Wrestlemania 34: How the women stole the show, and other key talking points

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  • Daniel Bryan returned to a hero's welcome

    It was a night where the wrestling took centre-stage, with no big curve balls when it came to run ins, heel-turns and other shenanigans.

    Yes, Bray Wyatt showed up in the Battle Royal and Shinsuke Nakamura turned heel but that didn’t detract from what went before.

    Finishes were clean, and everything seemed to go without incident – perhaps a hat tip to the in-ring success of NXT, and a lack of need for all the added drama.

    Here’s what else we learned from the latest iteration of the Showcase of the Immortals.

    The women stole the show  

    Little doubt in this one. Charlotte and Asuka arguably had the match of the night, Nia Jax and Alexa Bliss exceeded all expectations, the Women’s Battle Royal had some good spots and a decent ending, oh, and Ronda Rousey can wrestle!

    It was a huge night for the women’s division and they delivered in spades.

    Hats off also to a part-time in-ringer, and mum-of-three who is now in her 40s. Stephanie McMahon, you rock.

    Ronda’s got it

    Can Ronda wrestle? Will she be able to hang? Can she make it through a match?

    Every question that was asked of the former MMA champ was answered, and critics getting way more than they could ever bargain for.

    From the second she took a hot-tag from Kurt Angle and flew across the ring at Stephanie McMahon, to the moment she locked in the final arm bar Rousey was incredible.

    We know about her strength and athleticism, but the way she sold and told the story of the match could not have been anticipated – the quality of her work anyway.

    The big question now is what direction she takes from here. Whatever it is, it will be must-see.

    Nakamura missed opportunity?

    It was the match that didn’t need the big hype. The match for the purist pitting AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura together in what should have been a wrestling dreamland.

    In the end it was good, but perhaps not the heights we expected.

    Styles is a worthy champion, but now Nakamura finds himself in a tough spot.

    The heel-turn has to be full-blooded, and with limited skills on the mic it could be tricky.

    Seth’s still the best worker around

    Arguably the best men’s match kicked off the show, in the form of the Triple Threat match for the IC title.

    Seth Rollins, Finn Balor and The Miz were all entrusted with the responsibility of getting the show off to a flier and didn’t disappoint.

    The fact the strap ended up on Seth is yet more proof that he’s valued highly as one of the best workers around. And rightly so.

    Where now for Roman

    After a trip to Suplex City, and numerous F5s, the question is what now for Roman Reigns?

    A bloodied mess at the end of the match with Brock Lesnar, Reigns expected win turned into little more than a playground bullying.

    With Brock’s future still in question, Reigns is likely to remain in the title picture but needs to get his hands on the gold sooner rather than later

    Daniel Bryan, you’ve still got it

    Well despite his layoff, Daniel Bryan hasn’t missed a step.

    His timing was impeccable throughout his tag match with Shane McMahon against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn – fast around the ring and nailing all his signature moves with unerring accuracy.

    The creative decision to have him injured on the outside for much of the first part of the match wasn’t great – but once involved he blew the roof off the Superdome in New Orleans.

    Appetites are very much whetted for his next steps.

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