Wrestlemania 39 in Hollywood Review

Hello there, long time no see! I have been on a brief hiatus but I am back and fired up for the biggest event of the year for wrestling fans: WRESTLEMANIA. I love the two night concept. I will basically just be giving you my thoughts on each match as they go. I came into this event unlike other ones, with huge expectations. This card is STACKED and more importantly the story lines and story telling coming into this show is 1000000% better than it was a year ago. I appreciate all the people who make it possible for me to be writing and I’m glad to be back! Let’s get to the review!

Austin Theory defeats John Cena to retain United States Championship

This match was exactly what it needed to be. We all knew what the outcome would be (except for Jimmy Bay Bay) and even knowing that the match delivered. John Cena is the GOAT and anytime he comes back it’s a big deal and especially when he comes back to put over young talent. I viewed this as a passing of the torch with a good ending. I loved Theory biting to get out of holds as it was just showing he was going to do whatever it took to win. He handled everything Cena threw at him and ended it with an A Town down. This is exactly the match that should kick off the show. Solid opener that got the job done on many levels.

Street Profits defeat Braun Strowman & Richochet vs Alpha Academy vs The Viking Raiders

This was a very fun match. Which is saying something because I already deemed this match as my “bathroom break” match. The Angelo Hawkins spot on Braun Strowman, interuppting the Strowman Express was amazing. The Viking Raiders athletic ability to do top rope moves for guys that size is ridiculous. Richochet does things in the ring that leaves me dumbfounded. This was a really good showcase which gives me hope that the Women’s Showcase on night 2 might be good. Good showing all around and all four teams came out looking good. Street Profits get a huge much needed win and could potentially be in line for a WWE Undisputed Tag Team Championship match down the road. Good job by all involved.

Seth Rollins defeats Logan Paul

If this match didn’t show the Logan Paul haters that he belongs then I don’t know what will. I was sold on him after the Reigns match in Saudi but this one was good too. Seth Rollins is the best wrestler in the world. Read that again if you didn’t get it the first time. This match to me, was WWE saying “Look you have been our workhorse this year, here’s a big Wrestlemania win and next years Mania we will have something much bigger for you.” The dude got Cody back over when he came back, put up classic matches with Roman and elevated Logan Paul. The KSI in the Prime bottle was both clever and hilarious. Seth’s entrance was one of my favorite parts of the show. Every time the fans sing his entrance I get goosebumps. I know the rumors of Logan Paul’s expiring deal are circulating but I really hope they can bring him back. The guy is made for this. Another enjoyable fun match where the right person won.

Becky Lynch, Lita and Trish defeat Damage CTRL

This match had me conflicted. I felt Becky and company should win but when I thought more in depth about it Damage CTRL needed it more. With Damage CTRL losing I feel the end of the group might be coming. I was convinced either Trish would turn on Becky to set up their Summerslam rumored match or Damage CTRL would turn on Bayley since they have been stuck in the mud for the last month or so. Maybe we get one of these on the Raw after Wrestlemania. The match itself was solid. The Trish foot flip spot to the outside was really well done. I also like the Man Handle Slam from the top rope and Becky pinning Bayley, hopefully ending this feud that honestly has probably gone on way to long. I’m curious what these 6 women’s futures are going forward but their match was solid and told a good story.

Rey Mysterio defeats Dominick Mysterio

Another great story that is far from being over. The involvement of the whole Mysterio family has added a lot to this already great feud. Dominick’s entrance was the best Wrestlemania entrance I’ve ever seen. It was perfect absolutely perfect. Rey’s entrance with Snoop Dogg with the tribute to Eddie almost made me tear up, almost. As for the match itself I have to ask. Has anyone improved more in the last year more than Dominick Mysterio? That answer is no. The dude has massive heat, is improving in the ring each week and is a killer promo. This match was great and the involvement of Bad Bunny at the end probably sets up Damien Priest/Dominick vs Rey/Bad Buddy at Backlash, which would make sense. I’m excited to see this feud continue and I honestly don’t care when it ends. Every part of it has been excellent. Great stuff.

Pat McAfee defeats The Miz, with help from San Francisco 49ers Tight End George Kittle

I’m a huge Pat McAfee fan. From his daily show to his WWE commentary and matches. Everything this guy touches turns into money and this segment was money. Corey Graves getting so pissed McAfee was there is always great. Michael Cole acting like a teenage girl who just got the new Taylor Swift album when McAfee’s music hit is hilarious every single time. McAfee, with help from George Kittle defeated The Miz, which was pretty much as squash. Corey Graves saying near the end of the match ” It’s not my fault they wont let me fight him” I thought was very interesting. Graves vs McAfee is a match that we need, assuming Graves can get cleared for it. Overall, a fun segment and a nice surprise to see McAfee back even if it was just for one night.

Rhea Ripley defeats Charlotte Flair to become new WWE Smackdown Women’s Champion

Classic. Absolute classic. THIS IS HOW YOU SHOULD USE CHARLOTTE FLAIR!!!! She doesn’t need to beat every damn woman on the roster like she did under Vince’s booking. Charlotte took Rhea from the star she already was to a mega star. You seen her smiling on the outside just showing she knew what they did was special. Both women looked strong and this was the best women’s match I’ve seen since Bayley/Banks at Takeover Brooklyn. Rhea Ripley is Chyna with more talent and HHH see’s that and the booking for her has been great. I’m interested to see what the future holds for The Judgment Day since she will be on Smackdown now but this match delivered and the story has a perfect ending with Rhea getting her retribution for losing to Charlotte during the Covid Wrestlemania. Great job by Charlotte, Rhea and Jason Jordan for producing one hell of a match. ABSOLUTE CLASSIC. Give it all the stars.

Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn defeats The Usos to win the WWE Undisputed Tag Team Championships

Cinematic magic. What’s crazy is I could have just put those two words as my whole review for this match and it would have been enough. This was one of the best tag matches I’ve seen since I began watching wrestling when I was 6 years old way back in 1996. WWE nailed this match by having it go on last. The storytelling, the facials of Jey Uso and Sami every time they locked up during this match. Sami kicking out of the 1D, Kevin Owens getting slammed through the announce table and the finish of not 1, 2 but 3 Helluva kicks to Jey to get the win was the perfect ending. This match delivered on every level and I cannot wait to see what comes next. Kevin Owens was right, Sami Zayn has been the MVP of the WWE the last 6 months. He was also right that the Usos are underappreciated. They are the best tag time I’ve watched in my lifetime. It was an honor to be able to watch a match like this at the highest level. Standing ovation for all those involved in making this instant classic.

Brock Lesnar defeats Omos

I know MANY people that were upset that this match was even made. Wrestlemania is about moments and whether you like it or not Brock Lesnar giving the F-5 to Omos will be one they show for years to come. Omos is a huge guy and it’s very impressive how Brock could German Suplex and F5 him and that’s probably all WWE wanted out of this. Brock sold his ass off for the offense Omos did get but the right guy did win. This wasn’t a classic or a technical masterpiece. It was a short hard hitting match that had the proper ending. Solid way to kick off night 2.

Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler defeats Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez, Natalya & Shotzi, Sonya Deville & Chelsea Green

As alluded to earlier, I was hoping this match could measure up to the Men’s Fatal Four Way Showcase and it didn’t at all. I mean I probably could have booked this and made it more exciting. The match did nothing for me and Ronda doesn’t either. They felt forced being added to this match and this was predictable. I’d call it disappointing but I had no expectations for it. Let’s just forget this match happened and move to the next.

Gunther defeats Drew McIntyre & Sheamus to retain his WWE Intercontinental Championship

Very cool video packages leading up to this match. I can’t lie I am very excited for this match. It should be the most physical match of the entire weekend. I also want Sheamus to finally get the IC Championship so he too can be a Grand Slam Champion. Gunther’s chops are ridiculous, I don’t know how you can get up from one of them let alone 5 or 6. The spot where McIntyre and Sheamus double team Gunther while he was in the ropes was incredible. This match is crazy, bodies everywhere. Even Michael Cole can’t handle it. The moment where Drew pulled Sheamus off of Gunther when he was going to get the 3 count. WOW! DREWS SENTON OVER THE TOP ROPE OMG! This match is killing it. Gunther power bombs both men and pins Drew to win. This match was phenomenal and one of the best of the whole entire weekend. Gunther retains in one of the most physical crazy matches I’ve seen in a while. MID CARD TITLES MEAN SOMETHING AGAIN HELL YEAHHHHH!!!

Bianca Belair defeats Asuka to retain the WWE Raw Women’s Championship

Coming into this match I felt Asuka had to win this match but I am pretty torn. I just feel Bianca’s run lately has been super flat and she’s better chasing the belt than actually being the champion but let’s see how it plays out. I’m ready to see this “New Asuka” in action. Very cool entrances for both women. The Bianca power bomb on the outside to Asuka was painful, it hurt me to hear the thud. This was a good back and forth match. This is one of the matches on the card that are legit 50-50 in my mind. Bianca is one of the strongest women I have ever seen, she just has pure strength. The KOD to the Asuka Lock to the KOD was incredible holy $hit!!!! Bianca gets the win, but what does this do to the “New Asuka” she has lost the rumble and now at Wrestlemania. We’ll see what happens but I’m interested to see who Bianca’s next challenger is. Good match just surprised they didn’t make the change and let Asuka get the win here.

Shane McMahon/Snoop Dogg beat The Miz

Just seeing Shane back is amazing. Especially with all the heat he had last year from his behavior at The Royal Rumble. THE REAL BEST IN THE WORLD IS BACK! Shane looks like he blows his knee on the leap frog. Snoop punches Miz in the mouth twice. Snoop has a stronger right hand than Logan Paul. He also does The People’s Elbow better than The Rock. Then he pins The Miz. Snoop has been great this whole weekend. Fun segment. I give the win to Snoop and Shane. Thankfully Snoop saved that segment.

Edge defeats “The Demon” Finn Balor in Hell in a Cell

I’ve been waiting for this one for a LONG TIME! Brood Edge’s entrance was badass no other way to put it. Wasn’t full Brood entrance but still awesome. Finn’s Demon entrance was great as usual. I really think Finn needs this win but Edge also hasn’t won a relevant match in a while so it’s a toss up for me. NO MORE RED CELL THANK GOD. The ladder to the face of Balor was a crazy spot. Busted Balor open right away. To the people who talk about wrestling being fake take a ladder to the face and see how you like it. Good stuff between these guys. I’m so happy Hell in a Cell matches are being used to end feuds than be a random PPV every year. Edgecution off the ladder was a great spot. Only to be topped by the missed Kuda Gras by The Demon. The crowd is right, this is awesome. After the spear I thought Edge had that. That was close. Edge beating The Demon was an interesting choice. The Demon character has definitely lost his edge. No pun intended. Good match. Questionable ending. Balor & Dom lose and Rhea wins at Mania this weekend. Wonder what that means for The Judgment Day going forward. Guess we’ll see tomorrow on Raw.

Roman Reigns vs Cody Rhodes

This is it. The perfect ending to the story or the continued dominance of Roman Reigns. I picked Cody to win but I honestly would love for a swerve and Roman somehow retains. It still feels like this should be Sami’s spot. But let’s see what happens. I got goosebumps just waiting for this match. Cody’s entrance is so over it doesn’t need anything added to it. Giving his belt to Luke Harper’s son was so freaking cool. Roman appears to be taking Cody lightly early on mocking him every time he tries to get in some offense and Cody has that doubtful unsure look on his face. Roman’s mannerism’s are so GOOD. Love the use of Solo here, sneaky chair shot early in this one and then the foot grab when Cody started to show little signs of life. Back body drop through the announce table gives Cody life. Michael Cole is great at his job, his selling is off the charts. Best announcer ever period, don’t @ me. Cody has all the offense in the world going now but the Cody Cutter only gets a two. What a fury of offense by Cody. Solo getting ejected by the ref after hitting Cody with his weight belt was a huge turning point in this match. Cody hits a Cross Rhodes as Roman argues with the ref and he kicks out at two. The match is picking up now, lets go!!! WOW THE PEDIGREE! That’s storytelling. This is FANTASTIC! I don’t think there is one person sitting down in the whole stadium. Roman lands a hell of a Superman punch and Cody somehow kicks out. Paul Heyman is great on the outside, no one can sell with their mannerisms like Heyman. Cody locks in the Figure Four!!!! Cody is going deep into the arsenal. Roman escapes and ends up hitting a spear which I thought ended it, but Cody kicks out. The energy and emotion in this match, THIS IS WHAT WRESTLING IS ABOUT. Roman looks like he’s had it as he seems to have taken control. Cody breaks out of Roman’s submission (sorry I can’t spell it). Then Cody accidentally hits the ref. HERE WE GO!! Here are The Uso’s right on time. KO AND SAYN TO MAKE THE SAVE!!!!!! Stunner to Roman from KO AND HELLUVA KICK FROM SAMI. STORYTELLING!!! Both men are down in the middle of the ring and the ref has life. Roman kicks out at 2. WOW, just wow. This match is something else. Rhodes hits two Cross Rhodes, Heyman distracts the ref as Solo sneaks up from behind hits the Samoan Spike and Roman hits the spear and gets the win. ROMAN RETAINS! I have said for weeks this doesn’t feel like the right moment. This build was good but felt rushed. Cody will get his moment just not right now. Roman runs WWE and it should stay like that until the right moment. I think Solo should ultimately be the guy that dethrones Roman but that’s neither here or there. Great main event to a great weekend of wrestling. Can’t wait for Monday Night Raw tomorrow to see whats next.

A great overall weekend from Stand & Deliver and both nights of Wrestlemania. As a life long wrestling fan I am proud of all the effort and respect every single person from performers to stage managers to the ring builders that make this possible. I cannot wait to see what happens tomorrow on Raw. Thank you for everyone who checked this out and continue to support Wrestlebuddy and professional wrestling. This is me signing off. See you next time.

About Author