10 Best Matches From WrestleMania 35 Weekend

2. Kofi Kingston Vs. Daniel Bryan (WrestleMania 35)

Adam Cole Johnny Gargano Kofi Kingston Daniel Bryan
WWE.com

The best WrestleMania match since Brock Lesnar and Roman Reign's big beefy battle at 31, Daniel Bryan vs. Kofi Kingston was the near-perfect realisation of a perfect story, and an impeccable battle between the ultimate babyface underdog and a complete piece-of-sh*t heel.

It was the kind of bout that makes every cynical WWE promo on "making history" or "creating moments" feel worth it. This was history, and it was a moment, but unlike much of what escapes WWE's creative department at this time of year, none of it felt forced. Kingston's triumph was the culmination of a rise that wouldn't have happened had Ali not been injured pre-Elimination Chamber. WWE sensed the surge, listened to their fans, and capitalised, and the emotion that pulsed through the MetLife stadium as Kofi celebrated with his friends and family begs the question of why they don't book things like this more often.

Credit to the performers, too: both were excellent here. Bryan was at his brilliant best, creating a heart-stopping moment with every single near-fall, while Kingston scrapped with every fibre of his being. The new champion left nothing in the tank in what is sure to become a WrestleMania classic.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.