WWE WrestleMania XXIX: 5 Positives to Come from This Year's WrestleMania Show

In a recent article, I discussed some of the mistakes that the WWE made at this year’s WrestleMania extravaganza.

And though the piece may have seemed rather hypercritical of the event, to say that the show was a failure would be going a step too far in all honesty.

Though I maintain my stance on these aforementioned issues, there were still a number of positives to take from the Showcase of the Immortals.

In a far less pessimistic follow-up to my earlier piece, this article takes a look at five of the biggest positives to take from WrestleMania this year.

The Miz

Now I’m not usually a fan of The Miz—particularly now that he’s a face.

But at WrestleMania, the former reality star seized upon the rather restricted opportunity that he was given and produced exactly the kind of performance that was needed.

Right from the word go the Awesome One was visibly pumped for the pay-per-view. He soon set about rallying the crowd and was the perfect showman for the event’s opening pre-show bout.

As an Englishman, I had hoped that Wade Barrett would retain the Intercontinental Championship. But given The Miz’s enthusiasm, I find myself perfectly content with the crowning of a new champion.

The Miz really rose to the occasion, and his passion alone made him a shining example to the company’s other mid-card stars. Kudos to the new champion.

Daniel Bryan Turns It Around

Despite being the most technically proficient wrestler on the roster, Daniel Bryan was inexplicably given just 18 seconds in which to perform at last year’s WrestleMania.

This year though, Bryan set about making up for lost time.

Few superstars can truly orchestrate an audience, galvanizing them into a collective unit in their chants and cheers.

Furthermore, few can do so to the extent that the sound of their entrance music is almost drowned out; but that’s exactly what D-Bry did after his ‘Mania victory.

After delivering a picture perfect diving headbutt, Bryan got the 1-2-3 to retain his Tag Team Title and then led an overwhelming chorus of Yes! chants from the 80,000 strong crowd.

It produced one of the biggest receptions of the night, and was a great way to give Bryan the spotlight after his travesty of a performance at last year’s show. Justice has been served; the Shield will be pleased.

Living Colour

Though I’m by no means his biggest fan, I can at least appreciate that Diddy’s performance was in keeping with the glitz and the glamour of a WrestleMania spectacle.

Living Colour though, put the Grammy Award-winning rapper’s performance to shame.

The quartet, with a cumulative age of over 200 years, produced a rousing rendition of Cult of Personality as CM Punk made his way to the ring for his match with The Undertaker.

It was a great throwback to the days of old, when top rock acts Motorhead, Limp Bizkit and Saliva would regularly play various WWE Superstars to the ring on the Grandest Stage of Them All.

For me, that was the moment that really kick-started WrestleMania, and it proved to be the perfect precursor to the most entertaining contest of the night.

Sweet Chin Music

Shawn Michaels’ appearance at WrestleMania had many speculating about his possible involvement in Triple H’s clash with Brock Lesnar.

Ultimately, HBK’s role turned out to be a fairly minimal one. But despite its simplicity, it was emphatic enough and produced one of the better moments of the evening.

In seeing Brock Lesnar wrapped up in the Kimura Lock, Paul Heyman entered the ring to help out—only to receive a shattering Sweet Chin Music for his troubles.

Having retired at this event three years ago, it was great to see the Showstopper back in the big time to deliver his signature move one more time.

A minor point it may be, but a thoroughly welcome moment that will have sent many a fan home happy.

CM Punk vs. The Undertaker

Undoubtedly the match of the night was CM Punk vs. The Undertaker.

Brock Lesnar vs. Triple H was great, as were a few other bouts, but for the sheer drama, passion and story-telling of the Deadman and Punk, this one was the show’s highlight.

Both men put in great displays, and I must say that I was impressed with the fitness and physical condition that The Undertaker was in.

Having ‘Taker sit up in the Anaconda Vice was a great moment, while having Punk come close to ending the Streak with the help of the urn was awesome booking.

But finally, it was The Undertaker who stood tall in a fitting tribute to the late Paul Bearer.

It may not have been the match of the year, but it had the MetLife Stadium at their most audible and animated. Both the combatants and the Creative Team deserve props for this one.

Conclusion

Of course, there were other moments of note that really added to this year’s WrestleMania.

However I feel that these five points were arguably the biggest positives on display in New Jersey on Sunday night.

They may not have been the most ground-breaking of developments, but many of them were the kind of one-off WrestleMania moments that will remain in the minds of many a fan for some time to come.

But do you guys agree?

Please feel free to comment below with your own highlights from the PPV, and don’t hesitate to let me know what you think of the article itself.