10 Expectations Vs. Reality For WWE WrestleMania 35

3. Brock Lesnar Vs. Seth Rollins

Expectations Reality
WWE.com

Expectation:

For two long years, with only brief, abbreviated exception, Brock Lesnar has ruled o'er WWE with the Universal Title draped carelessly over his shoulder. RAW is inherently an uneven and over-familiar show, and that is an objective take. It needs no additional help to mean little, and yet, Brock Lesnar is the difference-maker. Ironically, that's what he was reintroduced as, but it's different now. His stranglehold is the most powerful - destructive - weapon in all of WWE.

But this is good different; he is motivated when stood across the ring from a dynamic, exhilarating wrestler of the sort he excels against, and Rollins, of course, has waited for this moment his entire career. He is going to take the most reckless bumps he has ever taken to drive home the profound struggle and manipulate our anxiety. And then, after crashing his knee into Lesnar's beet, wobbling cheek, the Beast falls to his knees. Rollins rebounds off the ropes, and spikes his face into the canvas with the Curb Stomp. The Beast is dead; Rollins has reclaimed the Universal Championship, and will rebuild the RAW main event in his super-worker image.

Reality:

Lesnar casually drops the word 'Dana' in earshot of Vince, who, already wrapping figurative measuring tape around Seth's waist in a case of last-minute buyer's remorse, is convinced to put his hallowed fave over.

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!