10 Best Moments Of WWE WrestleMania 33 Weekend

6. The Return Of The Hardy Boyz

Lesnar Mania 33
WWE.com

The Hardy Boyz' return evoked both nostalgia and optimism for the future of the tag team division(s). In its own beautiful way, it crystallised the appeal of WrestleMania itself.

Jeff Hardy did his best to conceal the fact that they were returning, speaking cryptically about testing and such. It didn't work. Everybody knew they'd come, and everybody was in thrall at the prospect. The pop was gigantic.

Their performance in the match itself was abbreviated, but they had wrestled another dangerous Ladder match twenty four hours earlier - so that much was understandable. But they hardly short-changed us; Matt leapt from the top rung to deliver the Twist of Fate to Karl Anderson, and moments later, Jeff climbed up the tallest ladder and performed a trademark psychotic bump by drilling Sheamus and Cesaro, draped across two ladders, with a Swanton Bomb.

Matt did the crazy wild-eyed bit, and even led fans in chants of "DELETE!", but the presentation was more 2001 vintage than BROKEN brilliance. It is a testament to the respect they have commanded, and their enduring popularity, that fans weren't particularly fussed.

It was wonderful to see them back - BROKEN, OBSOLETE, repaired or whatever.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!