10 Expectations Vs. Reality For WWE WrestleMania 35

1. Daniel Bryan Vs. Kofi Kingston

Expectations Reality
WWE.com

Expectation:

This holds the potential to steal the show as the most heated, dramatic, and emotional match on the entire card. The dynamic, as we well know from the classic finale of the Elimination Chamber match, is something special. Kofi Kingston brings the high spots with which to amaze the crowd, and the heart to sustain that reaction throughout. Daniel Bryan, a genius craftsman and strategist, brings the sequencing IQ and submission brutality to add finesse and depth to the story, make Kofi earn his comebacks, and, one would expect, the WWE Championship itself. This could really be something. The fiery, impulsive Kofi flails about in that ring, using his raw, explosive athleticism to keep his bewildered opponent guessing - but the intelligent Bryan conceives of every counter. Expect nothing less than a match broad and spectacular enough to get over in a stadium, but equipped with enough detail and artistry to stay over in WrestleMania's legendary pantheon.

Expect a match that oscillates between hope and anxiety with a genius narrative manipulation - and an unrestrained atmosphere that captures this quite stunning and very rare acknowledgement of fan-powered discourse.

Reality:

The match follows Triple H Vs. Batista in the three hour deep death slot, and we are too exhausted in spite of ourselves to bring the noise. Sorry Kofi!

We cared on SmackDown if that still counts?

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!