WrestleMania 38: What Better Event To Get Back Into Wrestling? Pt 1
It’s been far too long since the glory days of my wrestling fandom were at their peak. I lost the love for professional wrestling many years ago. Far too many of my favorite superstars were wrestling fewer shows and further days apart. By the time the new era of talent came in, the interest was at an all-time low. I tried a few different times during the past year to get back into it, but the pandemic days of wrestling made it almost impossible to be excited. Now here we are again with the biggest event of the year, WrestleMania, and figured why the hell not. Was it all it’s cracked up to be? Its been at least a decade without watching, so this ought to be an interesting one:
Aside from the National Anthem, and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, the very first thing I see is this Freddie Mercury lookin’ dude rippin on a guitar. Almost instantly I don’t recognize a single superstar, but apparently, it’s for the Smackdown Tag Team belts. Going to be an uphill battle when you don’t know which side you’re supposed to be rooting for. Back in the day, it was easy. I had Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler who you could always tell which way each leaned. Michael Cole is at the table but I have no clue who the other guy is. The Usos won? Okay, next.
Well here we go, someone, I recognize Drew McIntyre and it’s very clear who the heel is in this one with Happy Corbin. Pause for a moment, they just had an Andre The Giant Trophy for apparently a Battle Royal. That thing is named after one of the icons of the industry and it looks like it was made in a high school shop class? What in the name of disrespect is that abomination. Back to the show. Happy Corbin has a very poor man’s Pitbull look to him. I’m sure these two have a history, and not every match at WrestleMania needs to be a title match, but this one seems like it should’ve been.
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Rey Mysterio is still wrestling? Okay so I’m not lost, but now he’s wrestling with his son. They’re facing Logan Paul and the Miz. I’ll be honest, this is the match I wanna fast forward through, never been a huge fan of celebrity guest spots other than promo work. So far, it seems like the audience feels the same way. What’s sad is Logan Paul isn’t doing too bad, it just seems like a very flat match. Things pick up when Rey Mysterio gets in but goes right back to limited action. Logan Paul is back in and definitely, could use some old-school Ric Flair strutting to play the audience. That ends what is clearly a gimmick match. They give them the win as if it was a stipulation of getting someone with a social media following to commit to their show.
There it is, we have a McMahon sighting, and it’s Stephanie, my least favorite McMahon as a WWE talent. Ooo an Olympic gold medalist, Gable Steveson.
Starting to realize I know more wrestlers than I thought I would. It’s still a challenge to follow as I’m not familiar with the history between the wrestlers. All in all, it’s not a bad show so far, but the exciting matchups don’t hit as hard for that reason alone. But we’re on to the Raw Women’s Title between Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair, but first, we’ve got the Texas Southern University Marching Band.
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While we’ve got a moment, one of the things that are missing from the WrestleMania experience for me is the spectacle. Maybe we were spoiled with entrances like Shawn Michaels with the biplane, maybe they’re saving it for night 2, but so far it doesn’t seem like the same over-the-top theatrics I’m used to. Maybe It’s tough with 4 hours each night of entertainment. Almost an hour and a half in, and there’s been no specialty matches either, just straightforward. Where are the ladder matches, or cage matches, no count-outs, anything?
Apparently, this is the new normal but the Woman’s matchup has been the best of the night so far? They’ve had to slow up the match a little as they’ve given a ton in this match, but it’s safe to say that this match has easily been the peak. Some good spots, a lot of fight, and a bit of excitement. New Raw Women’s Champion!! Good, this one gave the night a boost and it would’ve been a bit lame if there wasn’t a payoff at the end.
While I’ve rarely followed WWE in the past few years, one thing I can say is I’ve never really put stock in Seth Rollins. I’m sure people like/hate him I’m not a fan. Every time I see him, he’s got a different persona. A recap spot with Vince McMahon. Okay, thee’s a surprise opponent which I’m sure rumor enthusiasts have been keen on for a few weeks now but let’s see who this is. Lights are out, who is it? This Big reveal and no one is saying a peep from the announcer’s booth. Where’s the hype for this dude? Jim Ross/Jerry Lawler would be losing their mind for Cody Rhodes under the American Nightmare persona which I assume is a nod to the American Dream Dusty Rhodes. Brilliant surprise, flat pop from the announcers.
Finally getting into a bit more technical wrestling here with Rhodes vs Rollins. So far we’ve seen the brawlers and high-flyers/speed matches, but we’re getting the classic match here. Okay, maybe there’s a bit more brawler in them but it’s a good balance. If they say Seth Fricken Rollins one more time, I’m going to barf. We get it
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I will say if the WWE/Cody are leaning into American Nightmare, then there needs to be a way more psychological approach to his character. His persona should mimic Triple H and his “cerebral assassin”. He needs to actually be a “nightmare” for his spots/matches. Mind games should be his go-to. This match is so hard to comment on as they’re pretty back and forth with some good spots. The one thing this match is missing is the submissions. Powering their way through isn’t working, it should’ve ended in a submission. I stand corrected, the Rhodes/Rollins match was the best of the night so far.
Hall of Fame spot, and can I mention it took way too long to get Vader in? Because that just feels wrong. Back to the women’s matchup. Rhonda Rousey is back in wrestling and I guess Charlotte Flair is Ric Flair’s kid? Well, I can get into this one I guess. Rhonda needs a more WWE-friendly look. I get it, she’s a former UFC star, but I get a real create-a-character vibe. Hey, it’s Ric Flair’s music remixed. Since when do we announce the contestants in-ring not as they walk down the aisle?
This looks like it’s supposed to be a technical match but it’s off to a sloppy start. They’re starting to clean it up. A lot of technical moves can make it very sloppy as you transition between moves, but they’re making it interesting. I haven’t seen Rhonda Rousey wrestle before but I guess she’s not terrible. Side note, how tall is Charlotte Flair? She seems like she could reach the ropes from the opposite side of the ring. What a long way the Women’s division has come. Another solid match.
Oh shoot, Stone Cold Steve Austin! I know that one, but who the hell is Kevin Owens? I know this is a pot for the hometown, but that was a weak build-up, in my opinion. But the WWE needs their next Stone Cold. The promo work just hasn’t been the same. Finally a match I can get into. Getting ready for an old fashion can of whoop-ass. Being as it’s WrestleMania, I did expect him to come out in some random Zamboni or beer truck or something of that nature. Right on cue, an ATV lol.
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Ooop, interrupting Stone Cold, is not the best move. On to the verbal beatdown. This was a total letdown of a promo spot, but Owens is looking for a fight and I know where he can get one. No Holds Barred match, let’s goooooo! 19 years! It does feel like it’s been that long for me too. Stompin a mud hole just like the old days. Stone Cold showing his age but it’s vintage Steve Austin. This match is the definition of fan service for the home crowd and we’re okay with that. Into the stands just like the good ol’ days. The takes you back. This was that classic WrestleMania moment the show had been lacking so far. Austin can still suplex. Stunner but not the Stone Cold variety. Listen here, young man. There it is 1 .. 2 .. 3! That’ll put the cap on his career.
Okay so the trip back to wrestling was a long one, but WrestleMania was a bit of hit or miss for me. It wasn’t a perfect show but it might be the kick-off for the weekly commitment to something I enjoyed so much at a young age. I won’t be able to watch night 2 live, but I’m sure they step their game up for Sunday. I’ll cover it when I get the chance.
Rick ODonnell aka Caveman Rick has many years covering the Miami Dolphins, Sports, and all sorts of movies and television.
