WrestleMania 34 Sucked
In the end, we can all agree WWE never gets it right when it comes to booking their talent. Given canât miss circumstances they epically whiff. At the height of their mediocrity was WrestleMania 34. Four years removed from their most inspiring âMania, they returned to New Orleans steeped in stagnation. Roman Reigns is still chasing the championship, and itâs occupant Brock Lesnar, much like WrestleMania 31. To make the situation even more eerie, Daniel Bryan had returned from a neck injury, except he isnât laying claim to the title he never lost like last time. Fans arenât given even the brief glimmer of hope heâll elbow his way into the title picture as he is shoved into a tag match with Shane-O as his partner.
The most exciting elements WWE had going for themselves at this time was Shinsuke Nakamura and Asuka. Both fan favorites and enjoyed much success in Japan. Each won their respective Royal Rumbles and were supposed to win, but neither of them did. Asuka submitted to Charlotte Flair. Nakamura was pinned by A.J Styles. The entrenched champions held on to their belts, and while Asuka would eventually climb the mountain top, Nakamura hasnât sniffed the gold since that faithful night.
The first mistake was WWE taking the rumble for granted. The Royal Rumble isnât simply a battle royal, but bigger. It is a program where you establish a new star thatâll main event your biggest pay-per-view and win the world title. It isnât Money In The Bank or a lesser PPV. It is WWEâs second best and directly impacts the first. Having both winners strike out and neither main event is demoralizing and set them back.
Why WWE decided to tread water and resurrect the Reigns feud with Lesnar Iâll never know. Nakamura needed to challenge Lesnar for the belt and win. But Vince doesnât believe the fans will buy a smaller man overcoming Brockâs size advantage. Vince wants his product to appear real, except for when itâs not. Heâs full of shit is what Iâm saying.
Roman could have faced Styles in a face vs face match, either have Styles turn or retain or relinquish the belt, it doesnât really matter.
Instead, Nakamura turns heel and proceeds to do nothing ever since.
As for Asuka, sheâs the only champion to leave NXT without taking a pinfall meaning she left the brand still their champion. Riding an undefeated streak she was sure to unseat Charlotte - except no. Perhaps this too was a mistake. While no doubt a dream match, WWE wasnât interested in making room for the top of the womenâs division. They can make stars, but only want to make one every five or so years.
Asuka didnât have to face Flair. She could have challenged heel Alexa Bliss for the title. But instead weâre treated to a hypocritical anti-bullying angle with Nia Jax because WWE wants you to believe they arenât an industry built upon bullying people.
Hell, if you werenât going to do anything with Asukaâs undefeated streak why even have her leave NXT the champion? Why not let Ember Moon pin her and see if she can capitalize off ending her streak? Itâs better than just having her first lost be to Flair. Or fuck it, donât have her win the rumble. Do something special for the first womenâs Royal Rumble and have Sasha Banks win the whole as the number one entrant, beat Alexa Bliss, then drop the title to Ronda Rousey a month later at Money In The Bank.
I mean why not? What did Asuka gain from losing to Flair? What did Nakamura gain going after a face like Styles and losing cleanly? Zero. Zilch.
âBut who does Flair wrestle at âMania?â Why not Carmella? Or Natalya? Or even Becky? Flair can make anyone look good. I donât see why theyâd be a problem. Or Hell, have Trish Status face Flair.
By now itâs easy to realize the WWE lacks vision and happily boxes themselves in to end up at the worst possible product for their biggest show. Itâs hard to believe an over-bloated roster could make so many mistakes and do right by no one.
