WWE WrestleMania, the Super Bowl of pro-wrestling, exploded live on Sunday night at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The build up was intense, and the event was unforgettable. Once again, WWE gave us the “showcase of the immortals.” As we catch our breath today, we look back at six standout moments from the epic event.All Photos: WWE
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WWE
WWE Hall of Fame: Arnold Schwarzenegger
Launched in 1993, the WWE Hall of Fame crowned its first legendary superstar of all time — standing at seven feet tall, Andre “The Giant.” Not only was Andre a close friend of Arnnold’s, but he even starred alongside him in the 1984 classic, Conan The Destroyer. But this year, Arnold Schwarzenegger earned a spot in the WWE Hall of Fame for his rousing cameos on WWE TV shows like his showdown in 1999 when he opened a can of ‘whoop ass’ on Triple H. The Oak’s acceptance speech praised wreslters like Bruno Sammartino and Otto Wanz for being an inspiration to his career as his bodybuilding heroes. Among a crowd of 76,976, he accepted the honor.
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Another Grand Entrance
During the past few years, Triple H has wowed audiences with some of the most dramatic ring entrances ever seen. It would be impossible to forget the self proclaimed, “King of Kings” sitting on a throne at the top of the isle, complete with a skull for a crown. WreslteMania 31 proved no exception thanks to another great cameo from Arnold, who introduced Triple H over the PA system. Fans inside the stadium were treated to another memorable display as Triple H appeared behind a team of very familiar-looking endoskeletons. “Its time to play the game,” announced the Terminator, as Triple H walked towards the squared circle. Half King, half Terminator – this had to be the ring entrance to end all entrances because by the time Triple H reached the ring, #Wrestlemania was trending worldwide on twitter.
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WWE
Sting takes it to Triple H
After 14 years in the making, Sting finally became the last big-time wrestler from the old days of WCW to jump over to the leader in sports entertainment – WWE. He arrived at WrestleMania 31 to the sound of drums and is certainly a man who marches to his own beat.Now in his fifties, Sting prepared well for his bout against the man they call, “The Game.” Appearing noticeably leaner, Sting came to WrestleMania 31 ready to fight, and he showed the WWE universe that he still has plenty of gas left in the tank.In a competitive match that swung back and fourth, Triple H had to rely on outside interference from his old DX team members. With the odds against him, Sting got a boost from the NWO. As the two rival factions battled it out, Triple H scored the victory with the assistance of a sledgehammer. However, with “The Stinger” taking it to Triple H in such dominant fashion, this may not be the last time these two knock heads.
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WWE
John Cena vs. Rusev
A multiple World Champion, a victory over The Rock, and an awesome cover interview for M&F, there’s no doubt that “Super Cena” had an incredible 2014. To mark 2015, Cena battled it out for the Unites States Championship against Rusev the “Hero of the Russian Federation.”In a scene similar to that of Rocky IV, Cena wrestled the United States Championship from his larger foe. The resulting contest was a no-nonsense slugfest, and Cena with the pride of the USA on his shoulders, certainly didn’t come to lose.”Never Give Up” is one of John Cena’s slogans, which is demonstrated by his heart and fire to the end. After winning his first United States Championship eleven years ago in Madison Square Garden, a bruised and battered Cena prevailed to lift the strap once again.
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the rock
The Rock Returns
Being one of Hollywood’s biggest box office draws has never kept the “Great One” away from the wrestling ring. “The People’s Champion” made a surprise entrance just a day after hosting Saturday Night Live.The star of Furious 7 has headlined numerous WrestleManias, and if the crowd’s reaction for his latest return is any indication, then he has many more WrestleMania moments to come. With thousands calling out his name, The Rock didn’t disappoint. He may have left his heart in San Francisco, but he had every intention of leaving Triple H flat out cold in the ring.Verbally berating the WWE’s authority, The Rock took a hell of a slap from Stephanie McMahon. While The Rock turned the other cheek for a female, his good friend Ronda Rousey took a different approach.
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WWE
Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns
It seemed clear that although the “Beast Incarnate” may have drawn his UFC career to a close – Brock Lesnar recently signed a new multi-year contract with WWE – arriving in California ready to hurt someone. The match against Roman Reigns pitted a veteran warrior against a younger challenger. Reigns, the nephew of The Rock, came into WrestleMania 31 with great momentum after winning the Royal Rumble in January. Within minutes of the match beginning, Brock had given Reigns his best shots, but found himself bleeding and unable to rattle the young upstart. Lesnar sent Reigns to “suplex city,” in what turned out to be one of the most aggressive main events in WrestleMania history. Chaos ensued when Seth Rollins cashed in his ‘Money in the Bank’ opportunity to make it a three-way match, thinking that with Reigns and Lesnar both tired, he would stand every chance of getting a pinfall and stealing the World Championship. Seconds later the plan succeeded, and Seth pulled off one of the biggest upsets ever seen at WrestleMania!The 31st Annual WWE extravaganza was a truly epic battle of pro wrestling titans. We can’t wait to see how Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns react to this upset on WWE TV in the days and weeks to come.
WWE WrestleMania, the Super Bowl of pro-wrestling, exploded live on Sunday night at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The build up was intense, and the event was unforgettable. Once again, WWE gave us the “showcase of the immortals.” As we catch our breath today, we look back at six standout moments from the epic event.
All Photos: WWE
WWE Hall of Fame: Arnold Schwarzenegger
Launched in 1993, the WWE Hall of Fame crowned its first legendary superstar of all time — standing at seven feet tall, Andre “The Giant.” Not only was Andre a close friend of Arnnold’s, but he even starred alongside him in the 1984 classic, Conan The Destroyer. But this year, Arnold Schwarzenegger earned a spot in the WWE Hall of Fame for his rousing cameos on WWE TV shows like his showdown in 1999 when he opened a can of ‘whoop ass’ on Triple H. The Oak’s acceptance speech praised wreslters like Bruno Sammartino and Otto Wanz for being an inspiration to his career as his bodybuilding heroes. Among a crowd of 76,976, he accepted the honor.
Another Grand Entrance
During the past few years, Triple H has wowed audiences with some of the most dramatic ring entrances ever seen. It would be impossible to forget the self proclaimed, “King of Kings” sitting on a throne at the top of the isle, complete with a skull for a crown. WreslteMania 31 proved no exception thanks to another great cameo from Arnold, who introduced Triple H over the PA system. Fans inside the stadium were treated to another memorable display as Triple H appeared behind a team of very familiar-looking endoskeletons. “Its time to play the game,” announced the Terminator, as Triple H walked towards the squared circle. Half King, half Terminator – this had to be the ring entrance to end all entrances because by the time Triple H reached the ring, #Wrestlemania was trending worldwide on twitter.
Sting takes it to Triple H
After 14 years in the making, Sting finally became the last big-time wrestler from the old days of WCW to jump over to the leader in sports entertainment – WWE. He arrived at WrestleMania 31 to the sound of drums and is certainly a man who marches to his own beat.
Now in his fifties, Sting prepared well for his bout against the man they call, “The Game.” Appearing noticeably leaner, Sting came to WrestleMania 31 ready to fight, and he showed the WWE universe that he still has plenty of gas left in the tank.
In a competitive match that swung back and fourth, Triple H had to rely on outside interference from his old DX team members. With the odds against him, Sting got a boost from the NWO. As the two rival factions battled it out, Triple H scored the victory with the assistance of a sledgehammer. However, with “The Stinger” taking it to Triple H in such dominant fashion, this may not be the last time these two knock heads.
John Cena vs. Rusev
A multiple World Champion, a victory over The Rock, and an awesome cover interview for M&F, there’s no doubt that “Super Cena” had an incredible 2014. To mark 2015, Cena battled it out for the Unites States Championship against Rusev the “Hero of the Russian Federation.”
In a scene similar to that of Rocky IV, Cena wrestled the United States Championship from his larger foe. The resulting contest was a no-nonsense slugfest, and Cena with the pride of the USA on his shoulders, certainly didn’t come to lose.
“Never Give Up” is one of John Cena’s slogans, which is demonstrated by his heart and fire to the end. After winning his first United States Championship eleven years ago in Madison Square Garden, a bruised and battered Cena prevailed to lift the strap once again.
The Rock Returns
Being one of Hollywood’s biggest box office draws has never kept the “Great One” away from the wrestling ring. “The People’s Champion” made a surprise entrance just a day after hosting Saturday Night Live.
The star of Furious 7 has headlined numerous WrestleManias, and if the crowd’s reaction for his latest return is any indication, then he has many more WrestleMania moments to come. With thousands calling out his name, The Rock didn’t disappoint. He may have left his heart in San Francisco, but he had every intention of leaving Triple H flat out cold in the ring.
Verbally berating the WWE’s authority, The Rock took a hell of a slap from Stephanie McMahon. While The Rock turned the other cheek for a female, his good friend Ronda Rousey took a different approach.
Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns
It seemed clear that although the “Beast Incarnate” may have drawn his UFC career to a close – Brock Lesnar recently signed a new multi-year contract with WWE – arriving in California ready to hurt someone.
The match against Roman Reigns pitted a veteran warrior against a younger challenger. Reigns, the nephew of The Rock, came into WrestleMania 31 with great momentum after winning the Royal Rumble in January.
Within minutes of the match beginning, Brock had given Reigns his best shots, but found himself bleeding and unable to rattle the young upstart. Lesnar sent Reigns to “suplex city,” in what turned out to be one of the most aggressive main events in WrestleMania history.
Chaos ensued when Seth Rollins cashed in his ‘Money in the Bank’ opportunity to make it a three-way match, thinking that with Reigns and Lesnar both tired, he would stand every chance of getting a pinfall and stealing the World Championship. Seconds later the plan succeeded, and Seth pulled off one of the biggest upsets ever seen at WrestleMania!
The 31st Annual WWE extravaganza was a truly epic battle of pro wrestling titans. We can’t wait to see how Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns react to this upset on WWE TV in the days and weeks to come.
