Four years later, it still seems bizarre. I’m not simply talking about the pandemic.

As everything shut down, there were calls for WWE to shut down entirely. Great idea. Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar were out, no live event money coming in, and the worlds of entertainment and sports ground to a halt. They should’ve stopped doing TV so more people lost their jobs. 

Oh, and then came even more big news: Reigns finally turns; the live crowds came back; the return of the American Nightmare; the end of Vince McMahon, twice; WarGames on the main shows; LA Knight; GUNTHER’s record-smashing Intercontinental title run; the Endeavor era begins; and, wait for it…

…CM Punk.

Making the product better wasn’t exactly the tallest task given how Vince set the bar so low. How different would it have looked?

The Bloodline and the Judgment Day. There’s so much I wanna say but I don’t wanna sound redundant. It’s the latter that really brings out the ‘mark’ in a fan, but especially Dominik Mysterio. He was the best thing to happen to Michael Cole.

You know, just one well-placed promo would bring down the Judgment Day or at least convince JD to quit. Just a thought.

Of course, there was sadness too. Bray Wyatt left this earth far too soon, as well as Shad Gaspard, Hana Kimura, and Terry Funk.

WrestleMania 36

Kairi Sane, Elias, Shayna Baszler, and Rhea Ripley among others were supposed to have their first WrestleManias in front of 70,000+ fans and had to settle for a glorified high school gym. Also, the dream match of Reigns vs. Goldberg didn’t happen for two years.

Mandy Rose and Otis’ kiss, Edge’s grand return, and Drew McIntyre’s coronation were great moments nonetheless. Overall the wrestling was good under the conditions they had to work with.

The Undertaker redeemed himself, AJ Styles got to headline a WrestleMania, and now he’ll be the Dead Man’s last ever opponent. We think.

So, what about that Firefly Funhouse match?

If one were to summarize it, Bray Wyatt presented a very twisted view of what John Cena was and who he became. Sometimes I wonder how it would play out if Bray broke down Steve Austin this way. Making him out to be a bully would NOT be hard.

Imagine those kids watching at home, scared their hero wouldn’t come back. 

WrestleMania 37

A show with a live crowd. It felt good!

Putting aside the horrible opening to night 2, this was a decent ‘Mania. Both main events were something to smile at. 

Bad Bunny deserves mad credit here and looked like he belonged. He had the good luck of being in there with his fellow Puerto Rican Damian Priest.

WrestleMania 38

It was the end of an era and we had no idea.

It was also the start of a two year journey that would bring Cody Rhodes all the way to his greatest moment, we hope.

Johnny Knoxville vs. Sami Zayn. What can you say about it? We enjoyed it for how ridiculous it was. Everyone involved was having a blast, and we did too.

Stone Cold’s first match in 19 years. That’s all. No need to oversell it. If not for that, Bianca vs. Becky could’ve headlined night 1, and it damn well should have.

WrestleMania 39

Tell me it didn’t feel good watching Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn clinch the big win on Night 1!

A downer ending on Night 2 of course, but they say good thing come to those who wait. It better be worth it.

I can’t be the only one thinking Cody finishing the story in Philly has been The Rock’s plan all along.

Seeing Rey Mysterio give Dominik that belt-whipping was glorious!!

Final thoughts

Last year, Michael Cole said the Anoa’i family had been in 15 WrestleMania main events. Let me help. Roman Reigns had 7, Yokozuna had two, one for the Usos, and five for The Rock. 

Philly means Roman will break Hogan’s record. He ain’t gonna like that. 

Those who headlined at least five times makes for an exclusive club. Apart from Hogan, Roman and The Rock, The Undertaker, Triple H, Brock Lesnar, Shawn Michaels, and John Cena.

One last thing. It’s WrestleMania people. Sit back, order a pizza, and enjoy it. He is about to finish the story!

Don’t mess with the X.