WrestleMania 33 Review: 10 Major Talking Points

WrestleMania 33 was a success, all things considered.

Even at a bloated five hours plus, there was enough variety to wade off fatigue. Though the card was propped up by part-time stars of yesteryear, only one raised the ire with a baffling performance. There were no contrived and counterproductive burials, no bitterly unfunny backstage skits. Even The Rock stayed at home. For once, the tagline matched the event.

Match quality was largely very good. Seth Rollins Vs. Triple H probably warrants Match Of The Night honours, but it is a testament to the eclectic card that the closest competition was entirely different. No one match really approached the ***** level, but nothing was too awful. Even the sillier moments were memorable, if nothing else.

Time allocation, a repeat 'Mania offender, did threaten to engulf the show at times. Shane McMahon wrestled for twice as long as the WWE Champion. More worryingly still, with the way he was booked, you would half-expect him to challenge for it in the summer months - for Shane McMahon is the best in the world at what he does. And there is nothing he cannot do.

As good as it was, it was equally contentious...

Even in the post-pay-per-view Network era, the line between Kickoff and 'Mania proper is not as imaginary as some have optimistically suggested this week. The demarcation itself still conveys a message to fans: what happens before the national anthem isn't worthy of fireworks. It doesn't really factor into WWE canon - but for dubious reasons it was as controversial as anything which occurred on the main show.

Dean Ambrose retained his Intercontinental Title in an average bout with Baron Corbin, but that wasn't the real story. A man who less than a year ago wore the company's top prize had been consigned to the pre-show. It was a sobering indictment of WWE's fixation with nostalgia. Either that, or Ambrose's beyond stale babyface act. A heel turn must be in order; he has never been more irrelevant.

Before that, the most predictable instalment yet of the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal didn't actually yield the expected result. Braun Strowman was eliminated, shortly after the Big Show, which apparently left the field "wide open". Poor Mark Henry apparently no longer counts as token big man.

Any notion that WWE was going to press on with building the future was doused when Mojo Rawley (he's hardly a veteran, but his upside is nonexistent) won because the interference of his mate, NFL star Rob Gronkowski, helped the event trend on Twitter.

Strowman will probably be fine - but his aura has faded since the run up to Fastlane.