By Ben Tredinnick
Photo Credit: WWE.com
WrestleMania is the biggest show for the WWE, and the 41st iteration of the “Showcase of the Immortals” was held this weekend.
For two days, wrestling fans from around the world filled the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, expecting to see history made.
During two nights of action, fans were able to see Jey Uso win his first world championship, the return of Becky Lynch, a suprise apperance from TNA champion (and viral sensation) Joe Hendry, and an absolute classic triple threat between Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and CM Punk, whose conclusion will only advance the bitter rivarly between the three.
However, a good number of fans are likely to return home very much disappointed from what they saw during the weekend.
Here are three reasons why WrestleMania 41 was a disappointing affair.
1. Matches with No Build-up
One thing that separates a good wrestling match from a bad one is the build-up. This normally comes through the development of a storyline between the relevant parties. When done well, come the fight, fans know exactly why it is happening and what is on the line.
The road to this year’s WrestleMania was long, with nearly two months since the last PLE. This would have been more than enough time for the creative team to set up and create a strong set of programs, which would all culminate in Vegas.
This was the case for some matches. For example, the Jade Cargil vs Naomi battle had months of a strong storyline behind it.
Others seemed to just be there to add to the number of matches on the card and serve no real purpose in terms of storyline development.
Both the Tag team matches and the AJ Styles vs Logan Paul category are on this list, with the latter only really existing (in my eyes) to give Paul another Wrestlemania moment.
2. Pat McAfee Adds Nothing
Ever since he started the “Pat McAfee Show”, the former Colts punter has made a name for himself as a brash and outspoken commentator and analyst.
There was no doubt that he fits in with the WWE, and his appeal does bring in new viewers who may not have been interested in wrestling before.
Wrestling commentary is hard to do, calling scripted action in a natural way akin to sports commentators.
McAfee brings his unique style to the role, and when paired with the far more experienced Michael Cole, it can create a good dynamic on commentary.
However, McAfee, while clearly enjoying himself, does not seem to add a lot to the broadcast.
Many fans online have reacted to his commentary with disapproving messages, with many finding him annoying.
The fact that he is paired alongside two people (Cole and Wade Barrett) who are more experienced in wrestling, and both Barrett and McAfee play similar “heel” like commentators, does not make what he is saying stand out.
He is just saying it louder.
The appeal around McAfee will always be there, but he is best in small doses.
3. The Sunday Main Event
Now that WrestleMania is a two-day affair, the “main” main event will be the final match on Sunday. This year, that was the clash between Cody Rhodes and John Cena for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Ever since Cena’s heel turn at the previous PLE, fans were excited for what the match could bring, and if heel Cena could win a record 17th world championship.
This was not the best match on the card by a long shot, with the slow pacing only exposing the rustiness of Cena in the ring.
But, it was the ending that will forever annoy fans.
Cena’s heel turn occurred due to the influence of The Rock, and fans were very much hoping that the Final Boss would turn up in the main event.
However, Dwayne was nowhere to be seen.
Instead, fans were treated to an appearance by rapper Travis Scott, who would play a pivotal role in the win for Cena.
This is not what fans expected or wanted, and was a fitting ending to what was a Wrestlemania that struggled to compete with its predecessor, and the expectations of a fan base who have seen a revival of the company in the last few years.
But maybe that was the goal all along.
In a promo in the build-up to WrestleMania, John Cena said that he wanted to “ruin wrestling.”
If the last two days are anything to go by, he may be achieving his goal.
Ben Tredinnick is a contributor to The MMM Journal. He can be reached at bmtredinnick@thefourthquartile.com.
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