Brock Lesnar Retains WWE Universal Title In WrestleMania 34 Shock
'Big Dog' gets the Old Yeller treatment in New Orleans.
Brock Lesnar retained his WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 34, pinning Roman Reigns in 15:55 to close the mammoth seven-hour event.
This almighty shock will ultimately define this year's Show Of Shows. Reigns' victory and coronation had been telegraphed as early as summer 2017, when it was first revealed that WWE would build towards him vs. Lesnar at 'Mania 34. Instead, WWE took a sharp left turn, with 'The Beast Incarnate' defeating Roman in brutal, bloody fashion.
Lesnar controlled much of the action. He blasted 'The Big Dog' with six German Suplex and five F-5's, before busting him open with a glancing MMA-style elbow, similar to his SummerSlam '16 match with Randy Orton.
A torrent of claret poured from the wound, streaming down Roman's face, and pooling on the mat. It was a stark, grisly visual that somehow brought Reigns back to life, but he was doomed. Brock survived two Spears, then nailed a sixth F-5, scoring the pinfall.
The match itself will divide opinion. Undoubtedly diminished by the flat arena atmosphere, it was almost astonishingly one-sided at times, and carried by a dark, violent current. Regardless, if the point of the conclusion was to get people talking, the bookers have more than done their jobs.