WrestleMania 33 Review: 10 Major Talking Points

4. Stephanie McMahon SELLS!

Undertaker WrestleMania 33
WWE.com

The Triple H Vs. Seth Rollins match followed the expected narrative pattern, but a classic injured babyface versus nefarious heel match had fallen at their feet. It would have been senseless to disregard it - and the predictable formula was enhanced by Rollins' excellent and authentic selling. It lacked a certain urgency, but the suspense and the genuine emotion compensated for it.

The continuity was deployed excellently. When Rollins' knee gave out during an ill-fated sunset flip powerbomb, echoing the origin of the entire, meta-textual two-year storyline, it was a genuinely heart-stopping moment - and his comebacks were timed perfectly. Rollins has struggled for acceptance as a top-tier babyface, but you wouldn't have guessed it on last night's evidence. It was a triumph of a performance.

What was entirely unexpected was the breathtaking and massively cathartic finish. Triple H, dazed from Rollins' Superkick, wandered into Stephanie at ringside and caused her to fall through a table. He was prone to Rollins' Pedigree in the only distraction finish that's ever made a fraction of sense.

Stephanie received only indirect comeuppance for bullying Mick Foley for months on end, but that's as good as it's going to get.

So be grateful.

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!