10 Expectations Vs. Reality For WWE WrestleMania 35

5. The Miz Vs. Shane McMahon

Expectations Reality
WWE.com

Expectation:

This is an optimistic suggestion, admittedly, but WWE smashes the pasty out of these novelty matches on the Grandest Stage. Virtually any 'Mania match involving a non-wrestler delivers - and Shane McMahon could wrestle as often as El Ligero, and still retain that designation. The wider storyline was perversely entertaining, too, which should make for a rapt audience. The Miz excels at...everything that doesn't rely on actual pro wrestling technique. Shane excels at creating a dangerous strain of anxiety with his wild shoot punches, and so expect a furious one-sided blitz, Miz to overcome with his fired-up facials, and a neat Coast-To-Coast Skull Crushing Finale reversal after Shane draws the heat with his impeccably d*ckheaded dancing.

Reality:

An absolutely unworkable disaster!

Let's be honest. The Miz only works as a stellar in-ring heel because his offence looks so sneakily ineffective. Shane, in contrast, beats the piss out of his opponents. What we have here is the gentlest performer in all of wrestling versus the most dangerous, and it can only possibly result in at least two of the worst kinds of match - pro wrestling's version of Gates of Hades.

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!