victory with a big dropkick from the top rope. Flair hit a nasty chopblock minutes later, putting her back in the driving seat. Flair attempted to apply a leg submission, but Rhipley managed to turn it into a Standing Cloverleaf. Flair escaped, though, ad the match continued, both women now fully out of breath and energy. This is also the point when the work became a bit sloppy and, at times, telegraphed, every counter just looking a touch too "cooperative." To the top rope they went, Rhipley attempting a superplex but ending up getting sent to the mat instead. Flair tried a moonsault but Rhipley dodged - only to get speared to the mat moments later for 2. Rhipley attempted an inside cradle but, again, only got 2. Flair then locked in the Figure 4, her signatute finisher, and, despite Rhipley's best effort, it was just too much for her, the Queen of the WWE winning the NXT Championship for, I believe, the 3rd time. This one went a touch too long for me and started much stronger than it finished, but it was still solid. (3/5)

Aleister Black took on Bobby Lashley next. Like Corbin/Elias, I'm not sure this match was needed on the show, but unlike Corbin/Elias, it was actually decent. Black still has some aura left from his NXT run and he has proven to be one of the more consistent good (if not great) workers on the roster, a guy that has surprisingly natural chemistry with just about everyone. While there are dozens of guys on the roster who like to dish out speedy MMA and Muay Thai-inspired strikes, Black's size, intensity, and Black Metal-inspired look make him stand out. Lashley eventually ate the pin after deciding to take Lana's poor advice to try to use the spear to take out Black. Not terrible, but far from essential viewing. The Lana/Lashley pairing makes little sense without Rusev involved. (2.5/5)

Backstage, Bayley, with Sasha Banks at her side, discussed the 5-way elimination match for the SmackDown Women's Championship. The big question was whether or not Banks would actually target her best friend to get the title. 

After a video package recapping their feud, it was time for Dolph Ziggler vs. Otis of the tag team Heavy Machinery. Ziggler was accompanied by Sonya Deville, the evil wench that worked with Ziggler to keep Otis and Mandy Rose from being together. Ziggler controlled early, dishing out some superkicks and dropkicks. Based on the crowd response to Otis at Elimination Chamber, this match would've likely gotten a huge reaction in front of a live crowd, especially as this match was wisely built with a structure that allowed Otis to really rev up and get his revenge after spending the first several minutes fighting from underneath. Otis eventually hit a version of the Compactor and then attempted his Caterpillar (which I hate), but got distracted by Deville and struck square in the nards by Ziggler. As Dolph went for the cover, Mandy Rose's music hit and she made her way down the aisle to slap the taste out of Deville's mouth and uppercut Ziggler in the groin. Without the live audience and a longer ramp, Mandy and Otis' post-match celebration and kiss just didn't feel like a "moment." A match like this is why I understand Dave Meltzer's decision not to rate any of this show as it does seem a bit unfair to "rate" a match like this one - which was practically guaranteed to get a huge live reaction - on only what happened between the bells. (2.5/5)

One of the most highly anticipated matches of the weekend was next - Edge vs. Randy Orton in a Last Man Standing Match. The match began suddenly with Orton sneak-attacking Edge and hitting him with an RKO after dressing like a camera man. Edge got to his feet and the ref rang the bell, Orton maintaining control early by hitting Edge with a second RKO! Edge's selling was over dramatic but it worked for me, the Rated R Superstar clearly out of practice and forced to simply try to survive after eating two RKOs. To the back they went, where Orton continued his assault, eventually tying Edge up in some sort of weird workout equipment harness I've never seen at the Y. As Orton went searching for a huge weight to use on Edge, Edge took the opportunity to kick it into Orton's chest, getting his first bit of offense in. Oddly, despite the novel setting, Edge didn't really find any interesting ways to hurt the man that nearly crippled him and RKO'd his wife and the mother of his children. Instead of using weapons, Edge simply lept or swung himself off of stuff and into Orton, maybe the weakest possible way to utilize gym equipment to kick someone's ass. It was also odd that, considering how many other matches on the show relied heavily on trash talk, this was relatively quiet, with Orton and Edge only making a few comments here or there despite this also being the match that one would've expected to have the most dialogue. Edge and Orton eventually made their way back towards the ring area but only passed through to get to the main office area - the match essentially becoming a tour of the whole facility. Again, what struck me most was just how uncreative this was despite the fact that there was all sorts of interesting would-be weapons they could've used - from multiple rolling chairs to TV screens to copy machines and fire extinguishers. Hell, there were ladders in practically every room and they were barely touched until they got to what could only be described as the "ladder storage area" and they couldn't not touch ladders. Unfortunately, for a match sold on being the weekend's most violence and personal clash, this paled in comparison to the levels that Edge and Orton once reached and, honestly, was not even as gruesome as the Triple H/Batista spectacle from last year or the Orton/Hardy Hell in a Cell match from a couple years back. Unlike those matches, with their stomach-turning body mutilation sequences, this one was happy to stay, at least for the most part, in the realm of PG - no punts, no Pillmanizings or much blood (Orton did end up cut on his back but it could've used someone wearing a crimson mask). The match ramped up when Edge and Orton made their way to the top of a massive truck. Edge hit Orton with a Spear, but it didn't look good at all (and I'm usually not one to nitpick Edge's spears). When he attempted another one, Orton hit him with an RKO. Orton retreated back down and grabbed a pair of chairs, bringing them back up with him. At this point, Orton set Edge up for a Con-Chair-To, but before he could deliver it, Edge caught him with an MMA-inspired choke and brought him down. With Orton seemingly unconscious and lying prone (with his head on a chair), it was now Edge's turn to deliver a Con-Chair-To, though he did not do so enthusiastically, really selling the moment as an unfortunate, regrettable choice he needed to make. I get that Edge is a changed man and everything, but it just felt overdramatic. At close to 40 minutes, I do not see myself ever watching this again, nor did I think it lived up to what it should've. An uncreative slog of a match. (0.5/5)

The next match...I just feel awful about it. The Street Profits defended the WWE RAW Tag Team Championships against the duo of Angel Garza and Austin Theory, who, based on Cagematch data, had never teamed together as a pair. Yup, that sounds like a team worthy of a title shot. So, considering that the Profits are barely over, Angel Garza and Theory shouldn't be challenging for the titles, and there is zero crowd, this match was dead before the bell rang, a completely meaningless filler match that was initially designed to "bring the crowd down" or serve as a bathroom break but, in the age of the WWE Network, doesn't even meet that need. Montez Ford and Zelina Vega tried to add some energy with their trash talk and shenanigans, but it didn't matter. At one point, Montez Ford yellowed out "This is WrestleMania!" as if saying it would somehow make this show feel like a WrestleMania. Even in a packed stadium this match wouldn't have felt Mania-worthy. The best thing that could be said about this match was that they kept it relatively short and that Bianca Belair showed up to beat down Vega. (0.5/5)

The SmackDown Women's Championship was on the line the next match - Bayley defending the gold against Sasha Banks, Tamina, Lacey Evans, and Naomi in a No DQ Elimination match. This match had its ups-and-downs, as could be expected when you throw in so many workers with such varying skill levels in one match. There was a brief Team B.A.D reunion that was played like a big deal on commentary but didn't "pop" me because that whole stables feud was so forgettable (in fact, I wouldn't have even known why these three had stopped fighting without Michael Cole playing history teacher). Tamina got eliminated first after taking splashes from everyone. Bayley then went to work on Naomi, at one point stomping her in the corner after calling a her a "little dance machine." Sasha joined in but her trash talk was even lamer. Naomi rallied, taking out both of the former Women's Tag Champs and nearly submitting Sasha. Bayley made the save, though, and Banks locked in the Banks Statement to force her to tap. Banks and Bayley taunted Lacey by bringing up the fact that she's a mom and then double-teamed her the second she climbed into the ring. They hit her with a double powerbomb but only got 2. Banks locked her up in the corner and Bayley attempted a running knee, but Evans moved and Bayley knocked Banks head-first into the post instead! Bayley (now bleeding from her nose) and Lacey went back-and-forth until Sasha came back in and we got the absolute worst acting/drama in recent memory. As they were "arguing," Lacey looked to attack Sasha from behind but Bayley moved out of the way and Lacey ended up rocking Banks with a Women's Right. As bad as Bayley and Sasha's melodrama was, the execution of the finish was spot-on. Bayley took control for a little while but Lacey Evans rallied and hit a series of big offensive maneuvers. Bayley put some distance between the two and was able to turn the tides by running Lacey shoulder-first into the post for 2. Bayley continued working on Evans' shoulder, eventually dragging her into the corner and tying her right arm to the top turnbuckle using the tag rope. I'm not sure I've seen that before. Despite having Evans locked up, Bayley could not capitalize - instead she walked right into a Big Boot that allowed Evans to untie herself. Evans stayed on offense, rocking Bayley with some offense in the corner and then eventually hitting her springboard moonsault off the top rope for 2! Evans' offense looked clunky at times here, but when it hit, it really hit. Banks came in, hit Evans with a Backstabber, and Bayley retained. This match wasn't great, but it had some interesting twists in it that kept me engaged. (3/5)

Here we go, the second of two "on-location" matches - John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt in a Firefly Funhouse match. What can be said about this "match"? It was a bizarre John Cena acid trip through wrestling history that was so weird and strange that it was unlike anything ever presented in the history of pro-wrestling. It was as incredible as the Boneyard Match from Night 1, but completely different. Another masterpiece that, in a way, was even more impressive because of how bizarre and non-linear it was. (5/5)

Main event time - Drew McIntyre challenging Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship in a, "no frills," straight-up wrestling match. I'm not sure why the WWE decided to put a wrestling match in an empty gym following the insanity of Cena/Wyatt, but well, they did. McIntyre hit a Claymore early, but Lesnar kicked out. McIntyre went for another but Lesnar dodged and turned it into a german suplex. Lesnar followed it up with another one. Lesnar hit a third, impressively taking his taller (maybe even heavier) opponent off his feet. Lesnar then delivered an F-5 but only got a 1! Well, they've had other people kick out of F-5, but I'm not sure I've seen anyone kickout at 1. Lesnar hit a second F-5 but McIntyre kicked out again. McIntyre then got hit by a 3rd F-5 only to kick out again! I'm getting flashbacks to the awful WrestleMania XXXIV match between Reigns and Lesnar where Lesnar hit Reigns with so many bombs that the fact he was kicking out became incredibly stupid. McIntyre managed to rally, hitting Lesnar with a series of Claymore Kicks to win the title in under 5 minutes. Of the three shittiest matches on the show, this one took the shit cake. Goldberg/Strowman was awful, but Goldberg's spears looked okay and I understand the bind they were in (though it does make me wonder if Reigns was set to win the title the same way). Orton/Edge was a huge disappointment, but the first 3-4 minutes were better than the entirety of this. This match featured no moment or component that was interesting or special. Orton/Edge was uncreative, but I wouldn't call it "lazy." Goldberg/Strowman was lazy and uncreative, but considering the talent level, it was about as shitty as I expected. This match had potential to be great but they just didn't bother. In that sense, it seems like a bigger insult to the audience. Utterly without merit. (0/5)



WrestleMania XXXVI will always be remembered as (hopefully) the only WrestleMania held in an empty gym, but it wasn't really all that different from some of the more recent Manias. It had some good (even two absolute "must see" matches that will undoubtedly make my Year-End Top 10), some bad (the two title matches and Edge/Orton match will be hard to beat for Worst Match of the Year honors), and some completely unnecessary filler (the RAW Tag Team Championship match and Elias/Corbin). On previous shows, this could be explained as a way to "cool" the crowd, stretch the show to ensure fans have plenty of time to buy merch and concessions, and make WrestleMania more of a spectacle (at least in the eyes of Vince McMahon). This year, instead of outright trimming the fat, they spread the superlative segments and matches across two nights - a move that I wouldn't be surprised they repeat in the future (as Triple H himself noted in interviews after the event). With the show running well over 5 hours, the best rating it could ever get - Kwang Score (it earned a right-down-the-middle 2.5-out-of-5) be damned - is...


FINAL RATING - Watch It...With Remote in Hand

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