WWE WrestleMania 31: Did They Do The Right Thing?

Last we it was the biggest event in wrestling. WrestleMania 31 had arrived. They have been hyping the pay-per-view for months with a string of story-lines and feuds and finally the day, well night was upon us and we were greeted to new champions, old rivalries and dead ends.

But the question remains, did WWE do the right thing with some of their major attractions at this years WrestleMania?
To begin, lets start with the seven-man ladder match for the Intercontinental Championship. Bad News Barrett certainly had his work cut out for him going up against seven other opponents for his Intercontinental championship, and he but on a great match. Possibly putting on one of his best performances for a very long time in trying to defend his championship. But, the match probably has to go to Dean Ambrose for falling through a ladder, snapping it in half while probably breaking his back in the process.

But lets not forget Stardust, I didn't really have high expectations for him in the match, but he put on one hell of a show while taking a super-plex from the top of the ladder in what can only be described as a freakin' car wreck. He hit hard! But. only one man could be victorious and that was Daniel Bryan. It was good. I love Daniel Bryan, and I'm happy that he is getting the strap, but I was really holding out for Dean Ambrose or Wade Barrett. But all in all, it was a great opener, possibly a little short but it had some killer bumps.

Next we see Randy Orton up against Seth Rollins. There wasn't exactly much for them to do or prove in this match since we have seen them literally rip each other apart weeks before but I guess they needed closure for Rollins to take his place as the top dog. But anyway, the match was okay. Not their best effort but damn better than having to witness Orton take on John Cena or John Cena take on anyone for that matter.

While the match was okay and Orton picked up the victory, we did get one of the best RKO's in history. Rollins must have been some 15-feet in the air and then from outta nowhere the viper strikes and leaves Rollins with nothing but the taste of canvas in his mouth. It was a good bout, but there really wasn't much else they could do.

Now we get to THE match. Well, a match that I needed to see. It was Sting vs. Triple H. WWE vs. WCW. Was it the match that finally put WCW in the grave? I think so and I think that was their intentions all along. It should have been Sting's victory, his first WrestleMania, his first actual match in the WWE, and after months of anticipation, Sting loses.

Many were worried that perhaps Sting was passed it. This match while put all the doubters to bed. He still has it, he was running around the ring like he was some twenty-odd years ago. From the Stinger Splash to the Scorpion Death Lock, Sting was bringing the hurt and at that moment I thought that Triple H and the WWE would be the bigger man and give him the win.

Nope. Instead we get D-X. Road Dogg, Billy Gunn and X-Pac. (Seriously, where does X-Pac's loyalty lay? Is it with D-X or the nWo?) They rush to the ring and give Sting a beat down. But in no less than a matter of minutes the nWo's music hits and here we see Hollywood Hogan, Kevin Nash and Scott Hall, all walk rather slowly to the ring and here, outside the ring I might add we finally see D-X and the nWo finally go at it. It was WWE vs. WCW and WCW was getting the upper hand. Well, until one finally member of D-X surfaced  and that was Shawn Michaels, who gave sting the Super Kick which then led to Triple H using the sledgehammer for the win.

The win was a little underwhelming and it should have been Sting's night, but alas, Triple H picked up the win. It was a bad error on their part, but at the same time, they are trying to say that this is it, we won. Now, I wouldn't mind Sting losing if he had the WrestleMania entrance I had hoped for. Something more sinister, going on the crow theme and really going all out. But nope, what we get is some tribal music with face-painted performers. Now you look at Triple H's entrance and they went all out. Granted they were promoting Terminator: Genisys, but they had endoskeletons, and a Terminator-themed Triple H it was quite epic in proportions, but also a little cringe worthy. Nevertheless, it over shadowed Sting's entrance and yet Sting still lost. It's a shame.

Coming off this we go to the Divas match. It was AJ Lee and Paige up against The Bella Twins. This was actually a really good match, but I think it would have been so much better if it was a fatal-four way of a triple threat for the Divas championship instead of a tag-team match. But anyway, they put on a solid performance it which it looked as if they were taking some serious bumps out there. While it didn't last long, AJ Lee put on an impressive Black Widow submission move for the victory. It was nice to see that the Divas are getting a high place on the match card instead of the usual lower card status.

I skipped John Cena vs. Rusev, but Cena picked up the victory and is the new U.S. Champion. While I'm not really a fan, it makes sense putting the title on someone quite big. Perhaps they can finally give the title some prestige once again. But I'm hoping he drops it soon to one of the younger guys, perhaps giving Stardust a run with the title?

Then we come to The Undertaker vs. Bray Wyatt. A match that should have been the passing of the torch as they say, but sadly that didn't happen. Now, don't get me wrong. The Undertaker was absolutely right in winning. Can you imagine him having TWO losses at WrestleMania, that would just KILL his character. So thankfully he won and I have to say both Wyatt and Taker played well off each other both having similar styles while going much slower considering Taker's last battle last year with Brock Lesnar.

The had a good match going, it was back and forth, both hitting finishers and both being absolutely surprised that the other kicked out. One of the highlights was Wyatt doing his freaky spider walk and then have The Undertaker sit straight up and look him straight in the eye. It was a great moment.

So, what could they have done. Well, after The Undertaker won, Bray Wyatt should have taken him out, I mean give him one hell of a beaten, perhaps get a casket involved and summon him to the depths of hell while claiming his essence in the process hailing in a new Phenom in the way of Bray Wyatt. But instead, The Undertaker won and that was it. So, where does Bray Wyatt go now? That's a good question. Will The Undertaker come back, or will it be another year until he resurfaces again? I guess we will find out hopefully tonight on Monday Night Raw, but I wouldn't hold your breath, it just seems like a missed opportunity especially when they should be building for the future.

Lastly, we have the WWE Champion Brock Lesnar (with Paul Heyman) going up against the Royal Rumble winner Roman Reigns. I'm just going to put this out their but THIS was the best match of the whole freakin' year! It was brutal! Roman Reigns took an absolute ass kicking and still kept getting back up for more! It was insane. But on the other hand, Reigns dished out nearly the same amount of punishment on Lesnar, even busting him open a few times, yes, there was blood in PG-era WWE and it was awesome.

This was a absolute slug-fest, and Reigns received something like 10-plus suplexes and a handful of F-5's while taking numerous knee shots to the chest and head. It was brutal and a match that lived up to Brock Lesnar's beast persona. But as many know, if Roman Reigns pinned Lesnar it would have absolutely killed his character, Brock Lesnar is this unstoppable beast, a legitimate fighter. So how to they overcome this problem? Well, their Ace-card, Seth Rollins and his Money in the Bank. Much like they have made Rollins out to be, a guy who takes opportunities where they present themselves, he took the opportunity and curb-stomped Reigns while Lesnar was injured on the outside and thus picking up the victory.

It was a great move, and a move I hope that will either give us a triple threat match between all three at Extreme Rules, or perhaps just Rollins vs. Reigns. I'm still hoping they put Lesnar vs. Daniel Bryan at some point and hopefully this feud sill start, but I doubt it.

Anyway, while there was some questionable outcomes, WrestleMania 31 was one of the best Pay-Per-Views in recent memories, and thanks to The Rock and Rhonda Rousey during their segment with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, it gave the show that extra bit of elevation. The one major downside was Sting's loss and if this was his one and only match in the WWE, it is in poor judgement on their part. Also it didn't help matters that JBL was literally burying Sting out there. It was just wrong, while it was great to see D-X and the nWo, it should have been Sting's night.

But before I go how about this. Imagine for a second that D-X and the nWo was back, how about both factions go toe-to-toe at Survivor Series? I doubt it will ever happen, especially after the Sting and Triple H handshake, but it's food for thought at least. Anyway, how did you like WrestleMania 31?