WrestleMania 36 2020 wrap: WrestleMania was conducted without fans for the first time.
With sports taking a backseat due to the rising threat of coronavirus, this weekend’s WrestleMania provided an escape from the harsh reality of the world we find ourselves in. An escape that was needed now more than ever.
The event, which was initially scheduled to be held at Tampa’s Buccaneers Stadium, was forced to shift at WWE’s training facility in Orlando behind closed doors.
It was a tricky deal as WrestleMania was conducted without fans for the first time ever but WWE certainly left no stone unturned to make the show a unique affair.
In an attempt to add more grandeur, WWE also decided to make it a two-day affair with former NFL player Rob Gronkowski hosting the show and he now also is the new 24×7 Champion.
With the event being pre-tapped the fans at homes also experienced cinematic effect being used in two matches and the response it gathered was overwhelming. For all of it, fans must thank WWE’s incredible production crew and performers for giving two days of pure entertainment.
So here are the key events that took place in WrestleMania 36:
Women’s Championship
Becky Lynch maintained her supremacy as she defeated Shyna Baszler to retain her Raw Women’s Championship. In the SmackDown roster, the fight to retain the title was comparatively tougher for Bayley. In a fatal 5-way match, Bayley successfully defended the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Sasha Banks, Naomi, Lacey Evans and Tamina.
The fate of RoyalRumble winners
Both Royal Rumble winners Charlotte Flair and Drew McIntyre won their respective championship matches at the pay-per-view event. Flair overpowered Rhea Ripley in a match that lasted for almost half-an-hour to become the new NXT Women’s Champion. Flair dominated the proceedings with her signature hold Figure 8, crushing Ripley’s endurance as she tapped out.
McIntyre, on the other hand, showed great physical endurance as he resisted three consecutive F5 by Brock Lesnar before winning the contest. When it seemed that it was all over for the this year’s RoyalRumble winner, he effected three crushing Claymore right on Lesnar’s face to become the new WWE Champion.
Braun Strowman – the new boss in town
The Monster among Men Braun Strowman defeated Bill Goldberg in a couple of minutes to be crowned as the new WWE Universal Champion. Strowman not only resisted Goldberg’s spears but he dictated the contest once he found his mojo in the short battle.
Edge stands tall against Randy Orton
Edge once for all settled his feud against Randy Orton, as he won a hard-fought Last Man Standing match. The action which started with Orton hitting Edge with a “RKO-out of nowhere” inside the ring, soon moved through the entire Performance Center.
Jaw-dropping moments by John Morrison and Kevin Owens
WrestleMania 36 also witnessed two extreme moves that surprised everyone. The first-one was witnessed in the Ladder’s match for the SmackDown tag team championship. John Morrison defeated Jimmy Uso and Kofi Kingston, but in the manner the event was executed left all the fans in stupefaction. As as all the three superstars had their hand on the title towards the closing segment of the contest. But after a triple headbutt, Morrison fell off the ladder but he came down with the title in his possession, thus making him the winner.
#WrestleMania has exceeded all expectations. Whatever your initial thoughts, I’m genuinely thankful for WWE and it’s crew and performers for producing an excellent two nights of entertainment.
— Adam Pacitti (@adampacitti) April 6, 2020
Kevin Owens also gave the fans a thrilling moment when he jumped over the WrestleMania sign on top of the announcing table with Seth Rollins lying on it.
Cinematic effects that cast a new magic
The stage was not as grand as The Undertaker is more accustomed with, but his Boneyard Match against AJ Styles did leave the fans entertained at home.
The Deadman went on to win the contest after chokeslamming Styles from the top off a barn. However, it was the background music and the lights which added more flair into it.
The FireFly Fun House match between The Fiend and John Cena was another battle beyond everyone’s imagination. The Fiend eventually defeated Cena with Wyatt making the three count but the event brought a flashback of John Cena’s persona over the years, which included the Ruthless Aggression-era Cena, his Doctor of Thuganomics period. It also featured an nWo Cena, who threw punches at his opponent but it turned out to be a puppet.
FULL RESULTS:
Liv Morgan def. Natalya (Kickoff Match)
Charlotte Flair def. Rhea Ripley to become the new NXT Women’s Champion
Aleister Black def. Bobby Lashley
Otis def. Dolph Ziggler
Edge def. Randy Orton (Last Man Standing Match)
Raw Tag Team Champions The Street Profits def. Angel Garza & Austin Theory
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley def. Sasha Banks, Naomi, Lacey Evans and Tamina (Fatal 5-Way Elimination Match)
“The Fiend” Bray Wyatt def. John Cena in a Firefly Fun House Match
Drew McIntyre def. Brock Lesnar to become the new WWE Champion
Cesaro def. Drew Gulak (Kickoff Match)
Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross def. The Kabuki Warriors to become the new
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions
Elias def. King Corbin
Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch def. Shayna Baszler
Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn def. Daniel Bryan
SmackDown Tag Team Champion John Morrison def. Kofi Kingston and
Jimmy Uso in a Triple Threat Ladder Match
Kevin Owens def. Seth Rollins in a No Disqualification Match
Braun Strowman def. Goldberg to become the new Universal Champion
The Undertaker def. AJ Styles in a Boneyard Match