Amid the fireworks, the high-risk maneuvers, the surprises and the wedding proposal, one word rang true for WrestleMania 33.
Nostalgic.
From The Undertaker performing in what was perhaps his final match to the return of Jim Ross and The Hardy Boyz, World Wrestling Entertainment’s flagship event on Sunday in Orlando, Fla., mixed blasts from the past with its present-day stars.
Here’s a look at the key moments from WrestleMania 33:
Highlights
End of an era. The Undertaker, long a stalwart for the WWE, appeared to bid farewell to the world of professional wrestling.
Facing Roman Reigns in the final bout on the card, the two put on a solid 23-minute match that served as a fitting farewell to the Deadman. Late into the contest, Undertaker tried to pull himself up against Reigns — a scene reminiscent of . Several Superman punches and spears later, and Reigns pinned the 52-year-old ‘Taker.
After losing, ‘Taker slowly got up, took off his gloves, his duster and his hat, and placed them in the center of the ring.
If he is done, this marked an end of an era. Undertaker was a throwback to a different age of pro wrestling, one that featured supernatural characters. An undead mortician who’s impervious to pain doesn’t quite fit in with today’s reality era.
J.R. returns. If it was Undertaker’s final match, it was fitting that Jim Ross was the man to give commentary.
The legendary announcer returned to the booth to provide commentary for the match. His familiar voice may be back with the WWE on a more consistent basis as , according to Fox Sports.
A decent proposal. John Cena and Nikki Bella are now engaged.
After the stars of “Total Bellas” defeated The Miz and Maryse in a mixed tag team match, Cena grabbed a microphone and was handed the ring. Bella said yes.
A Hardy return. In the biggest surprise of the night, legendary tag team, The Hardy Boyz, made their return to the company as a late addition to the ladder match for the Raw Tag Team title.
The New Day, who hosted WrestleMania, came out just before the start of the triple-threat match to announce that it was changed to a fatal four-way. Dressed in their ring attire, the three former champions teased it was them being added to the bout before the Hardys’ theme song hit and the crowd erupted.
The crowd broke out into several “delete” chants, a reference to Matt Hardy’s “Broken” character’s catchphrase, which debuted in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling last summer.
The brothers — who were in several memorable ladder tag matches against The Dudley Boys and Edge and Christian — didn’t miss a beat. Matt did his twist of fate move off a ladder on Karl Anderson, while Jeff Hardy performed a senton bomb off a 14-foot ladder on Cesaro and Sheamus.
Shane-O-Mac, AJ Styles deliver. Shane McMahon has long been known for performing insane spots for big matches. Last year, he during his contest against The Undertaker.
But his normal, non-stipulation match against Styles proved to be one of the best of the evening as the two put on a brutal, but stellar back-and-forth bout. McMahon did pull a trick out of his crazy playbook and performed a shooting star press, which is a front-facing backflip from the top rope onto an opponent laying on the ground. He didn’t connect, but it was amazing to watch.
Results
Preshow
• Neville (c) d. Austin Aries for WWE Cruiserweight Championship
• Mojo Rawley wins Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
• Dean Ambrose (c) d. Baron Corbin for WWE Intercontinental Championship
Main card
• AJ Styles d. Shane McMahon
• Kevin Owens d. Chris Jericho (c) for WWE United States Championship
• Bayley (c) d. Charlotte Flair, Nia Jax and Sasha Banks for WWE Raw Women’s Championship
• The Hardy Boyz d. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson (c), Cesaro and Sheamus, and Enzo Amore and Big Cass for WWE Raw Tag Team Championship
• John Cena and Nikki Bella d. The Miz and Maryse
• Seth Rollins d. Triple H
• Randy Orton d. Bray Wyatt (c) for the WWE Championship
• Brock Lesnar d. Goldberg (c) for the WWE Universal Championship
• Naomi d. Alexa Bliss (c), Becky Lynch, Carmella, Mickie James and Natayla for the WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship
• Roman Reigns d. The Undertaker
