Kavita Devi and Jinder Mahal shine, but Wrestlemania 34 has let down fans
Upping the game, WWE went for the first-ever Women's Battle Royal in Wrestlemania, which had Kavita Devi
It was a proud moment for India as kurti-clad Kavita Devi became the first Indian woman to make her WWE main roster debut at the Wrestlemania 34, but the event was otherwise a disappointing one for many a reason. About 78,133 members of the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) Universe were present at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Lousiana to witness the "superbowl" of wrestling live.
Millions others watched it on television. But the matches were mostly underwhelming.
First Women's Battle Royal; but not on TV time
Attention #India! #KavitaDevi is a part of the #WomensBattleRoyal! #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/dYd81JaYUv
— WWE (@WWEIndia) April 8, 2018
That WWE has started taking its women wrestlers seriously was evident in its first ever Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber for women.
Upping the game, WWE went for the first-ever Women's Battle Royal in Wrestlemania, which had Kavita Devi. But this match was part of a pre-show, which does not translate into royalties for the wrestlers. While Naomi won it, Kavita Devi was considered as one of the surprises the match had, apart from Dakota Kai, Peyton Royce, Kairi Sane, Bianca Belair.
"I am very happy that I was able to represent my country on just a great stage like Wrestlemania. This was a huge day for me and I will never forget this moment," Kavita told WWE.com after her match.
After Great Khali and Jinder Mahal, she's the third Indian to join the ranks of the WWE. Before pursuing a career in pro-wrestling, Devi represented the country in powerlifting and won the gold medal in the 75kg category at the 2016 South Asian Games.
Jinder Mahal won the WWE United States Championship
Yuvraj Singh Desi, whose ring name is Jinder Mahal, is an Indo-Canadian professional wrestler with the WWE since 2010. Last year, he became the first wrestler of Indian origin to win the title of WWE Champion at Backlash (event). He scripted history as he grabbed the United States Champion at Wrestlemania 2018.
EXCLUSIVE: 70,000+ witnessed the continuation of the #MaharajaEra when @JinderMahal WON the #USTitle at #WrestleMania 34! @SinghBrosWWE #AndNew pic.twitter.com/YlDHtfDz6N
— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2018
What’s the deal with Lesnar and Roman Reigns
The story of Roman Reigns vs Lesnar has been developed in the past three years. The fans were almost certain that Roman Reigns was going to put an end to the WWE universal championship reign of Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania 34, as the latter's contract with WWE was coming to an end on April 9.
However, that did not happen. Lesnar retained his title after a physical battle with Reigns that saw the latter bleeding profusely towards the end of the bout. “This match may have had one of the deadest and least-enthusiastic crowds for a WrestleMania main event ever, as evidenced by the booming "booooring" and "this is awful" chants,” says a report.
Things became a clear a day later, when it was announced that Lesnar had resigned. He was supposed to make a comeback to UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship). Now fans are confused who is signing whom and who is under whose contract.
That match was AWFUL!!! What a shock WWE has Brock Lesnar go over and not only over but by destroying Roman. I don't get the obsession with this overrated part timer. Grade F #WrestleMania
— Brian McDonald (@BrianMc521) April 9, 2018
Roman Reigns didn't win , shocking. Boring match but Brock Lesnar Retaining adds to the shock value of it , no-one thought he is going to retain. #WrestleMania
— shakunt joshipura (@sjoshipura) April 9, 2018
Braun Stroman won teaming up with a 10-year-old: Suspension of disbelief
We bet young #Nicholas is going to have a lot to brag at school tomorrow! #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/JJOROeFB2p
— WWE (@WWEIndia) April 9, 2018
It was ridiculous when Braun Stroman chose a 10-year-old boy from the audience and announced him as his tag team partner. The audience started chanting “we want Nicholas” and the duo (not really, Stroman alone) captured the WWE Raw Tag Team Championships, defeating Sheamus and Cesaro, only to relinquish it a day after.
Reason? A more ridiculous one. Nicholas, the 10-year-old, is busy in his elementary school.
Cena-Undertaker match
Didn't The Undertaker retire after losing to Roman Reigns at Wrestlemania 33? Well, yes. Exactly 370 days after this retirement, The Undertaker came out to face John Cena at Wrestlemania 34 and defeated him in three minutes. The rest of the time was dedicated to The Undertaker's entrance.
Totally Disappointed. I Respect The #Undertaker and I am happy for him But Cena struggled so much for this match and he gets this 2 minute match... At least it could have been more entertaining ????????.Not expected this at #WrestleMania34 pic.twitter.com/CFSTl3gBm9
— ❤CENA FAN FOREVER❤ (@WWEKaushikCena) April 9, 2018
Writer: We have 30 minutes to kill. What should we put in there?Vince: The Undertaker!Writer: A 30 minute undertaker match? Great!Vince: Yeah, but make sure his entrance takes up 26 minutes of that. Writer: But-Vince: And add Elias in there somewhere#wrestlemania
— Tim Rose Tweeting (@TimRoseTweeting) April 9, 2018
Now I REALLY don’t understand what the point of Undertaker at #WrestleMania34 was. That is definitely not the Taker vs John Cena match everyone has been wanting to see. Should’ve left it alone after WM33, imo. #WrestleMania #WrestleMania
— Jaredogden212 (@jaredogden212) April 9, 2018
The AJ Styles-Shinsuke Nakamura match did not live up to expectations. End of Asuka’s undefeated streak did not go down well with many fans, but then it was against Charlotte Flair, the undiputed "queen of the ring".
But Ronda Rousey's debut, in which she defeated Stephanie McMahon (chief brand officer of WWE) and her husband Triple H, was a stellar act.