10 Things WWE Wants You To Forget About WrestleMania 39
WrestleMania 39 was too good to be true...
Up until the last five minutes, many were prepared to anoint WrestleMania 39 as the new X-Seven.
The event was absolutely tremendous to an almost surreal extent. It felt enormous. WWE generated much buzz and some great numbers ahead of it, but, objectively, was more popular in years gone by. It didn't feel like that over a dreamlike weekend. Almost every positive descriptor was lavished upon the show.
The men's Tag Team Showcase was exhilarating. Rey Vs. Dominik Mysterio was excessively, stupidly fun. The (somewhat clichéd) night one main event was euphoric. Charlotte Flair Vs. Rhea Ripley, and GUNTHER Vs. Sheamus Vs. Drew McIntyre, were as intense, physical, incredible fights as WWE has ever promoted. Bianca Belair's entrance was as spectacular as it was wholesome. Up until the last five minutes, Roman Reigns Vs. Cody Rhodes was trending towards a top three match in company history. Then the finish happened.
The entire show wasn't perfect - hence why you're about to read this 10-point list - but it was a staggering achievement. And - yes - then the finish happened. It was a brutal reminder that the days of Hulk Hogan and Steve Austin and John Cena winning are dead.
As might be the very point of investing in the company...
10. Bobby Lashley's Twitter Likes
Bobby Lashley was treated badly ahead of and at WrestleMania 39.
At first, he was asked to work Bray Wyatt before that match - and indeed Wyatt himself - disappeared from the line-up in mysterious circumstances. Before Lashley was ultimately given the sh*tty consolation prize that was the André the Giant battle royal trophy... on SmackDown, fans still hoped that he might end up on the card. As a former WWE Champion and very over act, it was the least he deserved.
In parallel, LA Knight started talking, on socials and during house shows, that he too had nothing to do at 'Mania. Fans put two and two together and fantasy booked a fun undercard attraction. Unfortunately, it didn't end up happening, despite the countless recaps WWE could have cut. The commercial obligations were what they were, but did anybody need to watch the Seth Rollins entrance in full a second time?
Lashley had less to do at 'Mania than the disgraced "former" booker and his estranged failson.
Lashley, as you can imagine, was suitably annoyed - his Twitter likes confirmed that, and one even implicated Triple H directly - and that is not a good look.
WWE is meant to be the happy place now; AEW is meant to be the sinking ship.