I dunno why people are so afraid to start these threads.

I think the actual proper show starts at 7 p.m. ET? Hope so, because that's about when I'll get home.

I really don't know most of what's happening on this card, but airdropping into WrestleMania cold usually still works out to be a fun time, so I plan to watch quite a bit of this.

Gotta say I had no recollection that was Michael Shannon on the receiving end of those tickets.

I haven’t watched in forever but have a vague idea the Rock is involved somehow. I plan on watching mainly to set up the best Raw of the year on Monday.

This isn't a thing anymore, man. This is like how people keep looking forward to Super Bowl commercials as if it's still the 90s. Some great things die.

They set out to kill it one year once they realized what was coming. I can still see the visual in my head of JBL smiling ear to ear and enthusiastically going "oh man Maggle, these fans are crazy, they cheer who you expect them to boo and they boo who you expect them to cheer. I love it!" In that moment, Mr. Belding put on the buddy band. It died before our very eyes and there is no reviving it.

Of course, even if they hadn't done that then there's a pretty good chance it would have collapsed under its own weight anyway. Wrestling crowds as a self-aware participant in the show are awful way, WAY more often than they're good.

Ugh, this makes me sad.

2013 Raw after Mania, sitting 8 rows back, was by far my best live wrestling experience ever. The pop when Ziggler cashed MITB on ADR was *chef’s kiss*. Yeah, some things are cringe in hindsight (crowd singing the Fandango theme) but I still wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.

Philly crowds are usually hot, so maybe that’s something to hope for.


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That was an awesome show and I’m sure was even better to be there in person for. I definitely still remember loving it just watching on TV.

Of course, the charm lied in the fact that tens of thousands were collectively joyfully giving a middle finger to Vince McMahon, acting exactly the opposite of how he wished they would act.

With that Vince factor seemingly actually gone for good(?), the collective rebellion (if that’s even what it is anymore; I’m dubious it’s even still that) is not charming. There are few things about wrestling anymore that are more repellent to my potential desire to tune in than the crowds.

But as to WrestleMania itself, I don’t mean to be a wet blanket. I’m looking forward to this, and I agree Philly is a better location than most (though Mania is such a destination anymore that the specific city does mean somewhat less).

I'm excited for the shows. Moreso cause I have no idea what matches are even happening outside of the main event of night 1 and 2 and Seth vs Drew. Just here for the Mania experience.

Lot of this pre-show has been, “Wow, things are so great under HHH. Everything is soooo much better NOW.”

They’re really hammering home that they’re distancing themselves from Vince, lol.

Just got home and logged in.

Aw ****, Pat McAfee on the call? Hopefully my ears can develop an ability to drown him out.

Ha, Punk's "when I don't have someone barking in my ear" just now was definitely a swipe at Vince too.

WWE video packages are still elite.

So, it looks pretty cold outside. I wonder if that increases the chances of injuries. I’m sure all wrestlers will be well warmed up, but they basically never perform in the cold.

HHH,
Thank you for not opening with "let's get ready to suck it."

A modicum of comeuppance hearing Vince get constantly buried like this.


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For sure. I'll just shamelessly lap all of that up.

No way Becky is winning this.

Geez RR is freaking jacked.

Triple powerbomb is just never a spot I like since I never feel like it looks good, but at least that specific spot made some sense since Becky was clinging to a hold and it was a way to fight loose. Most of the time the spot looks bad and is kind of nonsensical also.

Oh man, I can't believe someone kicked out of a finisher at WrestleMania.

Time to get wide-eyed...

Kinda dig RR’s facial expressions after that near fall.

Was just about to say that about the kickout after the frogsplash. THAT'S what they should all do. Something like that. It was spot-on.

Anyway, I love those women, but the match wasn't really a standout for me. It was fine.

Woulda been tougher to set up, but I’m a much bigger fan of the desperation leg on the rope to survive a pinfall vs a standard kickout at 2 1/2.

Solid opener—pretty physical.

In

Will watch when I get home in an hr or so

Probably Rhea’s first real challenge, and she passed with flying colors. Wasn’t a squash, but she held the advantage for most of the match and wrestled cleanly. Hard to see anyone taking her down for quite awhile.