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Throwback: WrestleMania 33 Was One For The Ages

Throwback: WrestleMania 33 Was One For The Ages

The Undertaker retired, the Hardy Boys returned and John Cena proposed...

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

THIS STORY WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON 3RD APRIL, 2017

Wrestlemania is the biggest night of the year for fans of professional wrestling and boy did this year's event deliver.

The 33rd edition of the annual extravaganza, held at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando was stacked from top to bottom and as per usual, featured a whole host of stellar matches and moments.

This is the night where WWE take things to the next level and they did exactly that with the show they delivered. Going into the event, plenty of fans were skeptical about storylines for certain bouts but in front of the raucous crowd, the in-ring action conjured up by WWE's talented roster was nothing short of sublime for the best part.

Image: WWE

And of course, there were plenty of Wrestlemania moments created.

Undoubtedly the biggest takeaway was The Undertaker appearing to call time on his glittering career in WWE. Quite possibly the greatest performer ever to step in the ring, The Deadman slugged it out with Roman Reigns in the No Holds Barred main event in front of 75,000 fans and though it took four spears to put him away, he was beaten by the upstart in a real passing of the torch.



The legendary Jim Ross returning and providing commentary for the match, said to be Taker's request, along with The Phenom leaving his gloves, cloak and hat in the middle of the ring after the match means the 52-year old will now surely ride off into the sunset. It was an emotional moment, seeing Taker in the ring for the last time, with good ol' JR calling his retirement.



And that wasn't the only piece of nostalgia in the show. That's because the Hardy Boyz made a dramatic return to WWE on the show of shows and claimed the Raw Tag Team Championships.

The Hardys were announced as the fourth and final team in the ladder match between champions Gallows and Anderson, Sheamus and Cesaro and Enzo and Cass. They sent the Citrus Bowl into a frenzy when their music hit and the same can be said when Jeff hit a trademark Swanton Bomb off a ladder before Matt followed it up by climbing up another ladder and unhooking the belts to begin their seventh reign with tag titles in WWE. Unbelievable scenes.


The Hardys' big win was one of five title changes throughout Wrestlemania.

Kevin Owens defeated his former best friend Chris Jericho for the United States championship, while both of the top prizes on both Raw and Smackdown changes hands.

Image: WWE

Randy Orton found a way past the mind games of his former partner Bray Wyatt to claim his 13th world title. On the Raw brand, Brock Lesnar avenged his humiliating Survivor Series loss to Goldberg with a dominant victory inside five minutes to win the Universal Title for the first time.

Image: WWE

Raw Women's Champion Bayley retained her title in a fatal four way elimination match while the other women's bout for the Smackdown title saw hometown girl Naomi light up the match and win the strap for the second time.

Image: WWE

Seth Rollins' knee buckled a number of times during his non-sanctioned fight with his former mentor Triple H but when The Game fell into his wife Stephanie McMahon and put her through a table, The Architect seized advantage and put the game away with his own Pedigree finisher. A monumental win for Rollins on 'The Grandest Stage Of Them All'.


It was Smackdown who opened the main show, with AJ Styles ousting Shane McMahon in a furious start to proceedings. Shane O'Mac, though he didn't have a Hell in a Cell to jump of this time, continued his reputation as an absolute madman but couldn't get the job done against The Phenomenal One.

Image: WWE

Another high-profile encounter going into Wrestlemania was the mixed tag match between John Cena and Nikki Bella, and The Miz and Maryse.

Image: WWE

The two couples were about balanced when it came to trash talk and firing shots in the build-up, but Cena and Bella made quick work of their opponents. They celebrated their victory with a marriage proposal, as Cena got down on one knee and popped the question to his other half in the middle of the ring.


Elsewhere, on the pre-show Neville again lived up to his 'King of the Cruiserweights' tag by successfully defended his crown against Austin Aries, while Dean Ambrose also reigned supreme over Baron Corbin in the Intercontinental Championship match. Mojo Rowley won the fourth Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, thanks to an assist from New England Patriots Rob Gronkowski after Jinder Mahal disrespected the 27-year old.


But the night belonged to The Undertaker, who looks to have dished out his last chokeslam and tombstone. The visual of The Deadman taking off his gear, leaving the ring to a standing ovation from the fans in attendance, kissing his wife Michelle McCool and raising his arm one last time will forever be etched in the memory of wrestling fans.



This year's Wrestlemania was definitely one for the ages.

What was your favourite match or moment at Wrestlemania 33? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.Featured Image Credit: WWE

Topics: Wrestlemania, Wrestling News, Wrestling, WWE