The most prominent night of the year took place in New Orleans as WrestleMania 34 rocked a sold-out crowd at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. It was a 7-hour extravaganza for the ages. Here are all the highlights!
On The Kick-off Show
John Cena attends WrestleMania…as a fan
True to his word, John Cena attended WrestleMania but sat in the arena as a fan. Would he stay in his seat the whole night? We’ll see!
"THIS IS FANTASTIC!"@JohnCena is having a BALL with the @WWEUniverse at #WrestleMania! pic.twitter.com/90tn5CUwvD
— WWE (@WWE) April 8, 2018
Carmella heavily teases a MITB Cash-In
Ms. #MITB @CarmellaWWE has crashed the #WrestleMania Kickoff panel LIVE on @WWENetwork! pic.twitter.com/tFRxjK2g6i
— WWE Network (@WWENetwork) April 8, 2018
Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal
JR, King, and Saxton(?) on Commentary:
https://twitter.com/BulletClubItal/status/983096707239071744
Bray Wyatt returns to help out Broken Matt Hardy:
YES YES YES YES BRAY WYATT IS ALIVE pic.twitter.com/Q5WN3s8FBX
— Pav (@WrestlinGifs) April 8, 2018
A DELIGHTFUL assist from @WWEBrayWyatt makes #WOKEN @MATTHARDYBRAND the 2018 #AndreTheGiant Memorial Battle Royal winner! pic.twitter.com/lFqCzGvBKw
— WWE WrestleMania (@WrestleMania) April 8, 2018
Winner: Matt Hardy last eliminates Baron Corbin with the assist from Bray Wyatt. Rating: ** 1/2
Cruiserweight Title Match: Cedric Alexander vs. Mustafa Ali
Mustafa gets the early win in the SubZero/Iron Man hybrid attire:
https://twitter.com/BulletClubItal/status/983103944766492674
https://twitter.com/WWE205Live/status/983106052882219008
John Cena loved what he saw.
The @WWE #Cruiserweight Championship match between @CedricAlexander & @MustafaAliWWE is blowing @JohnCena's mind.#WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/10zxLMG4nE
— WWE (@WWE) April 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/BulletClubItal/status/983107412767985665
The two share a moment at the end of the match.
https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/983107194852868097
Winner: Cedric Alexander with a lumbar check. Rating: ***
The First Annual WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal
There were plenty of NXT ladies making their debuts! Kairi Sane, Dakota Kai, Peyton Royce, Kavita Devi, Taynara Conti, and Bianca BelAir:
THE FUTURE OF WWE. pic.twitter.com/RNE2C31FPR
— 𝓬𝓪𝓼𝓮𝔂 𝓶𝓲𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓮𝓵 (@ifyouseekcasey) April 8, 2018
Dakota Kai kicks hard.
https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/983113568106184704
It seemed to be down to Sasha and Bayley with Bayley “winning…
LETS GOOOOO BAYLEY pic.twitter.com/MwuITBVhOr
— Pav (@WrestlinGifs) April 8, 2018
But she forgot the GLOW:
FEELIN' THAT GLOW! @NaomiWWE shocks @itsBayleyWWE to WIN the first-ever #WrestleMania Women's #BattleRoyal! pic.twitter.com/genD3igJki
— WWE (@WWE) April 8, 2018
Winner: Naomi by eliminating Bayley. Rating: **
Now Onto The Main Card!
HERE WE GOOOOOO
THE GRANDEST STAGE OF THEM ALL
WRESTLEMANIA pic.twitter.com/1VVmJvie1d
— Pav (@WrestlinGifs) April 8, 2018
Intercontinental Title Match: Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor vs. The Miz (c)
Seth Rollins channels the Night King!
SETH "NIGHT KING" ROLLINS! pic.twitter.com/4cVZggniSm
— OSW review (@OSWreview) April 8, 2018
This match was a high back and forth. Miz hung with two of the world’s best in-ring talents.
https://twitter.com/BulletClubItal/status/983124444175577088
But this was the craziest moment:
https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/983124786627915776
Winner: Seth Rollins via Curb Stomp to The Miz. Rating: **** 1/3
Smackdown Women’s Title: Asuka vs. Charlotte
Charlotte’s entrance harkened back to her first WrestleMania when she was part of Triple H’s entrance:
From being in Triple H entrance 4 years later @MsCharlotteWWE gets her own entrance that is very similar at the same arena. Such a fantastic entrance so happy for Charlotte. pic.twitter.com/41RKwjCgWD
— Josh (@joshua7520) April 8, 2018
The two put on a CLINIC!
This is why they call it HIGH-RISK!#WrestleMania @WWEAsuka pic.twitter.com/oAiuuInsyV
— WWE WrestleMania (@WrestleMania) April 8, 2018
AND THE STREAK ENDED!!!
"CHARLOTTE WAS READY FOR ASUKA!" – @WWEAsuka congratulates @MsCharlotteWWE after TAPPING OUT to the #Figure8 at #WrestleMania! pic.twitter.com/0o5ybxs1t2
— WWE (@WWE) April 8, 2018
Winner: Charlotte via Figure 8. Rating: ****
US Title: Roode vs. Rusev vs. Mahal vs. Orton
What a match, and it happened on Rusev Day too!
And Rusev LOST on Rusev Day…
https://twitter.com/BulletClubItal/status/983137404709212161
Winner: Jinder Mahal pins Rusev with a Kallus. Rating: ***
Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle vs. Triple H and Stephanie McMahon
Arguably the biggest match on the card from a mainstream media standpoint. UFC legend Ronda Rousey’s first ever wrestling match. Triple H and Stephanie are the ultimate villains, and their entrance was COUPLES GOALS!
https://twitter.com/BulletClubItal/status/983139821567737856
Ronda Rousey BEAMED and looked BADASS in her entrance:
https://twitter.com/BulletClubItal/status/983140849876918272
Trips and Stephanie started the funny business early!
https://twitter.com/BulletClubItal/status/983141404196130816
But Kurt wasn’t going to stand for it!
https://twitter.com/BulletClubItal/status/983141538392920064
The entire match was incredible.
https://twitter.com/BulletClubItal/status/983146616424148993
Winner: Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle via armbar on Stephanie McMahon. Rating: **** 3/4
Smackdown Tag Title: Usos vs. Bludgeon Brothers vs. New Day
A quick and brutal match:
https://twitter.com/BulletClubItal/status/983150432385208320
Winners: Bludgeon Brothers! Rating: **3/4
John Cena vs. Undertaker
John Cena came out, but was told the Undertaker wasn’t coming out. As he was about to leave, he was interrupted by the lights turning off. But it turned out to be another long-haired traveler. WrestleMania walked with Elias:
"Were you expecting somebody else?…That somebody else doesn't have the unimaginable athletic talent that I possess!" – @IAmEliasWWE #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/J2K4dIUEiT
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 9, 2018
So Cena just beat up the Drifter and walked dejectedly to the backstage area. Walking up the ramp, his music suddenly stopped. Cena paused, unsure of what was going on. Then a dark realization came over his face. The lights dropped once again. And Taker’s folded hat and jacket from last year’s WrestleMania match appeared in the ring.
Lightning struck, and the hat and coat were gone! It was at that moment that Cena knew he screwed up.
https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/983153742206963712
The gong rang out…
HE'S HERE.#WrestleMania #Undertaker pic.twitter.com/Ry29DBr4Pa
— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2018
The match was a total squash! Undertaker hit all of his signature moves and pinned Cena like it was nothing. The weirdest match I’ve ever seen.
Winner: Undertaker via Tombstone Piledriver. Rating: **
WWE Hall of Fame Inductees
Would it be #WrestleMania 34 without a @Goldberg entrance? #WWEHOF pic.twitter.com/bTin6OP8gI
— WWE WrestleMania (@WrestleMania) April 9, 2018
Yes, Goldberg did his entrance!
Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon vs. Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens
The return of Daniel Bryan was deafening!
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES#WrestleMania @WWEDanielBryan pic.twitter.com/N5FfpPeEDA
— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2018
Daniel Bryan was taken out rather quickly.
Well, that return was short-lived ☹️#Wrestlemania pic.twitter.com/aFwOrYHjrY
— WrestleNewz.com (@wrestlenewz) April 9, 2018
https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/983163122411298816
Shane fought back!
Shane McMahon hit a coast to coast but got almost no reaction since the crowd was waiting for Daniel Bryan. #WWE #Wrestlemaniahttps://t.co/8Byh9ytk8fhttps://t.co/fyp3aIb5kk
— NoDQ.com: WWE and AEW news (@nodqdotcom) April 9, 2018
Daniel Bryan returned!
https://twitter.com/BulletClubItal/status/983164443407331329
And he is ALL THE WAY BACK!
https://twitter.com/BulletClubItal/status/983164596319145984
The Yes Kicks!
Are @SamiZayn's lights OUT?
YEP! #WrestleMania @WWEDanielBryan pic.twitter.com/W4NvJ0UoQr
— WWE WrestleMania (@WrestleMania) April 9, 2018
The knee:
— Pav (@WrestlinGifs) April 9, 2018
And finally the YES LOCK!
https://twitter.com/BulletClubItal/status/983165969475481603
https://twitter.com/BulletClubItal/status/983166262279798784
Winner: Bryan and McMahon via Yes Lock! Rating: ***
Raw Women’s Title: Alexa Bliss vs. Nia Jax
The nastiest and most inclusive feud in years. WWE took a hot cultural topic and made it tasteful. Nia Jax is on the way to being a star. WWE has done body-shaming before with awkward results, WWE finally got it right. Did the pay-off match the feud?
Nia rag-dolled Mickie James.
https://twitter.com/BulletClubItal/status/983169300251992064
Then took it to Alexa.
https://twitter.com/BulletClubItal/status/983169721985007617
But tricky Alexa got the advantage:
https://twitter.com/BulletClubItal/status/983170180770562049
SMACK!
They could hear this one all the way in ALABAMA.#WrestleMania @NiaJaxWWE pic.twitter.com/cOw6igFfnC
— WWE WrestleMania (@WrestleMania) April 9, 2018
Eventually, Nia finished Alexa a super Samoan Drop:
https://twitter.com/BulletClubItal/status/983171850057535488
Winner: Nia Jax via Super Samoan Drop. Rating: *** 1/3
WWE Title: AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
The dream match. Three years in the making. Two of the best to ever do it. The Artist and the Phenomenal One. The “dream match” finally comes true.
Nakamura’s entrance was METAL!
https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/983174428321370113
The match moved along at a slow, but stable pace.
https://twitter.com/BulletClubItal/status/983175948035031040
https://twitter.com/BulletClubItal/status/983176767820181504
https://twitter.com/BulletClubItal/status/983177036935069697
Speaking of DREAM MATCH, @AJStylesOrg is pulling out moves you've only ever seen IN your dreams… #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/qouCwEDQle
— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2018
The match built around joint manipulation and pain:
Not quite KNEE TO FACE, but still pretty darn effective!#WrestleMania @ShinsukeN pic.twitter.com/g9haXuoLt4
— WWE WrestleMania (@WrestleMania) April 9, 2018
Styles beat Nak… wow pic.twitter.com/CwuvR8KguT
— Pav (@WrestlinGifs) April 9, 2018
Winner: AJ Styles with the Styles Clash. Rating: ***2/3
But then…
WHY, @ShinsukeN, WHY?! #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/D0TVqqfEzt
— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2018
Raw Tag Team Title: The Bar vs. Braun Strowman and ?
Who will be Braun’s partner? Will he win it single-handedly? Regardless, The Bar has the most random entrance of the night.
https://twitter.com/BulletClubItal/status/983182522736676864
Braun then destroyed the float.
YES BRAUN pic.twitter.com/rkW7x0UA79
— WRESTLING? (@wresnocontext) April 9, 2018
He then announced his partner was “someone in the crowd.”
.@BraunStrowman's #WrestleMania tag team partner is…ONE OF US?! pic.twitter.com/H3CwkMndBR
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 9, 2018
He picked out a kid named Nicholas and guess what? They won! Nicholas and Braun Strowman are the new Raw Tag Team Champions! Rating: **
https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/983186027010576385
Universal Title Match: Lesnar vs. Reigns
This is it. Brock Lesnar’s final (probably) WWE match. Will Roman finally become the guy? Let’s see.
https://twitter.com/BulletClubItal/status/983189651417632768
https://twitter.com/BulletClubItal/status/983190099776229376
Reigns kept kicking out of F5s:
https://twitter.com/BulletClubItal/status/983192234936995840
And the crowd was playing with beach balls.
At least four beach balls in the crowd, nobody is paying attention to this match #WrestleMania
— Bryan Alvarez (@bryanalvarez) April 9, 2018
Then it got worse…
https://twitter.com/TheFrayMovement/status/983192931094933504
The fans all thought they knew what was happening. But then…
#TheBeast @BrockLesnar has done it AGAIN. #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/7MD8X4DnAm
— WWE WrestleMania (@WrestleMania) April 9, 2018
Yeah. Brock Lensar is still the Universal Champion. I am as shocked as you are. No one tell Sandra, I don’t think she’ll be able to take it.
Rating: For the wrestlers: ***. For the fans: MINUS 5 stars.
Here’s how people reacted to it on Twitter:
Let’s be honest: None of us thought Brock Lesnar was retaining.
— Computerized Man of the 2020s (@wrestletony) April 9, 2018
https://twitter.com/LarryDallasNY/status/983193507044184064
https://twitter.com/concrete1992/status/983193504867340288
I um..didn’t expect that.
— The RAW Librarian (@TheRawLibrarian) April 9, 2018
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
— Matt C. Shoot (@ConfirmedShoot) April 9, 2018
Overall thoughts:
I liked the show. Highlights were the IC match, Charlotte and Asuka, Ronda Rousey, and Nakamura going bad. Lowlights were Lesnar winning and the fans getting tired. See y’all back here for Raw and SmackDown!