WWE WrestleMania 29 Review

Match 1: The Big Show, Randy Orton, & Sheamus vs. The Shield
Fantastic choice to open up the show with three giant egos going against three guys all on the same page. Felt as if they were trying to get all their cool moves and spots jammed in the allotted time that they were given. But it was all for good reason, this is WrestleMania! Fun action to get the crowd prepared for the entrees that  will be headlining the show later on. Tempers begin to flare when Orton and Sheamus neglect tagging in Big Show. The Shield capitalize on the situation and pick up a huge win for their WrestleMania debuts! Show refused to break up a count on stubbornness and it cost them the contest. Big Show then knocks out both of his partners after the match in disgust of not being tagged in the match.
Winners: The Shield
Rating: ***

Match 2: Mark Henry vs. Ryback
You might be able to mark this match as the surprise of the night. My expectations were kept at a minimum here but the two really paced the action nicely. Flow always seems to be an issue between big guys but that was not the case here, they were crisp in their actions and I enjoyed it more than I should have. They spaced out their moves accordingly and teased Ryback’s Shellshock before nearly hitting it at the end of the match until Henry dropped all of his weight on him to get the win. Surprising that Henry got the win when taking into consideration that Ryback is coming off a big push. Ryback ends up hitting Henry with the Shellshock after the bell.
Winner: Mark Henry
Rating: **

Match 3: WWE Tag Team Championships - Team Hell No © vs. Dolph Ziggler & Big E Langston
Crowd is hot for Team Hell No as the two look to successfully defend the gold on the grand stage. Action was fast like the first match of the night since they were also trying to cram in as much as they could with the small amount of time given. These matches are basically just clearing the stage for the main events later to come and this one, like the other two, served its purpose. Crowd enjoyed things and the execution, while a bit clumsy at times, was great. Daniel Bryan & Kane retain after Kane hits Ziggler with a Chokeslam before Bryan hit the nail on the coffin with a headbutt off the top of the rope.
Winners: Team Hell No
Rating: *½

Match 4: Chris Jericho vs. Fandango
If there is any wrestler that could make another wrestler look like a star in their first match, it would be Chris Jericho. After big hype and a very extravagant entrance, Fandango has much on his plate. Jericho dominated the majority of the match and for right reason, this is Fandango’s first match! Jericho has made a living out of telling stories in the ring and the case is made here against Fandango who looked inferior to Jericho’s experience. However, Fandango turned up a new notch and was finally able to get some good offense in and capitalized on a Jericho mistake. Jericho went to hit a Lionsault before buckling his knee to which Fandango ended up rolling Jericho up for the big win!
Winner: Fandango
Rating: **½

Match 5: World Heavyweight Championship - Alberto Del Rio © vs. Jack Swagger
Getting behind Del Rio as a face is still taking time to get used to. Even the crowd seems a bit on the fence about it. But either way, the set looks absolutely beautiful as Del Rio marches to the ring with fireworks in the air to face Swagger with Zeb Colter by Swagger’s side. Should also be noted that Colter cut a great promo before the match, probably one of his best yet. Despite the crowd not necessarily getting too involved into the match, the two did their parts and with the short time they had, they pulled out a good match. Unfortunately, the title has diluted over the past few years that this match seems a bit meaningless. With that being said, Del Rio locks Swagger in his submission to get the victory.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
Rating: **¾

Match 6: CM Punk vs. The Undertaker
This is my second time watching this match with my first viewing being live on PPV. With that being said, it should be interesting how this match reflects now in 2014. After Punk’s unprecedented 2012, he was rewarded with a match at WrestleMania against The Undertaker. Off the bat, Punk attacked Undertaker with fury and looked absolutely ready for this match. They did a great job of hiding the size difference between the two which I’m sure many felt may have been a distraction. Let’s also not forget the genius that is Paul Heyman who accompanied Punk ringside. His body language and constant yelling throughout the match adds so much to the importance of not only the match, but to The Undertaker and The Streak. There are so many spots to pick from this one; the dive from Punk onto Undertaker which nearly broke the table, Punk kicking out of the Tombstone after a failed GTS attempt, Punk hitting Undertaker with the urn, or Undertaker looking like he was at the top of his game. The only gripe I have and granted, this will make be sound like I am nitpicking, but the fluidity of the match felt off. Much of the time, it felt like the moves and close finishes were so contrived. Did it take me out my experience? Somewhat, and I think that is what ultimately will set this match apart from Undertaker’s classics a few years back. The ending sequence, however, was a thing of beauty with Undertaker setting Punk up out of nowhere for the finishing Tombstone that Punk couldn’t kick out of. 21-0. Fantastic match but I don’t think it will be remembered with the likes of Taker’s matches against Michaels or even Edge. Still, this is likely the match of the night.
Winner: The Undertaker
Rating: ****¼ 

Match 7: No Holds Barred - Brock Lesnar vs. Triple H
This is the big rematch from August as Triple H looks to avenge his loss along with beating the man who destroyed Vince McMahon on Raw. Hard to believe that Paul Heyman is out to manage again! Match starts off slow and I guess this was the right pace considering the roller coaster that the last match gave us. The crowd and the viewers need time to cool down and the tone was set nicely. Once Lesnar suplexed Triple H through the table, another side of the match began to show its face. The action picked up more and both Shawn Michaels and Paul Heyman at ringside were great in enhancing the action. Lesnar looks to be in amazing shape and he pretty much has his way with The Game throughout the better part of the first half of the match. While things did pick up, I didn’t feel the same buzz or excitement that their first bout gave us. The action was a bit slower and probably even more predictable. Did I mention that if Triple H loses, his career his over? Yeah. The final few minutes is where the match really gets good when Michaels hit’s a Sweet Chin Music on Heyman and Triple H nearly makes Lesnar tap out with a Kimura. However, Triple H goes all out and lands a Pedigree on top of the steep steps in the middle of the ring. Did I enjoy this match? Yeah. More than the last one? Not even close. Fun match to lead into the main event but it was just missing something. Lesnar losing hurts his credibility and they need to establish it once more with a rematch sooner rather than later.
Winner: Triple H
Rating: ***½

Match 8: WWE Championship - The Rock (c) vs. John Cena
This is likely The Rock's final chapter of his WWE return stemming from 2011. It's the rematch of the year, Rock vs. Cena II. Much controversy surrounds the choice of this year's main event but in all honesty, this one is the right call. Two of the company's biggest stars wrestling for the most prestigious title, come on. Crowd is definitely tired after just watching seven matches and the early stages of the match didn't really help matters. Slow and very methodical wrestling holds as the crowd sat in their hands. Much like last year, they tried to recreate moments like Rock vs. Hogan or even Cena vs. Triple H. Unfortunately, the crowd was just too wiped and in all honesty, many just weren't feeling the rematch. However, once they turned things up a notch, they reminded us why they are the biggest names in the industry today. Awesome psychology, they teased us with last year's finish on a couple of occasions as Cena was considerate of taunting Rock. The nearfalls were all believable, even when Cena hit a Rock Bottom and when Rock wanted kicked out of an Attitude Adjustment. The finish, however, could have been executed better. Rock wanted to finish Cena off with a Rock Bottom but Cena reversed and hit another Attitude Adjustment and scored a win. Definitely felt like a missed opportunity to have Cena hit it after Rock looked to go for a People's Elbow or even a Five-Knuckle Shuffle. They would have teased last year's finish one last time and conclude the match on a high note. Even still, I enjoyed the main event and seeing Rock celebrate in the ring one last time was cool as he then walked up to the stage where he was saluted by Cena. Cena then raised Rock's hand as the pyro went off, Rock then left the stage where he left Cena alone in front of the thousands. A passing of the torch in a way, a beautiful finish to the show. When I grade this match, I take into account the presentation, the background, the psychology, and everything else in between. To me, there's more to this sport than dives and holds, I felt the love of the game from both sides here. I felt the passion and I felt the hard work.
Winner: John Cena
Rating: ***3/4

Overall Show Thoughts and Rating:
This WrestleMania has seemingly gotten negative feedback for whatever reason. However, I loved it. Was it my favorite? No. But it certainly delivered from the opening and to the three big matches. It felt like a WrestleMania and all of the storylines concluded in the right way. Time will tell if this show will be up there with some of the best.
Rating: 8/10