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WWE WrestleMania 35 Recap

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The biggest and most watched pro-wrestling and sports entertainment event of the year happened yesterday afternoon into the evening. It is known by a few names, the “Grandest Stage of the All,” “the biggest spectacle in sports entertainment.” But all of those monikers boil down to one name WrestleMania. So with this piece, we recap the 35th installment of the biggest event on the wrestling calendar, WrestleMania.

Kickoff Show

Cruiserweight Championship: Buddy Murphy vs. Tony Nese

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 4/5
Predicted Winner: Buddy Murphy
Actual Winner: Tony Nese

The action would start quickly. Both Nese and Murphy would know each other very well, and their styles would match each other. These two competitors would be so evenly matched. Their combination of power and athletism would be on full display. The impact that would be delivered their moves would be matched by the other. Tony Nese would deliver some high spots a man of his physique should not be able to hit. It would lead to a new Cruiserweight Championship

“Chyna Memorial” Battle Royal

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 2.25/5
Predicted Winner: Sonya Deville
Actual Winner: Carmella

As X-Pac said during his portion of D-Generation-X’s induction speech into the WWE Hall of Fame, this match should be renamed the Chyna Memorial Battle Royal, so we decided to call it that as well. This matchup was fast paced and gave a brief spotlight to many of the women in the matchup. Below is a list of the eliminations.

  1. Maria Kanellis
  2. Candice LaRae
  3. Nikki Cross
  4. Naomi
  5. Ember Moon
  6. Lana
  7. Kairi Sane
  8. Ruby Riott
  9. Liv Morgan
  10. Zelina Vega
  11. Dana Brooke
  12. Mandy Rose
  13. Mickie James
  14. Sonya Deville
  15. Asuka
  16. Sarah Logan

Raw Tag Team Championships: The Revival vs. Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 2.75/5
Actual Winner: Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins

This match was not announced prior to recording our preview and predictions episode of The Laracuente Ledger Podcast. The early commentary leading into this match gave me the feeling that the Revival would lose this matchup. The Revival would put on a display of their classic tag team ability. Dash and Dawson would cut off the ring and dominate nearly all of the matchup. The teams would have good chemistry against one another. But ultimately the 269 match losing streak for Curt Hawkins would end at WrestleMania.

Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 1.25/5
Predicted Winner: Braun Strowman
Actual Winner: Braun Strowman

Much like the WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal, the eliminations happened fast, and the match moved along quickly. And much like the women’s battle royal, many WWE Superstars would get a spotlight. But because of the number of Superstars involved and the apparent booking pattern that was being employed. This match just did not bring enough for me to warrant a higher rating.

  1. Curtis Axel
  2. Lince Dorado
  3. Tyler Breeze
  4. EC3
  5. Shelton Benjamin
  6. Bo Dallas
  7. Heath Slater
  8. Titus O’Neill
  9. No Way Jose
  10. Karl Anderson
  11. Rhyno
  12. Bobby Roode
  13. Gran Metalik
  14. Kalisto
  15. Chad Gable
  16. Konnor
  17. Viktor
  18. Luke Gallows
  19. Otis
  20. Tucker
  21. Jinder Mahal
  22. Harper
  23. Ali
  24. Apollo Crew
  25. Andrade
  26. Matt Hardy
  27. Jeff Hardy
  28. Michael Che
  29. Colin Jost

Main Card

WWE Universal Championship: Brock Lesnar vs. Seth Rollins

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 4/5
Predicted Winner: Brock Lesnar
Actual Winner: Seth Rollins

As Seth Rollins tried to enter the ring, Brock Lesnar would attack Rollins immediately. Brock would assault Rollins on the outside and hit him an F-5 onto the outside. Lesnar would then begin tossing Seth Rollins all around the ringside area. From the brutal beat down, Seth Rollin’s back would begin to bruise and turn colors. Rollins would then find himself on the fast-tracked to Suplex City. Seth Rollins would then shove Brock into the ref and proceed it with a low blow. After which a sidekick and then three stomps.

AJ Styles vs. Randy Orton

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 3.75/5
Predicted Winner: Randy Orton
Actual Winner: AJ Styles

The story leading to this match of “WWE Guy” versus “Indy Guy” was well done. Both men have incredible athletism and would put that on display. These two in-ring veterans would put together an incredible story with the bigger man Randy Orton being in control. But the scrappy AJ Styles would find a way to take the victory.

Smackdown Live Tag Team Championship Fatal 4 Way: The Usos vs. The Bar vs. Ricochet & Aleister Black vs. Rusev & Nakamura

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 3.75/5
Predicted Winner: The Usos
Actual Winner: The Usos

This matchup would field four different teams with four different styles. We would get some incredible spots between the four tandems. Throughout much of the contest, we would see the selling ability of Ricochet on full display. We would have a brilliantly put together closing segment in this match.

Falls Count Anywhere: The Miz vs. Shane McMahon

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 3.5/5
Predicted Winner: The Miz
Actual Winner: Shane McMahon

Shane McMahon would begin this match as dastardly as possible and play right into his new heel character. We would see Shane take advantage of The Miz. Miz would be busted open and would then be set up on the announce table. At which point Mr. Miz would set between Shane and his son. Mr. Miz would want to square off with Shane and then be attacked by Shane. This would light a fire under The Miz who would go off. Then the match would head to the crowd. Once the match went into the crowd, The Miz would have total control. And let’s just tell the absolute truth, and that is that Shane McMahon is crazy. The finish of this match was absolutely crazy.

Women’s Tag Team Championships Fatal 4 Way: Boss N Hug Connection vs. Divas of Doom vs. IIconics vs. Nia Jax & Tamina

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 2.5/5
Predicted Winner: Boss N Hug Connection
Actual Winner: IIconics

The four teams in this matchup all bring something unique. We would see the three of the four tandems team up to take out Tamina and Nia Jax. Then each of the remaining teams would get time shine. Upon the return of Tamina and Nia, they would begin to team up against Beth Phoenix with a double. The Samoan tandem would hit double Samoan Drops against the IIconics.

WWE Championship: Daniel Bryan vs. Kofi Kingston

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 5.5/5
Predicted Winner: Kofi Kingston
Actual Winner: Kofi Kingston

Kofi Kingston was finally receiving a one-on-one opportunity for the WWE Championship. Daniel Bryan would weather the early flurry of Kofi Kingston. And when comparing the two competitors, Kofi has the edge in athletism, though Daniel Bryan is no slouch either. But the grappling, striking, and ground advantage goes to Daniel Bryan. But after a big high spot dive was missed, Kofi would relinquish momentum an control. Daniel would then ground the high flying Kofi Kingston. The back and forth in this matchup was perfectly booked, as expected. The in-ring genius that is Daniel Bryan helped make this a fantastic match.

United States Championship: Samoa Joe vs. Rey Mysterio

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 2/5
Predicted Winner: Samoa Joe
Actual Winner: Samoa Joe

A matchup we were unsure we were going to see because of a slight injury suffered against Baron Corbin last Monday on Raw. Samoan Joe would start the match fast. Rey Mysterio would attempt to mount a comeback and deliver a 619. But it would quickly fade out for Rey as Samoa Joe would lock in the Coquina Clutch and choke Rey out.

Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 2.5/5
Predicted Winner: Roman Reigns
Actual Winner: Roman Reigns

The build to this match was quick and direct. The question of the ring health was the basis of the commentary team’s inquiry of Reigns. The two powerhouses would exchange some powerful blows. McIntyre would have control over most of the beginning of this match. But when Roman took the upper hand, he did not relinquish it.

No Holds Barred: Triple H vs. Batista

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 1/5
Predicted Winner: Triple H
Actual Winner: Triple H

This “personal” rivalry would quickly move to the outside. HHH would use a toolbox and a steel chain on Batista. Triple H would have control of the early part of this matchup. Triple H would bring out the “sadistic” of the Game. Batista would also have his time of dominance. This match was difficult to describe. It is one that requires watching to understand the happened in this match. This match would have been a good match as the smoke and mirrors worked well. But when this match went past the 10-12 minute mark, both men were gassed, and the match struggled to the finish line.

Kurt Angle’s Farewell Match: Kurt Angle vs. Baron Corbin

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 0/5
Predicted Winner: Kurt Angle
Actual Winner: Baron Corbin

Kurt Angle would get off to a scorching start. Baron Corbin would then take hold of control. Kurt Angle would look better than he has for quite some time. It felt as if Kurt gave every last ounce of what he had left. But the decision would go against Kurt Angle. It was a deflating way to end the incredible career of Kurt Angle.

Intercontinental Championship: Bobby Lashley vs. The Demon Finn Balor

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 2.5/5
Predicted Winner: The Demon Finn Balor
Actual Winner: The Demon Finn Balor

I fully expected this match to be a squash. The Demon would begin quickly. But Lashley would recover and begin a barrage of his own. The Demon would sustain the best that Lashley had to offer and come out on top.

Winner Take All Women’s Championship Triple Threat: Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 4/5
Predicted Winner: Becky Lynch
Actual Winner: Becky Lynch

The initial moments of this match were Ronda Rousey assaulting Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair. But the tide would turn for Ronda and Becky and Charlotte would take Ronda out for a moment. The interaction between all three women would be stiff and with evil intent. This match would take a bit to get going but once it did the women truly gave it everything. All three women would sacrifice themselves at every turn to give a worthwhile main event.

Overall WrestleMania 35 Rating: 2.83/5

WrestleMania is the biggest spectacle of the wrestling calendar. And with that comes high expectations. And while not everything went over smoothly or as the fans wanted and some things were downright bad. All in all, WrestleMania graded out above average.

Jeremy Laracuente

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