MY WWE WRESTLEMANIA 35 RESULTS

MY WINNERS, GRADES, AND REACTION

WrestleMania is The Showcase of the Immortals, and Sunday night, live from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the stars of WWE battled for championships, bragging rights and their legacies in some of the most hotly anticipated matches of the year.

History was made at the top of the card, where Charlotte Flair, Ronda Rousey and Becky Lynch clashed in a Triple Threat Winner-Take-All match for the Raw and SmackDown Women's Championships.

Brock Lesnar returned to a stage he has dominated for years, defending his Universal Championship against 2019 Royal Rumble winner Seth Rollins.

Kofi Kingston's 11-year journey culminated in a WWE Championship opportunity against "The Planet's Champion" Daniel Bryan, Triple H's legendary career was on the line against former protégée Batista, and Kurt Angle wrestled his farewell match against the hated Baron Corbin.

Those bouts headlined a 16-match card that featured the most stacked roster in the industry and several matches and moments fans will be talking about for decades. 

CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: TONY NESE VS. BUDDY MURPHY

Former friends clashed over the top prize on 205 Live, as Buddy Murphy defended the Cruiserweight Championship against Tony Nese to kick off the WrestleMania 35 festivities.

Nese took the fight to Murphy early, but the Australian caught him on the top rope and dropped him gut-first on the turnbuckle to seize control of the bout. The champion worked over his opponent with a headlock as blood formed around his left eye—the first battle wound incurred at this year's extravaganza.

Nese created some separation, suplexing Murphy into the corner. The ultra-athletic Nese fired off a flurry of left hands, blocked everything his opponent threw at him and delivered a moonsault for a close two-count.

A superkick in the ropes and a modified Facebuster earned Murphy a two of his own and allowed him to halt his opponent's momentum.

Nese countered Murphy's Law with a rollup for two. He followed up with an inverted spike rana.

The action continued with Nese delivering a twisting senton to Murphy on the floor. The 450 splash followed, but the challenger could not put the Aussie away.

A jumping knee from out of nowhere allowed Murphy to deliver his Murphy's Law finisher, but Nese landed too close to the ropes and was able to drape his foot over it to break the count.

An arrogant Murphy tried to mock his former friend's Running Nese finisher but found himself superkicked. The challenger delivered the Running Nese and scored the championship victory.

Result: Nese defeated Murphy

Grade: B

Analysis: As usual, the cruiserweights put in the work, delivering a match far better than the reception and reaction would indicate. They busted their asses to produce a bout that was athletic, competitive and hard-fought. The drama may have been lacking because the crowd was less than half full, but that did not deter the efforts of Nese and Murphy.

The outcome was the right one given the story in place as Nese moves out of Murphy's shadow and proves he can hang with the best cruiserweights in the world.

His title reign may not be a long one, particularly with Mike Kanellis gaining momentum on the show, but it was a nice moment for a guy who has been around 205 Live since the beginning.

WOMEN'S BATTLE ROYAL

The women of WWE fought in a Battle Royal Sunday. Participants included Maria Kanellis, Nikki Cross, Candice LeRae, Ember Moon, Naomi, Lana, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, Mickie James, Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan, Sarah Logan, Kairi Sane, Zelina Vega, Carmella and Dana Brooke.

The first major elimination came in the form of Cross, who was dumped by Asuka. Moon eliminated last year's winner Naomi and dropped Rose with The Eclipse. Her run was short-lived, though, as Lana sent her packing.

Kairi Sane delivered a big spinebuster to Lana and teased the In-Sane Elbow, but Logan nearly eliminated her. She held on, preserving her entry in the match. Meanwhile, The Riott Squad teamed up and eliminated The Ravishing Russian.

Back in the ring, Sane delivered her elbow drop to Logan. Unfortunately for The Pirate Princess, Riott delivered a superkick that eliminated her.

The Riott Squad teamed up to drop Vega and Asuka before surrounding Brooke and bullying her. The NXT export fired off a comeback and eliminated Riott to a big pop. Morgan was dumped next as Brooke delivered her best showing in some time.

Vega and Brooke were dumped by Deville and Rose. The Golden Goddess was out next, courtesy of a superkick from James. The future Hall of Famer paid dearly for the elimination as Deville knocked her to the floor.

Down to Logan, Deville and Asuka, the action picked up quickly as the latter two found themselves on the floor. Just as Logan thought she won, though, Carmella entered the ring and revealed she had not been eliminated.

The two paired off, teasing a few eliminations until The Princess of Staten Island delivered a superkick that ended Logan's night in disappointment.

Result: Carmella won

Grade: D-

Analysis: My question is how can you have a woman’s battle royal when your top11 woman wrestlers out of it. There were some clever spots and some fun interactions, but this was like any other Battle Royal, and that's not necessarily a compliment.

The booking was interesting in that so much attention had been paid to The Riott Squad tearing things up as a team, only to have Dana Brooke of all people thwart that and dump two of the three members. It was nice to see Brooke get that moment in front of a crowd that wanted to see her succeed, but it was out of character.

Then there were Deville and Rose, whose dissension was a big part of SmackDown Live but did not factor into this match at all.

Carmella winning is harmless. She is over, has great charisma and is a former champion. It just feels somewhat anticlimactic considering the potential for storyline continuity that was not followed up on.

RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: ZACK RYDER AND CURT HAWKINS VS. THE REVIVAL

Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins sought to live their childhood dreams Sunday, when they challenged The Revival for the Raw Tag Team Championships in the third of four Kickoff Show matches.

Despite their lack of victories in recent years, the former tag champs seized the opportunity and were motivated to end The Top Guys' run atop the red brand's division.

Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson made quick, frequent tags as they downed and isolated Ryder from Hawkins.

Long Island Iced Z broke out of an armbar and sent Wilder into the corner. A double neckbreaker allowed Ryder to create separation, but he was still unable to make the much-needed tag to Hawkins.

The champions continued to work over Ryder, cutting off every attempt to mount a sustained comeback.

Ryder finally made the tag, and the crowd came alive as the most lovable loser in WWE exploded into the match. Hawkins scored several rollups and a Pele Kick to score a near-fall. A collision led to Ryder being tagged back in.

A suplex sent Ryder and Wilder to the floor while and necessitated the return of Hawkins to the match. A big brainbuster from Dawson on the floor had the hometown boy reeling.

Back in the ring, an arrogant Dawson toyed with Hawkins, who scored a small package rollup from out of nowhere to end his 269-match losing streak and win the tag team titles.

Result: Ryder and Hawkins defeated The Revival to win the Raw Tag Team Championships

Grade: C+

Analysis: If this had even a little build behind it, it would have been an infinitely better moment.

With that said, Hawkins' story has been one of the low-key highlights of the WWE product for a long time. Fans had openly speculated as to when, and against whom, his losing streak would come to an end.

A disgruntled tag team that continues to be open in the criticisms of the company, despite a run as champions, was a perfect choice.

Unfortunately, it feels unlikely that Ryder and Hawkins' run will be a long one. As history tells us, Long Island Iced Z has a difficult time holding on to titles once he wins them.

ANDRE THE GIANT MEMORIAL BATTLE ROYAL

Superstars with nothing else better to do, including The Hardy Boyz, Andrade, Jinder Mahal, Ali, Bobby Roode and Chad Gable, joined Saturday Night Live's Colin Jost and Michael Che and Braun Strowman for the annual Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.

Jost and Che wasted no time bailing to the floor and hiding under the ring as all hell broke loose.

Superstars were dumped early and often as guys like Tyler Breeze, Shelton Benjamin and Lince Dorado were tossed to the floor. Ali sent both Titus O'Neil and No Way Jose packing while Heavy Machinery slammed Strowman.

The Monster Among Men went shoulder-first into the post and to the floor, but he was not eliminated.

The Hardy Boyz worked together to eliminate Roode while Mahal sent Gran Metalik high in the air and to the floor. Andrade eliminated Kalisto, and then survived a German suplex to send Gable out.

Otis Dozovic and Tucker Knight eliminated The Ascension, but the resurgent Strowman cleaned house, sending the NXT exports to the floor. Harper lifted Ali for a suplex to the floor but The Monster Among Men kicked them to the floor.

Mahal was eliminated, Andrade stupidly eliminated himself and Apollo Crews, and the Hardys teamed up to try to dump Strowman to the floor. Jost and Che returned to the squared circle and tried to help but Strowman powered out and eliminated Matt and Jeff.

Chants of "get these hands" spilled from the stands as Strowman confronted Jost and Che. Jost grabbed a microphone and offered up his therapist to help Strowman with his anger issues. The SNL castmates watched as Strowman obliterated the therapist.

Che tried to run away, but Strowman caught him and punched him to the floor.

Strowman tried for a big boot on Jost, but he crotched himself. Jost tried to eliminate him, but Strowman powered him off.

A running powerslam over the top rope and onto a pile of Superstars at ringside earned Strowman the uncontested victory.

Result: Strowman won

Grade: C-

Analysis: This was exactly what we thought it would be, with Strowman silencing the SNL guys and dominating the match. He won what was a mediocre match to say the most, and we can now look forward to next year and which Superstar with nothing else going on can be wasted in the Battle Royal.

No story beyond Strowman vs. Jost and Che makes this one of the worst incarnations of this annual match.

ALEXA BLISS KICKS OFF WRESTLEMANIA WITH HULK HOGAN

WrestleMania 35 hostess Alexa Bliss kicked off the show by admitting, with a snap of her fingers, she could control the fate of the show. With her first snap came the arrival of Hulk Hogan, who joined Little Miss Bliss on the stage. 

The Hulkster mocked his own Silver Dome/Superdome screw up from a few years back and played to the crowd. Cue the "whatcha gonna do...?" shtick and that was the end of that until Paul Heyman marched to the ring and grabbed a microphone. 

He said if Brock Lesnar was not on last, the two of them were not hanging around all night. He introduced his client and the Universal Championship match was underway.

Grade: A

Analysis: Bliss kicks off the show, Hogan makes his token appearance and Heyman announces the start of the main event far before any of us expected it to happen.

This was an electrifying opening that gave us the unpredictable right out of the gate.

UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: SETH ROLLINS VS. BROCK LESNAR

A focused, ferocious Lesnar attacked Rollins as he entered the ring, delivering a knee that drove him to the floor and an F-5 on the floor that left the 2019 Royal Rumble winner reeling. He tossed him face-first into the ring apron and tossed him over two announce tables.

"The Beast is on an absolute rampage at WrestleMania," Corey Graves said, accurately describing the destruction Lesnar had caused.

After minutes of the champion obliterating Rollins around the ringside area, the bell rang and Lesnar welcomed the challenger to Suplex City.

That is, until The Architect  wriggled out of an F-5 attempt and bumped the referee. A low blow followed and Rollins delivered three straight Stomps to win the Universal Championship.

Result: Rollins defeated Lesnar to win the Universal Championship

Grade: A

Analysis: And with that, we have our first headline-making result of the night.

Rollins overcame a punishing assault to win the title and end Lesnar's reign of terror over the Raw brand. Bruised, cut, battered and beaten, he stood atop the stage the leader of the brand that he has been for the last eight months.

It was almost surreal to see Lesnar beaten as quickly as he was, but when one takes into consideration that his return to the company with a new contract is no certainty, it makes sense that WWE Creative would focus on a fresh face to guide the show than the established attraction who can drive in viewers even without the title.

What an explosive way to kick off this show.

AJ STYLES VS. RANDY ORTON

AJ Styles and Randy Orton brought their intensifying rivalry to the squared circle at WrestleMania, each jockeying for position in the WWE Championship picture while also seeking bragging rights over the other.

Styles withstood an early onslaught by Orton to deliver a forearm smash on the arena floor. As he re-entered the squared circle, The Viper caught his opponent with a kick and shoved him into the guardrail. A focused, methodical and cerebral attack on The Phenomenal One ensued.

Styles mounted a comeback, rocking Orton with a corner clothesline. A big neckbreaker earned him a near-fall. Orton wrestled control back from his opponent, though, and set him up for the draping DDT. Styles evaded it, rolled through and applied the Calf Crusher. Orton screamed in agony but refused to tap, instead opting to grab hold of the bottom rope.

The Phenomenal One delivered a 450 splash for a near-fall, but he was again unable to build a sustained offense. Orton set Styles up on the top rope for a superplex attempt and perfectly executed it. He followed with draping DDT.

Orton tried for the RKO, but Styles escaped and rolled him up for a two count. The Phenomenal One rebounded right into an RKO, but the third-generation competitor could not keep him down for the win.

Frustrated and determined to win, Orton perched Styles up top and tried for a super RKO.

Styles escaped and delivered a Pele Kick to the back of the neck that sent The Viper to the floor.

With Orton prone on the outside, Styles delivered a springboard Phenomenal Forearm to the floor. Back in the ring, he delivered another forearm to score the pinfall victory.

Result: Styles defeated Orton

Grade: B

Analysis: The match took a minute or two to get moving, but once it did, it was a smartly wrestled match that relied heavily on counters and reversals before Styles simply proved better than his opponent. Nothing more, nothing less.

The question now is whether this is the end of the program or just the start.

The clean win would suggest the former, but with no obvious path for either in the wake of this event, it would behoove all involved to let them wage war on at least one more pay-per-view presentation.

FATAL 4-WAY FOR THE SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Usos became the first team to enter WrestleMania three years in a row as tag team champions Sunday, but they were forced to defend against The Bar, Rusev and Shinsuke Nakamura, and Aleister Black and Ricochet if they wanted to exit with the gold around their waists.

The action was fast and furious from the opening bell, but the most memorable spot of the opening minutes was a three-rotation headscissors by Ricochet that was answered with a nasty uppercut by Cesaro. The Cesaro Swing followed while Sheamus unloaded on Nakamura, Jey Uso and Black.

Cesaro shook the minute-long swing off and applied the Sharpshooter to The One and Only as Corey Graves teased new champions.

After several minutes of action that put Ricochet and Black on the defensive, all eight competitors engaged in a Tower of Doom spot that ended with everyone down except The One and Only, who almost landed on his feet.

With Sheamus down, Ricochet delivered the 630 splash for a close two-count that was broken up by the opposition.

All Superstars unloaded with their finishers or signature maneuvers, including a big Brogue Kick from Sheamus that turned Ricochet inside out.

The Usos delivered a double superkick to a braggadocios Celtic Warrior and followed with a double top rope splash to score the win and successfully defend their titles.

Result: The Usos defeated Ricochet and Black, Nakamura and Rusev and The Bar

Grade: B

Analysis: They packed a ton of action into this one, never giving fans the opportunity to breathe. All four teams impressed, improving upon last year's rather pedestrian Triple Threat match for the SmackDown tag titles. 

Ricochet and Black, in particular, made the most of their WrestleMania debut and really stood out. They were the fan favorites and should be just fine going forward.

Some will look at the Usos' victory as more of the same old, same old, but they have been as consistently great as any other act in WWE over the last year, through ups and downs creatively, and they earned the right to leave a WrestleMania with their arms raised in victory.

The real MVP of the match, though? Cesaro, whose 32-rotation big swing left the arena in awe.

FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE MATCH: THE MIZ VS. SHANE MCMAHON

Weeks of frustration, anger and an unquenchable thirst for vengeance led The Miz to WrestleMania 35 and a Falls Count Anywhere match with Shane McMahon.

McMahon stalled early, forcing Miz to chase him around the squared circle. From there, he laid hands on George Mizanin, suckering The Hollywood A-Lister into letting his emotions get the best of him and teeing off on him.

McMahon took control of his opponent, using strikes to down Miz and a television monitor to knock him unconscious on the announce table. McMahon climbed the ropes for his trademark elbow drop, but Miz's father hopped the guardrail and came face-to-face with his son's rival in the center of the ring.

Shane-O-Mac attacked George, drawing the rage of Miz, who reappeared and took the fight to the fourth-generation Superstar. He launched himself over the guardrail and onto his opponent, hammering away with a series of lefts to the head.

McMahon halted the onslaught, sending Miz into the LED board in the middle of the audience and flattening him with a DDT for two. Miz recovered and began targeting Shane's knee, blasting it with a steel chair. The fight continued to the international commentary position, where Miz continued his WrestleMania-sized ass-whooping.

He put McMahon through a table but scored only a count of two. He unloaded with a monitor shot to the face, dropping his former tag team partner 10 feet down, off a golf-cart roof to the ground below.

Taking a page from Undertaker and Triple H at WrestleMania X-Seven, Miz fought McMahon onto the mid-stadium scaffolding. He delivered the Skull-Crushing Finale to the boss' son but could still only keep him down for two.

The Superstars climbed to the top of the lighting rig, where McMahon begged off further punishment from Miz. The former partners fell some 15 feet to the ground in a jaw-dropping superplex spot, but it was McMahon who happened to land on top of Miz.

An alert referee made the count and Shane-O-Mac was declared the winner.

Result: McMahon pinned Miz

Grade: B+

Analysis: The finish may feel like a cop-out, but it was a clever one that will allow McMahon to continue touting his status as the Best in the World while further fueling Miz to seek revenge in a later match.

Preceding the finish and everything surrounding it, it felt long and oddly booked, but when looking at the entire presentation as a whole, it was a beautiful bit of storytelling that led to an infinitely better match than anyone expected.

McMahon bumped his ass off to put over Miz's fury and deserves credit for the match being as good as it was. Kudos to Miz for performing up to the moment in what was his biggest match on this stage since 2011.

FATAL 4-WAY FOR THE WOMEN'S TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS

Women's tag team champions Sasha Banks and Bayley defended their titles against The IIconics, Nia Jax and Tamina, and the reunited Natalya and Beth Phoenix Sunday.

Realizing the odds were greater for all involved if they got rid of the biggest threats, the competitors laid Jax and Tamina out at ringside and focused their attention on each other back inside the squared circle.

Billie Kay and Peyton Royce shined momentarily before Phoenix powered out of a double suplex attempt and joined Natalya in a Hart Attack, paying homage to 2019 Hall of Fame inductees The Hart Foundation.

Bayley broke up the pin and moments later, Banks trapped The Glamazon in the Bank Statement. Phoenix countered and tried for the Glam Slam but found herself sent into the corner, where she tagged The Queen of Harts.

Natalya grounded the champions and applied a double Sharpshooter. The champions fought through pain, prevented each other from tapping and survived just long enough for Tamina to deliver a superkick that broke the submission up.

With both Banks and Bayley down, Tamina and Jax climbed the ropes for a double splash attempt, but Phoenix knocked the latter to the floor. Momentarily distracted, The Glamazon fell prey to the Meteora by Banks, and then ate a flying elbow from Bayley. A frog splash by Banks netted only a two-count.

A double superplex attempt by the champs to Phoenix was interrupted by Natalya, who delivered a powerbomb to Banks.

Phoenix delivered a Glam Slam from the top rope to Bayley, but The IIconics appeared from out of nowhere and made the pin to win the gold.

           

Result: The IIconics defeated Phoenix and Natalya, Jax and Tamina, and Bayley and Banks to win the titles

Grade: B

Analysis: Like the SmackDown Tag Team Championship match, this was all action with better storytelling.

Eliminating Jax and Tamina, showcasing Phoenix and allowing the forgotten, opportunistic IIconics to sneak in and win the titles all made for a smart match that utilized its pieces to perfection and kept the audience engaged.

What could have been a cool-down match had the fans invested by the end and the finish obviously caught them off-guard.

The IIconics have a rare charisma and characters that are fresh. Using them to carry the tag titles across Raw, SmackDown and NXT is a solid decision if the intention is to eventually put over a babyface duo.

If the goal is to have Kay and Royce drop them Monday or Tuesday to newcomers, this will go down as a wasted opportunity and a questionable booking decision because there is more credibility in beating Banks and Bayley.

WWE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: KOFI KINGSTON VS. DANIEL BRYAN

KofiMania ran wild on the Road to WrestleMania, and Kofi Kingston had his long-awaited WWE Championship match with Daniel Bryan in one of the most anticipated bouts of the 2019 event.

The challenger delivered the first heavy blow, soaring through the air and wiping Bryan out at ringside with a falling senton. He withstood an attempt by the champion to ground him and work a submission, and then unloaded on him in the corner.

Kingston was ready for everything, countering anything Bryan threw at him. It was his own devices, a high-risk dive off the top rope, that ended with him crashing sternum-first into the announce table. The miss opened him up to a targeted attack by The Planet's Champion.

Bryan worked the ribs, sternum and back, looking to suck the air out of the challenger. Kingston unloaded with back elbows, creating separation and allowing himself a moment to catch his breath. It was short-lived as Bryan reignited his attack with a series of corner dropkicks.

Kingston went for a double knee, but Bryan caught him and applied a Boston Crab, doing further damage to the midsection and back of the challenger. He tried for a top rope side suplex, but Kingston elbowed out and delivered a big splash to the back of the champion.

A series of near-falls ensued before Bryan tried for a LeBell Lock. Kingston kicked his way out but missed a corner charge and was stomped into the canvas.

Kingston executed SOS, but Bryan countered into another LeBell Lock. The arena came alive, the WWE Universe trying to will the New Day member to stave off submission.

Bryan unloaded on Kingston with his patented kicks, looking to strike the fight out of his rival. He dared the champion to continue before firing off a few of his own. He countered a side kick into an inverted suplex for two.

At ringside, Rowan rocked Big E and Xavier Woods until Trouble Paradise by Kingston stunned him. New Day recovered and delivered Midnight Hour to the heavyweight, and back inside the ring, their teammate tried for Trouble in Paradise.

Bryan ducked and delivered his running knee to the face for a close two-count.

With Kingston prone, Bryan held his arms and stomped away at his face, relentless in his quest to preserve his title reign. He turned it around and applied the LeBell Lock as the crowd booed. The referee checked Kingston's arm, and the challenger stayed alive in the fight.

Bryan refused to release his grip on Kingston, to which the challenger responded by returning the favor with those stiff and unapologetic kicks to the face.

Seconds later, Trouble in Paradise felled Bryan, and Kingston won the WWE Championship.

Kingston celebrated with his two sons and his New Day teammates, Woods and Big E, to close out the most emotional moment of the show to this point.

Result: Kingston defeated Bryan to win the WWE Championship

Grade: A+

Analysis: What a match. What a moment. 

This is what pro wrestling is all about. The emotional roller-coaster ride, the athleticism, the storytelling and the finish WWE fans both young and old had so eagerly anticipated for the last two months. All of it combined to create an unforgettable moment that will live in the annals of WrestleMania forever.

Bryan, overshadowed by Kingston's journey to the match, was absolutely fantastic. He was a virtuoso, the best wrestler on the planet for one match as he guided every spot to the desired outcome.

Kingston, though, was the star. He rose to the occasion, delivered his greatest performance in the most important match of his career and captured the prize that validates his 11 years of hard work and dedication to his craft.

This was the stuff of legend. This is why people invest emotionally in wrestling. One of the best wrestlers to lace his boots and a beloved performer in the middle of his greatest run to date provided fans with a magical experience Sunday night and a genuine Match of the Year candidate. 

Kudos to all involved.

UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: REY MYSTERIO VS. SAMOA JOE

For the first time in his storied career, Samoa Joe took to the WrestleMania stage Sunday, defending his United States Championship against Rey Mysterio.

The challenger, clad in Spider-Man villain Mysterio garb, found himself on the receiving end of a relentless assault from the opening bell.

Mysterio remained resilient, though, and delivered a headscissors into the ropes and a 619 that grounded Joe.

As the challenger soared through the air, The Samoan Submission Specialist caught him and applied the Coquina Clutch to score the lightning-quick submission victory.

Result: Joe defeated Mysterio

Grade: F

Analysis: Why bother?

Yeah, this makes Joe look like a total badass for beating Mysterio as quickly as he did, but it also devalues the future Hall of Famer.

We knew earlier in the week Mysterio was hobbled by an ankle injury. If that is the case, why not scrap the match or find a replacement for Joe, like Ali?

This was more insulting than anything for both men and a major disappointment for the champion, who had his first taste of 'Mania in forgettable fashion.

ROMAN REIGNS VS. DREW MCINTYRE

Roman Reigns battled Drew McIntyre in only the second Raw match of the night.

From the opening bell, an aggressive Reigns took the fight to the Scot, hammering away at his foe with hard rights. McIntyre wrestled control away from the former universal champion, though, and worked him over with an armbar.

He fended off a comeback attempt and delivered a nasty suplex from the ring apron to the floor, leaving both men nursing backs wracked with pain.

McIntyre flattened Reigns with a reverse spinebuster, and then cut off another opportunity for The Big Dog to create some separation.

Reigns finally did mount his comeback and delivered a Drive-By that left The Scottish Psychopath reeling. He delivered a Samoan Drop on the floor.

Reigns delivered a big clothesline and teased the Superman Punch. McIntyre ducked, though, and delivered a headbutt.

Reigns, off the rebound, delivered the punch anyway and called for the spear. He executed it and won in a fairly straightforward match.

Result: Reigns defeated McIntyre

Grade: C-

Analysis: The effort was there from both guys, but a combination of fans never buying McIntyre as a legitimate threat to Reigns and exhaustion in the wake of Kofi Kingston's win led to a pedestrian match.

Reigns going over was the right call, especially after his emotional comeback, but McIntyre looked like any other guy on the roster and that is not OK. He could have been filled in for by Bo Dallas or Titus O'Neil and it would have had the same effect. That is inexcusable, especially considering the lack of depth on the heel side of things on Raw.

The repercussions of the booking of this match may haunt the flagship for the foreseeable future, especially as the company seeks guys to program against Reigns and new champion Seth Rollins.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN...ELIAS

Promising a huge musical performance at WrestleMania, Elias took center stage Sunday night and introduced...himself, on drums. And piano. Both in pre-tape form.

In the center of the ring, he strummed his guitar, played a little White Stripes and went through his catchphrase shtick.

Elias introduced something specifically for WrestleMania that would "be played for years to come."

Before he could deliver, a video reliving Babe Ruth's famous "called shot" home run aired. John Cena, in full Doctor of Thuganomics garb, made his way to the ring.

Cena busted on his own movies while saying Elias' entire performance sucks. He cracked on the musician playing with himself, referred to himself as "The Golden Shovel" and promised to bury his push.

After a joke about Elias' facial hair that cracked Renee Young on commentary, Cena delivered the F-U (definitely not the Attitude Adjustment Sunday night) and left to a thunderous ovation.

Grade: A

Analysis: The Doctor of Thuganomics is awesome. He never won't be.  

This was fun, harmless entertainment that brought the audience back to life just in time for Triple H and Batista to go too long and kill them again. Or something like that.

More Thuganomics, John, pretty please?

NO HOLDS BARRED: TRIPLE H VS. BATISTA

The legendary career of Triple H was at stake Sunday night at WrestleMania as he battled protégé-turned-blood-enemy Batista in a No Holds Barred match.

The Game was relentless in his assault of The Animal, using a steel chain to punish him and a wrench to maim his hand. He grabbed needle-nose pliers and headed into the squared circle. He blasted him with a steel chair and then went after The Animal's nose ring with the pliers.

The King of Kings laughed his actions off while Batista scurried to the protection of the floor. Creating space between them worked, as he caught Triple H coming off the ring apron and dropped him with a side suplex on the announce table.

Batista controlled the action, pummeling his mentor and unleashing years of pent-up frustration. He set up a pair of ring steps on one announce table and tried for a Batista Bomb through another table, but Triple H back-body-dropped The Animal.

The table did not break.

Running across the announce tables, The Game delivered a spear that drove Batista through the German announce table for a big pop. Now the aggressor, Triple H retrieved his coveted sledgehammer from underneath the ring and fully intended to use it.

Back in the ring, though, Batista flattened him with a spear that nearly earned him the win. He followed up with a Batista Bomb that drove The Game to the mat. It only netted a two-count.

Batista tried for a superplex, but Triple H slid out and delivered a nasty powerbomb onto the steel steps, which The Animal had introduced in the squared circle. Batista answered with a DDT onto the stairs.

Ric Flair appeared and then handed Triple H a sledgehammer and provided a distraction that allowed him to use it on Batista. Another Pedigree followed, and The King of Kings continued his reign over WWE.

Result: Triple H defeated Batista

Grade: C+

Analysis: Like most of Triple H's WrestleMania matches, this was way too long. It was overbooked and unnecessarily violent in an attempt to make up for the weaknesses of the guys involved at this point in their careers.

With that said, they told a story that fit within the context of the story told to that point. Though the audience didn't react a lot to anything they did, both guys worked extremely hard, and the result was a match better than the crowd's response would suggest.

Now, if we could never see them in a match that long or needlessly overbooked again, it would be greatly appreciated.

KURT ANGLE VS. BARON CORBIN

Kurt Angle wrestled his final match Sunday night, squaring off with the man that has made his life a living hell for the last eight months, Baron Corbin.

Angle took the fight to The Lone Wolf early, dropping him with a German suplex, but Corbin wrestled control away from the Olympic gold medalist.

Angle then survived a Deep Six and delivered an Angle Slam for a near-fall.

Angle applied the ankle lock, but Corbin rolled through, sending him face-first into the turnbuckles. An arrogant Corbin mocked the idea of John Cena battling Angle in this spot. He paid for it as Angle delivered a nasty forearm.

With Corbin grounded, Angle scaled the ropes for a moonsault, something we had not seen in years.

He missed, and Corbin followed with End of Days, pinning Angle clean in the center of the ring and silencing the crowd. 

Result: Corbin defeated Angle

Grade: D

Analysis: Angle bowing out in defeat is exactly what one would expect from him. He is a class act, a Superstar who has never shied away from putting others over. It makes sense that he would look to make a star out of Corbin.

What does not is the...afterthought-iness of it all.

This felt like one of the least important matches and moments on the card despite it being the end of one of the greatest rivalries in wrestling history.

I felt less glad that I got to see Angle's last match and more sad that he went out the way he did, unceremoniously and in less than 10 minutes.

This was not what anyone wanted out of the segment, least of all Angle, who looked relatively unemotional about it as he walked the aisle one last time.

Congratulations to Corbin, though, who remains poised to be one of the company's lead villains in the aftermath of WrestleMania.

INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: FINN BALOR VS. BOBBY LASHLEY

The Demon returned from the abyss as Finn Balor challenged Bobby Lashley for the Intercontinental Championship in a match months in the making.

A relentless, ferocious Lashley was unleashed from the opening bell. He sent The All Mighty to the floor and delivered a tope, laying the champion out at ringside. A big slam and suplex turned the tide in Lashley's favor.

It was short-lived, as Balor unloaded on Lashley and returned the match to the squared circle. A momentary distraction by Lio Rush allowed the champion to deliver a spear through the ropes and to the floor.

Back in the ring, Lashley tried for a powerbomb, but The Demon unloaded with a series of elbows to break free. He delivered a powerbomb of his own and delivered the Coup de Grace for the win and the Intercontinental title.

Result: Balor defeated Lashley to win the Intercontinental Championship

Grade: C+

Analysis: Balor brought The Demon out, and he obliterated Lashley (for the most part) and took the title.

It was exactly what it needed to be. After weeks of frustration at the hands of Lashley and Rush, he fended both off and regained a title he never should have lost.

Common sense causes us to ask why Balor doesn't compete as The Demon all the time if he is so successful? But the less you think about it and the more you get lost in the super-cool display of theatricality, the better it is.

TRIPLE THREAT WINNER-TAKE-ALL MATCH

The Raw and SmackDown Women's Championships were on the line in the historic first women's main event Sunday as Becky Lynch sought to dethrone both Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair and pay off The Man's journey to the top of the industry.

SmackDown champion Flair arrived in style, landing outside the stadium in a helicopter, not unlike her Hall of Fame father Ric during the legendary 1985 Great American Bash.

Before she entered the arena, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts performed "Bad Reputation" live, playing Raw champion Ronda Rousey to the squared circle. 

Flair was out next, becoming the first member of her family to compete in the main event of wrestling's grandest event. 

Lynch entered third, minus the frills, intense focus painting her face.

Rousey dominated early, booting Lynch to the floor and delivering Piper's Pit to Flair at ringside. Lynch sent Rowdy into the ring post, and Flair sent her into the guardrail to set up a showdown between former friends. 

Rousey interrupted and turned a double-powerbomb attempt into a double submission. A dropkick by The Man to Rousey sent her tailbone-first into the apron. With the Raw champion down at ringside, Flair teed off on Lynch, delivering knee drops to the back of the head.

She tried a moonsault but landed in the grasp of Lynch, who tried for the Disarm-Her. Rousey reappeared and broke the submission up. She applied her own armbar, but Flair kneed her to force the break. A double Natural Selection earned Flair two near-falls. 

Flair chopped Rousey, to which the Raw champion replied, "you chop like a b---h." Flair caught her with one to the face and Rousey tried for an armbar.

Lynch returned to the squared circle and delivered a double DDT for a two count on both women.

Moments later, she delivered a Bexploder suplex from the top rope to Flair. Rousey appeared and powered both women down. She tried for a double armbar, but The Queen and The Man delivered three straight powerbombs to break the hold.

The action was nonstop, the women cutting a furious pace.

Lynch applied the Disarm-Her for a strong false finish, but the Raw champ broke the hold. Rousey charged at Lynch in the corner but struck the ring post. The Man applied her submission again, but Flair broke it up. A Spanish Fly from the top rope led to another quality near-fall.

With her other opponent down at ringside, Flair applied a Figure Four around the ring post, damaging Rousey's knee. Lynch broke it up but was driven back into the guardrail. Flair applied the Figure Eight to Rousey, but Lynch flew in from out of nowhere to break the hold.

Lynch retrieved a table and slid it into the ring. She set it up, but when Rousey gained momentum, she overturned it. As the two women battled back-and-forth, Flair delivered a double spear that earned her a two count.

With the table set up in the corner, Flair bounced Rousey's head off it. Lynch interjected but ate a spear. The opposition paired up and sent Flair through the table before engaging in the intense brawl fans wanted to see in this spot in the first place.

As Rousey hoisted Lynch up for Piper's Pit, Lynch shifted her weight and scored the pinfall victory on a crucifix. Rousey looked on in disbelief as Lynch celebrated her victory in the center of the ring, fireworks exploding from atop the stadium.

Result: Lynch defeated Rousey and Flair to win both the Raw and SmackDown Women's Championships

Grade: A for the match and an F for the winner

Analysis: The historic first women's main event had the feel of a big match, featured three women beating the unholy hell out of each other and provided fans the outcome they desired. It earned its grade and put an exclamation point on a noteworthy event.

Timing was an issue late, as it felt like the women were rushing to get certain spots in and the finish—casting doubt on Lynch's victory by questioning whether Rousey's shoulders were down—could have been better.

With those two complaints out of the way, this was a damn good match that channeled the emotions of the women involved, provided a suitable conclusion to weeks of preparation and made the most of the historic opportunity.

Rousey bumped all over, Flair and Lynch turned in two more stellar performances, and the fans bought in with every passing minute. What could have been a major disappointment given the hour of show that proceeded it was, instead, everything those involved could have hoped for.

This was a strong conclusion to a mostly good WrestleMania that overstayed its welcome and robbed Lynch of a longer celebration to close out the night.

As for the winner I think having Lynch win it all gets an F. Yeah we all know that Ronda Rousey is moving on so give both belts to Charlotte Flair. Flair looks like a woman and a beautiful woman she is. Flair deserves to have both belts. Instead they give the belts to an ugly looking man. Lynch doesn’t look like a woman nor does she act like a woman. I’ve seen men who dress up like women in downtown Pittsburgh that look better then Lynch. As far as I’m concern Lynch doesn’t deserve the belts nor did she work hard enough to earn both belts.