10 LIVE Observations From WWE WrestleMania 35

5. An All-Time Classic

Daniel Bryan
WWE.com

Beyond the fatigue and everything else, I will forever cherish the memory of watching Kofi Kingston's WWE Championship win.

As much as I love and profoundly respect Daniel Bryan, I'm more passionate about great storytelling and happy resolutions to them. This was one of the most joyful and earned codas in the history of WWE. Watching a show live is conditional on so many factors, and where so many went against the card at large, this was the perfect way in which to watch history. That stadium was roaring. Shaking. Bryan conducted the insane, absolutely molten heat with the craft of a maestro. His stunning counter work rammed our hearts into our mouths again and again and again.

Somehow conspiring to reverse Trouble In Paradise into a Boston Crab, this was the perfect microcosm of an incredible dynamic: Bryan's formidable technical nous versus Kofi's inhuman athleticism and palpable, all-heart humanity. Bryan's facials were just world class. He sold Kofi's heart with a pissed off fear and slipping mask of confidence, before putting his game face on when it came time to twist Kofi's limbs into positions of agony. Bryan, just using his face, put himself over as the Final, unbeatable Boss - that brutal motherf*cker you just can't beat after so many attempts.

A face-smearing, chest-thudding masterpiece of emotion, this was one of the greatest WWE matches of all time.

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!