wrestlemania xxx
results
by wwe.com
Hulk Hogan, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and The Rock opened WrestleMania
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Long beforehe stepped into the ring to play Host to The Showcase of the Immortals, “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan built his legacy on great WrestleMania moments. Still, perhaps none were as unexpected as when The Hulkster came face-to-face with fellow Icons The Rock and“Stone Cold” Steve Austin before a capacity crowd of 75,167 at WrestleMania 30!
As Hogan began to reflect on 30 years of great WrestleMania moments, The Texas Rattlesnake suddenly burst onto the scene — set to express the respect he has for the Immortal One. However, before the WWE Universe could so much as catch their collective breath, The Great One emerged as well, acknowledging who he considered to be the two biggest names in the history of WWE and how they — along with The People’s Champion himself — helped to influence the likes of John Cena and Daniel Bryan and an entire generation of WWE Universe members.
As the three living legends repeated their favourite catchphrases in succession and shared a few beers, The Showcase of the Immortal was truly under way in style.
As Hogan began to reflect on 30 years of great WrestleMania moments, The Texas Rattlesnake suddenly burst onto the scene — set to express the respect he has for the Immortal One. However, before the WWE Universe could so much as catch their collective breath, The Great One emerged as well, acknowledging who he considered to be the two biggest names in the history of WWE and how they — along with The People’s Champion himself — helped to influence the likes of John Cena and Daniel Bryan and an entire generation of WWE Universe members.
As the three living legends repeated their favourite catchphrases in succession and shared a few beers, The Showcase of the Immortal was truly under way in style.
Daniel Bryan def. Triple H
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The catchphrase that launched a movement became a triumphant battle cry at WrestleMania 30, as 75,167 WWE Universe members rallied Daniel Bryan to victory against Triple H with thunderous “Yes!” chants in the sold-out Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Bryan’s hard-earned win over WWE’s Chief Operating Officer propelled the galvanising Superstar to the night’s WWE World Heavyweight Championship main event, where he would do battle with Batista and reigning titleholder Randy Orton.
However, the celebrations were short-lived. Moments after Bryan connected with his signature running knee and felled the mighty King of Kings, Stephanie McMahon entered the ring and “congratulated” Bryan with a succession of stinging slaps. Distracted, Bryan was vulnerable to a savage post-match assault by Triple H, who went after Bryan’s already injured shoulder — a tactic Triple H utilised throughout this emotionally charged encounter.
Still feeling the effects of a similarly brutal attack by Triple H weeks earlier on Raw, Bryan “Yessed” to the ring at WrestleMania with bandages wrapped around his chest, an accessory that stood in stark contrast to the opulent gold skull helmet and crimson robe of the man Stephanie referred to as “the most powerful man in WWE.” In a show of what appeared to be sportsmanship, The Game began the bout by extending his arm for a handshake — a move that was countered by a kick to the palm by the bearded revolutionary.
Risking further injury, Bryan nevertheless launched his body at the sadistic COO with reckless abandon, but it was Triple H who gained an early advantage by zeroing in on Bryan’s all-too-obvious weak point. Twice, Triple H tore at Bryan’s damaged limb with wince-inducing crossfaces, but it was The Game’s second application of the hold that allowed Bryan to reverse the manoeuvre into his own “Yes!” Lock. Watching at ringside, Stephanie’s malicious grin morphed into a look of genuine concern as Triple H barely made it to the ropes.
However, the celebrations were short-lived. Moments after Bryan connected with his signature running knee and felled the mighty King of Kings, Stephanie McMahon entered the ring and “congratulated” Bryan with a succession of stinging slaps. Distracted, Bryan was vulnerable to a savage post-match assault by Triple H, who went after Bryan’s already injured shoulder — a tactic Triple H utilised throughout this emotionally charged encounter.
Still feeling the effects of a similarly brutal attack by Triple H weeks earlier on Raw, Bryan “Yessed” to the ring at WrestleMania with bandages wrapped around his chest, an accessory that stood in stark contrast to the opulent gold skull helmet and crimson robe of the man Stephanie referred to as “the most powerful man in WWE.” In a show of what appeared to be sportsmanship, The Game began the bout by extending his arm for a handshake — a move that was countered by a kick to the palm by the bearded revolutionary.
Risking further injury, Bryan nevertheless launched his body at the sadistic COO with reckless abandon, but it was Triple H who gained an early advantage by zeroing in on Bryan’s all-too-obvious weak point. Twice, Triple H tore at Bryan’s damaged limb with wince-inducing crossfaces, but it was The Game’s second application of the hold that allowed Bryan to reverse the manoeuvre into his own “Yes!” Lock. Watching at ringside, Stephanie’s malicious grin morphed into a look of genuine concern as Triple H barely made it to the ropes.
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After being staggered by Bryan’s swift kicks, Triple H — driven by pure hatred for everything the “Yes!” Movement stands for — summoned the energy to plant Bryan with a Pedigree. Bryan’s lofty WrestleMania aspirations were seemingly for naught.
But then he kicked out.
As the Superdome came alive for their intrepid hero, Bryan evaded a second Pedigree and stunned Triple H with his signature knee strike to pick up the win. And “Yes!-stleMania” was born.
Although Bryan’s dream of WrestleMania grandeur traces back to his globe-trotting days on the independent scene, his journey to this year’s Show of Shows truly began at last year’s SummerSlam. There, The King of Kings all but handed the title to his hand-picked “face of WWE,” Randy Orton. Bryan reclaimed the title in a rematch at Night of Champions, but an official’s questionable fast count afforded The Game the opportunity to strip The “Yes!” Man of the title the following night. Despite his staggering popularity, Bryan was up against the greatest foe he’d ever faced in all his years in the squared circle: office politics.
Frustrated and pinned against the glass ceiling The Authority had placed above his head, Bryan persevered, anxious for retribution against the man who deemed him unworthy of the spotlight. At WrestleMania 30, Bryan more than proved his worth — a revelation that no doubt fueled Triple H’s post-match attack.
Bryan might have conquered The Game, but it remained to be seen if the injured underdog could prevail against The Animal and The Viper on The Grandest Stage of Them All. But, then again, isn’t beating the odds kind of his thing?
But then he kicked out.
As the Superdome came alive for their intrepid hero, Bryan evaded a second Pedigree and stunned Triple H with his signature knee strike to pick up the win. And “Yes!-stleMania” was born.
Although Bryan’s dream of WrestleMania grandeur traces back to his globe-trotting days on the independent scene, his journey to this year’s Show of Shows truly began at last year’s SummerSlam. There, The King of Kings all but handed the title to his hand-picked “face of WWE,” Randy Orton. Bryan reclaimed the title in a rematch at Night of Champions, but an official’s questionable fast count afforded The Game the opportunity to strip The “Yes!” Man of the title the following night. Despite his staggering popularity, Bryan was up against the greatest foe he’d ever faced in all his years in the squared circle: office politics.
Frustrated and pinned against the glass ceiling The Authority had placed above his head, Bryan persevered, anxious for retribution against the man who deemed him unworthy of the spotlight. At WrestleMania 30, Bryan more than proved his worth — a revelation that no doubt fueled Triple H’s post-match attack.
Bryan might have conquered The Game, but it remained to be seen if the injured underdog could prevail against The Animal and The Viper on The Grandest Stage of Them All. But, then again, isn’t beating the odds kind of his thing?
The Shield def. Kane & The New Age Outlaws
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Everybody needs a hero. And sometimes those heroes come from the unlikeliest of places. For the last year and a half, the entire WWE roster has incurred the wrath of Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns. But a lot can change from one Show of Shows to the next, and inside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday night, these Hounds of Justice stood victorious as lauded heroes for this post-Attitude Era.
For some, it feels like just yesterday that The New Age Outlaws and Kane — along with X-Pac — represented a cadre of beloved competitors. During the late 1990s, few grapplers were as popular as Road Dogg, Billy Gunn and The Big Red Monster. But with their true degenerative and rebellious spirits long gone, it was The Shield that took to Spearing these three veterans out of their suits and as far from the boardroom as possible.
The Shield wasted no time, interrupting the D-O-Double-G’s familiar spiel and descending from amongst the capacity crowd. Once the bell rang, it was all about the men in black. Kane did his best to unload on his opponents with furious punches, but the bout quickly evolved into a chaotic brawl. Few could envy the referee assigned to officiating the contest.
Reigns sprang from the floor to nail a dropkick to both Outlaws at the same time as they were draped over the ring apron. Moments later, the powerhouse of The Shield landed a Superman Punch, which Rollins followed by coming off the turnbuckle onto Kane with a spectacular diving somersault over the top rope to the ringside floor.
With momentum decidedly against them, the corporate posse attempted to retreat to the locker room area. But before Kane and his partners could make their way up the ramp, Ambrose and Rollins sailed through the ropes and onto their rivals outside. From there, it was Reigns’ time to shine, not an uncommon sight over the past few months.
The Shield’s enforcer unleashed massive simultaneous Spears onto Dogg and Gunn before turning his attention to Corporate Kane, sending the Director of Operations soaring out of his slacks. From there, a pinfall was all but inevitable. Rollins and Ambrose hoisted an Outlaw each to Reigns’ arms, and the trio executed what can only be referred to as a “double-Triple Powerbomb.” It was Rollins who scored the one-two-three, but this was a win felt by all in attendance.
Blink and you missed it, but this was as impressive and decisive a victory as ever by The Shield. And on The Grandest Stage of Them All, to boot. On this night in New Orleans, Rollins, Ambrose & Reigns proved to be more than just Hounds. They’re bona fide heroes. And you can believe that.
For some, it feels like just yesterday that The New Age Outlaws and Kane — along with X-Pac — represented a cadre of beloved competitors. During the late 1990s, few grapplers were as popular as Road Dogg, Billy Gunn and The Big Red Monster. But with their true degenerative and rebellious spirits long gone, it was The Shield that took to Spearing these three veterans out of their suits and as far from the boardroom as possible.
The Shield wasted no time, interrupting the D-O-Double-G’s familiar spiel and descending from amongst the capacity crowd. Once the bell rang, it was all about the men in black. Kane did his best to unload on his opponents with furious punches, but the bout quickly evolved into a chaotic brawl. Few could envy the referee assigned to officiating the contest.
Reigns sprang from the floor to nail a dropkick to both Outlaws at the same time as they were draped over the ring apron. Moments later, the powerhouse of The Shield landed a Superman Punch, which Rollins followed by coming off the turnbuckle onto Kane with a spectacular diving somersault over the top rope to the ringside floor.
With momentum decidedly against them, the corporate posse attempted to retreat to the locker room area. But before Kane and his partners could make their way up the ramp, Ambrose and Rollins sailed through the ropes and onto their rivals outside. From there, it was Reigns’ time to shine, not an uncommon sight over the past few months.
The Shield’s enforcer unleashed massive simultaneous Spears onto Dogg and Gunn before turning his attention to Corporate Kane, sending the Director of Operations soaring out of his slacks. From there, a pinfall was all but inevitable. Rollins and Ambrose hoisted an Outlaw each to Reigns’ arms, and the trio executed what can only be referred to as a “double-Triple Powerbomb.” It was Rollins who scored the one-two-three, but this was a win felt by all in attendance.
Blink and you missed it, but this was as impressive and decisive a victory as ever by The Shield. And on The Grandest Stage of Them All, to boot. On this night in New Orleans, Rollins, Ambrose & Reigns proved to be more than just Hounds. They’re bona fide heroes. And you can believe that.
Cesaro won The Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
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Although he was on the losing end of the WWE Tag Team Championship Elimination Match on the WrestleMania 30 Pre-Show, Cesaro more than redeemed himself by entering unannounced – and winning – the first-ever over-the-top-rope Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. Outlasting 29 fellow WWE Superstars, the former United States Champion proved without a doubt that he is the Swiss Superman.
WWE’s first Hall of Famer – Andre the Giant – was larger than life in both size and personality. Fondly remembered by friends and foes alike, his WrestleMania III opponent, WrestleMania 30 Host Hulk Hogan, felt the best way to honor The Giant on The Grandest Stage of Them All was with a battle royal. Hogan’s decree of the match was certainly fitting of the Superstar that he bodyslammed in front of over 93,000 WWE fans inside the Pontiac Silverdome in 1987. After all, at WrestleMania 2, Andre the Giant stood victorious following a 20-Man WWE/NFL battle royal.
Every Superstar participating in the contest wanted the bragging rights of being the first to win the Andre the Giant trophy. Winning such a bout on The Grandest Stage of Them All would certainly give the victor an unprecedented boost in career momentum.. However, with every participating Superstar starting the match at the same time, chaos quickly ensued.
Along with Cesaro, Tyson Kidd and Yoshi Tatsu joined the battle royal at the last moment to round out the field of 30 Superstars, but for Tatsu and Kidd, their night ended on the floor outside the ring. Eliminations were erratic, with The Great Khali being eliminated early and Alberto Del Rio taking out both Rhodes brothers.
One of the most jaw-dropping moments came when Cesaro threw Kofi Kingston over the ring post to the outside. In true battle royal fashion, Kingston landed on his back – with his feet on the steel steps, NOT the floor. It was reminiscent of a football receiver who makes a sideling catch and miraculously manages to keep his toes in bounds. Still in the bout, Kofi floored everyone else in the ring only to be eliminated by Sheamus.
The final four – Del Rio, Big Show, Sheamus and the Swiss Superman – pulled out all the stops, ultimately resulting in The Celtic Warrior and Del Rio eliminating each other simultaneously. It was down to Big Show and Cesaro. The World’s Largest Athlete – wearing ring gear reminiscent of Andre the Giant’s – believed it was his destiny to win the match.
But Cesaro proved without a doubt that he is the pound-for-pound strongest WWE Superstar. Channeling his inner Hulk Hogan, the Swiss Superman hoisted the 450-pound Big Show up, held him in place and bodyslammed him over the ropes to the floor below. The WWE Universe rose to their feet in astonishment as The World’s Largest Athlete shook the victor’s hand.
During Cesaro’s celebration, it took five officials to lift the massive Andre the Giant trophy into the ring, but the victorious Superstar hoisted the trophy above his head with ease.
WWE’s first Hall of Famer – Andre the Giant – was larger than life in both size and personality. Fondly remembered by friends and foes alike, his WrestleMania III opponent, WrestleMania 30 Host Hulk Hogan, felt the best way to honor The Giant on The Grandest Stage of Them All was with a battle royal. Hogan’s decree of the match was certainly fitting of the Superstar that he bodyslammed in front of over 93,000 WWE fans inside the Pontiac Silverdome in 1987. After all, at WrestleMania 2, Andre the Giant stood victorious following a 20-Man WWE/NFL battle royal.
Every Superstar participating in the contest wanted the bragging rights of being the first to win the Andre the Giant trophy. Winning such a bout on The Grandest Stage of Them All would certainly give the victor an unprecedented boost in career momentum.. However, with every participating Superstar starting the match at the same time, chaos quickly ensued.
Along with Cesaro, Tyson Kidd and Yoshi Tatsu joined the battle royal at the last moment to round out the field of 30 Superstars, but for Tatsu and Kidd, their night ended on the floor outside the ring. Eliminations were erratic, with The Great Khali being eliminated early and Alberto Del Rio taking out both Rhodes brothers.
One of the most jaw-dropping moments came when Cesaro threw Kofi Kingston over the ring post to the outside. In true battle royal fashion, Kingston landed on his back – with his feet on the steel steps, NOT the floor. It was reminiscent of a football receiver who makes a sideling catch and miraculously manages to keep his toes in bounds. Still in the bout, Kofi floored everyone else in the ring only to be eliminated by Sheamus.
The final four – Del Rio, Big Show, Sheamus and the Swiss Superman – pulled out all the stops, ultimately resulting in The Celtic Warrior and Del Rio eliminating each other simultaneously. It was down to Big Show and Cesaro. The World’s Largest Athlete – wearing ring gear reminiscent of Andre the Giant’s – believed it was his destiny to win the match.
But Cesaro proved without a doubt that he is the pound-for-pound strongest WWE Superstar. Channeling his inner Hulk Hogan, the Swiss Superman hoisted the 450-pound Big Show up, held him in place and bodyslammed him over the ropes to the floor below. The WWE Universe rose to their feet in astonishment as The World’s Largest Athlete shook the victor’s hand.
During Cesaro’s celebration, it took five officials to lift the massive Andre the Giant trophy into the ring, but the victorious Superstar hoisted the trophy above his head with ease.
John Cena def. Bray Wyatt
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In front of a sold-out crowd of 75,167 strong and millions watching around the world, 14-time World Champion John Cena overcame the fear, overcame the numbers disadvantage, overcame the mind games — all to conquer Bray Wyatt on The Grandest Stage of Them All.
In the months leading into WrestleMania, the creepy shroud of darkness created by The Wyatt Family focused its full attention on destroying the so-called “myth” of the “Hustle, Loyalty and Respect” — ready to replace it with the dawning of a whole new world. Once it became clear that The Eater of Worlds would go head-to-head with the Cenation leader at The Show of Shows, it looked as though even Cena was unsure if his WrestleMania legacy was secure. However, whenever his back is against the wall, that’s when the incomparable Cena will go to work.
While his WrestleMania record is seven-and-three, the experienced 11-time WWE Champion seemed stunned at the opening of the contest, when Bray suddenly dropped to his knees and bellowed, “Finish me!”
In the months leading into WrestleMania, the creepy shroud of darkness created by The Wyatt Family focused its full attention on destroying the so-called “myth” of the “Hustle, Loyalty and Respect” — ready to replace it with the dawning of a whole new world. Once it became clear that The Eater of Worlds would go head-to-head with the Cenation leader at The Show of Shows, it looked as though even Cena was unsure if his WrestleMania legacy was secure. However, whenever his back is against the wall, that’s when the incomparable Cena will go to work.
While his WrestleMania record is seven-and-three, the experienced 11-time WWE Champion seemed stunned at the opening of the contest, when Bray suddenly dropped to his knees and bellowed, “Finish me!”
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/2/5/26252126/2688264.jpg?348)
When Cena refused to take the strange bait, a furious back and forth ensued, with the ever-present intimidation of Luke Harper and Eric Rowan lurking in the shadows. As the contest unfolded, it seemed like a battle Cena couldn’t win – for even when Cena was on the offensive, The New Face of Fear looked as if such punishment was part of the plan. Case-in-point, when Cena set up for the Five-Knuckle Shuffle, Bray launched into a Spider Walk position, stopping the confused Cena in his tracks.
With every moment that passed, the two competitors traded the offensive. When Cena did seize control, rather than attacking Wyatt from the top rope, he leaped out on Rowan and Harper in a preemptive strike outside the ring, igniting a vicious exchange. Still, even in the thick of it, Cena wouldn’t sink to his opponent’s dark level – refusing to drop the steel steps onto Wyatt.
With every moment that passed, the two competitors traded the offensive. When Cena did seize control, rather than attacking Wyatt from the top rope, he leaped out on Rowan and Harper in a preemptive strike outside the ring, igniting a vicious exchange. Still, even in the thick of it, Cena wouldn’t sink to his opponent’s dark level – refusing to drop the steel steps onto Wyatt.
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Back in the ring, after Bray kicked out of an Attitude Adjustment, Harper’s interference nearly cost Cena the match. In response, Cena knocked the Wyatt Family disciple through the ringside barricade.
Back in the ring, Bray nailed Cena with Sister Abigail. But, oddly, rather than grabbing the victory, Bray grabbed a steel chair and gave it to Cena – daring the Cenation leader to use it against him. Instead, Cena again kept his wits about him, blasting Rowan off the apron before countering a Sister Abigail attempt with the Attitude Adjustment for the WrestleMania victory!
In one of the creepiest showdowns The Show of Shows has ever seen, John Cena once again reigned supreme.
Back in the ring, Bray nailed Cena with Sister Abigail. But, oddly, rather than grabbing the victory, Bray grabbed a steel chair and gave it to Cena – daring the Cenation leader to use it against him. Instead, Cena again kept his wits about him, blasting Rowan off the apron before countering a Sister Abigail attempt with the Attitude Adjustment for the WrestleMania victory!
In one of the creepiest showdowns The Show of Shows has ever seen, John Cena once again reigned supreme.
Brock Lesnar def. The Undertaker
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Records are made to be broken.
Heroes fall. Legends fade. History is rewritten.
We’ve learned to accept these truths about many things in this world, but not The Undertaker’s Streak. It was WWE’s one constant — a decades-long unbeaten WrestleMania run that had never been done before, and will never be done again. Every year, The Deadman would face down a worthy adversary — be it Triple H, Shawn Michaels, his brother Kane — and every year he would add another number to his win column until it stood at a towering 21-0.
The Undertaker’s match against Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania was meant to make it 22-0. The Phenom would conquer The Beast — although he’d suffer a tremendous beating in the process— and he’d return at WrestleMania 31 to do it all over again.
However, stories don’t always end the way we want them to. And numbers never lie.
On April 6, 2014, Brock Lesnar did the very thing his T-shirt promised he would do: He beat The Streak.
It took countless punishing blows, multiple wrenching submissions and three F5’s, but Paul Heyman’s manmade monster became the first competitor to pin The Undertaker on The Grandest Stage Them All, and mark a 1 in The Deadman’s loss column.
There’s a story about the night Bruno Sammartino lost the WWE Title to Ivan Koloff in Madison Square Garden to end his eight-year reign as champion. The crowd was so quiet you could hear the whoosh of the cars passing on the street outside. A new generation of WWE fans will talk about the night The Undertaker lost with the same reverence. The sound of 75,167 rowdy people going silent all at once? It’s indescribable.
To see The Streak end was the single most shocking moment in the grand history of WWE. No one imagined it could happen. Even The Undertaker himself had made his victory all but guaranteed by preparing a specially made casket for Lesnar, which sat at the top of the entrance ramp next to a long row of coffins — one for each of The Deadman’s WrestleMania victims.
If Brock was intimidated by this psychological freak-out, he didn’t show it. As an athlete who fist fought the world’s most dangerous men inside cages for a living, Lesnar doesn’t scare easily, and he went at The Undertaker from the opening bell with an unbridled rage that has become his trademark.
Heroes fall. Legends fade. History is rewritten.
We’ve learned to accept these truths about many things in this world, but not The Undertaker’s Streak. It was WWE’s one constant — a decades-long unbeaten WrestleMania run that had never been done before, and will never be done again. Every year, The Deadman would face down a worthy adversary — be it Triple H, Shawn Michaels, his brother Kane — and every year he would add another number to his win column until it stood at a towering 21-0.
The Undertaker’s match against Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania was meant to make it 22-0. The Phenom would conquer The Beast — although he’d suffer a tremendous beating in the process— and he’d return at WrestleMania 31 to do it all over again.
However, stories don’t always end the way we want them to. And numbers never lie.
On April 6, 2014, Brock Lesnar did the very thing his T-shirt promised he would do: He beat The Streak.
It took countless punishing blows, multiple wrenching submissions and three F5’s, but Paul Heyman’s manmade monster became the first competitor to pin The Undertaker on The Grandest Stage Them All, and mark a 1 in The Deadman’s loss column.
There’s a story about the night Bruno Sammartino lost the WWE Title to Ivan Koloff in Madison Square Garden to end his eight-year reign as champion. The crowd was so quiet you could hear the whoosh of the cars passing on the street outside. A new generation of WWE fans will talk about the night The Undertaker lost with the same reverence. The sound of 75,167 rowdy people going silent all at once? It’s indescribable.
To see The Streak end was the single most shocking moment in the grand history of WWE. No one imagined it could happen. Even The Undertaker himself had made his victory all but guaranteed by preparing a specially made casket for Lesnar, which sat at the top of the entrance ramp next to a long row of coffins — one for each of The Deadman’s WrestleMania victims.
If Brock was intimidated by this psychological freak-out, he didn’t show it. As an athlete who fist fought the world’s most dangerous men inside cages for a living, Lesnar doesn’t scare easily, and he went at The Undertaker from the opening bell with an unbridled rage that has become his trademark.
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/2/5/26252126/2894105.jpg?362)
The Deadman’s choice to immediately stand and bang with the former UFC Champion proved to be a mistake as Lesnar battered him with fists and elbows before launching him out of the ring. The Phenom couldn’t outfight The Beast Incarnate — the amount of men who could would fit comfortably inside a mid-sized sedan — but he had a chance to out-manoeuvre him.
Employing his underrated technical abilities, The Phenom dissected The Beast by focusing on the vulnerable joints and tendons in his elbows and shoulders. Old favourites worked just as well — chokeslams, the guillotine legdrop on the ring apron and Snake Eyes all rattled Brock. But Lesnar has always been the type of Superstar you’d have to hit with a Buick if you wanted to beat him on sheer force alone.
Lesnar’s fighter’s mind quickly adapted to The Deadman’s game-plan as he began to target The Undertaker’s knees, which had been weakened by decades of Tombstones. Brock took pleasure in picking The Deadman apart, even running up behind The Phenom and kicking him in the back of the knee with all the recklessness of a kid trying to boot a football.
Yet Brock’s arrogance would often get the better of him and he spent too much time taunting The Undertaker in a way a schoolyard bully like Lesnar just can’t resist. The crowd saw The Deadman’s chance to recuperate in those brief moments of gloating in-between Brock’s debilitating strikes, and The Phenom nearly did it.
When he kicked out of a pin attempt after getting blasted with an F5 and locked in Hell’s Gate, The Phenom seemed to be in control. But Brock countered the submission (and a second) by picking the icon up and slamming him back down. An attempt at Old School — always one of The Deadman’s riskiest manoeuvres — was countered into a second F5, but again The Undertaker found his way back to the surface before the count of three.
Employing his underrated technical abilities, The Phenom dissected The Beast by focusing on the vulnerable joints and tendons in his elbows and shoulders. Old favourites worked just as well — chokeslams, the guillotine legdrop on the ring apron and Snake Eyes all rattled Brock. But Lesnar has always been the type of Superstar you’d have to hit with a Buick if you wanted to beat him on sheer force alone.
Lesnar’s fighter’s mind quickly adapted to The Deadman’s game-plan as he began to target The Undertaker’s knees, which had been weakened by decades of Tombstones. Brock took pleasure in picking The Deadman apart, even running up behind The Phenom and kicking him in the back of the knee with all the recklessness of a kid trying to boot a football.
Yet Brock’s arrogance would often get the better of him and he spent too much time taunting The Undertaker in a way a schoolyard bully like Lesnar just can’t resist. The crowd saw The Deadman’s chance to recuperate in those brief moments of gloating in-between Brock’s debilitating strikes, and The Phenom nearly did it.
When he kicked out of a pin attempt after getting blasted with an F5 and locked in Hell’s Gate, The Phenom seemed to be in control. But Brock countered the submission (and a second) by picking the icon up and slamming him back down. An attempt at Old School — always one of The Deadman’s riskiest manoeuvres — was countered into a second F5, but again The Undertaker found his way back to the surface before the count of three.
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In the thick of the match, each competitor was overwhelmed by the feeling of “What do I have to do to beat this guy?” Paul Heyman’s cry of “You’re Brock Lesnar!” seemed to inspire The Beast Incarnate to bash his opponent further, but Undertaker managed to counter his physical flurry with a Last Ride. When he followed up with a Tombstone, Lesnar kicked out at two. Even Heyman seemed shocked by that.
And then the final seconds of The Undertaker’s Streak played out like the slow-motion footage of a car accident that could have been avoided had the driver only known what lay ahead. The Deadman went for the Tombstone again, Brock reversed, powered the unearthly icon onto his shoulders and hit a third F5.
He went for the cover. The official counted one, two and The Undertaker kicked out. Didn’t he? He had to have. He always does. Every time.
But he didn’t. Not this time.
Seconds of mass confusion inside the Mercedes Benz Superdome felt like minutes. A bell rang. A graphic flashed on the massive screens reading “21-1.” Heyman’s jaw dropped. WWE cameras panned across fans who wore expressions of horror on their faces like the rubber masks in a Halloween store.
They said no man could break The Undertaker’s vaunted WrestleMania Streak, but what about a Beast?
Lesnar was the Superstar who did what everyone from Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka to Randy Orton couldn’t do, but his victory celebration didn’t last long. Soon, Brock and Heyman were gone and The Undertaker was alone in the ring in front of 75,167 WWE fans whose shared sense of shock was quickly giving way to adoration. People stood on their feet and cheered the single most enduring Superstar in WWE history.
He rose, too, but he barely acknowledged the scene. His mind was elsewhere. On broken Streaks. On a friend who once stood at ringside. On a career in the ring that may have just ended.
It took a long time for The Undertaker to make that long walk up the ramp as every step literally took him further away from a WWE Universe that thought he’d always be there.
And then he was gone.
A Streak had been broken, yes, but the legend lived on.
And then the final seconds of The Undertaker’s Streak played out like the slow-motion footage of a car accident that could have been avoided had the driver only known what lay ahead. The Deadman went for the Tombstone again, Brock reversed, powered the unearthly icon onto his shoulders and hit a third F5.
He went for the cover. The official counted one, two and The Undertaker kicked out. Didn’t he? He had to have. He always does. Every time.
But he didn’t. Not this time.
Seconds of mass confusion inside the Mercedes Benz Superdome felt like minutes. A bell rang. A graphic flashed on the massive screens reading “21-1.” Heyman’s jaw dropped. WWE cameras panned across fans who wore expressions of horror on their faces like the rubber masks in a Halloween store.
They said no man could break The Undertaker’s vaunted WrestleMania Streak, but what about a Beast?
Lesnar was the Superstar who did what everyone from Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka to Randy Orton couldn’t do, but his victory celebration didn’t last long. Soon, Brock and Heyman were gone and The Undertaker was alone in the ring in front of 75,167 WWE fans whose shared sense of shock was quickly giving way to adoration. People stood on their feet and cheered the single most enduring Superstar in WWE history.
He rose, too, but he barely acknowledged the scene. His mind was elsewhere. On broken Streaks. On a friend who once stood at ringside. On a career in the ring that may have just ended.
It took a long time for The Undertaker to make that long walk up the ramp as every step literally took him further away from a WWE Universe that thought he’d always be there.
And then he was gone.
A Streak had been broken, yes, but the legend lived on.
Daniel Bryan def. Randy Orton and Batista to become the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/2/5/26252126/219409.jpg?348)
Batista has to deal with it. The voices in Randy Orton’s head are speechless. And Triple H’s corporate throne will have to do without its crown jewel, because Daniel Bryan – the Goat Face, the Weak Link, the B-plus player, he of the high school gyms and double-digit paydays on the independent scene – is the WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
Perhaps, however, to say he simply won a title (or two) is an understatement. Bolstered, as ever, by the legions of the “Yes!” Movement that have carried him to glory, Bryan didn’t just capture the championship he’s chased for almost a year now: He rectified every malicious misfortune that befell him throughout his rise. He beat The King of Kings via pinfall in the opening match of the evening to earn his way into the title bout. He reclaimed the WWE Title that was stolen from him at SummerSlam (and again after Hell in a Cell) via submission. Given the two-title nature of the WWE World Heavyweight Title, he even got his hands back on the World Heavyweight Championship he lost in 18 seconds two years ago, in an ignominious WrestleMania XXVIII loss where this Movement really started.
Despite the fairy-tale ending, the bout was far from a fantasy fulfilled until the last possible second: Opposed by not one but two of Triple H’s protégés, Bryan fought tooth and nail to claim the ultimate prize. He certainly had to fight to earn the honor. Orton is the embodiment of WWE’s status quo; a Superstar for whom the brass ring practically came with the brass baby rattle. Batista – despite being recast by the fans from a conquering hero to an extension of The Authority’s rampaging ego made flesh – is and always has been less a man than a force of nature inside a wrestling ring.
Bryan, meanwhile, was always the perennial underdog: a “B-plus player” who supposedly would never make the grade and a bearded ragamuffin who simply would not do as the clean-cut face of a WWE that would never give him the opportunity to succeed anyway. In the months leading up to WrestleMania, it became apparent from screwjob after screwjob that Bryan would never be given the ultimate prize in the same gift-wrapped way that Orton did. He would have to take it.
In so many words, he did.
Perhaps, however, to say he simply won a title (or two) is an understatement. Bolstered, as ever, by the legions of the “Yes!” Movement that have carried him to glory, Bryan didn’t just capture the championship he’s chased for almost a year now: He rectified every malicious misfortune that befell him throughout his rise. He beat The King of Kings via pinfall in the opening match of the evening to earn his way into the title bout. He reclaimed the WWE Title that was stolen from him at SummerSlam (and again after Hell in a Cell) via submission. Given the two-title nature of the WWE World Heavyweight Title, he even got his hands back on the World Heavyweight Championship he lost in 18 seconds two years ago, in an ignominious WrestleMania XXVIII loss where this Movement really started.
Despite the fairy-tale ending, the bout was far from a fantasy fulfilled until the last possible second: Opposed by not one but two of Triple H’s protégés, Bryan fought tooth and nail to claim the ultimate prize. He certainly had to fight to earn the honor. Orton is the embodiment of WWE’s status quo; a Superstar for whom the brass ring practically came with the brass baby rattle. Batista – despite being recast by the fans from a conquering hero to an extension of The Authority’s rampaging ego made flesh – is and always has been less a man than a force of nature inside a wrestling ring.
Bryan, meanwhile, was always the perennial underdog: a “B-plus player” who supposedly would never make the grade and a bearded ragamuffin who simply would not do as the clean-cut face of a WWE that would never give him the opportunity to succeed anyway. In the months leading up to WrestleMania, it became apparent from screwjob after screwjob that Bryan would never be given the ultimate prize in the same gift-wrapped way that Orton did. He would have to take it.
In so many words, he did.
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/2/5/26252126/805280.jpg?359)
Having felled The King of Kings to make the main event in the first place, it’s likely many in the WWE Universe thought Bryan had already gotten his victory by embarrassing his tormentor on The Grandest Stage of Them All. Bryan, evidently, did not agree with that. The “Yes!” Man stood a full head shorter than both his opponents but fought with twice the heart, launching himself into Orton with a running dropkick all of two seconds into the match. After expelling Batista from the ring with a hurricanrana, Bryan targeted Orton again and was quickly cut down when The Viper stomped the life out of Bryan’s injured shoulder.
With the submission specialist reduced to a non-factor, The Animal locked horns with his former Evolution teammate. Having finally gotten the one-on-one confrontation he wanted, Batista took gleeful advantage of the Triple-Threat’s no disqualification rule by using the barricade, ring apron and steel steps as weapons, though Orton staged a last-second rally by back-dropping Batista onto those same steps.
The WWE Universe continued to shower their typical jeers on The Apex Predator, though for once he did not seem fazed by them as he started to dismantle Batista. In what would become a recurring theme, Bryan re-entered the fray right when his enemies had written him off, connecting with a missile dropkick that put the Champion of Champions on his back. Despite being hindered by an excruciating injured shoulder, Bryan turned seamlessly to his famous feet and didn’t miss a step – so to speak – in the process. The Superdome erupted in waves of “YES!” chants each time The Beard’s kicks found flesh, peaking as the overachiever ping-ponged back and forth between the turnbuckles to pulverize Orton and Batista with running dropkicks.
It was Batista who briefly neutralized Bryan again and brought the bout back down to two, although champion and challenger both seemed slowed by the lingering effects of The Beard’s attacks. Again, Bryan used the opportunity to rally, blasting Orton with a flying headbutt and applying the “Yes!” Lock on The Apex Predator.
In the past, this had been The Authority’s cue to save Orton’s serpentine skin, and with the ultimate prize on the line, the corporate powers that be did not disappoint. With Stephanie McMahon in tow, the conquered King of Kings pulled the referee out of the ring and summoned Scott Armstrong – his bought-and-paid-for official from WWE Hell in a Cell – to ensure that the job was done. But even a Batista Bomb and a crooked ref couldn’t put the “Yes!” Man down for three; not only did Bryan kick Armstrong’s head in, but he took King, Queen and their pawn out all together with a suicide dive to the outside.
The sight of Stephanie laid out by the “Flying Goat” drove The Game into a rage, yet the “Yes!” Man finally sent The Game packing the same way the COO has dispatched many of his own foes throughout the years: With a sledgehammer – The Game’s own sledgehammer, in fact – to the head.
With the submission specialist reduced to a non-factor, The Animal locked horns with his former Evolution teammate. Having finally gotten the one-on-one confrontation he wanted, Batista took gleeful advantage of the Triple-Threat’s no disqualification rule by using the barricade, ring apron and steel steps as weapons, though Orton staged a last-second rally by back-dropping Batista onto those same steps.
The WWE Universe continued to shower their typical jeers on The Apex Predator, though for once he did not seem fazed by them as he started to dismantle Batista. In what would become a recurring theme, Bryan re-entered the fray right when his enemies had written him off, connecting with a missile dropkick that put the Champion of Champions on his back. Despite being hindered by an excruciating injured shoulder, Bryan turned seamlessly to his famous feet and didn’t miss a step – so to speak – in the process. The Superdome erupted in waves of “YES!” chants each time The Beard’s kicks found flesh, peaking as the overachiever ping-ponged back and forth between the turnbuckles to pulverize Orton and Batista with running dropkicks.
It was Batista who briefly neutralized Bryan again and brought the bout back down to two, although champion and challenger both seemed slowed by the lingering effects of The Beard’s attacks. Again, Bryan used the opportunity to rally, blasting Orton with a flying headbutt and applying the “Yes!” Lock on The Apex Predator.
In the past, this had been The Authority’s cue to save Orton’s serpentine skin, and with the ultimate prize on the line, the corporate powers that be did not disappoint. With Stephanie McMahon in tow, the conquered King of Kings pulled the referee out of the ring and summoned Scott Armstrong – his bought-and-paid-for official from WWE Hell in a Cell – to ensure that the job was done. But even a Batista Bomb and a crooked ref couldn’t put the “Yes!” Man down for three; not only did Bryan kick Armstrong’s head in, but he took King, Queen and their pawn out all together with a suicide dive to the outside.
The sight of Stephanie laid out by the “Flying Goat” drove The Game into a rage, yet the “Yes!” Man finally sent The Game packing the same way the COO has dispatched many of his own foes throughout the years: With a sledgehammer – The Game’s own sledgehammer, in fact – to the head.
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/2/5/26252126/4652438.jpg?343)
With Orton and Batista at a dead heat and Bryan refusing to stay down, each Superstar unleashed his heavy artillery in a last-minute blitzkrieg. Batista, aiming to hit Orton with a spear, bisected Bryan instead when The Viper leapfrogged him, and then The Apex Predator struck with an immediate RKO that kept The Animal down for a two-count.
Yet, Orton made the same mistake he has made throughout this entire saga: He did not account for Daniel Bryan. The Champion of Champions’ disrespect cost him in the worst way, too. As he sprinted towards Batista to punt him in the head, Bryan hurled every ounce of his 200-pound body through the air like a cannonball, connecting knee-first with The Viper’s jaw. Batista was able to capitalize by tossing Bryan from the ring and planting Orton with a Batista Bomb that took him out of the match. Bryan then roared back into the ring for a second flying knee , this time to Batista .
The “Yes!” Man quickly applied a wicked “Yes!” Lock on Batista that finally – finally – finished the job and propelled Daniel Bryan to the top of WWE. With three taps of his tattooed paw, The Animal relented and the Superdome detonated with the force of the “Yes!” Movement, confetti falling from the ceiling and Bryan’s family swarming the ring to embrace him in victory.
Perhaps it’s fitting that The Game had proclaimed the post-WrestleMania 30 period as the “Reality Era”: Bryan is certainly a Superstar anointed for greatness not by the corporate think-tank that has churned out champions for half a century, but by the emotion of the WWE Universe itself. The reality is now this: Daniel Bryan is the Champion of Champions and The Face of WWE. That’s the reality. Deal with it.
Yet, Orton made the same mistake he has made throughout this entire saga: He did not account for Daniel Bryan. The Champion of Champions’ disrespect cost him in the worst way, too. As he sprinted towards Batista to punt him in the head, Bryan hurled every ounce of his 200-pound body through the air like a cannonball, connecting knee-first with The Viper’s jaw. Batista was able to capitalize by tossing Bryan from the ring and planting Orton with a Batista Bomb that took him out of the match. Bryan then roared back into the ring for a second flying knee , this time to Batista .
The “Yes!” Man quickly applied a wicked “Yes!” Lock on Batista that finally – finally – finished the job and propelled Daniel Bryan to the top of WWE. With three taps of his tattooed paw, The Animal relented and the Superdome detonated with the force of the “Yes!” Movement, confetti falling from the ceiling and Bryan’s family swarming the ring to embrace him in victory.
Perhaps it’s fitting that The Game had proclaimed the post-WrestleMania 30 period as the “Reality Era”: Bryan is certainly a Superstar anointed for greatness not by the corporate think-tank that has churned out champions for half a century, but by the emotion of the WWE Universe itself. The reality is now this: Daniel Bryan is the Champion of Champions and The Face of WWE. That’s the reality. Deal with it.
wrestlemania xxx recap
Daniel Bryan def. Triple H
The Shield def. New Age Outlaws & Kane
Cesaro wins Andre the Giant Battle Royal
John Cena def. Bray Wyatt
Brock Lesnar def. Undertaker
Daniel Bryan def. Randy Orton and Batista
The Shield def. New Age Outlaws & Kane
Cesaro wins Andre the Giant Battle Royal
John Cena def. Bray Wyatt
Brock Lesnar def. Undertaker
Daniel Bryan def. Randy Orton and Batista
WWE.com (2014) Wrestlemania XXX
http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/30/wrestlemania-30-results-26218843[accessed 05.05.14]
http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/30/wrestlemania-30-results-26218843[accessed 05.05.14]