Stewart: Seth Rollins' WrestleMania Cash-In Best for Business
BOSTON (CBS) -- It wasn't until Wednesday when Brock Lesnar went on ESPN to announce he was re-signing with the WWE that the buzz began for WrestleMania, live from Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
And this show beat expectations by a wide, wide margin!
This WrestleMania show is in my top 10 of the all-time great WrestleManias. From top to bottom -- Seth Rollins being the first man to cash in his Money in the Bank contract at WrestleMania and winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, Ronda Rousey's appearance, John Cena and Daniel Bryan winning the United States and Intercontinental Championships, respectively -- this show had it all!
Let's start with the brilliant booking of the main event. Brock Lesnar dominated Roman Reigns for much of the match, as he should have. Toward the end of the match, Reigns had a reversal on the outside of the ring and threw Lesnar into the post. Lesnar looked like he was busted open hard. He bled buckets. This allowed Roman Reigns to make his comeback. Reigns hit two major Superman punches and finally put Lesnar down on the third Superman punch. Reigns hit two spears but Lesnar kicked out. Reigns attempted another spear but Lesnar turned that into another F-5, the fourth of the match. Lesnar collapsed and couldn't go for the cover. Both Reigns and Lesnar were dead.
Seth Rollins' music hit, he ran down to the ring and handed the ref the briefcase making it a Triple Threat match. Rollins went for the curb stomp on Lesnar, but Lesnar jumped up and put him on his shoulders for an F-5, only to catch a Roman Reigns spear. Reigns and Lesnar both went down and seemingly out. Seth Rollins gave Reigns the curb stomp and pinned him, clean in the middle. Brock Lesnar didn't lose the match and the way Reigns was defeated, it left him in a good light in defeat.
With Seth Rollins winning the match and the Championship, it leaves many people guessing what's next and who his first championship defense is against. Really outstanding booking here.
Reigns vs. Rollins would seem to be the next program for both. When Brock Lesnar comes back to action, he can face both Reigns and Rollins. Randy Orton could also be added to the equation because he beat Seth Rollins earlier in the show. The door is also open for a Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns match because nobody won last night.
Wow. What a finish to the main event. It makes me want to see what happens on RAW tonight and going forward.
Other things I loved about WrestleMania:
The angle shot with Ronda Rousey, the Rock, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. I assume this will be a mixed tag team match either at SummerSlam or at WrestleMania 32 in Dallas. I wonder if UFC and WWE have some type of cross-promotion deal. Maybe we'll see Brock have his one UFC match before SummerSlam. Thinking out loud.
Tyson Kidd and Cesaro retained the WWE Tag Team Titles in the opening match of the preshow.
Daniel Bryan winning the Intercontinental Championship ladder match.
Randy Orton hit the greatest RKO out of nowhere ever on Seth Rollins for the win in their matchup.
Triple H beating Sting was best for business, especially if Triple H is going to be part of a match with Rock either at SummerSlam or next year at WrestleMania in Dallas.
Rusev using a tank during his entrance.
The physical nature of the main event match of Brock Lesnar against Roman Reigns.
What I disliked about WrestleMania:
Big Show winning the battle royal on the pre-show. According to WWE, the Big Show winning the Andre the Giant Battle Royal was the first time The Big Show has ever won a battle royal. I found that shocking. It was an excellent battle royal with Ryback and Big Show eliminating most of the competitors.
Triple H against Sting had all sorts of logic holes. Why would Sting shake the hand of Triple H after hating him and being defeated? Why would that now help Sting? What happened during the match and after the match made zero sense to me.
As far as my predictions went:
Kidd / Cesaro, Ryback, Rollins, Bella Twins, Wyatt, Triple H, Bryan, Cena, Reigns -- Four wins, Five losses.
Congratulations to WWE for their great show last night. It set its all-time gate record, grossing $12.6 million, breaking its mark of $12.3 million set two years ago at Wrestlemania 29 in East Rutherford, NJ.
This was a top 10 WrestleMania show of all time. Go out of your way to check it out.
James Stewart is the executive producer of the Felger and Massarotti Show, which airs 2-6 p.m. on 98.5 The Sports Hub. Find him on Twitter @IAmJamesStewart.
