PWP’s Stephen Ajamie ends the complete series on the grandest stage, as he covers and dicsusses WrestleMania 30.
Once again, back and ready to talk up another WrestleMania that I had the privilege of attending. My first one was way back in 1992, and I got to get to New Orleans for what I believe is one of the better Wrestlemania events in years.
This time around, I was able to actually remember the majority of it as well, and what I was experiencing. Being there live is still very surreal, so I had to end up watching it in the car on the drive home. I’ve rewatched it a few more times since then, and can feel the same feelings I had while sitting there.
First things first, let’s talk about the Undertaker and Brock Lesnar since that was a huge moment that I had no idea would be happening. Who knew that the streak would end, especially to Brock Lesnar, who had only been around here and there? Being there, I had no idea that it was actually over until the big screen showed 21-1. I thought I had heard that final count of three, but maybe, didn’t want to hear it. There were people who definitely didn’t want to hear it as they left, and didn’t come back.
Fun fact for this would have been that I could have been witness to the beginning of the streak if Taker had started at Mania 8 instead of 7. So even better fact, I would have seen the beginning and the end of the streak. Not many could have said that. But alas, it’s all moot.
The match itself was what I expected. It didn’t help that Taker got hurt whenever he did, but I knew going in that it wouldn’t be this wrestling classic. Taker got a nice send off that felt like the end, but as we see, he’ll be facing Bray Wyatt this Sunday at Mania 31, and probably ends up doing next year’s as well.
Another moment to talk about is Cesaro winning that Andre the Giant Battle Royal. If there was a guy that was way over, it was Cesaro. That image of him hoisting Big Show is one that should be a Mania memory for years to come.
John Cena and Bray Wyatt had a better than I expected match. Bray Wyatt getting the live band was cool to see, and they sounded quite well for being live.
Was there anything else important to talk up? Nope, I think I hit everything.
Wait…there was some guy named Daniel Bryan that went through Triple H, Randy Orton, and Batista to earn his Wrestlemania moment. Beating Triple H might have been a big enough moment.
I’ve actually compared that match to the Indianapolis Colts beating the New England Patriots on their way to the Super Bowl win. Us fans here in town just seem to remember more of that game, just like I remember more of this Triple H and Daniel Bryan match.
Not to say that the triple threat wasn’t good, but let’s face it, the opening match of the night set up that moment. I was on the edge of my seat with every pinfall Triple H would take. I didn’t believe Triple H would lay down for Bryan, but, he’s a smart business guy, and did the right thing. Then, we get to the final event of this evening, the triple threat match for the WWE title. Sure, it was two titles back then, but let’s just throw it together for now.
The big memory out of this match was that RKO from the Batista Bomb on Daniel Bryan. He ends up heading off on a stretcher, but makes the recovery, makes Batista tap out, and makes it Yes-tlemania. Just think about that, he ends up tapping out the Royal Rumble winner, which, he probably should have won.
That is a memory that will always be etched in my brain. I can say that I was there for one of the best storyline builds in a long time. Sure, it took longer than expected, but the destination is where it’s at.
That night, it was hard to fall asleep with all the memories flowing. Right now, I can just picture myself sitting at the Silver, I mean, Superdome, reliving all that excitement the evening had.