WWE WrestleMania 35 aired live from MetLife Stadium on April 7th, 2019.
Kickoff Show Results:
- Tony Nese def. Buddy Murphy to win the Cruiserweight Championship
- Carmella won the Women’s Battle Royal
- Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder def. The Revival to become the new RAW Tag Team Champions
- Braun Strowman won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
Here are 13 takeaways from WrestleMania 35:
Seth Rollins Captured The Universal Championship
WrestleMania host Alexa Bliss kicked off the show and came down to the entrance ramp. Bliss stated that if she wanted a WrestleMania moment all she had to do was snap her fingers. Bliss then snapped her fingers and Hulk Hogan came down to the ramp to an enormous reaction from the crowd.
Hogan joked that it was great to back in the Silverdome and welcomed the crowd to WrestleMania. Hogan and Bliss then posed on the entrance ramp before Paul Heyman stormed to the ring. Heyman bitched about Brock Lesnar not being on last and added that they aren’t hanging around all night. Lesnar then made his way to the ring to defend the Universal Championship against Seth Rollins.
Lesnar attacked Rollins as he got into the ring and knocked him to the floor outside. Brock delivered an F5 to Seth on the floor and then slammed him into the ring apron. Brock launched Rollins over the announce table and then finally brought him back into the ring. The referee tried to check on Seth but Brock threw him over the top rope again.
Brock threw Rollins over the announce table once again before rolling him back into the ring. The match then officially started and Lesnar beat Rollins down in the corner. Lesnar hit a German Suplex and shouted “Suplex City bitches!” at the crowd. Lesnar went for an F5 but Rollins escaped and shoved Brock into the referee.
Rollins hit Lesnar with a low blow and followed it up with the Stomp. Seth pulled himself in the corner and hit another Stomp. Seth once again geared up in the corner and hit a third Stomp for the pinfall victory. Rollins is the new Universal Champion.
I was expecting Lesnar to retain in this one but I’m glad that wasn’t the case. Like most Lesnar matches, it was completely forgettable, but WWE did the right thing by getting it out of the way early and providing the crowd with a great moment for Rollins.
AJ Styles Outlasted Randy Orton
Randy Orton battled AJ Styles at WrestleMania 35. Styles controlled the match early and hit Orton with a series of chops in the corner. Orton escaped and went for an RKO but Styles was able to block it. Randy connected with a Dropkick and then stomped on AJ’s hand.
Styles battled back with a Dropkick of his own that sent Orton tumbling out of the ring. AJ leaped onto him and connected with a forearm before the action returned to the ring. Orton hit Styles with a shoulder tackle that sent him flying into the barricade outside the ring.
Orton slammed Styles into the barricade and then rolled him back inside. Orton trapped AJ in the ropes and went for a DDT but AJ countered into the Calf Crusher. Randy was able to break the hold by grabbing the bottom rope. AJ pretended that he was going to go for the Phenomenal Forearm and Orton committed to the RKO and wound up slamming himself on the canvas. AJ then hit the Springboard 450 Splash for a near fall.
Randy took control again and planted Styles with a gigantic Superplex for a two count. Orton followed it up with the DDT and went for the RKO again but Styles countered with an Enziguri. Orton then hit the RKO out of nowhere and went for the cover but AJ kicked out at two.
Orton set up for an RKO off the top rope but Styles escaped and hit the Pele Kick that sent Randy to the floor outside the ring. AJ then hit the Phenomenal Forearm and rolled Orton back into the ring.
AJ went for the Phenomenal Forearm once again and Orton tried to counter into the RKO. Styles blocked it and then hit another Phenomenal Forearm for the pinfall victory.
The Usos Retained The SmackDown Tag Team Championships
The Usos defended their SmackDown Tag Team Championships against The Bar, Nakamura & Rusev, and Aleister Black & Ricochet in a Fatal 4-Way match. Jimmy Uso planted Black with a Samoan Drop and then traded shots with Nakamura.
Shinsuke knocked Jey off the apron and then hit Jimmy with a knee to the face. Ricochet tagged in and hit Nakamura with a Crossbody off the top rope. Cesaro tagged in and had an awesome sequence with Ricochet that ended with a Headscissors takedown. Cesaro then hit Ricochet with the Cesaro Swing as Sheamus clubbed Nakamura in the chest. Sheamus then did the same to Jimmy Uso and hten Black as Cesaro still had Ricochet in the swing.
Cesaro finally let go and locked in a Sharpshooter on Ricochet in the middle of the ring. Jimmy broke it up with a Superkick and then Ricochet and Black tagged in. Aleister hit a Springboard Moonsault and went for the cover but Nakamura broke it up.
Nakamura hit a knee to Black’s ribs and followed it up with a knee to the face. Shinsuke went for the cover but Ricochet broke it up with a Shooting Star Press. Ricochet tagged in and went for a Crossbody but Rusev caught him and slammed him to the canvas for a two count.
Sheamus tagged himself in and sent Rusev out of the ring. Ricochet climbed to the top rope and hit the 630 Splash on Sheamus but the count was broken up at two. Jey Uso tagged in and went for a Splash on Sheamus but Cesaro caught him with an uppercut.
Aleister hit Black Mass on Rusev and then turned around into the Kinshasa from Nakamura. Sheamus hit the Brogue Kick on Ricochet but Jimmy and Jey hit him with dueling Superkicks. The Usos then hit Sheamus with two Splashes from opposite turnbuckles for the pinfall victory. The Usos are still the SmackDown Tag Team Champions.
Shane McMahon Stole A Victory
Shane McMahon battled The Miz tonight at WrestleMania 35. Before the match, Shane made WWE ring announcer Greg Hamilton introduce him three times. The Miz shared a hug with his father and family in the front row before the match.
Shane hit Miz with a couple of jabs and then rolled out of the ring. Shane grabbed The Miz’s dad by the face and Miz chased him around. McMahon connected with a cheap shot on brought Miz back into the ring. Shane launched Miz into the ring post and then out of the ring.
McMahon cleared off an announce table and bashed Miz in the face with a TV monitor. Shane put Miz on top of the table and then made his way to the top rope. Mr. Miz got in front of the announce table and took off his jacket.
George Mizanin got in the ring and challenged Shane to a fight. Shane declined and then hit George with a cheap shot. The Miz snapped and tackled Shane out of the ring. Miz unloaded a flurry of punches and then slammed Shane into the barricade. Miz then launched Shane over the barricade and went back to the ring to check on his father.
The Miz then leaped onto Shane and unloaded punches to his face in the crowd. Miz slammed Shane into a support beam on the set and went for a Skull Crushing Finale but Shane blocked it. Shane connected with a DDT for a near fall. The Miz battled back and hit Shane over and over again with steel chair as Shane hobbled through the crowd.
Miz grabbed Shane by the throat and Chokeslammed him through a table for a two count. Miz then blasted Shane in the face and he went flying over a barricade and onto a golf cart and then the concrete floor below. The Miz planted Shane with the Skull Crushing Finale on the WM35 set but McMahon somehow kicked out at two.
Shane climbed to the top of the camera platform but didn’t realize Miz had climbed up the other side. McMahon begged for mercy and got his knee to apologize. The Miz declined and unloaded a few punches to Shane’s face. The Miz then Suplexed Shane off the platform but Shane landed on top of him. The referee then counted to three and Shane won the match.
I really enjoyed this match and was hoping it was going to go longer than it did. Two hours into the show and I think the worst match of the night has been the Universal Championship match. The SmackDown Tag Team Championship match was very entertaining and Styles versus Orton was solid as well.
The IIconics Are The New Women’s Tag Team Champions
Sasha Banks & Bayley defended the Women’s Tag Team Championships against Nia Jax & Tamina, Natalya & Beth Phoenix, and The IIconics (Billie Kay & Peyton Royce). Bret Hart wished Natalya and Phoenix well on the entrance ramp before the match.
Tamina leveled Bayley with a shoulder tackle to start off the match. Tamina then knocked Beth off the apron and hit Natalya with a Superkick. A brawl then broke out in the ring between the four teams.
The IIconics took control and isolated Banks in the corner of the ring. Banks battled back and tagged in Bayley. Beth tagged in and Bayley hit her with a Dropkick. Natalya tagged in and hit Kay with a Clothesline for a near fall.
Sasha tagged in and locked in the Bank Statement on Beth Phoenix. Beth escaped and tagged Natalya back in. Natalya set up for the Sharpshooter but Bayley distracted her. Natalya then locked in the Sharpshooter on Banks and Bayley at the same time.
Tamina broke it up with a kick to Natalya’s face. Nia Jax climbed to the top rope but Natalya shoved her to the floor. Back in the ring, Bayley hit Phoenix with an Elbow Drop and Banks followed it up with a Frog Splash for a near fall.
Natalya took out Sasha with a Powerbomb as Bayley and Beth battled on the turnbuckle. Beth planted Bayley with the Glam Slam off the top rope and then went for the cover but the IIconics broke it up. Billie tagged Beth she was on the top rope. Billie then threw Phoenix out of the ring and cover Bayley for the win. The IIconics are the new SmackDown Tag Team Champions.
Kofi Kingston Won The WWE Championship
Daniel Bryan defended the WWE Championship against Kofi Kingston at WrestleMania 35. Erick Rowan, Big E, and Xavier Woods for the match. Kingston controlled the match early and Bryan rolled out of the ring to regroup with Rowan.
Back in the ring, Kofi connected with a Double Stomp for a two count. Kingston sent Bryan to the outside and then made his way to the top rope. Kingston went for a Splash but Bryan got out of the way and Kofi crashed into the announce table.
Bryan brought Kingston back into the ring and went to work on his midsection. Kingston went for a Double Stomp but Bryan countered into the Boston Crab in the middle of the ring.
Kingston screamed in pain but was able to reach the bottom rope to break the hold. Kofi hit Bryan with a flurry of elbows and then climbed to the top rope. Kingston connected with a Splash for a near fall as several WWE Superstars were shown rooting on Kofi backstage.
Kofi went for Trouble in Paradise but Bryan caught him and went for another Boston Crab. Kingston countered into a roll-up for a near fall. Kingston hit a Crossbody but Bryan rolled through and went for the LeBell Lock. Kingston broke it up with a boot to the face.
Daniel went for the Running Knee but Kingston countered into a roll-up for a near fall. Kofi then hit SOS but Bryan rolled through and applied the LeBell Lock in the middle of the ring. Kingston battled through the pain and got his foot on the bottom rope to break the hold as the crowd chanted “Kofi!”.
Bryan hit Kingston with several kicks to the chest but Kofi wouldn’t go down. Kofi and Bryan then traded kicks as the crowd went crazy. Kingston connected with a Suplex for a two count and Bryan rolled out of the ring to try and regroup.
Rowan got in Kofi’s face and Woods tried to attack him. Rowan grabbed Woods by the face and threw him over the table. Kingston hit Rowan with Trouble in Paradise and then Big E & Woods hit Midnight Hour on Rowan on the floor.
Back in the ring, Kingston went for Trouble in Paradise but Bryan got out of the way. Daniel connected with the Running Knee and went for the cover but Kingston kicked out at two. Bryan grabbed Kingston by the arms and repetitively stomped on his face. Bryan then applied the LeBell Lock once again in the middle of the ring.
Kingston broke free and unlocked a flurry of punches to Bryan’s face. Kofi then got some revenge and stomped on Bryan’s face as the crowd chanted “yes!”. Kofi then connected with Trouble in Paradise for the pinfall victory and the crowd erupted. Kofi Kingston is the new WWE Champion. After the match, Woods and Big E presented Kingston with the new WWE Championship belt. Kofi then celebrated with his family in the ring.
The crowd was absolutely electric for this match and it made it that much more special. Kingston and Bryan put on an excellent match and the right Superstar came out on top. Who knows how long Kofi’s title reigns will be, but he certainly had his WrestleMania moment tonight. Kingston has been a terrific Superstar for 11-years in WWE and it was awesome to see that rewarded tonight.
Samoa Joe Dominated Rey Mysterio
Rey Mysterio started off the match in control and hit the 619. Rey then climbed to the top rope but Joe caught him. Samoa Joe then applied the Coquina Clutch for the pinfall victory.
Booker T was a guest on commentary for the match and joked that he got no time out here. He also pointed out that Mysterio clearly was still injured and didn’t have it tonight.
Rey Mysterio was likely still injured and that is why this match was so short. Even before Rey’s injury, this match had very little buzz behind it. It felt thrown together and it didn’t make sense that Andrade wasn’t involved.
Roman Reigns Picked Up The Win
Roman Reigns battled Drew McIntyre tonight at the biggest PPV of the year. Roman controlled the match early and connected with a Samoan Drop for a two count.
McIntyre connected with a headbutt and followed it up with an Arm Bar. Reigns knocked McIntyre to the apron and went for the Drive By but Drew got out of the way. McIntyre then Suplexed Roman off the apron to the floor outside the ring.
Back in the ring, McIntyre planted Roman with an Alabama Slam for a two count. The crowd was painfully silent as McIntyre and Reigns battled on the top rope. One person yelled “lets go Roman!” as McIntyre hurled him off the turnbuckle and to the canvas.
Roman battled back and booted McIntyre out of the ring. Reigns hit McIntyre with the Drive-By. Reigns booted McIntyre into the barricade and followed it up with the Samoan Drop. Back in the ring, Reigns hit a Clothesline and went for the Superman Punch but McIntyre got out of the way. Drew hit a heatbutt but Reigns shrugged it off and hit the Superman Punch. Roman then hit the Spear for the pinfall victory.
The amount of pyro Roman Reigns had during his entrance was so over the top that it became comical. WWE wants Roman Reigns to be at the top but a lot of fans are always going to reject that, myself included. I’m glad that he is healthy, but I still think he is incredibly boring as a character and in the ring. Fireworks and an agenda being played out by the commentary team is not going to change my mind about that.
The Doctor Of Thuganomics Returned
Elias came down to the ring and performed alongside two pre-taped versions of himself playing the drums and piano. Elias was about to play another song but he was interupted. Old School John Cena interrupted and made his way down to the ring. Cena said “kill the beat” and stated that the Doctor of Thuganomics.
Cena joked that his movies suck and claimed that WWE stands for “wasted wrestling experiment” instead of walk with Elias. He then pulled out the nuts he endorses and claimed that Elias’ face looks like his nuts, but with a hairier bush. John stated that there will be no AA today and Elias was about to get the FU. Cena blasted Elias in the face and followed it up with the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena followed it up with the Attitude Adjustment and left the ring.
John Cena is amazing on the microphone and he proved it once again tonight. This entire segment was gold and is worth watching if you missed it.
Ric Flair Helped Triple H Defeat Batista
Batista battled Triple H tonight in a No Holds Barred match. While trying to get in the ring during his entrance, Batista got his foot stuck in the ropes and almost fell on his ass. Batista chuckled it off and posed for the crowd. Shawn Michaels was a guest on the commentary team for this match and Batista got in his face. Kumail Nanjiani was in the front row for the match. Kumail is starring with Batista in the upcoming film Stuber.
Batista sent Triple H to the corner to start off the match. Batista connected with a Clothesline but Triple H battled back and knocked Batista to the outside. Triple H tackled Batista into the ring apron but Batista got back up and launched The Game over the barricade.
Triple H hit Batista with a toolbox and Dave fell to the floor. Triple H grabbed a chain out of the toolbox and hit Batista in the back with it a few times. HHH followed it up by throwing Batista into the steel steps.
The Game put Batista’s fingers in pliers and stomped on them. Back in the ring, Triple H brought in another pair of pliers and bashed Batista with a steel chair. Triple H took a seat on top of Batista and ripped out Batista’s nose ring with the pliers.
Triple H leaped off the apron but Batista caught him and slammed him on top of the announce table. Batista followed it up by launching Triple H into the barricade surrounding the ring. Batista hit Triple H with a chair and then rolled him back into the ring.
The Game went for a Pedigree but Batista countered into a slam for a near fall. The action spilled outside the ring once again and Batista hit Triple H with the steel steps. Batista cleared off the announce table and pointed at Shawn Michaels. He then set up the steps on top of another table and dropped Triple H on top of them.
Batista went for the Batista Bomb but Triple H countered into a Back Body Drop but the table didn’t break. Triple H did the DX crotch chop and then ran across the table and Speared Batista through the German announce table.
Triple H then grabbed a sledgehammer from under the ring. Batista connected with a Spear for a near fall. Batista followed it up with a Spinebuster and followed it up with the Batista Bomb for a near fall.
Batista set up steel steps in the ring and perched Triple H up on the top turnbuckle. Triple H escaped and Powerbombed Batista onto the steel steps and followed it up with the Pedigree but somehow Batista kicked out at two.
Triple H charged with the sledgehammer but Batista countered into a DDT on the steel steps. Ric Flair handed Triple H a sledgehammer and started trash talking with Batista. Triple H leaped off the steel steps and hit Batista in the head with the sledgehammer. Triple H followed it up with the Pedigree for the pinfall victory.
I thought this match was going to be solid but it turned out to be great. There were several “holy sh*t!” moments throughout the bout that I was not expecting at all. Batista’s DDT onto the steel steps looked awesome and Triple H sold it beautifully. Batista may have tripped during his entrance but he rebounded nicely and put on a great match with Triple H.
Kurt Angle’s Career Ended With A Loss
Kurt Angle wrestled Baron Corbin in his final match tonight. Angle started off with a Suplex but Corbin quickly took control. Corbin taunted Angle and the crowd while beating Kurt down.
Corbin mocked Angle’s family in the crowd but it wound up costing him. Angle connected with three German Suplexes in a row for a near fall. Kurt went for the Angle Slam but Corbin escaped and leveled Kurt with a boot to the face.
Angle went for the Ankle Lock but Corbin booted him away. Baron then connected with Deep Six for a two count. Corbin charged at Kurt in the corner but walked right into an Angle Slam for two count.
Kurt took his straps down and applied the Ankle Lock in the middle of the ring. Corbin screamed in pain and slowly made his way towards the ropes. Angle dragged him back to the middle of the ring but Corbin broke free and sent Kurt into the turnbuckle.
Baron mocked the crowd by doing Cena’s “you can’t see me” taunt. Angle hit three German Suplexes in a row once again. Kurt went for a Moonsault off the top rope but Corbin got out of the way. Corbin then planted Angle with End of Days for the victory.
After the match, Angle said that he has had the time of his life for the past twenty years. Angle asked the crowd to chant “you suck!” along with his theme one final time and then exited the ring.
I hated that Corbin was Angle’s final match, but I didn’t have a problem with him winning tonight. At the very least, Corbin can brag about ending Angle’s career to piss off the crowds at RAW. Angle simply cannot do it anymore and I wanted him to be in the ring with someone that could carry the match. Corbin definitely isn’t that guy and it led to a crappy match tonight. Kurt Angle had a legendary career but this was a lame way to end it.
Finn Balor Is the New Intercontinental Champion
Bobby Lashley defended the Intercontinental Championship against Finn Balor tonight. Balor was dressed as The Demon and Lio Rush was ringside for the match. Finn connected with a Clothesline and then flipped onto Lashley outside the ring.
Back in the ring, Lashley slammed Balor to the mat and followed it up with a Suplex. Lio Rush distracted Balor on the ring apron and Lashley capitalized with a ridiculous Spear through the ropes and to the floor outside.
Lashley then brought Balor back in the ring and hit another Spear for a two count. Finn battled back and planted Lashley with a Powerbomb. Balor then climbed to the top rope and connected with the Coup de Grace for the pinfall victory. Finn Balor is the new Intercontinental Champion.
Becky Lynch Won The Raw & SmackDown Women’s Championships
The RAW and SmackDown Women’s Championships were on the line in the main event of WrestleMania 35. SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte arrived at Met Life in a helicopter. Joan Jett played Rousey’s theme live as the RAW Women’s Champion made her way to the ring. Becky Lynch got a tremendous reaction from the crowd and her entrance was last.
Rousey started off the match in dominant fashion and planted Charlotte with Piper’s Pit on the floor outside the ring. Rousey went after Lynch but Charlotte launched her into the barricade. Back in the ring, Charlotte and Lynch traded shots as Ronda recovered.
Ronda got back in the ring and booted Flair in the face. Flair and Rousey got hung up in ropes and Lynch Dropkicked her to the floor outside the ring. Ronda bounced off the apron and had a rough landing on the floor. Charlotte went for a. Moonsault but Lynch got out of the way and locked in the Dis-Arm-Her.
Rousey broke it up and sent Lynch out of the ring. Charlotte hit Ronda with a couple of chops but Rousey shrugged them off and shouted that Flair chops like a bitch. Lynch got back into the ring and knocked Ronda to the canvas.
Lynch connected with an Exploder Suplex off the top rope but Charlotte was able to kick out at two. Rousey climbed to the top and hit Lynch and Flair with a Crossbody for a near fall. Ronda then locked in a double Arm Bar but Flair and Lynch countered and hit three Powerbombs in a row.
Charlotte threw Lynch to the outside and went for the cover but Rousey kicked out at two. Becky got back in the ring and booted Flair to the outside. Lynch then locked in the Dis-Arm-Her on Rousey but Ronda broke it up by sending Becky into the turnbuckle.
Becky locked in the Dis-Arm-Her once again on the turnbuckle but Flair broke it up with a boot to the face. Flair connected with a Spanish Fly off the top rope and went for the. cover but Lynch kicked out at two. Flair sent Lynch out of the ring and the dragged Rousey to the ring post.
Flair locked in the Figure Four around the ring post but Becky broke it up. Back in the ring, Charlotte applied the Figure Eight on Rousey but Lynch broke it up with a Leg Drop off the top rope.
Lynch brought a table in the ring but Rousey beat her down in the corner. Rousey flipped the table over and shouted “tables are for bitches!”. Charlotte then connected with a double Spear onto Rousey and Lynch. Charlotte set up the table in the corner and bounced Ronda’s face off it. Flair connected with another Spear on Lynch for a near fall.
Charlotte went for a Spear again but Lynch and Rousey countered into an Arm Drag through the table. Flair rolled out of the ring as Lynch and Rousey locked up. Ronda went for the Piper’s Pit but Lynch countered into a roll-up for the pinfall victory.
The ending of this match looked very clunky, but once again the right Superstar won. I just think this match could have been something great if WWE didn’t overbook the hell out of this storyline. In addition to the storyline going off the rails leading up until WrestleMania, being the main event actually harmed this match. It absolutely deserved to close the show, but the crowd was dead because the event was 7-hours. However, this year’s WrestleMania was very good and almost every match delivered.
