I wasn't really planning on watching WrestleMania, but I read a post by Royal Card Review about getting a free trial subscription to WWE's streaming service, and I figured I might as well check in and see what it was all about. While I proclaim to be a wrestling fan, I don't think I've ever watched a WrestleMania before. The heyday of my wrestling viewership was in the late 90's, and I didn't have access to any Pay-Per-View stuff back then.
I missed some of the early stuff, but I got logged in during the lead-up to Kevin Owens vs. Chris Jericho. While there were a few entrances that took about 30 minutes too long (especially HHH), I was pretty entertained by the event as a whole. It was especially cool to see Undertaker's last match, although he certainly showed signs of his age throughout. It was a good time, and I was entertained. I'll probably be tuning in to some more wrestling when time permits.
I was happy to see Bayley retain the RAW Women's belt, but it's too bad that Nia Jax didn't get a little more screen time. It fits the storyline to have the other three wrestlers team up against her because they are afraid of her power, but it also seemed like they were pushing hard to get the big girl out quickly. Maybe that's a good sign. You wouldn't bat an eye if a few male wrestlers ganged up to eliminate someone like Andre the Giant or The Big Show, because being big and powerful is an advantage in wrestling. It could be a signal that women's wrestling in the U.S. has progressed beyond sideshows like bra & panty matches and mud wrestling. I wonder if Jax will get the belt at some point in the future?
I picked up a couple of Nia Jax cards over the last couple of months. The first was this autograph from 2016 Topps WWE Heritage. It's got an aesthetically-pleasing serial number ( # 33 / 99 ) and a clean on-card signature.
I also got this Mat Relic card from 2016 Topps WWE Divas Revolution. This one is a Silver parallel, numbered # 46 / 50. The parallels in this product tend to be pretty subdued, and in some cases I've only been able to tell them apart because of the serial number or by setting a parallel next to a base card.
I've posted a couple of other Nia Jax cards here, and I've decided to start a collection of her cards. I probably won't throw a ton of money at it, but I'll pick something up here or there as it catches my eye.
Thanks for the mention. While the product hasn't been great lately, I've spent many weeks waiting for Nia Jax to appear on the show. I am really a fan of hers. I wish she was in the match longer, but I think for the storyline it played out well. I think they are slowly building her up to get the title, but hope soon. As for the comparison to Andre and Big Show, on the pre-show they had a Battle Royal and they eliminated Braun Strowman exactly as you described- all teaming up to eliminate him.
ReplyDeleteThe women's division has really made great strides in the last couple years, and I can't wait to see where it goes next. Too bad I can't enjoy the product as much as I use to. But at least I can go back and watch old episodes of Raw and enjoy the glory days. Right now I'm enjoying a lot of 1998 stuff.
By the way, I'm jealous. Those cards are amazing. I might have to look for some Nia cards to get.
I can't speak to the quality of recent WWE shows, as WrestleMania was my first show back. I've watched a few matches on YouTube here and there over the last few months, but not any full shows. I was entertained by it. I think 1998 is probably right around the time I was watching WWE regularly.
DeleteBetween the early 1980s through around 2002-03 I watched all things wrestling but lost interest. When my son was old enough we watched together but it isn't to regular but now Chris Olds live tweets matches so I have found myself watching more often. Because of my Irish heritage I like Sheamus, Finn Balor and Becky Lynch so it probably won't be long before I start adding to my wrestling collection.
ReplyDeleteI usually maintain a general awareness of what's going on in wrestling, but until WrestleMania I probably hadn't watched a full event since we went to a WWE: Live event in my state around 12 years ago. The date for the event that matches the fight card I remember seeing falls during my first deployment to Iraq, though, but I could have been home on leave at the time. Either way, it's been a long time since I watched a WWE show.
DeleteI missed the show this year, but heard it was a good one. Nice pickups!
ReplyDeleteI was entertained by it. There was plenty of spectacle to go around.
DeleteUndertaker's last match? :( Damn that makes me feel old. I'll have to see if someone posted it on YouTube.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to give out spoilers or anything. He didn't come out and say it, but at the end of the match he made it pretty clear that he is done.
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