WWE WrestleMania 31: Most Memorable Moments from Massive PPV
The biggest show of the year has come and gone. WWE WrestleMania 31 is in the can, and it's a show that will live long in the memory.
Despite a build that ranks as one of the worst in recent memory, the WWE pulled it off and delivered a blockbuster show that had almost everything.
Unsurprisingly, John Cena's ridiculously short victory over Rusev is not one of them, nor is Big Show's uninspiring win in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
But throughout the rest of the show, WrestleMania provided fans with some moments that can only happen at the biggest pay-per-view of the year.
Here is a rundown of the most memorable moments from a stunning night at Levi's Stadium.
RKO Outta Nowhere!
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Randy Orton vs. Seth Rollins may not have been the most noteworthy match of the night, but it certainly had an ending that fans won't forget.
With both men kicking out of each other's finishing maneuvers, you got the impression it was going to take something special to pick up the victory.
So when Rollins went for a second Curb Stomp and was flung up into the air, you knew you were about to witness a moment of WrestleMania magic.
It was sheer athleticism from both men to pull off the ending, with Randy Orton's second RKO causing a storm all over the Internet.
After the recent viral sensation of the "RKO Outta Nowhere," this was a nice way to end the match, even if it meant an Orton win as opposed to a Rollins one.
Luke Harper's Incredible Powerbomb
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The Intercontinental Championship match was inevitably going have some incredible spots in it. When you have a match with Daniel Bryan and Dean Ambrose, you know anything can happen.
And to be fair, there was a moment just before this that took the breath away, as Bad News Barrett issued a huge suplex from the top of the ladder to Stardust. However, what followed a few moments later was incredible.
Luke Harper hoisting Dean Ambrose up on his shoulders and hurtling him over the top rope onto a ladder was one of those moments that makes you wince and mark out all in the same breath.
It's no underestimation to say that Ambrose was completely bent in half, and it caused carnage at ringside.
YestleMania
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Shortly after Ambrose was sent through that well-placed ladder at ringside, we got another memorable WrestleMania moment.
Incredibly, after pulling double-duty and winning the main event last year, Bryan was placed in the first match of the evening at WrestleMania this year.
But the decision to send the ladder match on first was ultimately a smart one, as it set the tone nicely for the rest of the night.
And although fans will have all had their own favorite who they wanted to see climb the ladder and claim the Intercontinental Championship, Bryan was undoubtedly the hot pick among most.
When he triumphed, it confirmed a change of direction for the WWE and the IC title. There's no doubting Bryan is still massively over, and at least the WWE opted to give him another WrestleMania moment.
It'll be interesting to see how the WWE's two midcard championships are booked from here on out.
The 2 Faces of Fear Combine
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Regardless of the result, Bray Wyatt has cemented himself as having a big, big future in the next few months.
Did he lose to Undertaker? Yes, but he certainly helped to deliver a great contest at the biggest show of them all, from the incredible promo work in the weeks leading up to WrestleMania right through to the decent contest we saw at the event itself.
And there was a particular moment in the latter stages of the match that caught the eye, as the two Faces of Fear combined to make a real iconic moment.
When Wyatt was performing his signature crabwalk towards Taker and he instantly shot up, it was a great image.
And credit to Taker too, who still managed to show he was in decent shape despite turning 50 last week. The question is, will the curtain come down at 22-1? Or will he wrestle one more time?
"The Monday Night Wars Have Come to WrestleMania!"
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Seeing Sting in a WWE ring at long, long last could have been big enough to make it onto this list.
But you just had the feeling that something special would happen when Sting and Triple H stepped into the ring. With all the history between WWE and WCW, and all the references toward it by Triple H in the buildup to this match, it probably was always going to happen.
Seeing D-Generation X make their way to the ring and make the save for Triple H was one thing. Seeing the nWo stroll out and their iconic music hit was another.
And then, after both of those factions had taken the battle to the outside of the ring, we even managed to see Shawn Michaels, who again made the save for HHH with an outrageous Sweet Chin Music.
To some fans, it will have seemed strange to see the members of The Kliq on opposite sides of the same battle. But this was DX vs. nWo, and as Michael Cole said, it was the Monday Night Wars coming to WrestleMania.
It was simply spectacular.
Rock and Ronda vs. The Authority
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Stephanie McMahon and Triple H are well versed with delivering fiery and entertaining promos, and this was certainly one you can include in that bracket.
The Rock's music hitting was special enough, especially the incredible reception he got when he emerged and made his way to the ring.
Then you had Stephanie's dismissal of The Rock, with a few people probably believing he was about to retreat. However, when you heard the "Ronda Rousey!" chants from ringside, you knew what was coming.
Having all four in the same ring was a great segment between matches, and the brief interlude between The Rock and Triple H could hint at something happening in the near future.
But credit to Rousey here too, who more than played her role in an entertaining part of the night.
Magical, Magical Rollins
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Every time Lesnar failed to put Roman Reigns away with F-5 after F-5, it looked more and more likely that Reigns would triumph in a style similar to Cena.
However, the WWE went for the bold swerve right at the end. Boy, did it pay off.
It was booked to perfection. Lesnar never got pinned. He wasn't the guy who was defeated, which leaves him looking almost as strong as he was before.
Reigns got nothing, which is ultimately what many WWE fans were desperate for. And in making the match a Triple Threat, it enabled Rollins to duck in, steal the championship and start a new chapter for the WWE.
Lesnar vs. Rollins now has to be the plan moving forward here. Lesnar never actually got pinned, so he has more than a legitimate claim for a rematch. The Raw following WrestleMania is going to be unmissable.
The company has taken a beating from some critics in the past few weeks, but the WWE pulled the ending of WrestleMania off superbly.
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