10 Fascinating Facts About WWE In 2019
4. The Scripted Finish To ‘Mania’s Main Event
Rod Zapata would rather forget the closing seconds of 'Mania 35. He counted to three during a crucifix pin spot even though one of Ronda Rousey's shoulders clearly popped off the mat. To her credit, Rousey took ownership backstage after the show, but that wouldn't stop Vince McMahon from punishing the referee anyway.
This was the main event of WWE's most important show, and everyone botched the bloody finish. According to Ronda, the scripted ending was Becky Lynch making Charlotte Flair tap out. That adds up, and might be the only reason Flair was involved at all.
That finish would've kept a hot one-on-one between Becky and Ronda in WWE's back pockets too. Sadly, creative would never go on to pull the trigger on that bout. It's unclear whether or not the bungled finishing stretch at 'Mania played any part in that, but it probably did.