10 Things We Learned Attending WWE WrestleMania 40 Live

WWE had already dubbed WrestleMania 40 the biggest and best 'Show of Shows' in history before its first half had even wrapped - and at times, these lofty claims felt justified.

From Cody Rhodes finishing the story and The Rock's planet-sized return to the ring, to the emotional triumphs of Sami Zayn and Bayley and Rhea Ripley's legacy-cemented conquering of Becky Lynch, 'Mania was crammed with capital 'M' moments. This was a show so grandiose, over the top, and fun that the idea of anyone making their way through the turnstiles and not having a good time sounds insane.

The WhatCulture Wrestling team was fortunate enough to attend both nights of WrestleMania 40 amongst other events taking place across the weekend. As always, it proved a perspective-shifting experience, even for those of us whose wrestling preferences typically lie outwith the TKO juggernaut.

Within is a collection of what we thought and felt across a special weekend for the world's greatest form of entertainment, covering the live experience, pomp, circumstance, and everything in between...

NOTE: This article is a collaboration between Michael Sidgwick and Andy H. Murray. The specific author is denoted by initials at the foot of each entry.

WrestleMania 40 was the first 'Showcase of the Immortals' I had attended since 35 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and, by default, the first since WWE flipped its annual supercard to its current two-night format the following year.

The difference was astronomical. Where previously WrestleMania was veering dangerously close to a monstrous eight-hour runtime, the new era's Saturday and Sunday shows each weigh in at roughly half that. A dreary slog of a live experience that rendered sustained energy levels nigh on impossible is no longer a factor.

WM35 was particularly egregious as it positioned an overlong Triple H vs. Batista No Holds Barred Match, a universally-loathed Baron Corbin defeat of Kurt Angle, and a Fabulous Truth dance break towards the end of a Premium Live Event that wore half its attendees out by Kofi Kingston's sensational victory over Daniel Bryan. And with the event reportedly running beyond its allotted runtime, fans were plunged into post-show travel chaos, scrambling for the last-departing trains and hideously overpriced Ubers.

No such problems with 40. With seven and six matches on Saturday and Sunday respectively, it was easy to stay focused, fresh, and energised. After five years of split-night 'Manias, WWE would be insane to go back to the old marathons.

- AM